to feel my children school have joined a cult

[Schoolcultworry]

I have 2 children at primary school. It's a lovely warm school which I was very happy with.

Recently they signed up to 'Leader in me'. Looking at the information it feels a bit cult like to me and I don't feel comfortable with it.

Does anyone else have children who go to a 'leader in me school'? What are your thoughts? There are very few in the UK (only 12 according to the website) most are in the USA.

I would be concerned too! I like things such as the whole emphasis around responsibility and all of that, being proactive etc etc... but there is definitely an air of indoctrination about it, it makes me feel uneasy. Is it a local school? Are they allowed to do this without some kind of consultation?!

It is my local school. They are an academy which I suppose means they can buy these kind of things without consultation.

It's really expensive too, about $50,000 over 3 years! It's a shocking amount when so many schools are struggling financially.

What is the program? Can you give just the gist of it? (Can't look it up ATM)

What a bloody waste of money!

Id not heard of this before, but a quick google found some interesting thoughts. Unsurprisingly linked to money.

Oh lord it sounds really creepy. Yuk.

Afuna. Below is the gist of it. There are also

The Leader in Me is basically a philosophy that schools are taught to weave into every aspect of the school day. It’s not a curriculum or an instructional method, but rather a school culture model in which students learn Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Happy Kids. The goal of the Leader In Me is for students to understand that they all have the essential qualities to become leaders. The Leader In Me also helps to create a common language within a school by teaching students the Seven Habits.

The Seven Habits:
Habit 1: Be Proactive • You're in Charge
Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind • Have a Plan
Habit 3: Put First Things First • Work First, Then Play
Habit 4: Think Win-Win • Everyone Can Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood • Listen Before You Talk
Habit 6: Synergize • Together Is Better
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw • Balance Feels Best

SYNERGIZE??? what the fuck.

That sounds like that weird thing in Donnie Darko. How odd! I'd keep an eye on that.

Fuck that.

Scientology ize things.

I would want to know what outcomes they were expecting from the £50000. I wouldn't automatically rule it out but it sounds faddy. Shades of learning styles.

Glad it's not only me who finds it creepy!

Going to go against the flow so far....
From a quick look I would say it looks great and wish I had something like this when I was in education and not need to learn it years later.
The principles of S Covey are well regarded and used by many successful people. Far from a cult and I would go as far as saying that if more concepts that can be used productively were taught in school we would be more successful as individuals, communities and a country.

Looks like a waste of money but can't see how it's like a cult? Maybe the head is worried about Ofsted or staff morale or something and thought they'd throw some money at it?
Can only be good though right, just some extra social skills through the usual lessons? Similar to SEAL?

So they're spending an extortionate amount of money on teaching children some wanky bollocks that sounds straight out of a self-help book? Yes it's ridiculous. I'd be wanting to ask serious questions about whether there's any objective proof that this method results in any positive changes, or whether the head has just been to a seminar/sales pitch and been taken in.

It could be worse - at least there is no religious aspect or 'worship'.

Do you get to be a Scientologist at the end of it

Total faddy waste of money

annadale. The school is in an affluent area, the behaviour is very good as are the academic results. I can see how the money would produce any worthy outcomes.

Having said that I worked with a guy who was big into the whole "self improvement" mantras. Big on sales guys like Tony Robbins and Zig Ziglar etc. And he's always so happy, his business is doing well and even when I tease him he just lets it roll. It's a bit cheesy and cringe inducing but he seems happy and well off. ¯\(ツ)/¯

That's true UpLighter! Lots of adults have to read these books so why not learn the concepts earlier in life? A lot of money though, I wonder how much similar schemes are...

That sounds almost exactly like Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

As far as I can see there has been no independent evaluation or research of the programme at all. Tax payers money should not be wasted on a programme when they can't even prove it makes a difference

whatwould. That's exactly what it is, but made into a program for schools.

Sorry I posted that ages ago but it has only just appeared so I have cross posted and lost half a post as well. What I started saying is that it depends how they're approaching it really. As a light hearted thing as part of broader curriculum then probably no harm, but if they're completely obsessing on it then it's a bit weird.