If there was a Boundless Life A-Z, the typically impossible-to-fill ‘z’ slot would be occupied by Zak - our ever-popular Upper Foundation educator and original Boundless Education Crew member. 

Read on to find out why “Is Zak going to be there?!” is now considered an FAQ amongst parents and children alike. 

Our Upper Foundation Explorers (10-12) are currently our oldest age group within the Boundless Education programme. Many have been lucky enough to have Zak as their educator. Having been part of the Crew from the outset he has taught in all of Boundless’ European locations: Portugal, Greece and Italy! Regardless of where he is, one thing remains consistent: the very evident mutual respect and affection that never fails to develop within the groups of Explorers he takes under his wing. 

Let’s speak to the man himself to get his take on Upper Foundation and why Boundless Education represents such a great learning opportunity for 10-12-year- olds.

‍Zak!! You’ve been an educator for Boundless Life for over a year now. How did your involvement come about? 

It’s all the fault of Suzanne [Head of Academics], haha! Suzanne spent time on a project at the school I was teaching at in the UK. I was really inspired by her and her approach to education and we just kind of clicked. When Suzanne joined the Boundless Crew I was thrilled when she got back in touch to offer me a role. I’d packed my suitcase before the end of the call and have never looked back! 

Tell us a little about Upper Foundation 

Upper Foundation is an exciting class for children aged between 10-12 years old that focuses on interdisciplinary learning, with an emphasis on enquiry based learning. It’s an innovative approach to teaching and learning which allows students to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them and fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It’s been my pleasure and privilege to lead Upper Foundation in three different Boundless locations (so far): Sintra in Portugal, Syros in Greece, and Pistoia in Italy.

‍Can you explain how the project-based Quests translate for our Upper Foundation Explorers?

Sure! For example, during the first cohort, we focused on SDG 15 - Life on Land. The Explorers engaged in a range of activities, including learning about the local flora and fauna, planting trees, and building habitats for wildlife. Through these activities, they gained an appreciation for the delicate balance of ecosystems and the importance of preserving our natural environment.

Our Quests really help bring these important topics to life for all our Explorers but, for Upper Foundation, it creates opportunities for meaningful discussion around the real-world challenges we all face and the part we can all play as global citizens of the future. 

Amazing! I’d love some more examples of the Quest outcomes over the last year.

During my second cohort, we focused on SDG 2 - Zero Hunger. The Explorers learned about the importance of nutrition and healthy eating, as well as the causes and effects of food insecurity. They created a movie that highlighted the issue of hunger and proposed solutions to tackle it, which they shared with the local community.

The current cohort is focusing on SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production. The Explorers are learning about sustainable consumption patterns, waste reduction, and recycling. They are currently working on creating a board game that will educate others about responsible consumption and production.

Throughout each cohort, the Explorers have made a positive impact on the world through their Questing projects. These projects are designed to allow students the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge they have gained to create something meaningful. Whether it was creating a movie based on zero hunger or a board game about responsible consumption and production, the Explorers can feel proud that they have made a tangible difference to the world around them.

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‍And how can parents keep track of the progress Upper Foundation Explorers are making? 

There are several ways! Firstly, what is really refreshing is the eagerness with which the kids actually WANT to share what they’ve been learning! So many parents have commented that they’ve previously been used to asking their children what they’ve been up to only to get the stock standard response of “Nothing much.” This is in stark contrast with the kind of conversations that are happening at pick-up from our Education Centres! 

Secondly, Explorers use our app, Kinteract, to store and share their key learnings and magic moments. This, of course, is supplementary to the conversations that parents can have with educators either informally or in one of the three Parent-Educator conferences offered during our 3-month cohorts. The ‘middle’ conference is student-led and puts our Explorers in the driving seat and empowers them to showcase their strengths and explain how they are tackling their growth areas. 

And then you also have a big event at the end of the cohort, right?

Yes!! Last but by no means least is our Learning Celebration (AKA Quest Fest)! This takes place right at the end of the cohort and is a living, breathing exhibition of the skills, concepts and experiences the Explorers have had. It allows children to share the ‘passion projects’ they have focused on during their Boundless Hours. The only limit to this is their imagination! We’ve had science demonstrations of working volcanoes, devices to filter unclean water, and DIY silly foam. One of the Upper Foundation Explorers in my last cohort - Gus - had been inspired to produce a piece of art where he included every child in the cohort. It is hanging in our Education Centre in Tuscany and has pride of place. It makes me smile every time I see it. 

‍How would you describe your teaching style? 

My teaching style is centred on individualised learning, which means that I focus on each student's unique learning needs and preferences. This approach allows me to tailor my lessons to meet the specific needs of each student, ensuring that they are engaged, motivated, and challenged. Additionally, I encourage students to be self-directed learners, taking ownership of their learning and exploring topics that interest them. 

I hear that you have helped the Explorers connect across our locations too! 

Yes! With the Upper Foundation age group peer connection and socialisation becomes more important. We had one cohort, where our Upper Foundations girls in Italy were a little outnumbered by the boys. This wasn’t a problem but we set up an arrangement whereby the girls could connect with other Foundation girls in our other locations via video call. This proved to be so successful that we have implemented it as an option for everyone. It’s great to see our Explorers bond across borders and share their ideas and experiences. The beauty of Boundless is that some of these kids will go on to meet in person at future Boundless destinations. And, if they’re lucky, they might even meet me! (JOKING!!) 

‍If you had to pick out one stand-out moment from the many incredible moments you’ve shared with the Upper Foundation Explorers, what would it be and why?

During my first-ever cohort in January of last year, while teaching an Upper Foundation class in Sintra, I had the privilege of working with two brothers from Poland who had very limited English proficiency - only a few basic phrases. As we progressed through the cohort, I devoted significant effort to supporting their language development in reading, writing, and speaking. Their progress was swift and impressive, and by the end of the course, we had even delved into the realm of poetry.

It was during this phase that one of the brothers composed an incredibly moving poem that left a lasting impact on me. He masterfully conveyed real emotions while tackling the difficult subject of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The power of his words was so great that it brought both Suzanne and I to tears. It was truly an unforgettable moment.

I am so proud of the work that ALL my Explorers have done in Sintra, Syros, and Pistoia, and I look forward to continuing to support their learning and growth. If the children I have met are anything to go by, the planet will be in safe hands. The future may be uncertain but I am certain these kids are going to be tremendous global citizens. 

Fun Zak Facts:

• Zak’s wardrobe acts as a helpful barometer of the weather conditions. If you can’t see his knees it is VERY cold! If he’s not in shorts and a t-shirt, wrap up for arctic conditions. 
• He’s not just “down with the kids”, oh no! Zak loves sport - especially football - so will frequently be found having a kickabout or talking sport with the parents.
• Zak has been pseudo-adopted by our Head of Academics, Suzanne, and her husband and fellow Boundless educator, Mikko. Who says colleagues can’t be like family?! 

Upper Foundation is a dynamic and innovative class within Boundless Education that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Through interdisciplinary and enquiry-based learning, students gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and develop the skills they need to make a positive impact. 

If you have a 10 to 12-year-old that would love to become an Explorer with Zak or one of our other wonderful educators, connect with us to find out more!