Feed Editor 27 Jun 2007 11:05:00 GMT Bringing you up-to-date with what's new on the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning web site. Resources, guidelines, jobs, good practice... http://www.thegrid.org.uk en http://www.thegrid.org.uk/images/interface/hertsdirect.gif http://www.thegrid.org.uk HGfL logo With the Equalities Act 2010 and the close scrutiny from Ofsted on all aspects of prejudice based bullying this has become a really important issue for all schools to start working on. What's out there to help you? 8 Feb 2012 10:50:55 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/hwb/bullying/news/#new 4CA8BF05-3736-4CF0-9EE4-AD865AF91E5C For many schools SEAL has become a well-established tried and tested method of developing social and emotional skills with pupils. It is anticipated that the primary SEAL resources (now contained within the new 'Behaviour for Learning' site) will support your school in building an evidence base that social and emotional learning works not only on improving behaviour but on increasing attainment too. 8 Feb 2012 09:47:48 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/behaviour/news/ ED224AC0-3972-46A4-A5C3-21CAF7B3DD5D The annual report presents evidence from inspections, visits, test and examination results and other assessments, as well as a range of activities across wider wellbeing outcomes. It is an opportunity to celebrate success and to highlight the challenges ahead in working together to continue to improve educational and other outcomes for all children and young people in Hertfordshire, particularly the most vulnerable 7 Feb 2012 13:30:58 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/improvement/index.shtml B53FD294-0370-46BC-950D-792B1557EA21 Key news updates from Hertfordshire Children's Services, including Education and Early Intervention Services 7 Feb 2012 08:11:21 GMT http://childrensservicesnews.hertscc.gov.uk/ BEE9D2E2-6863-49FE-9189-18C51870EE0B Health and safety updates for schools on electrical safety and inspection frequency; the safety of cupboard hinges; and dangers of working at height 6 Feb 2012 15:40:17 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/healthandsafety/news.shtml 6B4FBF61-DA74-40DF-AE8B-B4C3F56EFB6C Following the recent tragic deaths of two young children in Hertfordshire, the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board will be launching a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of looped blind cords and chains 6 Feb 2012 14:39:42 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/foundation/news/index.shtml#news CACC60FA-2FD9-4E0E-A915-F9D218C35034 With heavy snow covering most of Hertfordshire, a reminder that there is an updated Severe Weather Plan to help you be prepared for any snow this winter and to use the schools closoure notification system 6 Feb 2012 07:15:35 GMT http://www.intra.thegrid.org.uk/info/snowline/ A1109EDC-87B7-4FF6-BE43-45BB166EB124 The online Hertfordshire Childcare Directory contains information and contact details for thousands of childcare and play providers registered with the Hertfordshire Family Information Service. 2 Jan 2012 16:03:05 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/foundation/news/index.shtml#news 307BD837-CFEC-4211-B8A3-39C0E56A3C91 Connecting Generations is the theme for this annual event. We have developed a short video to provide schools with further information plus a new ‘Mind the Gap’ conversation starter kit for parents which schools can download. 2 Jan 2012 15:42:29 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/eservices/safety/news.shtml DA00ADDF-C4DE-49B9-B7E0-79777676A0BC The Toolkit has been re-written to reflect Hertfordshire County Council’s new Contract Regulations adopted in December 2011. The changes include, but are not limited to, a raised threshold for call to tender from £50,000 to £75,000 and changes to the formal roles assumed under the Regulations. 31 Jan 2012 09:17:34 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/office/commissioning/index.shtml 76AB9450-9D7A-455D-AA58-E3B676E98C4F Expiry of HCC's current contract with Nat West on 31 May 2012, requires schools to decide whether to move their banking services to Barclays, alongside HCC. Schools are required to complete a short survey to confirm their decision by 24 February 2012. 26 Jan 2012 12:25:55 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/sfu/banking.shtml 1C21BD85-454A-44B1-AF67-530D636AEEB4 The Big Pedal is back and this time it promises to be bigger and better than ever before. It's completely free to enter and there are some brilliant prizes up for grabs. To guarantee your school’s place in the race, make sure you sign your school up now - it only takes a minute. 24 Jan 2012 16:04:01 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/roadsafety/news/#pedal 5D39FBCD-6397-4E61-B36F-EA49CC712EB2 WasteAware have designed a competion for Primary Schools in Hertfordshire offering them the opportunity to have their own Olympic legacy in their school. This is a fantastic opportunity for your students to get creative whilst learning about recycling 24 Jan 2012 15:08:57 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/geography/general/recycle.shtml B61F01A3-25D1-44E3-8F5F-BFE724DEABAD Schools are being asked to help us get an important message out to vulnerable Hertfordshire residents of all ages about extra support that may be availablle to them to help them keep their homes warm in winter. 24 Jan 2012 11:30:37 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/welfare/money.shtml#news 4A64D6D9-C58F-4202-9ABC-8F5AEE717677 RAISEonline Summary Reports, updated with the validated KS2 data, are scheduled to be available from Friday 24th February (late evening). 24 Jan 2012 11:20:54 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/assessment/updates/index.shtml A07D0295-DD13-452F-949F-45B9AECA87C4 If you are considering coming to this year's big ICT event in Herts or have booked and are excited, we have produced a short video which will provide a window into the Festival! This has been such a massive year of change for ICT in Schools, so come along for just £25 (discounts for groups) and see the exhibition and attend some of our brief litebites to get you up to speed and fighting fit! We hope to see you from 12.00 to 18.00 on 22 February and hope you are as excited as we are! 23 Jan 2012 10:22:23 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/ict/research/conferences/2012/ A4AC6256-2664-4CC2-AF9D-83F77F1499DA The latest summaries are now available covering: the Ofsted report on ICT in schools 2008-11; EYFS framework reform; national curriculum review; summary of changes to GCSE; review of teachers'standards; and phonics reading check. This link will only work within a Hertfordshire School. 18 Jan 2012 15:49:35 GMT http://www.intra.thegrid.org.uk/info/bristol/ 7257E56B-0E32-4103-9783-3D58851BF268 Microsoft has recently supplied Hertfordshire with Live@Edu deployment kits for 150 schools using Live@Edu. The aim of these deployment kits is to promote the e-mail system within schools. 18 Jan 2012 15:49:14 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/eservices/email/news/#DeploymentKits B0115791-5395-4277-8516-3CA787F0B785 This one day course is designed to equip curriculum leaders/deputies with current information on national curriculum initiatives. Through a range of presentations, resources and planning discussion activities, you will focus on ways in which you can develop the curriculum in your school for 2012 and beyond. 16 Jan 2012 15:48:42 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/secondary/training/#planning 2E7A21EC-484A-48F6-9092-4DA29FB1ABEA First editions of the new Primary and Secondary Staff Wellbeing Newsletters are now available: 16 Jan 2012 15:47:24 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/wellbeing/news/index.shtml 57E00986-6FD3-41CE-9689-85F6160A48B1 Hertfordshire SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education) will host their annual Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration on 26h January 2012 at 6pm. 13 Jan 2012 17:18:00 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/re/news/index.shtml#holocaust2012 62E8A081-E239-4436-823E-349DA78F3EB0 There are a large number of updates in the world of assessment at present. These are summarised in a letter from our Assessment Team to headteachers for KS1, KS2 and Foundation 13 Jan 2012 14:29:38 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/assessment/updates/index.shtml 97665773-814F-4476-969F-955003074D49 HCC will be moving to quarterly closure of its accounts which will include the closure of quarterly capital accounts. It is requested that schools complete an interim capital return 11 Jan 2012 15:40:06 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/traded/financial/index.shtml#interim 54ED1792-97AC-4135-BBF5-C14125779616 This weekend there were a number of key news items referring to missold and overpriced ICT equipment being sold to schools which left them in crippling debt. We would like to remind schools that there are clear guidelines. 9 Jan 2012 14:55:19 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/traded/sitss/computers/leasing.shtml A9CB1BC6-C845-41AC-BE96-8007B6A4B2F5 Following on from the well attended HMI briefings hosted by Standards and School Effectiveness (SSE) at the end of last term, our new leaflet summarises the key messages from the briefings and highlights the themes that we have already seen emerging from the most recent Ofsted inspections in Hertfordshire 6 Jan 2012 14:42:41 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolimprovement/ofsted.shtml 9E16B729-714B-490E-9C7A-D5520A0F310B A new section on the Grid is now available containing all the information you need on the new Integrated Services for Learning, including information on your local area team, support available and downloadable posters for your Area Team contacts 23 Dec 2011 12:16:07 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/isl/index.shtml 8FCB031A-54D6-4F0D-8846-5B891232B833 Going to BETT can be the highlight of the ICT educationalists year. But it can also be mindblowing. Come and have breakfast with us on Wednesday 11 January 2011, we can update you on local and national developments whilst you eat, network with other Herts schools and we print off your tickets. Go on - start your BETT day the Herts way! 19 Dec 2011 16:15:32 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/ict/news/whatsnew/#bett 9040CA7A-80C0-4B46-B6F1-A8D583C7BBE7 This course will bring together evidence from research and best practice to explore how to promote effective learning through the use of assessment for learning strategies. Participants will also have the opportunity to reflect on their own practice and apply ideas to teaching schemes during the course. Book online : 11SCI/017S 19 Dec 2011 11:46:42 GMT http://www.hertsdirect.org/actweb/WDC/sseo/template_001.cfm?pageID=7&template=courseDetails&courseID=11SCI/017S&eventCode=11SCI/017S BE3B1C87-D484-4390-BF65-C91628D01FBF A bumper newsletter providing information on the education of children and young people to give you information, news and stories that help and inspire you in your work with children looked after! 16 Dec 2011 13:17:25 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/welfare/virtualschool/news/index.shtml 3EED961B-5331-4028-9E42-935ABB465E9C The Hertfordshire induction programme for new headteachers is designed to assist the process of initiation to headship, introduce colleagues (where appropriate) to Hertfordshire County Council Children's Services, and support colleagues in balancing the practical demands of their new role with personal leadership development. 16 Dec 2011 12:02:55 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/strategy/new_heads/index.shtml 9AA6077F-CEB5-47C3-B95D-72062E074007 The completed analysis of the Attainment on Entry data has now been sent to all schools that submitted data. We would like to clarify that this data has been sent only to those schools that participated and has not been made available outside of the LA (e.g. to DfE or Ofsted). 16 Dec 2011 09:53:02 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/assessment/updates/index.shtml 6A8E7F5F-D203-4072-9B92-471F563B3177 With the first of the bad weather arriving in time for Christmas, a reminder that there is an updated Severe Weather Plan to help you be prepared for any snow this winter 16 Dec 2011 09:52:20 GMT http://www.intra.thegrid.org.uk/info/snowline/ E8094CE0-F5AA-4432-B784-CCEDF11EA5B6 The new Ofsted framework impacts all areas of education, including assessment therefore this course has been updated to reflect the latest Ofsted framework from January 2012 and will explain the key data analysis available to secondary schools 12 Dec 2011 15:47:35 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/assessment/courses/index.shtml E18E5414-0B07-4003-BB6D-83E2B71615D7 Effective from 19th December, a new option for assistance with IT support provided by Serco will be made available on the SITSS Service Desk number 01438 844777/Comnet 54777. Please listen carefully to the options when you call and select the correct option for the service you require 12 Dec 2011 14:14:10 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/traded/sitss/help/serco_support.shtml 4D0BBCF5-E65C-47A7-8D0E-D941B224109C The latest summaries are now available covering: Summary of the Education Act 2011; Annual report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector; A National Plan for Music Education; and Good Practice in Primary Mathematics. (Only available from within a Hertfordshire school) 12 Dec 2011 16:11:42 GMT http://www.intra.thegrid.org.uk/info/bristol/ 80ECD985-4700-4F91-8E13-360DE67C9DA7 Please remember to never click on links from unexpected emails. A number of people have recently received emails with harmful viruses..... 12 Dec 2011 10:04:52 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/eservices/email/news/index.shtml A04CA473-D38A-4134-8A55-C8DBF0A37007 You may have recently read the Autumn SITSS Newsletter article regarding Breaches of the Data Protection Act. The ICT in Schools Partnership Working Group thought it would be useful to further raise its awareness to Headteachers. The article has been updated to include the latest press release from The Information Commissioner’s Office on 6 December 2011 8 Dec 2011 14:47:02 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/dataprotection/index.shtml#securedata 499B54F7-D2E9-46C8-AF31-3DC0A526D3CE The TDA have recently announced a continuation of funding for HLTA assessments for a limited period. This could be withdrawn at any point, with two months notice, so ELC have taken the decision to work with Hertfordshire LA to offer a Fast Track version of preparation and assessment to enable schools to access the funding available 8 Dec 2011 14:46:45 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/supportstaff/hlta/index.shtml#opp C50E77AA-56DD-4784-9212-65C83D099149 In November 2010, the White Paper announced a review of the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Following this review it has been decided that NPQH will no longer be a mandatory qualification for first-time headteachers 8 Dec 2011 12:29:44 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/strategy/supporting/npqh.shtml 0CB6C8B5-51B7-415E-A3BB-BD3D10E16273 We know how important early financial information is - and we have good news! Next year the membership fee for the HICS connectivity service is coming down as a result of increasing efficiencies and increased membership! Next year the costs will be... 8 Dec 2011 12:02:50 GMT http://www.intra.thegrid.org.uk/eservices/management/connectivity/index.shtml 9D2C528F-6074-4E52-A119-643A9D64E462 The data collection calendar summaries for Spring Term 2012 are now available 7 Dec 2011 15:27:01 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/csf/#data 04450B1C-9635-4A82-AA95-8FB785BD127D A briefing session will be held at Hertfordshire Development Centre for administrative staff in schools who are interested in upgrading their skills or developing a career in school administration 7 Dec 2011 14:04:52 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/supportstaff/administrators.shtml#cert 77CC1D61-6C05-42DA-AE92-0194798378F6 FAQs and the headteacher briefing presentation on performance related increments for non teaching staff 7 Dec 2011 12:28:58 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/cpd/performance_management_support.shtml C5E0B287-2BCC-4D01-9C8A-7AFC156B098A Healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle is important from early years into adulthood. The whole school approach to healthy eating is important with the emphasis on healthy food provision and accessibility to fluids as water, fruit juices and milk drinks with less than 5% added sugar The fact sheets on saturated fat, sugar, salt and fluid can be used to encourage children in activities linked to healthy lifestyle. 5 Dec 2011 15:56:37 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/hwb/healthy_eating/curriculum/ 97D846F3-9567-4374-B49B-3B0C61CB7BDC A two day fully BIC certified training course will be taking place in Sawbridgeworth. Places are limited so first come first served. 2 Dec 2011 15:51:12 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/supportstaff/premises.shtml A8FED7C7-5363-4A6F-B15F-ABB48E460A5C New! An exciting and revolutionary Language teaching scheme for Primary schools - available in French, Italian and Spanish -which enables you to teach a Modern Foreign language at KS2 using non specialist teachers 2 Dec 2011 13:33:25 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/mfl/publications/index.shtml 7F375986-B3CC-4E7A-90FC-7B03EBA809BC The latest edition of Children's Services News, an interactive e-newsletter for all staff in Children's Services is now available. Contains key news for children's services, including education and early intervention. 1 Dec 2011 12:32:07 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/csf/news.shtml 795C38FB-4D10-47DE-9787-43E1E101DD0A