At The Lawn, our Alton-based residential care home, to mark this year’s World Teacher Day resident, Jean Piper, has been reminiscing about her long and rewarding career as a Teacher and her love of the Piano. Jean, who has been a resident at The Lawn since January this year, spent 20 glorious years working at St. Nicolas’ School in Fleet, Hampshire, teaching General Studies and the Piano. “I adored my job as a Teacher,” said Jean. “I taught pupils who were aged seven, so were in Year Three who were all wonderful.” St. Nicolas’ School was founded in 1935 by two Teachers, Helen Pritchard and Angela McKenzie and, for 60 years, was located on Branksomewood Road in Fleet before moving to its current site at Redfields House in 1996.
“The school has a great history, and up until 1964 was a Boarding School,” continued Jean. “When World War II began in 1939, as it was so near to the Army Barracks in Aldershot, the school provided a safe and caring place while parents were moved between barracks across the country.”
Teaching General Studies, Jean’s focus was to broaden the pupils’ knowledge base by covering subjects such as The Arts and Society. “General Studies was first introduced into the UK’s curriculum back in 1959,” added Jean. “It was put in place to give pupils a foundation in subjects including Humanities and Social Science to supplement their other studies.”
Whilst Jean enjoyed teaching General Studies, her passion was for her Music Lessons and teaching the Piano. “To be honest, if I could turn back time, I would have made sure I taught more Music and Piano,” continued Jean. “Each class was so gratifying and fulfilling. Being able to depart my musical knowledge and piano skills was so worthwhile.”
Jean has many happy and fond memories of her pupils. “I had one pupil who insisted that he always crawled on the floor during my music lessons. He’d join in with his classmates but remained on the floor. He was attentive and inquisitive – and very musically inclined, so to keep him engaged I let he stay on the floor. Years later, he was diagnosed with Autism and I’m sure he still enjoys music.” Another of Jean’s pupils was a keen Clarinet player. “He played the Clarinet beautifully and progressed very well and, I believe, after leaving school continued playing and got very far,” added Jean.
Jean had a special knack for ensuring her students paid attention in class. “To make sure I had the pupils undivided attention, I would whisper so they had to listen carefully to what I was saying. I’d then sing, which certainly kept them on their toes.” The pupils all thought Jean was a fun Teacher. “I’d much rather be the funniest person in the room compared to the cleverest,” continued Jean. “My pupils were exceptionally well-behaved – they always did their homework, were polite and never played pranks on me.”
“Jean really is a font of knowledge,” said Steve Swift, the Registered Manager at The Lawn. “She’s a wonderful lady and still plays the piano for her care home friends, she really is very talented and it’s a pleasure to hear her play.”
“I worked hard to make sure that the pupils’ years at the school were happy, engaging, interesting, productive and, of course, enjoyable. It was important to me that when the pupils progress, they were confident young people,” concluded Jean.
Find out more about The Lawn care home by calling 01420 84162 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.