The best lesson I ever had was in year 6 of primary school. Mr King had already scored big points by creating rugby and baseball teams at Weetwood Primary School, but he was about to up the ante in the classroom by unleashing an unforgettable, inspired, and to this day unimproved upon learning experience.  

A bold claim, I know - especially as someone who went to drama school and, therefore, has spent years literally learning through play. But I stand by it, and here’s why…  

The best lesson ever 

We all turned up that day, totally oblivious to the fact that we were about to make a significant departure from the norm (sit in rows, face front, copy some stuff, read some stuff, ask some questions, get some answers, etc.).  

But when we arrived in our classroom, it was like a whole new world. The chairs and tables had been rearranged into clusters, and along the side of the room, a row of desks had been set up as a sort of shop. On the row of desks were buckets and trays, all with various bits and pieces of everyday classroom equipment in them.  

Bits of card, paper, pens, scissors, Sellotape (other brands are available), Pritt Stick (ditto), Blu Tac (blah blah), and other non-branded items - like old copies of the Guardian (dammit, Jim!). That wasn’t all, though. In front of each box, bucket, tray or pile of crap was a price tag.  

Now, as an avid Monopoly, Football Manager, Railway Tycoon player - basically any game which allowed me to have some money in my life, even if imaginary - my ears pricked up. I was intrigued, to say the least. But what could it all mean? Well, unless you’re one of those rare people who enjoy skipping the first line of an article, you already know.  

That’s right, we were going to build a bridge. I know. Amazing.  

Beyond bridge-building 

We weren’t just going to build one bridge, though. Given Mr King’s penchant for team sports and the new layout of the room - we swiftly(ish) deduced that we would be going head-to-head. Or rather ‘heads to heads’, like a hoard of hungry Hydras.  

We were placed in random teams, given an imaginary budget and a very real deadline. What followed was my life's most immersive, focus-filled, collaborative, exploratory, exciting, real, and FUN school day. 

I learned more that day than any other in my school career - and not just my primary school career! Suddenly, we had a challenge that asked us to pitch ideas, debate their merits, and negotiate our way to a choice that would give us the best chance of success in the game without spoiling that weekend’s sleepover plans.  

Our people skills were certainly exercised like never before - something that gave us solid foundations and reference points for later in our learning journeys - and life beyond school. But the learning didn’t stop with soft skills. The practical elements of the game asked us to engage with maths, physics, engineering, and business strategy, to name just a few.  

And, of course, when our trio of card prisms stuck on a reinforced newspaper tripod supported not only Andy and Caroline but Mr King himself - I learned that triangles are the strongest shape! Mind. Blown. 

Long-lasting impact 

I have largely failed to stay in touch with my primary school classmates, let alone my teachers. But if you happen to come across this, Mr King, I pay tribute to you, Sir. You were an important figure for me, and you should know that this lesson stuck - big time!  

And as for you teachers, I hope this serves as a reminder of the amazing impact you really do have. It’s not every profession that offers the chance to create memories that last a lifetime—and which are powerful enough to carry unlimited learning on their backs all the way home.  

Thanks, Mr King.    

Jim Rastall studied English and Classical Civilisation at Nottingham University and then Acting at the renowned Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, somewhere he chose almost entirely because Pete Postlethwaite had trained there.  

He’s facilitated thousands of hours of sessions in schools, including St Paul’s Cathedral School, The Hall School, and Merchant Taylors, as well as SEND schools and those in some of the country's most deprived areas. 

Jim is excited to empower children and teaching staff alike to feel, think and act better for the good of all. 

If you’d like him to visit your school, why not take a look at some of the INSET training we offer and get in touch – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.