Teach-Reading-and-Writing-Issue-21
TRW Can you tell us about your new book, George and the Mini Dragon ? GW The main character, George, really wants a pet dragon for his seventh birthday. Amazingly, he finds a mini one, who he names Lava. She’s very cute and cheeky, and gets up to all sorts of mischief. It’s a story that celebrates difference, and is full of magic and fantasy. TRW You went to a mainstream school. What was the best thing about it? GW Everything! I made lots of friends and enjoyed all the things we learned, both in and out of the classroom. I still have good friends from back then. I did really love school. I was a prefect, was on the school council, and even helped interview for a new headteacher. My teachers said they loved having me in class, too. I was always happy to answer questions, and even if what I said was a bit off the wall sometimes, that didn’t matter. I’m not scared to do things like that – when I went up to the stage to collect my BAFTA, I wasn’t nervous at all. George’s dad He’s a world-class speller, too. People with Down Syndrome tend to be visual learners, so he would learn the shape of a word and then be able to visualise it. GW In my job, I have to communicate with my co-presenter and the crew, and school was one of the main factors in me developing those skills. I was given help with my speech and language throughout school, and was able to practise with my TA. I really loved home was also happening at school, and vice versa. TRWHow did your teachers and TAs treat you in lessons? George’s dad They didn’t let him get away with things. It’s so important that George thinks anything is possible, and that people at school said to him “You can do better than that.” GW I remember once, a teacher asked why I wasn’t doing something, and I said “People with Down Syndrome can’t do that.” But they wouldn’t take it as an excuse because they knew I was being cute! TRWWhat other useful things can teachers do for children with Down Syndrome? GW Give them time to let information into their heads, and extra help to write neatly, as using a pencil or pen can be tricky. They might need more time to speak, and may have to use a tablet. People came into my school from early on to talk about differences and teach us Makaton, which was great. We used Numicon as well – the other kids really liked it, and got involved too. drama lessons, and got used to having a script in my hand, communicating with the lighting and stage teams. TRW Do you have any advice for teachers and TAs? GW Don’t assume a child with Down Syndrome can’t do something. We all have different abilities and strengths. Being different isn’t a scary thing; it’s not a negative. I always had a TA in the class, but they were there to help me be with everyone else, rather than me just being with the TA. My teachers and TA worked as a team; they got to know my family and what support I needed. My parents came into school a lot, and met with the SENCO. I had a school diary as well, so my family could see what I’d been doing every day. Everyone’s always been there for me. George’s dad Communication booklets are invaluable. We used them to make sure that whatever was happening at “Being different isn’t a scary thing; it’s not a negative” George Webster is an actor, BAFTA-winning TV presenter, and an Ambassador for Mencap. George and the Mini Dragon , co-written with Helen Harvey, and illustrated by Tim Budgen, is out now (Scholastic, £6.99). CBeebies star George Webster – and his dad – were on fine form when they dropped by to tell us what can happen when mainstream schools get things spot on for pupils with additional needs “Don’t assume a child with Down Syndrome can’t do something” TH I NK I NG L I T ERAC Y www.teachwire.net | 53
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