The ICT Strategy Review

The review and rewrite of the ICT Strategy continues apace, with the aim of a final draft being in schools on return after the Easter break.

Schools will have received information this week on how to access the draft copy of the new strategy and the review commentary (go to http://ictinfo.waltham-forest.gov.uk and click the link on the front page labelled NEW STRATEGY, which should download a zip file with the draft copy, the old strategy and the review document ).

If you would like online access to view the document remotely, drop me an email and access can be granted to the document within 24 hours

There will be several online discussions and forums available from the site for colleagues to make comments known virtually linked to that document including the ability to reply to this thread in the blog..

Schools leaders and ICT colleagues are invited to join us at the CLC on Weds 21^st March (10-2), Fri 23^rd March (12-2) and on Thurs 29^th March (12-5) to make feedback and comments for the final version in person.

Are you ready for the new office?

You can only have been under a rock if you hadn't noticed that Microsoft had launched Vista and a new version of Office lately...
However, how many of you have it in schools? Particularly Office?

What about the kids? How many of them have the software at home?

Particularly this office version, this is a key question as the new Office default file extension is the .docX xml file type

MS have released a 27mb compatibility pack for older versions of office to let users of those versions of office view the new xml file types.

I really would recomnmend downloading and running the pack from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=941B3470-3AE9-4AEE-8F43-C6BB74CD1466&displaylang=en

Before students come to you unable to open coursework on your machines...

MLE Procurement Update

As you will be aware we are in the process of evaluating two MLE providers (Fronter and Ramesys) to provide a MLE for Waltham Forest schools. The evaluation process continues throughout March with a hoped for decision of preferred supplier early in the new financial year.

The evaluation group will be meeting before half term to spend a day with each supplier and test the learning platforms for suitability and usability within the range of schools and pupils in Waltham Forest and should have spoken to Christian directly about the evaluation criteria.

Can we again extend our thanks to the head teachers who have made staff available to be part of this evaluation team and details of the final evaluation will be made public after the event has concluded.

Best Practice Forum- Postponed

The Best Practice forum planned for tomorrow at the CLC has unfortunately been postponed due to the inclement weather today and resulting schools closures and the main speaker being unable to get transport from Manchester today in this weather
As son as we reschedule a date, schools will be informed
Many apologies to anyone planning to attend the session, but we hope you understand the raesons for this postponement

Best Practice Forum

Friday 9th February. 9.30-3.00pm
(Please Note new date and times)
Being E-Safe in an E-world: The pitfalls and the benefits of teaching in the 21st Century

With the review of the OFSTED framework to now include an aspect on E-Safety and a partnered section in the SFR and the ICT Frameworks, schools are now focussing on the development of E-Safety documentation and responsibilities. This BPF is developed to support schools in developing these to embed them during this year.

Coffee will be available along with a number of materials, books and software for you to evaluate from 9am

9.30: Welcomes and introduction to the day followed by Updates: what key issues have happened in schools over the term, what upcoming training is scheduled and a discussion of the outcomes of the BETT exhibition
10.00 E-safety Issues for Schools: Ruth Hammond - Safeguarding Manager, Becta an overview of the policy implications and practical solutions to safeguarding children in a digital word. This session was provided to schools leaders as part of the LGFL “E-Safety Conference” and was one of the most popular sessions. A preview of her session as well as her notes can be found on the LGFL E-Safety section followed by Q&A with Ruth Hammond11.00 Coffee
11.15 Katy Potts: E-Safety Resources- What’s out there for us? A look at the various resources (most of them free) available to schools to support e-safety in a practical classroom base as well as a policy driven focus

12.00 Exploring the resources- a chance to look at the resources seen during the sessions this morning and to evaluate their use for your school

12.30 Lunch

1.15-3pm- E-Safety Workshop
In feedback from schools, this BPF will include an afternoon practical implementation workshop allowing colleagues to work collaboratively to develop, adapt and collate a number of materials focussing particularly on E-Safety in schools. It is envisioned that by the end of the session a number of template “E-Safety” Policies and documents will have been drafted that all schools will be able to take away and implement in their school policy review

To confirm attendance, please contact Kathryn Ryan on 020 8496 5807 or Kathryn.Ryan@edu.lbwf.gov.uk

DFES Announce ICT Test to be non-statutory

As you will have been made aware through the communications to Head teachers from the DFES and NAA over the last week as well as the reports on the BBC News channels and websites, on the 9th January, at the BETT exhibition, it was announced that under discussion with a number of high level organisations and the NAA, the DFES has decided to NOT make the ICT Onscreen test for Year Nine a statutory requirement for schools to undertake. It is NOT- as reported in some news sources being scrapped outright in its entirety.

We understand this may be a relief for some schools and for others a piece of news that comes after much work had been done in implementing the test and getting the school prepared for this year’s cohort.

As consultants and advisors for ICT, we are disappointed that the first we heard about this news were the reports on the BBC News website, on the Friday before the announcement was made, but are aware that news about this when no decision had been made centrally would have led to a stalling of the test in schools.

In discussion with the NAA and QCA as well as National Strategies, it is recommended that schools still continue to plan to implement the test as planned for this year’s cohort.

While the test is not a statutory requirement, the positive tools it provides in moderation, exemplification and standardisation cannot be ignored, particularly for a subject as important as ICT, particularly in its detailed formative feedback on student and cohort development and attainment.

The test, after 2007, is planned to become an “On demand” style test, that schools would be able to implement at any time they feel appropriate and be used to gain a standardised assessment of students capabilities as well as a personalised formative feedback on each pupil.
As we receive more information about this development, we will keep schools up to date and informed.

To support subject leaders and discuss the issues regarding this change in Government policy, we will be holding and Emergency ICT Subject Leaders Network (for KS3 ICT Leaders) on Thursday 18th January at 4pm at the City Learning Centre which all schools are recommended to send a representative to.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss in more detail what this means for your school, please feel free to contact Christian Smith or Geoff Preston in the Secondary Strategies team who will be happy to support you.

KS3 Test Update 1

YOu've probably all seen the news about the ICT Test and the NAA over the last week or so
DFES will be making an announcement on Wednesday at Bett which we will update you on as soon as possible

Christian