Rab C Nesbitt star believes
new curriculum is a class act

by Helen McArdle

Tony Roper got back to his roots yesterday when he visited pupils at his former school to see how the Curriculum for Excellence is changing Scottish education.

The Glaswegian actor and comedian hosted a question and answer session with fourth and fifth-year drama studies pupils at St Mungo's Academy as part of the Role Model Project, a scheme that ties into the CfE by linking real-life experiences of former pupils with a range of subjects.

Roper, famed for his role as Jamesie Cotter in Rab C Nesbitt but who has also penned five plays, including The Steamie, entertained pupils with stories of how his role as a postman in iconic Scottish chiller The Wicker Man ended up on the cutting-room floor.

He went on to tell them about dressing up in Edward Woodward's wig and flat-sharing with Billy Connolly.  Roper said: "When I was at school, it was get in, learn your three Rs and get out.  There was really nothing to excite you.

"The amount of effort that goes into inspiring pupils now is brilliant.  I was never very good academically, but what this is doing is allowing them to see that just because you're not great at maths or science or whatever, it doesn't mean you can't go out and make a success of yourself."

Marie Birchard, principal teacher of drama studies, said the visit had inspired the pupils.

She said: "Now when they go to read The Steamie in class they'll see Tony Roper's name and have something to relate to."