On my sister page, "Bench Hamlet 2008", I have just reviewed "Funny Girl" at the Minerva in Chichester. All I will say here is read the review but go and see the show!

This week I was sitting in the garden on Monday and Tuesday enjoying the warm sunshine and reading a book. I have read two novels in a fortnight so am on course for my new regime of reading a novel a week. This is one of the things I promised myself I would do once i retired and it has taken me 18 months to get myself organised enough to do so.

Anyway, there I was sitting in the garden in the sun and I thought of school. I promised my colleagues I would never cross the threshold under any circumstances when I left there in December 2006. I have been as good as my word except for the farewell assembly to my retiring ex head teacher.

As I sat there sipping my cold drink and pausing before the next exciting chapter, I allowed my thoughts to wonder what it was like back at school. The summer was always too hot for me indoors. I prefer being out of doors when it is hot and appreciate a nice cooling zephyr of a breeze. I am not an avid sun worshipper or sun bather, although I do like watching others doing it! I love summer clothing, or lack of it, but I digress...

What crossed my mind was a touch of regret for, of all things, PE and Games. I just to enjoy teaching gymnastics, folk dancing and the skills required for football, hockey and cricket. I especially enjoyed cricket in the summer and football in early autumn. I wouldn't want to teach in school and have never been tempted by supply teaching, even if the money is good.

I paused long enough to sharpen up some of my thinking as follows.

All this would require working closely with a particular teacher or team of teachers at an understanding school. I would come into school ready to do PE. I would get the equipment ready while the teacher and Learning Support Assistant got the class ready.
I would run the session according to a lesson plan, which I would supply the teacher and she would have agreed. The teacher, Learning Support Assistant and I would be involved in the lesson. The lesson would comprise of a warm up and cool down, skill circuits and small group experiences (this covers gymnastics, folk dance and outside games). The lesson plans would be numbered 1 to 6 and would be sequential, following any syllabus required by the school. During the session, the teacher would be invited to make comments or notes. At the end of the session, the teacher and Learning Support Assistant would take children back to class to change and to get on with next lesson.

Meanwhile I would clear away equipment and make my way to the staff room for refreshment. I would begin work there and then on the next session’s planning based on the experience of that day's session before going to the classroom. Quietly in a corner I would update records on class and individuals (this covers gymnastics, folk dance and outside games) probably by hand, but it could be done on computer or laptop. This would be left with teacher for data protection. The reason for doing it in class is to identify children correctly by asking teacher or Learning Support Assistant.
I would then leave and not return until the second session to repeat the same process.
I would arrive 15 minutes before time of session to set out equipment. Session would take 30, 45 or 60 minutes, depending on the timetable of the school and class. Refreshment and planning would take 15 minutes and recording 15 minutes. The whole experience would be 45 minutes either side of the session, so total time spent could be, depending on session planned, 75 minutes, 90 minutes or 105 minutes. This could be once or twice a week.

It sounded quite idyllic and I quite enjoyed thinking the ideas through. I especially enjoyed folk dancing because of the discipline and team work. It also lent itself to performances at assemblies and other school events. I wouldn't anticipate being paid for this work but would consider it as my voluntary contribution to the work of the school and the community. I am not sure I would do it for any school but might consider it as a Waitender.

I turned my attention back to my book, sipped once more on my chilled drink, sighed deeply and took up reading where I had left off.