“We had a great introduction to big read week. We had lots of children dress up as witches and wizards and we enjoyed watching Magic Philip! He demonstrated lots of magic tricks and he even told how some of them were done. The children loved joining in and being Magic Philip’s assistant!” Nicola Wood Y2A, Platt Bridge Community School, Wigan

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/sep/12/secondaryschools

Teach magic lessons in school, says professor

Magic tricks boost confidence and self-discipline, says psychologist calling for lessons to be introduced to classrooms

The trick to making primary school children more confident and sociable is to teach them magic, claims Professor Richard Wiseman, psychologist at the Open University.

At the British Association for the Advancement of Science in Liverpool yesterday, he reported the results of his study of 50 pupils at two Hertfordshire schools, which compared his “magic school” lesson with a standard personal, social and health education (PSHE) lesson currently used to promote good health, confidence and social skills. [Read more…]