When the Stardust Settles

This is a week when the whole world sings, or so it seems. StarChild, a musical of magic and transformation, has transported us to other worlds. Performances echo to Chris Williams’ enchanting melodies sung with passion and panache by soloists and chorus. And when they stop there is deafening applause from captivated audiences.

The master lyricist, Nick Stimson, has crafted a tale of travel into our very own imaginations. His characters grow and change with the adventure that takes them over. And so the truths about what makes us who we are and the messages of Christmas are revealed. If I could write like Nick, I’d feel my life’s work was done.

The piece won the Vivian Ellis Prize for the Most Outstanding Musical for Young People. It is a sadly neglected musical and deserves wider audiences. Although it’s complex and ambitious, it really has wide appeal and much wit. Imagine a mix of Harry Potter, Doctor Who, the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and Wizard of Oz. Well, this is better- at least the way our students perform!
There is so much fun and so many memorable moments and lines. I like:

‘If I asked you for a snog
Would you turn into a frog?’

That gives you an idea of the charm of the piece.

There is much in this show that is unexpected. Its glacial world had me feeling chilled; the drab world of the Mother Hope’s machine was full of menace. But the remarkable finale magically completed the episode of story telling at its best.

I left Barbara Hersey on the first night frowning over seating plans. Where do you fit everyone when the show is so popular? How can we turn people away? We looked despairingly on the Gallery and in the wings. Where else? An extra row in the front might impede visibility. But alas- the Hall was built for a school of 500. These productions are on a scale undreamt of by the planners. The Tarleton Theatre will be my first project (promise) if I win the Lottery. Don’t hold your breath though- I’ve never bought a ticket.

Parents will, I’m sure, be relieved when it’s all over. They will also be so proud of what has been achieved. They can have their children back. Parents have been brilliant at collecting and at weekends and during half term bringing children into school. It’s quite a commitment. I don’t know how many hours of rehearsals there have been for it’s always the same time, just before midnight in the play. Clever ruse but do they think we haven’t noticed?

The staff will also be able to have their lives back. Many have contributed and I’m always really grateful to see the teams swinging into action: South Dartmoor at its best. The show has also been seen by large numbers of staff. What a great message that sends to the cast about relationships, care and interest.

The central staff quartet is formidable. Allan Sutton, the old Gandalf of lighting wizardry has more theatrical knowledge than you’ll find on Google. This piece allowed him to have great fun with lights and smoke. Oops…best not to mention the smoke machine, I’m told.

There has to be a good woman, of course, and Lin Blackman, the Producer, is superwoman. She is the magic inside this production, weaving her spells, bringing the dream to life.

The two towering giants – literally and metaphorically- of this and the last several productions are James Hills, Director, and Ralph Wickenden, Musical Director. Their standards are the gold in our Arts mark gold award. They are without doubt in the first rank of teachers of any generation. When the stardust settles it rests on them.

The Magic Spell is Cast

Value added has been my mission this week. No don’t stop reading or press exit. It does matter- I promise. Let me explain.
Year 11 are having their examination success interviews and I’ve taken on a caseload this year. All the information we need is provided. Each student’s very heart and soul is laid bare in data analysis. You name it and there is column predicting it. I’m sure that if we asked Pete Kensington, Data Wizard, to analyse them by star sign he could: “All Librans are on target for 10 A*s… while the Leos are borderline 5A* to Cs.”

We’re lucky there are no data protection issues around performance information or I’d have been locked up long ago. And, in case you’re wondering, we’re not sending out any data on CDs by post.

Many of the year group could do well and they are a pleasure to meet individually to discuss their grade projections. I’ve learned a lot about their plans and heard something of their dreams for the future. I hope I’ve been encouraging enough to make sure the nation will have good supply of teachers, doctors, lawyers, vets, electricians, carpenters, engineers and artists. I’ve asked several to let me have details when they qualify. You never know when you’ll need a good plumber, but I’m not sure I’ll ever need the midwife or the equine vet come to think of it. Sorry, ladies.

It’s a fascinating range and mix of talents from a delightful year group. Many are out-performing the baseline, indicator grades (stick with it please) the Wizard gave them in Year 9. If they can really do this in the summer, we will have great value added. The Government norm (don’t laugh or even ask why) is 1,000. Anything above is giving extra value. Anything below … well we don’t want to know but let’s just say it’s not healthy. We were at about 1010 last year. Yes that’s a respectable figure and no it’s not the four digit code to get you into the building.

But where South Dartmoor really scores on value added, no Government official has dared to tread. I’ve been overwhelmed by the sight and sound of nearly a hundred youngsters performing the musical, Starchild at the very limits of professionalism. A step further and we’d have to give them Equity cards and a salary. But professional theatre can’t match the inspirational edge of a volunteer cast with the joy of youth and the energy of teenagers. One hundred in the young company acting as one inter-dependent creature, an intelligence with many parts.

How can you count the extra that productions, sport and extra-curricular activities of all kinds give? Perhaps we can tot up the hundreds of hours given over by the cast and staff? Or perhaps we can count the hundreds “wow” responses this show is bound to get next week? Really it’s beyond measure- the sheer dazzling quality of what has been achieved, the spine-tingling impact and the knowledge that this will change the lives of those who take part.

So it’s hands off to the civil servants who try to use statistics to compare schools. What really matters to our children and their parents is not the number 1010 but the enriching experience of education at its best. On that stage the magic spell is cast and even the Data Wizard himself will gasp in amazement.

A Chip off the New Block

If I could wave a magic wand, I’d cast my spell on remaining parts of the school that need to be modernised. One wave and there would be a twelve classroom Science Block. On second thoughts, let’s make that sixteen. No more Science teachers wandering the site like dispossessed tribes, wheeling their shopping trolleys containing their books and equipment. Instead every Science teacher would be in their very own lab- and for the whole week. Is it really too much to ask?

I can still remember when we were arguing the case for a new Science Block in 1994. It looked for a time as if one storey of four labs was all were going to get. The telling argument that got us eight (with two storeys and a posh lift) was when we pointed out how expensive it would be to put on a roof and then have to take it off again at a later date to build an extension when numbers grew. Money was more limited in those days but we still won the argument.

For several years we have been pressing the case. There are just not enough labs and a formula exists to prove it. Every day children and their Science teachers are being short changed. The case is irrefutable. Science is one of the most important subjects we offer. Any spare room has to double up for Science classes- a nightmare for nomads.

The Woodland, for example, an appropriately named creature whose natural habitat is the Amazonian jungle with World challenge or the depths of Dartmoor, rarely has the chance to enjoy its prime territory- a Science lab. Moving faster than a passenger at Paddington station in the rush hour, you can see the Woodland’s jet propelled shopping trolley zooming from Place House to the Maths Block and on to another remote part of the school, lost in the dust.

Another wave of the wand and there’s a new, purpose-built and designed Art Block. Let’s chuck in a couple of new Music rooms too while we’re making wishes. In Art it’s a different problem but equally pressing. They have rooms but they are not fit for purpose. The miracle is that the Art and Photography staff produce results that are in the top league nationally by any measure, year after year. Think what they could do with good facilities and how they deserve them.

If you are a Science or Art teacher at South Dartmoor, it’s a choice between being homeless or living in a slum. What kind of a choice is that?

Of course we’re pleased with all the other investment in recent years. We have some great facilities. But until these two projects are completed, South Dartmoor will be unfinished- rather like those buildings you see in Greece or Cyprus that are half built because of property taxes.

So we’re going to invest about a quarter million pounds of our own money in the photography facilities. Work begins next summer. And it now looks as if there may even be some help with this.

It’s not the new block but it may just be a chip off it!

Under the Spotlight

It’s ipod white, slimmer, smaller and lighter than a text book and has all the power of the Internet. Solid state, no moving parts, the first has arrived in school and it’s only £169. All singing and dancing (yes it plays music and video as well as taking photos), it will transform the way our students learn. About the only thing it can’t do is the washing up. No, it’s not the new iphone, but the world’s newest lap top which, this week, we tested to destruction- but it didn’t break. Richard Penhale (ICT Systems Manager) has been hard wired to it. It’s more than a glass ball into which we can see the future- it is the future.

No more waiting to book ICT suites- in fact soon no more ICT suites all. This cool tool will become text and exercise book, pen and pencil, calculator and coursework file. Using the wireless system, every student will be able to access all the knowledge in the world. That’s the power and that will be the reality. Now what were you thinking you needed this Christmas?

Schools will be run more like universities. We will have large presentations by teacher experts, followed by smaller group seminars, and small sessions supported by non-teachers with more personalised, individual work by students.

And our high printing costs will also soon be a thing of the past. Staff now communicate either in person or by email. Documents are sent as attachments and we read them on screen. Whilst my in tray is now fairly empty, my email box is generally overflowing. If I’m in meetings in my Office, I can hear the quiet ping that taunts me with the information that yet another is waiting to be answered.

We’re thinking about giving all students a printer limit- beyond which they will be able to go by paying privately. It would be fair because we’d set the limit at what is realistically needed for coursework. Much of the work students do can be uploaded onto the VLE where teachers can gain easy access to assess it- another new world.

Meanwhile big brother technology is featured in a TV programme to be broadcast in January. The data system that we use to manage our behaviour information was under the spotlight. Susan Groves played a starring role with one of her favourite English groups who, I’m told, behaved superbly as always. Her lesson planning took time, but not as long as deciding what to wear for the TV cameras!

The Tor was filmed and some disgruntled teenagers who had been parked were invited to give their views. “I like it here,” boasted one , "because it’s warm and quiet." Wait until I see the programme and find out who it was. We can block book him in to the Tor for the rest of his days. And he can forget about having an ipod-style laptop in with him! Did I say like universities or like prisons?

Mountain Bike Trials

They say that fear is made more powerful by the imagination. Well as I lay down in the Sports Hall today (note all students the level of obedience and co-operation modelled for you), I had no idea what to expect.

The live cycling demo using high jumps, twists, climbs and descents had brought the audience to loud applause and cheers. And rightly so. Our guest riders were enormously skilled, displaying a rare talent that they nurture with at least 30 hours training a week. Don’t forget that, Year 11 when you’re planning your revision for the mock exams.

To the spooky music of Dr. Who they literally flew around the Sports Hall on their bikes, hardly ever appearing to pedal them. The highest level rig was a dazzling 2.5 metres and the skill in controlling the bike as well as the physical strength and precision of movement were amazing. Astonished, we watched, willing them to succeed, anxious about what could happen if the tyre slipped and they fell. They never put a wheel wrong.

Then it was my turn. ‘A quick jump over you,’ Steve Dinnie had said lightly a few weeks ago. In fact, I’d seen it on some video footage shown in assembly. No problem. It hadn’t been mentioned since and I thought the idea had been forgotten. They tricked me.

Now Andrei Burton, a 21 year old, is Britain’s top mountain bike trial champion, world Elite no 6 and number 2 ranked rider in Europe. He’s a total professional and an inspiration. His work on the bike shows the huge amount of power needed to pull it over obstacles, and the balance and control to secure and hold seemingly impossible positions.

But I wasn’t expecting Andrei and bike to jump from a great height and to land with his wheels on either side of me. He then did several spins and twists over me, with pinpoint precision. He was even able to offer words of reassurance and talk to me as he moved, apologising for catching the tip of a shoe. I was so impressed and absorbed by his confidence, I had no time to think about what could go wrong. And anyway, he was insured, wasn’t he?

So I now know that the only way to truly appreciate the level of skill is to watch it from below. I understand there may be a return visit for the half of the school that were not able to be there. I must invite others to enjoy the experience of a life time- like knives thrown at a spinning target, only more dangerous. So the big question…who will volunteer next time? Nice one for the Director of Sport? No need to worry- fear is all in the imagination and, of course, the cyclist is insured.