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Post by brianthemodeller on Aug 13, 2010 19:22:15 GMT
I have been approached by my daughter's primary school to set up and run a model club for their year 5/6 pupils.
I quite fancy giving it a go - James May eat your heart out - but could do with a bit of guidance from those who run similar things.
Mainly, what is the best way to get some free/cheap kits. Do I approach my local retailers or am I better going straight to Airfix/Revell?
What are the minimum tools they will need? I reckoned on a pair of nail scissors. sanding stick and glue. Can anybody think of anything else, bearing in mind I don't really want then playing with craft knives at this stage!
Any other help and tips greatfully received.
Brian
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ptcruiser
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Post by ptcruiser on Aug 13, 2010 19:54:32 GMT
Great stuff Brian First thing you're going to have to do is get your CRB for the school. I'm a school governor and we have to have them too. They haven't yet got round to the single check fits all yet. A couple of days before the end of the school term 'my' school ran a hobbies day and I volunteered to help with the "Construction Group". I took a good selection of the W&G builds as well as some colourful cars and gave a very brief talk to a mixed gender audience about what I did. I had a table and took a basic set of scalpel, Revell glue and sanding sticks and the kids each took a turn at identifying which pieces were required on the instructions, finding the pieces on the sprue, I cut them off (H&S prevailing) and the kids sanded and glued the bits together. Within 90 minutes we had a very respectable Airfix PRXIX Spit, albeit unpainted. I was pleasantly surprised! Second to that, a good number of them said that their dad's built models too. This really must be a closet hobby THE most important thing though is that they enjoyed it and it can't be better than that. All the best with your endeavours Brian, keep us posted. Rich
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Lonewolf
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Gods Country
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Post by Lonewolf on Aug 15, 2010 22:20:59 GMT
I'd drop it like a hot brick mate. No doubt you will have to do half a dozen various checks that you are actually qualified with the correct modules eg 'Use of the modelling knife without cutting your own head off' or 'how not to sand your nose off with a sanding stick' at Chargit and Run's testing centre (£1500 per module if the driver CPC is anything to go by).
Oh and then they need to know you're not a child molester like Rich says. Do a CRB check. I had to do two for 2 separate (but connected) organisations when I did a bit of taxiing, the funny thing was, only one of the two came up with the blemishes on my record lmao the other one didn't.
Its got too much these days mate. Even if you go through all that and one of your kids cuts a fingertip off with a scalpel thay'll still try and have you for millions.
I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole these days. Sorry but they have legislated themselves out of the market.
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dingo
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Post by dingo on Aug 16, 2010 23:15:01 GMT
I did the same thing at a scout troop back in the 70's and the guys there took it in turns to put together two 1/2th scale Datsun 240Z, the only incident to speak of was when an outsider came to the troop meeting one night to see if he wanted to join and stabbed another scout in the hand with my hobby knife, it wasn't anything serious BUT it did make up our minds about that boy joining (he didn't). The whole build session of around 3 months worked out to be great in the end and the car came up OK. Picture below. Both these cars where built by the scouts with my help and only one small incident Don't let my incident put you of doing the school project it is very rewarding see the kids complete their models believe me. Dingo
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Post by playtime on Sept 1, 2010 17:48:07 GMT
They haven't yet got round to the single check fits all yet. Cancelled by the con-dems. The last government screwed up by creating a database which supposedly did this but then devalued it by not issuing clear guidance: Q 'If we just use this new check will we be covered against legal action if someone turns out to be a perv?' A 'Er... dunno. Do a CRB check too to be on the safe-side?' QED - No bugger used the new system.
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modeller63
EC
Too many kits - not enough time
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Post by modeller63 on Sept 8, 2010 21:44:28 GMT
Recognising the interest in modelling, Airfix are offering a "starter pack" for school, and other youth groups. It's not free - I guess they have had quite a few such requests since the May effect - but is quite heavily discounted against the contents. Details are at www.airfix.com/project-airfix/
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Post by brianthemodeller on Sept 9, 2010 7:37:01 GMT
Yeah, I saw that over on Britmodeller. i have a meeting with the Headteacher this afternoon.
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Post by brianthemodeller on Sept 9, 2010 20:01:51 GMT
Well, the meeting went well and the "Westcliff Primary Airfix Club" has its first meeting on Friday 1 October!
The school will order a couple of sets from Airfix and has given me the OK to buy some cutters, sanding sticks etc. The Headteacher is OK with me taking photos of the builds so I will get some posted on here once we get started.
I can't wait! ;D
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2010 20:47:09 GMT
Well done Brian, keep us informed of the progress please.
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ptcruiser
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Post by ptcruiser on Sept 11, 2010 19:41:03 GMT
Great stuff Brian, well done! I'm still waiting to hear from my HT Rich
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dingo
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Post by dingo on Sept 12, 2010 21:21:07 GMT
That is great news at least commn sense has prevailed, not like here in Australia where they would have to think about it for 17&1/2 days then spend a 1/2 an hour explaining themselves why you can or can not have it.
Dingo
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Post by NoelSmith on Sept 14, 2010 17:13:23 GMT
I was working at a secondary school until I retired in Dec 2009. Just before leving I learnt that the last government had introduced a ruling that no adult was allowed access to walk around school premises unless accompanied at ALL times.The only exception to this was if the school visitor was CRB checked and could file their CRB disclosure reference number with the school reception upon entering the premises. Another thing they were supposed to be bringing in with regard to Adult Evening Classes was that the tutors would have to have City and Guilds certificates in delivering learning up to a certain level and have to produce lesson plans in their own time, unpaid. I can understand this for certificated courses, but having to attain C&G levels to run a leisure course like water colour painting or even model making is a bit of a joke. Some Whitehall mandarin has not thought this through obviously. I can forsee if this is activated evening course tutors will disappear in droves all over the country, where they can't be bothered with it all.
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Post by brianthemodeller on Sept 14, 2010 19:55:12 GMT
The shool is sorting out a CRB for me (to add to the list I already have) and I am qualified to teach up to A-level standard in Maths and Physics (although I don't and the school haven't asked for my qualifications).
I do not understand all the negativity about the CRB. I think it is a good idea that people who have regular contact with children and vunerable adults have their history checked and have no problem in getting checked out myself. If the system stops one child or vunerable adult being harmed then it is worth the hastle.
I also think there is a difference between running a model club for primary school kids and running adult evening classes - not the least of which is that you generally have to pay for evening classes so should expect a professional standard of tutor!
As an update, there are 20 kids interested (out of a possible 26 in Year 6) so we are looking at running two sessions a week. Oh, and Transport Models in Preston have agreed a 10% discount for all the club members!
Brian
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ptcruiser
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Post by ptcruiser on Sept 14, 2010 22:07:04 GMT
Excellent news Brian, great work.
Rich
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