Leadership Essential Resources
The Headteacher Workload Group has been following up on agreements reached at the 'Workload Summit' held in September 2009. One area of work identified was enabling further availability of exemplar policies and other resources of use to school leaders via the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning. As a result we have developed the 'Leadership Essential Resources' section, which can be used as a 'first stop shop' for school leaders. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/

Moving on Up - KS3 Transition Conference - 3rd March 2010
From September 2009, all KS2 pupils have had an entitlement to study one or more foreign language in curriculum time. Attending this conference will help answer the crucial questions for your new intake year 7 pupils and ensure their progression. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/

Electronic Income Collection in Schools - Update February 2010
We wanted to keep you informed on how things are progressing with the introduction of an Electronic Income Collection System in Hertfordshire Schools. The following provides a brief update on the contract tender process and proposed pilot of the System. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/info/income/

Meeting the Needs of Children and Families in Hertfordshire
The new 'Meeting the Needs' handbook is now available. This is the new IP (Integrated Practice) tool which is being introduced as part of the current CSF roadshows about the new arrangements to support vulnerable children in Hertfordshire. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/

Hertfordshire Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Survey: Ends 22 March 2010
There are over 60,000 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people in Hertfordshire. A number of public service organisations have joined together to support and fund the first ever Hertfordshire LGBT Voice Counts Survey, which will improve understanding of the needs and experiences of LGBT people in Hertfordshire. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/hwb/

Free Energy Display Meters in Schools
The Council welcomes a new government initiative for free energy display meters for schools. Details of the scheme and guidance for schools on energy supply meters is available here...
www.thegrid.org.uk/info/premises/

Safe Use of Images Update
Schools will be aware of how important it is to have clear guidelines in place for the safe use of images. The recent experiences of two Hertfordshire schools has underlined the importance of having clear consent in place to take and share images. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/info/csf/

Teaching Assistant Newsletter - Spring 2010
All the latest news for TA's including advice on well-being, e-safety, training and other events. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/

Drug Education - Go On Try It! - Friday 12th March 2010
Free drug education exhibition for professionals working with children, young people and their families in Hertfordshire. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/pshe/

Director's Annual Report - Standards, Quality and Wellbeing in Hertfordshire Schools and Other Settings 2009
The 2009 report presents evidence from inspections, visits, test and examination results and other assessments, as well as a wide range of activities across the full spectrum of Every Child Matters outcomes.The full report, executive summary and the appendices can be downloaded. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/

Commissioning Toolkit for Schools – New edition Just Released – January 2010

The latest edition of the toolkit now has a new section designed to support extended schools with 12 new linked templates. For Children Centres in addition to this, there is a dedicated toolkit. There are also revisions to many other parts of the toolkit. More.
www.thegrid.org.uk/info/

School Workforce Survey 2009-10 Reminder
In order to ensure that our School Workforce & HR services meet your needs and to review the effectiveness of our work we should be very grateful if you would take a few minutes to complete an online survey. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/

Security Key Holding Services - Reminder
Reduce the risks and inconvenience to your staff of having to attend property alarm activations out of hours. Arena Security currently holds the County’s security Contract, they offer a professional key-holding service and trained security personnel. More...

www.thegrid.org.uk/info/premises/

Safer Internet Day - 9th February 2010
The theme for this year's Safer Internet Day is 'Think Before You Post'. Ideas and activities for schools to celebrate the day and promote the 'Stay Safe Online' message can be found here...
www.thegrid.org.uk/eservices/

10th Annual ICT Conference: 30 March 2010
Today, Tomorrow, Forever: ICT Transforming Learning
This conference will feature a keynote speech by Professor Angela McFarlane, Professor of Education and Director of Learning Technology at the University of Bristol. Angela is the author of the book "Information Technology and Authentic Learning", a key resource in teacher education. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/ict/

Secondary Science : BTECs September 2010
BTEC guidance and information for the new specifications for teaching from September 2010. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/science/

Diploma of School Business Management (DSBM) - Local Programme - Recruiting Now
The briefing session for the Diploma of School Business Managers takes place on Tuesday 26th January 2010, 4.30pm - 6.00pm. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/

Spring 2010 Primary Cluster Groups: ICT Software & Resources
Join us this term for an update on ICT in primary education in Hertfordshire.  We will be reviewing the latest news around curriculum development and the role of ICT within this important area, as well as providing a forum for discussion and sharing of ideas and questions.  We will also be looking at some of the recently released software and resources available for classroom use.  More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/ict/

Humanities - Spring 2010
Latest training courses and events for the Spring term in history, geography and RE.
www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/

Hertfordshire Gifted & Talented Conference - 24th February 2010
'Creating the conditions for exceptional performance' The conference will focus upon how schools can create and develop the most effective learning opportunities that will benefit able, Gifted & Talented and all students. Keynote Speaker is Professor Deborah Eyre, an internationally renowned name in the Gifted & Talented field. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/gifted/

Open Day for Teachers at Knebworth House - 25th February 2010
Open Day for KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4 teachers at Knebworth House to make teachers aware of the various learning opportunities on offer. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/history/

Human Resources Information on the Grid
In response to requests to make it easier for schools to find HR information on the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning, the Human Resources information has been moved from the Schools Admin section to the School Workforce section. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/

Access to Sparklebox - Update 13th January 2010
You may already be aware that Hertfordshire County Council, along with many local authorities, has blocked the teaching resource website '.sparklebox.co.uk'. We recommend schools take the following actions. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/eservices/

Home Access Grant Update - January 2010
The scheme is expected to run from January 2010 to March 2011. Funding has been allocated for 270,000 low income families to benefit from the scheme. A series of cluster sessions have been organised for Hertfordshire schools. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/elearning/

Adding a Snow Day in Sims .net Attendance
Information on how to add a snow day in Sims .net Attendance can be found in the Attendance area of the SITSS website here.
www.thegrid.org.uk/info/traded/sitss/

Canopy Safety and Snow Warning
Following the collapse of a cantilevered canopy at a Central Bedfordshire school please be aware of the following warning notice. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/info/healthandsafety/

Consultation on School Admission Arrangements for 2011/12
Hertfordshire County Council is running a consultation on the proposed admissions arrangements for the school year 2011/12 and is seeking responses from parent/carers, schools and community groups. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/info/

Severe Weather Conditions - Updated Guidance
As you know the new Closure Notification System had its first test on the last day of term. On the whole it worked well with over 370 schools texting their status. Thank you to all schools for sending texts in so promptly during the night and early morning.  A few problems were reported and the guidance has been updated. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/info/

Check to see which schools are closed in Hertfordshire via the Herts Direct website

*** IMPORTANT INFORMATION : CHANGE OF VAT RATE ***
The standard rate of VAT increases to 17.5% from 1st January 2010. A guidance note explaining how the change affects schools has been published here.
www.thegrid.org.uk/info/sfu/

New Single Service Request Form from 4th January 2010
From 4th January 2010, Single Service Request (SSR) forms for CSF education and learning services will be handled by the education teams themselves, rather than Client Services. The SSR form has been updated to reflect this change. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/info/welfare/

Staff Wellbeing Conference - 26th February 2010
This cross phase conference will explore adult emotional intelligence, with opportunities to reflect upon the effects of change on both the individual and the whole staff with practical examples. More...
www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/