Making Headlines

We have had a lot of positive feedback from the article in the Times Educational Supplement. This is a very important paper that appears in every staffroom of every school in Scotland. We were pleased with the coverage and the detail. You can find the link in a previous post.

As a result of this and a few emails exchanged over the weekend we have now been offered a slot at an important international conference here in Shetland. The conference hosted by Shetland Museum in conjunction with the Elphinstone Institute , Aberdeeen University is entitled

 "Taking Shetland Out of the Box". We will offer a presentation but also the chance for delegates to take part in a Metasaga around the Museum. Another exciting step in  the Metasaga journey.

Here is the abstract

Metasaga is a journey through the culture, heritage and physical landscape. It allows leaders at all levels to engage in deep self- reflection by exploring their environment. It utilises a strengths-based, whole system approach to evaluate how they operate as leaders and the performance of the organisation they lead. It makes them reframe their thinking using metaphor, narrative, tradition and artifacts found in their own physical environment. It combines the business techniques of non-directive coaching, dialogue and appreciative inquiry with the traditional storytelling teaching of our culture, the Norse saga.


The first group Metasaga took place in Unst, Shetland in June 2008 and brought together senior leaders from the Education Services of Orkney and Shetland. Since then it has been developed in Orkney to create a ‘Medley of Metasagas’ to enhance student leadership and staff professional development. These Metasagas, created by pupils, allow the individual to explore their own development through the rich tapestry of the Orkney landscape.

Metasaga grew from the work of Leif Jossefson (Metafari)  in Tanzania. Links are now being forged between Shetland, Orkney, Norway, Sweden and the Massai to explore the differences and similarities of the experience. It has been transformed from Metasaga to Metasgeul in the Gaelic culture of the Western Isles.

We are beginning to share the stories, both ancient and new, that are emerging from these journeys.



The more rooted I am in my location, the more I extend myself to other places, so as to become a citizen of the world. (Paulo Freire)