Manchester pupil becomes head teacher for a day

(Correction) MR Peter Brocklehurst at the head teacher's desk

If you visited Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe, Manchester, this week you might have thought that Head Teachers were getting younger these days! Well you wouldn’t have been too mistaken as Saint Paul’s had a new Head Teacher but only for the day. Year 9 pupil, Peter Brocklehurst, was selected in a draw organised by the School Parliament as the pupil to be the ‘Head Teacher for the day’.

Peter was looking forward to the day and it turned out to be a great experience. “I started the day taking part in the Senior Leadership Team meeting early in the morning before school started and then went on to join in the whole staff briefing” said the 13 year old pupil. “I didn’t realise that a Head Teacher could be so busy, I’ve been in and out of meetings all day, have been reviewing information for interviews, organising cheques and liasing with Finance – it’s been non-stop!”

A jam-packed programme saw Peter doing a walk-round in the morning, joining in a number of meetings, reviewing applications for job vacancies, organising cheques for suppliers, as well as the opportunity to give his opinion on the school’s marketing as part of his role as Head.

“It has been a really interesting day” said Peter. “I was really pleased to win and the day has been a great chance to see some of the work that a Head Teacher does.” Mrs Fiona Minshall, the real Head Teacher, added “Peter was wonderful in the role; he was extremely confident. We had the opportunity to sit down at the end of the day and he offered some excellent feedback on his experience. He would make a great Head Teacher one day!”