The De-Cluttered School: How to Create a Cleaner, Calmer and Greener Learning Environment

Overwhelmed with stuff? Need more space but run out of room? Desperate to clear your school but shrink at the thought of it? The De-Cluttered School shows you why, when and most importantly how to organise and clear out the whole school. It includes: · Step-by-step guide to clutter clearing any school - with a clear and friendly countdown to the big day · A clutter-clearing quiz to inspire everyone to get involved · A Whole School Clutter Clearing Policy that you can personalise to your school · a checklist showing how a quick clutter clear ticks the boxes of more than 22 separate educational initiatives including Every Child Matters, Ofsted inspection and Investors in People.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements \ Foreword by Mick Waters \ Definitions \ Introduction \ 1. 6 Good reasons to clear your school \ 2. Begin with people \ 3. The run-up \ 4. Let's do it! A checklist \ 5. Re-creation \ 6. Keep going. Keep growing! \ Appendix: Whole School Clutter Clearing Policy \ References \ Further reading \ Useful websites \ About the author

About the Author :
Jane C Anderson has thirty years experience working in education, training and environmental alignment. She writes and practices in personal-professional development and has recently developed a unique distance learning qualification in personal wellness. She is a Visiting Fellow at Northumbria University and works with Gateshead local authority supporting staff wellness in schools. Mick Waters is Professor of Education at the University of Wolverhampton, UK. Mick was Director of Curriculum at the QCA, after being Chief Education Officer for Manchester. He was a head teacher, lecturer, and then became Head of Birmingham's Advisor and Support Service when Tim Brighouse was CEO.

Review :
'Schools and classrooms can be like many people's minds, cluttered and disorganised. When we focus on what we want, we can throw things away that we don't need any more - this is where a more streamlined approach can help in school. Editing the classroom environment, and refining what is left to what is supportive and reassuring rather than distracting, undoubtedly ensures a better quality teaching and learning experience all round.' Helen Walker, School Improvement Adviser, Newcastle City Council Children's Services 'It is important for the sake of the whole school community that school leadership place emphasis upon a healthy and inspiring environment. Once this is valued as part of the school's ethos, such awareness will become an integral part of the school's systems, and its effectiveness will be seen at an emotional and academic level. Where this is not happening it may be necessary to break with the traditional approaches and reconsider the learning environment in a new light, if provision and standards are to be improved.' Tim Nelson Gateshead Council Raising Achievement Service School Inspector 'Distraction, distraction, distraction! How can we focus on educating children when surrounded by so much irrelevant stuff? Jane Anderson's brilliant book isn't just about creating a calmer, tidier, more exciting and inviting schools... it's about helping teachers and children think more clearly in a world where it's never been easier to lose the plot.' Sue Palmer (author of Toxic Childhood) "This book reminds us that we do not need to move to new premises to find an excuse for a clear-out. ... It blends case studies, step-by-step guidance and key principles effectively to make a quick and easy read. ... It makes practical sense, and may be a book worth passing around the staffroom."Learning and Teaching Update