Shakespeare wrote “all the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players”.

Some of us play our parts more easily than others. There are people who seem to be blessed with the best roles, the finest wardrobe and the funniest lines, while others appear to be merely filling the stage without making any noticable contribution. Education is a stage. It could be said it is several stages. Students and teachers are required to deliver daily performances and are regularly judged on these performances. Being ready and able to perform depends on two key factors: ability and preparation. It is a sad truth, and one not always evident in Hollywood, that not everyone can act. Beautiful looks do not always equal beautiful performance. Some actors do well on a small stage but not so well on a large stage. Some have singing and dancing talent without the ability to transform into a particular role. Talent is something we all possess. We just don’t possess it equally. Any performance rises and falls not just on the quality of its actors, but on its props, direction, production, lighting, sound and makeup. Every job is critical and each contributor knows their role.

In the classroom, some students shine brighter than others. They have a natural ability in knowledge recall. They are cool performing under examination pressure. They are able to organise themselves and effectively learn everything they need to know. Other students do not have the same talent. They cannot easily recall facts, activities or formulae. Their talents lie in other areas. They may be musically gifted. They may be good at sport, competent computer programmers, humorous in social settings, or just loyal to their friends.

Not matter what talents are possessed by any individual student, every one of them needs preparation. No performance happens without rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and many hours of practice, cross checks and walk throughs. Even the most talented students benefit from preparation. Not all students know how to prepare, so teachers need to understand this and guide students to find a method that helps them deliver their optimum performance when the curtain rises.

Schools have yet to become defunct. They are still resisting the relentless tide of e-learning which is drawing ever closer and threatening to engulf their very existence. The advantage schools have is the face to face approach. The skill of teachers to look at a student and sum up their learning needs in order to provide a specific plan for their academic development. Integrating technology into this personal approach enhances the experience, rather than supplanting it.

Every student deserves a chance to perform on the greatest stage of all. Schools are the great production companies seeking to get the best out of every member of their cast and crew. Most of them have had a longer run than Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap.

Perhaps they deserve a small round of applause.