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[March 2002]
Ceramic Training Material to Meet School Syllabus
As a result of a two-month project undertaken by the Association for Ceramic Training & Development (ACTD) - involving schools and the ceramic industry in and around Stoke-on-Trent - a resource pack has been developed to support the forthcoming introduction of the GCSE in Manufacturing (double award qualification) in British education.Based on manufacturing processes within the ceramic industry, the training material will be introduced on the first Study Tour - scheduled for 25 March 2002 to the Dudson factory in Tunstall - to teachers from four schools that already have experience in working with the industry.
Aimed at developing a coherent programme linked to industry and schools, the Study Tour is intended to raise awareness and highlight the links of the new GCSE qualification in manufacturing, which is being introduced to the syllabus in September 2002.
ACTD Director Keith Marsh said: "Our research identified a great deal of activity between schools and the ceramic industry, but all on an ad hoc basis. The ACTD project is aimed at linking activities and the resulting project and Study Tour will enable us to identify other possible links to the ceramic industry and the school curriculum at Key Stage 4 in such subjects as Business, Art & Design, ICT, Science and Citizenship".
The Dudson Company will welcome teachers and industry representatives to the factory for a programme that will include the presentation of the Resource Pack, a tour of manufacturing and discussions on other possible industry links.
The teachers from various areas within their schools are: Sheila Pye (Birches Head High School); Nicola Hand (Sandon High School); Gareth Jones (Blurton High School); and Jane Ellerton/Mike Willis (Edensor High School).
During their tour of the factory, the teachers will follow manufacturing processes and will see new production technology and the use of computers in shape and pattern design. They will then be given the opportunity to have a go at hand colour banding to complete the tour, aimed at illustrating the full variety of manufacturing opportunities.
"At the end of the visit, we hope the teachers will be able to suggest other qualifications which might fit into the industry and to offer useful suggestions with regard to the Resource Pack to ensure the training material we have developed will meet the school syllabus," added Keith Marsh.
ENDS