We have only Y7 in on the first day of the new school year. And any admin, explanation of school rules, giving out new books, or worst of all copying timetables into homework diaries is absolutely banned! That’s no way to embark on a five year course of study. We roll up our sleeves and get on with learning!
We’ve taken this approach for a few years now and it seems to go down well with teachers and pupils alike. As a small school with a four form entry we can do this, but I’m not sure how it might work in a larger school.
After the usual Assembly from the head, which is about challenge and learning, as well as a reassurance of what to do if things go wrong, pupils work in their form groups and in small groups for the rest of the day doing a number of workshops- but no timetabled lessons. These include getting logged on with a user name and password into our systems (ok, we’ll admit that is an admin task..!) and a hands-on session on how work will be marked and assessed at our school. That’s really important as we get a consistent approach from the start. And then my favourite part which is the skills roundabout!
This is great as it involves every teacher in the school and some non-teaching staff. We all teach a ‘skill’ to a small group of people and they then have to teach it to their peers. And then on in a carousel, so everyone gets to learn lots. They also get to learn lots about learning, and get to meet many of our teachers. The skills can be anything- tying a fishing fly, how to fix a puncture, how to fold clothes for a suitcase, how to use chopsticks, how to tie a bow tie, counting from 1-10 in Russian…. I usually teach cricket umpires’ hand signals. it doesn’t matter, the weirder or stranger the skill the better!
During the process we ask the pupils to think about how they are learning and how they will teach. This is a really useful process and it is fascinating too for us to explore how the knowledge is shared so rapidly. They get to work together very quickly with people they do not know, and any first day nerves and inhibitions are soon shed. We used to talk about learning styles and VAK, but we don’t do that now, leaving the pupils to see for themselves how they are learning and to reflect on what works best for them, as well as understanding the need to be able to adapt to different forms of learning.
The day is over in a flash and the pupils go home happy and with new skills and experiences.
Everyone says they remember their first day at school.. but I am not sure they really do. They just remember the butterflies in the stomach and the apprehension. I hope our pupils have a better memory than that, and they feel enthused for the years ahead!
As always, I’d be interested in any other approaches schools take to that all important day one.
John
John Kendall (@RiscaCCS_Head) is the Head Teacher at RCCS
RCCS Teaching and Learning 