Francesca Boobyer, 14, is a Year 9 pupil at Faringdon Community College in Oxfordshire. She shares her thoughts with Hannah Frankel
What’s your favourite subject?
I like drama. I have wanted to be on stage all my life. It gives me the chance to be myself and show everyone what I’m made of. I want to be an actress when I’m older, just like Whoopi Goldberg.
What makes a good teacher?
Teachers need to have a good sense of humour, be smart and strict, without being too strict. They need to treat every pupil in the same way and be friendly, but not in a creepy way.
What do you most like and dislike about school?
I like the friendly teachers, the ones that ask about your interests and how your weekend was. But they don’t have to be too friendly when they’re teaching as that isn’t professional. I’m less keen on the grotty toilets. They are old and people have written all over them. The hand drier is broken and they smell of cigarette smoke.
What is the best lesson you have ever had?
A drama lesson that gave everyone a chance to have a go and give their opinion; even the quiet ones spoke up.
What stops you from learning?
Friends talking to me in lessons and gossiping. It puts me off, but I can’t say no in case they get in a strop with me.
What is needed to make a good school?
Happy teachers who are pleased to see us. I’m less keen on the grumpy ones. Also good facilities: welcoming classrooms that have good displays showing pupils’ work, lots of natural light and a nice atmosphere.
What would you change about your school if you could?
I’d change the uniform. Our thick black jumpers can rip easily when pupils play-fight.
What are your favourite hobbies?
Shopping, watching films and bowling.
What’s your favourite slang at the moment?
“Your face.” It sort of means “so what?” If someone calls you ugly, you reply “your face” to show that you don’t care.
What celebrity would you most like to be?
Whoopi Goldberg - I’ve grown up with her and she’s really funny. I would like to meet her before I die.
What’s your favourite DVD
Sister Act 2 (with Whoopi Goldberg).
If you could have one superpower what would it be?
To bring the dead back to life. I would bring back my dog, Chaz, who was a cross between a Boarder collie and a black labrador. He meant a lot to me. I would also bring back my great auntie. My mum was really sad when she died a year or so ago.
“If I was prime minister for a day I would .”
- try to stop racism in the world. I think it’s really bad.
Complete the sentence: “I wish adults would sometimes .”
- listen to children’s points of view more, like they do at Faringdon. We have a good school council and the teachers listen to what we have to say.
