Wordschoolers Placements

Does your family live an autonomous and consent-based lifestyle?

Are you wanting to visit England?

Do you want your children to find community whilst still having the freedom to learn whatever they want, however they choose whilst being held accountable for their decisions as part of a democratic community?

If you answered yes to the questions above, a Worldschoolers placement at East Kent Sudbury could be what you’re looking for.

After discussion and agreement at our weekly meeting, our community has recently decided to open our doors to successful applicants wanting to experience a slice of EKS in action. We are offering placements of up to 6 weeks, a full half term, for families that want an opportunity to experience a self-directed democratic learning community.

East Kent Sudbury is a 3-day-per-week part-time educational setting for home-educated children aged 6-18. 

We recognise that in today’s world, it is not an ability to follow orders but to take charge of your own life that is vital for success.  We believe the best way to practise making real decisions and taking responsibility for your actions is to do it from the start.  By being self-directed, children are in charge of their own education, their preparation for their future.  Democratic governance gives students a share in the responsibility for maintaining the community they are a part of, empowering them to enact change and to think beyond their own self-interests.

A placement at East Kent Sudbury will allow your children to be immersed in the full experience of a Sudbury setting. They’ll have opportunities to make friends, attend community meetings, play and learn within our rich environment.

Location

We are located just outside Deal, Kent, in the south-east of England. 

East Kent Sudbury is based at Rippledown House. We have dedicated spaces for particular interests such as a library, art room, music area, maths and science space, a space for woodwork and quiet study etc, as well as spaces dedicated to socialising and play. Most excitingly the grounds at Rippledown are perfect for play, sports, forest school and outdoor learning activities, as well as ecological and environmental exploration with dipping ponds and nature areas. Like most things at East Kent Sudbury, the exact nature of each space is constantly in flux as the community responds to the needs and wishes of its members.

Age 

Our provision caters for children aged 6-18 years and is a completely age-mixed environment.  

Fees

We open Tuesday-Thursday, 9.30-3.00, with a maximum attendance of 5.5 hours per day or 16.5 hours per week. Term lengths vary across the year.

Summer Term 2024

Summer term 1 – 16th April – 23rd may – 6 weeks – £1200

Summer term 2 – 4th June – 11th July – 6 weeks – £1200

Academic Year 2024-2025

Autumn/winter term 1 – Dates TBC imminently

Autumn/winter term 2 – Dates TBC imminently

Spring term 1 – Dates TBC imminently

Spring term 2 – Dates TBC imminently

Summer term 1 – Dates TBC imminently

Summer term 2 – Dates TBC imminently

Admissions Process

The admissions process involves an application form and an admissions interview. This interview is to enable us to learn more about your family, and to understand how consent-based and self-directed living and learning happen in your family and whether a short-term placement would be right for both your family and our community. 

Our part-time democratic learning community is for Electively Home-Educated children. Our Out-of-School setting supports parents by supplementing the learning taking place at home and elsewhere. Whilst much learning takes place at EK Sudbury, the responsibility for providing a full-time education remains with the parents.

To find out more, or for an application pack please email: kirsty.southam@ekss.org.uk