Testimonials

There is no better way to understand the True Nature Sudbury School experience than through the voices of the people who live it every day. On this page, you'll hear from parents, guardians, grandparents and young people who have experienced our unique approach to self-directed, democratic education firsthand.

Their stories reflect the growth, confidence, independence and joy that can flourish when children are trusted to lead their own learning in a supportive and respectful community. We hope their experiences give you a genuine insight into life at True Nature Sudbury School and help you imagine what could be possible for your own family.

Parent, Guardian, Student and Grandparent Reviews

Our daughter was unhappy going to her previous school every morning, it just wasn't the right fit for her. We were interested in trying a different model that had an entirely child-centred approach. It has been an adventure with plenty of learning along the way. Our child enjoys most the freedom to play and move around, freedom to pursue creative projects. Some of the most important learning opportunities for me have come from unexpected places such as forming community agreements, dealing with conflict, etc.. I would describe TNSS in 3 words as: Hopeful inspiring community. There is a sense of community and common purpose. Our child is genuinely happy coming to school now and likes to go every day. There are lots of people all bringing their own unique contributions to make the community stronger. To new families thinking of joining this school, I would say, come with an open mind and be willing to question some of your own beliefs.

Brendan Muldoon, Parent of Student at TNSS

When we chose this school, what mattered most to us was finding somewhere our children could truly be children. We wanted them to have a sense of freedom and autonomy, to be able to follow their interests and learn through curiosity, play and enjoyment. More than anything, we wanted to protect that natural love of learning children have and allow them the space to grow into themselves without rushing them through childhood. That sense of trust, freedom and respect for each child is what drew us to the school, and it’s something we’ve really valued as a family.

Norma Galvin, Parent of Student at TNSS

I came to True Nature as I wasn't very happy in my old school and I wanted to give it a try and I liked it. School is fun and interesting. I like art and running around outside. 3 words to describe school are True - Nature – Fun. I was surprised that there's learning in everything. I feel excited to come to school. To new families I would say this school is really good

Molly, Student at TNSS

We came to True Nature for the freedom it gives children, the way the school is set up, and the mindset of the parents and community. We really connected with the idea of giving children more freedom to learn, explore, and develop at their own pace, in an environment where families share similar values. Our experience as a family so far with the school has been very good. Our child enjoys the freedom to explore different things and enjoy the natural surroundings. A learning for me since our son started at this school is that it is ok to go outside of the box. I would describe TNSS in 3 words as freedom, nature, community. When our son joined here, I was surprised at how much freedom the children have, while still having a strong sense of community and responsibility. Our son wants to go to school every day and looks forward to it. I value most how welcoming, supportive and inclusive the school community is. There is a real sense that everyone knows and cares about each other, and that children are encouraged to be themselves, feel safe and supported, and learn in their own way. Our child says school is fun and nice and free. To any new families thinking of exploring TNSS, I would say, it is a wonderful new opportunity, yes it’s different, but it is also worth looking into.

Egill Palsson, Parent of Student at TNSS

The need for a different education model brought us to TNSS and it has been Incredible! My son enjoys most the freedom that he can have in school. A learning for me as a parent has been that I have learned to be patient (a big one for me!) and to not only trust the process but also to trust myself and my child. I would describe TNSS in 3 words as empowering, fun, democratic. When I think about how my child feels coming to school, he wishes he could attend all year round! I value most in the school community, the understanding and support we offer each other and the commitment to and passion for the model/community. My child says school is the best! He feels bad for any students who have to attend elsewhere. To any families considering TNSS and this model of education, I would say Do It! It’s scary but it gives your child the gifts of freedom, confidence and autonomy. I’m happy to be contacted by any family’s considering True Nature. I understand how daunting it can feel and I think it’s helpful to hear from families who have been where they are.

Karen, Parent of Student at TNSS

Enrolling my daughter in True Nature Sudbury school has been such a transformative decision for our family. In this self-directed environment she has completely rediscovered her joy for learning and it happens so naturally now, through all the incredible daily opportunities this school provides.
The democratic model naturally extends to the whole family too. Through our regular hands on meet ups, cleaning together, and getting to know one another we’ve built a deeply connected and supportive community. It has been a wonderful place for her to learn and thrive.

Ellen O’Brien, Parent of Student at TNSS

My grandson was struggling in mainstream school. He has a diagnosis of autism and dyspraxia and was experiencing particular difficulty with reading. My sister-in-law had heard about Sudbury schools, which led us to True Nature Sudbury School in Clonalvy. Our family’s experience of TNSS has been very positive. My grandson has grown in confidence and maturity since joining the school. Despite, and perhaps because of the absence of pressure to “get through a prescribed curriculum”, his reading has improved and he is much happier.

He appreciates having a say in how the school operates and values the flexibility it offers. He is happy, has lots of friends and is generally pleased to come to school, although, like many teenagers, some mornings it can still be a struggle to get him out of bed!

TNSS has reinforced my belief that mainstream primary and post-primary education does not suit a sizeable number of children. My grandson’s primary school did everything it could with the resources available, but the State’s education model simply did not suit his way of learning. I value the active involvement of parents and the way issues can be raised openly and handled in a mature and sensible manner. I would describe TNSS as open, participative and flexible.

Education is about much more than moving a child through a prescribed curriculum. My grandson is now much happier and more confident. As he approaches 13, he is beginning to consider how TNSS can support him in creating a pathway towards third-level education. It has given him a new lease of life.

Donal O’Donoghue, Grandparent of a Student at TNSS

We were always interested in this model of education but when our daughter was so unhappy at her previous school we finally decided to make the move. We also wanted her to have an opportunity to develop skills that we believed would equip her for the real and increasingly uncertain world when she's older. Our families experience of True Nature has been very positive and personally challenging of lifelong conditioning about how we learn, resolve conflict and work collaboratively. Our child really enjoys the freedom to follow her creative pursuits and projects at her own pace. A learning for me since our daughter started at TNSS has been that been that learning happens in the least obvious places and situations. I would describe TNSS as Transformative – Necessary – Empowering. I have been surprised at how motivated young people are to learn and to create justice in their environments. How our daughter feels about going to school - excited, I can't get her to take a day off even when I want her to. I value most in this community, the diversity of skills, talents and personalities especially amongst the facilitators. Our daughter says about school that she loves it. To a family considering TNSS I would say, Try it and see.

Sarah-Jane Cullinane, Parent of Student at TNSS

Our daughter had a distressing experience in mainstream education, and we wanted her to experience an education that supported her wellbeing. TNSS has supported her happiness and wellbeing in a child-centred environment that values her autonomy, choice and meaningful participation. Our experience of TNSS has been nothing but positive. TNSS has a very special warm and inviting feel to the school. There is an amazing sense of community, happiness and joy in the school. Our daughter has completely thrived since joining. TNSS respect and value the autonomy of each child. The facilitators are absolutely amazing and support the children through self-directed learning, curiosity and individual interests are encouraged. Our daughter enjoys the freedom that TNSS respects within the educational approach. She loves to be outside, enjoys forest school and being able to be creative daily. Our daughter loves spending time with her friends and feels like the facilitators truly listen to her. Although we fully believe and align with the ethos and vision of TNSS, it is scary when you make the decision to choose an alternative approach to mainstream education. We have learned to trust the process and have confidence in a child self-directing their learning. When children are given freedom and autonomy they really do surprise you. We would describe TNSS as Creative, Supportive and Free. What has surprised us most about TNSS is the sense of community. This education approach brings together a huge sense of kindness, openness and warmth within the school community. As parents, it is very important to us that our daughter is part of a community where she feels accepted, understood and valued for who she is. We appreciate the relationships between children, facilitators, and families and the sense that everyone contributes to the community. Our daughter is excited and very happy everyday to come to school and this was something we never experienced before. We value the high regard that the school puts into supporting the children. The school values the child's mental health, wellbeing and truly cares for each individual child. The school community has a strong sense of belonging, acceptance and respect for each child as an individual. We really value that children are trusted, listened to and given the freedom to be themselves within a supportive community. There is a genuine respect for children’s autonomy and for the choices they make about their learning and how they spend their time. We also value the confidence, independence and responsibility that children are supported to develop through having a meaningful voice in their school experience. Our daughter loves that she is so free in school and enjoys having fun with her friends and being creative. What I would say to a family considering TNSS: If you are being drawn to the Sudbury model of education for your child, trust the process. Give your child the time and space to settle into the environment and discover what learning looks like for them. There is so much value in allowing children the freedom to explore their curiosity, develop confidence in their own decisions and learn at their own pace. Seeing your child grow in confidence, autonomy and trust in themselves can help you understand just how powerful self-directed learning can be. Get to know the community, it is a very welcoming experience and a great support.

Jennifer and Stephen Taaffe, Parents of TNSS Student

We have always had an interest in alternative education models and in democratic education. We had researched for a few years and had visited a few of the democratic schools in Ireland. True Nature was accessible for us and had so much to offer. Our son loved it as soon as we stepped through the doors on our first visit. It took us a while of stalking social media pages and trying to decide if the school was doable as we now travel 30 minutes to school. But this is now something that I would not even think about when I see how much our son is thriving at school.

From the very beginning the support available from staff and volunteers has been incredible. There is a genuine caring for and interest in the children. Facilitators are very aware each day as to how our child has been, giving feedback, encouraging and creating opportunities to help our son settle into the school. They have been huge cheerleaders of supporting his confidence growing and of supporting him to follow his natural interests. We have seen our son’s creativity expand so quickly since he began with the school. Being creative is something that he naturally gravitates towards, and he has so much room for this side of himself with True Nature. He also absolutely loves how much he can be outdoors and getting involved in all aspects of Forest school elements. He is now educating us about things to do with nature and it's so wonderful to see how happy he is in this environment.

A learning for me was letting go of my own conditioning. Even though I am fully supportive of a democratic model and self-directed learning and have been for a good few years since I first came across it, when our son moved from mainstream to True Nature, I realised I had some triggers about traditional education not taking place and being able to let those go. It made me realise how deeply engrained these can be. That phase was short for me as I saw very quickly how the school environment was benefitting our son.

In three words I would describe True Nature as supportive, engaging, free. What has surprised me most is the community strength that exists in the school. It is genuine, staff are so considerate of students and of each other. The school exists because of the community having a passion for this way of education and also exists when each family gets to see the evidence of how much their child is benefiting from the school’s way of working. It is heart opening to see how much children can thrive in this type of environment. Our son is up and ready and wants to go to school each day. Which is a difference from hearing every day in his mainstream setting, 'I don't like school'. He loves that he has freedom to explore what he is interested in, eat when he likes, not have to ask to go to the bathroom, gets to play and have fun with other amazing children. Our son could have stayed in mainstream, but he is now thriving and feeling like he can fully be himself - and that is the difference. I believe that the development and exposure that he now has with TNSS on the soft skills side of things is priceless and will set him up in a healthier way both mental health-wise and emotionally for heading into teenage years and onwards.

What I value most is that the community comes together to support the school and make it work. Being in a school that is not supported by the Department of Education means that parents and guardians have to be more involved and keep the backbone of the school strong together. Each family and child benefits from the strength and togetherness of the next family. The ultimate benefit is everything that our son is receiving because of attending True Nature. This is the central reason for all of us in the community, it's seeing how much the children benefit. And it is the reason it is all worthwhile. For children to be able to access this type of model of education is priceless and sets them up with a stronger foundation for themselves for the years to come. Our son says school is fun. Everyone gets to do things together. I love being outside, it's so healthy for me.

For new families looking at this model of education, I would say, research, visit, talk to other families. There is always someone available who can answer your questions. Find if it's the right fit for your child and your family. And if it is - you will never look back. The support and access to freedom of following your own interests, following your own truth is life changing for children. So if you feel this is for you, you will know within your family and it's then to take that leap of faith. We have all been there as families, fear of the unknown, unsure but still excited to try. There are many families in the school community to support you. It is a big team together making things work. Reach out and talk any concerns through to help you make a decision. And if it feels right, then it is!

Helen O’Flinn, Parent of Student at TNSS