This week I am delighted to report that pupils have been caught breaking into their school - Edmonton County in north London, which also happens to be my old school. The boys couldn’t wait for normal opening hours - they were desperate to get on with an art summer school project. It has had lasting effects: “I would like to take GCSE art now,” says one boy after visiting an art gallery for the first time (page 30). Perhaps he will visit the Gainsborough exhibition at Tate Britain. If he does, and makes eye contact with one of the “The Linley Sisters”, I hope he’ll have learned why her gaze is significant (page 10). TES Teacher is taking a break for Christmas. See you on January 10.

Joyce Arnold