SITTING in classrooms learning, few children consider what it is like to be standing at the front, teaching the class.
Being at the helm of a room full of youngsters is a very different experience to that of being a pupil. It’s challenging and also rewarding.
At The Priestley Academy Trust - which is made up of five schools in the Manningham area: Atlas Community Primary School, Green Lane Primary School, Lilycroft Primary School, Margaret McMillan Primary School and Westbourne Primary School - children are being given the opportunity to experience the roles played by their teachers, as well as other jobs within the schools.
Takeover Day allows pupils to spend a day in an adult role, whether it be caretakers, administration staff, kitchen staff, teachers, teaching assistants, assistant heads or headteachers.
To make the experience as realistic as possible, pupils apply for the jobs first, filling in an application form. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed by a panel of teachers, with successful candidates being written to with job offers.
“It provides pupils with a real life experience of the application process in the world of work,” said Lisa Simpson, head teacher at Atlas. “They get a sense of achievement from taking on the adult’s jobs and develop an understanding of what it is like for them. There was true empathy from some of the children after a day of work - one said “teaching is tough, you need to get everyone to listen to you."
"Another pupil said: "It's such a good opportunity for us to see how to apply for a job and to see what happens in interviews; it will help us in the future.”
Pupils are asked to dress for their role and are talked through their tasks. The new teachers and teaching assistants work together to plan their lessons.
“We have even had a Year 1 pupil teaching our Year 6 class; she certainly kept them on their toes,” said Lisa.
Office staff answer phones and welcome visitors. “They made sure that everyone was in school and spoke to those who were not - they were very efficient.
“The caretaking team ensured that deliveries were checked and put away, and kept the school clean and tidy. The kitchen staff had tuition from the Mellors catering team to prepare lunch.”
Lorraine Martin, headteacher at Margaret McMillan, said: “Every adult role in school is ‘taken over’ by children. We have more than 300 applications each year.
“It provides an opportunity for the children to be fully involved in the life of the school and gain a strong understanding about the way our school works.
“The impact is character building. Children have a chance to experience and demonstrate resilience, self-belief and many other leadership qualities - negotiation, collaboration, communication and organisation.”
Pupil Mohammed Subhan said: “I didn’t realise how many different jobs there are in school and how they are all connected and important to make school run well.”
Headteacher at Green Lane Jane Townend said the day gave children the opportunity to develop new interests and give them the belief that they can achieve. “It fuels aspirations and gives children a taste of work experience and a small insight into the work involved in certain roles. It allows for them to feel successful and valued.
“It also builds confidence by allowing children to have their voice heard and have a real impact on the decision making done in school.”
“It is also fun - the children had a great time.”
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