Community of supporters growing all the time for Longford’s newest school

A small group of parents in Longford and Westmeath, who experienced first-hand the pressures mainstream schooling models place on children, their families and their teachers, have chosen instead to create their own alternative.

Inspired by the four democratic schools established in Sligo, West Cork, Wicklow and Meath over the last eight years, Midhe Democratic School will be the fifth of its kind (and first in the Midlands) - offering a different approach to learning.

Midhe Democratic School is not your typical school. Housed in a former village store, in Barry, south county Longford, it offers an alternative to mainstream education.

Founded on the principles of trust, respect, freedom, responsibility, equality and inclusion, this democratic school empowers students aged 5 to 18 to take charge of their own learning journey.

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The school focuses on creating an environment that prepares students for lifelong learning, using research backed educational processes such as restorative practice, self-directed learning, social learning and non-violent communication. The emphasis is placed on well-being, resilience and developing yourself as a whole person rather than being tied to a curriculum.

A key aspect of democratic school life is ‘restorative justice’ where students talk to each other about conflict and challenges, and find solutions together. Schools that have put this into practice already, have observed safer and more supportive environments for students.

The school day begins with a morning school circle run by the students, where plans are shared. Children then disappear to get stuck into their activities; some may be learning a new language, gathering in the music room with their band, or simply playing all day. It is learning through living and doing and all on the learners own schedule.

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The founding team of Midhe Democratic School - Amanda Clarke, Kate Egan, Caroline Lewis, Jenny Shortt and Dani Kavanagh - are women (and parents) with a shared passion for transforming education.

Amanda, a child and adolescent psychotherapist and play therapist, champions self-confidence, initiative, and perseverance.

While Kate, an outdoor and environmental educator has witnessed first-hand children’s ability to drive their own learning and work collaboratively when the right environment is created. Together, with the wider team, their goal is to create a community of learning where children can collaborate, curiosity flourishes and traditional models of competition and comparison fade away.

Midhe Chairperson Kate explained, “Children become active participants, shaping their own curriculum based on their own interests, passions, and innate curiosity.

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“This school will be a place where an 8-year-old can organise a soccer tournament, while a 13-year-old gets lost in a book or designs their own video game. Supported by mentors that enable them to self-direct their learning and develop their own unique strengths. At its core democratic education is about relationship building, with those around us and with ourselves.”

Amanda reflected on the difficult task of finding a home for the school. “We were searching for a place where children would feel safe, with spaces for them to make their own.”

And she says the founding team breathed a sigh of relief when permission was granted to turn an old village store in Barry into a new home for the school. She added, “There is a long path of fundraising ahead to realise this dream – the school needs full rewiring, accessible toilets and a new staircase - but our community of supporters is growing all the time.”

Twenty children are already enrolled at Midhe Democratic School.

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Their ages span from six to thirteen; among them are the wide-eyed newcomers, stepping into a school for the very first time, seasoned home schoolers, eager to explore a communal learning environment, and those leaving behind the familiar halls of mainstream education, taking the chance to try a different way of learning.

The response from parents so far has been positive.

Isobel, mother of a five year old Otis describes a mix of “hope, curiosity, and a dash of the usual parent nerves. I know that the children will be part of something special.”

Chairperson Kate Egan concluded, “Midhe Democratic School isn’t just an alternative; it will be a haven where young minds flourish, where individuality is celebrated, and where the future of education can be rewritten, one child at a time.”

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