Memories From Staff
Margaret Bate (Mrs Foster)
Suffolk Teaching Practices 1960–1976
Teaching Practice for students based in Camberwell was inevitably in inner-city schools, although once qualified, many students left London, and taught in other parts of the country. It was decided by the then Principal (Mary Atkinson) and the Head of the Education Department (Lilian Hollamby) to negotiate with the Director of Education in West Suffolk, prompted in some measure by Karis Legge, tutor in Needlework and Fabrics, who had a cottage in Suffolk. The Director and the head teachers were wary but very helpful, and prepared to give it a try.
We depended very largely on the schools to find accommodation, and students went in pairs to live in the villages – some in tiny cottages with an outside loo (yes!) and some with the Lady of the Manor – all very good experience.
The first week was always a bit stressful; comments included ‘It’s so quiet,’ ‘There’s nothing to do in the evening except go the pub and my hostess is horrified at the idea,’ and ‘The only bus into Bury St Edmunds goes on Tuesday when we are working and anyway there isn’t one back!’ (No student had her own car then.)
After this first year, more students went each year until almost the whole year group went.
At first, parental permission had to be given as most of the students were under twenty-one
(the age of consent changed to eighteen quite soon after). It proved possible even for most
of the married students to go (taking their children, who attended Suffolk schools for the
month), thanks to the co-operation of the schools and hostesses.
The smaller classes and the close-knit communities gave a very stable atmosphere in most schools, although the wide age-range in each class provided its own difficulties. Nevertheless it was felt at College that the Practice met the needs of first-year students perfectly, and that the second-year Practice should be in London. In order that no set of students missed the experience, both first- and second-years went one year, and this was possible thanks to the help from East Suffolk Education Committee (then a separate county).
About 1970 (I think!) Jane Blackburn, by then Principal of the College, invited all the head teachers, with the Director of Education, to come to College for the day. A large number came, enjoyed College hospitality and heard Jane give an outline of the principles and practices of our training. Those who know Jane will not be surprised to learn that this was achieved in a concise and illuminating explanation that in fact clarified for all of us what we were doing, and trying to do. Nothing was left out, but there was not one superfluous word!
One of the questions raised by the head teachers was why it was only first-years who came to Suffolk. Having helped the beginners, they felt they would like the benefit of a few third-years on Teaching Practice. So this was arranged for those who chose – normally about a dozen each year. This sometimes resulted in the student being offered a post in the school. At a time of teacher shortage this was of benefit to everyone.
Although it is now more than twenty years since the last group of students went to Suffolk, I have very happy memories (well, mostly) of the Teaching Practices. The lanes were lined with cow parsley, the fields full of cowslips and the sun always shone (perhaps not always, of course, but that is how it seems now!).
Head teachers, class teachers, hostesses, students and tutors shared a valuable experience. It was sometimes difficult for all of us to adjust to one another, but we are immensely grateful to those in Suffolk who cheerfully accepted the invasion of about a hundred students and a bevy of staff to visit and supervise each year.
