Issue 17 | Spring 2003

Kirkby CLC

Whiston and Prescot CLC

Huyton CLC

A Vision for the Future

City Learning Centres are one of the key elements of the Government’s Excellence in Cities (EiC) programme. The purpose behind EiC is to bring additional resources to urban areas in a way that increases the diversity of provision.

Key to this are the school-based City Learning Centres. CLCs are designed to provide state-of-the-art ICT-based learning opportunities for pupils at both the host school and a network of surrounding schools. These facilities will also be available to the wider community.

The government hopes that the CLCs will enhance learning across the curriculum by providing courses and opportunities for pupils, as well as acting as a test bed for innovative and new ways of teaching and learning.

There are currently over 80 CLCs open across the country, with a further 20 planned to be open by spring 2004.

Huyton Today has been following the progress of the building and development of the Huyton CLC, based at Knowsley Hey School. Recently our reporters visited all three Knowsley CLCs and spoke to Gary Clawson, Knowsley’s ICT Manager.

Picture: Huyton Today reporters check out the touch-screen monitors in the Kirkby CLC’s Space Bar

Kirkby CLC

Based at Brookfield School, Kirkby City Learning Centre is a centre of excellence in the use of ICT, sport and healthy living.

The centre has several different activity areas, each with its own speciality.

Space Bar and e-World – combines a variety of PC and furniture styles including touch-screen monitors and Special Educational Needs equipment.

PC Planet and Information Station – includes an interactive whiteboard and video conferencing facilities.

The Megabyte and Little Bytes – situated on the first floor these two areas offer a variety of interactive experiences, including a floor-based midi keyboard music and lighting system and weather station.

The Little Bytes area includes a remote control car, turtle, data logging equipment, sound morpher and Intel microscope – all designed to keep learners happy for hours.

At the heart of the CLC is the new Performance Centre and Digital Studio. This is a joint project between Brookfield High School and the CLC consisting of static video cameras, a ceiling mounted projector and screen. During lessons teachers can monitor performance of students using specialist software. A planned joint project between the school, CLC and John Moores University will see elements of lessons streamed across the broadband, including commentary, via a video conference link to showcase good practice.

For more information at the centre and adult learning courses, phone 0151 477 8500 or visit www.kirkbyclc.org.uk.

Pictured (above): the new CLC building (right) Pupils at work

Whiston and Prescot CLC

Based at Higherside School in Prescot, the Whiston and Prescot CLC provides state-of-the-art ICT facilities aimed at enhancing learning across the whole school curriculum. The centre has several ICT suites, all of which are available for use by partner schools and the community.

Adult Education plays a large part in the CLC’s plans. A wide range of day and evening computer courses are available Monday-Saturday. The CLC also acts as a centre for teacher training and its facilities, including electronic whiteboards and video editing, are available for hire.

The centre’s team of Web Developers have been working closely with the partner schools and Knowsley MBC to develop a range of digital learning resources.

For more information contact the Whiston and Prescot CLC on 0151 447 8040 or visit the website at: www.wpclc.org.uk.

Pictured right: Pupils from Mosscroft Primary enjoy facilities at the Huyton CLC

Huyton CLC

At the time of writing, installation of the Huyton CLC’s new TV studio was nearing completion. Once completed, this facility will provide students and the community with unique access to some of the most exciting video technology.

The centre’s first-floor resource area is already in use by local schools. Pupils from St Thomas Becket’s RC High School are currently working with teachers to evaluate new Key Stage 3 learning resources.

See also: Issue 16 | Issue 14

Pictured: Gary Clawson and Huyton Today reporters Leah and Nicola inside the Huyton CLCs new TV studio control room

A vision of the future

Gary Clawson, ICT Manager for Knowsley’s Education and Lifelong Learning Department, is very enthusiastic about the City Learning Centre programme and boasts that Knowsley is the only borough in the country to have three.

“The CLC provides people with new ways of learning. It is hoped that a more interactive approach will make information more accessible and more people will actually want to learn.”

Gary has been instrumental in setting up Knowsley’s three CLCs which he sees as an integral part of the borough’s plans to make digital learning a reality.

It is thought that, as a direct result of CLC, the raising of attainment levels of children has been increased in the Whiston and Prescot area. Moreover, the facilities are considered more advanced than those of Higher Education colleges. This will undoubtedly have an effect on the training received and attract more trainee teachers to the area. In fact, the Whiston and Prescot CLC has already been selected as the base for the North West Advanced Skills Teachers Programme.

The Huyton based CLC is the only one of its kind to have a virtual studio. Students will experience advanced digital technology to make the learning experience more enjoyable and authentic.

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