My approach to education mirrors my approach to life. I have always felt very excited and positive about the world that we live in and I spend the majority of my spare time being creative in nature. I’ve built the philosophy of my school around this attitude.
It’s an approach that resonates with children because they tend to engage with the world in exactly the same way as I do. I never grew out of this attitude, but this past year has taught me that plenty of other adults secretly never grew out of it either.
When West Rise Junior School, where I am headteacher, won Primary School of the Year at the 2015 TES School Awards, I never predicted the extent to which it would open up opportunities for us. It raised the profile of the school astronomically.
‘Hunky headmaster’
One of the people who took notice was Dame Judith Hackett, then National Chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who approached me to collaborate on the topic of taking risks. She was hoping to show that the HSE don’t want children to be wrapped up in cotton wool and to dispel some of the myths around what health and safety in schools should look like.
The TES reported on the collaboration, as did the Times. After that, the Telegraph published an article about me with the headline “The Hunky Headmaster”. From that point on, everything went crazy. The Telegraph piece led to a segment on BBC’s Countryfile, which sparked the interest of other television networks, news teams and documentary makers.
The articles saying that I look like Poldark or Heathcliff (largely due to the fact that I wear extravagant seventies-style suits that my wife buys for me) have all been a bit of a laugh. But among this furore, the message that the HSE and I have been promoting has steadily taken root.
Positive change
I’ve lost count of the number of teachers who have gotten in touch to ask me about my methods or for a tour of the school marshes on the back of my quad bike. They love what we are doing and always bring new suggestions when they make contact with me. I’ve realised that most teachers are exactly the same as me. They just want their children to thrive and be happy and have amazing experiences, without the red tape. There seems to be a strong will within the profession to see this kind of positive change.
That’s why I have decided to hold a conference to give people the chance to experience the way we work first-hand. Delegates will learn alongside the children on the marsh: making fires, looking for water buffalo, firing guns, connecting with nature and above all sharing good practice.
The late comedian Bill Hicks said that we always have a choice between fear and love. I don’t think that we should be waiting for permission to give children the experiences and education that we know that they deserve, or limiting ourselves and others through fear. The reality is that headteachers and teachers are much freer than they often believe they are. They are in the very privileged position to make a positive difference to children’s lives, while also having a lot of fun.
Mike Fairclough’s conference, Playing With Fire?, will be held at West Rise Junior School on Thursday 23 June 2016. Places are limited. If you are interested in attending, please call 01323 764037 or email mikef@westrise-jun.e-sussex.sch.uk.
The 2016 TES School Awards will be held on Friday 24 June.
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