Telling Tales out of School Richard O’Neill

Perceptions They are all interbred Only marry their own kind Talk funny They are all interbred Only marry their own kind Talk funny Live off the rest of us Don’t have a proper job Live off the rest of us Don’t have a proper job Always in the newspapers Always in the newspapers Every summer on the roads driving around with horses and carts causing traffic jams Every summer on the roads driving around with horses and carts causing traffic jams Nobody else is allowed to get away with the things they are Nobody else is allowed to get away with the things they are Have loads of money and big houses flash cars Have loads of money and big houses flash cars Kids are out of control young ones seem to do whatever they want. Kids are out of control young ones seem to do whatever they want. Big flashy weddings, christenings and funerals Big flashy weddings, christenings and funerals Wear loads of gold Wear loads of gold Not even from this country originally Not even from this country originally Travel around a lot Quite religious Travel around a lot Quite religious

What perceptions do parents, students and teachers have of your school and each other?

First day at School SmileyorGrumpy?

History and Culture Fascinating & British? King Henry the eighth Shakespeare Medicine Recycling Language Give the kid a Lollo Pobble I’faith, I’faith; and both in tune like two Gypsies on a horse’. ‘As you like it’

Role Models Do you have these people on your walls? Do you have these people on your walls?

Being Similar? Being different shouldn’t make you any worse than anyone else. Being different shouldn’t make you any worse than anyone else. Being different shouldn’t make you better than anyone else. Being different shouldn’t make you better than anyone else. Not getting this difference thing right can make things very difficult with parents and children believing that some are more special than others. Not getting this difference thing right can make things very difficult with parents and children believing that some are more special than others.

RiskandReward

Storytelling allows you to communicate Quickly, Naturally, Clearly Persuasively, Accurately, Intuitively, Entertainingly, Movingly, Feelingly Interactively Without having to resort to swearing

Rules, Philosophy and Nice stuff What rules and philosophies do you have in your school? What rules and philosophies do you have in your school? What does your vision statement proclaim? What does your vision statement proclaim? What does your website tell prospective parents What does your website tell prospective parents

Big Ears, Little Mugs Staff room stories Tea Coffee Sitting in Julie’s chair

What’s in it for You? Your learning -Your children’s learning Transferable skills - Business Case

The business case Customer is king If people aren’t interested in what you are selling you go out of business Try anything, to make sure your customer comes to you and stays with you You have to keep innovating Enterprise doesn’t usually discriminate against people

Does it work? The importance of storytelling in a child’s development has struck me more than ever this year and we are certainly going to continue in that vein in our English lessons. I must pass on to you the comments of the Reception/Year One class teacher after our ‘performance’ on Tuesday. Her class is not a class who normally sit and listen easily for any length of time, but she said they had been absolutely enthralled by what they had heard. She asked them on Wednesday morning about what they had seen and she told me she has never seen them so animated or enthusiastic about anything before. They all then wanted to make up their own ‘You’ll never guess what happened to me on the way to school…’ stories! The two classes are going to work together next term on some ‘paired’ storytelling work which will be fantastic. So thank you again for all your energy and enthusiasm which has certainly been passed on to many people, both young and old. My very best wishes Melanie Friday Bridge Primary Cambridgeshire

Parent comments My child had a great time and she has told me she wants to go there (TCCC) Everyone felt special and included, total inclusion One of the greatest things was when shy children's confidence and courage grew and were very brave. when they made mistakes they carried on which is a life skill Parent and primary school Teaching Assistant its been really good for our children who have really enjoyed it. Its been great from start to finish. its given them an insight to Traveller culture. its helped the Traveller children show there side of the story Parent Governor I joined the children at TCCC. From what I have seen, and from working with the children both the children and adults have all benefited from the work. The children were encouraged to work together in groups and on their own. They had to bat ideas backwards and forwards and learn to listen to each other, its a very mature way of treating them. It was really brilliant and there should be more opportunities for this kind of work

What stories will your pupils tell in the future about you and your school?