Lincoln Theatre Royal is holding a teachers’ conference to allow teachers from around the county and the surrounding areas to have a say as to how their school trips’ package is put together. The evening is on the 23rd June 2010 at 5.30pm and is FREE to all teachers.

Staff at the Lincoln Theatre Royal are keen for Lincolnshire schools to use their theatre to its full potential, but they fully understand that there are impending issues such as cost, health and safety, curriculum relevance and many more problems that often get in the way of planning outings for children.

They have put together an enjoyable evening for teachers, which is set to include:

• An exclusive performance from cast members of Billy Elliot –a show in their next season

• A tour round the newly refurbished theatre

• Their line up of educational performances from September 2010 will be revealed

• Buffet and refreshments will be provided

• A Question and Answer session regarding teachers’ needs and expectations from the Lincoln Theatre Royal

• An opening speech from Ian Dickens

The theatre has a varied line-up of educational shows for next season which appeal to all ages from foundation stages to degree level. They are very excited about getting involved with Lincolnshire’s schools in the hope that full advantage is taken of the educational opportunities they have to offer.

To reserve a place, please RSVP by Monday 21st June 2010 to 01522 545490 and ask for Marketing or email marketing@lincolntheatreroyal.com

Grant Round 14

Application deadline – June 11th

We are pleased to announce the launch of Grant Round 14, and welcome applications from affiliated schools who share our conviction that all pupils need access to learning technologies when and where they need them, especially at home.

• Not sure if you can apply?

» Read more: E-learning Foundation Grants available..

Social Networking Workshop Agenda

Making the News 2

Tuesday 18th May

10.00am – 3.00pm

YHGfL Offices

Normanby Gateway Normanby Enterprise Park Lysaghts way

A detailed agenda is available by emailing events@yhgfl.net

To book your free place visit our website and book online

http://www.yhgfl.net/News-Events/eLearning-Events

Blocking pupils’ access to unsuitable websites does not encourage them to take responsibility for their safety online, Ofsted inspectors say.

“Managed” online systems were more successful than “locked” ones at safeguarding pupils’ safety, they said. In a report, Ofsted said the area most in need of improvement was online safety training for teaching staff.

The report was published in E-safety Week, which aims to raise awareness of some of the dangers of technologies. Ofsted inspectors visited 33 primary and secondary schools, a special school and a pupil referral unit and found e-safety was outstanding in five, good in 16, satisfactory in 13 and inadequate in one.
The five schools judged outstanding for online safety all used managed systems to help pupils become responsible users of technology. Where the provision for e-safety was outstanding, the schools had managed rather than locked down systems.
Blocking pupils’ access to unsuitable websites does not encourage them to take responsibility for their safety online, Ofsted inspectors say. “Managed” online systems were more successful than “locked” ones at safeguarding pupils’ safety, they said. In a report, Ofsted said the area most in need of improvement was online safety training for teaching staff.The report was published in E-safety Week, which aims to raise awareness of some of the dangers of technologies. Ofsted inspectors visited 33 primary and secondary schools, a special school and a pupil referral unit and found e-safety was outstanding in five, good in 16, satisfactory in 13 and inadequate in one.The five schools judged outstanding for online safety all used managed systems to help pupils become responsible users of technology.

Where the provision for e-safety was outstanding, the schools had managed rather than locked down systems

From BBC website

Key recommendations to schools…

» Read more: Ofsted report The safe use of new technologies

The Strategic Procurement & VfM Unit has arranged for 2 half day ‘Effective Procurement’ training courses for schools to be held on Wednesday 12 May 2010 and Thursday 13 May 2010 , both 9.30am – 12.30pm. The course will be held at EDC. The cost is £35 per delegate.

The training course is specifically for schools and will help maximise the value they obtain from their budgets and improve understanding of financial regulations. Positive feedback has been received from schools that have attended the training previously. In particular they have welcomed the advice and guidance on getting the best deal, dealing with sales tactics, understanding basic contract issues and the financial regulations that apply to schools.

Please contact Mel Blagg in the Strategic Procurement & VfM Unit on 01724 296027 or email mel.blagg@northlincs.gov.uk to reserve your place.

Home Access how does it work?

Click to view action chart

Home Access provides grants to low income families to buy computer and/or internet packages so they can learn safely, have fun and

achievemore at school. Following the successful pilot, the Home Access programme is now available nationally across England.

One of the key innovations of the Home Access programme is the move away from a centralised procurement of computers to a model where families have a choice of equipment and suppliers. Under the scheme, low-income families who meet set eligibility criteria can apply for a Home Access Grant to buy a computer and internet package from a range of approved suppliers.

The Home Access packages provided have been designed with a family’s needs in mind. They include one year’s service and support, pre-set parental controls to filter inappropriate content, installed office productivity suite, firewall and an anti-virus package. They also include the award winning e-safety guide Know IT All for Parents, enhanced warranty and reinstatement service in the event of theft, and technical and educational guidance delivered with every package.

All computers come with a dedicated Home Access website set as the home page to help ensure families realise the benefits of Home Access. These Home Access packages will be available for purchase by all.

Below are a collection of BECTA information sources to help get the information to the correct families.

The process can be started by the potential applicant calling 0333 200 1004

Information Sheets

Application process diagram
Background to Home Access leaflet
Intro to Home Access general leaflet
Assistive Technology leaflet
E-safety leaflet
Intro to Home Access for schools leaflet

Presentations

Home Access presentation for schools.

Posters

Partner poster
School poster

The DCSF have released details of the Home Access scheme.  Application forms are now available for eligible families.

Information for Parents can be found here

Press Release

• Research shows pupils could improve by two grades at GCSE with a computer at home
• Unemployed parents say having the internet has helped them apply for jobs and get better skills

The Prime Minister and Ed Balls will today announce the national roll out of a ground-breaking scheme to give 270,000 low income families a free computer and free broadband access, under a major drive to close the digital and educational divide between rich and poor and help keep parents in touch with their child’s progress.

» Read more: Free laptops and broadband for 270,000 families : DCSF Press Release