“What better way to introduce our pupils to
the Industrial Revolution. This will bring history to life. It will introduce
them to the heritage of Saltaire; 1 of 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites in
Yorkshire”
I took Alan down the road from Seacroft, a
severely disadvantaged community but the school has a very strong community
development focus, to Thwaite Mills. A ¼ hour journey but it was like walking
into an oasis. The mill buildings in various states of maintenance but set in
massive grounds, contained on an island and access by bridge across the
navigation. Pupils were shown how the water wheels operate; the blacksmiths
forge which is still in use and the grounds that had evidence of conservation
and environmental work.
“What a fantastic resource”
And the project unfolds…
“This is such a unique event we should film
it”
The pupils at DYCA have different levels of
motivation, skills, interests and ability so they would perform different
aspects of the project.
Sapling
cutting – the Prince’s Trust and Duke of Edinburgh’s
programmes which are used for pupils who learn better by non–traditional
methods. The physical task of cutting back was mixed with a general clean of
rubbish of the towpath.
Lock setting – the Combined Cadet Corps. “They
are used to operating as a team, they will do whatever you ask them to do and
they can be relied upon to do it well”
Documenting
the event - Media students – “They have some really good kit. They can film the start of the
journey”
Film extras – Drama students – “They
will dress up in costume”
The pupils had to understand the importance
of what they were doing and Adrian from the Society gave them a lesson
explaining how they fitted in. Canal
Connections gave a days training to prepare the students in lock and bridge
operations. Rachel from Aire Action gave them an induction in Health and Safety
prior to carrying out the vegetation work.
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