David Booth

I’ve worked in education for around 20 years, in different countries, different schools, different systems and in leadership roles. I’ve also been through accreditation processes with a range of different organisations, so when I see schools or programmes heavily promoting the fact that they are accredited, I probably look at that a bit differently to a parent seeing it from the outside. Don't get me wrong, I understand why accreditation matters to some people. It can help with pathways,...

This morning I sat in on a seminar focused on college applications for homeschooling and worldschooling learners. It was led by a mix of specialists and admissions staff, and I thought it was worth sharing a few of the things that came up. Just to be clear, this isn’t me offering advice or taking a position on it. These are simply notes and reflections from what was shared. There were three main ideas that stayed with me. The first was around acceptance rates. One of the universities...

Before our visit to Following Giants in Koh Lanta, we did our homework. We read reviews, compared models, and tried to piece together what “ethical elephant tourism” truly meant. On the surface, the sanctuary ticked many of the right boxes: no riding, no shows, and a strong narrative about respect and natural behaviour. But even with all the research in the world, something still felt unsettled. So when we went with our learners, we carried that healthy uncertainty with us and asked...