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 We are now recruiting for the September 2012 cohort of the Aspiring Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Headteachers’ Programme. The programme is designed to support strong candidates who are committed to applying for headship in the near future or who have been identified as being potential headteachers and need a boost of confidence to apply 16 May 2012 11:00:17 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/strategy/promoting_leadership/aspiring.shtml 2A6BBF09-C424-4D5F-A4A2-CD279341C31A A cookie is a small text file downloaded on to a device when a user accesses certain websites. School websites which use’ cookies’ now need to gain users consent by law. The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulation 2011 came into effect on the 25th May 2011 and will be enforced by the Information Commissioners Office. For advice on what to do.... 16 May 2012 10:01:19 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolweb/cookies/index.shtml F2D2F56F-2C63-490F-BDC2-685B33E0857A There are important changes in the way the DfE will be funding places for the mandatory training for SENCos new to role. Schools / SENCos will need to apply online (likely to be on the 18th May) and places will be allocated on a first come first served bases. 14 May 2012 14:38:40 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/sen/training/award/index.shtml 9BA13B3B-9DC6-48E3-BF71-22A4E1F0B802 14 May 2012 14:31:12 GMT 57B6798E-7888-4597-949C-512829FF11A8 This course is aimed at teachers in both phases and aims to explore how to focus on certain key skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening, alongside effective strategies for improving pupils’ development ofthem in order to give them a flying start 14 May 2012 12:11:00 GMT http://www.hertsdirect.org/actweb/WDC/sseo/template_001.cfm?pageID=5&template=courseDetails&courseID=12ENG/011A&eventCode=12ENG/011A D080A12D-DE87-432A-AF39-335DFC32F9CA Financial Services for Schools is delivering a two part New Headteachers' Course in June/July 2012. The aim of the course is to provide primary, special and nursery headteachers with an overview of school finances and budget management 14 May 2012 09:44:24 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/traded/financial/courses/index.shtml#newhead 246E683B-3DAA-4300-8BCC-FD649EADB5B7 Are you ready for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month which takes place in June, giving everyone the chance to celebrate and raise awareness of the unique history and culture of Traveller communities? We can offer a fun filled interactive training session entitled 'My big fun Gypsy workshop' 11 May 2012 16:10:22 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/bme/traveller_refugee/grtm.shtml BF9AA2BA-944A-42EB-8144-D92D9379057D Schools will be able to view their energy bills on line rather than the historic method of copying and posting the invoices to sites. The site is now live and schools will shortly be sent their user names and passwords. A user guide is now available to download 10 May 2012 15:52:16 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/premises/energy/index.shtml#online 5376ACB8-86BC-477C-B870-EB6CC22A334B Walk to school resources will be sent out to schools week beginning 14th May 2012. Meanwhile enter the Living Streets competition to design a your own Walk to School banner and win a class worth of shoes 10 May 2012 10:08:34 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/roadsafety/news/index.shtml 8A454374-C1A2-4C90-AA35-59300BDC79D9 A varied selection of case studies have been published during March and April covering: Use of iPads, Netbooks and Kindle eReaders, Using Facebook for Communication & Promotion, Use of Edmodo ‘Social Learning Platform’, International Schools Award and a Pupil Voice Conference. 9 May 2012 15:53:18 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/goodpractice/casestudies/ E570F451-F6CD-427D-8AFE-6913B03404BD In this termly newsletter we focus on engaging and promoting eSafety with Parents and Carers. Appropriate sections can be added to your newsletters or school website to help raise awareness and support parents with keeping their children ‘Safe Online’. More 9 May 2012 15:52:52 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/eservices/safety/newsletters/ 307C2F4B-646B-46B2-A071-3C620D27145D We have negotiated a new discounted rate for Hertfordshire schools that book via teachinherts.com. You will be dealing directly with the TES (rather than through TMP/Tribal the advertising agency), and you will be eligible for substantial discounts and no production charges. This is achievable by Hertfordshire schools working together to increase buying power. 8 May 2012 11:38:48 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/recruitment/teachinherts/tes.shtml 44E3D22B-6AD0-4D70-86C7-C95040488691 Guidance on the changes to Qualified Teacher Status which came into effect from 1st April 2012 for teachers who qualified in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and further education teachers who have been awarded QTLS (Qualfied Teacher Learning and Skills) by the Institute for Learning (IfL) 8 May 2012 11:28:26 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/teachers/ott/index.shtml 9B84AAF1-8199-495C-A272-81FCFB69447F Teachers and Teaching Assistants (TAs) working in school can apply for funding for a range of accredited SpLD courses from a range of course providers 8 May 2012 11:06:40 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/sen/news/index.shtml#funding B611A548-3F26-402E-B685-1B841FA5486A Schools using systems that store student biometric data now need to gain active consent before collecting biometric data for any new students/pupils. Schools considering the purchase of a biometric system will need to get active consent for each student / pupil before their data can be collected and stored 8 May 2012 11:06:15 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/dataprotection/biometrics.shtml D45A48F4-F05D-4A4A-A2FB-A6AE7FDC07C8 Hertfordshire Police have alerted Children's Services to a worrying website (www.tumblr.com). Please alert staff and highlight that this is NOT a supportive or informative website for children and young people. Practice guidance and the new Tools for Schools document has been produced to support schools on a range of emotional health and wellbeing issues. It includes a useful checklist for schools of 'when to worry'. 2 May 2012 11:05:18 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/hwb/news/#harm 552C149C-4F26-4081-92EF-61FE1977936A Aiming to inspire children and their families to get their active minutes everyday. Active minutes are the ones that really get our hearts pumping, helping us to feel good and strengthening our hearts and bones too. The Games4Life packs have lots of fantastic ideas for primary teachers and school children to harness the energy and excitement of summer 2012. 2 May 2012 11:05:50 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/pe/physical_activity/#change EE65A86F-4C79-47AF-8FC9-C6E8077897B9 By now you should have receiving a letter inviting you to take part in the Health Related Behaviour Questionnaire. This questionnaire is an excellent tool for schools to use which provides data for an extensive range of health and wellbeing priorities. The data is particularly useful for the four key judgements of the new Ofsted framework. We hope that the benefits for the school will encourage you to participate in the survey. 30 Apr 2012 10:46:29 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/hwb/news/#hrbq DE121745-2CEB-4BA1-8D24-3984C5E8EBF1 The route the iconic Olympic Flame will take through Hertfordshire on the weekend of 7 and 8 July has been announced, providing the perfect opportunity for families, friends and communities to plan their celebrations. 2 May 2012 11:06:53 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/pe/olympics/newsletter/ 55B48AA9-9214-4EA4-B70E-3C4B0F85B445 The latest summaries are now available covering: Behaviour and Discipline in Schools; Careers Guidance for Schools; School Funding Reform; Future of Statistics; Subject progression from GCSE to AS Level; Making a Mark; Moving English Forward; Review of Early Education and Childcare Qualifications and Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage 27 Apr 2012 10:43:00 GMT http://www.intra.thegrid.org.uk/info/bristol/ 6A98FB41-1957-427A-BA13-5ED43C7B4A50 The latest local and national news for gifted and talented including deadlines for Dux awards (27th April) and summer schools funding (30th April). 26 Apr 2012 12:10:37 GMT http:www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/gifted/news/newsletter/index.shtml 3B9F7C70-3380-491C-834A-B8DD18CE4F89 We are arranging a fully BIC’s certified training course to be held at Sawbrigdeworth over two days for caretakers 23 Apr 2012 11:54:57 GMT Caretaker Training Course 6th - 7th June 2012 3A5F1490-2FDB-4DA9-866A-1198127123BC This course (one twilight and two further days) is for colleagues new to the SENCo/INCo role. The course offers direction and practical ideas to support delegates in ensuring that all children and young people in their school make good progress 19 Apr 2012 16:02:38 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/sen/training/training.shtml#senco 7A83F8BB-2D80-44E6-A800-DFF7A29425AB All small school heads are invited to the next meeting. Guest speakers will be addressing issues faced specifically by small schools and ways in which we can access support and address the future with confidence. Guest Speakers: Justin Donovan, Carole Bennett & Tracy Warner. 17 Apr 2012 11:59:22 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/schoolimprovement/small_schools/#update 6774B92C-78F1-4A72-89DA-B2FD875F3B6D We have recently identified that the main information website for the national support service for 13 - 19, Connexions Direct now redirects to an American site which has unsuitable information and links for young people. Please can you check everything in your School and remove any items that have this address on 17 Apr 2012 09:48:32 GMT http://localhost/learning/1419/news/index.shtml#new 4516A88F-4A25-46A0-A266-1C0735E99EEB The summer term data collection calendars which list both collections expected from schools and information planned to be provided to schools have been published. 13 Apr 2012 14:49:13 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/csf/index.shtml#data DB8E55D5-63BA-4229-97B4-885D5055A1CB Is your community celebrating the 2012 Olympics or the Jubiliee year? Why not arrange a Community Games event in your area to get into the Olympic spirit, or add a sporting element onto an event already being organised. To get you started attend the Workshop on 18 April 2012. 10 Apr 2012 14:11:58 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/pe/news/#sportmakers C2001C01-D5D1-4E4E-B188-F9091579B895 If you purchased website hosting for your school website last year and have not renewed with RM by the deadline of the 31st March 2012 or made alternative arrangements, you risk losing your school website 3 Apr 2012 10:13:35 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolweb/web_hosting.shtml#reminder E1ECA095-3AD2-45A8-881F-1119D25829EE The latest summaries are now available covering: The Impacts of High Stakes Testing on School Students and Their Families; Early Entry to GCSE; Music in Schools: Wider Still, and Wider; Financial Education & the Curriculum; Cultural Education in England; Solving the Maths Problem; Implementing STEM Careers Strategy in Secondary Schools 3 Apr 2012 16:40:41 GMT http://www.intra.thegrid.org.uk/info/bristol/ 33B14044-573C-40EC-9DCE-52B9D2C12BD6 A half day course examining the new Ofsted inspection arrangements which came into place in January 2012, focussing specifically on the leadership and management role of the SENCo/INCo 2 Apr 2012 15:51:58 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/sse/inspection_2012/training.shtml#send 0EB2F625-4149-4BFE-A6B7-9ADAE71821FF There are new statutory requirements for RE in Hertfordshire schools from September 2012 and these briefings will enable delegates to gain a thorough understanding of the changes and the effect of these upon the learning outcomes and experiences of all pupils in the RE classroom 2 Apr 2012 14:57:07 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/re/training/index.shtml 6546CE6F-74EA-47C4-8A60-08F21B8448E4 The presentation from the Terms and Conditions Workshops held in March 2012 is now available. 30 Mar 2012 11:21:07 GMT http://www.intra.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/supportstaff/terms-conditions.shtml 5AE7CC45-3A90-43D9-8326-BC2A880E3C89 FPSAdvance.net Version 6 is now available. If you have already installed the software please follow the link for new important information 28 Mar 2012 12:29:13 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/traded/financial/products/index.shtml#products 0E055886-131C-4A4C-8C31-A6863CBFD004 There will be a suspension in the service due to the Art Collection Administrator leaving at Easter. The Loan Service will continue to operate in the future but there will be a suspension in the service from April 1 until the start of the Autumn Term 2012. More 27 Mar 2012 13:13:49 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/elearning/content/countyart/news/ 809BDADB-231A-40E0-97AE-AA007D7F4011 From April 2012 the substantial collection of dual and foreign language collection will be held by the BME Achievement team. There are approximately 2000 books and over 60 different languages available to support speakers of other languages 27 Mar 2012 10:01:56 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/bme/eal/resources/index.shtml#dual 8527EF39-1235-44D1-8305-1D388A1B1648 This one-day course is designed to equip middle leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare their department or faculty for a successful Ofsted subject inspection - something that can come at any time 23 Mar 2012 13:21:25 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/sse/inspection_2012/training.shtml 8E4FF300-9050-49B2-8750-DEE99A1996BA The 2012 Easter holidays offer an opportune time to ensure your school is not wasting energy. The international energy saving initiative "Earth Hour” is 8:30pm Saturday 31st March, and here at Hertfordshire County Council we are hoping our schools will join our other properties in “switching off” before the Easter Holidays. 22 Mar 2012 12:25:10 GMT http://localhost/info/premises/energy/index.shtml#energyevents 55AD188F-F8DC-4677-B04D-50E5C30B9CE9 Two HLTA fast track assessment opportunities in the Hertfordshire area have been organised by the Eastern Leadership Centre during April and May in St. Albans and Stevenage 21 Mar 2012 11:16:42 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/supportstaff/hlta/index.shtml#opp 64E10DEE-4A72-4654-817D-216FBE2A232F Strategic Leaders of ICT - Spring Video Update now live This has been a fast paced term of changes to ICT, with key national changes announced from the DfE and OfSTED. In order to highlight these and other local initiatives we have produced another video update for Herts schools. This is useful for school leaders of all phases, in maintained and academy schools. 20 Mar 2012 16:34:43 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/eservices/videos/ 93A19FE1-C8E3-4AA5-B138-71F1463062AF Staff Benefits - Ill Health Insurance and Financial Advice A reminder about free financial planning seminars (next date is the 29th March 2012) and drop in sessions about ill health insurance provided by Foresters Friendly Society available to all HCC staff, including those in schools 16 Mar 2012 12:49:04 GMT http://www.intra.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/human_resources/benefits/ EDD9498F-8E6C-4DDF-B9FC-5E02A26FE7CB RM are currently in the process of sending out renewal notices to schools who purchased website hosting with them last year. 15 Mar 2012 16:16:09 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolweb/web_hosting.shtml#reminder E930FE0F-7D9B-44D2-B94A-1F94A4CDFC56 As per last year, the page 1 summary of the School Budget Share document (CFR summary) has been made available to schools in advance of the paper copies. Budget Share documents for 2012-13 should be received in schools by Friday 16th March 2012 13 Mar 2012 19:41:44 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/sfu/budget.shtml 7B53961C-6923-41F8-B504-42BA90404760 Standards and School Effectiveness invite you to explore our new school improvement website and give us your feedback to help shape the ongoing development of the site 13 Mar 2012 11:07:36 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolimprovement/hfl/index.shtml 328E6BBD-C90A-47AC-BEE5-3D1FB1D57ED0 The presentation and additional Ofsted guidance for headteachers from the recent Primary Headteacher Seminars is available to download 9 Mar 2012 13:45:33 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/sse/inspection_2012/index.shtml#resources 2B78C3AE-FF72-4337-B51A-6E3216643835 Win £150 for your school plus other prizes... Hertfordshire County Show , June 2nd and 3rd 2012 (Bank Holiday Weekend) The Hertfordshire County Show is a fun, family day out and this year it has a joint theme of the London 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 8 Mar 2012 12:26:09 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/art/news/countyshow.shtml 7E315FD6-2E7D-4804-8E0F-7D1D7057D8AF The Olympics - Euro 2012 - the Diamond Jubilee - 2012 is going to be an amazingly active year and Change4Life wants to encourage everyone to get going and be a part of the fun this summer. Games4Life launches in May, the free Games4Life packs have lots of fantastic ideas for primary teachers and school children to harness the energy and excitement of summer 2012. 7 Mar 2012 11:51:30 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/pe/olympics/whats_new/#games 5682B9EA-8B54-4884-BAD2-3BE209915306 The School of Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire has organised an open evening for teachers and school leaders interested in finding out more about teaching Computing in schools. Will include: What is Computer Science?, Why should we teach Computer Science in school? and What we can do to help you bring Computer Science into your school. 7 Mar 2012 10:35:49 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/ict/news/events/comp_sc.shtml 5AE8E8F2-E26B-4E17-BC61-461B2FDCBDB8 Schools' Capital Return - Final Year End Capital Return now available for completion!! This Capital Return must be submitted, through Solero, by 16th March 2012 6 Mar 2012 13:38:13 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/traded/financial/ 91780805-CE4C-4409-9050-6401589105BF This update covers the various secondary ICT activities taking place in the region. Includes Herts & Borders CAS (Computing At School) Hub Meeting, Computing Partnership Programme, Moodle User Group and Performance Tables. 6 Mar 2012 12:44:21 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/ict/news/sec_newsletters/ B74EC63C-A5B1-4058-AFEE-3E9653024BFC We have been advised of a company sending bogus invoices to schools relating to charges for advertising through a web based directory. Read the article released by Croydon Trading Standards, warning schools about this company. 5 Mar 2012 10:43:13 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/traded/financial/#scam B652AAEB-5E90-41C4-915D-166CED76D184 A copy of the new equality publication entitled 'School Equality Scheme: A toolkit for schools, Spring 2012' was recently posted to all schools and academies in Hertfordshire 2 Mar 2012 11:50:50 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/bme/equality/equality.shtml#toolkit A8DBABA0-EDE2-4798-9597-2CAF7408E417 Key news updates from Hertfordshire Children's Services, including Education and Early Intervention Services. View Newsletter 2 Mar 2012 11:49:40 GMT http://childrensservicesnews.hertscc.gov.uk/ DC93CE48-B94B-4C85-B9A1-B31DF043D096 Don’t forget to book on-line for one of the meetings, these can be found under SITSS Courses. We now have a change to the Agenda. By request we have added a presentation from Trading Standards. 1 Mar 2012 16:00:11 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/info/traded/sitss/courses/sims.shtml 68865E3B-4EEA-4202-81E3-676FD188F11A CPD brochures for the summer term will be in schools during the week commencing 5th March 2012. Download the latest brochures or search our online database 1 Mar 2012 13:51:57 GMT http://www.thegrid.org.uk/schoolworkforce/training/courses/booking.shtml 4ADFA8CD-B21C-4D2D-937C-5139EBFF04A7