Solidworks Projects for KS3 and KS4

The new updated (November 2012) version of this resource will enable pupils to become familiar and competent at using ‘SolidWorks’ CAD software.

They will use CAD (Solidworks) to develop their designs solution and be aware of the many advantages and dis-advantages that such software has in the real world.

This book contains a number of projects suitable for Key Stage 3 and as a revision guide for pupils in Key stage 4. It allows pupils to quickly get up to speed with using such a complex piece of software and, most importantly, allows them to become competent in designing better products.

Pupils will become familiar with the range of sketch tools and features available. They will be shown step by step how to build a Frisbee, Lego Block, Memory pen, IPOD Nano and a Digital camera. They will also be shown how to assemble parts step-by-step.

The new version of this resource also includes two further projects to extend your pupils’ skills – building a Die and a Child’s Stacking Toy. After completing all seven projects they should be able to create something by themselves using the skills they have learnt from the book.

Solidworks Projects for KS3 and KS4 is published as a download so that you can receive immediately a copy onto your computer which you can print out for colleagues as often as you want. You can also put it on your school learning platform so all members of your department can access the document. YOu can view sample pages at http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/authordownloadsamples/T1781samples.pdf

You can obtain Solidworks Projects for KS3 and KS4 by going to http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=76_114&products_id=754

The price is £10 plus VAT (the VAT can be reclaimed in most cases by the school).

Solidworks Projects for KS3 and KS4 is published by First and Best in Education, part of the Hamilton House group. If you have any enquiries you can call 01536 399 011, or email sales@firstandbest.co.uk or write to us at First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Rd., Corby, Northants NN17 4HH.

The full range of First and Best books can be seen at www.shop.firstandbest.co.uk

First and Best in Education
Earlstrees Road
Corby
UK
NN17 4HH

Website: www.shop.firstandbest.co.uk
Email: sales@firstandbest.co.uk

Ask the experts…

Two of the UK’s largest providers of tools and information to school leaders are joining together this Spring to offer a one-off series of free school business management workshops.

Our original morning sessions are almost fully booked, so we’ve added twilight sessions in some cities.

This is your chance to gather in a few hours the most up-to-date guidance, templates, tools and information that will make a difference to your ability to save money for your school.

We’ve also added an additional presentation on the future of school business management. We’ll be looking at the impact on the SBM role of the rise of the academies, the changing role of LAs, the role of technology, the rise of group buying and collaboration. What are the skills needed by the SBMs of the future and what help is there out there for professional development and support.

The Key is the UK’s fastest and most up-to-date support service for leaders of schools and colleges in England and Wales. It currently supports more than 26,000 school leaders nationwide.

Their presentation will cover routes to support.

TES Foundation work with over 1,000 schools, providing online tools, templates and guidance to helps schools manage premises, contracts, procurement, compliance and suppliers.

Their presentation will cover how to be more effective in role by tapping into best practice already present in the education system.

Delegates will receive comprehensive support packs covering time management, priority setting, as well as a host of operational management tools.

A buffet lunch / evening buffet is provided.

Workshops will be held at:

  • Bristol, February 26th
  • Manchester, February 28th
  • Sevenoaks, March 8th
  • Burton upon Trent, March 14th
  • London, March 19th

You can book your place here.

Routes into the Creative Industries

The Creative Industries – entertainment media, fashion and textiles, publishing and advertising and marketing communications – have a wide variety of career opportunities where there is a need for talented and committed young people.

Jobs in the Creative Industries are rewarding and motivating but getting in can be a competitive process, making it more essential than ever that young people are given the right advice on the best ways to start their creative careers and fulfil their aspirations.

Creative Skillset helps young people make informed choices about routes into the Creative Industries – whether that’s continuing into HE or taking an Apprenticeship. Whether the young person is interested in studying screenwriting, animation or graphics, or is inspired to take up an apprenticeship in photography, fashion design or web design (to name just a few options), there are many different pathways available.

There are also those who have a combination of creative and technical skills who may not have considered a career in the Creative Industries as a possibility but who could find that their future lies somewhere unexpected, such as a computer games programmer or as a TV production manager.

But how does a school leaver find their way into one of the dazzling aray of creative careers available?

It’s really important that any training or futher study that young people take is up-to-date and relevant. One of the ways learners can be assured of this is to look out for the Creative Skillset Tick – it is the quality mark for HE courses and apprenticeship programmes that have earned employer approval for providing the most industry-relevant education and training available.

The courses that have been awarded the Creative Skillset Tick teach the skills needed to work in the industry. They have tutors with strong industry connections and they use up-to-date equipment.

The Creative Skillset Tick also kitemarks the best apprenticeship programmes in the Creative Industries. Apprenticeships that carry the Tick have been evaluated by panels of experts who ensure that each programme meets the requirements of the industry and provides clear progression routes for new entrants.

So for the courses and apprenticeships that are best suited to provide  young people with the skills, knowledge and experience they need to get into the Creative Industries, Pick the Tick. View the full list of courses and apprenticeships that have received the Creative Skillset Tick on our website.

Some young people may have their heart set on going to university but for those who don’t feel that higher education is the right route for them, doing an apprenticeship could be the key  to open doors into the industry and gain the skills and experience to put them ahead of the competition.

With National Apprenticeship Week taking place on 11-15 March (#NAW2013), now is a great time to engage your learners about apprenticeships and to help them to make decisions about their career options. Apprenticeships are a unique way for learners to have a real experience of employment and invaluable access to industry networks whilst gaining a nationally recognised qualification.

Creative Skillset has worked closely with industry and major trade associations to develop apprenticeships in creative and digital media, fashion and textiles, advertising and marketing communications, photo imaging and set crafts.  These will meet the current and future needs of the Creative Industries and  equip learners with the knowledge, skills and experience they need to work in the industry.

Creative Skillset has launched the first Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLAs) in the Creative Industries covering areas in advertising and marketing communications, creative and digital media and fashion and textiles. These apprenticeships will provide training at a level equivalent to the first year of university, opening up a new pathway into previously graduate-entry job roles, and will build the skills identified by creative employers as being critical to driving growth in the industry.

You can find the latest apprenticeship vacancies and job roles on Creative Skillset’s Apprenticeship Facebook pages:

For Apprenticeships in the Fashion and Textiles sector www.facebook.com/skillset.apprenticeshipFT  

To find out more about the Advertising and Marketing Communications Apprenticeship www.facebook.com/apprenticeship.advertisingmarketing

For Creative and Digital Media Apprenticeships

www.facebook.com/skillset.apprenticeshipCDM

Or visit the Creative Skillset website for information about the different creative apprenticeship routes and to read more about the new higher level apprenticeships in creative and digital media, fashion and textile and advertising and marketing communications.

Creative Skillset has produced a series of short video clips about apprenticeships and why employers recommend this route into the industry. You can view the videos on our YouTube channel. The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has also launched a new film as part of a ‘Spotlight on sectors’ to encourage young people to take up an apprenticeship in the creative sector. Take a look at the video and share it with your young people.

Creative Skillset provides specialist careers information for the Creative Industries. On our website you will find a library of over 400 job profiles, and up-to-date research and Labour Market Information (LMI). Keep in touch with Creative Skillset by following us on Twitter @SkillsetSSC or to receive news and information by email, sign up to our careers e-newsletter

What is the most effective way of tackling Sexual Imagery on Social Media, Sexting and Sexual Identities?

81% of secondary school pupils aged 14-18 claim that most of their understanding about sex comes from the internet, television and friends.

Worse, in studies by the young person’s sexual advice service, Brook, almost half of the country’s secondary pupils stated that they felt the sex education provided at school was poor with a lack of relevant information. Shockingly, 5% citied pornography as their main source of information.

The key point here of course is not whether the approach being used in the schools is “poor” or not – but rather that the youngsters perceive it as poor.

In such a situation it is often helpful to have a complete re-think as to how the subject can be taught, and this is what we have done with a series of four lessons that tackle questions related to young people, the media and sexual identities.

Of course all approaches must teach reproduction in the biological sense and provide sex education as part of sex and relationship education.

But as you will know, there is no set SRE policy and this can make things incredibly difficult in the classroom as you are placed in the invidious position of having to provide better sex education without the support to do so.

One way to face the findings of the Brook study is to place a greater emphasis placed on real life situations, emotions and the impact of media such as Facebook, Twitter and ‘sexting’.

iTeachingResources have worked with Dawn Clark, a practicing trainee psychologist, psychotherapist and researcher with special interest in young people and sexually risky or harmful behaviours to produce just such materials.

The new package of sex education lesson plans from iTeachingResources priced at £49.95 is split into a series of four sessions and full details of the lessons can be found at http://www.iteachingresources.com/lessons/secondary-school/pshe-resources/sre-resources where they can be purchases and downloaded straight away. If you quote reference HH12SRE when you buy you will gain a 5% discount on the order.

For further information, contact info@iteachingresources.com or telephone 0113 2660880