nov nasen newsletter
New Primary Curriculum
It was announced, by ministers as part of the Children, Schools and Families Bill that the outcomes of the primary curriculum consultation have been accepted and the new primary national curriculum should be established in law.
You may be aware that three weeks ago the revised level descriptions were accepted by ministers (available to download at www.qcda.gov.uk/22260.aspx) and last week the announcement was made that PSHE education was to be made statutory.
The DCSF is now leading a close collaboration between QCDA, the National College, the National Strategies, and Becta, to work on guidance and support for the new curriculum to ensure that it is well received in schools across the country.
The first part of this support will be two conferences for local authorities and headteachers in London on 7 December and York on 10 December. If you are a local authority representative or headteacher, and would like to find about attending these events please contact your Head of School Improvement who has further details and information about the nomination process.
In January the National Curriculum website will be re-launched to reflect the changes in the primary curriculum. For more information and to share your ideas visit www.thinkingprimary.co.uk
Becta appoints hardware supplier for its Home Access Assistive Technology package
Becta has awarded a contract to Keytools Ltd to provide assistive technology to those learners needing adapted hardware devices such as mice, keyboards and keyboard stickers under the Home Access programme.
Home Access is a government programme managed by Becta which aims to ensure that more children in state-maintained education in England have access to technology at home to support learning. Eligible low-income families will be able to apply for a grant to purchase a Home Access computer and internet package.
Learners who require this form of additional support will be able to apply for these adapted hardware devices as part of the grant application process. This will support the assistive technology software which will be standard on all Home Access packages.
For more information visit: http://schools.becta.org.uk/
Children, Schools and Families Bill proposes more powers for parents and pupils
More powers to parents and pupils; more freedoms for schools; and clearer and smarter accountability for all are key proposals put forward by Ed Balls and Vernon Coaker in the Children, Schools and Families Bill.
The Bill will set out what parents and pupils can expect from the schools system. There will be specific entitlements for parents and pupils and a means of redress if those expectations are not met.
Alongside these greater rights are greater responsibilities. Parent Guarantees will include strengthened Home School Agreements setting out expectations on parents and making clear their responsibilities for their child’s behaviour. The Bill will give schools stronger powers to enforce these agreements when parents do not.
More information at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/news/content.cfm?landing=children_schools_and_families_bill_proposes_more_powers_for_parents_and_pupils&type=1
Resources
A Handbook for Inclusion Managers
As an Inclusion Manager, you have a strategic role that covers a great deal more than special educational needs, and requires a specific knowledge and skill set in order to steer your school towards inclusion. A Handbook for Inclusion Managers presents a wide range of information, providing plenty of fresh ideas and a stimulus for reflection on your practice. This comprehensive and accessible text examines recent legislation, including the Common Assessment Framework, and provides information on how to gain accreditation for your work on inclusion. It will help you to create and manage an inclusive school, covering a wide range of knowledge and skills
10% Discount for nasen members more details at:
http://www.routledge.co.uk/books/series/David_Fulton_/_Nasen
LET’S SIGN Songs for Children - Popular Songs to Sign-a-long to
17 Songs and rhymes with British Sign Language (BSL) signs for all to enjoy together. Simple and clear black and white line drawing sign illustrations for a lovely collection of well-known children’s favourites.
For more information visit:http://www.deafsign.com/ds/
Narrowing the Gaps: from data analysis to impact – A practical guide
A resource for senior and middle leaders in primary and secondary schools. It builds on the National Strategies’ publication Narrowing the Gaps: from data analysis to impact – the golden thread (Ref: 00792-2009PDF-EN-01) and offers data workshops providing staff development materials that can be used to shape whole-school training, dedicated sessions for middle leaders and cross-phase workshops for families of schools.
Available to download from: http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/246822
Chris Higgins’ A Perfect Ten scoops YoungMinds Book Award
Chris Higgins A Perfect Ten was crowned winner of the YoungMinds Book Award. The £2000 prize sponsored by the BookTrust and presented by Observer columnist and BBC Radio 4 broadcaster, Mariella Frostrup was awarded to the book which most helps young people aged 12+ cope with the stresses and challenges of growing up.
A Perfect Ten tells the tale of Eva, a popular and successful gymnast who a faces a series of crisis when a new girl joins her class. With her life quickly unraveling Eva clings to the one thing she can control, her weight. But no matter how strong her willpower is, the dark secret that Eva has worked so hard to conceal seems determined to reveal itself. For more information visit:
Finally
Mrs Maxine Pittaway Teaching Awards 2009 Winner
Nasen would like to congratulate Maxine Pittaway for winning the 2009 DCSF Award for Enterprise. St Christopher's School, Wr exham is a vibrant part of the local community with a judge commenting: “As a result of her vision and drive St Christopher’s is like no other special needs school I have ever visited nor indeed heard about. I returned from the visit feeling inspired but also rather inadequate in not having been able to provide similar opportunities for my pupils.”
This is just one of a long list of accolades the school has received and is testament to the hard work put in by Maxine, her staff, pupils and the local community.
