Trying to teach students how to program php without actually using a web development stack is a bit pointless. However, trying to simulate a webserver environment in a secondary school is fraught with difficulties caused by over enthusiastic filtering software. This presentation will demonstrate how I have taught basic php development using open source portable USB based webserver applications over the past three years and some of the difficulties I encountered along the way. If you teach IPT, ITS or have an interest in how programming is taught using these technologies you will find this presentation of interest. I will cover, installation, general settings, directory structures, common student pitfalls and give a demonstration of a basic dynamic web template using MySQL and Php.