George Webster – Advice for teachers from the CBeebies star
“Don’t assume a child with Down Syndrome can’t do something”, says CBeebies star and actor, George Webster…
- by Teachwire
- Classroom expertise and free resources for teachers
CBeebies star George Webster – and his dad – tell us what can happen when mainstream schools get things spot on for children with Down Syndrome…
Can you tell us about your new book?
George Webster: In George and the Mini Dragon, the main character, George, really wants a pet dragon for his seventh birthday. Amazingly, he finds a mini one, who he names Lava. S
he’s very cute and cheeky, and gets up to all sorts of mischief. It’s a story that celebrates difference, and is full of magic and fantasy.
What was the best thing about your mainstream school?
George Webster: Everything! I made lots of friends and enjoyed all the things we learned, both in and out of the classroom.
My teachers said they loved having me in class. I was always happy to answer questions, and even if what I said was a bit off the wall sometimes, that didn’t matter.
I’m not scared to do things like that – when I went up to the stage to collect my BAFTA, I wasn’t nervous at all.
George’s dad: He’s a world-class speller, too. People with Down Syndrome tend to be visual learners, so he would learn the shape of a word and then be able to visualise it.
George Webster: In my job, I have to communicate with my co-presenter and the crew, and school was one of the main factors in me developing those skills.
I was given help with my speech and language throughout school, and was able to practise with my TA. I really loved drama at school, and got used to having a script in my hand, communicating with the lighting and stage teams.
What were some bad things, and what could the adults at the school have done to improve them?
George Webster: There were a few instances where people picked on me, but my TA, teachers and friends would all stick up for me.
Do you have any advice for teachers and TAs?
George Webster: Don’t assume a child with Down Syndrome can’t do something. We all have different abilities and strengths. Being different isn’t a scary thing; it’s not a negative.
Trending
I always had a TA in the class, but they were there to help me be with everyone else rather than me just being with the TA.
My teachers and TA worked as a team; they got to know my family and what support I needed.
My parents came into school a lot, and met with the SENCo. I had a school diary as well, so my family could see what I’d been doing every day. Everyone’s always been there for me.
George’s dad: Communication booklets are invaluable. We used them to make sure that whatever was happening at home was also happening at school, and vice versa.
Were your TAs and teachers hard or soft on you?!
George’s dad: They didn’t let him get away with things. It’s so important that George thinks anything is possible, and that people at school said to him “You can do better than that.”
George Webster: I remember once a teacher asked why I wasn’t doing something, and I said “People with Down Syndrome can’t do that.” But they wouldn’t take it as an excuse, because they knew I was being cute!
When it comes to learning to read and write, what things can teachers do that will be extra useful for children with Down Syndrome?
George Webster: Give them time to let information into their heads, and extra help to write neatly, as using a pencil or pen can be tricky. They might need more time to speak, and might have to use a tablet.
People came into my school from early on to talk about differences and teach us Makaton, which was great. We used Numicon as well – the other kids really liked it, and got involved too.
George Webster is an actor, BAFTA-winning TV presenter and Ambassador for Mencap. George and the Mini Dragon, co-written with Helen Harvey, and illustrated by Tim Budgen, is out now (Scholastic, £6.99).
