Open Source Schools (OSS), the organisation funded by government ICT agency Becta, had its first public airing this week with its “Unconference” at the National College for School Leadership in Nottingham. It was a fitting venue.
The healthy turnout of primary and secondary teachers, ICT advisers, and those working in capital projects and national agencies showed a wide range of interest and potential. It signalled readiness for some ramped-up national leadership backing to start exerting some real influence on behalf of schools. At a time when market analysts forecast at least a 4 per cent cut in education funding, open source obviously has a lot to offer - some carefully monitored pilots at the very least.
