The Hawthorn
The hawthorn is also known as the May tree, we plant it now for hedging, that’s actually been its role for thousands of years, long before humans got involved.
Beltane
One of the four cross-quarter days (Beltane, Lughnasadh, Samhain and Imbolc). Samhain marks the beginning of winter, Beltane the beginning of summer. These were the hinge days of the year for our ancestors, they marked periods of change that had huge consequences for the survival and prosperity for themselves and their community. The rituals and stories they used were the ways that they understood and navigated these times.
Responding to the Curriculum and Assessment Review
We have put together a short briefing in response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review, focusing on what its key messages mean in practice for primary schools.
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Winter Solstice Plans
The Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year and the turning point when the light begins to return. For thousands of years, people have noticed this moment, gathering to share warmth, food and stories, and to remind one another that winter does not last forever and bright days are ahead. We have created
From Samhain to Hallowe’en
In the first part of this series we looked at the old festival of Samhain, a fire festival rooted in the rhythm of the land, marking the hinge of the year, the moment when the light slipped away and winter stepped in. People gathered to honour their ancestors, share the warmth of the communal fire,
Samhain
Welcome to our series on Samhain, the ancient festival that gave rise to what we now know as Halloween. Rooted in the land and the turning of the seasons, Samhain marks the threshold between light and dark, summer and winter. Over the coming weeks we’ll explore the myths, stories, and traditions that surround this time
Harvest Moon
Tomorrow night the Harvest Moon rises bright and golden, lighting the fields one last time before winter closes in. Across the world it is a moment for gratitude, for food, warmth, and the turning of the year. We explore the stories, traditions, and ways to celebrate this timeless moon in your own setting.
The Autumn Equinox
A Moment of Balance Twice a year, the sun crosses the celestial equator and the hours of daylight and darkness are in near-perfect harmony. Today marks the autumn equinox, and the turning of the year towards longer nights and the slow descent into winter. Across cultures, across millennia, this moment has been seen as both an
Mentorship in Mixed-Age Learning
When Matt was coaching under 7s football, our son Buddy often helped out with the younger children. They watched him closely, copying his moves, asking him how to do certain skills, and occasionally it all ended in utter chaos. But beneath the noise, something else was happening. The younger children clearly looked up to him