What are schools for?

What are schools for?

In an era of increasing pressure to prove “what works” in education, debates about teaching methods often bypass a more vital conversation about purpose. What is education for, and how do underlying beliefs shape the way teaching is approached and what is ultimately valued?

In this seminar, Dr Natalie Thompson argues that the purpose of education is not merely the achievement of learning outcomes, but the formation of individuals who possess a will to learn and act in ways that are meaningful and of value. The session opens space for critical reflection on the kinds of human beings schools aim to help bring into the world, and the teacher’s role in making that vision possible.

Join us for a provocative conversation designed to unsettle and invigorate, offering new ways of thinking about how education can move beyond effectiveness to become something that truly matters.

Facilitator: 

Dr Natalie Thompson is an education lecturer from our Faculty of Arts and Education. Natalie’s research focuses on critical education theories, literacies, disability and inclusion. Through her work, she aims to promotes dialogue on education as a public good, the purpose of education and the relationship between pedagogy and politics.