A grown up just sent you this. Here is what it actually is.
Distinction is a place to make real things and keep a record of them. It is not school. It is not a test. And the first thing you probably want to know is who gets to see it, so that part is further down and we have not hidden it.
A coach called Cora
You can talk to her about things you want to make. She asks questions, helps you work out the next step, and does not tell you what to do.
Projects you pick
Real ones. A thing you build, grow, draw, cook, fix or organise. You choose it. Nobody hands you a topic.
A record that keeps everything
Every project, every photo, every thing you tried. It is dated, so later you can look back and see exactly what you were doing when you were ten.
It is not homework
Cora will not do your schoolwork and will not give you answers. If you ask, she will say no.
It is not marked
There are no grades here. No scores, no stars, nobody comparing you to anyone else.
It is not a competition
You are never ranked against other kids. The only thing you get compared to is you, a few months ago.
The rules, in plain words.
Your grown ups can see what you make
Your parents can see your projects, your photos and the things you write down. We are not going to pretend otherwise. They are the ones paying for it.
Nobody can change your plan without asking you
Not your parents. Not a mentor. Not Cora. If someone wants to change something, you get asked first, and you are allowed to say no.
You can take things out
If you put something in and later you do not like it, you can remove it. It is your record.
Some things are not yours to decide alone
Talking to adults you do not know, spending money, or putting your work on the internet all need a grown up to say yes first. That is on purpose.
Some of the things you try will not work. A model will break. A plan will turn out to be too big. You will get bored of something you were sure about last month.
That goes in the record too, on purpose. Not because anyone wants to keep a list of your mistakes, but because what you did next is the interesting part, and almost nobody writes that bit down while they still remember it.
Have a look before you decide.
You can walk through three students who are already using it, and see real things other kids have made. If it looks like something you would want, tell your grown up. If it looks like something being done to you, tell them that instead. It only works if you actually want it.