SAFETY CERTIFICATES Pounds 4 ENHANCING DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY THROUGH THE USE OF IT Pounds 7.50 National Association of Advisers and Inspectors in Design and Technology. From DATA 16 Wellesbourne House Walton Road Wellesbourne Warwickshire CV35 9JB.

This series of publications provides a wealth of advice and information for teachers and managers of design and technology in schools.

The development plan checklist could be a valuable tool for anyone preparing for inspection, but could also stimulate discussion in school and enhance review procedures. It allows the manager to identify priorities for action and provides models for planning documents.

The two booklets on managing health and safety in school workshops and in food and textiles in schools, prepared in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive, are intended as resources for governors, headteachers and managers. They indicate the health and safety issues for policy makers (for example, legislation, responsibilities within a faculty area, deployment of resources, documentation and monitoring) and stress the implications for governors and managers. They provide references for more accurate interpretation of the law, and guidance on monitoring and assessing the key factors affecting health and safety at work, such as class size, pupil ability, session length, support staff and so on.

Both booklets refer closely to the national curriculum and cover areas such as design and provision of work spaces; safe practices within the area and maintenance of equipment.

The safety training course booklet replaces three earlier booklets published in 1978. It draws attention to new legislation and offers a syllabus for courses which meet the national minimum standard of safety training for teachers using school machinery and equipment.

Those with responsibility for health and safety will find helpful guidelines on the training needs of technology staff, including safety precautions; operating and maintenance procedures; settings and fault recognition. Safety certificates are available for staff who have fulfilled the requirements of the course.

Some exciting ideas are presented in Enhancing Design and Technology through the Use of IT, which examines the use of IT in seven high schools, including one special school. They use familiar tools such as desk-top publishing and modelling, but also use their own applications, including photographing screen images to make jigsaws.

Each case study gives information on development and approaches to IT, resources and accommodation, management of learning, curriculum and project applications, and future developments. Some of the schools seem to be remarkably well-equipped. The selection of equipment and the merits of using industry standard resources and software are discussed. These booklets, produced by experts in the field, provide knowledge and support to individuals and schools at the chalkface.

Sue Rhodes is teacher of technology and head of creative faculty at Weston Road High School, Stafford