Kent Trust Web Blog

Learning Platforms & VLEs: How can they be used in the Foundation Stage & KS1?

kent-teachers — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:11:00 GMT

For those unsure about how to start using Learning Platforms / VLEs with younger children, Fiona Aubrey-Smith (Head of Education, UniServity) offers the following ideas Phonics : Wiki Wordbanks Assessment for Learning / Plenary : children respond to their outcomes through podcast Maths: Counting in... quizzes (also useful for keyword spelling, phonic graphemes etc.) Student Speak : Sound Recorded ‘Worry Box’ Talking Stories for book week – writing for an audience / feedback Bean Diary : Growth blogging...(read more)

Delivering extended services

hammol01 — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:12:00 GMT

By 2010 all schools are expected to provide access to extended services either by providing activities and services themselves or by signposting to existing services. These fall into five main areas

Access to childcare for working parents
A wide and varied menu of activities (before school, at lunchtime, after school or during weekends and holidays)
Providing Parental support and family learning opportunities
Swift and Easy Access to specialist support services
Community access and adult learning

The government has recently published a leaflet to help inform parents about extended services. They have also placed advertisements in some popular magazines to help explain how extended school activities can support children and families.

Signposting

Signposting to existing services and activities is a very important aspect of delivering the extended services agenda. This applies both to the activities that you already offer in school (for example how easy is it for parents and pupils to find out about all the clubs on offer in your school?) and those offered by other agencies/organisations (for example do parents know what activities your local spports centre has to offer during the holidays or that theres a website specifically for parents of teenagers?)

Some schools in Dartford East have accessed funding to improve their signposting either by having a dedicated notice board or by developing their website to provide a comprehensive source of information. If you have not accessed funding for this resource please complete the Application for signposting funding.doc and return it to me as soon as possible. If your signposting resource is complete please send a photo or link to your website so we can share your ideas with others!

In the autumn term some schools sent representatives to a meeting at which we discussed ways of signposting and schools were given a selection of information leaflets. The Parent Support Advisers also have copies of these leaflets. If you missed this meeting here is a copy of the presentation (signposting.ppt)and a list of the leaflets and where to obtain further copies ( Leaflet ordering list.doc)

There is also a very helpful new document Publicising your Extended Services available on Teachernet

If you require any help or further information about Extended services please do not hesitate to contact me

Lynda Hammond

01732525065

07786191524

lynda.hammond@kent.gov.uk

17 Kingshill Ave

West Malling

Kent

Test blog

June — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:32:00 GMT

To upload a document highlight the text you want as a link Children's centre website.docand click on the Content selector icon

AccessApps: 50 open source and freeware programmes

kent-teachers — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:40:00 GMT

Access Apps , a collection of over 50 open source and freeware programmes that can be run from a USB stick, has won the 2008 Scottish Open Source Award for Education Excellence. Worth a look. "AccessApps will run without needing to install anything on a computer and provide a range of e-learning solutions to support writing, reading and planning as well as visual and mobility difficulties." http://www.rsc-ne-scotland.ac.uk/accessapps/...(read more)

Test

June — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:38:00 GMT

You can make your text bold or underlined or a pretty colour by using the icons.

You can even change the size.

Delivering Extended Services

hammol01 — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:55:00 GMT

By 2010 all schools are expected to provide access to extended services, either by providing activities and services themselves or by signposting to existing services. These fall into five main areas.

Access to childcare for working parents
A wide and varied menu of activities (before school, at lunchtime , after school or during weekends and holidays
Providing parental support and family learning
Swift and easy access to specialist support services
Community access and adult learning

The governmenrt have recently published a leaflet to help inform parents about extended services. They have also placed advertisments in some popular magazines to help explain how extended school activities can support children and families.

Signposting

Signposting to existing services and activities is a very important aspect of delivering the extended schools agenda. This applies to both activities that you already offer in school (for example, how easy is it for parents and pupils to find out about all the clubs on offer in your school?) and those offered by other agencies/organisations (for example do parents know what activities your local sports centre has to offer during the holidays or that theres a website specifically for parents of teenagers?)

All schools in Dartford West have accessed funding to improve their signposting either by having a dedicated noticeboard or by developing their website to provide a comprehensive source of information. If your signposting resource is complete please send a photo or link to your website so we can share your ideas with others!

In the autumn term many schools sent representatives to a meeting at which we discussed ways of signposting and schools were given a selection of information leaflets. The parent support advisers also have copies of these leaflets - a list of the leaflets and how to obtain further copies is also available (Leaflet ordering list.doc.) If you missed this meeting you can see a copy of the presentation here(signposting.ppt) There is also a very helpful new document Publicising Your Extended Services available on Teachernet.

More than half of UK adults meet with online friends

averyr01 — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:24:00 GMT

A recent study called “ Digital World, Digital Life ” conducted by market researcher TNS Global, has revealed that more than half of all adults who first made contact online go on to meet face to face . More than 27,000 participants aged 18 to 55 across 16 countries were interviewed. Of the 2,500 UK web-users that were surveyed, 58 % (6 in 10) said they had met an internet ‘friend’ in person , 45 % had telephone conversations with friends who were previously just online acquaintances. " What...(read more)

Geography Christmas Quiz

kent-teachers — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:07:00 GMT

" Sharing is caring " Many thanks to Alexandra Chapman from Hartsdown Technology College , Margate, for producing this excellent end-of-term PowerPoint quiz, and sharing it with us. The Geography Christmas quiz takes about an hour to complete, so you may wish to move answer slides to the end of each round if you have shorter lessons and wish to "mark as you go". Click on the snowman (both on the questions or the answers) to take you back to a menu of the various rounds. There...(read more)

2008 Year-End Google Zeitgeist

averyr01 — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:36:00 GMT

Google has published its year-end Zeitgeist 2008. It's a tool which reveals what internet users are searching for by studying the aggregation of the billions of search queries that people type into the Google search box. Most popular 10 Searches in the UK (2008) Facebook BBC Youtube Ebay Games News Hotmail Bebo Yahoo Jobs 10 Fasting rising UK Searches (2008) iplayer Facebook iphone Youtube Yahoo mail Large Hadron Collider Obama Friv Jogos Wiki The list also reveals what searches have been popular...(read more)

A "youtube for all of us"?

averyr01 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:53:00 GMT

Youtube has recently announced making changes “ the collective YouTube experience even better”. The aims of the new ideas from youtube are to ensure users find content that is relevant and appropriate and that inappropriate material is removed quickly. Here’s some of the key ideas they’ve come up with: Stricter standard for mature content - videos featuring pornographic images or sex acts are always removed from the site when they're flagged, youtube are reconsidering and “tightening” the standard...(read more)

JVCS- looking for schools to trial their recording service

SteveJames — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:24:00 GMT

Dear All

JVCS (Janet Videoconferencing Service) will be trialling a recording service (recording of the VC conferences booked through them) in January. They are looking for schools that use the service on a regular basis who would like to take part in the trial. If you would like to take part, can you let me know by Wednesday?

Many thanks.

Regards

Heather

Heather Pettitt

SEGfL Project Officer

Easthampstead Park

Wokingham

RG40 3DF

Tel: 0118 978 9679

M: 07931 506487

VC:00440211519002003

JVCS: project-office@segfl.org.uk

www.segfl.org.uk

School Together Now ... Kill or Cure?

AlanDay — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:08:00 GMT

School Together Now is a new site offering 'school centric' social networking, and it has not been received well in the press . Indeed, Cambridge University researchers have indicated that it's security is fundamentally flawed. The idea of having a parent community talking to each other and their school is a laudable one if it is properly managed and access is controlled and authorised by the school. I also like the idea of a school being able to support local businesses and generate...(read more)

Kent children and young people's survey results

AlanDay — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:25:00 GMT

I do think that the format used to summarise Kent 2008 survey findings for children and young people are exemplar. Clean and simple with the message designed for the audience. A perfect example of communication skills for teachers to use in ICT lessons? There are primary , secondary and community summaries. Complex data sits behind it, but the reports are beautifully simple to read. It would be useful to provide seperate cuts in the same format for children in each of our Local Childrens Service...(read more)

Motivate: New conference coming up - Maths with Google Earth

SteveJames — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:57:00 GMT

You may be interested to know that there is a new Motivate primary conference, Maths with Google Earth, which is aimed at 9-11 year-olds, on 19-05-2009 and 19-06-2009.

If you are interested in this conference, please go to http://motivate.maths.org/conferences/conferencelist.php?prog=all

and follow the link. To request a place, please go to http://motivate.maths.org/getinvolved/getinvolved.php and submit our online registration form.

If you would like further information about this conference, or any other aspect of what Motivate is currently offering, please contact me.

Regards

Jenny

Dr Jenny Gage

Coordinator, Motivate Project Centre for Mathematical Sciences

Millennium Mathematics Project Wilberforce Road

University of Cambridge Cambridge

44(0)1223 764278 or 44(0)777 189 1776 CB3 0WA

Fax: 44(0)1223 765900

http://www.motivate.maths.org

Myst in Swale

kent-teachers — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:28:00 GMT

If there are any teachers who are unable to join the Kent launch of the Myst project in Paddock Wood on 19th January, you would be welcome to join us in Urban Swale on Tuesday 6th January , at Fulston Manor School , Sittingbourne . Tim will be introducing his work in the same way, just at a different venue. We have not had the uptake we hoped for, so places are being made available more widely. The day is free to Kent teachers, but supply cover is only available if you are in an Urban Swale school...(read more)

New online resource for school rebuilds

kent-teachers — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:29:00 GMT

A new website to support school and local authority leaders involved in the Primary Capital Programme and Building Schools for the Future processes is now live. The Future website provides resources and news, and access is free. Go to http://future.ncsl.org.uk/...(read more)

Welcome to Malling LCSP Blog

Sophie — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:17:00 GMT

2Create A Story - publishing online

kent-teachers — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:52:00 GMT

Karl Newman from Sevenoaks Primary sent me a link that I just had to share! Three children from Karl's Year One class had been using 2Create A Story to write about 'Sam The Spaceman'. They used a USB microphone to record their voices. Once they had finished they saved their work and ticked a box labelled 'SWF copy'. This gave them a Flash version of their story, (.swf file in the same folder as the saved 2Create A Stry file). Karl then put it on the school website. http://www...(read more)

Wrong Format? Sorry, no grade!

AlanDay — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:10:00 GMT

It has been reported that a number of schools have fallen foul of rules that govern the format for submission of student work in the Diploma in Digital Applications (DIDA) qualifications. DIDA requires the use of an e-portfolio, and files have to be submitted in formats that can be opened by the applications set out in the moderators toolkit ... it pays to read the small print!...(read more)

What can we do to end child poverty?

jonesc07 — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:51:00 GMT

Dear All,

We do hope that you found the presentation and activity that you participated in at the first LCSP awayday useful. Thank you for your contributions on the day and your subsequent feedback on the session. If you would like colleagues in the Children, Families and Education Policy Team to attend your local board meeting to discuss child poverty please contact Diane Trollope on 01622 694 716 or Helen Cook on 01622 694 602.

As you will know the state opening of Parliament took place on 3rd December and the over-riding theme of the Queen's speech was the state of the economy. A number of key pieces of legislation were announced which will have a direct impact on families;

Child Poverty Bill - to enshrine the Government's commitment to eradicate child poverty by 2020 in legislation
Welfare Reform Bill - to simplify the benefits system, support those who can work back into employment and provide appropriate support for those who cannot. This will include an obligation for lone parents currently claiming Income Support to move onto Job Seekers Allowance when their youngest child reaches 7 years of age.
Savings Gateway Account Bill -to establish a national savings scheme for people on a low income. Government will contribute 50p for each £1 saved up to a maximum of £300. The scheme will be available to those in receipt of qualifying benefits and tax credits.
Equality Bill - to promote equality and fight discrimination including directly addressing the gender pay gap
Children, Skills and Learning Bill - to reform education, training and apprenticeships to continue to address the skills challenge
Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill - to promote local economic development and to create greater opportunities for community and individual involvement in local decision-making

For more information on the Queen's speech and forthcoming legislation visit:

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page17666

A mortgage support package has also been announced by Gordon Brown to help families affected by the economic downturn to keep their home. More information can be found at http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page16715

Regards

Caroline Jones

Policy Officer

Helen Cook

Policy Development Officer

Hands on Support Agreements

kent-teachers — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:10:00 GMT

Leading ICT Teachers and Hands on Support Providers will be aware that all HoS activity should be recorded for monitoring and evaluation purposes. When planning local HoS provision, HoS Providers should conduct a prior assessment of needs and at the outset jointly complete a HoS Agreement with each teacher / school they support. HoS Agreements are now available in both paper and electronic formats. The online Hands on Support Agreement is available at www.kenttrustweb.org.uk?hosactivity . Use of...(read more)

Using external websites in lessons

kent-teachers — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:33:00 GMT

Please may we remind all schools of the following: Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult when using the Internet. Teachers should evaluate any websites fully before they use them with their students. This includes websites going to be shown on the interactive whiteboard as well as websites accessed directly by the pupils. Often this will mean checking the websites, search results etc just before the lesson. Remember at all times, what may be considered a safe site today might...(read more)

Communicator Gadget for Vista Sidebar

plaj01 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:27:00 GMT

Here is a handy little gadget if you use the Vista sidebar and OCS. It displays all open communications and makes it easier to manage conversations.

http://gallery.live.com/liveItemDetail.aspx?li=2701d34d-ec6a-48ec-9ce2-a3932345f3a8

Course places still available for January

kent-teachers — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:26:00 GMT

There are still a few places available for the following ICT courses in January: 08/01/2009 – E-Safety in the Primary School (Stour Valley) 14/01/2009 - Using ICT to Enhance Learning and Teaching in Science at Key Stage 2 (Oxford Rd) 28/01/2009 – Enhancing Learning and Teaching by using ICT in the Foundation Stage (Stour Valley) For more information on the course content visit www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/news/courses or www.kenttrustweb.org.uk?asktraining Alternatively contact Maryan Wyles on 01622 203800Ext...(read more)

Mail exchange with the USA

kent-teachers — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:08:00 GMT

I teach first grade (6 yr. olds) in Alabama (United States). Each year the other first grade teacher and I (eight total) do a Christmas Around the World project. Each teacher takes a country or part of the world and we learn about the traditions, etc. of that country. They make a little student passport where they travel classroom to classroom learning about the different countries. This year I'm thinking of doing England. Would you be interested in some sort of mail exchange? Our last day of...(read more)

Social Networking

kent-teachers — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:51:00 GMT

Teachers accessing social networking sites for personal use during school hours " A primary school teacher accused of spending hours on the internet during class time, using social network sites including Facebook, has been found guilty of professional misconduct." Read the full article here Should teachers have Facebook and other Social Networking pages? There have been a number of incidences in the press where pupils (and parents) have been able to access their teachers Social Networking...(read more)

Learner Voice - its in the can!

AlanDay — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:25:00 GMT

I love this idea, so I thought I'd share it. Now on the market are a number of cheap and attractive coloured small voice recorders that can be used for learners to comment on displays. Some have a multi-message recording feature. All you need to do is place one near a display, and let kids record their thoughts ... cool peer assessment tool, ... and they are really cheap! There are a number of suppliers of this type of equipment....(read more)

Becta ICT Self Review - Ch- Ch- Ch- Changes?

AlanDay — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:19:00 GMT

I was in London with Becta / NAACE earlier this week to renew my ICT Mark Assessor status . We are required to attend an annual assessors conference, (although its not really a conference, more of a seminar / workshop), where we get down and dirty with the elements! John Taylor of Becta gave an interesting presentation on the launch of the Next Generation Learning Charter. I've already covered the move to engaging parent power but there was something new. Its widely agreed that the ICT Mark is...(read more)

Christmas Teaching Resources

kent-teachers — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:03:00 GMT

Christmas Activities, lesson plans and other useful websites. www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/festivals/xmas.htm Quick Links Advent Calendar World Advent Calendar Build a snowman Textease Christmas Resources Origins of Christmas Christmas Clip art Over 30 graphics including dividers, a few religious clip art, Santas, reindeers, candy canes, bundles of wrapped gifts... www.rochedalss.eq.edu.au/xmas/clipart.htm...(read more)

Weather around the World update

kent-teachers — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:36:00 GMT

Forty schools from around the world are taking part right now in " Weather around the World ." www.segfl.org.uk/microsites2/view_project.php?id=95 Many of the schools have already published work on their project web pages including: Peponi House Kenya , Brattåsskolan, Sweden , Pembury Primary , Whitstable Community College , Christchurch Junior, Ramsgate , ZS Rudna Czech Republic , Szkola 707 Poland , Kenton College Preparatory School Kenya , Bower Grove, Dalat International School Malaysia...(read more)

Safeguarding for an Online World: e-Safety in Schools Conference

kent-teachers — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:42:00 GMT

KCC and Kent Police are hosting a further e-Safety Conference at Kent Police College, Maidstone on 21 January 2009 . The conference is aimed at Kent and Independent Primary, Special and Secondary Schools, Headteachers, Police Officers, e-Safety & Child Protection Co-ordinators and ICT Co-ordinators Places are limited and there is a charge of £50 per person to cover the cost of refreshments and speakers. For more details please see the conference flyer below. To book a place please complete and...(read more)

Is time spent online wasted?

averyr01 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:38:00 GMT

A 3 year long project by American researchers exploring how kids use digital media in their everyday lives has been published as the " Digital Youth Project ". The "Kids' Informal Learning with Digital Media: An Ethnographic Investigation of Innovative Knowledge Cultures" is a three-year collaborative project funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. It has been carried out by researchers at the University of Southern California and University of California...(read more)

Assessment for Learning - critics vindicated?

AlanDay — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:48:00 GMT

Alongside my previous post on personalised learning , the same committee also questioned the Assessment for Learning (AfL) strand. Reported in the TES this week, concerns were raised that the DCSF version of AfL differs substantially from the research that led to its adoption where '... pupils should be told only what they needed to do to improve, rather than being given grades." Professor David Hargreaves addressing the comittee said: "... unfortunately, what the Government has put...(read more)

Is 'Personalised Learning' just waffle? ... the Emperors New Clothes?

AlanDay — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:34:00 GMT

The term 'personalised learning' has just taken a colossal bashing. David Milliband extolled its virtues and Christine Gilbert promoted it as key to education policy in the 2020 vision . Education is awash with acronyms and 'buzz words' that aim to generate an ethos or credo. Education is much like religion, with adherents forming groups that reflect differing perspectives at different times. Last weeks (Weds 19th November) meeting of the Children, Schools and Families Committee opened...(read more)

New HSE Whiteboard Safety Advice

AlanDay — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:30:00 GMT

The BBC has reported on the Health & Safety Executive's revised guidance for the use of interactive whiteboards. Much of the advice remains the same as before; however there is recognition that risk is reduced if short throw projectors are used. These are where projectors are built in to the board or connected using a short arm. This type of design means that it isn't possible to acciedntally stare into a projector lamp. The suggestion is that boards should be replaced with short-throw...(read more)

Kent ICT Leading Teachers Conference

kent-teachers — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:02:00 GMT

A big thank you to Russell Prue and everyone else who contributed to another successful Kent Leading ICT Conference. Everyone who attended came away with lots of new and exciting ICT ideas to share with schools right across Kent. The official Kent Leading ICT Conference website is the only place where delegates can down presentations and resources. The address is on the postcard handed out to all delegates at the end of the conference. If you have mislaid yours please contact Maryan Wyles. As always...(read more)

No SAT's - opportunities and threats

Keith Milchem — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:29:00 GMT

At recent training events we used the opportunity to discuss issues surrounding the ending of KS3 SAT's. The attached file shows what some delegates saw at the opportunities and threats of this move. More will be added as they get typed up. You might like to use other peoples ideas as part of training you do in your department when considering life "post SAT's"....(read more)

Radiation Protection Supervisor Training - Feb 09

Keith Milchem — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:00:00 GMT

The attached file is the flier for the above course. The last course filled up quite quickly and people have placed themselves on a reserve list. New applicants are very welcome but may need to move quickly to get booked. The attached flier has a hyperlink to the application form. To get to the attachment, click on title of this post, the attachment is shown in the new window which opens....(read more)

Teachers TV science catalogue

Keith Milchem — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:21:00 GMT

The link below goes directly to a listing of all the science videos available on Teachers TV. There are some nice video's here for both training and possible classroom use. All are downloadable. http://www.teachers.tv/science If you or any colleagues would like some support with classroom management, there are also some useful video's with some very good ideas here. http://www.teachers.tv/behaviour...(read more)

AQA Physics Module PHY 1AP Nov 2008

Keith Milchem — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:40:00 GMT

I have heard from one school of the printing errors on the above module examination. If you have been affected by this please can you let me know by e-mail. The school who reported the problem have written to AQA to complain and are hoping for some speedy action from the board. If you have been affected, it might be worth getting your school to write to AQA as well....(read more)

Microsoft Office Website for Education Resources

plaj01 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:31:00 GMT

Microsoft have updated their Office Website with a new education subsite. It contains how to guides, smart templates and a host of other useful stuff: http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/school/FX102781621033.aspx

Website of the Week - Spelltube

kent-teachers — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:12:00 GMT

Spelltube www.spelltube.co.uk " Spelltube brings the weekly spelling list into the technological age. " Spelltube is a fun spelling website that allows teachers to assign video-based spelling lists to their pupils. At present it is aimed at KS2 pupils but it is hoped to extend this at a later date. Spelling videos have been created for each of the 3000+ words in the National Spelling Bank, from which teachers can generate and assign a word list to their Key Stage 2 pupils. Memorable characters...(read more)

Upgrading Your LCS Client to OCS Communicator

plaj01 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:41:00 GMT

As part of the recent KLZ upgrades, the instant messaging software was changed to Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007.
This new service no longer works with the old Office Communicator 2005 client software for LCS (Live Communications Server) and therefore requires a new client, Microsoft Office Communicator 2007.If you have purchased Office 2007 Professional Plus or Enterprise under a Select or School Agreement, then the software is included. If you do not have a copy of the software you can purchase an OCS Client CD from Civica for £18.37 or with proof of purchase supplied to EIS, we can supply a copy of the software*.The software can also be evaluated here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=7F5AB627-2D34-470D-9393-8B3EDE6FE3C4&displaylang=enThe software is available to buy separately from Civica Services for £1.98 on Select.

* we will provide on a request, a copy of the software if you are signed in to the Kent Microsoft Select contract and have purchased a copy of Microsoft Office Professional Plus or Enterprise 2007 from Civica Services. The software will be supplied in .zip format and EIS cannot be held responsible for the quality or reliability of this file. You are required to adhere by licensing rules and not distribute this file outside of your organisation. You are also requested not to install the software illegally - i.e. on machines not licensed to run the software. The software will be supplied electronically on a best endeavour basis.

How to Setup the Office Communicator 2007 Client

plaj01 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:38:00 GMT

After installing open up the software and click the down arrow on the menu bar.

Click Tools and then Options.

In the Sign-in address: section enter your username@klz.org.uk and click Advance.

Ensure Automatic configuration is selected.

Click OK twice and then click sign in.

Enter your user name and password and click Sign In

Tip: a new hotfix: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1ad57f8f-78f7-45f6-a8c0-805936f46645&displaylang=en

How to Setup the Office Communicator 2007 Mobile Client (For Windows Mobile)

plaj01 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:33:00 GMT

This software is actually free! The latest version as of November 2008 is available at this link:

After installing, open the software on your Windows Mobile device.
You will notice a new presence icon on the Today screen.Select Options and under the Account Tab enter the following:

Sign-in address: username@klz.org.uk
domain\username: klz\username
password: your password

Now select the Server tab and enter the following:

External server name: im.klz.org.uk:443
Internal server name: im.klz.org.uk:443
Connect using: TLS

Select OK and then Sign In!

This works with Windows Mobile 6 and above.

ICT Mark Success

kent-teachers — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:07:00 GMT

Many congratulations to St Teresa's Catholic Primary School in Ashford. It is the latest school in Kent to be awarded the ICT Mark and is the first school in the AS1 Partnership to achieve this prestigious award. Well done to everyone at the school! Oh and good luck with Ofsted today!...(read more)

Radioactive Sources in schools

Keith Milchem — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:28:00 GMT

Further to previous communications I'd like to clarify the position regarding informing the HSE that you hold radioactive sources. We (Kent's H & S dept and myself) have informed the HSE of all schools holding sources where Kent is the employer. Schools where the Governors are the employer (Foundation and voluntary aided + academies) need to inform the HSE individually. We did try to notify them on your behalf but this was not acceptable! The link below explains the categorisation of...(read more)

Political Science

Keith Milchem — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:14:00 GMT

The Times carried an editorial today entitled "Political Science" in which it argues that more politicians need to understand the process of science. In especially mentions how to weigh up evidence! You might find reading it interesting (and useful for some students). Go to http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article5167984.ece...(read more)

Science news update

Keith Milchem — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:12:00 GMT

Attached is the Newsletter recently sent to HoD's in schools. If you work in a Kent school and want to go on to my circulatrion list to get a direct copy, please let me know at my e-mail address. keith.milchem@kent.gov.uk...(read more)

Innovation is risky ... what happens if it doesn't work?

AlanDay — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:25:00 GMT

Reading last weeks TES, I came across an article in which OFSTED is reported to have given a 'thumbs down' to themed lessons. Two Essex schools highlighted by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) as innovative and "putting together an excellent curriculum", were reported to be 'inadequate'. Both had implemented an 'integrated approach' that organises lessons by themes rather than traditional subjects. This approach is exemplified by the Royal Society...(read more)