| Description | Tracks 1-13:
Tracks 1-6 are recordings made on 20 September 1974 at Alumwell School, Walsall. The head teacher, Mr Hughes is interviewed, with contributions from Ken Wood, the head caretaker. Track 7 is silent. Tracks 8-13 are recordings made in Redditch on 23 September 1977. Phil Belcher and Arthur Pullen are interviewed by Charles Parker in Arthur's house. Phil is a grounds maintenance worker for Redditch Development Corporation. Arthur is the caretaker of Saint Lukes's Church of England First School, Headless Cross, Redditch. Both are NUPE officials and members of Redditch Anti-cuts Campaign.
Mr Hughes comments on the merits of community schools and sixth form colleges. He also remarks on the high standards of A Level qualifications. (Track 1). The ethnic, cultural and religious composition of Alumwell School is discussed (Tracks 1 - 3). Mr Hughes refers to a favourable report that the Imam of Lagos has received about Alumwell School, from the Muslims' Guide to Britain (track 1). The school's approach to sensible dress codes acceptable across communities is described and reference is made to the Alumwell Punjabi Society, and to steps to accommodate Urdu speakers (Track 2). Positive attitudes to study, work and play of Asian and West Indian children and adults is noted (Track 3).
Arrangements for controlling and participating in the management of the school and centre are outlined (Track 3). The roles of the community council and the Board of Governors are considered and reference is made to youth representation on the community council.
Ken Wood joins Mr Hughes in discussing the success of Alumwell both in sporting prowess but also in forging a common sense of purpose in a new school (Tracks 4 -5). The sporting achievements of both school and community centre are identified.
Mr Hughes identifies some practical weaknesses encountered at Alumwell. Constraints of the school's open plan design are noted, his frustration with having to answer to five separate sub-committees of Walsall Council are discussed and suggestions for a different method of determining staffing levels are made (Tracks 5 - 6).
Tracks 8-13 provide an insight to the pattern of public authorities in Redditch, anomalies in service provision between agencies and the impact of public sector cutbacks.
Phil Belcher describes the relationship between Redditch Borough Council, Redditch Development Corporation and the New Towns Commission (Tracks 8 - 10). The consequences of separate funding regimes is illustrated by landscape maintenance activities in the Greenlands and Lodge Park housing estates (Tracks 9 - 10).
Arthur Pullen outlines his personal background (Track 9) and describes his experiences of caretaking and of being an employee of Hereford and Worcester County Council (Tracks 10 - 13). Examples of waste and inefficiency are provided.
Total: 00:37:05 minutes
Dubber's reference number: PLA KF534B0280780 |