In the English language almost everything
depends on everything else

Of course, the answer to the question in the subject line is the statement in the headline. How you pronounce “u” depends on what’s around it. The “u” in “umbrella” is different from the “u” in “uniform”, which again is different from the “u” in push.

Not to mention the “u” in “pronounce”.

Even the old classic rules like “i before e” stop working with reindeer and receiver and a plethora of words that actually start “ei”.

In fact, there are some 90 different spelling and phonic rules in the English language ranging from similarities (as with words like “coin” and “toy” with the same sound but different spelling choices), to such outrageous oddities as “knife” and “gnome”.

So what is the poor dyslexic child to do?

Sadly there is no shortcut, for the only way in which dyslexic students can learn the spelling choices for the many different phonics and homophones is through a structured reading and spelling programme.

And this is exactly what MSL has devised: the Complete Reading and Spelling Rescue Programme.

This programme covers all the 90 different spelling and sound rules; it then adds in ten further sections on issues such as word patterns, suffixes, prefixes, homophones and irregular final syllables, making 100 topics in all.

The 90 rules and associated topics can be seen on our website where you can see the structured order of teaching that we have introduced.

What we have then done is broken these 100 topics down into 20 modules, presented in an order which allows students to use the spelling rules as soon as they have learned them.

As a result of this structured approach, which includes placement & progress tests, you can introduce a dyslexic pupil or student to the sequence from the very start. You can also begin work at a point where the individual will be revising key points before moving on to areas of weakness where his/her knowledge becomes erratic.

A copiable printed version of each module costs £29.99, or you can order five modules together on a CD for £80 plus VAT. All 20 modules (including the 4 CD’s) are available for £450.

You can order the Reading and Spelling Rescue Programme in any of these ways:

• On our website
• By phone on 01536 399017
• By fax to 01536 399012
• By email to msl@schools.co.uk
• By post to Multi-Sensory Learning, Earlstrees Court, Earlstrees Road, Corby, NN17 4HH

What exactly are ethics, and how to do they change?

From Utilitarianism to Deontological Ethics, from Virtue Ethics to Free will and Determinism there are a lot of ethical systems around.

And that is before we get to environmental ethics, medical ethics (including abortion, euthanasia and embryo research) and business ethics.

So what are they all, and how exactly they relate to religious ethics?

That is the question that “Religious Ethics” by Francis Beswick examines, considering ethical thinking in relation to various religious traditions, while considering how religious and secular ethics differ from each other.

The book commences with the phrase “I ought to …” and notes that from this kind of statement ethics, whether it be secular or religious ethics, begins.

Throughout the book the student is aided by a large number of questions presented for consideration which take the student back to the various topics that have been covered in order to ensure that each different ethical system and viewpoint is understood.

Religious Ethics is available as a copiable spiral bound book or on CD Rom. The book comes with an unlimited photocopiable licence for the school, and costs £21.99 plus £3.95 delivery for either the book or CD. If you wish to buy both together the price is £28.98 plus £3.95 delivery.

You can order in four different ways. In each case please quote our reference T1697emn. Sample pages and a contents list can be viewed prior to ordering on http://pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/re/T1697.pdf

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House Mailings plc, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Rd., Corby, Northants NN17 4HH
  
• By fax on 01536 399 012
  
• By phone with a credit card or with an official school order number on 01536 399 011
  
• On line with a credit card at
  http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=41&products_id=522

Levels have gone and the both government and Ofsted are saying clearly that internal assessment is a matter for the school.

In one sense, this offers freedom and opportunity to schools, but time is short and energies are focused on teaching the new curriculum.

Strangely, it is the secondary sector that has reacted most strongly to the withdrawal of levels. They now expect to receive assessments on several different scales from their feeder schools, so the loss of a system with agreed ‘going rates’ has been a blow. Parents too, may soon notice that a Chelmsford Grade 3 is not the same thing as a Chichester Level 3 or a Chelsea Primary 3 score.

One of the strengths of the old system was that ongoing assessments were anchored to the national test assessment in a single system so that progress towards expectations could be monitored.

How, then, do we keep an eye on pupil progress?

Sue Hackman, the DfE’s Chief Adviser on School Standards until 2013, has created Climbing Frames – an assessment tool specifically developed for the new national curriculum. The tool helps your school to track pupil progress across both core and foundation subjects.

It also includes five pre-levels to help you monitor progress for SEN pupils.

One of the standout benefits of the system is that, as well as being able to track pupils across Key Stages 1, 2 and 3, across the new national curriculum, your school can also monitor each child’s cognitive development.

Sue has included eight thinking and learning frames. These are arranged to cover all nine years of the National Curriculum plus the five pre-levels described above, and they are tied to the priorities of the new curriculum.

Other benefits of using Climbing include:

• Fair, manageable and reliable progress tracking
• Ample sensitivity to monitor half-termly or termly progress
• Easy to share progress with colour coded overviews – a hit with parents
• Can report at individual, class, cohort and school level
• Links to knowledgeable resources for CPD expertise
• Uses print and digital for fuller, more sophisticated monitoring and reporting
• Cost-effective with hard-copy kits from only £100
• Free access to the app for the first year

Schools that purchase the hard-copy Climbing Frames before January 2015 will receive the App free for the first year.

To find out more about using the Climbing Frames assessment tool, and to place an order, please visit: http://www.teachingtimes.com/articles/climbingframeshh, email us at enquiries@imaginativeminds.co.ukm, or call us on 0121 224 7599.

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Join us. Register to find out more:
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The Engynious (pronounced ingenious) SEEd schools solar programme offers schools a great way to get solar power and make savings without having capital.

“The most professional and technically knowledgeable of everyone we have met. That is reassuring when you are about to get solar panels.” Kingshott School

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We don’t all have capital to invest but we can all seize the opportunity to make savings while the opportunity exists. And there are substantial savings for some schools. . . .

This offer is subject to changes in government support and equipment costs so make sure you register to find out how your school can benefit. *Savings depend on roof space, grid capacity and energy use in schools, as well as offer price. Offer ends May 31, 2015

Best wishes
The Engynious and SEEd teams
07946 245 556