The Casio FX 83 GT+ was the UK’s best selling scientific calc…and deservedly so.  It’s been setting the pace in many UK schools & colleges and was the first choice for GCSE exams for many students.

But now it’s been discontinued, having been replaced by an upgraded spec’ model at a higher price. Top grade maths students are likely to benefit from this new model (FX83GTX), but what about the majority, for whom the FX83GT+ was perfectly adequate and available at a reasonable price?

Well, the news is positive. There is an alternative……

It’s the Logik LK 83XP which has almost all the features of the FX 83GT Plus but with one big advantage…… it’s dual power.  This combination of battery and solar power prolongs battery life and gives students  extra reassurance, especially when used in exams.

The LK 83XP has a THREE year guarantee* and is suitable for all exams where a calculator is allowed.  Features include: 252 functions,   “natural (textbook) display,” check, correct and replay, stats calculations, prime factorisation, hard plastic keys, slide on case, etc.

It’s a calc which can see your students all the way from year 7 to GCSE and at a surprisingly modest price.  (*excludes LCD damage)

Further details on: www.signposteducational.co.uk or phone 020 7515 1797 or email: signpost@talk21.com 

Signpost Educational Ltd., PO Box 999   London  E14 6SH 

PS.  For other calculators and helpful maths products please visit the website.

The rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated

Mark Twain’s famous comment made, supposedly, on reading an obituary of himself while on a lecture tour in England might equally have been applied these last few years not to Mark Twain himself but to the whole concept of books in their printed form.

The printed book is dead, digital is king, we were told.  And yet, and yet…

The printed book does not just struggle on, it is thriving.  While sales of electronic books have started to decline, sales of printed books are rapidly recovering.

And one can understand why from several points of view.

For example, with the cost of quality paperback books having declined to as little as £1.88 each (with no minimum order and no delivery charge) many schools are taking the opportunity to reintroduce students to a revitalised school library.

Others are choosing a set of books and offering students the chance to take one book each to read, report back on it to the whole class, and then keep the copy of the volume for themselves.

And this collection of low priced volumes is not restricted, for the works range from tales of the great classics to books of poetry and from thence to mystery and supernatural and on and on.

Indeed the choice in fact is enormous.  If you would like to see our full list, grouped into collections, please take a look at this page from our website.

But if this all seems to be too good to be true we also have our offer of a free book just in case you have not come across Wordsworth Editions before.

To receive a free sample of one of our classics without any obligation whatsoever 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.

Ordering, likewise is simple.  For the books are supplied for us by Bookpoint Ltd, and there is a very high chance in percentage terms that you will have an existing accounts. You can find full details on our website.

I do hope you will have a look at what we have to offer, and join thousands of other schools that are relishing this revised interest in the printed, as opposed to the digital.

It’s not easy to ensure that every student comes to school or college properly equipped for lessons or exams.

Some may simply have woken up late and left home in a rush. Some might benefit from being better organised while others need to learn to be a bit more responsible.

What we do know, however, is that time is often wasted at the start of lessons while some students try to borrow what they need to benefit from their lesson.

All it needs is for a few students to forget a pen, ruler, pencil etc and what was supposed to be a well planned, interesting lesson can become  unproductive if some students are ready and able to work while others are not.

But  NOW  there’s a  simple, effective and low cost way of solving the problem       ….it’s the  “STUDENT ESSENTIALS” set. 

Consisting of, three quality black ink pens, two full length HB pencils, a 15 cm ruler,  pencil sharpener, eraser, all contained in  a clear “exam friendly”  PVC wallet with a zip slider….   From just 85p each, ex vat it’s a simple and effective way of improving productivity and helping students succeed in their lessons and exams. …not to mention making life easier for teaching staff.

Staff might like to  keep “Student Essentials” sets in the school or department office and then sell or give to students when the need arises.

More details at:    www.signposteducational.co.uk/student-packs/

Contact them on: Tel:  020 7515 1797 or email: signpost@talk21.com

Your orders are usually delivered within 1-3 working days.

Signpost Educational Ltd   PO Box 999   London  E14 6SH 

PS.  “Student Essentials” sets are also useful to hand out to students before their exams.

Every now and again I get to chat with  teachers and one of the topics that often crops up is why some students don’t  bring a pen, pencil, ruler etc to their lessons.  They tell me that this leads to wasted time and a measure of disruption,  even before teaching has begun.

In an attempt to solve this problem there’s  a  product called the “Value Maths set ” which, as the name suggests, contains all the basics that students need for their  maths lessons.

Consisting of  two quality black ink ballpens, a full length HB pencil, eraser, 15 cm ruler, 180 degree protractor, metal compass and half pencil,  and a sharpener, all packed in an  A5 size, clear PVC “exam friendly” wallet with a zip slider.

From just £ 1.25 each (ex vat) the “Value Maths set”  is a convenient and cost effective solution to the problem of students who haven’t brought the correct kit to their maths lessons.  Ideal to give or sell  to students at the start of lessons or at the start of a school day………  also very useful for exams.

Full details of the “Value Maths set”   can be found on the website:

     www.signposteducational.co.uk 

You can order by email:  signpost@talk21.com     or  by phone on tel: 020 7515 1797

Signpost Educational Ltd.,   PO Box 999   London   E14 6SH

With technology continuously evolving and pushing the building industry to more complex and advanced heights, the question to consider is: what does this mean for our builders? If technology is becoming an increasing presence in physical tasks, will our builders of the future be more akin to programmers?

In order to explore the matter further, we’ve teamed up with structure analysis software experts Oasys.

The concern of robots stealing jobs

It’s not a baseless worry, that one day robots might be able to do our jobs quicker and cheaper. Technology will not steal our jobs, but just replace us as we shift roles. But how will this impact the construction industry?

Let’s take a look at the numbers. Boston Consulting Group has said that by 2025, up to a quarter of jobs will be replaced by smart software or robots. This includes a range of professions, from factory workers to doctors, and even journalists. However, a study carried out by Oxford University has said that 35% of existing jobs in Britain are at risk of automation in the next 20 years.

It is not yet certain whether this will impact the number of physical workers. However, this can be challenged if we start preparing early and encourage current and future workers to adapt to the changes. This could include advancing their own skillset with a focus on how they can do their job better with the use of technology.

The change of roles in construction

But even if our workforce becomes increasingly more robotic, that’s not to say we would all be out of work — after all, someone needs to manage this technology. It’s also left unmentioned that workers will need to use technology, and that leads us to the decision that in the construction industry, builders of the future will become programmers. Over the years, we have seen constant changes in the way we work, and the construction sector has been very accepting to new and innovative methods to make jobs easier. From hammers to nail guns, shovels to diggers — and now practical labour to programming.

This is something that will naturally take time. Programming is a topic that schools around the UK should be looking to implement into their curriculums as a core subject to keep up with the demand of jobs and to keep up with the constant changes in technology. If we’re teaching young people old ways, they will be useless when it comes to doing the work and there might not even be jobs available that match their skillsets. With the constant growth in technology surrounding construction, young people need to be prepared with the skills and this shouldn’t be up for debate. Like the studies discussed earlier, more jobs are at risk of being lost due to smart software and robots. Workers need to be as good as the technology.

One piece of beneficial construction software already within the industry is Building Information Modellings (BIM). This technology allows the appropriate people to access all of the information about a project in one place. It can look at key stages of a project across the lifecycle of a job and provide the information that is needed. This can save both time and money for any construction company and allows builders to have a clear oversight. BIM can help illustrate the entire building, from starting processes to its demolition, and can even show how materials can be reused.

Workers will need to adapt to these changes within the industry in order to pick up more technological skills.

Sources:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-33327659

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/19/robot-based-economy-san-francisco

Almost certainly anger has been a human emotion since our species first evolved. For it has great survival benefits in warding off rivals and predators and helping establish tribal hierarchy.

However, in most schools teenagers are not faced by predators, and there is already a hierarchy established by the school and surrounding social structure.

But anger remains a potential in our makeup, and both children and teenagers need to have ways of overcoming the urge to express this primitive instinct at inopportune moments.

And helping students to control angry reactions both to everyday experiences and to the problems in their lives that accumulate across time can be difficult.

This difficulty can arise because we will want to offer emotional support to a student in difficulty, while at the same time having a duty towards everyone else in the class, including those who are on the receiving end of the anger.

However, there is an approach which makes it possible for students with anger issues to be fully integrated back into mainstream schooling.

This approach involves not just managing a student’s behaviour but also seeking out and dealing with the issues that are causing this behaviour as well as helping the student find the best emotional coping strategies to resolve the problem.

And this is what NLP4Kids offers: helping students communicate their thoughts and feelings with others, helping them make meaningful relationships, and ultimately helping them improve their employment opportunities all through bringing their anger under control.

If you feel that you have some students in your school who are not reaching their full potential because of anger and related issues, you may find our website helpful.

We have already worked with numerous schools across the country and now have additional time and funding available to come to your school and work with the students you nominate. There are more details of our work at http://nlp4kids.org.uk/schools-co-uk/

If you would like to discuss the options without any obligation please do call 0345 3192 666 or 0203 6677 294 or email gemma@NLP4Kids.org

 Classroom chairs with a TWENTY  year warranty can save your school or college hundreds of pounds  AND eliminate time wasted in trying to repair damaged chairs.

Improvements in  design and manufacture  have  meant that the quality and durability of student chairs has improved significantly. The result is that it’s now possible to obtain classroom  chairs with a TWENTY  year warranty.

Designed not only to be comfortable, durable and virtually vandal proof but also to encourage good posture, the “Postura Plus” chair is available in sixteen attractive colours and six sizes,  making it ideal for use across different departments and in both primary and secondary sectors.

Prices from:   seat height   (mm)         £            prices are ex vat

size:

6                      460                      17.95

5                      430                      16.95

4                      380                      15.35

3                      350                      14.85

2                      310                      14.65

1                      260                      13.98

Prices are  “from…… and refer to the price per chair for a quantity of 350 +

Smaller quantities at slightly higher prices.  FREE delivery to most UK postcodes for orders of more than 40 chairs…… in approx. 7-10 working days except in very busy times.

For more information about these chairs please visit the website  

www.centraleducational.co.uk

 If you’d like to discuss their suitability for your organisation or to chat about a possible order please call 020 7515 1797 and ask to speak to Martin Evans who will be pleased to help.

Central Educational Supplies Ltd can also be contacted by email on info@centraleducational.co.uk

Central Educational Supplies Ltd,  PO Box 999  London, E14 6SH

The Debate Chamber Summer Schools offer students age 15-18 the opportunity to find out more about some fascinating subjects, prepare for university applications, meet like-minded peers and get to grips with some tough intellectual challenges.

The material will be challenging (for the older age-group, about the level of difficulty one might expect in the first year at university), but the atmosphere will be relaxed, with plenty of discussion, debate, and opportunities for students to shape the direction of classes.

Our tutors (typically Masters or PhD students) are selected for their exceptional communication skills, charismatic and inspiring classroom presence and very strong subject knowledge.

Working in groups of 12 – 14 students over several days offers participants a real chance to get to know tutors and fellow students and to explore the topics or questions that particularly interest them.

Highlights from our Summer Schools 2019 programme include: 

Philosophy Summer School

The Philosophy Summer School will look at some of the biggest questions in metaphysics, ethics and political theory, giving an opportunity to engage with the work of some fascinating thinkers, and also to develop students’ own skills of reasoning and argumentation. Divided into two five-day events (students can attend either one, or both) covering a wide range of topics and thinkers, from the ancient world of Plato and Aristotle to contemporary philosophers like Nussbaum and Singer.

The Philosophy Summer School is an amazing course. It covers a wide range of topics, allowing you to find out what most interests you. Great friends are made, and the week is thoroughly enjoyable. I’d recommend this course to anyone considering studying philosophy at university in some respect, or in fact to anyone interested in the subject. 

Medicine Summer School 

The Medicine Summer School offers a series of two-day events with specialist sessions on cardiology, paediatrics, oncology, emergency medicine and many other topics – enabling students to attend a wide-ranging introduction or select the sessions most relevant to their interests. This course gives a taste of what it is like to study Medicine, and so helps students to make an informed choice about whether this is a good fit for them. 

I have enjoyed my time at Medicine Summer School very much! The tutors have been fantastic, as they have been so engaging towards all aspects of the course. The amount of information covered in only two days has been extraordinary and I feel that I am so much more aware about the topics studied at medical school. I would recommend this Summer School to anyone interested in medicine as the course really gives you the opportunity to delve a lot deeper into the area of study than your GCSEs! 

Economics Summer School 

The Economics Summer School focuses on political economy and macro-economics, the five-day course will include seminars on a diverse range of topics, from financial and currency markets to an analysis of economic inequality and its potential remedies. We will also be looking at development strategies in emerging economies, and the emerging impact of Brexit on the UK and other economies. The focus throughout will be on debate and discussion, and on encouraging and supporting students to engage critically and actively with the material. Separate streams for students with and without previous experience of studying the subject. 

The Economics summer course is both highly informative and great fun, offering a great way to either start learning economics or to further your knowledge. It’s also a great way to meet other like-minded people who you get to know really well. Overall, the course is a great way to spend a week in summer and gives a taste of less formal learning. 

In addition to these highlighted courses, we also offer courses in English Literature, History, Classical Civilisations, International Relations, Politics, Maths, Physics, and Dentistry.

Bursaries 

Debate Chamber is committed to ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent any student from attending our events. Students can apply for bursaries covering up to 95% of the course fee through our website. 

How can my students attend?

All the Summer School events will be held at University of London venues in Bloomsbury, Central London, and will take place in July and August 2019. Please note that these courses are not residential, and accommodation must be arranged independently if required.

You can find full details of schedules, dates, costs, student reviews and tutors at http://www.debatechamber.com/summerschools/.

To book a place please visit www.debatechamber.com/summerschools/, call us on 0800 810 1058, or email info@debatechamber.com. Places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

In the near future The Davenant Press will be launching two new series for classicists.  First there will be a series of short paperbacks on Greece and the Roman Empire covering the A-Level syllabus and a second more substantial paperback series, Classical Civilisation which will be pitched mainly at university level but which is also intended to help school teachers. This series will cover the A level interest but will also include Ancient History and Patristics. I am currently writing to academics for ideas and as a member of the Classical Association (Oxford Branch) I am putting it on the website.

In addition there will be a new academic journal published twice a year on Rome 423-1929.

And this is an opportunity for you to influence the content of both the paperbacks and the journal by letting me know what subject areas you would like to see covered that would help with your teaching of classics in school and preparing pupils for university.

I really am open to all suggestions, and so by way of saying thank you I will be very happy to send a free copy of Essays on Ancient Historians by Susan Sorek to the first 25 positive suggestions I receive.

If you have any thoughts at all on subject areas or topics within the classics that you would like to see covered in the new journal “Rome 425 to 1929” please just email me at judithdavenant@gmail.com.  If you would like a copy of “Essays on Ancient Historians” just give me your postal address.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Judith Loades