Kingsfield Past and Present (Teacher Style…)
Dave and Adam
Kingsfield pupils interview their teachers about their memories of the school and how teaching has changed during their careers.
Transcript
Kingsfield Past and Present teacher style
Hi, I’m Lorraine Lambert and I teach French and German.
And I’m Pauline Behan and I teach French.
My name is Mr Hebden. I teach English and I’m also head of media.
I’m Mrs McEvoy and I teach Geography.
Hi, my name’s Tim Anderson and my main subject is English.
My name’s Mr O’Neill and I teach er Science in school at the moment.
Er hello. My name is Miss Webb and I teach French and Italian.
My name is Hugh Williams and I’m head of Science, Kingsfield School.
How long have you been in the school?
For thirty five years.
I’ve been teaching here ten years now.
I started in January 2003…
About five years.
I’ve been at Kingsfield now thirty years.
My daughter was in nappies when I first came here and she’s 24 next week.
What is your first memory of school?
My first memory of the school, funnily enough, is walking down the path to hand my application in.
My first memory is on the day that I came for interview…
When I came for interview…
I think my first memory of the school must have been when I came for interview…
When I came for my interview…
It was a beautiful day and in the old wooden school there was a long veranda and many of the staff were eating their lunch having sandwiches…
I walked… down the path and I thought what a nice quiet, calm atmosphere it was because of the green banks around the path and the flowers…
What is your best memory of the school?
My favourite memories of the school tend to be the prom nights where year 11 really have their final day, their final party…
They come every so often when you just get a magic moment…
My best memory of the school is always of exam results…
One of the best ones was when we went to the Athletics Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on a school trip. We were in the front row and the world record pole vaulter, just about to break the world record, asked one of our kids would he hold his cigarette whilst he went and broke the world record. So he ran down the track, broke the world record, came back and asked for his fag back.
As a teacher, I think each year’s different, there’s lots of good memories.
Do you remember the great Kingsfield fire?
I remember the great Kingsfield fire. 1976 we had a very warm summer. Really, really hot…
My best friend, who lived up in Crispen Way, stood half way up Pound road and watched it burn and she told me all about it. And I was really, really sad.
The flames were several hundred feet high… the fire-fighters never gained control of it. With the exception of maths and science the school was entirely wiped out.
How’s your teaching style changed over these years?
I’m a lot less nervous…
A bit more relaxed – you just get used to it. Yeah.
In my old age I’ve mellowed and become nice to kids… but I can still shout if I want to.
I used to be very very disciplinarian and teach in an old fashioned way.
I do seem to find the styles go in cycles, some are in fashion and then over the years they go out of fashion…
I try to make things fun. I don’t think lessons have to be boring and dull although I can do very good boring and dull lessons.
Thanks to a project we have been doing on independent learning I now let the students take control of their learning and objectives far more.
What has changed about you in your time at Kingsfield?
I’m more streamlined, on my head; I have less hair.
Me? I got grey hair now.
I’ve become more tolerant as I think most people do as they get older.
I’ve got older and more wrinkly.
Bit older, bit greyer, a few more wrinkles.
I’ve got a lot older and greyer and… probably I’m a bit happier than I was.
What do you mean that’ll do?
You’re not going to edit us out now are you?
Yeah.
I’m not quite sure, can you clarify the question please?
Er hello.
I bet Brad Pit doesn’t have to put up with this.
You’re shaking your head.
Is that too much waffling, not enough waffling or just about right?
Bye bye.
