Converting shops into schools....

[sted]

Funnily enough, when I had discussions with architects & representatives from PfS when I was a governor some years ago, I was told part of the Govt brief was that BSF schools had to have 'presence' and 'make an impact' and have 'wow factor'...... & when I suggested something along the lines of a TESCO 'shed' with the ability of reconfiguring space flexibly inside the architect got very snooty & said nobody ever got a design award for designing a shed....

 

i think most architects seem to be curiously dense or at the very least dont think how a building will be used. Yes it may look pretty but i know of one school that for reasons best known to some architect or other instead of having drainpipes had chains from the guttering to the drain and the server room had a balcony with a concrete lip which naturally flooded and filled the server room with water. toilet cubicles that you couldnt open the doors on as the loo was in the way and the upper floor for some reason has a 30cm gap where you can see the floor below from all the way along one side and the only reason i can see for that is so kids can drop stuff on each other

 

though in the few build a box type schools in Bradford the walls between classes are very thin so its a bit of a nightmare noise wise as each class can hear the ones(s) either side quite well

[creese]

i think most architects seem to be curiously dense or at the very least dont think how a building will be used.

 

I used to work in CAD a few years ago and most architects don't think full stop! We had someone who regularly went over the drawing and pointed out their errors.

[broc]

Easy, you have a guest wireless network with a web authentication form for the students, together with massive investment in web applications and terminal services. This is a way forwards, I wouldn't dissmiss it as the simple fact is schools are not going to be able to afford to supply the amount of ICT equipment they currently do or have the money to regularly replace, update and renew this equipment like they do at the moment, so something's got to change. The solution - invest massively in your backend and ability to supply a secure connection to users own end device, deliver as much as possible using web applications, and have terminal servers available for those programs and services that can't be delivered over the web. Then you encourage and allow students to bring in and use their own devices.

 

If it's setup right, it doesn't matter if the students device has a virus on it, as the devices shouldn't be able to see each other, and because the services are delivered via the web, any potential virus shouldn't be able to propogate back to the server. Best way to think of it is like BTopenzone for your school.

 

Mike.

What happens if you live in an economically deprived area where parents cannot afford to buy their children devices such as laptops?

Edited July 15, 2010 by broc

[localzuk]

What happens if you live in a an economically deprived area where parents cannot afford to buy their children devices such as laptops?

 

Ah, that's where the government gives the kids money to buy one instead.

[broc]

Ah, that's where the government gives the kids money to buy one instead.

 

Last Government maybe; I cannot see this Government doing it ....... With computers for pupils we found the laptop wasn't a problem, it was connectivity. Many households don't have land-lines because they cannot get credit, so they tend to use PAYG mobiles. Even a 'free' laptop has it's limits without www access.

Edited July 15, 2010 by broc

[sted]

Funnily enough, when I had discussions with architects & representatives from PfS when I was a governor some years ago, I was told part of the Govt brief was that BSF schools had to have 'presence' and 'make an impact' and have 'wow factor'...... & when I suggested something along the lines of a TESCO 'shed' with the ability of reconfiguring space flexibly inside the architect got very snooty & said nobody ever got a design award for designing a shed....

 

Last Government maybe; I cannot see this Government doing it ....... With computers for pupils we found the laptop wasn't a problem, it was connectivity. Many households don't have land-lines because they cannot get credit, so they tend to use PAYG mobiles. Even a 'free' laptop has it's limits without www access.

 

a few ive seen have had 3g dongles which invariably get broken / die etc

[localzuk]

Last Government maybe; I cannot see this Government doing it ....... With computers for pupils we found the laptop wasn't a problem, it was connectivity. Many households don't have land-lines because they cannot get credit, so they tend to use PAYG mobiles. Even a 'free' laptop has it's limits without www access.

 

Which is why the last govt's scheme included broadband connectivity cost cover - via 3g dongles.

[broc]

Which is why the last govt's scheme included broadband connectivity cost cover - via 3g dongles.

 

Yes we had offers of these, if I recall correctly the school was expected to pick up the call charges after the first year.....

[torledo]

I know, I said 'what if the school would cost £20m rather than £80m and that extra money could go to staffing and equipment?' and they still said they'd prefer the unique building.

 

what, only unique. not 'iconic' ?

[Dos_Box]

I have to ask this. Did anyone really care what their school looked like when they were there? I cared if a windows was broken or a roof leaked sure. But beyond that, not really. It was a school, I went there to learn. I learnt the most from good teachers, and the least from bad ones, regardlessof what room I was being taught in.

Perhaps a 'Retraining Teachers for the Future'prgram would have been a better bet?

 

 

*This is not a dig at good teachers, only the bad ones (you know who you are!).

[featured_spectre]

Ok strange question here, but is anyone here ACTUALLY tempted to try this procedure and apply for starting an independant school?

 

Though I wouldn't want to be a HT, the idea of building a school on my own principles and with a blank slate does appeal somewhat. And they do state, that parents should have a chance/say in how these spring up? Why not someone who has worked in the background of education for X years, and is at least to some degree, paid to keep up with the latest advances in technology and education?

 

 

If we had the right calibre people behind us, then yes I would do it. Provided that the internet requirements were not dished out by E2BN in this area and we could have our own leased pipe and such like, then yes, why not?!

 

And Dos_Box, I agree, a retraining teachers program would be a good idea, but you would need to have alot of inspections and such like at random intervals to see how teachers cope without prep for an inspection

[torledo]

I have to ask this. Did anyone really care what their school looked like when they were there? I cared if a windows was broken or a roof leaked sure. But beyond that, not really. It was a school, I went there to learn. I learnt the most from good teachers, and the least from bad ones, regardlessof what room I was being taught in.

Perhaps a 'Retraining Teachers for the Future'prgram would have been a better bet?

 

but then that wouldn't address what you'd do as far as capital spend.