Of influence?

There has been a lot in the news lately about ‘influencers’ – especially those like Andrew Tate whose misogyny has had such a big impact on teenage boys. (See on for a helpful ‘Guardian’ article about this and the impact in schools.)

Influencers in social media

‘Influencers’ come in all guises. One of the most impactful of late is a ten-year-old girl from Kashmir (writing under ‘What Aqsa says’) who at least focuses on the beauty of her part of India, on sport and on health. Another is called Pedro Alvarez from Venezuela who writes about fashion, make-up and comedy. There are plenty of avowedly Christian ‘influencers’, too, such as LA pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts, who also heads up a lifestyle brand, and Jerry Flowers of Redefined TV. Whilst these largely inhabit the social media world, I was delighted last weekend to see someone well known speak out on mainstream TV about his faith, catching his interviewer off guard.

An influencer in sport

I am not sure that England rugby player Maro Itoje would call himself an ‘influencer’ but he speaks up for the greatest influencer of all time who has a following far and away in excess of Tate, et al – Jesus Christ. When Itoje was interviewed at the end of the New Year’s Eve Saracens’ rugby match on ITV by pundit Topsy, he was asked if he was going out to celebrate that evening. Itoje replied quite simply that he was going to church to worship God that evening – to sing His praises. In an interview a couple of years back, Maro Itoje said this: ‘I feel as if everything I have, everything I’ve been given and the position I am in, is as a result of God. He can take it away but fortunately He’s given it to me. It’s about giving all the praise and glory back to Him’. Now there’s an ‘influencer’ worth considering!

If you want to read more about Tate and combating his malign influence, then here’s the ‘Guardian’ article:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/07/andrew-tate-misogyny-schools-vulnerable-boys?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

The foolishness of this world?

How many April Fools’ Day jokes did you spot last week? ‘Walkers’ offered sliced bread-sized crisps, for example, and a soap manufacturer in Scotland called ‘Arran’ urged customers to order their newly bottled product which would hold its tartan pattern as you squeezed out the soap. The best of all time was probably the 1957 Panorama special about spaghetti trees but the 1980 BBC joke that the Big Ben clock tower was to go digital (sight and sound) went badly when eager first caller customers called in to claim a prize – one of the clock hands – only to be disappointed. Angry complaints went on for weeks!

School foolishness

I do remember the Upper Sixth (Y13) pupils in my boarding house in the 1970s replacing our Housemaster’s new red sports car with a Dinky version. Somehow they rolled the real version off the drive and hid it around the corner. They then hid behind their study windows and watched the incredulity and frustration of our Housemaster as he stepped out of his house! The sixth formers only escaped censure because the Housemaster’s wife had played a part! And then there was the occasion when, as a Deputy Head at a school in Cheltenham, I was ‘arrested’ and handcuffed by the Police as I left Chapel. Part of an April Fool and a charity stunt, I was only released after funds were raised that day for a local charity. (Fortunately I spent the day in comfortable surroundings drinking tea – and, more importantly, the school thought enough of me to want me back and so paid the charity ‘fine’!)

Laugh in Church? You must be joking!

I agree with James Cary, a BBC sitcom writer (‘Miranda’, ‘Hut 33’, ‘Bluestone 42’, etc.) who spoke this year at a TISCA (The Independent Schools Christian Alliance) regional meeting, who argues in his book, ‘The sacred art of joking’, that there’s plenty of humour in the Bible – and should be in church – but all too often we miss it. What, for example, do we make of Jesus’ comic exaggeration in Matthew 7 when He calls on us to remove the ‘logs’ from our eyes’? Moreover, for centuries the church practised ‘Risus Paschalis’, the ‘Easter laugh’, where priests regularly told jokes in Easter sermons. Whilst not seeking to make light of the seriousness of the cross and Jesus’ suffering, there is surely underlying humour in the religious authorities (and the devil) seeking to get rid of Someone who has proved he can raise the dead (Lazarus).

Let’s enjoy some laughter this Easter amongst all the seriousness.

Weird stories – and opportunities

Towards the end of January, and I set out on what, in recent times, was a ‘weird’ opportunity: to visit some TISCA (The Independent Schools Christian Alliance) schools in person and to hold regional meetings without depending on Zoom and a screen. And what a joy it was!

The strongest shot in tennis?

Revd Martin Poole, a governor at Ballard School, spoke at the South regional gathering at Castle Court Prep School. His enthusiastic accounts of sharing stories at school assemblies ranged from showing us how to ‘tell the Bible’ using the fingers of one hand (a thumbs up for encouragement, an index finger to point to things needing attention, the middle finger – taller than the others – to be Jesus, a fourth – the ring finger – for commitment, and then the little finger for prayer), how to divide 19 camels fairly between a sheikh’s three sons (my maths was mightily challenged) and also how to use sport to tell the gospel. The latter illustration was very effective: what’s the strongest and often the winning shot played in tennis? This is, of course, the serve. Our service as Christians is often what draws others to Jesus.

The meeting at Castle Court was also remarkable for the overflowing excitement shared by staff from several schools, but especially Castle Court, of being able to have fellowship together (over a very fine meal I should add). Some schools have been unable to have in-person staff meetings until very recently and whilst we remain in awe of what technology can do to bring us together, there is nothing to replace seeing others face-to-face.

Weird stories

On our tour we took in two other schools before going to King’s Bruton for the South West regional meeting. We were treated to BBC sitcom writer James Cary’s musings on weird stories in the Bible. Here’s what Revd George Beverly, chaplain at King’s, wrote after the event:

Have you ever considered how the Bible is jam-packed with weird accounts: Baalam’s donkey talking! The transfiguration! Absalom’s long hair getting tangled in a tree, leaving him stuck hanging until he was captured! The physical resurrection of many bodies from tombs in Jerusalem when Jesus Christ rose back to life – and they walked around Jerusalem talking to people – a bit like zombies!

What do we do with such accounts? Shy away from them? Focus on the more “rational” sections of Scripture? Try and explain them away as deceptions that tricked supposedly gullible people thousands of years ago? No – none of those are wise or responsible approaches to make. We believe in a God who made the very laws of science, who is all-powerful and created everything. Thus, He is not constrained by such laws. The very fact He brings about miracles, shows he is God. And on Thursday evening, it was lovely to welcome James Cary, Christian writer, speaker and comedian to speak at TISCA (The Independent Schools’ Christian Alliance) regional meeting hosted at King’s. James sits on the Church of England’s Archbishops’ Council, hosts numerous podcasts and writes comedy for the BBC (e.g. Miranda, Hut 33, Bluestone 42, Think the Unthinkable) often alongside Milton Jones. James commended us to not shy away from the weird and controversial aspects of Scripture. God has given us these passages and they richly overflow with the message of His gospel love. Moreover, as teachers/chaplains/staff in schools, we are surrounded by children and teenagers whose world is immersed and full of an obsession with the weird and wonderful. Consider: Star Wars, Marvel, Narnia, Harry Potter and so much more. Best of all, as we engage with Scripture’s stranger segments, it often prompts genuine discussion and enquiry between pupils and staff – and isn’t that wonderful! What could be more important and fascinating than debating and discussing the message of the One who claims to hold the answers to life’s biggest questions?!?!

So, our challenge to all is to seize opportunities to engage in the weird and wonderful in the Bible – and to do the ‘weird thing’ of meeting up again in person! (COVID secure, of course…)

(Lead article in the Spring 2022 edition of ‘TISCA News and Views’)

Nurturing talent

How do we recognise and nurture talent and potential?

Sporting opportunity

As a Prep School boy in Scotland, I was a keen sportsman but not especially talented. I can remember one of my Schoolmasters, looking at a rather gangly 12 year old, tall for his age but somewhat uncoordinated, and saying: ‘Reid. Keep working hard at your rugby and you’ll get in the 1st XV and get your ‘colours’. He was right on both counts although my ‘colours’ were only awarded after the final match of the season!

The following term, this same Master spotted that I have a little talent at cross-country running (a sport I went on to develop significantly at my secondary school). Once again he encouraged me by setting a target of getting into the top three when the end of term school event took place. Again he was right to set the goal. I may, of course, have managed this without his interest and challenge – but I doubt it.

Professional sport scouts

Scouts for professional football spend less time these days on the side of muddy pitches looking for talent and much more in front of screens analysing data. Nonetheless, they still have to spot potential. In a course run by the Professional Football Scouts Association, they start with the photo seen above of a team of young kids in red and white shirts. It’s from the 1990s and they are on a dirt pitch in less than salubrious surroundings. ‘If you were a scout, which of these ten players would you most be interested in?’ You might pick the lad in the front row with the wide smile as he looks like he’s enjoying himself and so could have a good mentality. What about the boy standing taller than the others: he is presenting himself with confidence? How many would be drawn to the lad on the back row, far left, with his shirt hanging off his shoulders? He’s smaller than the others and has a shy smile. This young man is the future football megastar – Lionel Messi!

Nurture well

Let’s nurture well all those in front of us – at home, in school, at work, in a hobby setting, at church – and be prepared to be at pleasantly surprised by the outcome!

Where there’s no vision…

As we enter a new year, some of us will have taken on resolutions and some, perhaps, embraced a vision for 2022. Can I encourage us to hold tight to the latter – the vision on our hearts and in our minds for a better tomorrow for ourselves and those with whom we have been called to serve and to live and work alongside?

Interview challenge

I remember, as part of my interview for a Headship post, being asked: ‘Mr Reid, what three things would you change if you were appointed as Head here?’ It flashed through my mind that this was a key moment in the appointment process: I sent a quick ‘arrow prayer’, took a deep breath and said: ‘Firstly, building on the work of my successor, I will do all I can to make this a more family-focused school.’ (Safe ground, I felt: there was a general desire to slow down the pupil expansion and consolidate.) ‘Secondly, I’d like to put in an Astro-Turf field hockey pitch.’ (Also safe ground: my love of hockey was well known and this much needed facility would benefit boys and girls as well as have wider community use – and there was money in the school ‘kitty’ for it.) Then, taking an even deeper breath and realising that what I said next was ‘make or break’, I looked round the interview room (actually the small school chapel which had been turned into a multi-faith classroom) and said: ‘Thirdly, I’d remove much of what’s on the walls in this room and return it, sensitively, to being a school chapel at the heart of the school.’ My first point had been greeted with knowing looks, my second by encouraging laughter and my third…by a dramatic pause, almost a gasp, and then a collective sigh of agreement. I got the job!

I mention all this because I know that ‘vision’ can be contentious and unsettling at times. It can also be life-changing and energizing – so long as we have the courage to embrace it.

Don Quixote

Many will be familiar with ‘The Adventures of Don Quixote’ by Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra. There is a musical based on his story, too, called ‘Man of La Mancha’. In this there is a scene where Don Quixote and his servant stand gazing at a dilapidated inn. When Quixote describes his vision of turrets and magnificent gates, his servant tries hard to see the same picture but all he can see are ruins. When he attempts to describe them, Quixote say, ‘Stop! I will not allow your facts to interfere with my vision!’

All too often great visions are undermined by those who can’t see beyond the hurdles, difficulties and ruins of the present. Look up and look out – embrace your God-given vision for 2022 and be blessed!

Drops of grace as life stutters

As we approach the inauguration of the 46th President of the USA, we are being reminded that Joe Bidden is one among 3% of the world’s population who stutters – or stammers. Ed Balls, former MP, ‘Strictly star’ and Shadow Secretary of State for Education was once mocked in the House of Commons for stumbling over his words – someone else who stutters through life. I, too, count myself as part of this select 3%!

Not long ago I read in the Press about author Chris Young, who was trying to get in touch with his English teacher, a Miss Ward, from the late 1970s. Mr Young, who commended his teacher for supporting him after his mother died and his alcoholic father could not cope, tweeted: ‘I’d dropped into the bottom quarter for English at school. My English Teacher, Miss Ward, pulled me out of that ditch’. At the age of 13 years, Miss Ward ‘treated me like a rock star, loved what I wrote and got me to talk in front of the class’. He has now launched his first book!

I imagine (and I hope) that we all have memories of someone who has stood by us, encouraged us and ‘been there for us’ when the going got tough. Whilst my early life was very different from that of the gentleman above, I can also remember a teacher who impacted me positively and immeasurably – and who also gave me confidence to speak in front of others. Her name was Miss Margaret Maclaurin and she was my elocution teacher at Prep School in Scotland in the 1960s.

My parents lived and worked in West Africa and were in a remote area of Ghana when the time came for me to go to school aged five. There was nowhere suitable for me locally and so I came to board, aged five, at Drumley House Prep School near Ayr. Whilst I have only fond memories of my eight years at Drumley, at some point in my early years there I developed a stammer. This was possibly a result of the separation from my parents (although I usually spent my holidays with them in Ghana or, when home on leave, in Paisley). Miss Maclaurin came to my rescue! She saw me once a week for elocution lessons and during this time not only did I learn a few ‘tricks’ (such as how to avoid using words beginning in ‘p’ when feeling tired and stressed), I also learnt about speaking in public. Where this was once the most disarming place for me as a stutterer, it came to be a challenge which I relished. Miss M taught me to learn poetry off by heart so that when I declaimed I could concentrate on expression, modulation and emphasis and not have to worry about the words themselves.

As a Head I had to speak in public almost daily and owe a huge debt of gratitude towards Miss Maclaurin. It was a delight to visit her in her home when she had retired and I was newly married and to introduce her to my wife, Rosalyn. So engrossed were we in conversation that we quite forgot that Rosalyn had gone off to the bathroom (and somehow locked herself in) – but that’s another story!

So, a challenge for us all during a time when life is stuttering in another way: think of someone who has had a positive impact on our lives in years gone by and why not surprise them with a letter, a card, a call or even a visit – just to show appreciation. It might prove to be a ‘drop of grace’ in their life at this very moment. You’ll never know if you don’t try it – and who knows, someone may do it for you, too!

Why bother training Prefects?

(This is an article written by me and put out by the Association of Christian Teachers, ACT, as part of their Campaign emails to members.)

This was the question put to me early on in my first Headship. It seemed to be coming from, in my opinion, someone with an unrealistically egalitarian view of schools and how they should be managed. I listened, though, as it was a parent who made the remark – and parental influence beyond the school gates was growing!

As someone who has worked in schools with hierarchical and, sometimes, powerful Prefect bodies I was keen as a Head to challenge perceptions of pupil leaders – and not least those which might be regarded as old fashioned and outmoded. (I am, no doubt, also influenced by my own boarding school upbringing at a time when Prefects still had ‘fags’ and could impose substantial punishments.)

Appointing or electing pupil leaders?

As I took up my first Headship I can remember challenging the very notion of staff appointing a select band of senior pupils to wield authority over their younger peers. It became readily apparent that not only did pupils expect some of their number to be recognised as leaders but that they also presumed they would have a part in their selection. (It was often staff who questioned this notion of ‘the select few’ and, naturally, parents who made their feelings known if their child was not one of these.) And so it was that out of this experience (as well as a fresh appreciation for the life-lesson value of pupil leaders) I came to look for ways to streamline the selection of pupil leaders and, thereafter, to provide appropriate training.

Every school will have their own ways of selecting pupil leaders (whatever name they go by). In my last two schools, pupils had to apply in writing, be interviewed and then come through a secret ballot of their peer group. Senior Management would have the final ‘say’ but would rarely, if ever, go beyond the ‘vote’. Having made the selection – and allowed for others to join the group as they matured – we would move to training in-school and also, wherever possible, out of school. We can all learn so much about our leadership style and approach when in the challenging company of other like-minded people from outside our immediate environment. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17. TISCA (The Independent Schools Christian Alliance) has sought to assist schools over the past 15 years and more in doing this for pupil leaders – in what we call ‘Prefect Training’.

Training days

Each year TISCA run two separate training days: one is for junior leaders (drawn from Years 6-8); the other is for senior leaders in Years 11, 12 and 13.

TISCA do not expect any faith commitment from those attending, but do explore Jesus’ remarks about ‘servant-leadership’ and consider situations likely to be encountered in the school context.

TISCA originally had only independent school pupils attending but in recent years academy students have begun to join these training sessions. There is a charge of around £40 per pupil to attend. This helps cover the cost of lunch and refreshments.

If COVID-19 restrictions persist then TISCA will offer an online course. Otherwise the student will join at a single location. Full details of the training (Thursday, 17^th September for Juniors and Thursday, 24^th September for Seniors) can be found by following this link:

https://tisca.org.uk/2020/06/18/prefect-training-days-twenty-twenty/

And so, ‘why bother training Prefects?’ Invite your students to join the course and find out – they will be very welcome! If you are not in a position to get students involved, then please pray for these two days which we hope will help to train leaders for the future.

What’s in a number?

Just recently a friend shared with me that on April 29th this year it was the 87th anniversary of the Everton v Manchester City FA Cup final. What was the fascination with this match? It was the first time players wore numbers on their shirts: Everton wore numbers 1-11 and Man City numbers 12-22.

VE Day commemoration

Many of us have also just held socially distanced street parties to commemorate another date – the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. We celebrated on May 8th 1945 but the Russians on May 9th (as the Soviets were not happy with the Western Allies coming to terms with the German surrender a day early). My Mother recalls being in school at this time and sitting in her Geography lesson while the teacher moved flags around on a large map depicting the position of the various armies as peace approached. My Dad says he can’t remember VE Day – he was working in the shipyards on the Clyde – but it’s possible he was in the pub! (Very sadly for him the last days of the war were blighted by the death of his two cousins: they were helping out at a First Aid station when a German bomb aimed at Coates’ Mills in Paisley missed its intended target and hit their post instead.) For many, such as my wife’s family, the end of the war in Europe was a false dawn: my wife’s grandfather was still a POW of the Japanese and did not get back home until well into the Autumn of 1945 – and only then could they properly rejoice.

School numbers

At my two schools I was allocated numbers: in my Prep School I was number 58 (and apparently the 58th boy to join this new boarding school in Ayrshire) before becoming number 677 at my senior boarding school in Edinburgh (where the numbers were allocated according to your House). Having numbers meant it was easier for parents to mark up clothing and seemed to go well with the fact that you were generally known by your surname – Reid in my case – for much of your school career. (Boys with brothers, such as my best friend, Tom, had attributions after their surname: Tom’s eldest brother was Davidson Major, his second brother was Davidson Minor and Tom was Davidson Tertius.)

More Maths

We are living today in a time of crisis and once again numbers have become all important. (Not that I’m someone who’s any good with numbers: when I first took O Level Maths – yes, I am that old – I just managed a pass with a grade 6. My Maths teacher was furious: ‘Reid, you’re in set 1. You can do better than this – take the exam again next term’. I did so and promptly got a grade 7, a fail.) The Prime Minister and his medical experts are talking about the R number (sounds like an O Level equation – help), countries are being compared according to the number of virus-infected patients and, tragically, the number of those who have died. It’s all like some macabre league table. It is all too easy to become a statistic and for us to feel insignificant and of no account.

Not a number but a name

And so I am reminded of the New Testament story of Zacchaeus. Whatever our faith position, it’s a great encouragement to read of Jesus calling out to a man who, for fear of those whose numbers he’d been fiddling as a tax collector, had effectively been self-isolating. Jesus calls him down from the sycamore tree and addresses him by name – a person whom He had never met before. Moreover, the Bible assures us that not one sparrow falls to the ground without God knowing about it – and that every hair of our heads is numbered. This is the God who goes after the one missing sheep to return it to the fold with the other 99 – and the God who welcomes the prodigal back home with open arms.

So, how ever you are feeling today, let’s remember that we are not just a number. Our ‘football shirts’ have our name on the back – with God’s name as the sponsor on the front! Oh, and by the way, Everton beat Man City 3-1 back in April 1933 at the FA Cup Final (and my Liverpool family are Everton season-ticket holders)! Stay safe and well – and remember that you are named and loved.

With thanks to Alex Aldous, chaplain of Prestfelde School, for the football numbers and idea

New beginnings and fresh opportunities

I felt very guilty yesterday as I did something for the first time: I bought some cigarettes. Let me hastily explain! I have been privileged to be involved in a volunteer support network in my home town. This sometimes involves calling someone for a chat, collecting a prescription or, as on this occasion, fetching someone’s groceries. I picked up a shopping list yesterday from a vulnerable person’s doorstep and was somewhat astonished by the relatively large sum of money in the envelope. I have clearly lived a very sheltered life! It was only when I went to the tobacco counter, noted the rolling back of the doors hiding the ‘secret stash’ and was then presented with the bill for three packets of cigarettes that I realised why I had been given so much cash in advance. The cost of the cigarettes was nearly double that of the groceries!

Teacher tasks

I recount this story not to be critical of someone’s purchase (although the frightening message on the fag packets did give me a jolt) but to highlight that we are all doing new things in these strange times. Just today I had contact with a teacher who has just ‘gone into’ school for the summer term. He recounted the number of meetings he was attending remotely – some well into the evening – and also the online lessons he was delivering on top of setting tasks, marking work and contacting home to check on the pastoral well-being of his pupils. To some extent these are all familiar tasks for a school teacher but the online medium and the lack of face-to-face contact certainly present a new adventure – and this teacher was approaching things positively in this fresh way.

Incredible creativity

I take my hat off to all those I am coming across who are sensitively and imaginatively undertaking ‘old’ tasks in new ways. There are chaplains in my network delivering ‘thoughts’ in under three minutes, complete with animations and pop-up characters; there are Heads giving rousing start-of-term addresses using clips featuring pupils working from home; sports’ staff are encouraging exercise and ball skills using minimal space in front rooms and gardens (the ‘keepy-uppy’ tasks using a hockey stick and all kinds of objects are amazing); and there are food tech teachers helping us make the most of those long-forgotten ingredients in the back of our kitchen cupboards. So many of those I have regular contact with in schools are making a virtue out of a necessity, turning a cruel situation into a creative one.

New obstacles, too

I don’t pretend, however, that these fresh opportunities are not throwing up new obstacles, too. How can teachers, not least chaplains and form tutors, offer pastoral care without face-to-face contact? There are staff trying to support children, sometimes in dysfunctional environments at home, to stay on task with their learning, to be helpful with their parents and carers and to avoid an over-dependence on ‘devices’. Spare a thought, and a prayer, too, for those with little internet access, shared computers, mixed age and often educationally challenged young people in their homes. And then there are those who have virus-hit families, some now bereaved and unable to grieve with the wider family. My heart and my prayers go out to them.

Community action

It is heartening, however, to see how this time of lockdown has enabled an explosion of creativity and also of community action. Our street enjoyed a ‘social distance afternoon tea’ last Sunday and we had families introducing themselves and sharing in a way they would probably never have done in ‘normal’ times. I have heard of family online quizzes and brunches and also of friends enjoying a virtual night at the theatre. My extended family also managed a zoom gathering at Easter which allowed great-grandparents to interact over three generations. Whilst we long to be ‘unlocked’ soon, I hope that what we are learning under curfew, sometimes in a slower-paced life, will not be lost into the future.

School’s out – but let’s still finish well

I visited a school last week with my Governor’s ‘hat’ on and was impressed to see how far the online teaching had progressed. If ever there was an incentive to enable reluctant staff to master computing skills, this crisis has created the prefect storm. As a Head said to me, ‘Every crisis has its uses!’ In fact, despite the unprecedented times, I am pleased to note that humour is continuing to prevail. Another Head mentioned that a parent had just been in to the school and had remarked to the receptionist: ‘The visitors’ car park is rather empty. Is there something I’m missing?’ Missing indeed!

School ‘graduation’ ceremonies

It’s another kind of ‘missing’ that worries me. Many of our pupils who are in the final year of their schooling will now have had their last day in school. Whilst no doubt a cause of rejoicing for the majority, it will before long be a reason for much sadness. I never experienced the modern preference for school ‘graduation’ celebrations when I left school in the mid-1970s, but we did have ways of saying goodbye to our peers. I recall several pranks, one involving removing my Housemaster’s car and replacing it with a ‘dinky toy’ replica. Another involved turning all the chairs around in the speech day marquee. No doubt all very tiresome for the staff who had to rush round putting everything back to where it belonged, but they built shared memories. We enjoyed, too, the official end of year functions, meals, photos and signing of autograph books.

Finishing well

Today the celebrations might be more spectacular – balls, games, dinners and formal speeches together with special T-shirts or sweatshirts – but whatever the goings-on they form part of leaving well and transition. I am, thus, concerned that the present crisis might have already made such leave-taking all but impossible. Is this always going to be known as the ‘crisis generation’ which didn’t do final exams and wasn’t able to leave properly? One Head I spoke to about this remarked wryly, but with real pathos, that he had heard of a fee-paying school which recognised it might struggle to charge school fees for the summer term but was considering charging £4,000 a head to all the leavers wanting to attend the graduation ball! It might appear to be a small matter in view of the unprecedented times in which we find ourselves, but I do hope that schools will give some thought in due course as to how to enable their pupils to leave well.

Closure

I was, therefore, heartened to hear of a rural school in East Anglia which had called the leavers together for a final, open-air, assembly. It was a relatively brief affair but had finished, with all involved the regulation two metres apart, singing Blake’s ‘Jerusalem‘ at such a pitch that it was heard some distance away in the local town centre. Other schools, too, had gathered their final year pupils to listen to speeches from their Head prefects and senior staff and then to close with prayer and an act of collective worship – usually the singing of a well-known hymn. Poignant and emotional, yes, but also occasions which will have enabled ‘closure’ to begin. I trust that all schools, whatever the next few weeks and months contain, will consider how best to enable such endings to be positive beginnings for the next chapter in their leaving pupils’ lives.