Flourishing is the ‘in word’.  Happiness is important.  Success is welcome.  Thriving is yesterday’s word.  And Flourishing is the here and now. 

We see it in the work of the Church of England Education Department.  It is most clearly defined in their text, “Our hope for a flourishing schools system: Deeply Christian, serving the common good.” Two concepts are foundational.  Firstly, the Greek word “Zoe”.  Zoe life is expansive.  It is more than just existing; Zoe life is rich and broad, deep and intense.  It encompasses a full range of emotions and experiences, actions and activities.  Secondly, the concept of flourishing builds on the Zulu word, “Ubuntu” literally translated as “I am because we are”.  Ubuntu life is a collective experience.  The individual is important but finds greatest fulfilment as part of a wider group, a community.  For the Christian, John 10 verse 10, makes the mission of Jesus clear that we would have “life in all its fullness.” And that fulness is found together.

Aristotle the Greek first used the word flourishing and for him it was about blooming.  As a botanist, he knew that life is growth.  And that the natural cycle brings colour, intensity and wonder.  We can see life blooming all around us now that we are in Springtime.  

We are LIFE Education Trust.  It was and remains a great choice for a Trust name because a Multi Academy Trust is a place where every individual matters and where together we achieve more. 

We have used ‘Zoe The Bear’ as the symbol for our Trust for many years.  She attends events, sits with upset children and has her own special birthday.  She has her own awards.  She is an iconic visual representation of the Trust in each of our schools.

Now as a Trust we are turning our attention more fully towards flourishing.  It is our purpose that all children flourish and, as the Church of England and the Confederation of School Trusts have made clear, for children to flourish, the adults must flourish too.

So, what might this look like.  Firstly, it is about belonging.  We all need to feel seen, heard and understood, to feel appreciated and valued, to feel like we have a uniqueness that is recognised and developed.  Then we need to achieve.  Achievements are important.  They are not everything but they are a big something.  There are many ways to achieve and some of them are not ok so we need to find out ways to do well appropriately.  We need to know what is expected of us so we can meet and exceed those expectations.  And when things do not go well, we need to cope and to learn.  Finally, we need to contribute.  Flourishing is Ubuntu.  It is not about being separate or isolated or selfish.  We need to be part of our community, to contribute and to work well in partnership. 

So, flourishing really is the word for today.  For Spring.  For Easter.  And for all of us that desperately want to find a way for ourselves and the children we serve to live life in all its glorious multifaceted fullness.  

Julian Dutnall,
CEO, LIFE Education Trust