Atmosphere of Learning

Inwoods has an atmosphere in which each child is given the space to learn in a creative, safe, and harmonious environment, free from competition and comparison. There is an emphasis on creating a calm and joyful school, where children experience freedom, while being asked to take responsibility for their own actions. Learning respect for oneself and the whole school community is an essential part of the education offered at Inwoods.

At Inwoods, the children learn in an environment of cooperation, which is non-competitive and does not give rewards or punishments. Staff at Inwoods hold the space in a caring and sensitive way, where the teacher has an understanding of each child’s individual needs and is learning the importance of right relationship along with the child.

Our aim is to enable each child to explore what they are and their place in the world. At Inwoods, children are encouraged to observe and learn about their own difficulties and aptitudes through self-reflection and inquiry. This exploration and questioning helps draw out the child’s innate nature and occurs throughout the day, whether at play or study.

The small school takes its name from its beautiful natural setting. At Inwoods, our relationship with nature is given special importance, and there is a daily connection with outdoor learning in many different ways. Working in the garden, lessons inspired by the natural world, outdoor play, and simply sitting quietly and observing nature, all have a place. In the curriculum, we have a weekly Nature Day in which different activities occur outdoors depending upon the seasons, including time spent in the Inwoods vegetable garden, where children have a hands-on experience of growing their own food.