I can make a difference
AS the Prime Minister promises to stamp out yob behaviour in schools, a trainee teacher talks to Jane Woodhead.
TO PUT it in the words of Clare Borrill: "You have to be an all singing, all dancing entertainer to survive my working day."
Clare, 24, is a trainee teacher. As a schoolgirl she attended a boarding college in London and lived in the capital's leafy suburbs.
Today she finds herself in one of the toughest schools in Liverpool, often dealing with children who have no interest in learning and just want to disrupt her lessons.
Clare, who is studying at Liverpool Hope University, will soon be seen on our screens in an Open University/BBC1 documentary holding her own in the challenging Broadgreen high school technology college.
She says there were gasps from fellow students when it emerged her placement was at the school.
She explains: "It didn't really mean much to me as I don't know Liverpool that well but the other students who were born in the city just gasped when Broadgreen was read out."
Clare spent six months at the school teaching French and Spanish to every year group.
She adds: "I had no idea what to expect and I was worried. When I initially arrived at the school I just observed. One of the first things which struck me was that some of the children were very over active. I had to work out my own way of handling things and I knew I would have to keep the children entertained and occupied.
"I quickly came to realise the thing I had to do was become an all singing and all dancing teacher to ensure I could keep the children's attention. I was lucky to have a very supportive department behind me."
And Clare describes how it could be very easy to become intimidated.
She says: "Teaching year 10, made up of 14 and 15-year-olds, is probably one of the most challenging experiences. The class is mainly boys and they are all much taller and bigger than me. These boys would be very restless and not at all interested in learning.
"It would be a constant fight to keep their attention. I had to ensure I co-ordinated the lessons in a way which would keep their interest."
Clare has told of her experiences as Prime Minister Tony Blair launches his council elections manifesto declaring that education is Labour's top priority.
He has promised to recruit extra teachers and support staff in schools as well as stamp out yob behaviour.
And Education Secretary Charles Clarke promised action to curb attacks by children and parents on teaching staff.
Headteachers union leader David Hart has stressed the problem of attacks is not just confined to deprived areas, and Clare agrees that no matter what school she finds her-self in she believes she would still face the same issues and challenges with pupils.
"I think a great deal of what we see in schools today is an indication of the times and the society in which we are living," she says.
"But it is a problem which needs to be tackled by both parents and teachers.
"We can instill lots of discipline in children in schools but if this is just ignored as soon as they get home, there is little point."
Clare has now been offered a job at her former school in London - but has decided to accept a position at Broadgreen instead.
"I did not really have to think about it," she says.
"Teaching in Broadgreen was a real culture shock for me but the children are terrific, the staff are extremely supportive and I believe I really can make a difference to the lives of the children at the school."
"I think the role of a teacher is extremely important. There will be some children who come to school and go through their entire day without a kind word said to them from the moment they get up in the morning until the moment they go to bed.
"If I can help to make a difference in school to these children this is something which has a massive impact on their lives."
Clare will start teaching French and Spanish at Broadgreen in September.
Meanwhile, her experiences are being featured in an Open University/BBC1 documentary which provides a 24 hour snapshot of the educational system.
School Day, which is being screened on May 12 at 10.35pm, gives an insight into the people who maintain our educational system.
Producer Steve Greenwood says it was an incredible project to mastermind.
He explains: "We wanted to capture the reality of our education system through the eyes of those who work in it."
* Broadgreen operates an continental school day without long breaks and a lunch hour which helps to keep pupils motivated.
Clare's day>
8.15am: Arrive at school for a staff briefing
8.45am: First lesson of the day - Year 7 Spanish
9.45am: Year 8 French
10.45 - 11.40am: Free period which is used to prepare for the afternoon lessons
11.40 - 12.05pm: Lunch
12.05pm: Year 10 Spanish and the most challenging class of the day.
1.10pm: Free lesson which is used to mark homework
2.10pm: School finishes
2.10pm: Organises detentions if any have been given out
3.10pm: Leave school
3.45pm: Arrive home and have tea
5.00 - 10.00pm: Mark homework, plan lessons for the following day and continue with university work
10.30pm: Fall into bed completely shattered