Portsmouth parents go back to the classroom as children become teachers

IT WAS back to school for parents as children became teachers for the day at Arundel Court Primary Academy.
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Mums and dads had lessons in alliteration, adjectives and Roman numerals as Year 4 pupils took over lessons.

Frankie Clarke, eight, said: ‘It was scary standing up at the front and seeing my mum there. I’m going to test her on it tonight.’

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Classmate, Archie Heither, eight, added: ‘I did two practices before my lesson. I was nervous and now know what it must be like for teachers to have to do it all of the time.’

Hana Shukr, 8, with her parents Kirem and Suzan Shukr.

Picture: Sarah StandingHana Shukr, 8, with her parents Kirem and Suzan Shukr.

Picture: Sarah Standing
Hana Shukr, 8, with her parents Kirem and Suzan Shukr. Picture: Sarah Standing

Around 50 parents took part in the three 10-minute lessons where they were also given tasks to test them on what they had learnt.

Mum Laura Phillimore said: ‘I think the children did amazingly. Hopefully I’ve done alright on the tasks. It certainly seems more difficult than when I was at school.’

Frankie’s mum Hannah Holwill added: ‘It’s certainly strange to be back in the school as a pupil. It’s nice for the children to be able to show us what they have done.’

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Jessica Nowacka, with her auntie Sarah Bainbridge and dad Daniel Nowacki.

Picture: Sarah StandingJessica Nowacka, with her auntie Sarah Bainbridge and dad Daniel Nowacki.

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Jessica Nowacka, with her auntie Sarah Bainbridge and dad Daniel Nowacki. Picture: Sarah Standing
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The initiative, which was part of Teach Portsmouth Week, saw children spend time preparing lessons and resources for the tasks.

Year 4 teacher, Sarah McGuire, joked: ‘I think they were amazing – perhaps I can have next week off.’

A key focus was to build relationships between the school and parents.

‘It’s fantastic for the parents to be able to come in, see what we do and work with their children. Strong relationships with parents are vital for any school’s success,’ added Sarah.

Left to right, Hannah Holwill with her son Frankie Clarke, 8, Archie Heither 8, Emmie Phillimore, 8, and her mum Laura.

Picture: Sarah StandingLeft to right, Hannah Holwill with her son Frankie Clarke, 8, Archie Heither 8, Emmie Phillimore, 8, and her mum Laura.

Picture: Sarah Standing
Left to right, Hannah Holwill with her son Frankie Clarke, 8, Archie Heither 8, Emmie Phillimore, 8, and her mum Laura. Picture: Sarah Standing
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Taking part in the lessons was Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for education, Suzy Horton.

Cllr Horton said: ‘The children were excellent and it was obvious they have learnt from the example set by their own teachers. The parents really enjoyed the tasks and hopefully it will encourage children, even at this young age, to think about becoming teachers.’

The project certainly seemed to have had the desired affect on Emmie Phillimore, eight, who said: ‘I felt really confident and would like to be a teacher one day.’

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