Community Life

Now David Torn from St Edwards CE Comprehensive in Romford has been given the award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School in London.

Energetic and larger than life, Mr Torn has an innovative approach to the classroom.

He frequently breaks into song, taking on whimsical characters that he’s created to bring history to life.

He’s been described as the life and soul of the school by teachers and pupils alike.

But it’s not all fun and games. In a moving and personal interview he told me that:

“Teaching is a chance to change people’s lives. Every day I come into the classroom, that’s what I aim to do. To change people’s lives”.

David grew up in Hackney and survived abusive family circumstances. But he refuses to accept background as a reason for failure. He said:

“It’s about raising [their] expectations in life … getting students to move the barriers forward, and be the best they can be”.

To watch David in action, click on the box at the top of this page. Alternatively click on the link in the top right hand corner.