I had a class of forty-eight (!) eight year-olds in Glasgow. And a rather limited selection of equipment, text-books etc. But the Head was wonderfully supportive of his staff, kept the pupils in check without being repressive, and (bless him!) left us to get on with teaching. Our timetables were entirely up to us. We could choose what we taught and when. Only a blackboard and some chalk, and no groups, just 'whole class' teaching. But if one was inventive and brought in visual aids, interesting objects and could 'entertain' without losing control of the class, it whizzed along.
I wrote, directed and produced a pantomime (Sleeping Beauty), complete with costumes and stage sets. We performed this to the 'infants' across the road, and to the parents. I played the piano for the songs I'd composed, and the nine 'elves' were a little percussion band.
We were forever making huge collages on geography, history, 'nature' and science, which adorned the walls of every corridor. It was all such fun for everyone (including me!), and I'm certain those children learned what they needed to without any stultifying National Curriculum. Now there just isn't time for 'interesting' or 'fun' learning. It's just grind grind grind. Like Mr Gradgrind in Dickens' Hard Times. The pupils get bored and misbehave. And the teachers get depressed and leave.