Mrs McNally’s A Level Psychology students have started their course learning about research methods such as behavioural observations from an unlikely teacher: Harvey the Bunny! Having explored the theory, students conducted their own structured observation of Harvey’s exploratory behaviours in a novel environment: the Sixth Form block. Watching rabbit behaviour versus student behaviour helped the students understand not just ethical issues in observing behaviour, but the dangers of making assumptions about behaviour without being able to interview the participant! Bringing rich experiences to the classroom to aid learning is at the heart of Claremont’s ‘amazing learning’ philosophy of education… and the delight amongst the students at having a rabbit in their midst made it a lesson they’ll never forget.
