It is a long time since the days of GEST; NGfL; LMS and even Harnessing Technology Grant Funding (history lesson and explanation of acronyms available). These grants helped local authorities provide a holistic, and in most cases high quality, support package for schools. You could look through a brochure and a list of support ranging from curriculum focussed and topic-based
Read more →I had the privilege of working with a large group of colleagues from schools around the country at a conference this week. Our topic is close to my heart – Parental Engagement – the sub-theme was of course the role and potential of technology. As we shared ideas, tips and some challenges, we talked about plans, policies, implementation, and of
Read more →Questions, challenges and statements Leaders in schools are the most self-reflective people I have ever come across. Frequently challenging their own decisions, asking difficult questions of themselves and each other and always looking to find answers to challenging issues. I have had the tremendous pleasure to work with school leaders across the country and learn from them about what they
Read more →Hot on the heels of my blog earlier this week (Schools must publish online… from September 2012) DfE have released an interesting update to their web pages “to help headteachers, principals and governors plan ahead, prepare for and implement changes that will take place during this academic year, including mandatory legal requirements.” With a key for the phase and type
Read more →Changes to schools information regulations If you look carefully on the DfE website – you will need to go to the Home Page, Schools, Tools and initiatives, Cutting burdens and bureaucracy and then scroll through 11 pages (if you click here it is a little easier) you will find an important piece of information. I am really pleased to see
Read more →School Leadership and school improvement With the demise of LA support services, local leadership networks, budgetary constraints and financial pressures who can we turn to and trust to extend and advance our thinking? Over the last few years’ collaboration, networking, shared ideas and co-operative practice have dominated the leadership landscape. The culture of working together, sharing experiences and resources across
Read more →Three years on from the beginning of the parental engagement project we have worked extensively with a range of schools in very different contexts and we can say categorically that using ICT to support parental engagement really does make a difference. Real learning partnerships have developed between home and school where parents know more about what is happening in school
Read more →Funding cuts, budget pressures, in school demands, hard selling suppliers, complex balancing acts and difficult decisions – all everyday issues for school leaders, yet technology seems to be a particularly challenging area. At BETT 2012, EXite and IET Associates will share ideas on ICT development with school leaders and detail the EXite programme and its activities through a number of
Read more →Technology is at the forefront in much of our everyday lives. So, as 2011 seems to be the year of the tablet and of cloud computing, what does this mean for schools, and where can you find the right advice when faced with shrinking budgets and a plethora of offers from ICT suppliers? In recent months we have seen the
Read more →As schools emerge from a period of change, leaders need to focus on strategies that exploit technology for the benefit of learners, teachers, schools and the wider community. Over the past 18 months, we have seen the demise of central direction and guidance around ICT at a national level, the disappearance of direct and indirect funding, troubled times in the
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