As an English teacher working in one of Scotland’s most deprived areas, I embarked on a journey two years ago that rekindled a flame from my late 1990s and early 2000s childhood: Pokémon. Little did I know that my passion for this Japanese franchise would lead to something extraordinary, transforming lunchtimes at our school and reinforcing the power of positive relationships in education.
With my regrowing collection of Pokémon cards in tow, I began sharing stories and memories with my students. The conversations that once lingered during lunchtime evolved (pun intended) into something remarkable. Fuelled by curiosity and enthusiasm, a lunchtime club was born - the Pokémon Club.
What started as a few shy kids huddled around a table became a classroom-sized phenomenon. The Pokémon Club became a sanctuary, a safe space where young minds could eat and play and bond over their shared passion. Little did they know that in this realm of pocket monsters, they would embark on a journey that would shape their skills far beyond the boundaries of the game itself.
Our club developed beyond trading cards and battling Pokémon. We embraced the wider world of “nerd culture”, Retro gaming found its place among us, and Tekken 3 on the PlayStation 1 became an instant hit. We laughed, played and discovered that academic pursuits aren’t the only way to find joy within the school walls.
Amid the laughter and banter, something special happened: relationships bloomed. I watched as the barriers of insecurity and shyness crumbled. Students who once struggled to find their voice found solace in the shared experience. As they competed in Pokémon design contests or traded cards, they unknowingly honed their literacy and communication skills. They learned resilience through losses, negotiation through trades and compromise through battles.
But what makes me most proud is how the club became a catalyst for integration. Our doors swung wide open to welcome shy first years and Ukrainian refugees seeking solace in their new surroundings. The Pokémon Club, now transformed into full-on nerd culture, became a melting pot of cultures, where the joy of gaming and the love for all things nerdy united us all.
The impact of these lunchtime adventures extended far beyond our gathering spot. As the bonds between me and my students grew stronger, the lessons we shared during regular class hours became more effective. Positive relationships were (predictably) the key to unlocking a world of learning, where even the most insecure teenager could see school as a place of happiness.
Reflecting on this experience at a time of reform and debate within Scottish education, it is worth emphasising that the school experience isn’t solely about textbooks and exams. It’s about fostering an environment where young minds can find joy, passion and connection. Lunchtime clubs may seem trivial to some but they hold the power to transform lives, unleash creativity and mould young hearts.
As an English teacher with more than a pocketful of Pokémon cards, I have witnessed the extraordinary power of positive relationships in education. For in the end, it is through joy and connection that the seeds of learning take root and flourish, transforming school into a place of happiness where every student finds their place, their voice and their own (hopefully nerdy) passions.
Glen Fraser is a secondary teacher of English in Scotland. He tweets @GlenJamesFraser
