John Hegley – the teacher you wish you'd had

Whenever I visit a school, as well as educating the children, I try to tease out their creativity and demonstrate the results Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

Here one young chap demonstrates the simple but effective linguistic device of alliteration Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

I learned something myself today as well – be careful with which pen you use Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

Because not all of them are meant for the white board Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

I try to teach the children about appreciating other viewpoints, and to discuss ways in which they do and don't fit into a group Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

The class at Foulds made passports, in which they write traits that make them different from the rest of the group Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

Each pupil's passport picture is drawn by their classroom neighbour Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

This girl almost wrote a haiku Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

On the back of the passports the pupils wrote about "The best place I’ve ever been and what would have made it even better" Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

I like to get the children talking and singing as much as possible when we are in a group Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

Singing instructions is a pupil-friendly way of communicating to the children ... Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

... therefore my very portable mandolin is helpful to have around Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian