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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Historically, Technology activities have been gender divisive. The pupil population at Westbury remains predominantly male and care must be taken not to reinforce outdated notions of gender-orientated tasks. Each pupil should have equal access to all components of the Design Technology curriculum. Cultural diversity offers advantages and opportunities for our pupils to learn from other peoples’ experiences. The pupils at Westbury School will be encouraged to look at different cultures in order to examine their aims and ideas and possible solutions to tasks, and the implications of these upon the environment. Teachers much provide good role models and ensure that appropriate challenge towards prejudice and stereotyping are made to reflect the school’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
Provision of high-quality specialist facilities at Westbury School allow staff and pupils access to a range of materials and equipment on a par with those of their mainstream counterparts. This should ensure the extent toward which a range of activities and options are available to our pupils, which will encourage greater access to studying and understanding of both materials and processes.
Pupils have the opportunity to access safe practical activities in the Design Technology curriculum which will enhance their opportunities for learning in the broadest sense. This should be facilitated by using as wide a range of resources and equipment as possible. The majority of our work will take place within the specialist rooms in the school. The provision for both extension and theory work will usually take place in the general classrooms. Wherever possible the majority of materials used within the Design Technology curriculum will be provided by the school from the existing budgets. In the event of large-scale projects being undertaken, particularly within Key Stage 4, some realistic voluntary contribution may be sought from parents and carers.
Wherever possible, all staff will be encouraged to develop positive working relationships with local companies and suppliers in order to negotiate discounts on the cost of materials and for possible work experience placements, wherever possible, through negotiation to highlight opportunities to recycle materials used by local companies which would otherwise be viewed by them as “waste”. The cost of consumable materials has a significant impact upon available budgets and the management of such materials needs to be conscientiously monitored.
As the subject changes and new developments and expectations emerge, it is essential that all providers within Design Technology are given access to appropriate training opportunities in order to keep them abreast of ideas and innovations. Inset events organised within school, by the LEA and through the TSE initiative will be used for this development work. Our intention will also be to maximise the potential of the E-Learning Centre at Fairham, which has been developed specifically to provide technological support for the development of Design Technology.
Difficulties presented by the pupils who attend Westbury School does not exclude them from the right to a full and balanced education. Equally, they should have the opportunity to access technology within their timetable. However, there may well be occasions when, in the interests of health and safety, it would be inappropriate for pupils to attend workshops sessions. In such rare occasions, suitable and appropriate provision will be arranged which in part complements the experiences of the workshop.
AIMS
Our aim at Westbury School is to develop:
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