From the derby telegraph

STUDENTS INSULTED IN SAFETY TEST

09:30 - 14 May 2003
College officials have acted swiftly to withdraw a test paper after a Derby parent claimed it was insulting to students. Jackie Hill, from Meadow Lane, Chaddesden, was angry when her daughter, Daisy, showed her the health and safety test, which is part of the Open College Network course in photography at Derby College.

The test includes the name of a member of staff, known as Ricky Raffles Raccoon, at the bottom of the paper.

It was designed to assess what the students know about health and safety in photographic laboratories.

But Mrs Hill claims that the language used assumes that the students are stupid and talks down to them.

She said: "Young people of this age need to be shown some respect. To call their lives 'pitiful' and to suggest they are clumsy and congenitally stupid is a bit of a sweeping statement.

"Someone in a position of authority should be acting more professionally and responsibly. Young people have enough to cope with without someone being like this."

It is understood that after completion, the paper becomes part of the students' portfolio of work.

When the test paper was drawn to the attention of the college authorities, they agreed it was over the top and said it would be withdrawn immediately.

Derby College has an equal opportunities policy in place and says it always urges lecturers to be mindful of the impact of what they say or do on students.

A Derby College spokeswoman said the staff member concerned was trying to make a subject that students sometimes considered dull into an entertaining, light-hearted exercise. She said: "Health and safety is an important part of all curriculum areas and this test was generated to raise awareness.

"He has been employed by the college for a number of years, is well qualified in his subject area and renown for his enthusiasm for teaching.

"This is an unfortunate case and the member of staff is sorry for any offence caused to Mrs Hill and her daughter.

"The college acknowledges that the wording used for the test was not appropriate for its context and is withdrawing it.

"While all staff are trained on the correct methods to generate papers, Derby College will be reviewing procedures to ensure that this does not happen again and apologises to any learners who felt uncomfortable with the test."

The college declined to allow the Evening Telegraph to speak directly to Mr Raccoon. The Evening Telegraph attempted to speak to him last night, but he was not available.

After hearing that the paper would be withdrawn, Mrs Hill said she was satisfied that the matter had been dealt with, but concerned that it had happened in the first place.

She added: "This type of language may be all right for some people, but not for young sensitive individuals."

# Questions from the test

The photography area is full of hazards and risks. The clumsy and congenitally stupid are in constant danger of death or something far worse.

To help you avoid becoming a cadaver we, the photography staff, are ever vigilant - ready at a moment's notice to save your pitiful lives. We now want to assess how much our fine example of thoughtful and responsible behaviour has seeped into your addled minds.

So here it is, the legendary health and safety test.

1/ Electricity and water are: a] Good together [ ]

b] Dangerous together [ ]

c] Two albums by OMD [ ]

6/ Tommy Foolery wanders around the darkroom holding a sopping

wet print, water dripping all over the floor. He places the print by

the enlarger on the digital timer, wipes his hands on a chemical

stained paper towel, tosses the towel onto the floor and licks a cut

on his finger.

On a scale of one to 10, how stupid is this boy?