At the chalkface
News
Old Nick (Griffin)
A MAN, dressed as a Nazi, Racism doesn’t seem to be the
wanders around Ladbroke Grove. problem. I feel a bit complacent.
Teaching Award winners
He’s got the lot on. Jackboots, Until I watch BBC’s Newsnight
swastika, daft haircut and about Old Nick. Until I hear Tim
moustache. He’s pushing his luck Lott, whose novel White City Blue
round these parts. He solicits the is a favourite. He comes from these
attentions of various dossers, parts. He tells Paxo that it’s not
celebrate at Number 10
like my pupils Dave Mania and a race problem. It’s much more
Sidney Lunk. about class. I agree. It’s about our
“Heil Hitler!” they go. treatment of the White Working
He comes up to me. Class, whom we still feel free to
by Chris Parr
“Will you be call “chavs”, “pikeys”,
demonstrating?” “yobs”, and “scum”. The 2009 Teaching Award winners
“At Nuremberg?” They’ve been shafted for celebrated in style last week with a
“At the BBC? so long by middle class visit to 10 Downing Street, where
Against Nick Griffin!” liberal progressives. they met with prime minister
Ah. The gear is That would be me. Gordon Brown.
ironic. He’s Anti-Nazi. They’ve been incarcerated The 11 teachers, who scooped
“Probably not.” in rubbish homes. True. top awards at the Teaching Awards
Ignore Old Balloon They’ve been put in big UK ceremony at the end of October,
Face and he’ll go away. crap schools. That would be were joined by 60 regional winners,
Mr Hitler solicits mine. They reject education all of whom had the chance to meet
others – barrow boys, because it rejects them – their and talk with the prime minister,
buskers and a waitress aspirations, their culture and as well as the schools secretary,
on a ciggy break. She their language. Thus many Ed Balls.
just shrugs. He finally are frustrated, violent, raging. Among those at the reception
approaches a very old black Old Nick sometimes assuages were Liz Quinn, head at Stourport
man. A legendary, illustrious, this rage. Education teaches them High School and Sixth Form
street philosopher. He’s also in to betray their roots. Centre in Worcestershire, who
uniform. He sports an admiral’s Wait a minute! This disturbs is Headteacher of the Year in a
jacket, a sea faring hat, shining me. Is he right? And what if Secondary School, and Edward
spats, huge, dusty dreads and a he’s right? Is this why Sidney Vickerman, from The Freeston
rather thick fog of ganja. He could and Dave give me so much Business and Enterprise College in
be the Ancient Mariner. grief? Surely these are just more Yorkshire, who is the Outstanding Prime time: (left to right) Teaching Award
“Wha’appen?” he says. “Did sweeping generalisations? My New Teacher of the Year. winners Liz Quinn, Elaine Loughran, and
we lose?” He offers an elaborate boys are better than that. They After meeting Mr Brown, Ms Edward Vickerman meet Gordon Brown and
pantomime salute. may not be too keen on me or Quinn said: “Everyone had an abso- Ed Balls at Downing Street. Mr Vickerman is
“Will he be attending the pantomime Do-Gooders, but they lutely wonderful day. It was a real also pictured speaking to Mr Brown (inset)
demo against Nick Griffin?” reject utterly Old Nick Griffin. privilege to be invited, and I felt
“Never ‘eard of ‘im, mon!” “He’s just a fucking pillock!” honoured to be there. school and talk with the students He added: “You never forget tive of the Teaching Awards, said:
Indeed. Mr Anti-Nazi is “We were able to have an excel- about what he had to say, and I a good teacher, and the Teaching “Our winners change children’s lives
flogging a dead duck round here. • Ian Whitwham is a former lent discussion with the prime min- think everyone who attended the Awards recognises that important forever and, without them, schools
So’s the BNP. So’s Old Nick, teacher. A collection of his best ister, who was very well informed reception was very impressed by sentiment. The professionals that would be very different places. They
who says London is no longer columns, At the Chalkface: Great and knowledgeable about educa- his message.” I welcomed to this event have had are terrific ambassadors for educa-
a “British City”. Ho hum. My Moments in Education, is out tion, and was particularly keen to Speaking before the reception, a major impact on their pupils and tion who deserve recognition and
school too, I shouldn’t wonder, now priced £8.99 from Hopscotch congratulate us and all teachers for Mr Brown congratulated the students, and have inspired those in who remind us to value all that is
with its rich mix of cultures. Books. Order on 01722 717022. the difference we make in schools. winners for their “passion and their schools to achieve.” good in schools today.”
“It’s been great to come back to professionalism”. Caroline Evans, chief execu- Visit www.teachingawards.com
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To receive an information pack email: esol@edexcel.com
16 SecEd • November 12 2009
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