The Flourishing Life
What if the true purpose of education isn’t just academic success, but a life well lived? That was the question posed during a thought-provoking visit to Eton College yesterday, where I spoke with Jonnie Noakes, Director of the Tony Little Centre for Innovation and Research in Learning. Our conversation centred on human flourishing – what it means, how schools can foster it, and why it matters more than ever. Back at Bishopsgate, with the stage lights still glowing from The Wizard of Oz, cricket balls flying, and swim caps drying, it was clear that flourishing isn’t just a theory. It’s happening here every day in our corner of The Crown Estate.
At Eton, the Tony Little Centre was established to promote creativity, evidence-informed teaching, and the kind of disciplined curiosity that pushes education forward. But what struck me most in our conversation was a simple question: are schools doing enough to help children flourish – not just academically, but as human beings?
Flourishing is about more than wellbeing. It’s about developing purpose, resilience, empathy, autonomy, and joy. It’s about preparing children not just for tests, but for life. This week at Bishopsgate, we have seen that vision brought to life – through the joyful, confident performances of our Lower Prep pupils in The Wizard of Oz, the quiet determination of our IAPS golfers, and the sportsmanship on show across cricket matches, swimming galas, and inter-house competitions. These moments aren’t extras; they’re essential.
The research is compelling. Harvard, the University of Birmingham, and others have shown that flourishing correlates not with exam grades, but with factors like social support, a sense of agency, gratitude, and the ability to bounce back. These are precisely the qualities we seek to nurture in our children – through pupil voice, real-world connections in learning such as our forthcoming Year 8 remote expedition to Transylvania, and a culture that celebrates effort, kindness and integrity as much as attainment.
And now, as we head into the half-term break, we do so with much to celebrate and even more to look forward to. After the holiday, our Year 8 pupils will face their Common Entrance papers, and Years 5 and above will begin their examinations too. But alongside those important milestones, we also have ArtsFest, Sports Day, Speech Day, and all the colour and creativity of a Bishopsgate summer term in full bloom.
So, a final reflection if I may as we break for half-term. With the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in full bloom this week – and our own Bishopsgate gardens buzzing with the arrival of our new bees – it seems only fitting to borrow a gardening analogy. You may have heard of the term ‘lawnmower parenting’- a phrase used (mercifully never about Bishopsgate parents, of course) to describe the well-meaning urge to remove every obstacle from a child’s path. At Bishopsgate, we favour a more time-honoured approach. One that doesn’t strive for perfectly manicured lawns, but instead encourages children to take root, stretch upwards, and grow stronger in both sunshine and the occasional downpour. After all, as any good gardener will tell me, a flourishing garden isn’t defined by its stripes, but by its depth, its colour, and yes, even the odd dandelion. Our bees, at least, seem to approve.
Wishing you all a restful and restorative half-term – and we can’t wait to welcome you back!
Mr Peter Thacker
Headmaster