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

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?

If you are already affiliated you can go straight to the Affiliate Zone to download your application form.

• Go to the application form

Affiliation
If you are not affiliated, and do not fall within the scope of the local e-Learning Foundations in Berkshire, Birmingham, Essex and Lambeth, please complete an affiliation application without delay and return it to us. Payment must have been received before we can accept your grant application.

• Go to the Affiliation Application page

Home Access programme
The Government’s Home Access programme was launched in January 2010. This targeted children in Key Stage 2 and 3, and eligible for Free School Meals. However, by the end of the summer term it is likely that most of the 270,000 available grants will have been taken up with uncertain prospects of further funding for this particular programme.

Families who have recently benefitted from a free Home Access computer may choose to opt out of your next programme, and should be discouraged from getting access to another school-provided computer unless they are prepared to contribute towards it.  However, under the Inland Revenue Gift Aid rules, we cannot insist that they make donations.

Criteria for disadvantage
Equity Grants are intended to help schools offer an equity programme to a selected cohort so that every child can participate in exactly the same way regardless of whether their parents are able or willing to contribute. The grant should be based on the financial gap between what the school and the parents are able to contribute and the total cost. The amount will also be influenced by the level of deprivation in the local community using the Department for Education School Level Deprivation Indicator as a guide.

Everyone should be invited to donate towards the programme and grants are not available to provide a general subsidy for all participating parents or free computers for any given group; they are specifically intended to help schools ensure that low income families can participate at an affordable level. In most cases the grant should not exceed 33% of the total cost of the project.

Internet access
Home access is not just about laptops. Schools should also address the home connectivity issue as having a computer at home, but not being able to go online, leaves a child at a significant disadvantage.

If you’re not sure how to do this then it might be worth considering lending needy families a pre-paid 3G mobile dongle which you can include in your grant application and get through a deal we have with T-Mobile (see details on our website or call us).

Projects we support
The projects we will support fall into three main categories:

1. Schools wishing to offer an equity programme to a cohort of pupils. Equity means that everyone can take part unless they choose to opt out. The level of participation should also not vary e.g. everyone should have the same rights to take the devices home regardless of how much their parents donate.

2. Individual Support grants. Schools may want to help their pupils take advantage of a 50% grant towards the cost of a computer and the Internet. They may be aware of individual students from low income families whose educational opportunities are being limited by their lack of home access and do not fall under any relevant home access programme e.g.

• They are not eligible for a Government Home Access grant
• The school equity programme does not cover the year group they are in
• The school does not run an equity programme
• Other personal circumstances

Schools are invited to identify individual students on whose behalf they would like to apply for a grant worth up to 50% of the cost. The other 50% must be paid for by the family, not school or other public funds. The families will own the equipment from the outset.  There is a grants cap of £250 (inc VAT) towards the cost of the computer and £75 (inc VAT) on one years Internet. Parents can “top up” if they wish to buy a better specification.

This programme does not fall into the “equity” category and will not attract Gift Aid. There is a £50 processing charge per application (which should be for a minimum of 10 pupils).  VAT will apply to these purchases and is included in our grant.

3. Funding is available to support a small number of wi-fi/wi-max projects. These are likely to have most impact where a school is centrally located in an area of deprivation such as an estate or rural village. You should already have an equity programme running, or can demonstrate that there is a very high level of home access to a computer in the community involved. Please talk to the Foundation for further information.

Finance
If your school lacks the finance to purchase the computers ahead of the collection of donations from parents, then you should consider leasing the equipment through an Operating Lease. Please contact Kevin Pay at the e-Learning Foundation for more information on 01932 796525.

Collecting donations
The e-Learning Foundation can help you manage the administration of collecting parental donations through the Donation Management Service. Donations can now be taken by direct debit, credit and debit card, cash through the Paypoint network and one off cheque payments.  Details of the donations and a range of reports can be viewed by schools through the web portal.  In many cases there is no charge for this service as we can use the Gift Aid we are entitled to claim, and you may benefit from a share of the tax relief. Call us for advice on how the cost of this service can be minimised.

Next steps
Application forms can be downloaded from the affiliate section of the e-Learning Foundation website.   Schools should read the detailed terms and conditions carefully, and discuss their proposal with their School Liaison Manager before submitting their application.

Applications for grants should be sent to your School Liaison Manager by 5pm Friday June 11th who will then send it to the office for processing. Late applications will go into the next round. Please allow enough time for the SLM to give you feedback which is likely to considerably improve your chances of winning a grant and try not to leave it until the last day. You will be informed of the outcome week commencing June 21st.

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…

• audit the training needs of all staff and provide training to improve their knowledge of and expertise in the safe and appropriate use of new technologies
• work closely with all families to help them ensure that their children use new technologies safely and responsibly both at home and at school
• use pupils’ and families’ views more often to develop e-safety strategies manage the transition from locked down systems to more managed systems to help pupils understand how to manage risk; to provide them with richer learning experiences; and to bridge the gap between systems at school and the more open systems outside school
• provide an age-related, comprehensive curriculum for e-safety which enables pupils to become safe and responsible users of new technologies
• work with their partners and other providers to ensure that pupils who receive part of their education away from school are e-safe
• systematically review and develop their e-safety procedures, including training, to ensure that they have a positive impact on pupils’ knowledge and understanding.

Read the full report here: The safe use of new technologies (PDF)

Download here

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.

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

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.

The announcement comes as Cabinet Ministers host international Ministers at the annual Learning and Technology World Forum, representing 1 billion children in the world, along with other leaders in technology and learning. The UK now leads the world in technology for education. UK education and skills exports are worth around £28billion annually, making the UK a world leader in meeting the accelerating demand in this dynamic sector.

The £300m investment in the Home Access programme will help make England one of the first countries in the world to ensure young people can use a computer and the internet at home for their education, and get parents better involved and understanding more about what their child does at school.

Studies show that 81 per cent of parents think having internet access at home has helped this – and increased parental engagement is proven to boost attainment at school. The Government is currently legislating to make reporting to parents online by 2012 a legal guarantee in the Children, Schools and Families Bill. Home Access computers are also loaded with a suite of software to support literacy and numeracy for all the family.

From today families with children in years 3 – 9 (approximately age 7 – 14), who are entitled to free schools meals, will be able to apply for a grant to buy a computer and broadband connection from an approved supplier, after meeting strict eligibility criteria. Looked after children up to the age of 18 will also receive laptops, and the scheme will offer bespoke packages to provide more support for children with special educational needs.

The programme is being rolled out nationally after successful pilots in Oldham and Suffolk showed a positive impact on both the pupils and their parents:

o On average, children who received computers from the Home Access programme spent an hour more per week for learning online, compared to their classmates who already had the internet at home

o 81 per cent of parents believed that home access had increased their involvement in their child’s learning – and increased parental engagement is proven to improve children’s educational attainment

o 81 per cent of parents (94 per cent in black and ethnic minority groups) said home access would improve their confidence in using technology

o 89 per cent of parents in Oldham and 69 per cent in Suffolk felt it would help them with their skills development

o Parents reported using their Home Access computer to access public services online, and to also look for work.

A recent study from the Institute of Fiscal studies also showed that having a computer at home could lead to a two grade improvement in one subject at GCSE.

Gordon Brown announced the programme in 2008. The Prime Minister today said:

“I believe everyone should benefit from new advances in technology. It’s right that we break down any barriers to social mobility in order to give more children and families the opportunity to complete coursework, conduct research and apply for jobs online.

“This initiative means families can come together, learn together and reap the rewards together. Helping children succeed in school and get the skills they need will set them on the right track to get good quality jobs in the future.”

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls said:

“Families who are most in need cannot be left behind in the digital revolution we’re seeing in education. We’re leading the world with the way we use technology in learning and we’ve shown our commitment to this by making ICT the backbone of every lesson in the new primary curriculum. Because of this, it’s absolutely right that we’re investing £300 million so children who need the most support have access to the resources they need at home.

“Being online at home provides educational, economic and social benefits that cannot be ignored. We estimate that around one million children are without the internet at home, and it’s clear they are at a disadvantage to their peers. Computers are no longer a luxury for the few, but are as essential a part of education as books, pens and paper.

“This ground breaking new offer to the most in need families goes much further than just helping children get ahead at school. More than 8 out of ten parents involved in the pilot said getting online at home improved their confidence in using technology, and many reported using their new laptop to access public services and to look for work. This is all about making sure no child is left behind because of their background, getting parents more involved in their child’s learning, and helping them get the skills they need to get back into employment or training.”

Chief Executive of Becta Stephen Crowne said:

“The benefits of technology are clear, but it is vital that children are not excluded from access to technology – whether at school or, just as importantly, in the home. The Home Access programme seeks to support this aspiration, by offering this opportunity to more families.

“Technology is opening up the world of learning to parents, helping them gain a greater understanding of how their child’s school works, as well as improving the dialogue between parents, learners and the school. We hope that more parents and children will exploit the opportunity to further engage with their children’s learning and with their children’s school.”

The attainment gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their peers, achieving five or more GCSEs, has narrowed by 6.8 percentage points since 2002, and it continues to narrow.

But Ministers say the divide is still too great, which is why the Government is using interventions such as Home Access, guaranteeing one to one tuition for pupils falling behind, along with tried and tested programmes like Every Child A Reader to help meet the commitment of narrowing the gap further by 2011.

While having the internet at home offers huge opportunities for young people, online safety is an issue of growing importance for parents and families who rightly have concerns about what their children see and do online. To keep children safe, the Prime Minister recently launched the first ever internet safety strategy. In line with this, all Home Access computers undergo rigorous security testing. Each come with pre-set parental controls and are loaded with a copy of the award winning e-safety guide ‘Know IT All for Parents”. All computers will also have a pre-set homepage which includes the CEOP ‘report abuse’ button. Online safety will also become a compulsory part of the primary curriculum from 2011.

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has also today announced a pilot scheme for new IT courses to give thousands of adults the skills and confidence they need to get on with technology. This programme will be backed up by the increased access to technology for families through the Home Access offer.

Editor’s Notes
This press notice relates to ‘England’

1. Eligibility for the Home Access Grant is based on the Free Schools Meal criteria which means that applicants can apply if they are registered for Free School Meals or if they receive one of the qualifying benefits (income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit and an income of less than £16,040, income-based Employment Support Allowance or the Guaranteed element of the Pension Credit). Applicants will also have to meet the other eligibility criteria, namely:

o They have a child in years 3-9;
o They attend a state-maintained school in England or have their place paid for by an English LA or DCSF;
o They have not benefited under HA or CfP in the past.

Carers and foster parents for Looked After Children in school years 1 to 13 are likely to also be eligible for Home Access.

2. From today, parents will be able to ring to request an application form for a Home Access grant. If they meet strict eligibility criteria, they will then receive a pre-loaded debit card to spend on one Home Access computer and one broadband connection per family for one year. These are available from a list of approved suppliers. The general public will also be able to purchase Home Access kits from retailers, so parents can be sure that the laptops they buy are fully security checked, are safe and have all of the software needed to support learning.

3. Becta undertook a pilot of the Home Access programme in Oldham and Suffolk Local Authorities. Certain low-income families were able to apply for a Home Access Grant. The pilot has illustrated considerable interest amongst families to gain access at home to support their children’s learning. Over 12,000 grants were awarded to eligible families.

4. The Learning and Technology World Forum is taking place at the QEII conference centre from 11th – 13th January 2009. It is one of the largest gatherings of education and skills ministers in the world and the only forum which brings together key leaders to share their ideas and experiences on the strategy, policy and delivery of learning in all its contexts. It is now seen as the premier international event on learning technologies. This week some 70 ministers and more than 750 education and skills leaders representing 80 countries including India and China, will be in London to attend the Learning and Technology World Forum (LATWF). Representatives from India, China, Russia, Japan, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Finland, Sri Lanka, Croatia and Turkey will be attending the conference this week – representing more than 50 per cent of learners around the world – more than one billion young people.

5. The Institute of Fiscal studies report can be found here: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/RRP/u015337/index.shtml
6. For more information visit http://www.becta.org.uk/homeaccess or contact the DCSF press office on 0207 925 6789.

In November 2009 North Lincolnshire Council launched Litter Busters a litter education activity pack aimed at children aged 5 to 11 years.

A North Lincolnshire Council Education and Communications Officer has been visiting schools delivering the pack to children.  The pack educates children on what litter is and why it is bad.  And how it can damage the environment posing risks to people and animals, spreading germs and making areas scruffy.  The activity includes a litter pick and survey of the school grounds or a nearby area.

So far the litter busting teams of children have helped to clear litter from areas in and around, Althorpe and Keadby Primary School, Bottesford Infants School, Brumby Junior School, Priory Lane Junior School, Enderby Road Infants School, Grange Lane Junior School and Bowmandale Primary School.

Most recently Crowle Primary School’s eco team, completed the litter busters activity pack and cleaned the park next to their school, collecting 323 pieces of litter, which included

• Carrier bags              – 8
• Crisp packets            – 26
• Drinks cans               – 34
• Newspaper                – 1
• Plastic bottles           – 26
• Smoking products    – 57
• Sweet wrappers       – 60
• Other                          – 111 (including dummy’s childrens toys, plastic forks and polysterene.

A lot of glass and bottles were also found but the litter busters do not pick these up, along with any other dangerous litter an appropriate adult will dispose of them safely following the litter pick.

This is a typical amount of litter, which the children find.  Staff are usually surprised about how much we collect in such a short space of time (usually around 20 minutes).  And the children really enjoy making a difference and provide a valuable contribution to their community.

Most Primary schools do not allow children to bring snacks and sweets into the school grounds, as part of healthy eating.  Therefore, the litter found does not below to the pupils of the school.

The litter busters pack ends with the children making a pledge that they will never drop litter and will encourage their friends to make the litter pledge too.  And receive a litter busters sticker.

Following the litter buster activities, the group usually present an assembly to the rest of the school explaining why litter is bad and telling them what they have done.  They also produce posters, which they put up in various places like at home in local shops and in the school telling people not to drop litter.

Some of the children from Crowle told us that they used to go to play at the park stopped going because of the litter, which they think is dropped by older children and teenagers who hang around in the park.

North Lincolnshire Council hopes that through the litter buster activities they change littering behaviour of future generations.  The litter busters pack is very popular with schools and there are many more schools across North Lincolnshire booked in for litter buster sessions in the near future.

If a school or community group would like to take part in the litter busters activities please contact Susan Housley at sue.housley@northlincs.gov.uk