Teacher's feedback

Sherrill Townsend made her comments at Brentside High School in Ealing on Thursday 18 January after taking part in the BBC project which encourages 12 and 13-year-olds to engage with journalism.

Here is the full text of Ms Townsend's interview.

What are the longer term impacts of School Report?

I know that the pupils have already benefited from the project because one of the pupils, who I've never heard speak a complete sentence in the classroom context, has actually reported back in a very confident manner.

He's also written a lot more - he's never done an extended piece of writing for me and he's actually feeling very confident in putting pen to paper and actually writing and reporting back.

So in a much smaller group context, he has shown that he is very able.

How can School Report ease bullying?

I know that there's going to be an added benefit from School Report because of the whole issue of verbal bullying in our school, and that pupils will feel more confident in expressing their opinions and knowing that what they are, and what they produce today, is of some worth, and that they, as individuals, do have some worth and do have something to contribute.

What can the pupils do that they couldn't do before?

Well, I think [they can do] extended pieces of writing as a year group and as a bottom set.

Maybe in my mind as well they've actually been labelled in a sense, and maybe that's made me see the group in a different light today.

They're actually far more able than what they sometimes produce in class [would indicate] so I think that's another long term benefit.

What aspect of School Report can you use in other lessons?

Well I think [with] this particular group I'm going to ask them to report back to the rest of their group, just to talk about the project, and in that sense they're going to be mini-teachers, and that'll boost their self esteem as well - greatly.

What is your overall impression of School Report?