Tower and Town, August 2017

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St. John’s Students - Where Are They Now? Peter Baldrey

What do you remember of your time as a student at St John’s?
The teachers were very good, stricter than teachers are today. They had a reputation and you didn’t mess with them but they were fair, you knew where you stood. The students were naughtier than they are today, without a doubt. There was quite a bit of play-fighting in the playground, not anarchy though, and it was well controlled in the classroom. Boys and girls mingled but not as much as today. I sat next to girls in GCSE History. The buildings were okay but there were no carpets and the desks were old with inkwells and covered in graffiti. If you opened them you would find the rubbish of thirty years but they were usually stuck down with chewing gum.

Why did you study History at University?
I always liked it and my parents impressed the importance of it on me. My primary school teacher was a big fan as were my St John’s teachers and I lived in Avebury!

Why did you return to teach at St John’s?
I applied to cover a maternity leave and have been there ever since; it just happened. When discussing during teacher training if I would work in my old school I said I wouldn’t but I’ve been there for twenty years. Working with people who taught me was very novel to begin with but not any more.

How has teaching changed?
I like to tell a story and have lots of discussion and debate, as there was when I was at school, but now there is more analysis of exams and how to pass them. The facilities are much better; interactive white boards in particular mean that you can show documentaries and sources in a large size. This enhances the learning experience. In addition, the use of artefacts help students to remember them.

Has the subject of History affected your political career?
(Pete was the Labour candidate for North Wiltshire in the 2015 and 2017 elections)
History is all about opinion and how to justify it. Being in education I also have a commitment to public service.

Sarah Bumphrey