LGFL eSafety Survey - initial findings

Over the last couple of months schools across Redbridge have taken part in the LGfL eSafety survey 2013.  To date over 10,000 students have responded.  LGFL launched their interim report (which includes analysis of 8482 pupils responses) today - on Safer Internet Day. 

Some statements from the report include:

• Facebook usage increases rapidly in Year 9 but over half of the students who identified Facebook as a favourite site were under 13 (the minimum age for Facebook sign-up).

Is my school open today?

If you work in an LGFL school you have access to a service called Opencheck. By registering your school's status on the LGFL website your school can then be seen on the area wide map available on www.opencheck.lgfl.net.   It looks like this:

What is even better is you can run a feed directly back into your own website updating both the area wide map as well as your website in one go. 

LGFL Next Generation Learning - Spring dates

There are four opportunities for school leaders to benefit from the Next Generation Learning programmes in the Spring term. These are open to school senior leaders as well as ICT subject leaders. However, it is strongly recommended that at least two people attend from each school so as to take full advantage of the opportunity the programme provides for planning the integration of Digital Technologies across a full range of school activities. Wherever possible, one of those attending should be the head teacher.



The programme is delivered in the context of:

In an outstanding school:

• Use of Digital Technology has a significant impact on OFSTED grades
• Digital Technologies are fully integrated, ensuring pupils have the necessary digital skills to succeed
• Excellent management of Digital Technologies ensures high levels of safeguarding for pupils, staff and data
• Digital Technologies promote quality engagement with parents and the broader community

To book places please email julie.walker@lgfl.org.uk and provide the following information:

1. Full name, job title, School, LA, email address
2. London MLE user name (Fronter) if you have one. (For access to programme resources)

Further information can be found at http://www.ngl.lgfl.net/

New York and Oaks Park video conference

Students from Oaks Park spoke at the opening ceremony of the London-New York video conferencing partnership, set up by Mina Patel from London Grid for Learning.

Representatives and students from London and New York schools and local government were linked by video conference at the Tower Hamlets City Learning Centre. There was a ceremonial cutting of the ribbon by Lord Jim Knight (former Minister for Schools) in London and Charles Dedrick (District Superintendent) in New York.

Both Lord Knight and the Mayor of Havering were impressed with our students and they also found an appreciative audience in the New York students.

Here is the link to the news on Teachers TV taken by ITN

http://www.teachers.tv/news/82891

Redbridge school sees Africa United

Pupils from Beal High School were invited to the Mayfair Hotel in Central London on October 15th to interview the actors of Africa United and watch the movie. The interview trailers featuring Beal High pupils can be found here:

Filmstreet - Africa United

(Click bottom left of the screen.)

Film Street is delivered by a partnership of http://www.artistsatwork.org/ and the London Grid for Learning.

Mina Patel

mina.patel@lgfl.org.uk

LGfL Primary Schools’ Conference - 1st November 2010

There are a wide range of relevant seminars for teachers to choose from, plus key presentations in the plenary sessions. We are very pleased to welcome Professor Stephen Heppell ‘the UK’s leading online education guru’ as our opening keynote speaker.

Mark Ducker, Headteacher of Gonville Primary School, who featured at the LGfL Consortium Conference in July, will explain how he has used the London MLE to great effect to drive school improvement, as well as saving considerable time and money. This presentation follows the Ofsted framework and reveals how Ofsted inspectors came to upgrade their assessment of Mark’s school from good to outstanding before even entering the school through prior access to the school’s MLE.

While there is a strong focus on the use of learning platforms, and the London MLE in particular (the conference is jointly organised with Fronter), the event provides an invaluable opportunity for schools to increase the benefit they derive from a wide range of LGfL services and on-line content as well as the opportunity to discuss individual issues and gain ‘hands on’ experience with LGfL Curriculum Consultants and LGfL supplier partners.

The date has been carefully chosen, being the first Monday after the half-term break, when some schools may wish to take advantage of an Inset closure day and bring the entire teaching staff for a full day of CPD.

As with the successful Secondary event held in July there is a small delegate charge of £48+vat which includes lunch and refreshments through the day. There will also be an opportunity for delegates to take a conducted tour of the stadium at the end of the Conference for an additional £10 fee.

Places are limited and registration is essential (ASAP), and available via www.events.lgfl.net.

Brian Durrant, LGFL

Churchfields Infants’ School, MLE Good Practice

Churchfields Infants’ School in Redbridge have been using the London MLE extensively for all their classes. Three video tours include examples of parental engagement, showcasing work and extending learning from Nursery to Year 2. See examples on the Embedding ICT good practice page.

Mina Patel

mina.patel@lgfl.org.uk

Multimodal Literacy at KS3

Year 8 pupils at Wanstead High School and Oaks Park High School both created multimodal books using windows movie maker and MS PowerPoint. The books were uploaded into a shared room in the MLE. Pupils voted for their favourite books and wrote reviews for each other’s presentations. Sarah Dyer, children’s book illustrator, also wrote her review onto the forums and met the pupils via Video conference to discuss their stories.



Mina Patel

mina.patel@lgfl.org.uk

Maths Transition Project - Manic Measuring

Beal High School working with its two feeder schools, Redbridge Primary and Parkhill Juniors, all took part in a manic measuring project. The year 7 and 6 pupils had to collect data about their schools and add it to a forum in a shared room. Then the pupils were given the task to present their data, and interpret it. They then uploaded their findings into a folder for each other to see.



Mina Patel
mina.patel@lgfl.org.uk

What does DfE think about ICT in schools?

The Department for Education have just released a paper entitled:
Department for Education addresses £1bn of unrealistic inherited spending commitments

In it they state:
"We have previously announced small cuts of £8m to specialist schools capital, of £15m to the extended schools programme, and of £50m to Harnessing Technology grants, as contribution to the Chancellor’s £6.2bn fiscal consolidation, and in order to make progress this year on the government’s commitment to free schools."

The go on to announce that they will further reduce the Harnessing technology grant as follows:
"Harnessing Technology: £50m. a further saving is being achieved. The programme will now be worth £100m to all local authorities. They have received the first quarterly payment and will get the second, giving them time to plan to reconfigure their broadband and IT infrastructure programmes."

The DfE attempts to pre-empt some key questions:
"Q Does this mean that you do not see IT as a contributor to the improvement of educational standards – you have just also disbanded Becta?
A Appropriate IT is a strong supported of good teaching and learning. It is however now well embedded in schools, and we do not think that further hypothecated capital investment is needed."
Q Does this mean that schools will have to abandon broadband contracts that are essential to a data rich IT environment?
A These contracts are a call on revenue, not capital, funding."


Whatever your opinion might be of the DfE's position LBR will necessarily invest "time to plan to reconfigure their broadband and IT infrastructure". If you wish to share your opinion - you are welcome to comment on this blog. You may well wish to read today's news within the context of the LGFL executive position previously published on this blog.


Alex Rees
alex.rees@redbridge.gov.uk

LGfL and Harnessing Technology Grant

The following information has been provided directly by the LGFL trust:

On 18th June, the DfE website published an announcement that £50m would be cut from Harnessing Technology Grant (HTG) in the current year. There could be some concern or speculation that this element of the £200m grant would threaten the continuation of services supplied by LGfL to all London maintained schools. The purpose of this note is to clarify the position and set aside any concerns.

Using funds provided by agreement, by all London LAs, LGfL provides centrally a range of services to all London maintained schools, including the LGfL core network (in effect the ‘power station’ which feeds all schools’ broadband connections) and many other services and resources set out in the LGfL Services Guide (online at www.services.lgfl.net). Also at this URL is a report on the savings achieved for schools by London LAs through the LGfL regional collaboration – over £100m per year.

LAs agree and commit in advance to contribute the necessary funds to supply and maintain these services, under the contracts in place between LGfL Trust and each LA. Each LA will be working to establish how to manage funds locally in order to accommodate the reduction in HTG and to ensure the continuation of LGfL services for schools, meeting the agreed and contractual LGfL contributions, which in fact the great majority have already settled.

I hope this note is helpful in allaying any concerns regarding any impact on LGfL services from the recent DfE announcement.

LGfL has been active in writing and lobbying in a number of ways to draw the attention of Government to what can only be regarded as an ill-informed decision, and is currently arranging for a parliamentary question to tabled in respect to the Government’s future intentions in respect to HTG, and asking the Minister to make a statement.

LGfL has been consulting schools, and LAs have been working together for some time, looking at different approaches to maintain the best possible services, at the best possible prices, whether or not there is, in future a continuation of HTG. Further detail on this will be addressed in the near future in consultation with LAs.

A new publication for schools helping them to make the most of LGfL will be distributed with each copy of the TES in the London region on 9th July – watch out for yours!


Brian Durrant
Chief Executive
London Grid for Learning Trust

LGFL Annual Secondary and SEN Awards

The London Grid for Learning Annual Secondary and SEN
Conference Awards – awards.lgfl.net

The 2010 LGfL Schools’ Conference Awards for Secondary and SEN celebrate best practice and innovative approaches in using the wide range of learning resources and services provided through LGfL. This year students and staff can collaborate to make a 2 -5 minute video outlining the good practice that is going on in your school.

There are two categories of awards:
A) Use of the Fronter London MLE to enhance teaching and learning and/or raise attainment and/or promote community cohesion
Sub categories: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, 14-19, PRU, SEN, Use of Webfronter, General

B) Use of LGfL resources or services to enhance teaching and learning and/or raise attainment and/or promote community cohesion (more information about LGfL services can be found at services.lgfl.net)
Sub categories: Podcasting, Videocentral, Video Conferencing, Use of LGfL Premium Content, London Plan, Weather Stations, London Mail, Other, General

Overall winners in each category will receive an engraved plaque, an LGfL ‘excellence’ logo, and a Visualiser worth £250. Runners up will receive a certificate, an LGfL logo and a high quality Microphone worth £50.

Your entry should ideally be in Video format, be between 2 and 5 minutes long, and should be
uploaded to Video Central via videocentral.lgfl.net. You will need a USO or Fronter account to log-in.

Your entry should contain some information about:
• An overview of the school
• What you did
• How you did it
• Strategies you used for success
• Impact of what you did (include evidence where possible)

This year, staff may if they wish involve and collaborate with students. In the case of an entry from a student or students on behalf of their school, this information can be presented from a students’ perspective. (A support video for staff and students is available at awards.lgfl.net)

All entries must be received by Monday 14th June 2010

Winners and runners up will be announced during the LGfL Schools’ Conference for Secondary and SEN at the Emirates Stadium on Monday 5th July 2010.
(For booking details and further information regarding this event please go to events.lgfl.net)

LGFL

Facebook concerns in Primary Schools

We are aware that recently primary schools have become increasingly concerned with the use of the Facebook social networking site amongst their students. Every anonymous survey conducted by staff within our primary schools consistently shows that students (mostly KS2 although not always) are setting up Facebook profiles to keep in touch with their friends. If your school has become concerned about this then this article suggests the steps you could take.


Remove the usernames if necessary

Very simply Facebook does not allow under 13’s. The difficulty is in removing their online profiles once they have been made.

Facebook has a “Report and Underage User” form . However you have to know the profile address of the child you are concerned about. These profiles are of the format http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=123456789 and whilst a search within Facebook may give you a profile address for a given name (e.g. John Smith) their directory listing may not be enough to ensure you have the right profile (e.g. children often use a fake photo when making the profile to appear older).

Since you must be logged into Facebook to either search for profiles or to remove profiles this is a time-consuming course of action unless you have a specific reason to do this for a particular child or group of children. It is however a more realistic thing to ask parents or children to do following the appropriate eSafety lesson or presentation. It is always easier for a child to remove their own profile with their parents help than it is for a parent/teacher to put a formal request through Facebook.


Review your eSafety strategy

A good eSafety strategy involves a 3-pronged attack: Policies, Infrastructure and Education.

1. Ensure you have appropriate POLICIES to encourage correct behaviours and actions. Policies should encourage the correct preventative behaviours and also appropriate responsive behaviours should an issue arise. The key policy to have in place is a good “Acceptable Use Policy” explaining what staff and students can use school technologies for. Ideally this should be signed by staff and students’ parents so that the expectation is very clear. Other related policies that should reference eSafety appropriately include a school’s “Anti-bullying policy”together with the general “Safeguarding policy”. For further advice on drawing up these policies: http://www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/safeguarding-learners/Case-studies/Acceptable-use-policies/

2. Review your technical INFRASTRUCTURE to ensure your systems enable students and staff to access and use web sites that you are comfortable with. A website filtering system can be reinforced by using monitoring software that will ensure that worrying actions can be picked up. Whilst monitoring systems can appear to be a bit ‘big brother’, often the installation of such systems can generate significant eSafety discussions within the school and then the software acts as a deterrent from thereon. All Redbridge schools automatically have access to LGFL web filtering to remove inappropriate content coming in, and LGFL has recommended Policy Central monitoring systems which schools can purchase (http://www.forensicsoftware.co.uk/) to ensure that systems are being used appropriately.

3. Have a strong EDUCATION programme. Whilst the first two points focus on ensuring that children and staff are safe within the school, the majority of internet usage by young people happens outside the school, and increasingly using mobile devices. Ofsted have reported that “where provision for e-safety was outstanding, all the staff, including members of the wider workforce, shared responsibility for it. Assemblies, tutorial time, personal, social, health and education lessons, and an age-appropriate curriculum for e-safety all helped pupils to become safe and responsible users of new technologies”. A good eSafety strategy is far more about strong education than it is about the previous two points. For more details on the Ofsted eSafety report please see: http://redbridgeictsubjectleaders.blogspot.com/2010/02/ofsteds-official-view-on-esafety.html


Advise the parents

If Facebook (or equivalent systems) are becoming an issue in your school you may choose to write directly to the parents. In this situation consider saying the following:

1. New technologies and the internet are tremendously useful tools to support children’s learning. There is a wide range of good quality websites designed to support learning such as your Fronter learning platform, and BBC Learning. We emphatically promote good use of technology at school and at home.
2. Whilst children want to communicate with their friends outside school Facebook is an inappropriate place for young people to socialise. Facebook’s terms and conditions states in their “Statement of Rights and Responsibilities” that “You will not use Facebook if you are under 13.” (Section 4:5). It is your responsibility as parents to ensure your children do not use it.
3. There are age appropriate websites that young people may more safely use for social networking (e.g. http://www.superclubsplus.com/ and http://www.clubpenguin.co.uk/ . As a school we recognise that whilst the Internet is a great tool, it is not the only place to socialise and learn new things. As a parent it is your responsibility to ensure your child has an appropriate balance between screen and non-screen time.
4. The next eSafety event to be held at the school will be on XYZ date. We will look at some of the technologies available to our children today and how we as parents can ensure our children have a good experience of technology without encountering the dangers.
5. We recommend that you discuss your child’s use of the internet regularly and if there are issues raised that you need further guidance on look at the childnet website (http://www.childnet.com/kia/parents/) or come in and talk to Miss ABC, who is the senior member of staff overseeing our own eSafety strategy.

As a school you may also need to refer to the incident that raised your concerns initially but the above 5 points are nearly always relevant to communicate to parents. (It is also possible to order the Childnet material on a CD free of charge for distribution to parents. To order ring 0845 60 222 60 quoting reference 00308-2007CD0-EN. )



If you work within a Redbridge school and you have a more specific eSafety discussion you would like to have with a member of the School Improvement Team please do get in touch.

Alex Rees
Alex.rees@redbridge.gov.uk

Fronter: what works well?

LGFL are pleased to announce that a range of examples on how schools are using the London MLE, collated by the LGfL Curriculum Consultant team, is now available online at: http://www.goodpractice.lgfl.net/


These examples will be supplemented by a growing range of presentations, media clips and virtual tours. Along with a section for sharing room templates, these examples are intended to complement those already available from Fronter at http://www.londonmle.net/


Mina Patel works in Redbridge as an LGFL Curriculum Consultant and she will be collating further examples of good practice in discussion with schools, and selected rooms will be hosted online in Fronter’s own demonstration site. If you have a good idea that you would like recognised as such please get in touch.


Alex Rees
alex.rees@redbridge.gov.uk

AfL in Mathematics Staff INSET - Video Conference

Monday, 21st June 2010 – Inspirational Assessment For Learning in Mathematics CPD - Video Conference

Time - 3.45 pm to 4.45 pm

For both primary and secondary school teachers. Alison Clark Wilson from the Maths Association (MA) in partnership with the NE London Maths Association and LGfL will be hosting a live STAFF INSET from Waltham Forest CLC . If you wish to take part, please fill in the registration form before 12pm June 1st.

Schools without VC equipment can still participate using their LGfL internet connection, via the live stream; all schools must complete the online registration form here.

For more information about the event contact mina.patel@lgfl.org.uk

Mina Patel (LGfL)

School Leaders' Course for Next Generation Learning

Next Generation Learning: Digital Technology and Institutional Change
An essential two-day programme from the LGFL for school senior leaders

Are you ready for.....?

• Parental Engagement and On-Line Reporting...
• The new Ofsted Framework....
• …and Ofsted Report February 2010.....
• Building Schools for the Future and the Primary Capital Programme...
• Safeguarding pupils, staff and data...

This programme will address these issues by allowing you to explore the development of ICT strategy and your leadership of change. You will leave the programme having identified appropriate next steps for your school. This is a well established two-day support programme aimed at head teachers and members of the senior leadership team. It provides opportunities for the school team to work together and collaboratively with other schools.

To maximise the impact on school improvement it is essential that a member of the school’s senior leadership team attend together with one other who has strategic responsibility for ICT.

Courses running on:

• NGL 11 - 18th/19th May
• NGL 12 - 21st/24th May
• NGL 13 - 27th/28th May
• NGL 14 - 7th/9th June
• NGL 15 - 8th/11th June
• NGL 16 - 14th/17th June
• NGL 17 - 6th/9th July
• NGL 18 - 2nd/3rd November
• NGL 19 - 8th/10th November
• NGL 20 - 30th November /2nd December

Cost: £150 per delegate (heavily subsidised by LGfL). Lunch, refreshments and course materials are included. To book places please email julie.walker@lgfl.org.uk and provide the following information: Full name, job title, School, LA, email address.

Further details available directly from LGFL here.

LGFL ICT Technicians’ Conference - 29th March

This packed, full day, conference will be helpful to all those who are involved in embedding or supporting the use of the wide range of LGfL services and resources now available to all London schools. The purpose of the day is to assist schools in gaining the maximum benefit from LGfL services, many of which are ‘free to schools’ having been provided region-wide by London local authorities working together as The London Grid for Learning.

Programme - 29th March 2010



Booking for places is now open by visit to http://www.events.lgfl.net/

Redbridge LIVE linking to China RIGHT NOW

If you are in a London school, and today is the 8th Feb, follow this link to watch the live Redbridge/China celebration of Chinese New Year - mms://media.lgfl.org.uk/cny

Programme Feb 8th 2010

• 8.50 - 9.00
  Welcome from Presenters


• 9.00 -9.10
  A Chinese Tale from 125 School Beijing
  KS2/3 - 125 School Beijing, China read a traditional story. What does the Year of the Tiger mean to the Chinese?


• 9.10 - 9.20
  Mayor Chan (the first Chinese Mayor in Britain) welcomes schools to the video conference
  All Key Stages - The Mayor of Redbridge - Councillor Thomas Chan - Ask the Mayor a question


• 9.20 - 9.30
  Beal High School - A Chinese Drama
  KS3/4 - An interactive Chinese Drama


• 9.30 - 9.45
  An Interview with Angela May - Fullwood Primary School
  All Key Stages - Put our Oriental presenter on the hot spot


• 9.45 - 10.00
  Glade Primary School - Chinese Exercise
  KS2 - Get ready to exercise with the pupils from Glade Primary


• 10.00 - 10.15
  A Chinese Calligraphy lesson
  All Key Stages - Learn to write some Chinese letters. Get your pens and paper ready!


• 10.15- 10. 30
  Mayfield School
  KS3/4 - The Olympics - 'Then and Now'


• 10.30 - 10.45
  Oaks Park High School, Chop Stick Championships
  All Key Stages - A Chopstick Games and other Chinese activities


• 10.45 - 11.00
  More questions for Angela May
  All Key Stages - Do you have any questions for Angela?


• 11.00- 11.15
  Chinese Lion Dancers
  All Key Stages - A Chinese Lion Dance live


• 11.15-11.30
  Seven Kings High School - A play in Mandarin
  KS3 – The pupils of SKHS act out a play ‘Finding Friends’ in Mandarin


• 11.30 - 11.45
  Redbridge Primary School - International Food
  KS2 - International Food


• 11.45 - 12.00
  A lesson in Thai Chi with Siman Yue
  All Key Stages - Take part in a Thai Chi lesson with a Thai Chi professional


• 12.00 - 12.15
  Snaresbrook Primary School - Learn to speak some basic Mandarin
  KS2 – Learn some basic Mandarin language with Snaresbrook Primary


• 12.15 - 12.30
  Wanstead High School - Take the Chinese Challenge
  All Key Stages - A quiz about China


• 12.30
  Close

You are very welcome to join in by watching and letting us know how you have used this link.

Annette Carlon
annette.carlon@redbridge.gov.uk

Redbridge celebrates Chinese New Year - 8th February 2010

The London Grid for Learning, working in partnership with Redbridge, will be hosting a videoconference for primary and secondary schools to celebrate the Chinese New Year on 8th February 2010 (8.50am - 12.30pm), live from the Redbridge Teachers’ Centre.
LGfL is preparing to link up live by video to schools across London, the UK and China.
The first Chinese Mayor in Britain – Mayor Chan will be opening the conference and welcoming schools from China and all over the UK.

Click here to view the programme for the event. Schools that are directly involved in presenting on the day are:

• Beal High School


• Fullwood Primary School


• Glade Primary School


• Mayfield School


• Oaks Park High School


• Seven Kings High School


• Redbridge Primary School


• Snaresbrook Primary School


• Wanstead High School

We would, however, like to invite all of you to watch the live stream on the day, so please, click on this link on Monday Feb 8th - mms://media.lgfl.org.uk/cny


Mina Patel
mina.patel@lgfl.org.uk

LGfL Next Generation Learning – Digital Technology & Institutional Change Programme

News from the LGFL

Following the success of the Autumn term NGL programme, further dates have now been announced for the Spring term.

School Leaders
The next two NGL programmes for School Leaders will be held at Mary Sumner House, Westminster on the dates below:
NGL 9 – 26th and 28th January 2010
NGL 10 – 4th and 5th February 2010

In order to derive maximum benefit from the course it is strongly recommended that two people from each school attend, of which at least one must be a member of the Strategic Leadership Team. The subsidised programme charge is £150 per delegate. Take up is again expected to be high and colleagues are encouraged to liaise with schools and place bookings as early as possible.

All events will be held at Mary Sumner House, Tufton Street, Westminster.

Colleagues wishing to book places on any of the Spring term events should contact julie.walker@lgfl.org.uk