Ashford Rural Blog

ARC features extensively in the Learning Platform media - Newspaper

2007-01-16T22:22:00Z

Ashford Rural Cluster has received several favourable reviews celebrating their hard working in relation to the RM Learning Platform pilot project during Jan 07, especially during BETT week. Tuesday 9th January 2007, the Educational Guardian ran a Learning Platform supplement , written by George Cole. ARC is extensively featured recording the work of the Early Adopter schools, highlighting the communication and collaboration opportunities available to all 19 primary schools across the cluster. The...(read more)

Extranet Magazine Winter 2006 - Learning Platforms Special Edition

2006-12-04T01:45:00Z

The latest Digital Curriculum Extranet magazine features an eight page article headed "Learning Platforms - Advice for Schools in Kent". Providing clear guidance if you are considering purchasing a Learning Platform solution for your school, college or cluster collaboration. Or perhaps you already have a Learning Platform solution and want to know how this can be incorporated into Kent's strategic plans. "What should I be considering now and how do I prepare?" - are key questions...(read more)

ARC Learning Platform Evaluation - end of phase 1; active users?

2006-12-03T22:58:00Z

Real success was achieved when we had user accounts for 100% of staff; Teaching and Non Teaching Staff and Pupils for 100% of ARC Primary schools. 62% of Ashford Rural Cluster schools have enjoyed the opportunity to experience cluster communication and collaboration for 12 months now, although quite naturally it has taken some time to get us up and running, most schools have been enjoying the central access to news, dates and shared resources for quite some time now. Therefore, I'd like to ask for...(read more)

Cluster's chance to communicate with ALL staff; Teachers and TA's

2006-12-03T22:41:00Z

When the project was first cascaded each school attended the November 2005 'Learning Platform Engagement launch" at the Ashford International, sending two project representatives. However, the opportunity to share best practice, collaborate and communicate with ALL staff across the cluster has the potential to reap so many benefits, that the overall user group account demand has surpassed expectations. Every school now has their own My School " User Details " link, located under the search field...(read more)

Charing CE Primary - are live on the Web!

2006-12-03T22:30:00Z

I'd like to welcome Charing CE Primary school as they take their first steps of creating their school website. The site is developing under the encouraging eye of the Headteacher, Mrs Rosemary Olley by Mrs Pip Taunton, ICT Co-ordinator. It is quite difficult for small schools to maintain a global presence on the internet as keeping a school website lively and vibrant to reflect busy school life takes time and dedication. Ashford Rural Cluster has a high number of schools with active websites...(read more)

ARC Learning Platform enters Phase 2

2006-11-06T20:25:00Z

Early Adopter schools; Egerton, Furley Park, Hamstreet, High Halden and Pluckley take on the ambitious stage of synchronising Kaleidos VTLE "digital curriculum management", assigning differentiated personalisation through the Learning Platform. Teachers can plan and assign interactive lessons, trackable 'test' and markbooks using differentiated resources to target specific teaching groups from one to several pupils - offering teachers maximum time management opportunities via online...(read more)

ARC schools are all on board!

2006-11-06T20:07:00Z

All Ashford Rural Cluster schools are now on board with 'live' Learning Platform accounts. Woodchurch are the last school to join the fold after their administration server needed a little extra TLC from EIS. Not only that but all schools have non-teaching staff accounts. In other words teaching assistants can join in the news, information and events around the cluster. The sparkling touch is all of this is achievable through SIMs automatic updates. From now on any new additions to pupils or staff...(read more)

Pupils are introduced to the Learning Platform at the Rare Breeds event.

2006-10-01T21:17:00Z

30 pupils per day from Monday to Thursday were introduced to the Learning Platform as Ashford Rural Cluster schools celebrated Harvest through the 'Creative Arts Week' at the Rare Breeds Centre last week. Have a look at the Rare Breeds blog to see all the wonderful comments left by the children, remember if you ever forget the internet address to visit all the Digital Curriculum team and project blogs, just click on the Learning Platform - you'll find all you need to know in the 'Interest...(read more)

Learning Platform 'Guest' accounts moved to LIVE status.

2006-10-01T16:44:00Z

Several ARC primary schools experienced technical difficulties which left them using 'guest accounts', this meant they were able to collaborate with their cluster colleagues but these schools could not utilise the full benefits of personalised 'My School' and 'My Site' areas. Good News - half of the guest account schools now have full 'live' account status; Hamstreet , John Mayne & Bethersden ! It gets better - Over the next two weeks, prior to Term 1 break, EIS have committed additional time...(read more)

Staff 'Instant Messenger' function is about to go live.

2006-09-17T20:37:00Z

EIS have completed their in-house testing of the Learning Platform instant messenger service which uses 'Windows Messenger version 5.1'. This service will be activated for 'Staff' accounts only, its initially been trialled through the Wilmington Datford federation group as there will be a few KCN/user issues to be evaluated: How easy is it for non-technically experienced staff to follow the necessary procedures to activate this function? Can 'Windows Messenger' filter through KCN's firewall? Is the...(read more)

Learning Platform Update to local school SIMs

2006-09-17T20:04:00Z

With the recent update to the datacentre back at EIS in Maidstone last week all Ashford Rural Cluster schools will have a visit from an EIS officer, probably Steve James, to inturn update their local SIMs to enable data transfer to the Learning Platform. The update should increase efficiency and address several issues; Enabling guest accounts schools to become live - generating logins for staff, pupils and parents. Automatic updates - SIMs to Learning Platform updates allow pupil and staff changes...(read more)

‘Alert Me’ notification is live and kicking again.

2006-09-17T12:20:00Z

Ever had a blockage – Oh, the sweet release once you’re back on track! Thank you especially to High Halden’s headteacher for highlighting additions to the Learning Platform had gone quiet, when in actual fact more and more teachers are sharing quality resources – but the notification was being blocked. Considering the lead up to the end of term and the summer holidays I thought it reasonable you busy people were putting your feet up. I should have known better, is there such a thing as a resting...(read more)

Learning Platforms - Where Do I Start?

2006-06-11T22:38:00Z

A frequently asked question... I've organised a few links on the left to reading material you might find interesting; Start with Becta's ICT and Home - school partnerships , which gives a good overview. Need to know if your institution (school in my language) is ready by working through Becta's Learning Platform online Matrix . Thirsty for more - Becta's Functional Specification aimed at Headteachers and ICT coordinators. Next question is usually - Becta's Technical Specification aimed at ICT coordinators...(read more)

Pesonalised Learning - Learning Platforms: advice and guidance, by Alan Day

2006-06-11T22:26:00Z

Alan Day has published his the final draft of the Learning Platform advice and guidance document. One thing is certain, he is expecting it to be updated regularly! Alan writes, "Because ... I have had an early site of version 1.0 of the Becta learning platform functional specification , and it amplifies the challenge schools face in deciding what they should be doing. In a nutshell, the Learning Platform is starting to look less like a single product; rather it may be collection of applications...(read more)

BBC Breathing Places - "MAKE A PLACE FOR NATURE" at Canterbury Environment Education Centre

2006-05-13T22:30:00Z

On Sunday 4^th June Canterbury Environmental Education Centre will be holding a unique family day to take action for the environment. ‘Make a Place for Nature’ is one of 19 flagship events around the UK to kick start the BBC Breathing Places project and marks the return of Springwatch to BBC2. BBC Breathing Places aims to mobilise a million people over the next 3 years to transform our landscape create breathing spaces for people and wildlife.

Canterbury Environmental Education Centre, run in partnership with Kent County Council and National Grid, is hosting the event free of charge to all. The day will give people of all ages and abilities a chance to try out a range of environmental activities to learn new skills and get involved in volunteering. A number of guided walks will give visitors a behind the scenes look at the nature reserve and develop wildlife monitoring skills. Practical conservation tasks will be a hands on chance to learn how to improve a space for wildlife. Those with a creative interest can have a go at environmental art, and much, much more around the reserve. Whether it be an insect shelter made on the day or simply a new way of thinking, all visitors will learn something special to take home.

The event continues the centre’s successful summer season of public events and should prove to be the most popular yet with large numbers of people expected, so book early to avoid disappointment!

The centre offers delicious locally grown organic food, free parking, a picnic site, toilets, information centre and gift shop. ‘Make a Place for Nature’ at Canterbury Environmental Education Centre, Broad Oak Rd, June 4^th, 9-4pm, free. Site is not suitable for wheelchairs. No dogs. To book your exclusive free tickets call 08458 247 600.

ALERT ME - Let the 'New Items' and any changes come to you.

2006-05-01T19:00:00Z

Many of you are starting to add to the Learning Platform ARC collaboration of content;

Anne-Marie has contributed some great quality 'Assembly' PowerPoints.
Bruce has added excellent 'Assessment' resouces to help us out.
Lindsay shared a wonderful WWII interactive PowerPoint.
Gill is collating a set of resources now Hamstreet have just got their live login accounts.
Creative Curriculum covering core and foundation subjects is in the History/Tudor folder.
Contents Factory generated 57o URL resources across Literacy, Numeracy & Science

To get a taste of these delectable morsels I recommend next time you are in on the Learning Platform click the Alert Me link, on the main Documents page to take you straight there to set up your requirements.

N.B/ Don't forget to check the first section: Send Alerts to = type your email address. I suggest the Change Type = 'Added Items' and the Alert Frequency as 'Weekly Summary'.

Otherwise you'll get my constent updates!!

Creative Curriculum on the Learning Platform = Tudors theme

2006-05-01T18:13:00Z

I've had such positive feedback from teachers about how they are using the resource links in the ARC Interest Group's Documents tab.

When I've been out visiting, many of you have said how more schools are following the 'Creative Curriculum' method; teaching a range of subjects as part of a theme. So armed with this knowledge I have added another set of resources, mainly Word documents and the now familiar URL resource link pages incorporating this method.

I chose History / Tudors as my theme, aimed at year 4, which can be easily extended for year 5 or adapted for year 3, just click on the ARC Cluster's 'Documents Tab' and enter the History folder.

Literacy - Newspapers; formal language reporting the end of marriage to Henry VIII? Check out the Research sub folder to find printable information sheets on the Six Wives of Henry VIII.
Numeracy - Graphs & Databases; Tally charts & graphs to show the duration of marriage to Henry VIII. Example record cards to create a Database to explore Search & Sort or an example to create a Branching Database to organise questions that provide Y / N answers.
Science - Food; Balanced diet. Teeth; health how did the Tudor's diet and hygiene effect their teeth. Earth & Beyond; explore Light to learn the moon cycle or how many days in a year. Don't forget to take the quiz!
Art - Portraits; Tudor portrait style use the bank of resource ideas to create your own portrait following the Tudor style - pastel anyone? Inside the Portraits folder is a sub folder called 'Six Wives' which has at least three images per wife.

There is so much more inside the Tudor folder, but you'll have to visit to see. While you are there it's just another click of a couple of links to Edit/Add your own resources, to keep the collaboration alive!

I've heard one or two people say "It's a lot of clicking to manoeuvre around the Learning Platform". Nothing could be further from the truth; each individual page on the Learning Platform can be saved into your 'Internet Favourites' section - ready for a single click next time you want to visit the History folder. If you 'Organise' your Favourites by creating a central Learning Platform folder to store them in, they're even quicker to find later!

Please leave a comment in the 'Discussions' area to let me know what you think or if you have any ideas and tips. Thank you!!

Congratulations

2006-04-22T21:28:00Z

Pluckley , Furley Park and recent additions Hamstreet and Egerton have been awarded the prestigious National ICT Mark for commitment to continual improvement for ICT. Very impressive statement to have four primary schools accredited with this quality mark in one cluster, well done.

Egerton are winners of the National Gallery's 'Take One Picture' competition. They are having their work displayed at the National Gallery in London in June and at the Primary Headteachers Conference taking place this week, and you can see the pictures on their website gallery.

Godinton received a bronze award for flair in Modern Foreign Langauges.

There are many areas to celebrate within our cluster schools, please leave a comment to let our viewers read your achievement news! Donna.

Deputy Headteacher / Senior Teacher Training

2006-04-22T21:22:00Z

In liaison with the Deputy Heads and Senior Teachers, a further training session has been planned for Friday 23rd June 2006 at The Wyvern School.

The whole day session will cover: P

Personnel Issues; OFSTED feedback; NPQH training.

Welcome to Sue Cox

2006-04-22T21:20:00Z

Welcome to Sue Cox who is Acting Headteacher at Tenterden CE Junior School.

NQT Training Events

2006-04-22T21:18:00Z

NQT Training takes place at the Community Room Ashford South

Report Writing - Weds 10th May 1:30 - 3:30 pm.

Subject Leadership - Weds 21st June 1:30 - 3:30 pm.

Congratulations To Hamstreet!

2006-04-22T21:13:00Z

Hamstreet have every reason to be pleased following their recent successful OFSTED inspection.

"Hamstreet is a good school where pupils achieve well and experience a wide range of activities. The good quality of provision seen by inspectors confirms the school’s own judgement that its effectiveness is good. Provision is outstanding in the reception class, where children make an excellent start and achieve well. Pupils also achieve well in other year groups and generally reach above-average standards by the time they leave school."

Learning Platform Content - “Build it and they will come!”

2006-03-31T12:31:00Z

Which film was this quote from? Reply by adding a comment.

I am delighted to announce a wealth of Literacy, Numeracy and Science content has been added to the Learning Platform. On the LEA home page select the Interest Group tab, then the ARC Cluster link, or just click on the interest group link created in the previous blog post.

570 url resources within subject category folders:

Literacy; Reading, Writing, Spelling & Grammar and Quizzes

Numeracy; ITPs Standards, Number, Time, Data Handling, Mental Maths, Space Shape & Measure and Quizzes

Science; Living Things, Materials, Physical Processes and Quizzes

The beauty of these resources is they are not just a long line of url address links. First of all the title is informative, once opened you have a screen shot to scan suitability, and then click on the image to hyperlink straight to the website.

Remember to click the back arrow when you have finished to return to the Learning Platform, many links do not open up a separate window – so if you close the web browser you will close the platform too!

Alan Day listened when we identified the need for content, he went further than just supporting us, by provided the resources to hold a ‘Contents Factory’ three day program. Rebecca Chapman and I managed three student teacher temps to follow Alan’s guidelines to produce quality informative links.

I’m really proud of our achievements, but as they say the proof is in the pudding, please sample our delights and let the Digital Curriculum team know your opinion by adding a post comment or contributing to the Discussion in the Learning Platform ARC Cluster interest group.

Happy hunting!

P.S/ As always when venturing into the land of the internet - should you find any broken links that end up nowhere or does not represent what the image portrays PLEASE email me and let me know.

Learning Platform; Interest Groups

2006-02-17T14:30:00Z

The LEA level is the front page of our Learning Platform and open to all account holders. To view locations available only to specific users you need to click on the Interest Groups tab. The main ARC interest groups are:

ARC Cluster

ARC Foundation

DEA Evaluation

Infomapper 2

Rare Breeds

Please click on the interest group name to hyperlink onto the Learning Platform. Remember to logon your username needs to be prefixed with kenten\

I would love you to contribute to their Documents sections, which is really a store for any dgital format material you can think have, from standard word docs to video clips - you are only restricted by imagination. Join me in the Discussion forums to record your experiences. Post your own discussions to ask questions or offer tips and ideas.

Andrew Adonis announces an extra £125 million of eLearning credits.

2006-01-29T11:33:00Z

A total of £200m is being invested in education software over the next two years.

£75m towards the standard eLCs we are all familiar with. Then there is to be an additional £125m ring fenced on top of this available only for spending on Curriculum Online approved products and services.

Schools can use eLearning credits to purchase solutions as diverse as virtual theatres, specialist communications for children with speech difficulties and online multimedia newsrooms. Schools have the freedom and choice to use the products that are best suited to their pupils’ and teachers’ needs to help them to make even better use of powerful tools such as laptops, interactive whiteboards and high speed broadband in learning and teaching.

Perhaps this is the time for the cluster to look at how we can collectively benefit from this investment. Imagine if we had a central cache, where we could combine our spending power to negotiate prices so ALL schools could benefit from products like; Espresso, Kartouche, Knowledge Box, AEN packages...

Providing a foundation of products that once individuals specialise with, they can then disseminate tips and ideas through our HOS programme. We all have different operating systems; RM, Viglen, Windows Server or standalones etc and different IWB's; RM, Smart, Promethean etc - imagine if this could provide us with a collaborative technology base, a universal language we could build our cluster resources upon?

SEGfL Learning Platforms Conferences

2006-01-29T11:18:00Z

In February, the DfES plans to release details of Learning Platform functionality that will help schools with the personalised learning agenda.

The DfES has approached regional organisations for assistance with conferences to disseminate and publicise their findings.

In the South East Grid for Learning region there will be four events in four locations, see the SEGfL link above for full details. Although more detailed conference agendas and individual invitations will follow shortly, it would be helpful if you could reserve our areas date and venue: Ashford, Weald of Kent Conference Centre, 29th March.

The theme of the conference is; Personalised Learning - What is it? How will it affect my school?

Aim of the event; Inform school leaders of the policy context, existing practice and future developments of 'Learning Platform' technologies.

Audience/intitees; Headteacher or a member of the senior management team from schools in the Southeast Region.

ARC Project Communications

2006-01-05T19:59:00Z

Keeping In Touch

Throughout the course of this project; first year progression and second year support, I would like to make sure we can all keep in touch.

By subscribing to this blog you will be notified of any updates automatically. Drop me a line on my email if you'd like help setting this up.

But more importantly if you are an ARC ICT co-ordinator or Project Representative I would appreciate an email just to make sure I have an up-to-date contact address against your details.

Project first point of contact - arc.project1@btinternet.com

SIMs install to extract Portal data going well!

2006-01-05T19:46:00Z

Chris Shaw and the EIS team have been fantastic, contacting schools and arranging visits to install an additional extraction file onto SIMs, which will then allow them to create your virtual school and populate it with users.

I feel confident this will be achieved for all Ashford Rural Schools over the next couple of weeks, until then please iron out any wrinkles and gain experience through your training user account in the EIS Primary school area.

Once you are online please drop me an email, so I can welcome you into the ARC page (LEA) 'Interest Groups', please let me know if you are taking part in the Infomapper phase2 project and I can add you into this group too!

My focus will be 'Discussions and Live Communications' within the safe environment of the learning platform, to help me with this please keep visiting the 'ARC 5 - 11 Curriculum' Interest Group and contribute to the forum discussions - PLEASE!

See you on the virtual side!

Nov 2005

Excellent Progress - Learning Platform's Engagement Day

2006-01-05T19:43:00Z

I was thrilled to see so many faces at the Ashford International for the 'Learning Platform', Portal, Engagement morning on Tuesday 8th November.

Several delegates spoke very highly of the enhanced communication opportunities, believing this platform would provide a sound basis for greater collaboration. Success will be measured by our involvement and participation not new technology skills.

That said we obviously start with training, I'm pleased how many users have said they find the programme intuative and user friendly.

Of course there may be teething problems along the way, please feed frustrations and successes back to me - I'm here to support you, and don't forget to drop a line just to let us know how you're getting on. We will be taking this learning journey together.

I will be contacting you all over the next week or two to agree 'Partnership Schools' and discuss your interest focus ideas, once you've had chance to absorbe the training.

Best Wishes - Donna

Nov 2005

ARC Portal Training Dates

2006-01-05T19:38:00Z

Venue: EIS Centre, Oxford Rd,

Maidstone, ME15 8AW

Times: 9:00 Arrival, 9:15 Start, 4:00 Close

Wednesday 16^th November	Thursday 17^th November	Friday 18^th November
Two school representatives from:	Two school representatives from:	Two school representatives from:
Bethersden	Great Chart	Hothfield
Charing	Kingsnorth	John Mayne
St Michael’s	Rolvenden	Tenterden Infants
Wittersham	Smarden	Tenterden Juniors
	Woodchurch

The targeted school representatives are envisaged to be the Headteacher and the ICT Co-ordinator, only because the portal benefits both management and curriculum features.

Your school's representatives are dependant upon individual allocation and those you feel will best suit the role; this may become clearer after the 8th November's demonstration.

Please confirm attendee names, school responsibility and email addresses once you have chosen your representatives to: Donna Rogers, ARC Project Manager arc.project1@btinternet.com

Oct 2005