New school gets back to nature

Tuesday 26 June 2018

A new nursery and primary school hopes to be a breath of fresh air for children and parents in Jersey by putting the natural world, mindfulness and community at the heart of their alternative education programme.

Philippa Alexandre and her business partner Emma are opening Hambury Elementary School for children aged 3-11 years in 2019.

Having worked with children and families in Jersey for over 17 years, Philippa currently runs various groups and workshops for kids including 'Nature’s Child' holiday club, 'Tinker Tots' and 'Sticky Kids Messy Play' classes. 

Philippa told Express: “Hambury Elementary will be a brand new concept for Jersey; an inclusive, nature based primary school and nursery... where children learn by doing."

Pictured: Philippa wants education to get back to nature with the new school she is setting up with her business partner.

The vision is for Hambury Elementary to provide an alternative to mainstream education which Philippa said doesn't suit every child: “We have looked at what our Jersey children and families need and have designed a school to encourage mental and emotional well-being alongside academic success. 

“We have had a lot of interest from families whose children struggle with mainstream education and just "don't fit" in our current education system as well as those who are looking for something different."

Pictured: Philippa Alexandre, who has worked with children and families in Jersey for over 17 years, at her holiday camp 'Nature's Child'.

“Our opening times are flexible to allow working families the cover they need whilst offering the continuity of care that children need to feel safe and secure. Thanks to our timetable structure we can include many more extra-curricular activities and life skills alongside the Jersey curriculum.”

Built into the school's timetable will be gardening, cooking and mindfulness. Philippa told Express: "The well-being of the children is our priority so we will be growing and cooking food onsite with the children, they'll have access to outside play throughout the day and we will incorporate mindfulness and resilience into our every day programmes."

Pictured: Food growing and preparation will be part of students' daily timetable at Hambury Elementary.

When asked about how Education has responded to her plans, Philippa said that both Education and Nursery Registration have been very supportive. She continued: “The new Education Minister [Senator Tracey Vallois] [has] been particularly responsive as [she has] been working on Education Scrutiny for years and have seen the difficulties some families, schools and teachers have with the current system – that it doesn't fit all children's needs and learning styles.”

Philippa and Emma are currently looking for investors to help buy a £1.9million building and site and will be hosting an investors' presentation at the site on Saturday 14 July at 10:00.

Express has contacted Senator Vallois for comment and is awaiting a response.