By Craig Jenkinson, Head of Abbey Gate College, an AFIS Partner School. 

EDUCATING FOR LIFE

“While young men must endlessly prove themselves, we are kept like overgrown infants in the nursery of life, our talents wasted, our energy squandered on meaningless tasks, peering out at a world we will never know…”

Polly Teale’s brilliant stage play, “Brontë”, works at many levels; of which its incisive social commentary on the expectations and perceptions of men and women in 19th century England is just one. So much of the script is of highly quotable relevance, and Anne Brontë’s statement at the start of Act Two is particularly poignant for its compassionate insight about both sexes - in a historical, social context where the play understandably focusses more on the limitations imposed upon females by a stubborn and fearful patriarchy.

To put this demanding play on was another courageous choice for the Drama Department at Abbey Gate College; following the phenomenal success and acclaim for the previous year’s sell-out musical, “Les Misérables”, which was superbly accompanied by a full school orchestra and impressive West End staging, lighting, and sound.

“Brontë” also sold out every performance, and the College’s own Theatre was inspiringly transformed, in order to deliver a captivating, immersive, and expressionist experience for the audience. Backscreen projections and crisply managed sound and lighting effects – all with students’ hands on the various buttons, switches, and programmes – complemented the giant, wicker birdcage that framed the stage; referencing society’s curtailment of the human spirit’s desire for creative freedom.

We were honoured to welcome a representative from The National School Theatre Awards, and we are proud to have received five nominations for national awards, including “Best Play” and “Best Actors”, with a ceremony in London later this year.

But the excellence of this production of “Brontë” resonates far beyond just the quality of our Performing Arts department; touching also the heart of Abbey Gate College itself anD how we aim to develop young people, who will genuinely have a firm foundation for whatever their future will be.

Time and mindsets have moved on by almost two centuries since the publication of the Brontë sisters’ books, yet our young people must still navigate a 21st century world of multiple - and often conflicting - expectations, permissions, and restrictions; in relation to their own identity as individuals and how they may “fit” into contemporary society. Indeed, recent months’ headlines about the developmental harm of social media, as well as gender-related language and discussions, are just two such examples.

At College, we regularly share helpful thoughts, maxims, and philosophies, to prompt personal reflection and inspire wider curiosity. One such is attributed to Oscar Wilde: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken”, and another always makes me smile, whenever I pass it: “Tea has never apologised for not being coffee.”

We are intentional at Abbey Gate College to promote self-worth and self-belief, and to caution against continually seeking others’ validation or defining oneself only in comparison to others. This is part of who we are, as a diverse community of nearly fifty years, and it contributes to a particular inspection comment in our superb ISI report: “These practices create a calm, inclusive environment, where relationships thrive.”

Our three Pillars of Purpose – Self, Service, Sustainability – have not only been carefully and thoughtfully defined, but they shape and connect all aspects of our College’s curricular and co-curricular programmes. Again, ISI noted in our inspection report: “such that they are embedded into the daily lives of the pupils.”

It is this very deliberate ethos and Abbey Gate College context, which then enable our students to be comfortable to be who they are, to believe in themselves, and to achieve personal excellence.

A coaching culture further informs this approach, both with staff as well as with pupils, placing value on individual starting points, and then promoting growth and flourishing in an upwards direction – such that there are no “talents wasted” or “energies squandered”; as was Anne Brontë’s scripted frustration.

Creativity, imagination, and confidence are actively nurtured. Our mission is to educate for life.

There is a race of change in our world and, as educators, we need to be alert, responsive, and pro-active; while holding true to the best of our shared humanity. This is a time for unity, for compassion, and for wisdom.

AFIS is working hard to bring national attention to the educational needs of all young people, and is actively and correctly challenging incomplete, misleading, or inaccurate reporting and messaging.

Truth matters. And truth, by its nature, is often complex. Hasty judgements, superficial headlines, polarising perspectives are all inadequate servants of multi-layered harmony.

If we are educating for life, then it is for all of us, and AFIS is playing a vital role; deserving of all schools’ support.