Richard Collisson

Communication Teacher and ICT Co-ordinator, Richard Cloudesley School

"I qualified as a teacher in 1972 and started my career in the depths of rural Warwickshire in a primary school. I have a number of posts in both rural and inner-city schools in London. I have also had a spell in 1981-2 with VSO when I was Head of English in a Nigerian Teachers' Training College.

I started teaching in Special Schools in 1989 and have had my present post in Richard Cloudesley School since 1992. I am the Communications Teacher and have responsibility for providing alternative access systems to technology by using switches and supportive software. I work very closely with my health authority colleagues in developing a multi-professional apporach in these assessments. I work right across the age range from Early Years to the School Leavers. I am also the ICT co-ordinator for the school.

I have been working with computers in schools since 1983 when I was working for the Language Resource Centre in Walthamstow. I recall taking in my own BBC A and a cassette version of 'Granny's Garden'. The Head recluctantly agreed that I should use the large TV as a monitor and my small group of six students quickly grew as two classes hovered around me.

I strongly support the move toward Inclusion and believe that ICT can help to break down many of the barriers that are currently preventing our students from becoming more involved in their local neighbourhood schools. I was asked by Islington's SEN adviser to run an ICT workshop at a Borough-wide conference, 'Moving Towards Inclusion'. I have also worked with the Learning Support Service teachers to introduce them to ways in which ICT can ehance the educational experience of the students they are supporting."

Training providers

This ICTS website is maintained by Inclusive Technology.