Further reading and viewing

Interested in finding out more about people-centred education? These books, websites and videos all contain perspectives that you may find helpful.

Recommended reading

The Call To Brilliance
by Resa Steindl-Brown
You, Your Child and School
by Sir Ken Robinson
In Defense of Childhood
by Chris Mercogliano
Unconditional Parenting
by Alfie Kohn
Parenting For A Peaceful World
by Robin Grille
Teach Your Children Well
by Choon Tan
Finding Your Element
by Sir Ken Robinson
Education And The Significance Of Life
by Jiddhu Krishnamurti

Videos to watch

The Schools Our Children Deserve

Most educators agree that a primary goal of schooling is to help students acquire or avoid losing a sense of joy in learning. Unfortunately, many traditional practices in our schools diminish that joy and also undermine deep thinking. Alfie Kohn invites us to rethink the nature of motivation and explore authentic alternatives to conventional assessment and instruction.

Engage Emotion and Imagination

Human beings are emotional and imaginative; they feel and envision possibilities. My idea worth sharing is that all educators can use tools of imagination to evoke emotion and imagination and, as a result, make everyday education more effective for all learners.

Children full of life video
Children Full of Life

In this award-winning documentary Mr. Kanamori, a teacher of a 4th grade class, teaches his students not only how to be students, but how to live. He gives them lessons on teamwork, community, the importance of openness, how to cope, and the harm caused by bullying. He is an amazing example of what all teachers across the world should be like. He truly understands what teaching children is all about and certainly made a positive difference in the lives of these 10 year olds.

Social and emotional fitness for children and youth

We know that physical fitness is important. But scientific research now shows that children that have social and emotional fitness do better in school and life. They even have higher academic achievement. 

Dr Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, developmental psychologist, researcher and educator presents the latest research and innovative strategies that can be used by parents, educators and anyone who cares for and about children.

How To Escape Education’s Death Valley - Sir Ken Robinson

Author and educator Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way that we are educating our children. He advocates a radical rethink of our school systems in order to cultivate creativity and acknowledge multiple types of intelligence.

Kids, take charge video
Kids, take charge

Kiran Bir Sethi shows how her groundbreaking Riverside School in India teaches kids life’s most valuable lesson: “I can.” Watch her students take local issues into their own hands, lead other young people, even educate their parents.

5 Keys to Social and Emotional Learning Success

Studies show that sustained and well-integrated social and emotional learning (SEL) programs can help schools engage their students and improve achievement. Explore the classroom practices that make up the best and most effective SEL programs

Mysteries of the heart

A fascinating presentation from the HeartMath Institute on the little-known roles the heart plays in our everyday lives.

“Our son thrives when he can learn in a hands-on environment”

Seven Oaks has been a fantastic fit for our family. In particular, the play-based learning philosophy for the new entrants... Read more

Matthew, parent

“All about developing more than just educational outcomes!!!” 

The right school... Small class sizes. Play-based learning is developing our child amazingly well. Key element for me is it's... Read more

Liam, parent

“Can’t wait to send our youngest next year!”

We are happy we made the choice to send our 5-year-old son (now 6.5) to Seven Oaks. He has been... Read more

Kurt, parent

“Both our children have thrived”

We chose Seven Oaks because of its holistic, child-centred approach to education. In today’s environment of large class sizes, Seven... Read more

Fiona, parent

“His energy can be focused on learning and not worrying”

Seven Oaks School would have been off my radar had it not been recommended by a leading Christchurch businesssoman, whose... Read more

Di, parent

Hear it from our families

“Our son thrives when he can learn in a hands-on environment”

Seven Oaks has been a fantastic fit for our family. In particular, the play-based learning philosophy for the new entrants... Read more

Matthew, parent

“All about developing more than just educational outcomes!!!” 

The right school... Small class sizes. Play-based learning is developing our child amazingly well. Key element for me is it's... Read more

Liam, parent

“Can’t wait to send our youngest next year!”

We are happy we made the choice to send our 5-year-old son (now 6.5) to Seven Oaks. He has been... Read more

Kurt, parent

“Both our children have thrived”

We chose Seven Oaks because of its holistic, child-centred approach to education. In today’s environment of large class sizes, Seven... Read more

Fiona, parent

“His energy can be focused on learning and not worrying”

Seven Oaks School would have been off my radar had it not been recommended by a leading Christchurch businesssoman, whose... Read more

Di, parent

“Our boys look forward to going to school and they are engaged”

We are delighted with our experience at Seven Oaks School. All of the educators, as well as the head of... Read more

Cecily, parent

“Everything from emotional intelligence to eco-literacy”

Seven Oaks School offers the individual approach we were looking for our children and we would highly recommend it. We... Read more

Jokacota, parent

“Moving her to Seven Oaks was the best decision we have ever made”

Amazing school. My daughter was not coping well with the modern learning environment at her previous primary school. She was... Read more

Meeghan, parent

“Both of our children instantly felt a strong sense of belonging at their new school”

The decision to move our children to Seven Oaks School was based upon the fact that we wanted our children... Read more

Leeane, parent