Update - Sophos version 6 Installation Instructions

Purpose: Important service information
Audience: ICT Teams

After consultation with schools, the documentation for Sophos Antivirus has been amended and updated as follows:

· Information for those schools without a server - Enterprise Console is no longer supported on non server operating systems.

· Stand Alone Auto installer instructions including new screenshots.

· Instructions on how to install Sophos from the Admin VLAN.

The updated documentation may be downloaded as follows: Go to http://www.ccceducation.net

1. Search by Resource id for Resource id 3555.

3. 2. Click on the title of the document Enterprise Manager Installation Instructions.

4. 3. A new window will pop-up - you may receive the Internet Explorer security warning stating that a file has been blocked.

5. 4. Click on this warning and select Save in the following dialog box.

6. 5. Choose your location and save the file (Filesize=1.66MB).

Protex Filtering - "Transparent Proxy"

Purpose: Important Information

Audience: SIMS Schools

All schools use the BECTA accredited PROTEX System from the East of England Broadband Network (E2BN). At present schools have the choice of using explicit Proxy settings in their WWW Browser software, or using what is known as a Transparent (more correctly Intercepting) Proxy where you do not have to put any details in.

At the end of April 2007, the Transparent Proxy system will be switched off for the following reasons:

1. Due to the hardware falling out of maintenance.

2. Due to a number of security and standards issues - for further reading matter please follow this LINK.

Your school ICT team /support provider should ensure all network devices are configured to browse the web via one of the 4 relevant security profiles as per

the Schools' Broadband Network (CCN) Information and Guidance document, which can also be found by going to http://ccceducation.net and searching for Resource id 1915.

ICT Service appreciate this may cause concern for those personnel who have portable devices (such as laptops) which may be used within or outside of CCN. In accordance with Cambridgeshire County Audit and Information Governance - Policy, Advice & Guidance the security and protection of systems is the responsibility of the school 's Leadership team, and that any devices used outside CCN should be adequately protected.

The ICT Service technical service will shortly be releasing various tools for allowing seamless usage of (Staff) laptops both within and outside the CCN network, although schools are again reminded that such devices/laptops used outside CCN are unsupported. More details about these tools and scripts to be announced in following newsletters.

First Language Lookups

Purpose: Important Information

Audience: SIMS Schools

Schools should now be using the complete First Language code list in Sims .net.

Files containing a complete list of Languages and their associated DfES approved codes, are available for download from the Portal. The file for Secondary Schools is on the Secondary Planet and the files for Primaries and Special Schools is on the Sims .net planet.

All students previously recorded as Other than English (OTH), Believed Other than English (OTB), Believed to be English (ENB)and Information Not Obtained need to be replaced with valid language code. This can be done by using Bulk Update or directly from Student Details.

Please update this information before the Summer Census, this is a statutory requirement.

If you have previously imported the new First Language lookups code, please use bulk update to check for any invalid codes still attached to your students.

If you have any queries please telephone the helpline on 08 450 450 973.

Managed ICT Service

Purpose: For Information

Audience: Primary School Headteacher

As part of our work to improve schools' use of ICT for management, the Education ICT Service is piloting a system of hosting schools' Management Information systems centrally so that all systems can run in a web browser.

This clearly reduces considerably the technical burden of installing, upgrading and maintenance of the MIS. It also opens up the possibility of Remote Access - the ability to get access to SIMS or school documents from home or elsewhere using a secure system of access.

So far we have piloted SIMS, Dinner Money, FMS, email and schools' administrative documents. The current pilot involves a small number of primary schools. However we are hoping to be able to expand the pilot next term. Schools should receive a letter about this in due course.

If any school is interested, they should contact the Helpline either by email ict.helpline@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or phone 08 450 450 973.

B2B - New Schedules for Collecting Attendance Information

Purpose: For Information

Audience: All Headteachers

In March a letter was sent to all schools from Martin Smith, Head of Education Welfare, asking schools to set up additional scheduled data exchanges using B2B, to include daily Attendance Information. If you have not already made the additions and alterations requested, please can this be done as a matter of urgency. We have placed a copy of the guidance notes "B2B Transfer to Attendance Data" on the Sims .net Planet on the Portal.

Children and Technology in Cambridgeshire 2006-2010

Purpose: To provide access to an electronic version of the new ICT strategy
Audience: Headteachers and ICT Leaders

A printed copy of our new strategy for transforming learning and improving outcomes for children and young people was distributed to all schools last term. The successor to the ICT Strategy for Schools and their Communities, 2003-2006, it poses six challenges to schools and Children and Young People's Services:

Promoting Excellence - how will we ensure that ICT plays its part in children's achievement and in the effectiveness of schools and support services?
Inclusion - how will the benefits of ICT make a difference to the welfare, learning, independence and participation of all our children?
Transforming Learning - how will we exploit the potential of ICT to inspire children and personalise their learning?
Sharing Information - how will ICT help us to use the data and knowledge we hold so that outcomes for children are improved?
Workforce Development - how will we ensure that practitioners, managers and leaders are equipped to use ICT effectively?
Innovation - which new developments can make a positive impact on our work with children?

When you are addressing these challenges with colleagues in your school, it may help to have an electronic version of the strategy. It can be downloaded from the portal here or by searching for resource ID 3489.

Embedding ICT in ART

Purpose: Training Opportunities

Audience: Primary Subject Leaders

There are still places available for the next ICT in Art training course to be held at ICT Service, Godmanchester on Thursday 19th April at 1:30 - 4:30.

This session looks at using ICT to support Art teaching including developing strategies for evaluating resources, management and teaching. We will explore key resources, differentiation and progression through Art and ICT and provide an opportunity to consider and discuss the challenges of integrating ICT in school development of Art. Further details on all subject leader courses can be accessed via the following link: Curriculum Subject Leaders Courses

SIMS Bite Size Learning

Purpose: Training Opportunities

Audience: SIMS users needing specific training

New for the Summer Term are these 'Bite size' courses, focusing on specific areas of SIMS. These have been identified by you as areas you require more in-depth training at a less frenetic pace.

Available at various locations throughout the County, details here: SIMS Bite Size Learning

SIMS. net Year End Procedures

Purpose: For Information

Audience: Schools using SIMS

Are you responsible for undertaking year end procedures in your school and are an existing user of SIMS? New training course dates now available, please follow the link to access training courses across Cambridgeshire in June and July 2007.

SIMS. net Year End procedures

Useful posters to help you search for information on the Education Portal

Purpose: For Information

Audience: All School Staff

We have produced some useful posters to assist you when searching for information on the Education Portal. If you click on the link www.ccceducation.net and search for resource id: 3576 you will find 5 posters with clear advice and guidance.

ICT Service Training Courses

Please click on the link below for information on all ICT Training Courses. Look out for new courses scheduled for 2006 - 07.

Your school should have a copy of the Cambridgeshire Education ICT Service Training Course Programme, which will give you full details of courses available at Godmanchester and other venues. If you require a further copy for your staff room, please contact ict.courses on Tel: 01480 376670

ICT Training Course Information

Cambridgeshire Online Training Search

Cambridgeshire Online Training Search (COTS) is a database of training opportunities provided by the Local Authority. It can be accessed from any computer connected to the Internet without the need for a password: go to: COTS to access this service. Its powerful search engine will help you to find suitable courses. Eventually, all providers will be using this database, please check the Providers list for the services currently represented. You will already find the complete listing of courses offered by CAS, CREDS, SLS, Education ICT Service, ISSIS, Cambridgeshire Youth Work and Connexions.

More ICT News on the Portal...

Do you regularly check the ICT News page on the Portal? It features all the latest ICT-related news of importance to Cambridgeshire's schools.

To take a look, simply search for resource ID: 584 from the Portal front page, or click on 'News' on the ICT Service home page (www.ict.ccceducation.net).