| Latest News: last updated 15 June 2004 | Phase 2 Bid |
8/1/98 Future news now incorporated into our Updates section.
8/1/98 Collegues from 5 more schools receive Web site production training.
2/12/97 RM Engineer visits to sort out a few network problems
1/12/97 First Schools Phase 2 web page uploaded.
1/12/97 Engineers report all schools wired up with phone extensions except Hillmead.
27/11/97 Letter sent to schools with next training date and other information.
19/11/97 Steering Committee meeting.
13/11/97 Project 'Open Day' held.
11/11/97 2 schools attend Introduction to Internet Course.
6/11/97 First four schools attend Web design course.
3/11/97 Computers and printers delivered to schools.
28/10/97 First schools get telephone extensions installed.
24/10/97 Letter sent to schools with training details for rest of year.
22/10/97 Cameras despatched to schools. Three Window Box computers arrive at wrong address. No modems fitted.
21/10/97 Training takes place. Network works fine. In the end - a successful day. Delivery of Window Box computers fixed for straight after half-term.
20/10/97 Camera arrives but delivered to wrong address
20/1097 Preparing for first training. Engineer coming to install new faster hub.
17/10/97 BT Engineer returns to check line. Finds possible short. All now working correctly. Still no date for the Window Boxes.
16/10/97 Commissioning engineer finishes Internet access installation. Network working well and looking to be an excellent product. BT Engineer arrives to test the line.
15/10/07 Network all installed and running but there is a problem with the ISDN line. Still one computer missing.
14/10/97 I am informed that there will be a delay with the Window Boxes.
14/10/97 Engineers arrive at 11am but kit arrives at 12.40pm.
13/10/97 Still problem with server but still aiming for Tuesday
13/10/97 Schools written to with details of their allocation.
10/10/97 Network problem solved - delivery early next week.
10/10/97 Committee meet to allocate equipment
9/10/97 Network delayed due to a quality problem with the server.
6/10/97 Engineers start (and finish) cabling for the network.
2/10/97 ISDN line installed in Centre.
29/9/97 Schools and Centre equipment ordered.
18/9/97 Appraisal form approved on the 15th. Letters sent to schools today outlining requirements and requesting bids from participating schools.
The Brixton Connections Primary Internet Project has successfully bid for additional funding from Brixton Challenge for Phase 2 of the project. Below are extracts from the Project Appraisal form which went to Committee for approval on Monday 15th September:
Key Objectives the Project will meet
Participation in this project is helping to enhance the employment prospects of the pupils in a number of ways, for example:
The extension of the project will enable these benefits to be spread more widely throughout the schools concerned.
Project Description
The original project involved 15 primary schools in the Brixton City Challenge area, each of which received a multimedia computer, a V34 modem, a colour printer and a connection to the Internet allowing them to communicate with secondary schools and primary schools both locally and throughout the world. The project began in the latter half of the Summer term 1995 and has now completed its second year, although funding was only provided for the first year. Schools have concentrated on the use of Electronic Mail and the World Wide Web, including the setting up of "Web Pages" to publish pupils' work.
The project has so far been limited to use by one class in each school due to the installation of a single phone line and single computer system. Phase 2 will enable the provision of additional computers for each school together with the installation of multiple telephone extensions which will allow access throughout the school. This, in turn, will enable more classes to build on the strengths and existing good practice developed by many of the participating schools.
As well as the provision of hardware, there will be a significant increase in training to ensure that all staff, both teaching and support are confident and competent in their use of the Internet, and in all aspects of IT capability. These additional resources will also have an impact in increasing the amount of computer time available to pupils and improving pupils’ IT skills. The addition of digital camera equipment will support the extension of the project further through the exchange of visual material.
The project will continued to be managed by the Advisory Teacher for Information Technology who will report to the Steering Committee which includes representatives from the schools, Brixton Challenge, the Local Authority, NCET, and supporting companies such as Research Machines, Microsoft and IBM.
Central and school based support will be provided the Advisory Teacher, members of the IT Learning Exchange (providers of computer maintenance and technical support) and Edweb (a group of Internet consultants specialising in the design and management of the World Wide Web sites).
Following delivery and installation of equipment, central training will be provided for school staff on its use and the potential role of the Internet in the classroom. Schools will then undertake a curriculum project with support where required. Throughout the year there will be regular review meetings and further INSET leading to the publishing of pupils’ work on the Internet. Following consultation with the local libraries, arrangements will be made for pupils to access curriculum related information and to link this with more traditional library use.
As well as publishing pupils’ work, schools will be encouraged to include local community information on their Web pages. This will enable parents and the wider community the opportunity to develop their IT skills.
Timetable of Key Milestones
| September | Project proposal and funding agreed Implementation timetable to Steering Committee Equipment ordered and support contracts placed |
| October | Training network installed First group of teachers receive initial training |
| November | Computers delivered to schools and
installed Internet accounts set up First group receive training on Web design |
| December | Telephone extensions installed second group of teachers receive initial training Web pages set up for first group of schools |
| January | Second group receive training on Web
design Report to Steering Committee |
| February | Third group of teachers receive initial
training Web pages set up for second group of schools |
| March | Third group receive training on Web design |
| April | Web pages set up for third group of
schools Report to Steering Committee |
Reason Grant Needed
While the initial funding enabled the introduction of the Internet to the schools, only limited training and support was possible, and this, together with the provision of a single telephone point, has limited the development across the schools. Although a number of avenues have been explored and some funding has been obtained from other sources to enable the provision of very limited support, no funding is available to provide the level of support needed if the developments outlined are to be achieved.
This page last updated 15 Jun 2004
