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SHIFT: Matt Caldwell

A reflection on the application of socially driven pedagogical approaches in a nursery school context, including the 2019 project ‘The Nursery With No Toys’.

Matt Caldwell discusses the philosophies that have informed the educational approaches and projects at Ilminster Avenue Nursery School, Bristol.

Joined by the school's dog, Jake, Caldwell reflects on his personal influences and the application of a socially driven pedagogical approach in a nursery education context.

He discusses ‘The Nursery With No Toys’, a 2019 project at the nursery in which plastic, commercial toys were replaced with objects made from natural materials, considering the impact of the project on the school and, more broadly, educational spaces as sites of social change.

 

 

About the film

This film is part of SHIFT – Freelands Foundation’s seasonal series of short films spotlighting varied practices, approaches and philosophies within art education. 

All images and footage courtesy of Ilminster Avenue Nursery School, Bristol.

Captions and editing by Sixbetween.

© Freelands Foundation, 2021

Reading List

Author / Editor

Title

Paulo Freire

Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Ivan Illich

Deschooling Society

Deschooling Society

Stephen J. Ball

Foucault, Power, and Education (Routledge Key Ideas in Education)

Foucault, Power, and Education (Routledge Key Ideas in Education)

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