At the chalkface
News
Teenage sub cultures
“AWOPBOPALOOPBOP! woollies, tea cosies, dishevelled
ALOPBAMBOOM!!” roared locks, and rich interior worlds.
Little Richard from my Dansette What’s the music like? Lucy gives
somewhere in the late 1950s. me the headphones. It’s acoustic,
He sounded unhinged. delicate, introvert, hushed and full
Subliterate. Sectionable. On of crushed sensitivities. It taps into
Heat. It was the best noise I’d English pastoral. A defence against
ever heard. It rather blew away the brute inner city? Who sings it?
“Min” Hill’s Wordsworth lessons. Angelic, pagan, hippy, dippy types
It quite eviscerated Mr Eaton’s who look like they sew quilts, tame
music classes – 16th century unicorns and make gloves out of
madrigals played by nail butterfly wings – and
on scratched vinyl at that’s just the blokes.
78rpm – complete with Some of it is terrific,
frying egg sounds. How some of it is not. The
we mocked! Horrid reigning queen seems to Talkingfilm:Actress
philistines, we charged be a mystical harpist, a ImeldaStauntontalksto
down to the Rock ‘n’ runic siren called Joanna around80studentsatthe
Roll shop for another fix Newsome whose voice recentFILMCLUBeventat
of Mr Richard. We moved sounds like kittens dying KingsdaleSchool
on to Gene Vincent’s in a spin dryer and whose
pleasingly Neanderthal lyrics seem plain daft.
Be Bop a Lula and “Your skin is something
then to Buddy Holly’s that I stir into my tea.”
Maybe Baby. When Dear me!
BAFTA-winning actress
Buddy died we asked “Like Keats, sir!” Er...
“Min” – not a master who no it isn’t. It’s tosh. Emetic
was ever “down with the kids” even. But what do I know?
– for the afternoon off. “No!” I’ve morphed into “Min”. You
he properly replied. But he saw never knock natural enthusiasm.
inspires London students
our teenage grief and perhaps It can lead to higher things – like
saw too that Buddy might lead to Keats. We zoom off to see Bright
higher things – to Chuck Berry Star. I fear the worst. Not another The event, which took place at “It was amazing to see how been an actress. It is one of the best
and Howlin’ Wolf and to Bob mawkish costume drama. Well,
by Chris Parr
Kingsdale School in Dulwich, was the event has been good for the professions. I would have wanted to
Dylan and then on to his beloved I’m wrong again. It’s terrific – organised by FILMCLUB, the gov- children’s self-esteem – to meet teach the very little ones or the 6th
Romantics. They did. Teenage unsentimental, tender, passionate, Lucky students from seven ernment-funded programme that someone of Imelda’s status. They form, and I think I would be good
sub-cultures, especially music, can tough. The class love it. They London secondary schools got supports schools in setting up their have been absolutely buzzing about on life – advice for careers and
be a crucial teaching aid. charge off to the library to read the the opportunity to discuss the film own film clubs. the event since it happened.” things like that.”
Take my brilliant 12th year. poems and those sublime letters. industry with a BAFTA-winning Korinne Smith, who runs the The students gathered to quiz The schools involved were Glebe
They wander round with secret Sub-cultures nourish. actress last Thursday (November film club at Kingsdale, told SecEd: the film star on a range of topics, School in Bromley, Moatbridge
universes on their headphones. 12). “The close encounter with Imelda including whether she would like School in Greenwich, Harris Girls
They’re into all sorts. Hip-hop. • Ian Whitwham is a former Imelda Staunton, star of films Staunton was so inspirational for to be a teacher herself – particu- Academy in Southwark, Norwood
Grime. Thrash. Whatever. All teacher. A collection of his best such as Vera Drake, Sense and the kids. Our film club members, larly after having played the part School in Lambeth, Cumberland
beyond me. The latest rage is columns, At the Chalkface: Great Sensibility and Harry Potter, met and also members of our drama of Delores Umbridge, one of he School in Newham, and The Royal
something called Nu folk or Moments in Education, is out with around 80 students from department who attended, found most despised teachers at Hogwarts Docks Community School, also in
Psych folk or is it Acid folk? Fans now priced £8.99 from Hopscotch schools across the south of the capi- her and her talk very inspirational School in Harry Potter. Newham.
seem keen on much pallour, huge Books. Order on 01722 717022. tal to give them a first-hand insight and were surprised at how acces- She answered: “I think I prob- For more information, visit
into the world of film. sible she was. ably would have been if I hadn’t www.filmclub.org
Narrowing
Resources have been developed to boost the achievement
of secondary Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Somali and Turkish
the gaps for
heritage pupils in English, mathematics and science.
The CPD modules, video clips and case studies offer
vulnerable
teaching, leadership and management strategies, ideas
for engaging pupils (and parents), and approaches for
groups
developing an inclusive environment for your school.
The resources can also be adapted to narrow gaps for other
vulnerable groups and are available to download at:
www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/nationalstrategies/ad18/meap
16 SecEd • November 19 2009
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