Back To School

A life-changing idea was taking shape in the most unexpected way

- Christina Westwood

This looks interesting,’ Tom says as he peers into a courtyard. ‘Musée de l’École,’ he adds in his best French accent. ‘You wanted to be a teacher once, didn’t you? Shall we have a look?’

We have spent all morning exploring this French country town and, to be honest, I would prefer to have a drink in one of the cafes we have passed, as the heat is almost unbearable. But Tom’s enthusiasm is infectious. So, we cross the courtyard and step into a tiny reception area with a wooden desk and a ceiling fan, where a smiling, impeccably dressed man greets us with a warm ‘Bonjour’. After many gestures and explanations, he sells us two entry tickets.

‘The tour starts here,’ Tom says as we move to a room beyond the entrance that is furnished with rows of wooden desks, all facing the front. ‘And this must be the teacher’s register!’ He peruses the document. ‘So many names… there must have been at least 50 kids in this class!’

Perhaps it is the silence in this enclosed space, or the coolness of the museum after the heat outside, but I suddenly feel transported back in time, from this small school in the south of France to a large, modern classroom in south London.