I write this petition on behalf of Schumacher College's faculty and staff, who have been blessed to have shared the profoundly rich experience of teaching, and learning from, gardening and cooking with, caring for, challenging, and being challenged by students here in South Devon, for 34 years 🥗🎼🎻🌿🌲📖

Schumacher College is not just a name, or a building, or a business. It is a living, breathing entity, brought to life by a 💚community 💚 - one which has constantly been enriched and renewed by an unceasing flow of awe-inspiring individuals and trailblazers from across the globe since it first opened its doors in 1990. All of whom are united, not just by a love of learning, but by a deep love for the Earth and a passionate calling to protect All Life 🌎 

What breathes life into, and creates the 'value' of "Schumacher College" therefore, IS this vibrant, emergent, ecologically-oriented Learning Community....which is now, at its ripe middle age of 34, more akin to a Learning Ecosystem, more than 20,000 strong; of faculty, staff, students, volunteers, alumni, guest teachers, fellows and supporters of all kinds, across the world....including, of course, the multitude of more-than-human hosts, guests and visitors here in South Devon 🦉🐴🦡🦫🦇🌱🌿🌳🌲

In September 2024, the leadership of Dartington Hall Trust (DHT) decided to terminate all courses, make staff redundant, and step away from its commitment to continue providing education to enrolled students, some of whom still had two years to complete.

This decision has effectively closed down 'the college', as we have known it up until this point. The leadership of DHT, however, continues to hold the library, archive, database and 'brand'. 

The faculty and staff, with the support of the Satish Kumar Foundation, are currently in negotiation for the transfer of these assets, to help seed a new college. There will be more news on this emergent new beginning arriving very soon 🌱

Since October of 2023, in fact, when DHT first interrupted the delivery of the college's accredited programmes, faculty and staff have been working for independence. 

Now that the dust is beginning to settle on the uprooting of all that we once knew and loved in Dartington, we feel the transfer of these assets would be a very welcome gesture of goodwill.

These photos of our much-loved library, were taken by one of our many wonderful library volunteers, Sam Wernham, founder of River Dart Wild Church here in Devon.

The significance of this transfer extends beyond material possessions. It has the potential to breathe new life into the college, offering endless opportunities for growth and development to the resilient community of teachers and learners at Schumacher, on the shores of South Devon, and beyond.

We urge you, to stand with us, the Schumacher College community.

Fundamentally, we are appealing for a swift agreement that can facilitate the transfer of the college assets from DHT. In doing so, we help ensure that the legacy of innovative, experiential education, emphasized by Schumacher College, remains accessible to future generations. Please, add your signature to this petition to help support this transfer of the incredible history and heritage of Schumacher College. Including our much-loved books!! 📖

Deep thanks and gratitude, on behalf of the Faculty and Staff from Schumacher College - let's continue to work together, to bring into being that beautiful world that our hearts know is possible! 🌎