Part 2 - The Slow Approach to Competence

‘Too many young teachers seem to think that the secret to being a good teacher is to make every lesson like a day at the fun fair – and it’s not. The most important thing is that you know your stuff and prepare your lessons well. Other than that, you just need to make sure that the little dears aren’t sitting idle for any length of time and use the brighter ones to lend help to the weaker ones. Oh, and don’t go ballistic just because some boy farts and they all fall about laughing.’

Vera Sinclair, Head of English; 1975