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10 June 2010 Edu-zone Information and Resource Bulletin
The new UK Government took office just under a month ago on 11 May, Michael Gove has already written to Ed Balls to outline what spending decisions he has taken since becoming Secretary of State. A copy of that letter and the details is on the following link>>
What helps or hinders professionals from making the best judgments and interventions to protect a vulnerable child? - Reform frontline social work practice. Today Michael Gove has written to Professor Eileen Munro to invite her to conduct an independent review of children’s social work and frontline child protection practice.More>>
The Government this week lifted restrictions that stopped state schools offering iGCSE qualifications in key subjects. It has also announced its intention to include iGCSE results in school performance tables as soon as possible.
The announcement means that from September, state-funded schools will be free to teach a wide range of these respected and valued qualifications, putting them on a level playing field with independent schools who have offered them for some time.
Along with these recent significant qualifications announcements, ministers also confirmed that they will not proceed with the last Government’s proposed new primary curriculum, which was based on a review led by Sir Jim Rose. The new curriculum was due to be taught in schools from September 2011.
At the Edu-zone Bulletin we have updated all the information that is now available plus we will continue to cover the education news as it is released from the newly named government department - Department for Education.
The full list of ministerial appointments has now been confirmed at the Department for Education.
The Government have announced a package of public sector savings which includes the planned closure of Becta.
Graham Badman, Chairman and Stephen Crowne, Chief Executive of Becta responded:
“Naturally we are very disappointed at the Government’s decision. Becta is a very effective organisation with an international reputation, delivering valuable services to schools, colleges and children. Our procurement arrangements save the schools and colleges many times more than Becta costs to run. Our Home Access programme will give laptops and broadband to over 200,000 of the poorest children.
A new Parental Communication Tool has been launched by Edu-Post - School Mail Manager as a low cost alternative that can help schools save time and money on stationery and the unreliable pupil post! It can also be used as an first day contact alert for truancy...Details Here>>
Education Support Professionals recently launched to service the MIS, Finance and ICT functions across the school community. Now that your LA may be cutting back on their support, perhaps it's time to go direct and save budget. Details Here>>
BBC Education News Headlines Link>>
Free Resources - Have you seen the New TES Resources Pages?
TES iboard materials are highly visual, open-ended, interactive resources. They are powerful teaching tools that can be used on any interactive whiteboard. They are also simple enough for a child to use independently or with support from a teaching assistant. The activities currently cover KS1 objectives but are also popular with Special Needs teachers. All the resources are designed around curriculum objectives but avoid, wherever possible, closed questions. They are stimuli for learning conversations rather than digital worksheets. This allows the user (teacher or pupil) the space to experiment, make decisions, play, create and control! If you have any queries or comments about the use of TES iboard activities, contact
info@iboard.co.uk
Latest NEWS
The Full DfE Information Summary to the right for the last 28 days brought to you by edu-zone.co.uk>>
The TES link - 2951 resources added in the past month and the other popular organisations and information providers are in the top left column. Below left are the supplier links of the week. Proving very popular we have found more free resource sites for you to look at and some recommendation too.
Use the links on the left to look at class and school resource and below are some highlights of resource which have recently come to our attention - Feel free to
email us if you have information which you would like to share with the education community through this regular bulletin.
Have you been able to maximise the potential of your VLE?
The Learning Platform Training Sessions
think..Virtual Learning
Monday 5th July 2010
The Think Tank, Birmingham
Has it been difficult to get Staff on board?
Would you like to see a VLE which is extensively used by Staff, Students, Parents and the wider Community?
The think … Virtual Learning training course offers you an opportunity to take an extensive tour of a Secondary VLE that is visited by more than 1000 people every day who access an average of 12,000 pages of information and to
take away all of the schools development and implementation planning.
All VLE implementation documents and a copy of the training course are provided in digital format on the day.
"Genuinely inspirational - this is my initial aim; to make our VLE really work for our school'. 19th June 2009
'A fantastic day - just the best £190 I have ever spent from the school's budget. Incredibly useful and inspiring'. 19th June 2009
Delegate Rate - £149.00 + VAT
(includes all VLE implementation planning)
Click Here to Register for this course
Taking the cash off campus
sQuid is a smarter way to manage payments
sQuid is a new ePayment solution that enables fast, secure payments between parents and your school, combined with a great user experience.
Use sQuid in your school for…
• Online payments for school trips and more
• Cashless catering
• Printing
• Photocopying
Why you benefit
• Reduced administration costs
• Fully auditable payments
• Automated weekly settlement into your bank account(s)
• 100% secure (FSA regulated)
To receive a FREE no obligation, information pack
Please call us on 020 8339 2111
Contact us online squidcard.com/education
Email us on education@squidcard.com
The Dual Purpose Desking Solution
Folio Desks are a market leading designer and maker of the Compu-Desk hideaway computer desk system and a range of bespoke bookshelves and furniture for libraries.
Working across the UK our specialist team of joiners creates educational environment furniture that is exceptional in every way; from our unique fold-away-PC Compu-Desks to bespoke designed and crafted bookshelves that can turn any wasted space into an attractive and functional one.
Compu Desk won't let the computers take over your classroom!
Pull out the top panel, push the silver pad and a standard teaching room becomes a fully equipped computer room and back again in seconds; meet the space saving, dual purpose, bespoke made, high security, fold away computer desk that is leading the market.
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Call 01865 820322 or email paul@folio.co.uk to request a brochure or more information.
Popup Display and Exhibition Equipment
The School Prospectus Company specialise in supplying pop up stands and related exhibition equipment including banner / rollup displays. Supplied direct from our works and offering the most competitive prices.
We also maintain the highest quality standards which are supported with a 5 year warranty! The School Prospectus Company supply everything you need to begin exhibiting, and we offer the following benefits:
* High quality hardware backed by a 5 year warranty
* Full colour printed graphics included
* No hidden charges
* Fast turnaround (10 working days for banners, popup stands & kits or less)
* LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEED!
* Graphic Design service
Budget Banner stands for Open Day Reception and Subject Zones, from your artwork start at £99.00 or with our design service £135.00. Our standard quality banner stands start at £135.00 or we can upgrade your graphics for just £65.00 per panel.
View the portfolio
GETTING THE MESSAGE HOME - Reliable parental communication
EduPost - School Mail Manager is a low cost email based parental communication tool for schools.
The need be greener, save money on paper communications, copying and not rely on hap-hazard pupil post has prompted Education Marketing experts to launch EduPost - an HTML email communication service.
The email system seamlessly delivers communications to parental email contact lists in seconds. Schools can group their recipients into many combinations based on year groups, sports teams, examination groups and the like and the system does not allow attachments which are the main cause of computer viruses, but instead has direct links to other web information sources such as the school web pages or school document PDF downloads.
EduPost can also monitor which recipients have opened the email to check if the 'Message has got home' and any click-throughs to further information that may been placed on the school website.
The parental recipient receives a template based communication exactly as if the Headteacher had prepared it on the school's headed stationery. The advantage with email like this is that it can carry links to specific web pages or safe downloads on the school website which might carry additional or support information.
Harry French, Deputy Head at Attleborough Secondary in Norfolk is one of the first schools to take up the service, "We wanted an email only system that is easy to use and can be operated from remote locations via the internet. This gives us the ability to deliver important communications or updates to parents, staff and pupil groups whatever the location or circumstances," comments Mr French.
He went on to say "This gives us greater control over all aspects of pastoral care and can be use to help fight truancy if needed, alleviating the need for expensive SMS text services to meet our first day contact as well as saving the school thousands of pounds a year in copying and stationery."
EduPost uses a purpose built email platform that allows schools to send dedicated email via a web interface using their unique letterhead template and manage their recipient lists in any configuration they want.
There are currently a mixture of combined messaging systems that are funded from expensive SMS text messaging or software licenses and only send text based email, but EduPost is a very low cost subscription based on the number of pupils that delivers HTML email that can be tracked for openings and click-throughs as well as forwards and bounced addresses.
For more information Contact: info@edupost.co.uk
Click here to send this email to a colleague
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Computer Aid ships a further 450 computers to Stella Maris Polytechnic in Liberia
Computer Aid International is today shipping a further 450 computers and monitors to Stella Maris Polytechnic in Liberia bringing the total amount provided to almost 700. Stella Maris Polytechnic is the main distribution partner of Computer Aid in Liberia, they make sure that computers are provided with appropriate technical support in place.
The computers are distributed for use in education, health and development projects across Liberia.
Early Vision - Role Play Resources
Make your role-play area exciting and let the children help you because we show them how!
Our DVD films are designed to 'bring the real world into your setting'. They show children what people do in real situations, so that children then feel inspired in their role-play.
Our resources are ideal for Early Years and Primary and are currently being used to support role-play in thousands of nurseries and schools all over the country and abroad.
Don't forget to join in with national Water Saving Week: there's so many ways you and your little ones can get involved!
Education Suport Professionals
ESP combines a strong knowledge of the
recruitment process, both temporary (contract and Interim) and
permanent, coupled with a decade of experience within the UK education
sector.
ESPs strength comes from a mixture of experience, dedication,
openness, honesty, fairness, best practice and an extensive network of
experienced candidates and industry contacts.
Announcement
New Consult service available for MIS management staff, Senior Leadership
and Office Managers. An MIS Audit service available for SIMS and CMIS
school.
More details>>
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