Much loose chaos

Or unscrambled...Cam House School.

Uni was fun but the three years I spent working at this place were definitely the most enjoyable I've ever had. Nestled in the shadow of Cam Peak and Longdown, a residential school for boys with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

One of my favourite anecdotes consummately sums it up: First week there, break time, deputy head turns the bell off, sweepstake on what minute the staff on duty would return to the staff room to find out what was happening. Staff on duty clock what has happened, stay outside, and enjoy a 30 minute extended break with the kids. Brilliant. I was miles out on the sweep though...

The halcyon days, loved every minute of it. So did the kids. Massively fulfilling for them; lots had an arduous time out of school but they treasured every moment they spent there.

In recent times, a series of unjust and unfortunate incidents have brought about its relative demise. No longer residential and from what I've heard, only 6/7 of this lot pictured in 2005, still work there.

What a stark and disheartening contrast from how I feel about my work today.