Educational constellations: What pupils carry that isn't theirs

Educational constellations - What pupils carry that isn't theirs

A systemic look at behaviour, learning difficulties and classroom dynamics

• Why does a pupil show behaviour that just never seems to change?
• Why do certain learning difficulties or tensions in a class keep coming back, despite all the effort, care and commitment?

In this talk, you are introduced to systemic thinking in education. From this perspective, it becomes clear that pupils sometimes carry more than their own story: tensions from the family, unspoken loyalties, or dynamics from the class or the wider school context.

Educational constellations offer a different perspective on behaviour and learning difficulties. They shift the focus from what is wrong with a pupil to what wants to become visible in the whole. This opens up space for understanding, calm and new movement, for pupils, teachers and teams alike.

‘Sometimes a pupil is not troublesome, unmotivated or difficult,
but loyal to something greater than themselves.

When we dare to see that,

it is not only our view of the pupil that changes,
but also our view of ourselves and of education.’

For teachers

In the classroom, you are in direct contact with pupils every day. You often sense unerringly that certain behaviour or getting stuck is not simply ‘unwillingness’ or ‘inability’. Yet it is hard to put it into words or know which direction to take.

This talk offers teachers:

• A different way of looking at behaviour and learning difficulties.
• Greater understanding of what pupils unconsciously carry.
• Recognition of what it asks of you as a teacher.
• Practical tools to stay present with more calm and clarity.

Looking systemically helps you to take things less personally, without distancing yourself. It invites an attitude in which you don't have to solve everything, but you do see what wants to be seen.

• You need no prior knowledge.
• Curiosity and openness are enough.

For school leaders and pupil support teams

Schools are living systems.
What shows up in pupils is rarely separate from wider dynamics within teams, support structures, policy or school culture.

This talk is particularly relevant for:

• School leaders and those responsible for policy.
• Pupil support coordinators and pupil counsellors.
• Care and support teams.

From a systemic perspective, it becomes clear how behaviour and learning difficulties are sometimes connected to:

• Tensions in the family system.
• Unclear roles or expectations within the school.
• Undercurrents in teams.
• Leadership and decision-making.

Educational constellations help to bring the whole into view, without blame or judgement. They offer a deeper framework for dealing with complexity and support a form of leadership and care that makes room for what is, while at the same time giving direction.

Here, too, no prior knowledge is needed.
What is needed is the willingness to look beyond the individual problem.

When we see what pupils carry,
it is not only their place that changes,
but ours too

👩‍🏫 Who is the facilitator?

With decades of experience in education, systemic work and energetic awareness, training courses, workshops and growth programmes, I guide school leaders and their teams through growth processes. I love both depth and simplicity, both the bigger picture and concrete steps. I enjoy working with education professionals who want to make a difference in education and are willing to start with themselves.

📅📍When and where?

• Tuesday 3 February 2026 from 7.30 pm to 9.30 or 10 pm. Loma Linda - Hove
• Thursday 5 March 2026 from 7.30 pm to 9.30 or 10 pm. Basisschool De Luchtballon - Aalst

✍ Register now (see below)

📚 Want more practice and experience?

Introductory workshop: Educational constellations, what you cannot see but can feel

• Tuesday 24 February 2026 from 10 am to 1 pm. Loma Linda - Hove
• Tuesday 21 April 2026 from 10 am to 1 pm. Concept55 - Keerbergen 

Masterclass for education professionals: The school as a dynamic field

• Thursday 26 March 2026 from 10 am to 5 pm - Loma Linda - Hove
• Thursday 21 May 2026 from 10 am to 5 pm - Concept55 - Keerbergen

Flemish education fair for education professionals

• Wednesday 11 March 2026 from 10 am to 5 pm - Limburghal - Genk