Writhlington School

From Schoolforge-UK

My use of Linux at the moment is quite small but should increase quite a lot over the next year or two. Like Richard, my ambition at all the schools I work at is to eliminate, or at least drastically reduce, the dependence on proprietary software. For Writhlington this could be easier given that we currently run on a Novell network we will hopefully go down the NLD9 route. We also have 6 primary schools that we look after that have the same set-up so presumably they will move with us.

I am currently setting up 2 small networks within the school using LTSP. The first is for the SEN department as they need machines for students to do basic research and office type activities. This will consist of a small server and 4 clients. I am doing the same set-up for one science teacher who needs access to some computers for written work and some research.

In the 6th form I am running a business as part of the full AVCE (Applied September 2005). For this, we rent a Fedora managed server. The students manage Mambo CMS sites for customers such as companies and primaries. For unit 4 we are refurbishing old computers for local schools and students using Linux as the OS. All students use Knoppix at home and use OO on their windows machines. For Unit 23 (OCR) the students will connect to my own SuSE machine on the school network and use Webmin to understand network set-up. We will use LTSP for this unit as well. The students will set up the clients and get it all to work by using ping, ssh, webmin etc. Students also set-up and administer eGroupWare for clients.

I have a lottery community fund bid in to change an old pig farm on the school premises to a computer refurbishment centre. In line with the WEEE directive, we will refurbish old machines by installing Linux and sell or give them away to the local community. We will also offer support and training in Linux. Part of the building will be a 6th form classroom and will be a full Linux suite using fat clients or LTSP. Once students are up to speed we hope to make this a local Linux UG run by the students and myself. All of this ties in quite nicely with the Advanced or Applied Award.

[School Site http://www.wsbe.org.uk]