Children take over at Beeston Hall School

Teachers become students in charity Grade Oneathon

Musical director Emma Dale throws down ‘very, very tough’ gauntlet

Children at Beeston Hall School, West Runton have turned the tables on their teachers and taken over lessons. Luckily this educational revolution is all in a good cause, though some teachers are finding it tough coming to terms with being a pupil again.

It’s all about the Grade Oneathon, the brain child of Emma Dale, the school’s Director of Music. She challenged her colleagues to pass their Grade One in a musical instrument they hadn’t played before. Where possible, they were to be prepared for their exam by pupils.

There’s another twist: the 26 teachers taking up the challenge have just ten weeks to go from zero to hero. Since they are raising money for About with Friends, a Cromer-based charity that works to support people with learning difficulties in North Norfolk, there’s more than face-saving at stake.

Head teacher Robin Gainher says, “Each day sees a steady stream of teachers going to and from the Music School as they attend lessons and practise their scales and arpeggios. For many this is a first foray into the world of music.” Being Head hasn’t protected Robin from the challenge: he’s been tasked with trying to learn the piano. “Believe me, it is very, very tough.”

11 year old Maddie is Robin’s ‘teacher’. She says, “He’s making steady progress, even though his only previous musical experience was playing the triangle.”

Robin admits that, perhaps against his expectations, the Grade Oneathon is proving to be a surprisingly enjoyable experience. “It’s strange to be a pupil again after so many years, but we are lucky at Beeston Hall to have so many wonderful, patient music teachers – adults and pupils alike.”

Through the generous sponsorship of parents, friends and families the gallant teachers hope to raise £1,000 for About with Friends. “The Grade Oneathon is very appropriate, since we are planning visits, here at Beeston and at their centre in Cromer, where children from the school and the charity can meet to share music.

The day of reckoning is fast approaching – the exams take place on December 2nd and 3rd. “Pressure is mounting and nerves are beginning to show, but there is a quiet confidence amongst the children that their ‘students’ will not disappoint them,” says Robin.

If you’d like to sponsor the teachers, visit www.justgiving.co.uk and type Beeston Hall Grade Oneathon into the ‘sponsor a friend’ search box.

For more information on About with Friends visit aboutwithfriends.co.uk

Beeston Hall School, on the North Norfolk coast, is an independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 7 to 13. To find out more visit www.beestonhall.co.uk

Copy ends

Grade Oneathon at Beeston Hall School – Nov-13

Press Enquiries:

Toni Turner at The Publicity Works 01263 761000, toni@publicityworks.biz

Robin Gainher, head teacher, Beeston Hall School, 01263 837324

Tags: