School – your experience A. Privately, think back to when you started at school. B. Continue thinking about: Whether you had been looking forward to it, or had been fearful of it Whether it turned out to be better or worse than you had expected What you like about school now Then, share your thoughts about 1, 2 and 3 with a talking partner, and discuss what improvements you might make if you were headteacher.

Dream school – your ideas A. In trios (= 3’s) discuss and arrange the following into a ‘diamond nine’, that is, the most important by itself at the top, then the next 2 most important, then the next 3, the next 3, the next 2, and finally the least important. a. safety from threat b. space for play c. friendly adults d. good sports teams e. interesting lessons f. good food g. light rooms h. computers that work i. outings & activities Then consider and write down additions of your own to the list of important things for a ‘dream’ school. B. As a whole group, collect these additions on the board, and discuss if any of them should be ‘up there’ in a top 3.

School – improvement As a whole group, discuss: What power the school council has to improve the facilities (material things) in the school Why the headteacher does not have the power to improve some facilities What power the school councillors have to improve the friendliness in the school What part every person can play in improving the friendliness in the school

Dream class - rights In trios (= 3’s) discuss and arrange the following ‘classroom rights’ into a ‘diamond nine’, that is, the most important by itself at the top, then the next 2 most important, then the next 3, the next 3, the next 2, and finally the least important. respect for private property b. respect for public property opportunity to say what you think d. some private time with teacher e. freedom from insults f. concentration on learning e. books f. writing materials g. help from others Then consider and write down additions of your own to the list of pupil rights in a ‘dream’ class. As a whole group, collect these additions on the board, and discuss if any of them should be ‘up there’ in a top 3.

Dream class - responsibilities As a whole group, discuss: Why people are said to have a ‘right to learn’ Why learning does not ‘land on a plate’ (unlike lunch) How individuals can take responsibility for their own learning How a class as a whole can take responsibility for better learning

Dream school – personal task Privately, write down some of your own thoughts about what part you could play in bringing your school closer to your own dreams. The following might help you to shape your dreams and plans: What do I want school to be and to do, for me and for my friends? What is preventing that happening? What can I do about it, including what can I say about it? How can I best cope when school does not live up to my dreams? OR B. Write a story about some pupils who made a school of their dreams.