TEACHERS' DRAG ACT TOP OF THE CLASS

November 12th, 2004

Male teachers in fishnets and basques may not be a normal sight at Tollbar Business and Enterprise College but for Children In Need, anything is possible.

The New Waltham staff formed two groups - Almost Aloud and Britney Smears - to perform before hundreds of screaming teenagers at two lunchtime concerts organised by sixth formers. One of the Almost Aloud members was personal and social education teacher Gareth Cookson (24) who donned a black dress and wig.

He said: "We were approached by the sixth formers and asked to take part. We jumped at the chance."

Mr Cookson said that Almost Aloud put their dance routine together in about three hours and quipped: "I think Girls Aloud based themselves on us."

Fellow teacher Graham Smeaton (33) donned a pink wig and school uniform for his performance as Britney Smears.

He said: "I am a big Britney fan for obvious reasons.

"Her marriage to Kevin is a sham though - she's holding out for me."

The students who organised the show - Olivia Forster (17), Kayleigh Wicks (17), Siobahn Drury (16), Amy Portess (17), Andrew Hopgood (16), Zabrina Short (16) and Joe Martin (16) - are part of the This 'n' That business group.

The group meets throughout the year to organise projects and raise cash. Siobahn is its managing director and she said they decided to raisemoney for Children In Need, which takes place next Friday.

She said: "We have made cakes and sold them and held the two lunchtime concerts and raised about £1,000."

The schoolchildren were also entertained by drag dancer Misty Willow, otherwise known as Gary Hughes, who travelled from London as a favour to This 'n' That.

He said: "I thought I'd be nervous, but in drag you become someone else."

Vice-principal Janice Hornby said: "It's nice to give the students the opportunity to organise something like this."