Let me tell you how I learn...

Aimee • 8 May 2021

I remember being at school and secretly wearing my headphones to listen to music.

student working with Shire horse

Not to be deliberately defiant, but to help me concentrate on my work.


The problem was, my headphones were only seen by the teachers as a “distraction,” much like many other things, such as my choice to dye my hair or have a nose stud.


I was in fact a very hard working student and it was more of a distraction for me when teachers would tell me to tuck my shirt in, when I would have felt much more comfortable and would have learnt a lot easier, if I could have chosen how to wear my own shirt or to style my own hair.

When I studied Art for GCSE, we could openly listen to music in front of the teacher, which was fantastic! It helped me to focus on my work and made me feel less nervous during my Art exam.


I worked with KD yesterday. KD and I are big Harry Potter fans (as you well know) and yesterday we enjoyed watching some Harry Potter videos and listening to music. During this time, KD made excellent progress with the fabric that she printed last week and has now decided to sew, to create a bag.


At Running Deer, we recognise that everyone is an individual and may want to express their uniqueness in what they wear or how they learn.

A great example of this is how our school is based in the woods and we use the outdoors as much as possible to help our students to learn rather than sitting down in classrooms full of lots of people, all day.


As caseworkers and teachers, we understand that spending time outside, learning 1:1 and even having some background music are all factors that can sometimes help people to focus and having the choice over this is so important.



Aimee


by Geraldine 7 July 2025
Despite the biblical rain and almost the need for an arc, members of the local community came to support a charity fundraiser organised and ran by pupils of the school on Thursday 12th June 2025. Not only were there delicious freshly baked cakes, scones, cheesecakes and goodies for all to purchase and enjoy, but also glazed pottery and pupil made artists inks – with live demonstrations on the day. A huge £101.50 was raised with all proceeds from sales going to charities chosen by the pupils themselves. Charities chosen to support were Chagford Youth Club; NHS Royal Devon Hospital Exeter; Rape Crisis UK each gaining an equal share of £33.33. Credit and thanks go to the pupils and staff for the hard work put in leading up to and during the event, parents who were able to support in person or via cake donations and members of the local community for supporting the pupils with this important event. We are incredibly proud of our students and the mature and considerate citizenship demonstrated in the important event.
by Joanna Winterburn 12 June 2025
Summer Newsletter 2025
by Andy Nash 21 November 2022
Although Running Deer is based in woodland, and a lot of what we do is based around outdoor life and skills, that doesn’t mean we aren’t keeping up with modern technology.
by Gabriella 21 February 2022
February in the forest can be pretty bleak...
by Amber 21 February 2022
I look forward to the learning nature will bring me.
by Alex 3 February 2022
Who doesn't like to learn a new skill?
by Nick 28 January 2022
Trauma informed school status.
by Dave 9 December 2021
This is just the beginning as now we have mastered the basic idea there is no holding us back. 
by Evie 9 December 2021
Another successful day with the Running Deer.
by Darren 8 December 2021
P.S. don't forget to send all those Christmas cards.