Not all schools are useless!

[dobbslc]

Today I went to a newly finished school building in Slough to check an electrical panel and while I was waiting for the site agent to show some interest in what he'd called us in for I wondered into the DT/ metalwork / whatever they call it now room and found some goodies being installed.

A mint Harrison M250 lathe ( I had a good play with that and now must have one...)
A milling machine in the far corner, couldn't see the make.
Bench drills, sanding machines, fret saws, metal folders, extraction units, some nice woodworking benches and a lovely old made in Britain 3 phase donkey saw that must have been 40 years old!
All being made ready for the new term!
This is all in the south of England the "media studies I don't want to get my hands dirty" capital of the UK!
I'm quite surprised and pleased to be honest that a good hands on bit of learning can still be had.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

It's all very good having the gear, but unfortunately I've found most DT teachers I've come across couldn't be trusted to use them, and in many cases aren't trusted, teaching pointless lessons based more on graphic design and electrics than any form of fabrication. I hope this school is an exception

 

[Mee]

+1

 

[Rocketman]

Afraid I have got to agree with Tinasherdan what you get in schools are career teachers when what you would require for this is a engineer who has worked in industry and decided to change careers to teach.

Now that may sound possible but in all likelihood if you were any good you would not want to work in a school but instead in a college/university as a lecturer or assistant technician.