Change to Attendance Codes - Statutory for September 2006

Purpose: Seminar Invite - updated information

Audience: Primary and Secondary Schools

Schools can now make bookings for these FREE seminars. Sessions 1, 3 & 4 will have a primary focus. Session 2 (11:00) will have a secondary focus. It's very important that you bring a copy of your current attendance code list to the session.

March Library 26/06/06 AM - 9.30, 11.00
Buckden 06/07/06 all day - 9.30, 11.00, 13.00, 14.30
CPDC 11/07/06 all day - 9.30, 11.00, 13.00, 14.30

The seminars will last no longer than an hour and Martin Smith, Head of Education Welfare Service will be present to answer questions about the new codes and their interpretation. Tea & coffee will be available before each session. Further details are available on the portal - search for ICT Training and follow links.

Please book your session with the ICT Service (ict.courses@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, 01480 376670).

Warning of E2BN at-risk periods

Purpose: Important information

Audience: School staff

7th June 2006 - 21:00 - 23:00 External switch reconfiguration. - No outage expected
16th June 2006 - 23:00 - 00:00 Easynet fail-over test of Internet transit

You may experience Internet access problems on these dates; note that any calls logged on the ICT Helpline will be dealt with according to our usual high standard of service, and that we may have to escalate these calls to 3rd parties, over whom we have little or no authority.

Sims Year End Notes for Primary Schools, Special Schools and Nursery Schools

Purpose: For Information

Audience: Primary, Special & Nursery

The year end notes are now available on the Portal via the Sims.Net planet. You can start preparing for the year end now. You should aim to have at least checked your current pastoral structure, set up the next academic year and run the promotion process before 31st August 2006. Please ensure that any pre-admission pupils you enter in Sims .Net have a start date after the start of the next academic year. We will be running half day training courses on the year end procedures later in the term. Details have been sent to schools electronically.

Guidance on ICT funding 2006/7

Purpose: Information about funds for ICT in school budgets

Audience: Headteacher, ICT subject leader

Learning, Teaching and Managing with ICT is DfES guidance on the funds in school budgets which are available for investing in and supporting ICT. It includes information about Devolved Formula Capital and the School Development Grant. Grants are no longer earmarked for ICT; DfES see it as a mainstream activity with schools themselves deciding how much to spend. It is estimated that 34% of the money in these two funds would have been earmarked for ICT under the old system.

The document also includes guidance on eLearning Credits (eLCs)and the new Learning Platform initiative. It can be found on the portal, ID 2958, or by clicking here.

Action Research - children using online resources

Purpose: Reminder

Audience: Headteacher, ICT subject leader

A reminder that applications from schools for this course should be returned to us by 12th June. The letter and application form can be found on the portal, ID 2959, or by clicking here.

Starz Projects - are you missing out?

Purpose: For Information

Audience: Primary School Staff

See the online Starz Projects area at www.starz.org.uk for more detail about:

Starz Detectives 27^th June:

The Magistrates Court - the case of the stolen bicycle

Free to Starz subscribers, £50 to non-subscribers.

Email amanda.coulter@cambridgeshire.gov.uk for more information

For subscribing schools only:

Maths Trail V2

Following on from previously successful project, version 2 is now live! Access a selection of websites. Email the answers to the Starz team for an 8 letter password to gain access to a private on-line activity.

Digital Art

This project will now run to the end of term, with a similar project running in the autumn term. Challenge your pupils to produce an entry. Digital photographs and images modified or created in an art package may be submitted.

Battle of the Poets

Classes are asked to write and present poems. Pairs of classes will present their best work to each other and a panel of judges through a video link. Training opportunities are available for the use of the video tools.

Myths and Legends

Research and record a local myth or legend; or 'create' one of their own, which can then be presented using the online tools.

Hall of Fame

Share success and achievements, show and tell, see project results and success, maybe pupils would like to submit an email to highlight a staff member's work in school.

Contact the Starz team to find out more, express an interest or to submit content, by email: projects@starz.org.uk

ICT Service Training Courses

Purpose: For Information

Audience: All School Staff

Please click on this link for information on all ICT Training Courses:

ICT Training Course Information