Diary of an NQT
ENGLISH LITERATURE ENGLISH LITERATURE
BBC Essex School of the Week
OUR RETURN to work this week, following half week’s BBC Essex “School of the Week”, and
term’s respite, was cushioned by a welcome INSET many of my students were asked to participate in
day. I was looking forward to a return to “training”: interviews that we listened to in hushed awe
something I now, as an NQT, really miss and during registration time.
indeed appreciate. The students were really enthusiastic
Geoffrey Trease: A national treasure
We began by trying to make sense and we all left proud that the good
of the new Ofsted criteria and I aspects of our successful school had been
realised how much the emphasis celebrated on the airwaves.
has shifted onto the progress of Another set of visitors through the
students against measured criteria revolving doors this week were the
Geoffrey Trease died in 1998 and wrote stories
such as levels. We watched a “Trashed” theatre group, who put on
video of an agreed “outstanding a session for our year 9 boys about with buried treasure in them. Now he has
lesson” (an hour rippled with binge drinking. Brave or naïve? You
more Assessment for Learning decide.
become a buried treasure himself. Gareth
than is humanly possible) and The boys were very good and apart
decided that the students had from the expected over-excitement
indeed made excellent progress; of not going to class period 3, they
Calway looks at using this under-appreciated
mainly due to them being angelic, were well behaved throughout.
student droids from some kind of That said, I was wondering what
writer in the classroom, focusing on Cue For Treason
idealistic dream world. response they were expecting following
Moving onto a carousel of short the anecdote about a drunk woman
talks by teachers from our own school, waking up with three men, not being able T A recent children’s classics but imperfect girls and boys together on a shared
I became a little deflated. It’s a shame to remember a thing. What had obviously
that I didn’t get too much out of the shocked the girls’ group earlier into serious
training day. In hindsight, I think contemplation wasn’t adjusted to suit the
having spent a year on the Mid- boys and their response was typical:
Essex training course, I have been “Legend.”
a little spoilt and expect all training A rather short-feeling week is drawing A
conference, which included both adventure – maturing pitfall by pitfall and sparring all
traditional and “modern” classics, the time as equals. Trease’s characters are so endearing,
Trease was a rare but damaging it is hard to let them go.
omission. Many writers older We are in a renaissance (I think) of children’s
and more “old fashioned” were writing and I would not be without a single novel of
featured. Margaret Meek, an old the ilk of Junk et al, but there is not enough of Trease’s
to be of that same high quality. I’m to a close and having already booked my champion of his, was there, sharp-eyed and warm- wholesome, reckless adventuring. We need books that
an open and thoughtful person, but Easter break to Madrid, I do have eyes hearted as ever. But Geoffrey was not. teach children not to be “good” and “passive” (even in
a session asking me how many uses firmly fixed on that horizon. However, I’m While many of his books are out of print or misery), but to be good, active citizens.
I could think of for a pencil was really back and enthused again, determined that next only available in “precious” quantities that make
just asking for a response from the more week I will not teach lessons that see the whole them impractical for school use, Cue for Treason, his
Cue for Treason – study ideas
cynical side of my nature. front row, 30 minutes in, bowed in submission signature novel for children is in print and plentiful. The action starts – page one, line one – with a hands-on
Returning to teaching however was with their head on the desks. Narcolepsy is a side It is published by Puffin and even has study sites protest against the enclosure of common land. For an
altogether more fruitful. I always find myself effect of year 9. Fact. on the web, and so I have focused the practical lesson “active” read, start with the throwing down at summer
refreshed and energised returning to school, and ideas below on this text. But before anyone decides this midnight of the new enclosing wall by a league of local
again this week I have been enthusiastic and staying • Matt Connett is a newly qualified teacher of English pioneer of the post-imperialist, modern school novel is families. When the wicked landlord turns up with armed
late to plan and mark to a good level of quality. at Shenfield High, a training school in Brentwood in not relevant, let us consider a key question. men on horseback to suppress the protest, 14-year-old
In particular, Shenfield High School was this Essex. He returns next week. Peter Brownrigg hurls a stone at him. Peter is spotted,
Is he too old-fashioned-nice?
and though he gets away through the dawn, they come
Despite his hard-hitting 1934 starter Bows Against The for him at his school the next day. He runs home, finds
Barons (as much a Communist manifesto as a Robin out that this is no longer the sanctuary of his childhood,
Teach it like Torno!
Hood story), Trease is not the world of Junk or Martyn and is on the run for the rest of the book.
Pig and Killing God.
Trease’s teenagers behave like responsible trainee-
Badly behaved boys
Three hundred not out
citizens, agonising over their failings and keen to Educationalists of all kinds were fixated on books
redeem them. They regard the family (especially when about boys last year, mostly behaving badly. If you
it is one-parent) as a shared project – a democracy in the want that (and reluctant boy readers seem to) it is here.
making under a benign and respected authority – and The difference is that the stone-throwing at authority is
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you Anne is one of many former students who have contribute accordingly. They respect their headteachers, placed – and judged – within a socio-economic context
can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela. returned to teach. This year we have five teacher who certainly deserve it, and at least the efforts of most and with a political purpose. A bit more radical than
There are days when you think coming into trainee students and three of them are former pupils. of the others. taking drugs and swearing at your mother.
education was the right thing to do and then there It is not a select club either. These students genuinely That said, their very real adventures are exciting
are other days. Special days when you know. One felt St Edward’s was the right place to start their challenges of any corrupt or anti-social authority figure. We’d been a happy enough family in our valley till
of these came recently when the school that I work career. Moreover, as the Teaching Awards loom, The children risk life and limb – often literally – to young Sir Philip Morton had inherited his grandfather’s
in, St Edward’s, held its 300th anniversary service at another former pupil, Jo Howson, was presented with bring them to book. The historical children learn to estate a couple of years before. We were all old farming
Westminster Abbey. an award last year in recognition of her outstanding use swords, the modern ones learn to use democratic families, who had kept our sheep on the fells since
I am not the biggest fan of private schooling, contribution to professional development. She is institutions. Both use intelligence. They learn in the Domesday Book or the founding of Rome or, for all I
nor do I profess to favour selection in any way. currently the head of drama and has a glowing process how to turn the rage and dissidence of youth know, since the Flood itself. We held our land direct
I am wholeheartedly in support of career ahead of her. She has certainly not into a practical method of achieving change. They are, from the Crown, and all the rent we paid was to fight
comprehensive education which gives forgotten the values instilled in her as a in short, a modern – but exciting – citizenship lesson. the Scots if they came over. We weren’t gentry, we were
all the chance to succeed, whatever youngster. This may be why Trease’s books were so popular yeomen – statesmen we call ourselves up here – but we
their background. It is the reason During the service, a procession internationally, notably (like Ransome’s Swallows and were an independent people, not caring much for man
I, myself, am a teacher. This is of individuals walked down the Amazons) in the old Soviet Union. But, before we go nor devil. Certainly we didn’t care anything for a young
precisely the source of my pride. aisle carrying the founders’ further, another question. knight who put scent on his handkerchief and didn’t
St Edward’s has been in existence book which included the know one end of a Herdwick sheep from another.
since 1710 and was built to educate original covenant setting
Is he (too) sexist?
poor scholars in Romford, Essex. up the school. They were The gender debate is in fact addressed throughout
History
Ironically, one of its founders could followed by a lone pupil Trease’s books and girls give as good – often better Whether your view of history is that those who do
not write. Next to his name in the from year 6. Though it – than they get. Yes, Bill goes to Winthwaite Grammar in not learn from it are condemned to repeat it or that it
founders’ book is his sign – a mere was 2010, it could have the Bannermere series and his sister Susan goes to a girls’ has definite developmental stages, Cue For Treason
squiggle. I wonder if he had any idea easily been 1710. “secondary modern”. But though “cool” and modern, the brings to vivid life (for young readers) a crucial
that their vision would endure for 300 Symbolically she girls’ head is a brilliant archaeology scholar increasingly period of England and Englishness as we know it. The
years. carried the future admired by the traditionalist head of the grammar. freeborn/Robin Hood Englishness that later fought
Over these years, so many students aspirations of our school, For their time, the books’ conscious gender politics Hitler was fundamentally shaped at this time and the
and teachers have benefited from but more than that she was way ahead of the pack. Trease objected to gender- book captures this moment.
the ethos and spirit of the school. epitomised the message that segregating stories. His stories typically set engaging
One which focuses on people and schools are places of hope and
Writing
relationships and recognises that opportunity. The scene sent a The classical beginning rewards formal textual study.
education changes lives. It is a tingle down my spine because
Cue for Treason (1940)
In fact, few begin (or end) a children’s story with such
privilege to work in an institution not only did it remind me of my own
which has such a rich history responsibility to preserve the values
After taking part in a protest against
economy as Trease – and his middles (developments,
climaxes, dénouements et al) aren’t bad either. Take the
and yet still holds true to its core on which the school was founded, but
enclosure of common land, Peter
opening sentence.
values. it strengthened my conviction about the Brownrigg flees for his life from the
In a time when the major reason for schools. They are indeed vehicles
arrogant Elizabethan landowner Sir Philip
I asked, weren’t we taking the pistol, or anyhow the
political parties are constantly of change, and for the most vulnerable
Morton. Taking refuge in a travelling
long, murderous-looking pike which has hung across
squabbling about league tables and in society they are often the only hope of
results, it is refreshing to know that carving out a future. For many, whether we
theatre group, he meets Kit, also on the
our broad chimney ever since I can remember?
the true purpose of education has not teach in faith schools or otherwise, schools are
run from Morton’s grasping hands.
This bristles. We are instantly there – in the period,
been lost. vehicles of salvation. In London, a long way from their in the action and the radical politics. The understated
Schools should be places of nurturing In this era of constant change and the
Cumberland homes, the runaways
last sentence of the novel (I won’t spoil it) delivers a
and wonder. Instead many have become likelihood that we will soon see a change of
get work as apprentices with William
final shiver too – and huge emotional pay-off. Such
exam factories in pursuit of a favourable government, one in which the privileged few
Ofsted report. Unfortunately many schools will abound, it is important that institutions and
Shakespeare’s company where they
compressed resolution is a Trease trademark.
have lost what Anne Bryden, one of our long-standing individuals continue to speak out and act on behalf of
discover a plot against the Queen’s life. Citizenship
teachers (a former student too), refers to as “that other those who would otherwise not have a voice. Recruited to the dangerous but exciting The book has Trease’s signature and radical/critical
dimension”. In essence, that other dimension is St Edward’s has continued to do this for the past
Elizabethan secret service, they find that
social conscience.
something which cannot be measured by inspectors, 300 years and hopefully will endure for another 300.
the greedy Sir Philip Morton is one of the
but can certainly be felt. All schools are special and each one has its own story.
The many visitors that come to our school remark Have a great week and enjoy your teaching.
plotters. A thrilling chase north takes them
The theft of their common lands had first rallied them
against Sir Philip and the events of the last day or
upon the warmth that they are welcomed with and the
home again but both much-changed and
two (though they had only a faint glimmering notion
care that is given to our students. The fact that we are • David Torn is professional tutor and an advanced matured by their runaway year. of what it was all about) has knit them into a closer
a faith school might have something to do with this, skills teacher at St Edward’s Comprehensive School
Kit’s gender disguise raises many
comradeship.
but I would prefer to believe that it is simply because in Essex. He is the London Secondary School Teacher
questions about stereotypes – but does not
our school was founded on the core values of helping of the Year 2007 and is passionate that the purpose of
those who could not necessarily help themselves. education is to change lives. He returns in two weeks.
deprive the rebels of their happy ending.
During one of his story’s several exciting life-or-death
(vividly outdoor North of England) chases, the boy
narrator comments.
8 SecEd • March 4 2010
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