The Integrated Design Department in Action - The interaction of art, craft, woodwork, needlework, and home economics in an open unit at Kaskenmoor School

Abstract

The word 'integration' is often used to describe situations where various practical activities take place in close proximity, but it means far more than mutual assistance and co-operation. Kaskenmoor has a purpose built, integrated craft area which has snecialist facilities for all types of practical activity. With team teaching. and the omission of traditional subject names a starthas been made on the road to integration.

Organisation

The school was formed in 1966 by the amalgamation of an existing Grammar and Secondary Modern School and the craft area was completed in 1967 and designed originally to cater for the 180 comprehensive annual intake. Twelve members of staff teach full time within the area. Each broad aspect of work has a responsible teacher - art and light craft; wood, metal and drawing; needlework and home economics; in general, each area has a compliment of four members of staff. As can be seen from the accompanying plan, the specialist areas are arranged around an open quadrangle. These areas are all connected, often by swing doors so although there is not a completely open planned area, many groups can work together in larger areas. Subsequently we removed some of these doors and indeed would now move others were it not forbidden by fire regulations. The central working area has many different types of benches which enable wood and metal to be worked as well as other materials such as stone, clay and polystyrene. Circulation space is also work space and displays, demonstrations and films can be held in various places. The terminology of the areas shows simply the facilities which are available in that area for handling a particular material and the specialist teacher, who is always available, is based in that area. He is responsible for the general organisation of that particular area even though it may be used by as many as five or six colleagues with different groups of children during the course of one week.