At Ohana, no one will be left behind
Our pioneering school will help children learn differently. It’s a celebration of uniqueness – and the power of working together
Starlings. It might not seem as though they have much in common with a pioneering school and the extraordinary neurodiverse children who will attend it. But they do. In particular, the murmuration – the collective movement of starlings – is a powerful metaphor for the creation and operation of a school that uses cutting edge technology and therapeutic approaches for online learning. That’s where we looked for inspiration to bring the Ohana brand to life.
If you look carefully at our new Ohana logo you will see the murmuration shape is used as a symbol above the Ohana name – and it will start to be used across our social channels and in other brand outputs as we ready for opening in September 2025. All great brands start with a simple idea and a story – and this is where Ohana started.
No one is left behind
We already know that Ohana was the right name to capture everything we wanted to deliver for children who will attend, and all the staff. It is a Hawaiian word that means ‘family’ in all senses – not just blood relatives. It includes extended family, adopted family, chosen family and every sort of blended group that make up the people we turn to, that we love, and that we choose to be with. At its heart is the idea that no one is left behind or forgotten. The word Ohana neatly sums up the idea of a school that is open to everyone and gives a pathway to learning for even those who have no desire to be in a school building.
Flock together
With a name in place, we looked to build out the brand. And that is when we looked to the idea of a murmuration. This natural phenomenon of the starlings moving together encapsulates fluidity, flexibility, adaptability, and unity (and so much more) and is an ideal symbol for an innovative education model. But it goes further.
Over the past few weeks, we have shared some teaser posts across our social channels ahead of our official announcement about the launch of Ohana. The posts showed a single white bird in a flock. The idea was simple: to shine a light on the flock and the individual. Each bird in a murmuration is individual and yet they move together as one. Each bird can stand out, and blend in. They are not related but they are family. No bird is left behind.
In a murmuration, thousands of birds move together in harmony, each responding to local interactions rather than following a single leader. Compare this decentralised yet cohesive behaviour with the essence of a hybrid school, where pupils, teachers, parents and carers work collaboratively to create a dynamic learning environment. Neurodiverse children often thrive in settings that are flexible and responsive to their individual needs – much like the starlings’ ability to adapt to environmental pressures –while maintaining group cohesion. A murmuration is characterised by its ability to navigate uncertainty – whether due to predators or environmental disturbances – while maintaining unity. Ohana is a school that must be adaptable, balancing the unpredictability of neurodiverse needs with the structure required for effective learning.
Learn differently
The more we probed the idea of using a murmuration as a metaphor for Ohana the more it made sense.
As a school Ohana pupils will learn differently – this important phrase is part of our brand and sits with our logo. The Ohana founders – Charu Kashyap and Shilpa S Kashyap – are clear that Ohana will enable each pupil to shine, not by providing a one size fits all approach, but through a bespoke approach to learning. They will all have the same goals in mind, but the way they reach them will vary.
Compare this with murmurations, which may appear chaotic at first glance but they follow simple rules that ensure cohesion. This duality – fluidity within structure – is essential for Ohana. The online component will offer flexibility for children who may need breaks or alternative pacing, while in-person interactions provide grounding and social engagement. Together, these elements create an ever-changing yet coherent system that adapts to each child’s needs.
We know from our Odyssey schools in Bloomsbury and Wokingham that neurodiverse children have many strengths. They each contribute to the overall output whilst retaining their individuality – in the same way, the birds in a murmuration contribute to the collective movement while retaining individuality. We know that a school can foster creativity and innovation by celebrating diverse perspectives and learning styles, creating an inclusive environment where every child feels valued and supported.
Leading the way
Murmurations rely on shared leadership, where every bird plays a role in guiding the group. This principle can inspire the leadership model within our school: teachers, parents, carers, and even pupils can take on leadership roles at different times. Such an ecosystem encourages trust and empowers neurodiverse children to take ownership of their learning journey.
A murmuration is not just a metaphor for Ohana; it has become a blueprint for the way we imagine a hybrid education model for neurodiverse children. Its principles of adaptability, collaboration, diversity, and fluidity align perfectly with the goals of Ohana.
Opening in September
Ohana – our new school – will be open from September 2025. It will have all the advantages of the Odyssey schools – a small, nurturing education experience that is tailored to the unique needs of every child. But it will offer 3 clear Pathways to help children who have been out of education for a long period of time, who might have difficulty transitioning back into education, or who are unlikely to return to a school environment:
- Explorer: Online School
- Wayfinder: Blended Learning
- Pathmaker: Transition Back into School
For more details about Ohana see here and sign up to our newsletter for updates.