Our aim is to provide three CD ROM's for distribution without charge. Every CD has video clips of real pupils in real schools, going about their business in a normal day where a boy, who actually does stammer, meets with the typical school situations. We have been very lucky to get access to real schools and children who actually do stammer, and the authenticity of the video clips will really make the points that we want teachers to receive. So far the filming for the schools has been done, and I plan to film for the GCSE in March. On that point, I have just received an email from a Year 11 boy whom I advised about oral work and, in following that advice, so he tells me he received an A grade. I am certain that even pupils with quite a severe stammer can help themselves to do better in oral work and this CD ROM will give them ready access to that information.

The first two are intended to show good practice by all staff in the support of pupils who stammer in primary and secondary schools. The third will demonstrate for pupils approaching the GCSE in English the requirements of the oral work, and how best to work to achieve the grade of which they are capable. Each CD will have accompanying explanatory literature. Every school will receive a free copy of the relevant CD, and every Health Trust a copy of the GCSE CD to use with the students, with whom the therapists are working.

The films have been seen by a number of teachers, all of whom have been pleased by the real school ambience: their reaction has justified our decision not to use actors working to a script but to achieve authenticity by filming in a classroom, and allowing teachers and the boy who stammers to talk about their attitudes and feelings. The CD's for staff will also provide research references, so that an interested teacher can find out more about stammering.

I think the real value of the CD's is that a busy teacher can find a section in which they are interested, such as reading aloud, and quickly note what good practice is. I have deliberately included a section on the "whole school staff" so that all the office, care-taking, dining room and other support staff will be able to understand that they need to be alert to stammering and give support. Nowadays, every member of staff in schools and most pupils have access to a computer, either at home or in school. This is the way forward for providing training in a cost effective and user-friendly fashion.

My other work of visiting schools at the request of parents or teachers is quite demanding. Now the profile of stammering is raised both by BSA efforts and recent media events such as the involvement of Gareth Gates on Pop Idol, more people want to learn about it. Additionally, I still do some training for staff, in employment or training to work in schools, and have recently received an invitation for a new venture, talking to more than one hundred 9-10 year olds about stammering. This opens up new possibilities for the British Stammering Association to provide material directly for children. Perhaps for another day!

From the Winter/Spring 2002 edition of Speaking Out

For more recent information on the CD-ROMs, see our BSA Education Officer page.