One week to take part in the big consultation

The Redbridge 2010 eSafety Survey

"The rapid growth of the internet and a wide range of personal communication technologies is both exciting in their potential use for building learning and community networking opportunities and concerning in the myriad of new ways for our children to encounter new dangers. Children and young people need to be protected from these risks where possible and need to be educated and supported to develop the skills to keep themselves safe when using technology."

These lines are taken from the opening paragraph of the recently released Redbridge eSafety strategy. The child protection staff within your schools have been briefed on the strategy, the Local Safeguarding Children's Board have endorsed it and set up an eSafety sub-group to action it and all Head Teachers will receive a briefing on the 30th June. As the strategy is enacted there are many things the borough's eSafety team will provide to ensure your school is meeting or exceeding the safeguarding expectation.

Initially we would like you to get involved in the following: The Redbridge 2010 eSafety Survey

The Redbridge eSafety team would like to have a true snapshot of the eSafety landscape here in Redbridge. We would also like to provide for you an outline of the eSafety landscape within your school. An online survey has been set up which we would like at least one class from each key stage from each school to complete. Please email me directly to get access to the survey.

It is intended that students from Key Stage 2 upwards complete the survey although you may want to support younger children to complete it too. It takes about 7-10 minutes to complete, although younger children may take longer. You may like to use it at the beginning or the end of an ICT or PSHE lesson and it will undoubtedly stimulate some interesting discussions.

We will feed back to you the results summarised across the borough and also individually for your school. To do this we would like all surveys to be completed by the end of the school day on the 18th June. Obviously the more children you get involved from your school the more accurate a statistical picture you will have. The immediate results of this survey we will outline back to schools by the end of the month, and a more detailed analysis for your school will be sent to your school by the end of the term.

Thank you very much for getting your students involved in this initiative. We look forward to serve you pragmatically and effectively in ensuring our children across Redbridge are kept safe online.


Alex Rees
alex.rees@redbridge.gov.uk

Primary ICT Subject Leaders - Friday 25th June

New subject leaders is approaching on Friday 25th of June.


We hope that if you haven't already booked on via PDC, you will do now.


ICT Subject Leaders is for just then morning session again, but we have worked hard to provide some extra opportunities in the afternoon that you will have a choice of.



Agenda.

• Welcome and News


• Key theme: Assessment - We will spend on final session looking at this issue and tie it back into what ICT assessment should be based on the NEW Becta Self Review Framework Guidelines. I would be great if you could bring along once again some example of the assessment work you have done with your children.


• Resource Gateway - New opportunities for Fronter Resources


• Project Feedback from the Redbridge Games Network


• Improving your school


• Training Experience - A whirlwind of ideas of how to use ICT outside the classroom.


• New from the floor

In the afternoon after ICT subject leaders finishes you will have three opportunities.

1. EducationCity will be running a training session on how to use this resource effectively, as well as explaining some of the new features. (This was requested by a number of schools) You need to email nicholas.hughes@redbridge.gov.uk to state if you would like to attend. This way EducationCity can prepare packs. They will be covering :-

• effectively navigate through the product & find relevant activities quickly


• use key features of the resource relevant to your key stage, such as Topic Tools


• use tests and Revision Pathways


• plan differentiated lessons to support personalised learning goals


• monitor whole class and individual children’s progress in SuccessTracker


• use advanced feature management e.g. Setting a myCity

If there is anything else you would like covered either email me and I'll pass this on to the Trainer.

2. Has your school shown a commitment to ICT? Do you want recognition for the work you have done on ICT? We will be running a session where you can work in a stress free environment to develop your schools response to the Becta Self Review Framework. The new changes to the SRF will be explained and a ICT Mark assessor will be on hand.

3. Go back to school. - Where you will miss out on all the opportunities the above sessions give.

REMEMBER

1. Bring a charged laptop, though there will be a limited amount to borrow.

2. Some examples of ICT assessment that you have done.

We look forward to seeing you on the 25th.

Nic and Alex.

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

Fronter Hands On Training - July 7th @ RTC

Please inform your ICT staff - Fronter Training (Primary and Secondary hands on workshop )- Wednesday, July 7th

Thank you

We are pleased to invite you to attend the Fronter Training (Primary and Secondary hands on workshop )– Wednesday, July 7^th

• The course will run from 9.15am -3.45pm at the Redbridge Teachers Centre.
• The training is for teachers with all different levels of experience in using Fronter.
• Please go to www.redbridgepdc.org.uk to book your place.  Please call the Redbridge Teachers Centre if you have any problems on 0208 708 8810.
• The workshops will be ran by Mina Patel (LGfL). Tanya Hurst(Loxford High), Rosemary Hunt( Fronter), Rob Spriddle ( Redbridge Primary) and Alex Rees (Redbridge LA).
• The day course will consist of four sessions, consisting of different 1.25 hour hands on workshops where you may choose which workshop to attend.
• Please bring your own lap tops with you to enable you to access the wireless internet connection at the Teachers Centre.
• Agenda below:

Time	Trainer	Title
9.15 – 10.30 (session 1)	Rosemary Hunt	Visual Mail in Fronter
	Mina Patel	“Free Apps”  / Web 2.0  in  Fronter
10.30  - 10.45 BREAK
10.45 -12.00 (session 2)	Tanya Hurst	Coursework Management
	Rob Spriddle	Homework in Fronter (Hand in tool)
12.00 – 12.45 LUNCH
12.45 –  2.00 (session 3)	Rob Spriddle	Assessment in Fronter (Test tool )
	Alex Rees	Using Fronter for Heads for Department
2.00  –  3.15 (session 4)	Rosemary Hunt	Primary MLE lesson plans
	Mina Patel	Today Page and Portfolio tool
3.15 – 3.45	Rosemary and Mina	EOY/SOY  process and tips & tricks in Fronter

 

 

Mina Patel 
Curriculum Consultant
London Grid for Learning
mina.patel@lgfl.org.uk

 

 

Could you be Lead Fronter Primary School 2010-11? (Funding available)

We are looking to expressions of interest from Redbridge schools to be the lead Fronter primary school 2010/11. The successful school will currently be demonstrating strong practice within their own organisation and be confident supporting other primary schools in building their own practice. This role was expanded last year to include a day a week of funded time for your MLE project leader / ICT Coordinator to support the activities listed below.

As the Primary lead school for Fronter you would:

• Demonstrate and disseminate good practice within your own school
• Hosting 2 termly after-school cluster meetings for other Redbridge primary schools to enable the sharing of good practice
• Issuing half termly update communications supporting schools on the implementation journey
• Managing an MLE room to enable sharing of good practice
• Represent Redbridge schools' views at the annual Fronter regional forum

As a associate consultant:

• Guided by the LA contact individual schools to discuss support requirements
• Training groups of staff in schools as required
• Supporting other schools strategically providing models of ensuring good practice is developed across the school, exploring how they could work in context.
• Supporting other schools tactically guiding decisions on how certain educational benefits can be effectively achieved on the Fronter MLE system (e.g. sharing school calendars, gifted and talented collaboration, literacy enhancement, etc.)

(funding for guaranteed until Easter 2011)

Previous lead schools have been:

• 08/09 Lead school HIghlands Primary
• 09/10 Lead school Redbridge Primary

If you are interested in this role please contact Alex Rees by 24th May to discuss it further.

Alex Rees
alex.rees@redbridge.gov.uk

The Webfronter course is back!

By popular demand the 'Fronter Advanced Administrator' course on the 18th June has been changed to a 'Webfronter' course. The 'Webfronter' course will go through how you can design and publish your own school website within the Fronter system.

Please book onto this course via www.redbridgepdc.org.uk which will be updated shortly to reflect this change.

Alex Rees
alex.rees@redbridge.gov.uk

Book now: Redbridge Technical Forum 03 - Thursday 27th May

“Switched on and networked for learning.”

This conference is the third in a series of events set up for technical staff supporting and administrating the computer systems within Redbridge primary and secondary schools. The programme is designed to ensure that whatever previous experience you have – whether as an expert systems engineer or as someone completely new to the role – you will find the RTF of real value with relevant information and fresh ideas you can apply easily within your own school.

This term there is a definite hands-on feel to the day. The morning will be a mix of best practice sessions, LA news and Hardware presentations with suppliers bringing in a range of their latest greatest education friendly kit. The afternoon will include the popular 'In my school' slot followed by some really practical FREE tools that you take back to your school to have a positive impact almost immediately.

Registration will be at 9am for a 9:30am start, and the event will close at 3:30pm. To book a place at the Redbridge Technicians' Forum 03 please go to www.redbridgepdc.org.uk and search for "Redbridge Technicians".


Alex Rees
alex.rees@redbridge.gov.uk

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