TUTORS For Special Education, where are they?

WHAT IS HUMANISTIC EDUCATION AND HOW IS IT RELEVANT FOR SEN LEARNERS?

Humanistic education is gaining attention across Europe, North America, and elsewhere as parents search for learning models that better support children who no longer fit in the conventional school systems. For learners with Special Educational Needs (SEN), in particular, this approach offers something traditional education often fails to provide: dignity, agency, and respect for individual development. Closely aligned with democratic education, humanistic schooling prioritizes the whole child (intellectually, emotionally, and socially) over any rigid curricula and standardized outcomes.

Understanding Humanistic Education

Humanistic education is rooted in the belief that children are naturally curious and capable of directing their learning when placed in a supportive environment. Rather than viewing education as something imposed on students, it treats learning as a collaborative process shaped by learner'ser’s interests, pace, and emotional readiness.

In practice, this means moving away from authoritarian teaching, fixed hierarchies, and one-size-fits-all instruction to respond to mass employment. Instead, students are encouraged to ask questions, make choices, and take responsibility for their learning journey. Adults act onlymentors to create aeatingenvironmentironmenlearners learn, feelwhere lhearrs feeare l safe, heard, and motivated.

This philosophy overlaps significantly with democratic education, which embeds these values into the daily"governa"ce of "schools". One example in Portugal (though not officially recognized as by the government a learning institute byhat flirts with this idea is BGA (Brave Generation Academy). https://bravegenerationacademy.com/

How Democratic Schools Put Humanistic Education into Practice

Democratic schools are perhaps the clearest real-world expression of humanistic education. In these environments, students typically have an equal voice in decision-making, including rules, schedules, and conflict resolution. Learning is often self-directed, meaning students choose what, how, and when they learn. Though the term may seem innovative, there are a number across the world.

In Europe, it began with École Démocratique de Paris, where there are no mandatory classes, grades, or exams. Instead, students participate in community meetings, pursue interests organically, and seek adult support when needed. The school operates on tchildren'st in children’s ability to grow, and trust in learning as a natural process rather than a forced one.

Across Europe and beyond, the idea of democratization inside schools is considered a novel idea, such as the European Democratic Education Community (EUDEC), where one can find global directories of democratic schools, which, on the contrary, teach about democracy but do not have a plan to implement the idea within the school. From small community schools to long-established institutions, democratic eduemergedhas beesought emerge as antraditional tra"he ditional "old-school" mentality.

Why Humanistic Education Matters for SEN Learners

For SEN learners, particularly those who are neurodivergent, a sense of justice and clear communication are priority ingredients to successful learning. While professors are in a hurry to meet their own timelines, students have limited time to absorb a topic and really delve into how it fits in our real world. Curious learners feel frustrations when they ask questions during class, but are dismissed by teachers who race against time to finish their boxed lesson plans.

Humanistic education addresses these challenges directly. Allowing learners to move at their own pace, but at the same time fully understanding the purpose and application. Offering choice helps to restore a sense of control that many SEN learners require, but that is absent in mainstream settings.wellbeingacknowledging emotional well-being alongside academic success, it creates environments where ALL learners are supported through their strengths.

Self-directed learning also allows SEN students to engage deeply with interests that motivate them, whether through play, creativity, technology, or conversation. Models like Play Mountain Place in California, USA, which emphasise free play and learner autonomy, highlight how non-coercive environments can be especially powerful for children of the future.

As Gaëlle Collas, the Founder of "codeMoi, rightly said, “Learning can only happen when children feel safe and understood as a whole, and when the environment adapts to their needs rather than forcing them to adapt to rigid systems that are not natural to any of us. While most of us have learned to cope and move forward within these systems, neurodivergent childdon'tannot; their needs don’t fit standardised models and remind us that asking humans to constantly meet needs that are not their own is neither humane nor sustainable, mentally, emo"ionally, or physically.”

Lessons from Summerhill and Long-Term Outcomes

Sceptics often question whether such freedom prepares children for adult lUK's Interestingly, the UK’s Summerhill Schoworld'sch is one of the world’s oldest democratic schools, offers a compelling answer. Founded over a century ago, Summerhill has produced generations of alumni who report strong self-confidence, independence, and social responsibility.

Despite its unconventional structure, the school demonstrates that children who grow up in respectful, choice-driven environments are not disadvantaged. If anything, they often develop resilience and self-awareness that traditional systems overlook, qualities especially important for SEN learners navigating a world that is filled with coded social riddles and indirect communication.

We Need More Tutors Now Than Ever

For tutors working with SEN learners, humanistic education offers a mindset. In the mainstream, teachers tend to be the go-to for extra support, but does this really align with humanistic education principles? By prioritizing relationship-building, adapting to individual learning styles, and building confidence, will we still need labels of SEN?

Ultimately, humanistic education reframes"the question from “How do"we f"x this child?” to “How do we create environments where thi" child can thrive?” For SEN learners, that shift can be transformative.

Humanistic education is not about lowering standards or abandoning structure. It is about rewellbeingsuccess and placing wellbeing, autonomy, and lifelong learning at the centre.