PUPILS at Warminster School swapped roles with their teachers last Friday (May 24) on their first-ever Pupil Take Over Day.

The school’s assistant head of the International Baccalaureate, Gillian Walmsley, who came up with the idea for the event, said the day had been highly successful.

Mrs Walmsley added: “All in all it was a resounding success and there are already plans afoot to repeat the exercise next year.

“Prior to the day successful pupils worked alongside the teaching staff to plan their input into lessons. All pupils planned and carried out parts and in some cases whole lessons, with the teachers remaining with them at all times.”

Planning for the event started back in September when the initial idea presented by Mrs Walmsley was approved by the school’s headmaster Mark Mortimer.

The takeover day was run by team of sixth form pupils, all of whom are in year two of the school’s International Baccalaureate Careers Programme (IBCP).

The pupils ran the marketing, recruitment and interview process as part of their service learning element of the IBCP core.

Mrs Walmsley said: “This gave Mia Quick, C J Kuanda, Marcello Avensani and Victor de Ridder a valuable insight into the appointment process from the recruitment side, the experience of which should serve them well when they apply for posts in the future.

“Pupils interested in roles on pupil take over day had to enquire via email, complete an application form and submit a supporting letter outlining their reasons for applying and their personal strength for the roles. This allowed them to practise invaluable skills needed to secure employment in the future.”

The first pupil member of staff appointed was pupil headmaster. This position went to Year 8 pupil Jamie Holmes, whose calm but enthusiastic answer impressed the sixth form panel. Jamie worked with the sixth form team to appoint his deputy, a fellow Year 8 pupil Archie Maclaren.

Both pupils worked with the team to appoint their 15-strong pupil teachers to a broad range of curriculum areas.

Mrs Walmsley added: “The day started with assembly taken as usual in the Minster Church by Jamie, Archie and their team. Pupil teachers then set off to contribute to their lessons.”