3learning January/February 2009
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because I didn't know it was possible to
combine both.
When I heard about Morton having a
hard time [in recent years it was placed
in special measures twice after failing
Ofsted inspections] I found it quite
upsetting, because for me it was always
a wonderful school and helped me get
where I am in life.
It was a teacher at Belle Vue, Andy
Armstrong, who had a big impact on me
wanting to be a primary school teacher.
I had a happy year in his class, and he
made each day fun and exciting. He also
had high expectations of everyone.
Then when I did football coaching in
the USA, after university, I realised how
much I liked working with kids and
seriously thought about teaching,
though I couldn't decide whether to do
music or PE at secondary or primary.
After I qualified in Devon I still had
an affinity with Carlisle and had a lot of
family and friends here so I moved
back.
Coming back to Belle Vue was strange
at first, but I could see it had moved on
a lot. Teaching has changed so much.
Children have a better education these
days. The bar has been raised and
expectations are higher.
I had teachers who latched onto what
your interest was, and I think it's
important to concentrate on what
excites children. Passive learning is a
thing of the past. Children need to be
involved in learning; it should be about
engaging and exciting children,
broadening their horizons.
I couldn't wait to start at Kingmoor. I
have a good team there with me. It is
more responsibility, and it will be
important to make sure I make the right
decisions and take the school in the right
direction, but I am looking forward to it.
Even as headteacher, I am determined
to still keep my hand in and be in the
classroom as much as possible.
You get a real buzz out of teaching �
those unexpected questions, the look on
the kids' faces when they grasp
something.
There's a lot of satisfaction and
enjoyment that comes with teaching.
What could be more exciting than
helping lead a school and benefiting 255
kids?
Interview by Rosalind Gibb
`It's such a buzz � those
unexpected questions, the
look on their faces when
they grasp something'
A merry dance: After a life-long love affair with sport and music, Andrew
Cairns realised how much he liked working with children PICTURES: DAVID HOLLINS
A step up:
Andrew
Cairns was
deputy
head at
Belle Vue
Primary
before
moving to
Kingmoor.
`Even as
head-
teacher,
I am deter-
mined to
still keep
my hand in
and be in
the class-
room as
much as
possible,'
he says

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