|
(Matthew): |
Describe a good teacher. |
|
A good teacher should
provide rules and boundaries, set a good example and
be aware of the needs of each pupil.. |
| (Matthew): |
Did you always want to be a teacher? |
|
When I was made the very first Head Boy of
the Grammar School I attended (Sweyne Park in
Rayleigh), I was told I was so bossy that I
obviously HAD to be a teacher! The Headmaster there
put me forward to train at the best teacher training
college at that time, Borough Road, Isleworth,
London. Upon graduation I received the Deans Prize
for Most Outstanding Student.. |
| (Bronte): |
What are the most important qualities in being a
teacher? |
|
A good teacher needs to know and understand
pupils and their needs. They need to show that each is special and
will be listened to and guided. |
| (Bronte): |
When did you first think you would like to own
your own school? |
|
Having worked for seventeen years in other
schools - changes were being made which seemed to
result in a pupil's chance to succeed diminish.
It made me
think that many pupils could do far more than these
schools were offering, I had classes of 48 pupils! |
|
(Matthew): |
Do you enjoy running the
school? |
|
Yes! I still enjoy running this school. And
there's still so much work to do to keep improving. |
| (Bronte): |
What improvements have you made to the School? |
| |
When we first came here, thirty years ago,
there were rough, bare boards on the floor, poor
lighting, no heating! We have improved all of these
aspects and added more. We are now far more
welcoming. Back then parents were not allowed past
the school gate into school! Today we have a very
good relationship with our parents and they can come
and chat to us, it is all very friendly. There was
also no sport! I took some boys to play football on
the field, blew the whistle and no-one moved! We also pride ourselves on being one of the
first schools in the area to recognise and make
provision for Dyslexia. We also look to employ the
best teachers. Better than just "good",
Matthew. |
| (Matthew): |
Describe the School in four words! |
| |
Hmmm. Well, I would say: Welcoming.
Stimulating. Enjoyable and Memorable. |
| (Bronte): |
In your eyes, what does being a 'good school'
mean? |
|
Teaching well. Looking after pupils well. Providing a comfortable
environment - to have children happy to return to school each day. Here
at Crowstone we are providing a link in the chain of
learning -
enabling you to go on from here and achieve good things. |