Kick – start the new academic year with a dynamic and engaging “learn to learn” workshop that will equip pupils’ with the skills needed to flourish in school and beyond.

Our presenters all come from a theatre or education background so their delivery is modern, fresh and interactive.

We have combined their presentation skills with our experience as teachers to create innovative learning strategies that improve students’ confidence, self – esteem and ultimately, exam results.

This is an example of what we can do for each cohort:

Year 12 & 13: Advanced Study Skills

Year 10 & 11: Strategies for Success

Year 9: Now and the Future

Year 8: Essential Study Skills

Year 7: Introduction to Big School

To Book a Workshop

Contact me on today on 01903 872849 or email carrie@learningperformance.comor book online here.

Can’t wait to hear from you!

Carrie Starbuck
Managing Director

DRUG EDUCATION CD ROM

This resource is a collection of session plans for drug education and gives young people the opportunity to learn through questions and discussion. Each session plan has a learning objective and key question.

The session plans are broken down into the different age groups and the subject matter includes:

Age 11-12 – Sessions:

1) Drugs – To be able to make safe and well considered decisions

2) Who takes illegal drugs? – To understand that people from a broad spectrum of society take illegal drugs

3) Assessing personal qualities and making friends – To know how to choose a friend

4) People who take illegal drugs – To understand that how a person may look will not always be a good indicator of
character

5) Would you like some drugs? – To be able to deal with being offered an illegal drug

6) All about risk – To understand which issues someone should consider in assessing a risky situation

7) Making personal choices in my life – To be able to make appropriate personal choices

8) How can school help me now and in the future? – To understand how school can be used to achieve their
hopes and dreams

Age 12-13 – Sessions:

1) My views on illegal drugs – To be able to develop a balanced opinion which reflects their own opinion of issues
surrounding drugs

2) Accepting responsibility – To understand the need of taking responsibility as they get older

3) Abusing solvents – To know that many household substances when misused can be dangerous and potentially life
threatening

4) Prescribes and non-prescribed drugs – To know that some prescribed and non-prescribed drugs are misused

5) About tobacco – To understand that there are significant health risks associated with smoking

6) About alcohol – To understand that alcohol can damage health and lead to addiction

Age 13-14 – Sessions:

1) If I use drugs – To understand that there are personal risks and consequences to taking illegal drugs

2) How would you deal with a drug related emergency – To know when a situation involving drug abuse has
become dangerous

3) Using a visitor for drug education – Maybe bring in a police officer to explain that drugs are illegal and understand
the law in relation to illegal drugs

4) Taking risks with friends – To understand how to assess the risk taken by a group and to make a personal choice

5) I thought I was going out to a party – To be able to help someone in relation to illegal drugs, when they can’t help
themselves

6) Thinking of the future – To be able to take responsibility in planning for the future

Age 14-15 – Sessions:

1) All about the drug pusher – To know that anyone in society can be a drug pusher

2) Drugs in the world of sport – To know that some athletes use body enhancing drugs to improve athletic
performance and understand the risks involved

3) People who take drugs at work and the consequences – To understand the dangers and personal risks of
taking drugs at work

4) How do you feel – To be able to cope with feelings of unhappiness in a positive way

5) Under pressure – To understand that we can cope with pressure by internal processes

Age 15-16 – Sessions:

1) The effects of drugs on the body – To understand that all illegal drugs are harmful and potentially dangerous

2) Risk – To be able to assess the effect of taking a risk, on themselves and others

3) Helping others – To understand that, at times, we all need to give and offer help

4) What about the future? – To assess what will need to be done to succeed in their future.

Drug Education was written by Ashley Ross and Sue Neame. Ashley is Head of Research and Development. He was a County Educational Adviser and Inspector and has considerable experience in the field of school improvement. An author of over20 titles in the field of PSHE and Citizenship, Ashley has written and developed nationally acclaimed educational programmes for the Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Youth and Community and Health Education. He has also written educational papers for the Home Office. An expert in the field of multi-agency work he is keen, through his work, to ‘make a difference’. Sue is Head of Quality Assurance and delivers National and Regional Conferences in PSHE, Citizenship and personal development. Other activities include school inspections, supporting schools experiencing difficulties, tutoring and assessing graduate and overseas trained teachers. An accomplished author of over20 titles, Sue is well known nationally for her work in the fields of PSHE, Citizenship and Emotional Intelligence.

DRUG EDUCATION CD ROM Age:11-16 Ref: 2-107-31 £39.95 + VAT
TO ORDERCLICK HERE

There is also a Drug Education CD Rom available for ages 5-11 and should you want Drug Education for ages 5 to 16 year olds you can buy both CD Roms age 5-11 and age 11-16 as a value set.

DRUG EDUCATION CD ROM Age:5-11 Ref: 2-130-31 £39.95 + VAT
TO ORDERCLICK HERE

DRUG EDUCATION CD ROM VALUE SET OF 2 – Age:5-16 Ref: 2-261-31 £75.95 + VAT
TO ORDERCLICK HERE

Education, health, social services & other public sectors using a purchase order number can ORDER ON ACCOUNT HERE

TO ORDER:
By phone: (01604) 870 828
By fax: (01604) 870 986
By email: orders@loggerheadpublishing.co.uk
By the website: www.loggerheadpublishing.co.uk
By post: Loggerhead Publishing,P O Box 928, Northampton, NN7 9AP

We’re all responsible for motivating students.
But who motivates the teachers? 

Of course, everyone who works in the classroom is a professional – and as such is expected to be motivated and engaged with their students all day, every working day. 

But the reality of life is that for even the most dynamic person, drive and enthusiasm can come and go with the ups and downs of the job. An occasional boost of one’s determination to succeed never goes amiss. 

This is particularly true when the activity includes not just a boost of the morale of teachers, but also the equipping of them with the tools to reduce stress and increase positivity. 

And this is exactly what the Fixup Get Up and Go Seminar does. We share tried and tested tools and inspirational resources that will be effective for boosting the well-being of your colleagues as they work each day helping their students. 

The result is an inspiring session for staff, designed to uplift morale and share some amazing tools for continuous development, with the aim of helping every student to set and achieve his/her aspirational goals. 

For the teachers it rebuilds what can, on occasion, be a slight drop in the level of enthusiasm and drive for the subject being taught, as well as being an effective means of developing time for thinking and reflection. 

Overall we combine passion, energy, humour and inspiration to give you the necessary tools for continuous development, personally and professionally. 

To see more about how we work we have produced and made available free of charge 8 CPD videos. For a copy just email us at admin@fixupseminars.co.uk and quote FX-HAM14VIDEO. 

And that’s not all, for we are currently able to offer 10% off any half or full day sessions. To activate, please email us at admin@fixupseminars.co.uk using code FX-HAM14. 

You can learn more about our unique approach via our website. 

Alternatively please do call us on 08445 610 410 for more information.

How can rapping be of any importance
to learning the history of Tudors and Normans?

Developing confidence and capability in History is greatly aided by being able to quickly identify and recall a wide variety of historical facts, events and themes. Cognitive scientists recognise that one of the most effective ways of remembering such material is through the use of mnemonic devices. However, it is commonly believed that such learning aids are difficult to generate.

Revision Raps turns this wisdom on its head. Employing methodologies which have evolved over a decade of work in schools in the UK and the United States, we utilize the accessibility and appeal of rap music to create efficient and entertaining reminders of core content. Students enjoy themselves whilst focussing on the meaning of key terms and concepts, making the process a great way of learning and remembering course material. For example, here is a video about US History we made with students in New York City: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3VrR_7FUYw

We can help you integrate the learning possibilities into your classroom by:

Original tailored tracks
We will create an original rap music track and video around the material you want your students to learn, tailored to the content and emphasis of your particular topic, curriculum, scheme of work or examination framework. From £200 per track.

In-class Programmes
We can help your students to create their own music and videos, providing an interactive, multimedia learning experience so memorable that students won’t forget what they rap about. Through writing, recording and listening to their own raps, students are immersed in the repetition of key methods and concepts in an enjoyable and rewarding way. Participants are left with a creative product which serves as a continuing learning aid. We can tailor programmes to any age or ability group. One-off workshops are priced from £350.

To commission a video, book a workshop or find out more information,
visit our website: www.revisionraps.com or email: info@revisionraps.com

When a single letter combination can have six different pronunciations it is not surprising that dyslexia exists

It is said that the notion of “dyslexia” doesn’t exist in some societies which have a written language wherein everything is written phonetically. Undoubtedly the genetic variation that causes dyslexia is still there within the population, but no one notices the effect.

But compare that with the poor English child who is faced with the letters “Ough” – a combination of letters that has six different pronunciations.

And worse, as we all know “ough” is not alone. One might think of the various ways of saying “ear”, or “ea” on its own, and of “ou” (without the “gh”).

Which is why the best way to teach spelling to those who have difficulty in grasping and memorising the rules and the exceptions has to be via a logical, step by step approach, taking in all 90 spelling and phonic rules.

In short, out of the disorder and apparent randomness comes a new order of sounds – an order that is taught through the multi-sensory approach.

Which is exactly the approach that the company Multi-Sensory Learning devised and developed through its reading and spelling rescue programme.

This programme covers all the 90 different spelling and sound rules and adds in ten sections on specific issues such as word patterns, suffixes, prefixes, homophones and irregular final syllables.

The 90 rules and associated topics can be seen on our websitewhere you can see the structured order of teaching that we have introduced.

What we have then done is broken these 100 topics down into 20 modules, presented in an order which allows students to use the spelling rules as soon as they have learned them.

As a result of this structured approach, which includes placement & progress tests, you can introduce a dyslexic pupil or student to the sequence from the very start.

But of course you don’t have to run through the whole course with your pupil or student, for you can begin with the individual revising key points before moving on to areas of weakness where his/her knowledge becomes erratic.

A copiable version of each of the 20 modules costs £29.99 or you can order five modules together on a CD for £80 plus VAT. All 20 modules are available for £450.

You can order the Reading and Spelling Rescue Programme in any of these ways:

• On our website (where you can also see full details of the programme)
• By phone on 01604 505000
• By fax to 01604 505001
• By email to info@msl-online.net
• By post to Multi-Sensory Learning, Highgate House, Creaton, Northants, NN6 8NN

Awareness DVD & Education Pack For Young People On Guns And Knives Crime

This innovative education pack will help young people understand the real life implications of becoming involved in a weapons culture. The pack includes a film on DVD plus a CD with facilitator notes and a detailed session plan which includes a decision-making card game with cards and a board you can print off, interviews, discussion starters, role-plays, word searches, activity sheets and debates.

The DVD contains a short film about a knifing incident in a school and a subsequent guns incident that followed, which is acted out by staff and students of a secondary school. It graphically illustrates what can happen when young people carry weapons, and how confrontation can rapidly escalate into violence and tragedy, with the reality of a subsequent real life Police intervention. The programme provides a mechanism for young people to observe a situation involving guns and knives, and to learn through discussion, reflection and activities.

The Decision-Making Card Game will help students learn about actions, consequences, facts and the law regarding guns and knives.

The cards include:

• Action Cards e.g. You’re trying to get ‘respect’.
• Consequences Cards e.g. You will be unable to ever work in teaching, nursing, care work, sports or leisure centres, police, paramedics, fire & rescue etc.
• Fact Cards e.g. A MORI youth survey found that 10% of boys aged 11 and 12 are reported to have carried a knife or other weapon.
• Joker Cards e.g. In the UK it is illegal to carry a weapon and you could be sent to prison or young offenders institute.
• Outcome Cards e.g. If you point a gun, even a fake gun, the Police will shoot you.
• Respect Cards e.g. Do fear and bullying make someone earn respect?
• True or False Cards e.g. Anyone from the age of ten years can be prosecuted, injuring someone with a knife carries a sentence of between five years to life imprisonment.

The comprehensive session plan has learning objectives that cover:

• To know the legal position relating to the carrying or use of knives or guns
• To understand the consequences of carrying knives or guns
• To be able to make safe decisions about knives or guns.

In the words of the students “No guns or knives we want our lives!”

Age: 11-16

Guns & Knives DVD & Education Pack was written by Ashley Ross and Sue Neame. Ashley is Head of Research and Development. He was a County Educational Adviser and Inspector and has considerable experience in the field of school improvement. An author of over 20 titles in the field of PSHE and Citizenship, Ashley has written and developed nationally acclaimed educational programmes for the Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Youth and Community and Health Education. He has also written educational papers for the Home Office. An expert in the field of multi-agency work he is keen, through his work, to ‘make a difference’. Sue is Head of Quality Assurance and delivers National and Regional Conferences in PSHE, Citizenship and personal development. Other activities include school inspections, supporting schools experiencing difficulties, tutoring and assessing graduate and overseas trained teachers. An accomplished author of over 20 titles, Sue is well known nationally for her work in the fields of PSHE, Citizenship and Emotional Intelligence.

GUNS & KNIVES DVD & EDUCATION PACK

Ref: 2-105-64 £49.95 + VAT TO ORDERCLICK HERE

Education, health, social services & other public sectors can ORDER ON ACCOUNT CLICK HERE

TO ORDER:

By phone: (01604) 870 828

By fax: (01604) 870 986

By email: orders@loggerheadpublishing.co.uk

By post: Loggerhead Publishing, PO Box 928, Northampton, NN7 9AP

By the website: www.loggerheadpublishing.net

For the product listed here and a whole range of other resources to help promote the social, emotional and behavioural skills of children and young people visit our website www.loggerheadpublishing.net

I am fairly sure that when digital technology really came to the fore a lot of people thought that paper based data either was dead or would soon be dead. But now, some 40 years on, it seems that paper is remorselessly showing us the benefit of its existence.

I thought of this most recently when I heard that the Court of Justice of the European Union had ruled that Google and other search engines can be ordered to delete links to outdated or offensive information about a person that is published on the Internet.

It seems that all you have to do is to write to Google, etc, and make the demand. Google then has to consider the request in detail to see if the information displayed about the person is still relevant and accurate.

If it isn’t, then the links to the relevant web pages have to be deleted unless Google can show good strong reasons not to do so.

Now immediately problems appear. First, the number of such requests could be huge. Google is well known for handing as much activity as it can over to robots, and yet this is exactly the sort of activity that needs human brains to investigate it. Lots of human brains in fact.

(Unless of course Google accedes to each request, and just allows its database to become further and further removed from reality.)

Second there is the whole issue of whether the data is accurate or not. How do you know if some personal data is right or not? And what if the data relates to two people and one says it is accurate and one that it is not? You or I might say, be cautious, cut the link. But this is Google which prides itself on covering everything – and at the moment at least it doesn’t have the staff to handle this sort of work on any sort of scale.

The ways in which the data is gathered are totally automated, so the amount of programming that will have to go into the system to stop gathering data on a particular person could be huge.

And then there is the dubious side of this – such as one search engine getting people to protest to another search engine over information, but not making the protest to the originator of the plot. The mind begins to boggle.

The clue to what is going on here comes from the original complaint in which a Spanish complainant asked for data relating to a past legal case to be removed from Google because the case had been settled. There was no doubt that the information Google linked to was lawful – but it was considered by the court to be inadequate and thus gave a false impression.

A newspaper, publishing the story of the complainant, could still mention the original court case but would have to say that everything had been resolved. A search via Google would only reveal the original court case and its finding.

So what does all this mean?

It means that even if Google was once a source of valid information it is certainly not so now. If you want to get a full picture of anything in the past then you need paper files – and that is why paper is indeed making a comeback.

In the case that led to the ruling against Google, no one is suggesting that the original files be destroyed – but simply that Google does not link to them.

Slowly, over time, we are seeing more and more situations in which the only way to get all the information you want, and to get a full picture and keep it secure, is through paper based files.

Which is why Admiral Document Storage continues to exist. If you have paper that needs storing that is what we do. We store it in such a way that you can inspect it at any time.

For more information on our document storage facility in the West Midlands click here to our website.

Admiral Document Storage Ltd
Bloxwich Lane
Walsall
WS2 8TF
Tel: 0800 810 1125

Email: info@archive-document-storage.co.uk

www.archive-document-storage.co.uk

Free video available to help kick start the new term

For some students getting back into the swing of things after the summer break can be a struggle.

In order to help kick start the new school year and to get all students positive and prepared for the year ahead, we offer motivational workshops for year groups.

The workshops will inspire students and will leave them feeling energised and filled with confidence.

Various topics are covered including identity, vision and building the right relationship for a good year.

To see more about how we cover such topics we have also produced and made available free of charge the Kick Start with Motivationvideo. For a copy just email us at admin@fixupseminars.co.uk and quote FX-HAM13VIDEO.

And that’s not all, for we are currently able to offer 10% off any half or full day sessions. To activate, please email us at admin@fixupseminars.co.uk using code FX-HAM13.

You can learn more about our unique approach via our website.

Alternatively please do call us on 08445 610 410 for more information.

How a “notice of the day” at the school entrance can stop visitors from getting lost

It is a simple rule which applies to every school. The people who use the school know their way around.

By and large those people don’t really need signs – but…

Think just for a moment about the people who come to the school and don’t know where to go. Pupils who join the school from primary school or transfer from elsewhere. Parents new to the school.

Plus delivery people, inspectors, visiting speakers, occasional teachers…

Now one solution can be to put up signs around the school – but it is never possible to put up a sign for each and every special occasion.

When rooms are taken over for examinations, conferences, meetings or for other special purposes everyone needs to know as they approach the school what to do and where to go.

Likewise, when part of the school is used by outside organisations in the evening you need to ensure that the visitors are not left wandering about.

The solution to this problem is the outside noticeboard, placed exactly where visitors will see it. A noticeboard that can have placed upon it a clear notice for the day, telling those likely to be arriving to use Entrance D or whatever is appropriate.

It is true to say that for a while outdoor noticeboards were out of fashion, but now, with the growing awareness of just how many different people do turn up in the average school, they are very much coming back into fashion.

Indeed some schools are putting up boards at each entrance – just to make sure.

The message within the lockable noticeboard can be changed as often as one wishes. Indeed changing it regularly ensures that the board is looked at regularly.

All one has to do is print the message in a way that makes it easily readable to the person standing close by. If you always use it for the very latest, most important information and change it regularly, people will pay attention to it.

We have a range of styles of outdoor noticeboards to suit all types of school – you can see illustrations on our website at: http://www.greenbarnes.co.uk/product-type/lockable-noticeboards/

Alternatively please do call us on 01280 701093 and we’ll be pleased to discuss our boards, send you a brochure, and give any advice and guidance that you may require.

Michael Barnes

Do you think your confidence is linked to:

• Your level of insanity?
• A ‘can do’ attitude’?
• A simple, balanced and practical approach – as with all teaching and learning?
• The quality of your anorak?

The truth is, we can relate to all those answers (well maybe not the insanity one).

The perception of outdoor teaching and learning is often one of planning for hours, needing to source specialist resources, including suitable clothing for all your children, and a risk assessment as long as your arm. By the time you’ve thought of all the ‘extras’ you’ve given up on the idea.

So how can we teach outdoors more regularly without it taking an inordinate amount of planning time – thereby using our immediate school grounds more effectively and frequently?

These were the underpinning questions that have informed our outdoor learning packs:

• 100 Ideas for Outdoor Literacy Folder

• 100 Ideas for Outdoor Numeracy booklet

• Starters for Thinking Outdoors Pack.

Each offers ideas for teaching and learning outdoors in active, playful ways but in the knowledge that important literacy and numeracy objectives are being addressed. All this can take place right outside the classroom, and only basic resources are ever needed.

What better way to ensure that children enjoy the benefits of learning outdoors on a more frequent basis?

Better still, you can now buy all three packs together with our ‘OUTDOOR COMBO’ offer – all three for just £110 (plus VAT).

Invoices can be raised for UK schools – use the INVOICE button on the website.

Email: info@thinkingchild.org.uk

You can Fax an order: 01604 570773

Or simply pick up the phone 01604 491511 for a chat.

Yours sincerely

Sue Dixon
sue@thinkingchild.org.uk

Talk to most employers who take on young people just out of school (either for permanent jobs or for temporary employment) and the chances are you will hear some complaints.

These complaints tend to focus around the fact that “these youngsters simply don’t know what being in a job means”.

They might give as examples the fact that some teenagers think that they know everything (when from the employers point of view they know nothing), that when they have finished a job they just sit around either doing nothing or using their mobile.

Indeed one employer that we spoke to commented on a school leaver who actually checked his mobile for messages during an interview!

What Employers Want and Expect deals with the attitude of employers to employees and with the new demands that employers are placing on staff.

The book recognises that under current legislation, employers have an almost total right to dismiss employees during the early days of employment for any reason and notes that the average time people now spend in a job is only two years and four months.

The book takes the view that in order to stay in work the vast majority of young employees must help themselves by being aware of the current needs and attitudes of employers.

It is quite probably the only book which examines the attitude of employers towards young employees and advises teenagers how they can make a good impression.

The volume, which is fully copiable and so can be put on the school’s learning platform, copied to disk or photocopied, covers such issues as reliability, accuracy, punctuality, honesty, smoking, communication, written work, swearing, etc.

This edition, new for 2013, also includes warnings concerning what one can write on Facebook. As the book points out, many employers will check the Facebook pages of their employees to ensure that no one is saying anything amiss about the company that pays the wages.

It is, in fact, essential reading for everyone going into a job for the first time.

The volume can be bought as a photocopiable book or on CD Rom.

You can see some sample pages at http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/careers/T1798.pdf

Publisher’s reference: T1799EMN ISBN: 978 1 86083 895 8

Prices

• Photocopiable report in a book, £19.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• CD with school-wide rights: £19.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• Both the book and the CD £26.94 plus £3.95 delivery

Prices include VAT.

You can purchase the report… please quote the order ref: T1798EMN

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Way, Corby, NN17 4HH
• By fax to 01536 399 012
• On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=47&products_id=198

What turns away parents who are contemplating sending their children to your school – before they even arrive for a look around?

There is a direct link between the number of students a school recruits and the number of hits its website gets.

There is also a link between the number of hits a school website gets and whether the website is arranged so that it can be read easily on a mobile phone or tablet.

It does, of course, cost a little more to have a website arranged this way. But, as many schools have found, if the investment results in the recruitment of just a handful of new students then it has more than paid for itself.

Over 50% of websites are now viewed via mobile devices – which means that if you have a website that can’t readily be seen on a mobile phone or a tablet, then you are going to be putting technologically advanced parents at a disadvantage.

Of course, it is never good to disadvantage anyone – but when you are not servicing the needs of these parents, then you are in danger of saying to them, “this school is not 100% in tune with modern times”.

In short, it does not present your school and its IT provision in a good light.

If your school has any other specific requirements in terms of functionality and content for a mobile web app, or indeed how the website and mobile web app can be “linked” to make content updates as easy as possible for the school, then do contact us for a no obligation discussion.

We would be delighted to discuss how mobile apps and web technology may benefit your school.

There is more information on Mobile Web App Development and also details of other services we provide at www.inco-education.co.uk

And you can call us on 01902 784 800.

As a Head of Teaching & Learning in your school it will be important to you that are doing everything you can to ensure you receive the best possible OfSTED report.

“OfSTED will look at how the school uses self-evaluation to develop and improve. OfSTED says that the quality of the self-evaluation is an indicator of calibre of the school’s leaders and managers and the school’s capacity to improve.”

OfSTED have said how highly they rate the leadership of a school that is using self-evaluation and review to improve teaching.

“Using Classwatch video, I learnt more in 30 minutes about my teaching than I have in the last 8 years”

Watch our video to see why teachers are using Classwatch video in their primary schools for self- evaluation and sharing of best practice.

With the Classwatch video system:

• Colleagues can observe a lesson remotely
• Your teachers have an opportunity for self-evaluation
• The lesson can be reviewed and discussed with the teacher
• You can share great lessons with other teachers in your school.

You can watch a short video on our website to see testimonials from the teachers who are already using Classwatch – and hear what they say about their experiences – just click the link below to see why Classwatch is now in 330 classrooms (and rising) around the UK.

We have a FAQs information sheet and a brochure with full details of how the Classwatch video system could work in your school.

Please click here to arrange for a copy to be sent to you or to arrange a free demo at your school and at your convenience.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Ravencourt Ltd are now giving schools and colleges 25% discount off all clocks

Simply enter Voucher Code EDUCATION25 at checkout

Sizes range from 25cm classroom clocks up to huge 60cm Exam and Hall clocks.

Safety glass lenses are a superb feature for schools making them vandal resistant and safe.

Clear Easy to read dials Ideal for Exams

Radio controlled clocks set themselves to correct time and automatically adjust for summer and winter time, saving you time and making sure all clocks are always correct.

For more information or to place an order go to www.ravencourt.com
Or phone: 01780 489100, fax: 01780 489099
Don’t forget to use code EDUCATION25 to qualify for discount.

Automatic 30 day account for all UK schools and colleges.

From licences to tachographs, from towing to safety inspections, running a school minibus is complex. This free report answers all your questions.

For many schools the first concern about having a school minibus is the funding. However with the move to leasing a bus rather than trying to raise the cash for one ahead of a purchase, many more schools are now able to benefit from having their own vehicle.

But minibuses – like all vehicles on the road – are subject to licences, rules and regulations, and sometimes over time it is possible that one or two of these regulations can forgotten – very occasionally with serious consequences.

Of course, most of the rules are fairly obvious – and you won’t be surprised to read that yes, you do need a licence before you can drive a minibus.

But there are often questions such as, “is a car licence ok?” And, of course, this being the world of regulation the answer is, “that depends”. Not everyone with a car licence can drive a school minibus.

Then there is the “operating licence” which is different from the driving licence and the question of the law on seatbelts. Plus all the extra issues that arise if you take the bus abroad.

And more, and more…

In a recent informal survey we discovered that a substantial number of people who were responsible for the running of a school minibus were not fully au fait with all the regulations and could potentially be committing an offence.

So we thought we would try to be of help by producing, “Operating a Minibus – your responsibilities” which is available free of charge.

Of course. some of the regulations cover situations which are fairly obscure – but then in the course of school life, the obscure can occasionally happen – and it is never a bad idea to be fully aware of what the regulations say.

So if you would like a free copy, all you have to do is send an email to laura@schools.co.uk and we will forward you the report. There is no charge and no obligation.

And there’s a further bonus. On reading the report, if you find that the key question you need answered is not there, you can write in and we’ll do all that we can to find the answer for you. We’ll also put that answer in the next copy of the report – so you will be helping many other colleagues in schools across the country by drawing attention to the issue.

If you have any enquiries please do call 01753 859 944.

If you are interested in leasing or buying a minibus we have further information on our website at www.minibusleasing.co.uk/school-minibus.php

Solving the problem of finding suitable plays that meet GCSE Drama exam board criteria

One of the most frustrating and time consuming problems associated with GCSE drama classes is the seeking out of suitable plays for the students to perform.

There are, of course, many plays around, but not so many that have the right amount of engagement per candidate and the right number of pupils involved within the cast.

What’s more, given the restriction that some exam boards now impose on the taking of scenes from published plays and the need for the play to have a unified sense, finding suitable plays is getting more difficult – especially if one wishes to avoid using the same plays as last year.

This is the problem that “Here comes Godot now!” by Lindsay Jones solves. It contains 12 plays each containing multi-roling and the variety of theatrical techniques that exam boards now seem to love.

The plays particularly engage with themes not often found in other sources, such as dark comedy, fantasy, horror, humour and urban myths. Thus the themes in this volume avoid the social topics such as drug taking which other volumes (and indeed assemblies and PSHE lessons) will already have covered extensively.

As for performances, the plays are written for a variety of combinations of participants from two boys or two girls up to four boys and four girls. Because the volume is photocopiable (or printable from a CD rom) only one copy of the book need be bought, and it can be used among the class without further cost.

ISBN: 978 1 86083 856 9 Order code: T1820emn – please quote with order.

Sample pages incorporating one complete play can be viewed at http://pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/drama/T1820.pdf

• Photocopiable book, £29.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• CD with school-wide rights: £24.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• Both the book and the CD £36.94 plus £3.95 delivery
• Prices include VAT.

You can purchase the report…

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Way, Corby, NN17 4HH
• On the phone with a school order number at 01536 399 011
• By fax to 01536 399 012
• On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=790

Understanding what dyscalculia is can allow schools to help sufferers improve their maths and obtain reasonable results in their examinations

Educational specialists believe that dyscalculia, struggling with numbers, is a specific learning difficulty – an unexpected inability to handle one or more aspects of maths. It has for many years been overshadowed by dyslexia, and yet the inability to handle basic mathematical issues can be just as big a problem for those who suffer from it, as is dyslexia.

Although some children with dyslexia also have great difficulties learning maths, this is not always the case. Research suggests that around 25% of dyslexic children are actually above average in their ability at maths. This suggests that there are different factors at work in dyscalculia from those causing or exacerbating cases of dyslexia.

Understanding Dyscalculia: An Introduction for Schools examines the five main causes of dyscalculia and sets out the methods of working available which can help pupils overcome their dyscalculic problems. The book contains short sections which can be photocopied to give out to other members of staff in school, to worried parents, and to governors, so that everyone can share in the awareness of what dyscalculia is, and how it can be tackled.

Above all the book shows that once we understand and accept the causes of dyscalculia we can adopt appropriate methods of teaching to overcome the problem. Research suggests that most children who gain appropriate help in school can overcome their dyscalculic difficulties and achieve an acceptable grade in secondary school examinations, thus allowing entry into further and higher education.

The book, which is available in copiable form so that it can be shared with colleagues throughout the school, is published by the Dyscalculia Centre, a leading provider of teaching materials for dyscalculic individuals. The Centre also publishes a range of books for special needs teachers working with dyscalculics, and provides on-line testing facilities for pupils and students who are thought to be dyscalculic.

There is a sample chapter available on-line at http://pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/dyscalculia/T1628.pdf

Cat No: 978 1 86083 614 5; Publisher reference no: T1628emn

Price £15.00, approx A$27.00. The exact price will be determined by the exchange rate on the day on which the transaction is processed.

The book is available in digital format – we will send it as a pdf email attachment when payment has been received.

Payment may be made by any of the following means.

“Education is the kindling of a flame,” said the almighty Socrates so our workshops for staff inspire a love of learning and maximise student potential.

Research tells us that a more creative approach to learning improves results. We have combined scientific evidence on how the brain learns with a dash of creativity and imagination, and our experience as teachers to design an innovative workshop for staff, Maximise Student Potential.

This bestselling INSET demonstrates our creative study skills and how they can be incorporated into lessons daily to help make learning easier.

We also run Positive Behaviour Management workshops written and devised by the wonderful Sue Cowley, author of the bestselling “Getting the Buggers to Behave.”

We do get incredibly busy during the Autumn term so don’t miss out contact me today on 01903 872849 or email carrie@learningperformance.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

The behaviour of pupils and students is not just a matter of social class and educational achievement. There’s always more to it than that.

There is a classic experiment in the history of managing the behaviour of school pupils and schools in which a school in a high poverty low-expectation area of Maryland USA, adopted the syllabus and teaching methods of an extremely conservative nearby private school.

The experiment proved once and for all that a key factor in determining the behaviour of pupils was not so much the syllabus or the background of the students, but rather the unification of the view of the staff.

In short, where different staff hold, implement (or indeed fail to implement) different approaches to behaviour then behavioural issues arise. Where there is a true unification of purpose via one selected approach, then matters progress quickly.

The book, Improving attitudes, managing behaviour and reducing exclusions, builds from this finding, a finding which puts the power to change pupil and student behaviour totally back in the hands of the school and its teachers.

The view of the book is very clear: schools improve when those in the school decide to improve the school, not because of government initiatives, curricula, inspectors, naming and shaming or anything else imposed from without.

For, once a school has its own unified policy, it is able to project that policy to parents and students alike and thus extend the unity of purpose to all members of the school.

Through this unified approach everyone within the school is able to be proud of the school through knowing exactly what its approach to behaviour is, as much as everyone will know what its approach to teaching and learning is.

Within such an approach, everything is covered. A parental complaint about behaviour, for example, is immediately seen by everyone involved within the context of the school’s policy to which everyone has signed up. Through this approach the issues of teaching and learning, motivation and behaviour all start to exist in a unified concept. Each issue is related to the others, and everyone knows where they stand.

But the key issue is not just the development of a new policy to which everyone agrees. It is the implementation and maintenance of the policy every day of the school year.

And it is this issue of seeing both the introduction and the maintenance of the policy as being of equal importance that marks out this approach from so many others. For whatever changes are introduced to the school, there will be objections, which as often as not are simply objections to change rather than objections in principle as they are so often expressed.

It is the overcoming of such objections and the insistence on the maintenance of the new approach that ensures that in the end the school is operating in the way that everyone wants.

You can see some sample pages at http://pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/education/T1813.pdf

Publisher’s reference: T1813EMN ISBN: 978 1 86083 821 7

Prices

• Photocopiable book £24.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• CD £24.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• Book plus CD £31.94 plus £3.95 delivery
  

Prices include VAT.

You can purchase the report… please quote the order ref: T1813EMN

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Way, Corby, NN17 4HH
• By fax to 01536 399 012
• On-line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=287

SEALSONGS is a collection of assembly songs which aims to get children engaged through the experience of making and creating music. The lyrics were written with considerable input from Year 4 and 5 pupils, so speak from children to children, and the musical backing tracks were professionally recorded.

But the resource goes further and offers teachers detailed advice on writing new lyrics, leading singing and other ways that SEALSONGS may be used in the classroom. Thus it enables teachers to give young children the positive experience of working with others in creating new songs within the SEAL framework. There is also guidance for non-specialists in how to teach songs.

The SEAL themes are:

Song 1: New beginnings
Song 2: Getting on and falling out
Song 3: Say no to bullying
Song 4: Going for goals!
Song 5: Good to be me
Song 6: Relationships
Song 7: Changes

Two further general songs – one about writing songs and one providing a Rhyme Game – are also included in the pack.

SEALSONGS was written by David Stoll, a well-known composer of music for the concert hall, the theatre, and for television and radio. He also writes children’s songs and for school ensembles, and designs projects in creativity for schools, higher education and the corporate sector. His music is now being published by Novello & Co.

JENNY MOSLEY (Founder of Quality Circle Time) said “SEALSONGS is a wonderful gift to any adult who wants to truly help their class or school embed SEAL as a way of ‘being’ with ourselves and others. We all know that song can lift you to a different spiritual dimension – David Stoll has given us the perfect package to help even the most music-shy amongst us to engage young people in the process of creating heart-warming songs as part of a creative team….. This is an excellent resource.”

HOWARD GOODALL (National Ambassador for Singing) said “These SEALSONGS have the authentic ring of children’s ideas and feelings in every line. This, for me, makes it a valuable and empowering set of musical tools….. with excellent supporting materials and explanations.”

Purchase of SEALSONGS includes a licence for full use of all the material within the school, including recording new versions of the songs. The complete package is split into different files so that schools may choose which elements they wish to record or print.

Sample music can be downloaded from www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/music/SEALSONGSSamples.rar

You can purchase SEALSONGS in the following ways:

1. As a download, price £10 plus VAT

• By credit card from our on-line shop:
  http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=739

2. As a copiable book plus CD, price £19.99 plus £3.95 delivery

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Way, Corby, NN17 4HH
• By fax to 01536 399 012
• On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=48_98_109&products_id=777

What is the most effective way of helping students come to terms with the key issues in psychology?

The answer to the question is simple: for the students to undertake activities relating to the topics that they are studying. Topics which they may have touched on in everyday life, but which they have never considered in terms of academic study.

Through such activities the students can engage in independent learning, develop their application skills and evaluation skills, and judge their own progress using the success criteria linked to examiner comments and the skills needed at each level.

Six separate areas are covered within this resource: memory, attachments, research methods, stress, individual differences, and social influence. The resource concludes with a set of wide-ranging revision activities.

By way of example, the memory section of the resource starts with a list of key authorities within the field so that students can gain a historical perspective. Second there is a review of models of memory and a link to the exam requirements in this area – plus a task to be completed.

We then move on to improving memory and finally there is a balloon debate activity which covers authoritative researchers in the field of cognitive psychology.

A similar level of depth is covered through each of the other topics, after which there is a set of revision activities.

There are sample pages at http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/authordownloadsamples/T1817samples.pdf

25 Activities for AQA (A) AS Psychology is published as a download so that you can immediately receive a copy onto your computer, from which you can print out pages for colleagues and students as often as you want. You can also put it on your school learning platform so all staff can access the document – and indeed you can make it part of the induction documentation for new members of staff.

You can obtain 25 Activities for AQA (A) AS Psychology by going to http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=787

The price is £10 plus VAT (the VAT can be reclaimed in most cases by the school).

25 Activities for AQA (A) AS Psychology is published by First and Best in Education, part of the Hamilton House group. If you have any enquiries you can call 01536 399 011, or email sales@firstandbest.co.uk or write to us at First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Rd., Corby, Northants NN17 4HH.

The full range of First and Best books can be seen at www.shop.firstandbest.co.uk

First and Best in Education
Earlstrees Road
Corby
UK
NN17 4HH

Website: www.shop.firstandbest.co.uk
Email: sales@firstandbest.co.uk

For students who may be considering working in healthcare and medicine, Gap Medics can help.

We offer students (aged 16 and over) hospital work experience opportunities to see what the world of medicine is really like.

Through our facilities students under the age of 18 can travel to Morogoro and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and students over the age of 18 can travel to Chiang Mai, Thailand and Iringa, Tanzania.

At these various locations the students will shadow experienced doctors and healthcare professionals in busy hospitals, learning about the day-to-day life of a doctor and everything it entails.

Students will be placed in a different department each week according to their personal interests and will be assigned their own doctor who will act as their personal mentor during their placement.

The various departments that students can choose to work in include general surgery, paediatrics, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, internal medicine and many more.

Not only will their time be spent on the busy wards and in the operating theatre, but they will also be able to attend global health tutorials. These are run by medical experts to give students a greater insight into healthcare in the region where they are working.

This once in a lifetime experience helps students to make the right decision about their future career, but it is also a useful addition later on for their applications to medical school.

In terms of the practicalities, students are met at the airport by one of our specialist staff team members and are looked after by an extensive staff team throughout their stay.

If you have any students who are interested in a career in medicine, please ask them to take a look at www.gapmedics.co.uk.

Alternatively they can call us on 0191 230 8080 or email us at info@gapmedics.com and we’ll send them a brochure in the post.

Regards

Samantha Bennett
Student Placement Team Leader

Do you think your confidence is linked to:

• Your level of insanity?
• A ‘can do’ attitude’?
• A simple, balanced and practical approach – as with all teaching and learning?
• The quality of your anorak?

The truth is, we can relate to all those answers (well maybe not the insanity one).

The perception of outdoor teaching and learning is often one of planning for hours, needing to source specialist resources, including suitable clothing for all your children, and a risk assessment as long as your arm. By the time you’ve thought of all the ‘extras’ you’ve given up on the idea.

So how can we teach outdoors more regularly without it taking an inordinate amount of planning time – thereby using our immediate school grounds more effectively and frequently?

These were the underpinning questions that have informed our outdoor learning packs:

• 100 Ideas for Outdoor Literacy Folder

• 100 Ideas for Outdoor Numeracy booklet

• Starters for Thinking Outdoors Pack.

Each offers ideas for teaching and learning outdoors in active, playful ways but in the knowledge that important literacy and numeracy objectives are being addressed. All this can take place right outside the classroom, and only basic resources are ever needed.

What better way to ensure that children enjoy the benefits of learning outdoors on a more frequent basis?

Better still, you can now buy all three packs together with our ‘OUTDOOR COMBO’ offer – all three for just £110 (plus VAT).

Invoices can be raised for UK schools – use the INVOICE button on the website.

Email: info@thinkingchild.org.uk

You can Fax an order: 01604 570773

Or simply pick up the phone 01604 491511 for a chat.

Yours sincerely

Sue Dixon
sue@thinkingchild.org.uk

That is the bold assertion of the School of Education Administration and Management which was set up with government funding in conjunction with the University of Northampton seven years ago.

Behind this view is a simple idea: that just as there are a hundred ways of teaching a lesson in the classroom, so there are a hundred ways of organising a school office. However, the SEAM also offered a warning. Efficiencies were not always that easy to find, not that easy to implement. Indeed once implemented they needed careful nurturing to ensure that the old inefficient ways did not reassert themselves.

Traditionally most schools have focussed on what happens in the classroom, while the school office has been treated as something that is as it is.

However, observation suggests that different schools do organise their administrations in different ways and that some approaches can make a significant difference to the effectiveness and efficiency of the school’s work.

At the heart of this volume is the notion that there is a way of organising school administration that is much more effective than any other approach.

This report gives examples of school efficiencies and questions how one can change long-established approaches to leadership, change management, time management, facilities management, budgeting and organisations behaviour.

The approaches outlined here do not require higher budgets; they simply put in place processes that inevitably lead to a smoother throughput of information and activity, which means there are fewer disruptions, fewer errors, and ultimately more time for everything to be done. The report covers issues such as the structure of the administration of the school, work management within the administrative department, change management, facilities management, budgeting, organisational behaviour and legal issues within the school office.

One of the fundamental issues within the report is that changes only work to the benefit of the organisation when everyone understands what is going on and why the changes are being implemented. For this reason Increasing the Efficiency of School Administration is available as a photocopiable report, which allows you to give sections of the report to your colleagues. There is no restriction on the number of copies that can be made for use within your school. An edition of the book is also available on CD Rom for printing out via Word.

The report, Increasing the Efficiency of School Administration, has been prepared by Tony Attwood, the director of the School of Educational Administration and Management.

There are sample pages from the photocopiable book at http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/bursar/T1744.pdf

Publisher’s reference: T1744EMN ISBN: 978 1 86083 798 2

Prices

• Photocopiable book: £29.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• CD with school-wide rights: £29.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• Both the book and the CD: £36.94 plus £3.95 delivery

Prices include VAT.

You can purchase the report… please quote the order ref: T1744EMN

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Way, Corby, NN17 4HH
• By fax to 01536 399 012
• On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=568

What is the most effective way of enabling A level students to develop meaningful arguments?

For many A level students the presentation of a persuasive argument which uses clear reasoning is a more difficult task than the mastering of the facts relevant to their area of study.

Indeed, even when the student starts to get to grips with the difference between such concepts as “claims” and “arguments”, there still remain such puzzling issues as explanations, assumptions, counter-claims, evidence, examples, deduction, induction, generalization…

However, where students do understand the nature of debate and proof they tend not only to get better A level grades but they also become better prepared for university and/or employment.

In short, for many students it is a grasp of critical thinking which takes them from a B to an A, which delivers a far more impressive UCAS application, and which enables them to be much more persuasive in interviews and presentations.

It is for these reasons that the volume “Critical Thinking” has been written.

But “Critical Thinking” is about far more than just dismantling and evaluating other people’s arguments. For it is also involved in the production of the student’s own explanations and arguments.

Through examples and activities the volume encourages students to develop their considered point of view in essays, reports, debates, etc, and helps them be prepared to stand back and assess their own reasoning.

Critical Thinking is available as a printed copiable volume or as a CD which can be put on the school’s learning platform for use by students and staff.

You can see some sample pages at http://pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/english/T1821.pdf

Publisher’s reference:T1821EMN; ISBN: 978 1 86083 861 3

Prices:

• Photocopiable report in a book: £29.95
• CD with school-wide rights: £24.95
• Both the book and the CD: £36.94

Prices include VAT.

You can purchase the report… please quote the order ref: T1821EMN

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Way, Corby, NN17 4HH
• By fax to 01536 399 012
• On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=154

120 Assemblies covering many different subject areas

Brilliant Stories for Assemblies contains over 60 stories which cover each of the four main types of assembly.

First of all there are cultural stories from around the world. Next there are religious stories from the six main religions, followed by moral stories which give examples of good behaviour in daily life. And finally there are historical stories, which themselves may be linked to the Key Stage 2 history curriculum.

The stories can be used at specific times of the year, when issues arise, or whenever you are suddenly called upon to do an assembly. Many can also be adapted for class assemblies or for different age groups.

Each story ends with suggested questions, which can easily be rewritten as prayers.

More Brilliant Stories for Assemblies contains over 50 stories for use in primary schools. These stories range from those dealing with specific issues, such as bullying, racism and disability, to historical and religious stories.

All the stories are linked to the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) themes such as changes, new beginnings, preventing bullying, problem solving, and so on.

Class-led Assemblies for Key Stage 2 contains ten easy-to-use assemblies linked to the National Curriculum for science, history and geography. They are designed to be easy-to-use and to ensure that the organisation of the assembly is a stress-free event.

All these tried-and-tested assembly scripts can be easily modified to suit your class and can be as elaborate or as straightforward as you wish.

Within each assembly pupils can participate as narrators, evacuees, water droplets or investigators – even the River Nile!

Each assembly is constructed so that all the class can be involved in some way. All can be introduced and readily executed without taking up valuable classroom learning time.

The resource includes topics from history, science, and geography, as well as an assembly that can be adapted for any topic.

Free samples pages and teaching resources are available when clicking through to the following web links:

• Brilliant Stories for Assemblies
• More Brilliant Stories for Assemblies
• Class-led Assemblies for Key Stage 2

You can order all three of our Assembly resources in any of these ways:

• On our website using the web links above
• By phone on 01449 766629
• By fax on 01449 767122
• By email to 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

Being dismissive of the world around them is very much part of growing up. But it is still important to make youngsters feel good about their school

Trying to get students to feel positive about their school and all that it does is a tough call. Easier with primary children, but tougher as they get older.

For a teenager, saying that school is “cool” (or whatever jargon word they have for that feeling this week) is just not on.

But tucked inside this common observation of the disaffection of youth there are two other factors to consider.

The first is the issue of rivalry. The second is the fact that despite their occasional displays of public disaffection, even teenagers can feel pride in their school and what it represents.

For the reality is that travelling in a modern, well equipped minibus does give students a buzz of extra excitement and pride.

And it is a pride that even teenagers will engage in, particularly when they visit a rival school for an event – knowing full well that the rival school does not have such a modern vehicle at their disposal.

Add in the school logo on the side of the bus, and the transformation is complete. There is a feeling that yes, this school really is ahead of the game.

And of course that is what leasing allows schools to be. Questions of pupil pride may not be top of the list when it comes to reasons for getting a new school minibus but it is just one more bonus, alongside the fact that safety is improved, breakdowns dramatically reduced, petrol consumption is reduced, etc.

For more information on our range of minibuses for schools, please call us on 01753 859 944.

Alternatively please take a look at our website.

Benchmark Leasing Ltd
11 High Street
Eton
Berkshire
SL4 6AS

www.minibusleasing.co.uk/school-minibus.php

minibus@benchmarkleasing.co.uk

Tel: 01753 859944

It’s essential that all pupils and students have a sound grasp of the basics of English.

Give your teaching of the basics a real impact by using these pdf posters.

These colourful, snappy posters will have an immediate impact but can also be a continued point of reference.

At less than £30 for the set this is brilliant value. You can print as many copies of these as you like – have them in every classroom!

The posters cover: Adjectives; Adverbs; Alliteration; Antonyms; Connectives; Direct speech; First person; Hyperbole; Infinitive; It’s; Metaphor; Nouns; Onomatopoeia; Paragraphs; Personification; Pronouns; Reported speech; Rhetorical question; Sentences; Similes; Superlatives; Synonyms; Their; They’re; There; Third person; Vary your verbs; Verbs; Your; You’re.

There are 30 A4 pdf posters in all. The set is an ideal classroom resource. A PowerPoint version is also available for whiteboards and large display screens.

You can see all the posters here
http://www.carelpress.co.uk/hh_englishbasics/

Ann Batey
Office Manager
Carel Press
(01228 538928)
www.carelpress.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/carelpress

What is the most effective way of dealing with the additional emphasis on punctuation and grammar found in the new curriculum?

The answer, it seems, is simple. The most effective way forward is for pupils to be offered a variety of different activities and approaches.

Now that might not seem like a solution at all, but it is through experiencing the language and manipulating the language in numerous ways, via a wide range of activities, that pupils can most rapidly come to understand each aspect of English.

Indeed, it is with this greater emphasis on punctuation and grammar that the need for new resources has become apparent, and it is with this in mind that we have published updated editions of our highly successful series of Punctuation & Grammar photocopiable activity books.

These resources are designed to be used with whole classes, small groups or individual pupils, all with different learning styles, and each provides a variety of different activities and approaches to help pupils to understand the various aspects of the English language.

Free sample pages for each year groupresource are available from our website.

If you would like to know more please call us on 01772 863158 or email us at enquiries@topical-resources.co.uk.

You can order in any of these ways:

• On our website
• By phone on 01772 863158
• By fax to 01772 866153
• By email to sales@topical-resources.co.uk
• By post to Topical Resources, P.O. Box329, Broughton, Preston, Lancashire PR3 5LT.

Topical Resources
P.O. Box329
Broughton
Preston
Lancashire
PR3 5LT

www.topical-resources.co.uk
sales@topical-resources.co.uk

Tel: 01772 863158

Last month a simple four question research programme within schools revealed a way through which most schools can make considerable savings on their postage bills.

There was nothing particularly dramatic about the find – it simply involved abandoning the use of franking machines and stamps with the schools instead opening accounts with Royal Mail and paying a postage bill at the end of the month.

Not only does the system avoid all the costs of franking machines (including the hidden costs inherent in most of the contracts), but it also attracts a significantly lower cost of postage than using stamps. Royal Mail makes no charge for the service.

Of course, moving across from postage stamps or franking machines to a Royal Mail account isn’t going to save tens of thousands of pounds – but in a sense that is the point of school efficiency programmes.

Yes, on occasion some schools will find really big savings by rearranging timetables, changing the supplier of school meals, etc. But much of the time the huge savings that can be made come from a collection of smaller, simple changes.

This is not to suggest that schools are inefficient per se but rather shows that the focus on smaller individual issues will always reveal opportunities for the more effective use of time and lower costs. As such the move to RM invoicing is a perfect example.

Which is where the School of Educational Administration and Management comes in. Founded in 2005 with support from the government and the University of Northampton, the SEAM has worked with thousands of schools to establish which processes work in saving schools money. The postage account system is just one of many.

Now many of our findings are reported in one volume: “The Efficient School.”

This book reveals not only many of the projects that schools have introduced in recent years in order to achieve efficiencies but also the vital processes which these schools use to ensure that objections to change are overcome and that changes, once implemented, are maintained and developed.

As such the report explores not only areas in which savings can be made but also the way in which the whole issue of changing well-established processes and habits can be handled in a school.

The Efficient School is available in copiable form (as a printed volume or on CD) so that it can be distributed to all interested members of staff.

ISBN: 978 1 86083 811 8 Order code: T1803emn – please quote with order.

Sample pages can be viewed at http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/education/T1803.pdf

• Photocopiable book, £24.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• CD with school-wide rights: £24.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• Both the book and the CD: £31.94 plus £3.95 delivery
• Prices include VAT.

You can purchase the report…

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Way, Corby, NN17 4HH
• On the phone with a school order number at 01536 399 011
• By fax to 01536 399 012
• On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=784

Can I ask you which features you expect from an online backup?

Would they be 100% durability of data, sensible pricing and agents to back up every system you maintain?

We have been providing online backups for over 10 years and the software we use currently protects more than 10,000 servers worldwide.

Every one of your devices will receive a 20GB quota and charges thereafter are only 5p per GB.

Features

• Every client has a complimentary 20GB storage allocation. 5p per GB thereafter.
• We use UK ISO27001 data centres.
• SEED bulk data in and out same day to our DCs.
• Built-in agents for Exchange mailboxes and mailstore, SQL, Hyper V, VMware, SharePoint, bare metal, MAC and more.
• 100% durable backup system.
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Contact us for a remote demo of the platform or download the fully featured clients from http://www.businessonlybackups.co.uk/resell-online-backups.php

Regards
Carlos Mantini | New Business Manager
T: 0800 907 8238

So fundamental is the notion of Enterprise to our society that it is rather sad to think that many young people leave school – and indeed many leave university – without much of an idea as to what enterprise is all about.

One way or another they earn money, and generally speaking they spend it. But the whole basis of the system, and their part within it, can often remain a mystery.

It was because of the utterly fundamental nature of enterprise within our society, and the fact that so many young people don’t seem to grasp what it is all about, that we commissioned “Enterprise Education: The Course Book”.

Written by a teacher who went on to set up his own successful business this copiable volume starts from a detailed review of what Enterprise Education is, and then helps the students come to terms with what the world of business is all about.

The volume explores the notion of Enterprise and how it can be applied throughout the school, as well as examining the career implications of enterprise.

The volume then covers the setting up of a work-related programme before going into examples of enterprise opportunities including simulations, school generated projects and engagement with business.

At the end of the book there is a set of forms that can be used in terms of an agreement with companies over work experience, report forms, placement letters, etc etc.

Enterprise Education: The Complete Coursebook includes everything that is required for the successful implementation of the Key Stage 4 Enterprise Education programme, from classroom teaching materials to an in-service training programme, from work-based learning modules to simulations and live enterprise projects.

Enterprise Education: The Complete Coursebook is available as a book or on CD and includes:

• INSET activities – as a result of which staff will feel confident in their knowledge and understanding of the enterprise culture within industry and how it will impact on pupils who are exposed to it.
• Champions of Enterprise: Pupils can evaluate local business enterprises and draw their own conclusions as to which firms are truly involved in enterprise culture.
• Simulations: Mini-enterprises in which pupils can engage in an enterprise activity in a controlled environment.
• School generated projects: Pupils organise an actual event or act in the local environment in a planned and organised way.
• Real life situations: The Coursebook sets out programmes which ensure that the organisation, the school and the pupil all work together to generate a true understanding of enterprise.

The copyright licence allows the copying from either the book or the CD, so that all students can have pages relevant to their study at any time. It is also possible to place the CD on the school’s learning platform, so that students may access it at any time.

ISBN: 978 1 86083 8606

Price:

• £25.95 for the book or CD, plus £3.95 postage.
• £32.94 for the book plus CD, plus £3.95 postage.

You can order in four different ways. In each case please quote our reference T1790emn. Sample pages and a contents list can be viewed prior to ordering on http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/business/T1790.pdf

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House Mailings plc, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Rd., Corby, Northants NN17 4HH
• By fax on 01536 399 012
• By phone with a credit card or with an official school order number on 01536 399 011
• On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=51&products_id=552

Tutor2u 

• Do you need a CPD course that will inspire you with practical ideas that actually work?
• Are you looking for good quality teaching resources that can enrich your lessons?
• Are you looking to deliver lessons using content that is interesting, compelling and actually works?
• Do you want the opportunity to network with other like-minded law teachers?

WOW! Law, delivered by leading teaching and learning specialist, tutor2u, provides delegates with approaches and ready-to-use resources that promote high levels of engagement, a commitment to learning and a buzz of activity in the law classroom!

This one day course takes place in Central London at the easy to reach Charing Cross Hotel, on Thursday 19th June 2014 from 10.30 – 3.15. For only £190 you will receive a full day of engaging CPD and in addition over 30 tried and tested resources that you can use in the classroom straightaway – book here now

The day is highly interactive and provides plenty of opportunity for attendees to explore new learning activities, discuss how they are used and consider ways of adapting them to meet the individual needs of their learners. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with other Law teachers and the sharing of teaching techniques and data sources provides a constant theme for the day.

The 30+ resources given to delegates on each course provide a variety of creative learning activities which will stimulate and challenge your students. All ideas and resources have been created by experienced teachers who are currently delivering A Level and BTEC Law. The resources are aimed at teachers, whatever their level of experience, and will assist with the new GCSE specifications.

WOW! Law will give you resources to:

• Inspire and Engage – effective lesson starters designed to enthuse and engage the learner at the start of a lesson or introduction to a new topic.
• Deliver Content Essentials – activities that deepen students’ knowledge and understanding of key law topics, promote effective collaborative learning and help develop a confident, independent and resilient learner
• Develop Exam Skills, higher order thinking and maximise student achievement

We also have a range of other WOW events running for Economics, Politics, Psychology and Geography. Visit our website: http://www.tutor2u.net/acatalog/Teacher-INSET.html for more information.

“An inspirational session covering techniques for starting lessons and reviewing topics. I came away buzzing with ideas for making my subject interesting.” Sarah Buckley

“A great pack of resources were provided that have had an immediate impact on teaching and learning in the classroom. They also provided a fresh viewpoint for how existing resources could be adapted or new resources developed within the department.” Katie Rees

Tutor2u – resourcing outstanding teaching and learning.

This 150 page book will be invaluable to any student of the Second Reich at Advanced level. It provides a comprehensive, narrative chronological structure which is a prerequisite of any study of the period. Personalities and events are recounted in considerable detail and are clearly set in context.

However the book goes beyond most standard textbooks in the way it prepares students to produce competent essay responses to exam questions and provides practice in handling documentary source.

• Students are given key questions to consider and are encouraged to test continuously the theories of historians against their own findings.
• Essay style questions are set at each stage in the book, all drawn from past exam papers.
• Documentary criticism skills are continuously tested.
• Frequent historiographical references remind students to read beyond this text to gain a greater understanding of the subject.

What’s more, the materials are available as a photocopiable book and as a CD which can be put onto the school’s network and shared among all students for whom it is relevant. Thus all students may use the material with the purchase of just one copy.

ISBN No: 978 1 86083 564 3 Order code: T1649EMN

Sample pages are available to download free of charge from http://pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/history/T1649.pdf

• Photocopiable book: £29.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• CD: £29.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• CD plus photocopiable book: £36.94 plus £3.95 delivery
  

You can order… Please quote the order code T1649EMN

• By post: Write to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Rd., Corby, Northants NN17 4HH
• By fax: To 01536 399 012
• By phone: quoting a credit card number or a school order reference number: 01536 399 018
• On line: Go to http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=473– you will need a credit card to complete the order

Date: Wednesday 17 September 2014
Venue: Shelter Training, Old Street, London EC1V
Trainer: Tracy Maylath (see below for profile)
Cost: £99 per delegate (no VAT charged)

This one day training event will give teachers and trainers an outline for delivering anger management sessions to young people.

Participants will develop an understanding of how anger is triggered and experienced by young people and use this understanding to feed into exercises and discussions for delivery in a group or one-to-one training context.

To book your place for just £99 click here

Course contains:

• Context: definition, stereotypes of anger
• Overview of non-assertive behaviours, their advantages and disadvantages
• Defining and delivering training in assertiveness to young people
• The ABC Model
• Challenging thinking errors
• Confusing fact and opinion: how it causes aggression
• Training exercise to assist with bullying
• Practical exercises and a template framework that can be used and adapted for training in various contexts.

Learning outcomes:

After this seminar, you will:

• Define anger as it pertains to young people
• Recognise triggers for anger specific to young people
• Apply a model for how beliefs affect behaviour
• Address and change thinking errors that lead to anger
• Assist young people in becoming more assertive
• Use at least 2 strategies for assisting young people in dealing with criticism and anger from others
• Deliver a training session to assist young people in dealing with bullying.

Suitable for:

Advisers, teachers and trainers working in both the statutory and voluntary sector with young people who may have issues with anger management.

We can also run this event for groups of six or more staff at a time and location to suit you. For more information regarding this option please call Amanda on 0344 515 1160 or email inhousetraining@shelter.org.uk

Trainer profile:

Tracy Maylath has been a trainer/facilitator since 1996 and a trainer for Shelter since 2002. She has delivered a wide variety of courses to clients ranging from people who are homeless, lone parents and young people, to managers and directors of large corporations.

Tracy has written programmes in management skills and personal development for both the public and private sector. She uses an array of innovative methods and techniques and engages clients with her humorous approach, passion and in-depth knowledge and experience of her topics.

A selection of around 200 questions on microeconomics which force students to think, consider and then think again.

Microeconomics Assessment Tests for AS, A2, and IB provides an invaluable resource for busy teachers of AS, A2, IB and even first year university students of economics.

Here, there are 13 sets of explained true/ false questions which are designed to secure and strengthen an excellent understanding of key principles in economics. In doing so, many of the questions asked have been set with a clear aim of stretching and challenging students to deliver A and A* grades in their final examinations. A further objective is also to develop the skills needed to tackle multiple choice question papers set by the AQA and Edexcel examining boards. This is achieved by prompting students to interrogate every word in the question. Many of these questions turn on a single phrase or word.

Model answers are provided, which allows students to mark their own papers, if required, again making best use of teachers’ time. They also provide students with a permanent feedback record, which will prove invaluable during their final examination preparation period.

Each of the test papers covers an area of the syllabus which may be set on a weekly basis as a topic test. They can also be used very effectively as a researched homework activity.

However, these materials will work equally well as a revision tool in the second term by helping keep students’ knowledge of micro-economics fresh once the teacher has moved on to macro-economics. This will be particularly important to many teachers now that January modular exams at A level have ended. Indeed, teachers will notice that some questions contain a synoptic element for precisely this reason.

Sample pages can be viewed at http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/economics/T1824

ISBN: 978 1 86083 871 2; Order code: T1824emn

The volume is available as…

• Photocopiable book, £24.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• CD with school-wide rights: £24.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• Both the book and the CD £31.94 plus £3.95 delivery

Prices include VAT.

You can purchase the book or CD…

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Way, Corby, NN17 4HH
• On the phone with a school order number at 01536 399 011
• By fax to 01536 399 012
• On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=793