HEAD teacher John Harris got a taste of life on the other side of the desk when he swapped his office for the classroom.

Mr Harris, head of Archbishop Holgate's School in York, changed places with Year 10 pupil Simeon Smith, to help Simeon raise money for a trip to Poland where he will be doing voluntary work in a church community.

Sporting a uniform sweatshirt, he went down to Simeon's GCSE English class while Simeon dealt with inquiries back in his office.

Mr Harris said he had joined Miss Atkinson's class, who were studying Billy Liar as one of their set texts, and he spoke once to answer his name when the register was called.

"The pupils looked after me well," he said.

"They alerted the teacher to the fact that someone new was starting in the class today.

"She treated me well and I managed to stay out of trouble.

"Simeon dealt with the daily signing of mail and approving of bills, he has written some letters and dealt with inquiries brought to him by the caretaker, the cook and the technician. I'm sure all the decisions he's made will have been good ones."

Simeon needed to raise nearly £1,000 in sponsorship to pay for his stay and hopes that sponsorship pledged for "job swap"day will help him reach his target.

PICTURE: HEAD AT WORK: Archbishop Holgate School's head teacher, John Harris, takes on GCSE English under the watchful eye of pupil Simeon Smith, 15

Picture: Garry Atkinson