Newspaper Article

Schools: My inspiration: Robert Llewellyn

INTERVIEWS BY EMILY MOORE

1999

Overview

My time at primary was the happiest part of my school life. I wasn't very good at being at school. I like to think that it was because I'm independent, creative and free-spirited. That's the positive side. The negative is that I was a pain in the arse! Booth wasn't a wholly pleasant experience. I loathed the teacher I had in my last-but-one year. She used the `slipper' on us and frightened me so much that I couldn't sleep at nights and used to wet the bed. I ran away from school all the time, because I was terrified of her. So it was a great relief to get into the classroom of my favourite teacher, Mr (Paul) Bilsborough, in my last year at primary! He was the first male teacher I'd had -in fact, apart from the headteacher, he was the only one in the school. His approach was quite butch and he seemed really solid, very clear and uncomplicated. He was quite strict and pushed us academically. He was also really into sport, especially football, which I loathed. I'm sure having such a `nancy-boy' in the class wasn't what he was after, and in fact I think he thought I was a ghastly child - he's not one of those sentimental teachers.

• Publisher: Guardian News & Media Limited
• Subject: Educators / Llewellyn, Robert / Role models