The Panto

As a headteacher you often don't get to take part in the trips and visits. This is such a shame when I've always seen it as a perk of the job in the early days. It can seem as though the more your career progresses, the more you can become distanced from what the job is about, if you're not careful.

This is a short story about what can happen when you can sit back and spend time with the children, shoulder to shoulder.

Not so long ago I decided to leave school behind and to help out with the panto trip. It's a lovely one because it's especially for children who may not have the opportunity to do this kind of thing. I tell myself it's right and good that I leave school for others to step up for a short period and for me to step out. I've been allocated my group, a fine bunch of year 3 children. We chat on the bus and soon arrive at the theatre.

'Bus trips can be the best way to get to know the children. It's not often that you have the time, to just sit and chat without there being some kind of expectation. Plus, they're usually feeling quite excited, just by being away from the classroom, sitting next to their friend.'

One young boy is particularly unsure, and so I make sure that he's alright. We have gentle banter and this is fun. As we head in and take our seats, we're up on the dress circle over looking everyone, and we quietly peer and observe. The rest of the children are settling, and it's always good on trips when everyone can relax, especially the staff. The lights go down and we're in darkness.

I feel the boy squeeze my hand.

He tells me he's scared and I realise that this is all new. He has no idea what happens in a theatre, what a panto is, and what will happen next. It's a another situation where it hits you. I reassure him, and he's ok. As the loud percussion begins and the spotlights go up, he's visibly nervous.

'Just as he starts to make sense of it all, the pantomime dame enters the stage. I mean, take a moment to consider how I'm supposed to make sense of this? It's funny thinking about it.'

He relaxes and I see him laugh. It's Aladdin and he's trying to follow the chaotic plot. Suddenly there's a loud bang! He grabs my hand again and the nerves reappear. The Genie appears in a puff of smoke, he turns to me and asks me,
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'Is he having a fag?' Followed by, 'grown up stuff?' An interesting observation. The Genie is indeed spluttering and holding an over-sized comedy cigarette.

As the afternoon progresses, he enjoys his tub of ice-cream and returns to school entertained. I make a point of feeding back with his Mum after school and sharing our trip. She laughs with me as I talk about his quirky comments and his company. It's been a privilege to be out with the children for the trip. More importantly I feel that bit more aware, informed and inspired.

It can be easy over time, to drive in and out of school, and to overlook the little things. This was a reminder to dig that bit deeper, learn more and avoid the assumption that you understand the lives of others.

The WIN / WIN

You won't need me to tell you about the value of school trips, even if they're not particularly 'educational. Like many, I started my career doing so many, particularly as a TA in special ed. This was the bread and butter. Over time, things can change and it can be harder to get out and spend time this way. It's a reminder that this is still something worth carving into the year, as there's so much to be gained and you have to make sure that work has such benefits.

#Win
What we can discover is that we learn something about the children that we never would have discovered. The time taken to talk and be together can be enough to find out more. When you do this, your bond becomes stronger and your job becomes more meaningful.

#Win
It's critical to get some kind of perspective in school, particularly if you're trying to understand the hardship that many families may face. I attended a pretty big comprehensive in a tough corner of town, and have a career working in diverse communities, but I still find the idea of poverty very difficult to comprehend. It takes time and insight to even begin to understand the implications of what life can be like for so many, without financial security. Knowing more can only serve to provide your invitation to do something profound for someone else.