Martin writes
Reclaim Creativity
I am the head of a primary school and encourage teachers to use
drama whenever, wherever they wish and have used it myself to teach
subjects such as the food chain (getting kids to eat each other is a
good way of reducing class sizes!) But seriously we as a profession are
suffering too much from teachers telling each other that this or that
is not allowed - merely because it is NOT in a policy document or
Scheme of Work doesn't mean to say it is not "allowed" - for God's sake
I rode my bike in assembly during our recent Ofsted to illustrate that
there are some things you can only learn by doing! (and got a Very Good
grade for doing so) In the 70s i got my Year 6 class to deconstruct the classroom in
order to set up a nuclear shelter as described in the "Protect and
Survive" document of the day - I guarantee that every member of that
class remembers what it was like to huddle in a shelter when the
nuclear alarm sounded and the resultant discussion about how
useful/effective such a shelter would really have been.
Have the courage of your convictions and claim back creativity
Martin is not a member of the Socialist Party but says "I have been
teaching since 1975 and have been active in the NUT (still a member)
and was a member of ALTARF (All London Teacher Against Racism and
Fascism) in the 1980s. Now as a 'reluctant' headteacher I believe that
democracy in education is key for anti-racist work and encourage pupil
involvement in school and local issues through an elected School
Council.
