Monthly Archives: October 2017

PSHE and Citizenship

No more pictures of the Queen made from sequins!

Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman said recently the education system has a vital role in upholding the principles that “make us a beacon of liberalism, tolerance and fairness to the rest of the world”.

In a speech to the Birmingham Education Partnership conference, she argued British values should be at “the very heart of the curriculum”.

“We know that even in the UK some children are being brought up in an environment that is actively hostile to some of these values,” she said. “So the education system has a vital role in inculcating and upholding them.”

“Most children spend less than a fifth of their childhood hours in schools and most of the rest with their family. And so if children aren’t being taught these values at home, or worse, are being encouraged to resist them, then schools are our main opportunity to fill that gap.”

Spielman said she was not talking about “superficial displays” of British values, using the example of a child asked to craft a picture of the Queen out of sequins. But she instead spoke of giving young people a “real civic education”, including “a rich and deep curriculum in subjects such as “history, English and geography”.

Quoted from The Guardian, 22nd  September 2017

Special offer

During November we are offering a 40% discount on our British Values KS3 starter bundle to help you put British values at the very heart of your curriculum. A saving of £20!

To find out more CLICK HERE

Science

How the “unified study” approach is helping to raise biology results at A and AS level

One of the fundamental differences between the talented student who takes naturally to the study of biology at A and AS level, and those who are less drawn to the subject, is the ability to grasp the essence of the subject of biology, as a unity.

These more adept students recognise the different strands of the subject and seem to have a natural ability to grasp both the detail of each element of the course they are studying, alongside an overview that helps them greatly when they come to the exam.

It is with this particular thought in mind that we have produced a resource that allows students to grasp both the detail and the overview of the biology course they are studying, all in one volume.

This resource gives the students the key information they need, a guide to how the different in-depth topics link together and the activities which help ingrain the resultant learning in the long term memory.

And all of this is done through one, single resource.  A resource that is a student workbook, a textbook, a study guide and an activity book, all in one single volume.

Now I know this seems like rather a broad and ambitious claim, which is why I would like the chance to show you how it has been done.

To see this just choose the exam board you are using: AQA,   OCR,  Edexcel,  IB, or Cambridge and then click the “free preview button” for a sample download.

I really do think that once you have seen exactly what we have done you’ll agree that this is a new approach which can help your students maximise their understanding of biology and hence raise their grades.

Meanwhile if you have any questions please do call 01283 530366 or email sales@biozone.co.uk

Richard Allan

 

Primary

Budget cuts do not have to mean Bah Humbug this Christmas

With budgets being tight and huge time demands on delivering the curriculum is it still possible to bring fun, entertainment and the arts in to schools this Christmas?

I attended a talk this week given by Rufus Norris artistic director of the National Theatre and he was referring to a close friend of his who was a primary school music teacher.  He pointed out that whenever prospective parents or local officials were taken on a tour of the school his class was always visited. When the teacher asked why this was the case the head teacher replied “Because I can guarantee in your classes the children are engaged, energised and learning”.  It would seem that the arts in schools is one of the greatest adverts for involved learning however it is the least resourced.

The answer to the above question requires creative thinking from both schools and those supplying products to them.  It is essential for any project offered to schools to meet a range of key targets including aspects of the curriculum, personal child development, and sustainability, whilst being fun, entertaining and memorable. If this is the case then the budgets allocated to bringing in outside companies is both worthwhile and justifiable.

For many primary school children across the country the first, and sometimes only, live theatre that they experience is the Christmas Pantomime, however in recent years this is one of the cutbacks schools are making as it can be difficult to validate this expenditure. Some schools have tackled the problem by taking pupils to a theatre and asking parents to contribute, yet this can be problematic for younger years and also a strain on budgets at home.

I have been delivering creative educational projects in schools for over 20 years with a constant ethos to combine the best performances which meet educational objectives and that have a lasting, positive impact on all those involved.

5 years ago a few local schools asked us to develop something new and original for Christmas that could also utilise budgets assigned to particular target areas.  Already aware of our history delivering effective PSHE plays and workshops,  it was pointed out to us that the standard pantomimes promoted negative behaviour and that it would be great to have all the fun of the show but with an educational twist.  That was the beginning of ‘Pantomime Play’.

Over the years we have developed our pantomime plays concept further, to make them justifiable within a range of budgets, and they are now a key educational resource in many schools.  The shows follow a pantomime format and include many well known pantomime characters and stories but every scene meets an educational objective and the project comes with a range of resources for cross curricular activities that link to the production.

For less than £2 per child (depending on the size of your school) there are a range of educational targets that can be met including:

  • A range of areas within the PSHE association guidelines (specific to each play).
  • Bringing in outside educators
  • Cross curricular resources for reception to year 6. Downloadable with no usage restrictions.
  • An exciting reward and treat for all pupils.

Many schools are using our shows as a fundraising option since we can perform for 250 pupils per show and up to 3 shows a day, so when charging parents, the costs are far less than hiring coaches and visiting theatres. Also local schools combine their bookings (one school in the morning and the other in the afternoon) to save even more.

Due to popularity and extra bookings in the final 2 weeks of term we have just put together another team, therefore we have some spaces available for this Christmas and we are offering them at a further discounted rate.

1 Show = £375 (£100 off. Usual price £475)

2 Shows = £500 (£200 off. Usual price £700)

3 Shows (All day) = £700 (£250 off. Usual price £950)

If you have already booked another show for this year then get in touch for next year as some dates go very quickly.

www.pantomimeplay.co.uk

www.facebook.com/pantomimeplay/

We are always happy to talk so please get in touch.

Email: info@pantomimeplay.co.uk

Phone: 07933078908 (Millie- Tour booker)

Phone: 01707 527140 (Office)

Lisa Schulberg
(Creative Director)

School News

Explore issues of disability and conflict

Free Action Pack

Did you know that 3rd December is both the International Day of People with Disabilities and the anniversary of treaties banning cluster bombs and landmines? Handicap International’s Forgotten 10 Challenge campaign is a unique way for your students to explore issues of disability and conflict at the same time. During the 10 days of action from 1st to 10th December students across the UK will be learning about and raising support for the forgotten victims of conflict including those injured in bombings.

When bombs fall in populated areas 9 out of 10 victims are civilians and around 90 people will be killed and injured today alone.

Whether it’s lessons, tutor group sessions, assemblies or a whole-school event our resources will help ensure your activities have a big impact. Resources for teachers include a campaign kit with factsheets, a quiz and materials for awareness events; our Syria’s Young Survivors poster set, which includes an activity booklet; and PowerPoint presentations.

For more information, a list or resources and an order form please request your Forgotten 10 Challenge Action Pack today.

If you would like to find out more about how your school could get involved, please email john.mcgeachy@hi-uk.org or call me on 0870 774 3737.

I’m looking forward to working with you this term and having a big impact!

Best wishes,

John McGeachy
Forgotten 10 Challenge Coordinator
Handicap International UK
9 Rushworth Street
London SE1 0RB
Email: john.mcgeachy@hi-uk.org
Tel: 0870 774 3737
Text Relay: 18001 0870 774 3737
www.handicap-international.org.uk/schools

About Handicap International

Co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Handicap International is an international aid organisation working with people with disabilities, injured people and other vulnerable people in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster.

Our activities include clearing landmines and unexploded weapons, preventing accidents through risk education, fitting artificial limbs, providing rehabilitation, and supporting survivors to campaign for their rights. Since Handicap International’s creation in 1982, our work has benefited millions of disabled and vulnerable people worldwide. Handicap International is a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, the Cluster Munition Coalition and the International Network on Explosive Weapons.

Primary

What is the most effective way of ensuring that your pupils are reaping the benefits that playtimes have to offer?

Not only are playtime games a great way to occupy children in their time away from lessons, but if organised in a particular way, they can encourage cooperation and communication, reduce instances of bullying and ensure pupils are more receptive on their return to the classroom.

For this reason, we have produced a guide to constructing a Positive Playtime Policy, along with a Positive Playtime Policy Template, which can easily be adapted to suit the unique needs of your school. Click here to get your free Positive Playtime Policy Template.

What’s more, Edventure has held or reduced the prices of its playtime games and equipment, which actively promote positive playtimes, this term – with numerous items on offer too. Click here to browse through the products on our website.

You can place an order on our website in a variety of ways, including:

  • on our website – www.edventure.co.uk
  • by fax to 01323 50 10 41
  • by phone on 01323 50 10 40
  • by email at sales@edventure.co.uk
  • by post to Edventure Ltd, Hargreaves Business Park,
    Hargreaves Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN23 6QW.
English

Now booking: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, MACBETH, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and ROMEO AND JULIET

Last chance to book: A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Give your students the advantage of live performance.

Fred Theatre is taking to the road this autumn with the company’s specially commissioned schools friendly version of Charles Dickens’ classic novella.

Performed by five actors in 90 minutes, this lively adaptation really brings the book to life. A faithful retelling of the much loved story, it is a great introduction to the text or a timely revision tool. There’s even audience interaction!

There are only a few unfilled slots on the tour schedule, but there is still a chance to grab a performance this year.

To discuss your requirements please email Helen today (details below).

Coming up: MACBETH, ROMEO AND JULIET, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

After the Christmas break, the company is touring with 90 minute versions of three Shakespearean classics.

Our 90 minute adaptations aim to be fresh and exciting re-tellings of familiar and much loved stories. Typically these feature a cast of five or six professional actors. Less technical than public performances, we concentrate on the text and producing a faithful representation of the original—just a little shorter! An excellent introduction to the text in-hand, often more convenient, and nearly always more cost-effective than a trip out to a theatre.

Recognised for our quality, professionalism and accessibility Fred Theatre has built an excellent reputation for our schools friendly productions.

RATHER SEE FRED IN A THEATRE?

We’re pleased to announce that Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet can both be seen on stage if you’d rather organise a field trip.

Both shows will be playing in rep in February at The Bear Pit (Stratford upon Avon) and The Cockpit (Marylebone, London). To discuss a group booking, please contact Helen in the office.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

To find out more, simply e-mail Helen in our office, helen@fred-theatre.co.uk, or call Robert on 07974 210265. We’ll collect a few details from you and respond with potential dates and costs.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Fred Theatre Limited

classic drama, contemporary theatre

www.fred-theatre.co.uk

PS: Get in touch today to secure your preferred dates

Primary

How schools are funding the 30 minutes a day physical activity requirement in the Childhood Obesity Strategy.

The government’s Childhood Obesity Strategy came about after the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health revealed that in some parts of the country 40 percent of children were diagnosed as overweight or obese.

As a result, the Strategy required all primary schools to provide 30 minutes of physical activity on a daily basis in addition to the 2 hours of PE.  However, two problems then arose: one was how to fund it, and the other was how to arrange these 30 minutes of physical activity .

Fortunately, since the announcement of the new strategy solutions have been found to both issues.  In terms of the funding, new money is being provided.  This funding is provided jointly by the Departments for Education, Health and Culture, Media and Sport, and is allocated to primary school headteachers. The funding is ring-fenced and therefore can only be spent on improving the quality of physical activity provisions in schools.

Use the calculations below to work out your school’s allocation:

Schools with 16 or fewer eligible pupils receive £1,000 per pupil

Schools with 17 or more pupils receive £16,000, plus an additional payment of £10 per pupil

Example: a Primary School with 250 children receives £18,500 this academic year.

As for the additional activity, there are a growing range of resources that can be used in class, as part of each lesson.  In all this means that children don’t have to go outside or have specialist PE activities each day; the funding can instead be used to provide resources to use in the class as part of their lessons.

The government has also now issued its “Definition of Physical Activity, Physical Education and School Sport” poster which again confirmed that it was not expecting the new activity to be of the traditional PE type.  The provision can come through activity in the classroom.

This confirms that activities within lessons are to be counted as physical activity and that the funding for PE and Sport can be used to fund resources that incorporate this and allow schools to meet the 30 minutes a day target.

It is with this in mind that imoves developed its “Active Learning” series which can work in all lessons.  You can see how it works, find all the details, and have a free trial of some of the lessons via our website, where you will also find many more details of our work.

If you have any questions please either phone 0114 2661061 or email enquiries@imoves.com.

Ian Pickles

Primary

What can you do with the really, really most annoying children in your class?

Now before you get ready to email me back and suggest a transfer for such children from your school to mine, let me quickly add that that is not the point of this little note.

Rather my issue is with the children who always finish an allotted exercise in less than the time I expected them to take.  I set them some work, anticipate that it gives me six or seven minutes free time to sort out other pressing matters, and then find three bright sparks have finished the whole thing in three.

Which is why I was delighted when Peter Clutterbuck came up with the idea for a set of books called “What to give annoying children”. Unfortunately, the Editorial Director vetoed that title so we have to call them “Timely Tasks for Fast Finishers.”

But I must give you a word of warning.  Because, although the tasks are engrossing and do aid focus and creative thinking, I have found no less than seven occasions in which one of my class has got an answer before I did.

Naturally I blame the stress of the job, the long hours marking, the meetings, the overcrowded classes, the annoying parents, and just about everything else I can think of, but in calmer moments I’m sure my brain used to be faster than this.

And, before you suggest otherwise, I’ve still got quite a few years to go before being put out to graze.

You try it, and see what happens.  Follow one of the links below and then click on the link under the words “sample material” which is under the word “quantity” which is under the price which is… oh well, you get the idea.

Timely Tasks for Fast Finishers for 5-7 year olds: see how good you are

Timely Tasks for Fast Finishers for 7-9 year olds: so you think you’re really smart?

Timely Tasks for Fast Finishers for 9-11 year olds: ok so you are better at this than me

You can read more about Timely Tasks for Fast Finishers on our website – just hover over the cover for details or click on the cover to go further.

If you have any questions about the resources, you can email orders@tradecounter.co.uk.  But please don’t tell them you were faster than me.  My life’s hard enough as it is.

Art, Design & Technology

What 3D print medium is both easy to use, and offers more possibilities, than virtually any other?

There is one 3D print medium that stands out from all the rest.

A medium that uses portable equipment that readily fits into the classroom, which has no environmental issues associated with it, and which can produce a wide variety of unique objects in which pupils, students and parents will take great pride.

This medium is clay, and now there is a 3D printer which uses clay and which has been designed for classroom use.  It is portable and its size means it readily fits into Art and D&T classrooms with ease.

Indeed so certain are we in terms of the benefits it brings to schools that we are currently offering the Claybot 3D printer on a six week free trial to schools with no obligation whatsoever.  We’ll even deliver free, and pick up free of charge at the end.

3D printing with clay makes for both fast and safe printing, for there are no noxious consumables, powders, or waste gases: the approach simply uses the ingredients of clay and water.

Indeed 3D printing with clay is an extraordinarily efficient way for your students to become involved in a complex technology system, producing materials that they can be proud of and which their parents will be pleased to buy.

You can then challenge pupils to 3D model their own objects or use simple, auto-help programs like Claybot’s Quickvase for those with fewer skills.

To give but one example of what this technology brings to schools: nozzle sizes vary from 1mm to 4mm, extrude at a rate of up to 50mm per second, meaning the students’ creations appear in minutes rather than hours. And, of course, they can be worked physically and/or artistically after being printed.

If you would like to see what the machine can do, there is a series of videos of the machine in operation on our website.  You can also find technical details, etc, at www.claybot.co.uk.

If you are interested in taking a 3d clay printer for six weeks for free in your school in either the late spring or summer terms (places for the year are disappearing fast!), please do call us on 01926 865109 or email mike@claybot.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mike Ellis

Primary

Primary school hoodies, free quotation

OUR BEST DEALS ON HOODIES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

We wouldn’t buy inferior hoodies, so we don’t sell them.

We wouldn’t pay exorbitant prices, so we don’t charge them.

We would expect excellent service, so we provide it.

All of this because we don’t just want your order today, we want you to return to LeaversGear  and so to achieve that we are supplying “excellent quality”, “first class service”, “very competitive prices”.

The hassle of organising hoodies is a tiresome task and one which we aim to ease by taking the pressure off your shoulders, our design team work closely with you to ensure complete satisfaction when you receive your order.

FREE sample service. There’s no need to guess at quality or sizes anymore, all we ask you to return the samples when you’ve finished with them, using our supplied returns bag and free post label.

For an immediate, no obligation quotation please complete the very short enquiry form http://leaversgear.com/contact

We don’t just do hoodies and tee shirts, but much more, we can do any apparel for any purpose. Not just Leavers, but school trips, outdoor activities, sports teams.

At LeaversGear customer satisfaction is our goal, we hope you will give us the opportunity to prove it.

Kind Regards

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www.leaversgear.com

E-mail:enquiries@leaversgear.com

Numeracy, Primary

How much support are teachers getting to improve children’s reasoning in maths?

Reasoning is now seen as the magic ingredient in maths teaching. Being able to reason enables children to justify what they are doing, make predictions, generalise and explore; in other words they will be able to make sense of mathematics.

As you are no doubt aware, the writers of the National Curriculum clearly think it is very important. Reasoning and problem solving are key elements of the new National Curriculum and this is reflected in the latest KS1 and KS2 SAT papers and the types of question asked. A typical question in last year’s paper was:

3 pineapples cost the same as 2 mangoes.

One mango costs £1.35

How much does one pineapple cost?

If children are going to be really successful in SATs then they must be able to reason and know what to do to solve problems.

But SATs are not the ‘be all and end all’ of maths teaching. In the real world, when making decisions on best buys, whether it is in the supermarket or an online mobile phone tariff, being able to reason is becoming more and more important. It is critical that children develop these skills.

Unfortunately, in the past reasoning has not been a naturally occurring part of many maths lessons; learning the standard form of written multiplication being one example where endless practice has often triumphed over understanding the processes. Teachers have had to change and adapt and they have made great strides forward in developing reasoning skills, but they need support, including an excellent supply of the right materials.

URBrainy has a special Reasoning/Problem Solving category for each year group packed full of interesting and well-tried ideas which have been developed over many years.

We are now also developing our bar modelling resources which is a great way to help children succeed with solving word problems. There is much more of this to come in the next few months.

With new resources coming every fortnight, we have a vast range of fantastic material available to help with all aspects of maths; well over 10,000 pages in total. Oh, and by the way, we also have a great collection of English resources as an added bonus!

If you would like to find out more about URBrainy Maths and English resources for use in schools just click urbrainy.com/schools  or email: jo@urbrainy.com

School News

What is the simplest way of ensuring Pupil Premium funding makes a powerful and measurable difference?

To answer that question one needs to find a programme that not only does make a major difference to pupils and students in an important area of study, but which also generates improvements that can be easily measured and readily verified.

Perhaps the most obvious area of work that meets these twin criteria is literacy.

Clearly it is not difficult to identify students who have slipped behind in terms of literacy.  But if one can then, in a short period of time, ensure they have caught up, then the progress cannot be questioned.

What’s more, with this approach in place and the results proven it is possible to move on from there and use the same method with other students who likewise have slipped behind.

The approach that can achieve this dramatic turnaround, and which is a perfect use of Pupil Premium funding, uses one-to-one tuition for selected pupils and students but without the costs generally expected with these sorts of initiatives.

To demonstrate that this initiative works, we offer a free trial of our approach within which every literacy misunderstanding and every concept not fully grasped is instantly spotted, resulting in the pupil going back a step for remedial work.

Each individual’s literacy needs are analysed and each student is directed to an engaging set of activities which remedy any deficits before advancing through to the next set of skills.

This level of instruction is thus accurately reflective of the student’s current abilities, and each student gets a feeling of success and progress which of itself is highly motivational.

To see this process in action before making any firm decisions, there is more information about Lexia Strategies® and the extraordinary results that other schools have seen here. You can also read a variety of case studies here.

You will find on the top right of the page the link to gain full access to the program for 30 days without any payment or commitment.

If you want to know more about the program, please do call 0191 482 1939 or email info@lexiauk.co.uk

Rob Kay

LexiaUK Software Consultant.

Primary

How can we give our pupils earworms to ensure that the Spanish they learn will be remembered forever?

Do you ever wonder how your pupils can remember the entire lyrics to a song, yet they have an incredibly difficult time remembering the alphabet, times tables, or anything else for that matter? Well the reason for this is that listening to music gives them earworms!

Earworms is the term scientists use to describe, quite simply, when a song gets stuck in our head. Along with other terms including stuck-song syndrome, sticky music, and cognitive itch.

For this reason we are giving away two Spanish songs from our new resource: ¡Me Gusta Cantar! – so that you can give your pupils earworms of the Spanish variety to ensure that the Spanish they learn will be remembered forever.

Click here for free “¿Cómo te llamas?” lyrics sung to the tune of “If you’re happy and you know it” Click here for free “Los días de la semana” lyrics sung to the tune of “Camptown races”

If after using these free resources with your pupils you are satisfied with the results and are still humming the song, you can buy the full volume for just £32.89 at www.brilliantpublications.co.uk/book/me-gusta-cantar-744. And if you have any questions, please email orders@tradecounter.co.uk.

Brilliant Publications,
Mendlesham Industrial Estate,
Norwich Road,
Mendlesham,
Suffolk,
IP14 5ND.

website: www.brilliantpublications.co.uk
email: orders@tradecounter.co.uk

phone: 01449 766629
fax: 01449 767122

Art, Design & Technology

How best to demonstrate 3d Print technology in a classroom…

 ….and create a 200mm high printed pottery piece in under 15 minutes!

Of course, to demonstrate to your students exactly how 3d printing works you need a 3d printer and 3d model content which fits the bill for a single or double lesson.

It was through thinking of the issues of how best to get 3d printing to bridge Art and Design & Technology that we evolved the notion of a portable 3d printer that works with clay. And now, in its 2nd evolution, we have created an ideal combination of machine and material which can be made available for a free six week trial in schools.

Such an approach, we reasoned, would also allow students to channel their creativity post-print – because clay allows carving, surface decorations, handles, and, of course, glazes to be added … all actions that 3d printing with plastic does not offer.

And so this is what we have produced.

Because our 3d clay printers are light and portable, they can be moved within the school into other departments.  In fact many schools plan to share their 3d clay printer with other schools in their area with each school having the printer for (for example) half a term.

Setting up the 3d clay printer is simplicity itself, and once set up one has a printer that produces its items within the time constraints of a standard lesson – all without any of the environmental impact that 3d printing in plastic can bring.

If you would like our 3d clay printer on a six week free trial we will deliver it free of charge, provide full training to the relevant member of staff, and remove the printer at the end.  Example 3d computer-models are provided to begin with, and our Vase Creator offers a simple and fast introduction to model design for those with fewer computer skills.

In terms of technical details, the 3d clay printer has a footprint of 550 x 350mm and a total height with the cartridge loaded of 1235mm.  As for installation, there are no special requirements – just two plug sockets.  And we deliver by hand at a time convenient to you.

If you would like to see what the machine can do, there is a series of videos of the machine in operation on our website.  You can also find technical details, etc, at www.claybot.co.uk.

If you are interested in taking a 3d clay printer for six weeks for free in your school in either the late spring or summer terms (places for the year are disappearing fast!), please do call us on 01926 865109 or email mike@claybot.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mike Ellis

Primary

What is the simplest way of ensuring Pupil Premium funding makes a powerful and measurable difference?

To answer that question one needs to find a programme that not only makes a major difference to pupils in a fundamental area of education, but which also generates improvements that can be easily measured and readily verified.

Just about the most obvious area of work that meets these twin criteria is literacy.

Clearly it is not difficult to identify children who are slipping behind in terms of literacy.  But if one can then, in a short period of time, ensure they have caught up, then the progress cannot be questioned.

What’s more, with this approach in place and the results proven, it is possible to move on from there and use the same method with other children who likewise have slipped behind.

The approach that can achieve this dramatic turnaround, and which is a perfect use of Pupil Premium funding, uses one-to-one tuition for selected pupils but without the costs generally expected with these sorts of initiatives.

To demonstrate that this initiative works, we offer a free trial of our approach within which every literacy misunderstanding and every concept not fully grasped is instantly spotted and leads to the child going back a step for remedial work.

Each individual’s literacy needs are analysed and each pupil is directed to an engaging set of activities which remedy any deficits before advancing through to the next set of skills.

This level of instruction is thus accurately reflective of the child’s current abilities, and each pupil gets a feeling of success and progress which of itself is highly motivational.

To enable you to see this process in action before making any firm decisions, there is more information about Core 5, the program which achieves these extraordinary results here.

You can also read a variety of case studies here. You can also find on the top right of the page the link to gain full access to the program for 30 days without any payment or commitment.

If you want to know more about the program, please do call 0191 482 1939 or email info@lexiauk.co.uk

Rob Kay

LexiaUK Software Consultant.

Primary

30 minutes additional activity a day for pupils: the solution – free of charge.

There is a lot to be said for the notion of an additional 30 minutes of activity each day for each child in primary school.  For such activity not only cuts down the chances of obesity but also results in dramatic improvements in behaviour and academic achievement.

Since the announcement of the additional 30 minutes a day was made we’ve been working on materials which deliver exactly this – without the need for the children to leave the classroom or bring in a specialist teacher.

And we’d like you to try 5 of them for free.

In fact we’ve develop a series of over 1000 curriculum-based active lessons and activities which meet the requirements of this new initiative.

All of these can be undertaken within normal lessons without leaving the regular classroom or, if you prefer, they can be taken in a hall or outdoors.

What’s more, these lessons are each complete in themselves, with curriculum-based lesson plans and supporting interactive movies, flashcards, music, and assessments.  All of which makes the whole process easy to plan, teach, and evaluate.

In effect it means that the complete requirement of 30 minutes a day additional physical activity can now be met by the school using these resources, integrating them easily into the normal teaching timetable.

And the improvement in grades and achievement comes as a bonus.  Which is why we are offering a limited number of schools the chance to use these materials without charge and without any obligation.

You can read more about imoves’ active lessons and choose the 5 lessons that you wish to try out, from literacy to science, from PSHE to PE, on our website.

You can, of course, sign up to the free use of the resources straightaway, but if you have any questions please do email enquiries@imoves.com or phone us on 0114 2661061.

Ian Pickles

Literacy

What is the most effective way to increase your pupils’ concentration levels by up to 12% in Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling lessons?

Standing up during lesson times is better for children’s wellbeing, not least because it improves children’s concentration levels by up to 12%, but also because it helps to combat obesity and thus all the health risks that follow.

However, it is easier to plan movement activities for some topic areas than it is for others.

Which is why Brilliant Publications has produced a resource containing movement activities for lessons in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, as these are arguably among the most difficult topic areas into which to incorporate movement.

The 70 plus ready-to-use activities in the resource offer a new approach to teaching literacy and cover each of the rules that children are expected to know and use in the Year 6 SATs.

Through acting out parts of speech, letter strings, and punctuation children will internalise the language and absorb ideas, skills, and understanding. They will be able to draw on this stored knowledge and use it wherever they need it in the future – when they are being tested – but, more importantly, in their own writing.

What’s more, the combination of visual, aural, and kinaesthetic approaches means that the activities suit all types of learner and can be used with both large and small groups of mixed ages and abilities.

In addition to literacy understanding, pupils will also develop skills in problem solving, teamwork, and social confidence.

For more information or to order Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling through Drama for £17.99 as a printed book, £12.99 as an e-book, or both for £21.89, please visit:

www.brilliantpublications.co.uk/book/teaching-grammar-punctuation-and-spelling-through-drama-434.

Alternatively, you can place an order:

  • over the phone on 01449 766629
  • by email to orders@tradecounter.co.uk
  • by fax on 01449 767122
  • by post to Brilliant Publications, Mendlesham Industrial Estate, Norwich Road, Mendlesham, Suffolk, IP14 5ND.
Business Studies

Critique of OCR GCSE Business A293 Case Study – Regeneration of Bowton, Tom’s Toys, GG Toys plc

Please find below our initial critique of Section 1, paragraph 1 of this years’ OCR GCSE Business Studies A293 Case Study on The Regeneration of Bowton, Tom’s Toys and GG Toys plc.  This is just a tiny Extract of what will be included in our highly acclaimed Teacher’s Companion / Student Revision Buddy produced to support teachers and their students on the pre-released case study.

Explanation of Key Terms, Concepts and Issues Raised

SECTION 1   Is it the end for Bowton?

The Difficult Economic Conditions between 2008 and 2011

P.2, Section 1 – lines 6-9.

What the Case Study says

The case study tells us that between 2008 and 2011:

  • ‘Unemployment rose by 6,000, meaning that by 2011 14,000 out of a workforce of 80,000 were out of work’.
  • ‘Incomes fell by 8% on average’.
  • ’42 businesses closed and only 15 start-ups occurred’.

What is meant by ‘unemployment’ and ‘incomes’?

Unemployment is the number of people in the working population who are unable to find work.  It is measured by subtracting the number of people actually in employment from the total number of people able and willing to work.  From the information provided in the case study, we can also calculate the unemployment rate, ie the number of unemployed people expressed as a percentage of the number of people willing and able to work.  This was 17.5% for Bowton in 2011 (6,000 / 14,000 x 100). A quick search on google reveals this to be more than double the national average at this time; this ranged from 7.7% to 8.4% between January and December 2011. (Source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=the+UK+unemployment+rate+in+2011&oq=the+u&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j0j69i59j69i60l2j69i57.1503j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8)

The reference to ‘incomes’ falling concerns consumer incomes, not ‘income’ related to business accounts.  It is the money individual consumers earn from working, investment (eg interest on savings accounts, dividends on any shares held in companies), or other sources (eg gifts from family and friends).  Consumer incomes can actually be classed into:

  • disposable income – the money left over after compulsory deductions, such as tax and national insurance payments, have been made.
  • discretionary income – the money left over after people’s basic necessities eg food, drink, mortgage, clothes, travel to work, etc have been paid.

Household income is also often used as an economic indicator ie a measure to assess the state of the economy at a particular point in time.  This is the combined gross income of all the members of a household who are 15 years old and older.  (NB Household members do not have to be related to be considered members of the same household).

>How can a rise in unemployment, fall in incomes and business closures affect consumers, businesses and the government / local authority?

When people are unemployed, sales of goods and services generally fall, particularly for businesses selling (or manufacturing) non-essential items ie luxuries (such as toys), as well as income-sensitive goods (such as houses and cars), as opposed to necessities (such as food and medicines).  This is because unemployed people have less income to spend on goods and services.

With less sales a business has less revenue and is likely to make less profit, and with less revenue coming in to cover fixed costs, it may also suffer from cash flow problems.  Poor financial reward in terms of profit and / or inability to meet debts as they fall due can, ultimately, result in business closure.  In the case of Bowton, although there were 15 start-ups during the period, 42 businesses closed.  These businesses could very well have been those selling non-essential items, or income-sensitive goods.

Bowton Council would have been concerned about the rise in unemployment, fall in incomes and business closures because higher unemployment and business closures means less revenue for the Council / government from taxes (eg PAYE, NI, VAT, corporation tax and business rates).  Furthermore, falling incomes means greater spending on welfare benefits.  This includes, for example:

  • paying unemployed people income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
  • providing people on a low income any one, some or all of the following benefits: housing benefit and income support (soon to be replaced by universal credit), council tax reduction, working tax credit, child tax credit, help with one-off expenses through the Social Fund, and / or help with health, education and legal costs.

It is, therefore, not surprising that Bowton Town Council sort to address the situation through their ‘Regeneration Plan’ (discussed further in a subsequent section below).

On a positive note, businesses that manage to survive a period of high unemployment (and falling incomes) may benefit from the following:

  • easier recruitment – as there should be more applicants for each vacancy.
  • less pressure to increase wages – as there will be a greater supply of unemployed labour.
  • increased staff retention / lower labour turnover – as employees will be less likely to leave, with fewer alternative job opportunities available elsewhere.

In the case of Bowton, businesses benefited from the Council’s decision to offer grants to businesses that wanted to locate or expand in the town, as the area became in need of regeneration (lines 13-16).  (These grants are discussed in detail in a subsequent section of this Companion / Revision Buddy).

In detail our Complete Teacher’s Companion / Student Revision Buddy contains: 

  • a step-by-step explanation of the key terms, concepts and issues raised (directly or indirectly) in the Case Study.  These are discussed in the order in which they appear in the Case Study.
  • a wide range of mini quizzes, (including answers) – to check and consolidate students’ understanding of the above, and to help make revision fun.  This includes word searches, missing word exercises, classification, opposite activities, match making exercises, crosswords, and  short question and answer exercises.
  • a mock examination paper – to enable students to be tested in more formal examination conditions.
  • mark schemes and a highly comprehensive range of responses to each question posed in the mock examination paper.
  • a list of useful web addresses – providing access to information and videos on topics raised in the Case Study – for students to carry out further research independently.
  • tips on how to maximise performance in the exam.

The Complete Teacher’s Companion / Student Revision Buddy is due out 31 October 2017 –  £75 (+vat) download version (+£2.50 for CD)

Two additional mock papers will also be published by the 30 November 2017 – £25 (+vat) download version (+£2.50 for CD)

Click here to pre-order if you have not pre-ordered already

OR:

By email to office@apt-initiatives.com

Online with a debit/credit card or by PayPal at www-apt-initiatives.com

By phone to 01952 540877

By fax to 01952 541230 – order form

By post to APT Initiatives Ltd, Millstone Lodge, Eaton Upon Tern, Market Drayton, TF9 2BX

Resources can be ordered and paid for online and instantly downloaded or emailed upon publication, or sent on CD at an additional P&P charge of £2.50.  We can also supply the resource and subsequently invoice your school/college.

APT Initiatives Ltd

Business & Economics Education Specialists
Minimising Workloads, Maximising Performance

Millstone Lodge, Eaton Upon Tern, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 2BX

Tel : 01952 540877 Fax : 01952 541230
www.apt-initiatives.com – sales@apt-initiatives.com

www.facebook.com/pages/APT-Initiatives/153865751313615 / twitter.com/APTInitiatives

Registered in England no.: 5211217 VAT Number: 815750626

ICT, Primary

Leading Accredited GeneeWorld Reseller

Arkel Computer Services Ltd

Arkel  Computer Services (Arkel) and GeneeWorld combine to offer the best terms available for schools and nurseries in all the latest IT related technology.

Arkel has been a leading educational supplier since 1983. GeneeWorld visualisers have been the brand leader in their field since 2000.

Arkel is well aware that school budgets are currently stretched to the limit. As such we are able to offer you fantastic prices to enable more equipment for the money you have available. For more information or details of easy payments please call 01858 432495

GeneeWorld Visualisers
Genee Visualisers are the market leaders throughout education

GV50          £148 GV50UHD    £180
GV150         £313 GV4100HD   £421
GV8100HD    £703

GeneeWorld Interactive Touchscreens
Benefits include:

Uses up to 75% less power
Crystal clear viewing in any light condition
Useable in any rooms and are not wall dependent
No shadows
5 Year Warranty

55” Classic      £1356 65” Classic        £1887
70” Classic      £2631 80” De Luxe       £3373
65” 4K            £2347 75” 4k              £3153
86” 4K            £4538

Registrar Systems      £2738 (£3189 fully installed and with on-site training)
This is a complete visitor management system comprising:
Printer, webcam, barcode scanner, print labels, 1 year subscription and Sims Integration

Nursery Tables
32” (ideal for early years)      £2902
42” (Ideal for Juniors)           £3356

All prices are subject to VAT and delivery.
All Prices correct as at 2/10/2017

Arkel Computer Services Ltd, 38 Granville St., Market Harborough, Leics., LE16 9EX.
Call 01858 432495 or email sales@arkel.co.uk

 

School News

Do you want to improve your school’s outcomes this year?

In 2008 Andy Goulty was appointed as the Headteacher of The Rodillian Academy. Since this time, the Academy has improved from 19% A*-C grade profile, to 80% A*-C in 2017 with a projected P8 score 0.91.

Rodillian Academy now regularly achieves 20+% above FFT D and has established itself in the top 5 for similar schools nationally. During this time Andy and his team were heavily involved in research to develop strategies that would support the journey of the Academy.

As co-writer of Positive Discipline (new format), Andy has supported the implementation of this programme across The Rodillian Multi Academy Trust and following two years of successful conferences many schools nationally have adopted this model to improve their school culture and outcomes.

We are very effective in supporting schools across the country in what we consider very challenging but exciting times in education. We collaborate to transform students’ academic results, life chances, self-esteem, horizons, attendance and behaviour.
If you’re disappointed with outcomes at your school this year or you are open to seeing how we do things differently, sign up to our conferences and see how we:
• achieve outstanding leadership and behaviour;
• improved climate for learning;
• create a more positive climate for colleagues to learn and work in.
This has created a culture and climate for learning which has seen:
• improved GCSE results from 19% to 80% A-C profile at The Rodillian Academy
• improved GCSE results from 38% to 70% A-C profile at Brayton Academy;
• in the second year of GCSE results at the former middle school an A-C profile of 79% at BGG Academy;
• improved Progress 8 score of 0.5 to 0.91
For more information, contact us on 01924 872 252 or by email at pdenquiries@rodillianacademy.co.uk.

Kind regards,
Andy Goulty
T: 01924 872 252
F: 01924 825 667
E: pdenquiries@rodillianacademy.co.uk
W: www.rodillianacademy.co.uk

Download the booking form

 

English

The simplest way to ensure that every student has every encouragement to read the classics

Whether your students will be taken with the Picture of Dorian Gray or Jane Eyre….  Whether they enjoy Pride and Prejudice or Frankenstein… in all cases it is vital that each student has the chance to read at least some of the classics during the school years.

Which is why it is rather helpful that so many of the top classics are now available at just £1.88 each after discount, with free delivery.

And to be very, very clear about this, I am talking about a printed paperback edition of the full text, not a shortened version or an ebook rendering. The full text as a regular paperback at £1.88 each with free delivery and no minimum order.

(I am sorry to have repeated this, but I was recently told by a recipient of one of my notes that he had seen the price, but didn’t buy, even though he wanted the book for his students, because he thought it must be a mistake.  But there is no mistake.  £1.88 it is.)

However, this misunderstanding did make me realise that I really did need to show that these are books of the highest quality in terms of production and printing.  And so we now have an extra offer: we’ll send you a free book without any obligation whatsoever.

We have over 400 titles in print, including over 230 works of classic literature.  Each volume contains the full text, with the classics also including a set of exclusive introductions and notes.

Additionally, not only do we have individual titles at £1.88 but we also have the World Literature and Poetry series at just £3.99 before discount, and our complete works series for just £7.99 each.

If you would like to see a list of around 50 of the most frequently used set texts which are available direct to schools at the special price of £1.88 that is available here.

To see the full list of our titles in print along with a ready to use order form, should you need it, we have a page with those details as well.  Plus there is currently a 25% discount on all the prices shown.

Finally if you would like a free without obligation sample of one of our classics, just email education@wordsworth-editions.com with your name and the school address, and we’ll put it in the post to you, with our compliments.

Art, Design & Technology

With 3D clay printers it is not just the printing, but also what comes after

For most people, seeing 3D printing with clay for the first time is quite an extraordinary experience.

But in many ways the production of a clay item is just phase one.  For after that the students are able to carve, add surface decorations, handles, and, of course, glazes …  all actions that 3D printing with plastic does not offer.

Indeed in terms of the printing itself we should not just think of traditional clay objects, because a 3D clay printer can work to produce many things, from fossils to artefacts.  As such the 3D clay printer is the perfect mechanism for cross curricular activities bringing in both science and art as well as design and technology across the whole process.

Additionally, because 3D clay printers are light and portable, they can be moved within the school into other departments.  In fact many schools are sharing their 3D clay printer with other schools in their area with each school having the printer for (for example) half a term.

Setting up the 3D clay printer is simplicity itself, and once set up one has a printer that produces its items within the time constraints of a standard lesson – and without any of the environmental impact that 3D printing in plastic can bring.

And just in case that were not enough, a clay printer produces products that parents will be pleased to have in the house – and indeed pleased to pay for, if sold at the school fete, etc.

A six week free trial

Naturally before you commit yourself you’ll want to see that the 3D clay printer really can do all that we say.  Which is why we are currently offering it to schools in your area for free, without obligation, for six weeks.

The 3D clay printer is delivered free of charge, provided with full training to the relevant member of staff, and removed at the end.  Example 3D computer-models are provided to begin with, and our Vase Creator offers a simple and fast introduction to model design for those with fewer computer skills.

In terms of technical details, the 3D clay printer has a footprint of 550 x 350mm and a total height with the cartridge loaded of 1235mm.  As for installation, there are no special requirements – just two plug sockets.  And we deliver by hand at a time convenient to you.

If you would like to see what the machine can do, there is a series of videos of the machine in operation on our website.  You can also find technical details, etc, at www.claybot.co.uk

If you are interested in taking a 3D clay printer for six weeks for free in your school in either the late spring or summer terms (places for the year are diappearing fast!), please do call us on 01926 865109 or email mike@claybot.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mike Ellis

Careers

There is one issue that is at the very heart of most job applications.

Unfortunately, most students don’t know what it is.

Many young people preparing to enter a workplace for the first time assume they know which skills and attributes employers are looking for.   Unfortunately, in making this assumption, those young people make a grave mistake.

As a result, the way in which the applicant presents him/herself is one which is likely to lead to a rejection.  As a result, applicants can come to see employers as out of touch with the modern world, while the employers see applicants as out of touch with the needs of business.

At the heart of the matter is what are often called “emotional and social competencies”; what are more commonly known as “people skills”.  For many employers have come to realise that generally only about one third of the difference between an excellent employee and an average employee relates to technical skills and cognitive ability.

The rest of the difference between a highly effective employee and an average employee comes in the form of these emotional and social competencies.

Which raises the question, how can we show students who are starting on the journey to employment, what employers are looking for?  In effect, how can they express their social and emotional competencies to those who might give them a job?

The first step must be for the student to understand his/her own social and emotional competencies. Which is why Belbin has produced GetSet – a way of helping students find out about themselves in relation to what employers tend to look for.

GetSet is a set of questionnaires that school students can complete on-line and which generate a detailed set of reports revealing the student’s strengths.  As a result, the students can best present themselves in applications to higher education and to employers.

To help you see how GetSet works, we are happy to offer you or one of your students the chance to take the GetSet questionnaire yourself at no cost or obligation. Then if you feel it would be helpful, you can arrange for the questionnaire to be made available to those students whom you nominate.

To apply for a free questionnaire for yourself or one of your students, please click here – click the contact us at the top of the page and write ‘a free one please’ in the box. To read more about GetSet, please do look at our website here www.belbingetset.com. Or if you have any questions, please email getset@belbin.com or phone 01223 264975.

Lisa Ward

Assemblies

It’s not just the need for an Assembly each day, it’s the need to make each one relevant to the moment

Indeed for many school managers and teachers who deliver assemblies this issue of finding the right assembly to fit with a particular theme or topic is one that many note as the most time consuming aspect of running assemblies.

Which is why the creation of a series of 350 outstanding assemblies that both engage the pupils, and which they will remember over time, was only the first part of our enterprise.

What we have also done is broken those 350 assemblies into 12 categories so that when you need an assembly to fit a particular topic, it becomes easy to find.

The result of this endeavour is The Assembly Box.

Each assembly is fully scripted, and the index allows you to choose your assembly by topics as diverse as community, citizenship, saints’ days, black history, social and emotional stories, and so on.

What’s more, each assembly comes with its own supporting presentation material and a set of ready-to-use key word cards. The assemblies can be downloaded and printed out, thus making them immediately usable without further preparation.

You can read a full example of one of our assemblies by following this link

Additionally you can see the complete list of the 12 main categories our assemblies are divided into on our website, and from there you can go into each category and see the details of all the assemblies on offer.

All the details are available at http://www.assemblybox.co.uk where you can also order on line.

The complete set of all of our assemblies costs £149 (+ VAT). If you have any questions please email enquiries@assemblybox.co.uk