Many Primary School Teachers feel that they need training and support to enable them to cope with the teaching of Design & Technology.
In-service training is the obvious answer, but time for such activity is difficult to arrange - there is already much pressure on the time that is currently available - and the situation is likely to get worse.
We run workshops for pupils which we hope also benefit the class teachers involved, but that usually means just three classes and three teachers in a day.

We believe we have the answer!

A ‘Skills School’ day may involve every class in the school and every teacher and auxiliary. All the children would then get to make a model and all the staff would get training and support.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - We are SORRY to have to announce that the introduction of Skills-School has had to be delayed. As yet there has not been sufficient interest to justify the large cost of acquiring the necessary equipment. We will re-examine a possible relaunch after the Summer. Best wishes - Dick Warren

UNIT ONE - P2-3 (or P1-3) Y1-Y2 (KS1)
Four or five classes assemble in the school hall.
There, they and their teachers are given a presentation showing the building of a simple technology model. Tools and materials are fully explained and all skills and processes demonstrated.
To enable clear viewing a video camera will relay a close-up of the work-area to a large projector screen.
This presentation will last between 20 and 30 minutes. The classes then return to their classrooms where they will find all the tools and materials needed to build the models. The teacher will find a step-by-step guide to enable her to conduct the workshop.
The Rude Mechanicals will circulate through the rooms and will be on call to deal with any queries or problems

. UNIT TWO - P4-5 Y3-Y4 (KS2a)
After morning break another four or five classes assemble and the sequence is repeated, using a different model and perhaps different skills - perhaps card and paper skills as opposed to wood skills used in Unit One.

UNIT THREE - P6-7 Y5-Y6 (KS2b)
No prizes for guessing!
During the afternoon yet more classes and a third project. The sequence is repeated.

By organising a day this way we can work with all the classes of a school with a full two class intake, over 400 children.
Projects would be those that form our acclaimed “Technology for the Nervous” in-service course.
A little boat for the youngest,,
a working crane for the middle school
and a telescopic ‘cherry-picker’ or a land yacht for P6 and P7.
All these projects are fully illustrated in our book “The Primary School Designer’s Manual”.

Rude Mechanicals will supply all the tools and materials required.

The flat rate fee for the 3-unit day, including all expenses*, is £500.00

A ‘Short Day’ of two units is available, suitable for up to eight classes, fee £350.0

* Venues more than 130 miles from Kelso will attract an additional charge, depending on distance.