Nothing like a dream school

There's a programme on in the UK at the moment called Jamie's Dream School. Jamie Oliver has decided to help a group of 20 teenagers who left school without the minimum required 5 GCSEs between A and C. He has managed to persuade some really amazing people to come and teach them. It's on every Wednesday night and at the moment, I am finding it extremely uncomfortable viewing. A little too close to the bone.

My new school is testing me in ways that I don't think I have ever been tested. I know I will be a better teacher (and probably better person) for it, but at the moment it feels extremely hard. My mentor says that every teacher in a school like mine goes through this phase and in three weeks I'll be wondering what all the fuss is about. I hope so. When I watch Jamie's Dream School, it is like an action replay of what I have experienced in the classroom that day (although possibly worse) and to be honest, I'd rather not be reminded.

Undoubtedly, some of the kids I'm teaching have horrible backgrounds and have lives that I can hardly imagine. Some are in care, some come from homes afflicted by drug and alcohol abuse, some kids are fresh off the boat and hardly speak a word of English. So I do need to keep that in mind. But when a troubled minority is preventing the majority from learning, I find it very frustrating. For the first time, I sent a kid out of my class today. I had warned her that it was a possibility if she kept talking. She was angry with me because I think, despite her disruption, she actually enjoyed the lesson. Children like that don't make themselves easy to teach, but often they really want to learn.

The quiet before the storm

We spent a few days on the Isle of Skye last weekend. It was the final chapter in Tim's three-month gardening leave and the last weekend before I joined my new school. Our hotel is famous for its food, eighty percent of which is grown within a few miles of the restaurant (or swims in the loch opposite). It was a fantastic place and the staff were unbelievably friendly and welcoming. We felt right at home.

Tim had been in Canada for two weeks on the last leg of his grand tour so it was great to have some 'us' time. We haven't been apart for that long in years and it was strange. But it was also a dress rehearsal for when he leaves the UK in April.

When we weren't eating, we were walking it off. Skye has very changeable weather: one minute you are in glorious sunshine, the next it is pouring with rain and you better struggle into your waterproofs pretty darn quick! Luckily, I have all the kit, accumulated over a number of years. I just love being well prepared.

Rain and sun collide!

We walked out to the Macleod's Maidens - these three famous rocks. The 'Mother' is the big one and she has two smaller daughters. The views were spectacular.

March is going to be a big month for us - Tim started his new job on Monday, I started at my new school (all-girls, Catholic). We are moving out of our flat in about three weeks and I have to write an 8,000 word dissertation in that time as well. Hopefully I will have some anecdotes to share with you when I start teaching next week. The girls in my new school are extremely lively!