State schools simply do it better!

Jonny Walker's picture
 3
I'm not from an area where there was much school selection anyway - one of the beauties of Doncaster being in the Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire has been that the comprehensive ideal was pretty much the status quo.

I attended Danum School, a very large comprehensive, from Year 7 right through until the end of Sixth Form and generally had a good time of it. Like any school, there were good bits and bad bits and I would be over-idealising things to claim it was perfect, but that said, I had exposure to some teachers who were genuinely passionate about what they taught and it had an impact.

I got good results at AS level and was encouraged to apply for Cambridge. I went through my History Boys experience and came out smiling, having gained a place to study Politics, Psychology and Sociology.

In the degree, I've been able to study inequalities, schooling, gender and power in new and interesting ways; a deeper understanding of sociology continues to open my eyes and I genuinely love my learning.

Sadly, my love of it does not stretch far enough to fund Masters study, but I am very excited to have gained a place on Teach First for 2011-13, and am looking forward to being a London primary school teacher for the foreseeable future. I do a lot of work with children at the minute, through a range of different projects and charities at University, and I am pleased to be making teaching in the state sector my career.
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Comments

Francis Gilbert's picture
Mon, 28/02/2011 - 20:44

Good luck with Teach First Jonny. I really like what they're doing and the positive, inclusive approach that they take towards all schools, focusing upon good teaching above all else...


Jonny Walker's picture
Tue, 01/03/2011 - 00:04

Thanks very much Francis; I'm very much looking forward to it. I only discovered this site today and it is fantastic; a new restaurant for me to dine out at when I need some food for thought.


Melissa Benn's picture
Tue, 01/03/2011 - 17:33

Great to hear about your school experience, your enjoyment of your degree and your new trajectory as a primary school teacher for Teach First. The very best of luck with your teaching. keep in touch with us at the LSN............


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