Until your good is better
Year 1 had the shock of their lives when stern Victorian School Inspector, Mr Wilberforce, came to review their progress in a lesson to remember. Dressed in necktie and tightly-buttoned frock coat, the sober Mr Wilberforce had the class sitting up straight, arms folded, not daring to move. Year 1 copied handwriting in the style of the period,
read Biblical passages, recited tables and did sums on the abacus. They concentrated in their object lesson on ‘the potato’ and tried hard to find the answers the Inspector wanted. Mr Wilberforce barked instructions and put the class through its rigorous exercises, but in the end agreed that the children’s work was ‘exemplary’ – although he did threaten to keep one boy behind for a thrashing! Afterwards the class was relieved to escape to the fun of the playground and all agreed they would rather have their own teachers than the very sober Mr Wilberforce. A good job done by the actor from Freshwater Theatre Company, then!
Looking back into their past is one of the topics engaging Year 1 and the children have brought in their oldest toys and discussed several ‘What Is…?’ object pictures. They are learning about records and time-lines. Sami’s grandfather grew up in Wales and didn’t speak English until he was 11. He spoke to the whole year group about the conditions of his upbringing.
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