Role Reversal

Back in May one of my Year 11 boys asked me if I would drive a group of them to the Prom in the school minibus.  I was really amused by the idea that they wanted to be so 'anti-establishment' so I agreed to help out.  I decided to surprise them on the evening by dressing as a Year 11 Prefect (a special tie and badges).  I also amused myself by wearing my uniform as incorrectly as possible (shirt tales out, buttons undone and blazer sleeves rolled up).  As it got closer to the time I wondered if I'd really done the sensible thing.  I started to panic that wearing school uniform was a step too far and that the senior teachers would have a sense of humour bypass...  I needn't have worried.  The evening went really well and the senior teachers were just amused by my uniform prank.

Here I am with some of the boys by the minibus.  I. - the tall lad, second from right - had the original idea of going to the Prom in an old LDV!  All of these boys have studied Btec Music with me over the last three years.  They are great characters and I miss them...

The whole group on I.'s drive.  They look really self-conscious in their brand new suits!  A couple decided to go for the fancy dress option...

Here we are outside the Botanical Gardens in central Birmingham.  My school has used this venue for a few years and it seems to work really well.

Here I am with another of my lovely Music students - A.  Normally she is quite a 'tomboy' but this evening she looks beautiful and glamorous.

Here are a couple more of my Music girls.  The girl on the right was also in my form.  She is a lovely, kind-hearted chatter-box and form time is really quiet without her....

The boys gave me a bunch of flowers and some wine to say 'thank you'.  The roses are gorgeous -  they are clearly a special breed that will stay in this 'just open' state for several days.  Mark and I enjoyed the wine when we finally got home on Saturday night.

The whole evening was great fun.  The pupils were amazed that I could find my old Prefect, Duty Senior and 'Service to the School' badges (from the 1980s) to wear on the blazer.  I don't think they realise quite what a 'magpie' I am!