THE BELL CLATTERS

The ringing of the morning bell tells all that the day of discipline now descends. Chaotic playground sounds then start to quell. Shouts and screams soften and slow. Raspy sounds, sharp points, made blunt. Excited chatter calms to a sober slur. But subtle mumbles rumble on. Now enter the world of time-tabled routine. Freshly buffed beeswax is hoofed by the herd - a stampede of Nike, Reebok, Karrimor. Whiffs of cigarette smoke on blazers mix with sickening smells from festering games kit. Organic odours mingle with the chemical - Izal, carbolic, bleach and Brasso. The nine a.m. bell rings. Business begins.