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6 September 2010 Edu-zone Information and Resource Bulletin
The new academic year is under way which should see further amendments to the Primary and Secondary education policy under Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education and further proposed trimming to local authorities support services - which will probably give schools more say in their purchasing decisions. Already a new stream of Acadamies opened their doors on September 1st. Full list here. All the details of what has been happening whilst we have been on the summer break are in the column on the right.
Edu-zone have introduced a new regular feature - The National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) will be providing up-to-date comment and guidance on education policy as it developes. You can follow NAPE through this bulletin or from their own website at http://www.nape.org.uk
Dame Clare Tickell launched a call for evidence to inform her independent review of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) earlier this month. Announced on 6 July 2010, the EYFS review is looking at how best to protect young children's safety and welfare and support their development and learning. The call for evidence runs from 2 August to 30 September 2010 and can be accessed on the Department's consultations website. She hopes those with a passion for Early Years education take the opportunity to respond to this call for evidence. "I want to hear from parents, professionals, carers and other Early Years experts about their experiences and views on the EYFS." Dame Clare said. So if you want to comment use the following link to the DfE consultations site.
Michael Gove, announced on the 6th August the go-ahead for a series of new school projects. 33 local authority 'sample' school projects in 14 council regions will now proceed in Barking and Dagenham, Blackpool, Camden, Derby City, Ealing, Halton, Hartlepool, Hertfordshire, Lambeth,,Oldham,Poole, Somerset, St Helens and Wandsworth. Another 119 academies ' schools being given new sponsors to raise attainment for the most disadvantaged ' are also intended to go ahead. Ministers have been working with sponsors to ensure they can move forward with their academies, each designed to raise standards in areas of particular need. The 44 academies at the most advanced stage in their capital planning with Partnerships for Schools will receive capital now. Capital allocations for the remaining 75 will be decided in the Spending Review. Sponsors of these academies will be working with the Department to reduce costs over the next few months. To view a list of the schools whose projects are going ahead is available to download Here>>
The previous Government accepted recommendations put forward by Sir Jim Rose to implement a new primary curriculum from September 2011. Ministers announced on 7 June 2010 that the Government does not intend to proceed with the new primary curriculum.
• When will the next steps be announced?
• What will the new curriculum look like?
• What happens in the meantime?
• Will primary schools still be getting an additional training day in 2010/11?
• Why have you sent out handbooks?
• Will schools be reimbursed for any costs they have incurred?
• Will this also mean the end of Key Stage 2 tests?
The Government intends to return the National Curriculum to its intended purpose ' a minimum national entitlement organised around subject disciplines ' and will shortly announce its next steps.
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
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Weeks after Academies Act passed, 142 schools to convert to academy status
Gove: ‘More great heads and teachers controlling schools will bring better behaviour and teaching to thousands more children.’ (01 September 2010)
Call for local authorities to reduce barriers for foster carers
Children’s minister urges LAs to curb excessive restrictions on issues like haircuts, sleepovers and family holidays for foster children. (27 August 2010)
Schools Minister congratulates students on their GCSE and Diploma resultsSchools Minister Nick Gibb congratulates students on their GCSE and Diploma results and emphasised the Coalition Government's commitment to closing the attainment gap. (24 August 2010)
Pupil absence statistics for spring term 2010
The pupil absence statistics for the spring term 2010 are published and Nick Gibb emphasises the Government's commitment to tackling the causes of absenteeism. (26 August 2010)
Schools Minister congratulates teachers and pupils on their hard work in Key Stage 1
Nick Gibb congratulates thousands of primary school children, teachers and support staff on their hard work at Key Stage 1 and stressed the importance of a good primary education. (26 August 2010)
Schools Minister congratulates students on their GCSE and Diploma resultsSchools Minister Nick Gibb congratulates students on their GCSE and Diploma results and emphasised the Coalition Government's commitment to closing the attainment gap. (24 August 2010)
Schools Minister congratulates students on their A and AS Levels and Advanced Diploma results
Nick Gibb congratulated students on their A Level, AS Level and Advanced Diploma results and praised the hard work of schools and colleges. (19 August 2010)
Key Stage 2 science sample test results published
Results of Key Stage 2 attainment test in science from sample schools published. (10 August 2010)
Gove: BSF sample projects get go-ahead and further confirmation given to academies
33 sample schools and 44 academy projects receive go-ahead for building plans. (6 August 2010)
Government welcomes the Premier League's comments on Free Schools
The Chief Executive of the Premier League, Richard Scudamore, can envisage the day when there is a Premier League school for elite athletes. (4 August 2010)
Key Stage 2 results
Schools Minister Nick Gibb congratulates pupils on their work as results for provisional Key Stage 2 test results are published. (3 August 2010)
Call for evidence for EYFS ReviewDame Clare Tickell launches a call for evidence to inform the independent review of the Early Years Foundation Stage, with a link to the online consultation. (2 August 2010)
DfE response to public comments on the coalition agreement on schools
A statement from the Department in response to public comments regarding academies, free schools, faith schools and the curriculum. (30 July 2010)
DfE response to public comments on the coalition agreement on families and children
A statement from the Department in response to public comments regarding the family justice system, Sure Start, childcare provision and the tax-benefit system. (30 July 2010)
Response to permanent and fixed period exclusions from schools and exclusion appeals in England 2008 - 09 statistics
Nick Gibb expresses concern over exclusion from schools statistics and speaks of the measures the Government is taking to address poor behaviour in schools (29 July 2010)
Statement from Children's Minister Tim Loughton on NAO report on Cafcas
Tim Loughton responds to the National Audit Office (NAO) report on support provided by Cafcass for children in the family court system. (28 July 2010)
Early intervention: Key to giving disadvantaged children the opportunities they deserve
Iain Duncan Smith and Sarah Teather announce an independent commission into early intervention. (28 July 2010)
Statement from Michael Gove about the publication of the full Serious Case Review into the death of Khyra Ishaq
Michael Gove welcomes the publication of the SCR, confirms the right to home education and the need to learn from this tragic case (27 July 2010)
Government response to report on young people not in education, employment or training
Government response to the Children, Schools and Families Committee's NEET report, and the Committee's original report, as downloads. (26 July 2010)
Launch of National Citizen Service
Tim Loughton welcomes the Prime Minister's launch of the National Citizen Service pilots for young people (22 July 2010).
John Hayes appointed to joint role
New minister to work with DfE and BIS (22 July 2010).
Written Ministerial Statement: Decommissioning ContactPoint
Ministers confirm arrangements for the closure and decommissioning of ContactPoint (22 July 2010).
Reform of children's trusts
Government to remove bureaucracy surrounding children's trusts (22 July 2010)
Government cuts more red tape to simplify college funding
LAs to be free to focus on strategic 16-19 role; need for sub-regional and regional planning groups scrapped. (20 July 2010)
Statement from Schools Minister Nick Gibb on Ofqual's monitoring report of the 2009 Key Stage 2 tests
Nick Gibb welcomes Ofqual's report on KS2 tests and confirms Government commitment to review National Curriculum tests. (19 July 2010)
Michael Gove invites the public to hold the DfE to account
Ministers today published the Department for Education's (DfE) key policy commitments and invited the public to hold them to account on delivery. (13 July 2010)
Michael Gove moves to cap excessive pay
Gove: No headteacher to earn more than the prime minister. (13 July 2010)
Written Ministerial Statement ' Independent Review of the Children's Commissioner for England
Michael Gove's statement concerning Dr John Dunford OBE carrying out a review of the Children's Commissioner for England. (12 July 2010)
Next steps on special educational needs and disabilities
Teather: 'We want to make sure that the most vulnerable children get the best quality of support and care.' (07 July 2010)
Gibb: 'It's time to free-up teachers so they can maintain good behaviour
Government to remove ban on same-day detentions and to give heads and school staff greater search powers amongst other measures. (07 July 2010)
Review of Early Years Foundation Stage
Children's Minister calls for review of EYFS to ensure less bureaucracy and a greater focus on young children's learning and development. (06 July 2010)
Key Stage 2 test results released
QCDA releases Key Stage 2 test results to schools that administered the tests. (06 July 2010)
Overhaul of England's school building programme
Education Secretary sets out complete overhaul of capital investment in England's schools. (05 July 2010 (Updated 12 July 2010))
Department for Education addresses '1bn of unrealistic inherited spending commitmentsEnd Year Flexibility Q&A includes: how the '1bn reduction will be made, why this is being done and what programmes will be affected. (05 July 2010)
Statement on cost of Department's new brand
Brand, website and signage details. (06 July 2010)
Secretary of State's response to the resignation of Kathleen Tattersall
Letter from Michael Gove following the resignation of Kathleen Tattersall, Chair and Chief Regulator of Ofqual. (02 July 2010)
Family justice ' your views on its future
Family Justice Review Panel seeks views on how to make the family justice system work better. (02 July 2010)
Clegg launches Your Freedom website
New website gives public the opportunity to fight pointless regulation and unnecessary bureaucracy. (02 July 2010)
Munro Review of child protection ' call for evidence
Review of social work sees launch of call for evidence which aims to find examples of good practice and how they were made possible. (01 July 2010)
Nick Gibb sets out his vision for schools
Speech to Reform think tank highlights need for a curriculum focused on core knowledge and content and a reduction in bureaucracy. (01 July 2010)
Secretary of State invites unions to become members of the new Education Partnership
Gove: 'It is my own strong wish to establish, as soon as possible, a mutually beneficial, constructive and structured dialogue with key organisations'. (02 July 2010)
Response to DEMOS report on children in care
Children's Minister Tim Loughton: 'the system must work better so that their life chances and education do not suffer'. (28 June 2010)
Government publishes lists of schools interested in becoming academies
Lord Hill: 'I am delighted that so many schools have expressed an interest, and that over 900 outstanding schools are interested in becoming academies'. (25 June 2010)
No money from free school meals being used to fund new Free Schools
The Secretary of State has made clear that initial capital to fund Free Schools will come from low-priority IT projects, and not from the free school meals programme. (25 June 2010)
Written Ministerial Statement on Education Spending
Two-year pay freeze for all public sector workforces from 2011-12 but teachers' pay uplift will be implemented from September 2010.
Michael Gove outlines process for setting up Free Schools
Commitment to make it easier to secure sites; funding for new schools; New Schools Network to be first point of contact for groups. (18 June 2010)
Gove to the National College: 'We have to make opportunity more equal'
Education Secretary's first speech to the National College sees him call for greater freedoms for heads and schools, improved teaching and a curriculum that compares with the best. (17 June 2010)
Current position on home education and SEN funding
The Department has clarified the existing funding arrangements for home education and the provision of additional support, including college fees and GCSE courses. (17 June 2010)
Response to Ofsted's inspection judgements 2009/10 for maintained schools: autumn and spring term
Schools minister calls for the creation of excellent schools and reform of the inspection regime. (16 June 2010)
Edu-zone Bulletin is compiled from published internet resources and edited by Edu-zone.co.uk
Edu-zone is an independent publisher and the materials and information published may not reflect the opinions of the publishers. The materials are published via the internet for the information and guidance of the education community. Its use is at the readers discretion. All information is from accredited sources and deemed accurate at the time of publishing.
Copyright © 2010
www.edu-zone.co.uk.
All rights reserved.
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