We're laughing all the way to college

ALL smiles at the Laughology session for staff from Hathershaw and Oldham Sixth Form Colleges

WHAT do you get when you cross stand-up comedy and a motivational talk?

A lot of laughter was the answer when comedian, actor and writer Dave Keeling held a fun-filled session for staff from Hathershaw College and Oldham Sixth Form College.

It was first time all staff from both organisations had come together since it was announced they are to form a multi-academy trust.

And they soon got to know each other as Dave, from the consulting and training organisation Laughology, got them to lose their inhibitions and step out of their comfort zones with a range of seemingly silly tasks - from hugging the person next to them or games involving raspberry sounds - to illustrate important messages.

The jokes came think and fast from Dave who explained that today's young people will enter a workplace where they will have to constantly learn new skills which will require confidence, curiosity, resilience, adaptability and the ability to take risks

Most will be self-employed at some point, and Dave said: "That requires more than just qualifications - it requires all the other stuff.

"They are going to go into a fast-changing world where they will have to unlearn and learn new skills, and they will need the confidence to do that."

Urging staff to lead by example, he added: "You can't force pupils to learn, but you can be an example of what a good learner looks like.

"If you are not brave and courageous, how can you expect the kids to be?

"People are so afraid of change they would rather stick with something that doesn't work. Hands up in this room if you are married to someone you hate?

"In your lessons, allow pupils to get it spectacularly wrong and enjoy the process. Most people are so terrified of getting something wrong, they would rather not do it in the first place."

As well as the potential of humour to bring the most dull subject matter to life, Dave also talked about the neurological link between humour and learning. "When you are in a positive frame of mind, in good humour, you make better choices," he said.

Hathershaw College and Oldham Sixth Form College will form Pinnacle Learning Multi Academy Trust in September. They say benefits will include sharing good practice and resources, and professional development and career progression opportunities.

Hathershaw principal Dave McEntee said: "This is the first time the two groups of staff have come together. We have done bits and pieces and departments have worked together, but to get everyone in the same room was really important for us."

Jayne Clarke, his counterpart at the sixth form college, added: "It was a good combination of humour and important messages."

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