Children take over school for the day

Children from Mill Lane Junior and Infant School in Hanging Heaton stepped into the shoes of staff for the day.

They took charge with the roles of headteacher, deputy head, receptionists, class teachers and cleaners.

It was part of the Children’s Commissioner’s Take Over Day, which gives young people the chance to be involved in decision-making in schools throughout the UK.

Headteacher for the day Sohali Ali said: “I handed out stickers to the children who had not been very good and they sat with me in my office.

“We decided to have extra playtime.”

The staff were impressed with the children’s enthusiasm and courage in taking on the roles. Actual headteacher Noreen Dunn said: “Our year six pupils were taking the lessons for the year two pupils and they all planned them really carefully.

“One had brought in a portrait of Vincent Van Gogh and then all the pupils did their own portraits. It was fantastic.”

Mrs Dunn believed the role reversal gave the children a new understanding of responsibilty.

She said: “It was giving them a taste of what it is like to be an adult in school.

“The children had to fill out application forms to apply for each job, so it is all about teaching them new skills.