New "Improve" from Capita

Purpose: UPGRADE TO SELF-REVIEW TOOLKIT

Audience: School Leadership Teams

Capita have now released a new version of their "Improve" self-assessment system. This now contains separate self-assessment schemes for primary and secondary schools, making it even more useful. As this toolkit is not SIMS-specific it can be used whatever MIS solutions your school uses. Look for further information on the portal (resource 3926) or visit www.dataforimprovement.co.uk, or see the articles in the Spring edition of Achievement magazine.

Training Opportunities for February

Purpose: Spaces available on Training Courses

Audience: Headteacher, Teachers and Administrative Staff in Schools

Course	Date & Time	Venue	Cost
Family Fischer Trust - Secondary schools	7^th Feb - 9.30 - 12.00	ICT Service, Godmanchester	£50
Maintaining the Timetable in NovaT6	20^th Feb - 9.30 - 3.30	ICT Service, Godmanchester	£80

Please also note: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - Spring IMPULSE conferences

Monday 10th March - CPDC 1 - 4pm

Tuesday 11th March - Buckden Millennium Centre 9.30 - 12.30

Wednesday 12th March - The Maltings, Ely 1 - 4 pm

Please note we are unable to accept bookings over the phone. You may call to check course detail and space availability on telephone 01480 376670 or email: ict.courses@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, unfortunately no places can be provisionally booked.

Ictopus (ICT online primary user support)

Purpose: For Information

Audience: Primary School Headteachers, ICT Leaders

This is a free support service for primary education which was launched on 1st September 2007. Each week registered members of the service have access to a six page printable magazine (Sharing Good Practice) and a set of activity suggestions (lessons2go). There are also frequent news postings and a variety of other resources and projects. All the resources are available from the web archive and members can also opt to receive alerts offering a one-click download service for each item.

Ictopus builds on the highly successful Becta Direct2U service and also the legacy of MAPE (Micros and Primary Education).

Register now to be a part of this exciting venture. Registration is free.

http://www.ictopus.org.uk/index.php?sec=0

New ICT Service Blog and Helpline 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.

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 www.ccceducation.net or by using the link below.

ICT Service Helplines Blog

You can subscribe to this blog in exactly the same way.

ICT Service Training Programme - New brochure 2007 - 2008

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.