Camino Self-Directed Education

Camino SDE is committed to self-directed education, viewing childhood as a unique journey where learning is driven by personal choice and experience. The school is inspired by active pedagogies and free school movements, including Sudbury, Summerhill, and the work of Rebeca Wild, focusing on the essential rhythms of childhood such as security, movement, and free play. It operates as a living, autonomous system where families play a fundamental role in the care and development of the community.

The school offers an international, bilingual Spanish-English curriculum for Infant and Primary education. The educational approach is transversal, integrating environmental learning from the nearby Regional Park of the Southeast and community-based experiences within the town. The programme emphasizes self-directed learning, allowing students to choose their own experiences and activities.

The school prioritizes preventative care to support healthy neurological, emotional, and personal development. All participating adults are committed to ongoing pedagogical and therapeutic supervision, drawing on influences from perinatal psychology, Gestalt and systemic psychotherapy, and trauma-informed practices. Additionally, the school provides emotional and socio-laboral support programs for families, including perinatal support for mothers with children under three.

The school is located in Velilla de San Antonio, Madrid, with views of the Regional Park of the Southeast and its lagoons, which are accessible within a short walk. The facility includes a dedicated family area to support the school's focus on family involvement. The environment is designed to facilitate connections with the natural surroundings and the local town.

Outside of school hours, the campus functions as a multidisciplinary space offering workshops for all ages. These activities include English, music, instrument instruction, voice, circus, dance, ceramics, storytelling, and body movement. The school also engages with the local community by visiting the municipal library, local shops, and collaborating with nearby organic gardens and animal farms.