Service Level Agreements 2008-09

Purpose: Reminder to return sign-up form

Audience: Headteacher and School Secretary

We trust you have all received your 'Service Level Agreement' pack and had time to consider the extensive range of ICT options Education ICT Service are offering schools during 2008/2009.

To allow us time to make appropriate staffing arrangements for the new financial year, we would be grateful if you would return your sign-up form by 28th February 2008.

Thank you to those who have already returned their sign-up form. If you have any questions regarding the services or if you need further advice please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team on 01480 376655.

Requests for Quotes and Orders for Procurement

Purpose: IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Audience: All school staff involved in ICT purchases

Please note with the end of the financial year 2007/08 fast approaching, schools need to submit any requests for quotations and orders for equipment as soon as possible.

For schools requesting quotes requiring invoicing this financial year, we will need to receive the request by Friday 8th February.

Orders will need to be received by us by Wednesday 20th February.

FMS 6 change of database system

Purpose: Important information

Audience: All schools - IT/Network Managers and the Bursar/Finance Secretary

The latest edition of Helplines gives details of the forthcoming FMS migration to SQL 2005. This has to be completed in order for schools to close accounts for 2007/08 and do CFR. Schools are urged to complete this upgrade as early as possible.

Step 1 is to upgrade to FMS 6.85. This is then followed by the migration to version 6.91 or 6.100, whichever is the current latest version. Since schools moved SIMS to SQL 2005 last term, the FMS migration is easier as some of the work is already done. As always the Helpline are on hand to advise. Details of the migration process are on the Finance section of the SIMS home page on the portal.

Please note FMS6 Migration does not apply to Centrally Hosted Schools. These schools will be contacted individually prior to their migrations being performed with instructions on the preparations they need to perform.
Schools that moved to FMS6 in November 20007 have already been migrated and need take no further action.

Schools that still use Famis will not have to perform the migration at all.

Training Opportunities for February / March

Purpose: Spaces available on Training Courses

Audience: Headteacher, Teachers and Administrative Staff in Schools

Course	Date & Time	Venue	Cost
Attendance	27^th Feb 9.30 - 12.30	ICT Service, Godmanchester	£50
Junior Control Technology	5^th Mar 13.30 - 16.00	ICT Service, Godmanchester	£50
Learning Through Web Conferencing	5^th Mar 9.30 - 12.00	ICT Service, Godmanchester	£50

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 details and space availability on 01480 376670 or email: ict.courses@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. Unfortunately no places can be provisionally booked.

Curriculum Newsletter for Primary, Special & Nursery Schools

Purpose: Information about the latest issue

Audience: Headteacher and ICT Coordinator

The February 2008 issue of the Curriculum Team Newsletter has been distributed to ICT coordinators.

Please use this link to download: February

HelpLines Newsletter

Purpose: Information about the latest issue

Audience: All appropriate staff in Cambridgeshire schools

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

You can download an electronic version here: February

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.

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.