The terminal platforms are quiet after the morning rush hour peak. They don't stay quiet for long - a noise like a riot in progress erupts from the ticket barriers as fifty primary school children are herded onto the platform by four worried-looking and slightly hung over teachers. The kids colonize the platform, investigating every corner and pushing all the buttons in sight (including the ones labelled for Staff Use Only) as the teachers look on resignedly.
It's the annual Year 4 trip to the British Museum. The teachers feel like they've done a full day's work just getting them all here in one piece, but the worst is, they know, yet to come. Still, one step at a time - with sufficient shouting and cajoling they finally herd everyone onto the waiting train and end up with the same headcount they started out with. For the kids, it's going to be a day of fun, discovery and boring old statues. For the teachers, it'll be a day of lost packed lunches, glares of official disapproval from museum attendants, and temper tantrums.
Posted by mpk at May 22, 2004 10:43 PM | TrackBack