award for teacher who inspired Arctic Monkeys
Published: June 15, 2006
A HISTORY teacher credited with inspiring the songwriting of Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys was yesterday honoured for his work.
Martin Staunton was judged the best teacher in a secondary school at the North of England Teaching Awards, held in Harrogate, after being described by his pupils as “a nutter in the nicest sense of the word”.
He taught three members of the band and his catchphrase “every silver lining has a cloud” is said to have inspired the tone of the songs which have made them famous.
In one of his history lessons at Stocksbridge High School, Sheffield, Mr Staunton brought in sound effects and rearranged the classroom furniture to give students an idea of life in the trenches during the First World War.
He said: “It would have been nice to get them outside digging a real trench but I don’t think it would have gone down well with the caretaker or the PE department.
“Once they have done something like that they have lived a very small part of it and from that they want to go on and learn more.
“I wouldn’t see myself as a ‘nutter’ but I am a bit different in the way I approach things. I like getting into roles and getting the students really involved in lessons. I suppose I am a bit eccentric.
“I think I am lucky because I’m really into history and I get to take my hobby into work.”
When teacher Felicity Hill wanted to bring Shakespeare alive for her pupils she persuaded her father-in-law to go into her class dressed as Britain’s most celebrated playwright.
Her reward for efforts like those was to be named the outstanding new teacher of the year at yesterday’s ceremony.
Ms Hill, a teacher at Boroughbridge High School, in North Yorkshire, was described by the judges as a “breath of fresh air” to the profession and a “real life teaching superhero”.
She invited her father-in-law, himself a retired teacher, into the classroom to help pupils understand Shakespeare’s life as a writer.
Ms Hill said: “He really got into the role. When someone’s mobile phone went off he was saying how it must be witchcraft.
“I don’t think you have to do things like that to keep their attention but it does help with their enthusiasm.”
Three years into her career, she said she was sure she had made the right decision.
“It is hard work there is no doubt about that but what you get out of it overrides all that. I have got particularly supportive colleagues at Boroughbridge and its a great working environment.
“I don’t think there is another job where from hour to hour I would be as challenged and as motivated as I am in teaching,” she said.
David Kirk found himself at the centre of a row when councillors in Calderdale decided to close Mixenden Primary School and send its pupils to nearby Ash Green Primary where he is headteacher.
Parents vehemently objected to the move but Mr Kirk has been credited with bringing the two schools together and was named primary school headteacher of the year.
He said: “I think awards like this are important to recognise the profession and the influence schools have on young people’s lives.”
All the winners from yesterday will go forward to be judged for the national teaching awards which will be decided in October.
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