B.E.C.O.M.E.
the change you want to see in the world
This page is a free resource for schools around the world created for (and with)
the staff and pupils at the John Rankin Schools in Newbury in the U.K.
Please note that this page will change and adapt over the coming weeks in response to the input, questions and feedback from staff and students.
Every week the staff and pupils will all explore three stages of change:
Knowing - Doing - Being
and one of the six values that shape our character:
Bravery, Energy, Creativity, Openness, Motivation and Self Esteem.
Every Monday everyone in the school will focus on the knowing. They will 'check in' and discuss the 'What?', 'Why?', 'Who?' and 'How?' of that particular value. They will agree what they are going to focus on over the coming week and what they need to 'keep', 'develop' and 'let go'. They will use a story, poem or piece of creative writing as the stimulus for the week.
On Wednesday they will 'check up' to see how the actions they are taking are working or if they need to be refined or changed in some way.
On Fridays they 'check out' to see if they have seen evidence of their personal and group efforts on themselves, others and the school community.
The programme is based on the book '101 Days To Make A Change' written by Roy Leighton, Emma Kilbey and Kristina Bill.
To support a spirit of co-regulation every teacher and pupil will make a 'Philosopher's Stone' to assist in personal and collective change and growth.
Have a look at the video with Roy Leighton to your left if you want to see the process.
Have a look at the video with Kristina Bill to your right if you want to find out more about the book that underpins the design of the programme.
Below is the first of the six stories.
The others will be added over the coming weeks.
Week One: Bravery
Click on the book cover to access the free audio file of Roy Leighton reading the story.
Sometimes the problems that we have to face in life can seem too big, too painful - and make no sense. Yet often the simplest statement from the most unexpected source can bring the greatest insight...
This story is called 'Saying Goodbye' and deals with loss, bereavement and how we have much to learn from children in our attempts to deal with unexpected and unwanted changes.
Week Two: Energy
Click on the book cover to access the free audio file of Roy Leighton reading the story.
Communication, especially with people we know and love, can be difficult. We can too often be unaware of the negative energy we bring into conversations and focus too much on being heard than listening to what others have to say.
This story is called 'Dialogue with the Past' and deals with the importance of dialogue (rather than debate). In this story a woman returns to the home she left decades ago on a small Greek island and meets up with her old school teacher and is reminded of the simple lessons she learned at school of the art of listening and the power of open-ended questions.
Week Three: Creativity
Click on the book cover to access the free audio file of Roy Leighton reading the story.
We are surrounded by moments of devastating beauty, awe and wonder. When we create space to observe and experience these moments we can begin to see them more often and in numerous, unexpected ways.
This story is called 'First Light' and is about creative experiences of awe and wonder. This is a personal story from Roy Leighton about his first family holiday when he was twelve years old.
The B.E.C.O.M.E. programmes are available
in a variety of formats:
Keynote address is a lively and thought-provoking one-hour presentation, adapted to the needs of the audience and designed to galvanise your conference or event.
This half-day programme is designed to give you a crash course in designing and implementing teaching as storytelling in your school.
This full-day programme is designed to dig a little deeper into the underlying art and science of storytelling and the power of myth.
This 101 Day programme is designed to give you a complete and in-depth course in designing and implementing Peace Education through story and play in your own establishment.