14 classrooms, 3 shared areas, 3 specialist rooms, 2 library spaces plus numerous terraces and garden spaces……we truly are blessed to occupy space which supports our educational beliefs and ethos of purposeful, play-based learning. Play is a curious term; often misinterpreted as messing around, keeping busy, filling time in between real learning, an unimportant activity, occupying little people whilst big people do purposeful stuff. It really couldn’t be further from the truth. Many early years education providers give different names for their models of learning, however that describes the what rather than the how. Our how is clear, and forms the fundamental message of our mission, which is to ensure that all pupils at Hiba Academy Shanghai receive an educational experience which is: Holistic
Pupils will grow and develop around a play-based model of learning rooted in the Hiba Values and Identity in a context which is personalised and fulfilling to each unique individual. Pupil-centred
We apply the latest evidence-based practices for early childhood development and education that are embedded in the philosophy of intended learning, with the Hiba Values and Identity at the heart of practice.
Fun
Children learn best when they are surrounded by meaningful learning opportunities. Centres of learning which are age- and stage-appropriate are used throughout our indoor and outdoor learning spaces and are adapted to the meet the children’s individual preferences, thereby maximising ownership of the learning journey. Progressive
Like young children, Early Years education evolves and improves constantly. We continually rise to this exciting challenge, maintaining momentum and delivering current best practice whilst preserving the highest quality in educational service provision. Children love to play, it is a well acknowledged fact. Learning through purposeful play requires every Early Years practitioner to understand what each child requires to develop holistically. They need to think as a child, appreciate learning behaviour and the characteristics of effective learning. To do so, every space must be carefully thought through, so that learning can be supported, extended or redirected to explore new and different concepts other than the original intention. The environment should support learning much more than teaching, affording children every opportunity to have a go. Inviting, warm, inspiring, safe, creative, cosy, reflective spaces where every child can find something that fuels their enthusiasm and motivation for learning. We are fortunate to work alongside exceptional early years practitioners at the Wellington and Hiba schools who formed an educational network in 2016. The early years network is chaired by Fiona Carter, Director of Academics (Early Years) from The Bridge | China. Fiona has an extraordinary history of experience and practice in the UK and a wide network of seasoned experts who keep the teams in China abreast of the latest thinking from the UK and Europe. They not only support our what and how but more importantly support our why.
As Early Years educators, we appreciate that every child is a unique and able learner from birth. The heart of our vision is to ensure that Hiba Academy Shanghai is a leading and inspirational early years’ education provider. It is our desire to afford every child the opportunity of growth and fulfilment in an environment which imbues the Hiba Values of kindness, courage, integrity, respect and responsibility. We wish to afford pupils the opportunity to become a true Hiba pupil: individual, intellectual, independent, inclusive and inspired. If we can support young learners to be all these things whilst having the skills to not only survive but thrive in the modern world then our why will most certainly be realised.
A little night time reading
If you’re interested in how leaders can inspire others, I would highly recommend looking in to Simon Sinek’s work https://startwithwhy.com/. He developed the principle of the golden circle, supporting his globally popular theory on starting with why, ‘Because in business it doesn’t matter what you do, it matters why you do it’. His theory is linked the biological functions of the brain and at its most basic level provokes thought for those who wish to lead and inspire, or for those who wish to find someone to inspire them.
