I’ve been feeling a bit at a loss since my form left school. It’s always strange having a group of kids you’ve had since they were little, watch them grow up and then suddenly they’re gone. The cogs of the school keep turning, but they’re not there and it takes a while to adjust to life without them.

Two of my lot popped in to see me today with one of the nicest things that anyone has ever done. They’d been down in the art room and had produced an enormous poster for my wall with their hand prints and a lovely message from each of them. When you’ve got a couple of 16 year old boys thanking me for ‘helping to make me the person I am’ and being soooo appreciative of all the nagging and teasing and chivvying I’ve done for the past four years, it makes me really quite teary.

Yes, the job can be hideous at times, but knowing you’ve made a difference… knowing they appreciate it just that bit… It makes all the difference in the world.

Some days, teaching is the best job there is. I’m dead proud of them too!