What kind of check in worker are you?

So, I'm sat in Gatwick's South terminal waiting for a jet plane. I'm listening to this:

Tonight

We are young

So let’s set the world on fire

We can burn brighter than the sun

And I'm watching all of the people dressed for different destinations milling around. It strikes me that schools are very much like airport terminals: everyone is thrown together for a short while and ultimately head off to different destinations. Not only do the destinations differ, but also the way in which travellers get there. At an airport this may be predetermined by income or where your family and friends have banished you.

In schools, destinations are also, sadly, mainly predetermined. Income. Birth date. Priory attainment (can we stop using ability?). Parental support. Illness. A death the family. Abuse. A particular educational need. Disability to name but a few.

At an airport, there are key gatekeepers, some of whom decide to upgrade travellers. However, this often needs an understanding of social grace.

So here's a question. How many of the children you teach know how to receive an award? You know, walk up, head held high. Look directly into the eye and shake the hand firmly. Grab gong, turn and smile.

How many of the children you teach know how to greet someone at a job interview or say hello to a stranger (Paddington Bear has a good approach to this....)

In essence, aren't we the gatekeepers of a better life? Isn't it our duty to enable as many young people to change track? To get more opportunity and experience? To arrive at a different destination?

So, how is it that you upgrade the lives of the young people you teach?

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David Rogers

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