HARRY Potter has been praised by parents and teachers for inspiring children to read. But he also seems to have had a near-magical effect on the schoolwork of the young actor who plays him in the film released today.
Twelve-year-old star Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry, is now getting better-than-ever results at school. While their on-screen time was spent at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, off-screen Daniel, Emma Watson (Hermione) and Rupert Grint (Ron) were given one-to-one tuition to ensure that their schoolwork did not fall behind. And despite the buzz around the movie, Daniel, aged 11 at the time of filming, Emma, who was 10, and Rupert, who was 12, insist that their lives have remained normal.
Daniel’s classmates behave in exactly the same way as they always have. “I wouldn’t have liked them to be at all different towards me, and if it was going to change, it would have changed by now,” he says. “In fact it’s just getting better. I now get the best results I’ve ever had.”
Emma has not got out of making her bed at home and Rupert is still arguing with his brother.
All the children involved in filming must be taught for between one and five hours a day, and for a total of 15 hours a week. Science, maths, humanities and languages are all included on the set school curriculum - Quidditch is not.
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