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