March 2005 | Failing… to Learn Lab

for Senior Management Teachers

This intensive three-day Lab brought together heads, senior management team teachers and artists to explore some of the fundamental elements of teaching and learning.

‘The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.’
William Shakespeare, As You Like It

This Lab, led by Angela de Castro, explored risk-taking, play, how to address failure – core elements of clowning and of teaching and learning. De Castro has been described as a genius theatre clown who, like Buster Keaton, holds that beautiful balance between complete and utter fragility and complete power. In addition to her illustrious international performing career, she is a well-known and much respected teacher.


Lab co-directors
Susan Benn
Angela de Castro

Lab participants
Rekha Bhakoo - head teacher

Gill Bland - senior teacher

Terri Broughton - senior teacher

Kirsty Claxton - artist

Sue East - senior teacher

Jane Fearnley - head teacher

Helen Hewitt - community arts manager

Jamie Luck - education officer, Theatre Royal Bath

Kathy Pimlott - Lab co-ordinator

Manju Radia - deputy head teacher

Val Rutt - novelist and teacher

Ben Samuels - assistant to de Castro

Lab evaluator
Tamsyn Imison

Funded by
NESTA