When I was a small boy – NAPE 002
When I was a small boy – A letter from Christian Schiller to L.G.Marsh
The National Association for Primary Education present an annual lecture with a guest speaker who creates their talk inspired by the work of Christian Schiller.
This episode is read by Peter Cansell from the book ‘Christian Schiller in his own words’
CHRISTIAN SCHILLER CBE, MC, MA
Christian Schiller was born on the 20th September 1895. He went to a prep school and then to Gresham’s School where he was head boy. Military service in the First World War followed and he was wounded in action.
After the war he read mathematics at Cambridge and then studied with Percy Nunn at the London Day Training College before beginning his teaching career. In 1924 he was appointed HMI and then followed a long period of work with the schools in Liverpool where his
contact with poor children and their families was a deeply formative experience. He became District Inspector and later filled this role in Worcestershire.
In 1946 he became Staff Inspector for Primary Education and his influence, often in partnership with his friend Robin Tanner, HMI and etcher, was strongly felt as elementary schools developed into primary schools with a distinctive child centred approach which drew on children’s innate creativity and which recognised the powerful learning which comes from direct experience.
On his retirement in 1955 he began a new career as he created a one year course at the University of London Institute of Education for teachers and heads seconded from their schools. Each course was kept small, no more than 12 people who spent their year visiting schools and in discussion led by Schiller who often remained largely silent until he revealed his vision and optimism about the future in a brief summing up. There were no examinations or required coursework yet, as this writer will testify, everyone worked extremely hard. The course was hugely influential and most of his former students have gone on to hold senior leadership positions in education.
Christian Schiller died on the 11th February 1976. The following year the first memorial lecture was presented in London and the annual lectures, now organised by the National Association for Primary Education, continue to the present day. We are pleased to be able to celebrate the work of this great man who contributed so much to the principles and practice of primary education. To those who say look at us, obsessed with children being coached to pass tests, schools competing rather than co-operating, I reply , look more deeply , beyond today’s political froth. Schiller’s work continues and one day, will prevail.
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‘Christian Schiller in his own words’ was published by the Association in 1979. The book is available price £5.00 from the NAPE national office.
E: nationaloffice@nape.org.uk
T: 01604 647646
What is education? – NAPE 001
What is education and how does it fit within todays school system? I chat to Dr. Tony Eaude about his 2018 lecture ‘Re-humanising primary education – placing trust in teachers, learning from the legacy of Christian Schiller’
The National Association for Primary Education organises guest speakers for the annual lecture which uses the work of Christian Schiller as inspiration for their insights and thoughts about education.
Dr. Tony Eaude was a primary class teacher for thirteen years and headteacher of a multicultural first school in Oxford for nine. He then studied for a doctorate and has worked since 2003 as independent research consultant. He has written widely in areas such as spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, values, pedagogy and expertise in relation to young children and their teachers.
To find out more about Dr. Tony Eaudes work please visit edperspectives.org.uk
The full lecture can be read here schillerlecture2018
What is education and what does it mean to you? We would love to here your comments below.
A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF CHRISTIAN SCHILLER from the NAPE website
CHRISTIAN SCHILLER CBE, MC, MA
Christian Schiller was born on the 20th September 1895. He went to a prep school and then to Gresham’s School where he was head boy. Military service in the First World War followed and he was wounded in action.
After the war he read mathematics at Cambridge and then studied with Percy Nunn at the London Day Training College before beginning his teaching career. In 1924 he was appointed HMI and then followed a long period of work with the schools in Liverpool where his
contact with poor children and their families was a deeply formative experience. He became District Inspector and later filled this role in Worcestershire.
In 1946 he became Staff Inspector for Primary Education and his influence, often in partnership with his friend Robin Tanner, HMI and etcher, was strongly felt as elementary schools developed into primary schools with a distinctive child centred approach which drew on children’s innate creativity and which recognised the powerful learning which comes from direct experience.
On his retirement in 1955 he began a new career as he created a one year course at the University of London Institute of Education for teachers and heads seconded from their schools. Each course was kept small, no more than 12 people who spent their year visiting schools and in discussion led by Schiller who often remained largely silent until he revealed his vision and optimism about the future in a brief summing up. There were no examinations or required coursework yet, as this writer will testify, everyone worked extremely hard. The course was hugely influential and most of his former students have gone on to hold senior leadership positions in education.
Christian Schiller died on the 11th February 1976. The following year the first memorial lecture was presented in London and the annual lectures, now organised by the National Association for Primary Education, continue to the present day. We are pleased to be able to celebrate the work of this great man who contributed so much to the principles and practice of primary education. To those who say look at us, obsessed with children being coached to pass tests, schools competing rather than co-operating, I reply , look more deeply , beyond today’s political froth. Schiller’s work continues and one day, will prevail.
————————————————————————————————————————-
‘Christian Schiller in his own words’ was published by the Association in 1979. The book is available price £5.00 from the NAPE national office.
E: nationaloffice@nape.org.uk
T: 01604 647646
Launch Show – NAPE 000
Hello and welcome to the first National Association for Primary Education podcast.
Who are NAPE?
The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them.
Our aim is to achieve a higher priority for the education of children from birth to 13. High quality learning in the early years of life is vitally important to the creation of an educated society. Young children are not simply preparing for the future, they are living a never to be repeated time of life and the best way to learn is to live.
THE WAY WE WORK FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION
The National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) brings together everyone who has a concern for the learning of children from birth to 13 years. Members and affiliated schools work to improve education through the Early, Primary and Middle Years.
- All are welcome as members; Heads, Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Parents, School Governors. Inspectors, Administrators and entire School Communities.
- Members have an important voice exercised democratically. We influence public opinion and are consulted by government. The association is totally neutral politically.
- There are meetings of members both locally and nationally. Local associations can be formed.
- Conferences and workshops are arranged both locally and nationally.
- The association is administered by an elected National Council meeting termly to review progress and discuss national issues. Detailed administration is delegated to an Executive Committee which reports to the Council.
- NAPE is an active member of the Primary Umbrella Group (PUG) which comprises some 30 of the voluntary associations and unions working in the primary field. NAPE, alongside the professional associations, is actively engaged in co-ordinating future meetings of PUG.
- All aspects of education are experienced by children in their primary schools and we have strong links with subject associations.We often engage in cooperative ventures with them.
- NAPE are part of the More Than a Score alliance.
NAPE are the sole sponsor of the Education on Fire podcast network and now have the opportunity to tell the world how the association can help you and your children through their own podcast.
Find out more at https://www.educationonfire.com/national-association-for-primary-education/