S2E1 - The History and Motivations Behind Modern Schooling with Dr. Rebecca English and Mark Powell

Where did our modern ideas about school come from? In this episode of the Fearless Homeschool Podcast, Micarlé is joined by Dr Rebecca English and Mark Powell to explore the historical forces that shaped modern schooling. Together they discuss how education moved from church and class-based systems into mass schooling shaped by militarisation, industrialisation, and economic needs. They also explore the progressive education thinkers — including Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Dewey, and Montessori — who imagined a very different approach centred on child development, autonomy, relationships, and self-directed learning. This episode sets the foundation for the season ahead, including next week’s conversation on The Hidden Curriculum of School. Guest Links Mark Powell – Positive Discipline Australia https://www.positivedisciplineaustralia.com/

=============================================== This Season’s Sponsor Many of you already know Maths Pathway, and I’m really glad to be partnering with them as they evolve into Reflective — a broader ecosystem built around how children actually learn, not how they’re measured. They’ve just launched Reflective Home, a new parent-facing hub designed to help you see, support, and manage your child’s homeschool learning with more clarity and less pressure. You’ll hear more about Reflective throughout the first half of this season.

This episode is sponsored by Reflective Learning (formerly Maths Pathway). Try their learning tools free for 2 weeks and use code FEARLESS10 for 10% off your first bill. Learn more here

=============================================== Join the Fearless Homeschool Community Join the Fearless Homeschool Free Community and continue the conversation. https://fearless.live/ Mentioned in this episode: Summit Promotion! Tickets are now on Sale for the Australian and New Zealand Homeschooling Summit 2026