New ICT Service Blog

Purpose: Announcing a new communication system

Audience: Heads, subject leaders, and other staff using ICT in Cambridgeshire schools

The information sent to schools in this briefing is now also available through our blog. This means that you do not have to wait for the fortnightly distribution; news items will go online immediately. Other relevant information about ICT will be posted there too.

It is also possible to use the blog to comment on any items and to give us feedback.

There is a link to the blog from our website or you can visit it directly at http://educationictservice.blogspot.com/. If you use a newsreader such as Google Reader, you can subscribe to the blog using the link in the left-hand column; your news reader will automatically highlight new blog items for you. If you would like to learn how to do this, contact the Helpline.

The ICT Service Helplines Blog will continue to be available. You can subscribe to this blog in exactly the same way.

ToPP - Tracking of Pupil Progress in Cambridgeshire Schools

Purpose: Guidance material available on the Education Portal

Audience: Primary Headteacher, Assessment coordinator

ToPP has been developed to help you monitor progress in your school. A team of Cambridgeshire Headteachers, Advisers, and staff from Education ICT Service have developed a ToPP policy document offering guidance in how you might track pupils and groups. A ToPP calendar is also available which summarises key data, events and analysis throughout the school year which can be customised to fit your school. ToPP tracking marksheets are available for use in Assessment Manager. They incorporate formulas for value added and colour coding for targets, tracking speaking & listening, reading, writing, maths, science and ICT and incorporate P levels as well as graded levels throughout so that every child's assessment information can be held in one place.

The ToPP framework replaces the 'Performance Data Framework' (PDF) which was launched in 2005. If you have been using PDF templates or framework, we recommend that you move to the new guidance contained within ToPP.

If you are interested in using ToPP in your school then more information is available on the portal. Just search for Resource ID:2630 or put ToPP in the keyword search and you will find a link to the ToPP policy and ToPP Calendar. Alternatively, contact Education ICT Service on Tel: 0845 0450973.

Training Opportunities for December

Purpose: Spaces available on Training Courses

Audience: Headteacher, Data Managers and Key Support Staff in Schools

Course

Date & Time

Venue

Cost

Preparing for School Census

-Primary & Nursery

Mon. 3rd Dec - 9.30 -11.30

Thur. 13^th Dec - 9.30-11.30

ICT Service, Godmanchester

£25

EMS (Impulse) On-line-

Nursery/Primary/Special/Secondary

Fri. 7^th Dec - 9.30 - 12.00

ICT Service, Godmanchester

£50

Please contact Course Admin either by telephone on 01480 376670 or email: ict.courses@cambridgeshire.gov.uk to book a place.

ICT Projects for Schools Factsheets

Purpose: Updated information about major ICT projects

Audience: Heads and ICT staff in Cambridgeshire schools

In January 2007 we published Schools' CCN/ICT Factsheets and these have been updated throughout the year. The purpose of the Factsheets was to give information on new and ongoing ICT projects and also to give background information on areas of work. A revised set of factsheets is now available. These have been re-named to reflect the contents and are now known as "ICT Projects for Schools Factsheets". As before, they will be individually updated when appropriate. We will be sending out a copy of the summary version to all schools next week. The full set of the Factsheets and individual Factsheets (numbered 1-8) are available on the Education Portal by searching for resource ID 3465.

Curriculum Newsletter for Primary, Special & Nursery Schools

Purpose: Information about the latest issue

Audience: Headteacher and ICT Coordinator

The November 2007 issue of the Curriculum Team Newsletter has been distributed to ICT coordinators.

Please use this link to download: November 2007

HelpLines Newsletter

Purpose: Information about the latest issue

Audience: All appropriate staff in Cambridgeshire schools

The November issue of HelpLines has now been sent out to schools via the courier bag.

You can download an electronic version here: November

Note: To protect against computer viruses, e-mail programs may prevent sending or receiving certain types of file attachments. Check your e-mail security settings to determine how attachments are handled.

ICT Services Helpline Blog

Purpose: Up to date information alerts

Audience: All Cambridgeshire School staff

For up to the minute Helpline information, please log onto the new ICT Service Helplines Blog, which can be accessed by searching for Resource id: 3750 from the Education Portal at http://www.ccceducation.net or by using the link below.

ICT Service Helplines Blog

ICT Service Training Programme - New brochure 2007-08

All Schools will have received a copy of the Cambridgeshire Education ICT Service Training Course Programme 07/08 which will give you full details of courses available at Godmanchester and other venues.

It also has a useful pull out calendar, which indicates a quick guide to all courses scheduled with dates available. Please contact Course Admin either by telephone on 01480 376670 or email: ict.courses@cambridgeshire.gov.uk should you require any further copies of the programme.

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.