News

Wireless turns school into UK technology college, but ...

The "learn anywhere" school is here: Winchester-based Henry Beaufort School has gained specialist school status and become a designated technology college thanks, to the implementation of its wireless solutions.

First the good news, and then, the other side of the coin. "The centrepiece of Henry Beaufort's transformation into a designated technology college is the implementation of a wireless network that will encompass the seven local feeder schools and provide future students access to a virtual library, encyclopaedia, resource materials, school prospectus and information."

Unbiased assessment - no; it's the opinion of the company which installed the network - Enterasys. However, unbiased or not, it's an impressive project they've implemented.

You get the normal educational platitudes of course: "We are entering a new era of education," said Headmaster Mr de Sausmarez. "The key skill that we now focus on teaching is giving students the communication skills to succeed. Increasingly, learning is not just about acquiring knowledge, but how you communicate it and ICT has a key role to play in this area" - which is probably true! - but doesn't actually say much.

Probably more informative, is this: "The wireless network is similar to the idea of a modern shopping centre in that it provides access to a wealth of different information stores that pupils can explore at their leisure," said the head. "Enterasys has provided teachers with a new dimension to teaching. They are no longer tied to their classrooms, but can go to where the pupils are to teach them, even if that is outdoors or off campus."

Plug for Enterasys: "We share the school's vision of where education will be in the future and are thrilled to be involved in their progression towards specialist schools status," commented Andy Foster, Enterasys Vice President of UK and Ireland. "Through secure wireless technology the entire community can benefit from anytime, anywhere learning." Well, it's the sort of thing you can say in your own press release ... so he did.