Like it or not

I never watched it nor understand why others did. Nevertheless, this did little to shield me from the media somewhat exhaustively sharing the news and events of ‘Love Island’ over the summer. Sadly, I still cannot name any of the contestants and I am completely lost to actually recalling the name of the winner. The show created its own stories, including discussion on gender and race and even the language used. It was reported that a four-letter word was used 76 times in under five minutes in one episode of the television reality show. A school in Bradford went as far as forbidding their children to pepper their conversations with the word ‘like’. The outstanding school also outlawed single-word replies such as “good”, “nice” or “sad” to questions. The then Education Minister, Nick Gibb, who wants teachers to think about the “important role of oracy” in classrooms, called for others to follow the school’s lead. What do you like? I received an email from a pupil of Heathfield Knoll School explaining how much she had missed attending school over the recent holiday period – she liked attending so much that she felt the holidays were somewhat lacking without it. I do understand that ‘liking’ school is not that ‘cool’ or ‘good’ and might be considered by some as rather ‘sad’ – but I confess that I fall into this same category. As headmaster of Heathfield Knoll School, I like everything about my job. It is not because it is easy, nor is it about physical rewards or material benefits; it is about making a difference. As a school we all make a difference each day and all these differences, no matter how small, add up to a much bigger and enriching whole. We are all unique in so many wonderful ways and for me, making a difference is about achieving the best from each and every individual that I meet – pupils, staff, parents and visitors. There is always more to do, more to achieve and more to learn. ‘Love Island’ was perhaps all about being ‘liked’ rather than just being oneself and being recognised as positively different. (I suspect there was also plenty of focus on the financial rewards gained!) It is probably also the reason why I have an aversion to so many reality television programmes. And difference should be celebrated just as much as excellent academic results or results from the sportsfield. So like it or not, and however it is expressed, be positively different. Mr Collins, Headmaster

7th October 2019

Education

Headmaster's Blog