Director of Learning Innovation Report

In planning the return to school for students, we have perused a number of documents to guide us in assisting the transition process. One document referred to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. As I have a background in Psychology, my interest was piqued. I thought I would share this information with you, as it helps to frame how we are approaching 'the return'. 

Maslow developed his hierarchy of needs theory in the 1940s. His theory of motivation proposes that human needs can be organised into a hierarchy. There are five categories of needs: physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization. According to Maslow, when a lower need is met, the next need on the hierarchy becomes our focus of attention. 

Three most crucial areas are: physiological, safety, psychological needs. The theory can be summed up by the diagram below:

During the time of the COVID 19 crisis, our needs changed. Safety needs, such as the sense of being safe and avoiding infection, became paramount. The need for clean living areas, masks, hand sanitisers, maintaining social distancing and toilet paper can be explained by this need for safety. The panic buying of groceries and toilet paper are examples of how people hoard items to meet this need for safety.

As we return to our new normal, our psychological needs come to the fore again. For our students, the need to belong arises. We are trying to ensure that students feel connected and safe when they return. We are trying to keep to our usual routine as much as possible and we are trying to allow for opportunities for students to reconnect with each other. For the first week, meeting these psychological needs will be our focus. This will support students to then be able to focus on learning again. It will mean students are supported in moving to the need for esteem!

Thank you all for your support of our learning community during this time of transition.

Ms Claire Nailon

Director of Learning Innovation