Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre, Bruton, Somerset
Welcome to our Outdoor Classroom! Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre has been opening its doors to schools and unaccompanied children since 1982. We have been using the outdoors to help children develop a wide range of skills, including problem solving, communication and resilience. Outdoor learning has a huge range of benefits which has now been widely evidenced, acknowledged and accepted. Situated in beautiful Somerset in a river valley of 25 acres of fields and woods. Goups can stay in our Victorian farmhouse or our reconverted Clubhouse. For May 2020 we are opening a separate building called Rivermead which will sleep 34 students and four staff members. Open all year for residential or day trips, accommodating 120 students, plus a campsite in the summer for 60 with large canvas tents which we provide, on wooden floors. There are barns for wet weather, a campfire area and even a solar drying room. With over 40 activities, tasks and challenges which are all linked to the National Curriculum. Activities range from team building to high excitement, problem solving to purely fun. Each programme is individually written for the group focussing on what the Party Leader would like to concentrate on. We can offer; canoeing, Super Zip Wires, assault courses, archery, rafting, high ropes, grass toboggans, tunnelling to name but a few. Our experienced and qualified instructors stay with the group for the whole trip which is very rewarding for both the teachers and the students. Food is something that we believe is essential at our centre. We grow our own vegetables and fruit organically we try to ensure that there is very little waste and create menus depending on what the season is. If your group have any specific dietary requirements it is not a problem at all. The Catering Team have a wide range of experience cooking for different diets such as specific food allergies, health conditions or religious requirements. None of the food cooked in the kitchen contains nuts. There is a strong environmental emphasis at the centre which holds the Gold Business Sustainable Tourism Award. We encourage children to learn more about the countryside and about caring for the environment, alternative energy and sustainable energy throughout their stay. Coming to Mill on the Brue will help children understand about healthy living and essential life skills. T.01749 812307 www.millonthebrue.co.uk
CopriSystems – sports domes for schools, universities and colleges
MORE SPACE TO PLAY…. CopriSystems design and build bespoke sports structures using natural light and ventilation to create amazing spaces to play in all year round. Available in single spans, both with unlimited length, our installations are suitable for a range of sports including tennis, badminton, 5-a-side football, basketball, netball, cricket, horse riding, swimming pools and many more. They’re also ideal for multi-use sports halls. CopriSystems has been supplying a full service to schools, colleges and universities across the UK for 30 years, taking care of everything required to cover an existing area or constructing a completely new sports facility. All our structures conform to the relevant building codes and we are SAPCA approved. FIXED COVERS – NATURAL LIGHT & VENTILATION Our fixed covers provide a striking, contemporary appearance from both inside and out. The covers’ translucent nature means the interior is flooded with natural light in the day, reducing the artificial lighting required and therefore the associated energy costs and carbon footprint. The cover material –high-spec PVC-coated polyester fabric – is self-extinguishing and resistant to abrasion, UV damage and designed to last for more than 20 years. It can be made in variety of contemporary stock colours. Any option of height can be specified to accommodate a huge range of activities and structures can even be joined together to create impressively large playing areas. Whether you’re looking to create a multi-sport or single-use facility, we offer a full turnkey service covering every requirement. ADDITIONAL FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT To support the use of your new sports area we can incorporate other key facilities such as changing rooms, classrooms, conference halls etc built to your specification. We can also supply additional equipment to easily transform the structure into a spacious events venue. COUNTLESS OPTIONS All installations are bespoke and we accommodate requirements unique to each client. Previous customisations have included steel-clad walls, available in a variety of colours, which provide enhanced security as well as internal partitions for climbing walls. PAVILIONS Complete your sports facility with a pavilion designed to match your environment. A covered sports pavilion is a great way to provide a place for people to get ready to play – or enjoy post-game drinks and discussion. Exterior walls can include a brick effect, curtain walling, cedar board or steel cladding while period features such as pillars or porticos can be incorporated. Internally, spaces can be fitted out in any way you require including flooring options such as carpet, vinyl, timber or laminate. You can also choose from a range of wall finishes and even incorporate extras such as a suspended ceiling. LET’S DESIGN & BUILD TOGETHER Call us for a site visit or quote; CopriSystems Ltd Tel: 01380 830 697 www.coprisystems.com
Secom Networks Ltd.
Secom Networks Ltd is part of a group of companies which delivers a full design, installation and support service for your IT communications infrastructure. SNL, design, install and support all your network infrastructure cabling. Design is important as services such as Voip, Wifi and IPCCTV use Poe. Power Over Ethernet will power more and more services, this saves money on new 240volt power circuits. How-ever puts extra strain on your cabling system, before deployment of new Poe connections your cabling should be tested to ensure compatibility and safe connections. At worst case, failure to ensure your cabling is capable could lead to network failure and even a fire risk. The Poe switch also has to be within the power budgets required to support the equipment. Info@secomnetworksltd.co.uk for further information. SIPsys, is a hosted cloud based Voip system, our servers are supported by dual ISP links, ensuring 99% uptime. SIPsys have been installing and maintaining Voip telephones since 2006 across the south east. We now offer a rented telephone system, with free IP phones while in contract, with a UK mobile and land line call package. Prices are from £12.99 per extension which includes call package, a massive saving on the normal upfront costs of around £2,000.00 for a new system. Minimal set up costs make this offer a fantastic opportunity to have a new telephone system with all the services of a full blown PBX. info@sipsys.co.uk further information. Rack-Sec, is a new IOT company, we can monitor, switch and protect equipment all over the internet. We offer 2 systems to monitor and protect racks, R-EDGE-ENT is a 1u unit fitted to your rack with an onboard camera, the door status is monitored and on opening an image is emailed to a designated account. A temperature and humidity sensor monitors the environment within the rack. R-EDGE-EAC is the same system as described R-EDGE-ENT with the addition of electronic swing handles fitted with RFID readers. The RFI Proximity cards can be your own existing or our own cards. The fitting of controlled access to your server/equipment rack will be a step towards GDPR compliance, physical protection of data. We also manufacture and install our own time & attendance system, monitor and record pupils, teachers and visitors on your campus. info@rack-sec.com for further information.
Unique PSHE resources for mental health and safeguarding
There is now a realization by governments that schools play an important role in promoting good mental health. And there’s pressure on schools to deliver. Promoting robust mental health is now a formal part of the PSHE curriculum, yet there’s very little available to schools in terms of support and resources. Now, there are proven resources available – all the way from Denmark! Widely regarded as one of Europe’s most successful education systems, Denmark has enthusiastically embraced the need to provide positive mental health intervention. As in the UK, there are incredible stresses placed on children and young people by social media, peer pressure, bullying, exams, and more. There’s very little that schools can do to alleviate these stresses, but what they CAN do is provide ‘counterbalancing’ positive input. In Denmark, as in many other countries around the world, the concept of ‘positive education’ has emerged as an important part of the curriculum. Evidence from many studies shows that good self-esteem and robust mental health allow children to learn better. But until recently, the tools that schools needed to implement such policies were lacking. This is where Denmark has taken a lead… Based on the concepts of positive psychology and intrinsic character strengths, the Danish education company Strength Academy has developed a range of classroom materials that are easy to use and give very positive results. Now proven over several years, and in hundreds of schools, Strength Academy materials are finally available in the UK. With versions available for both Primary and Secondary schools, the Strength Academy resources are complete systems – ready to go. High quality teacher and classroom resources are complemented by low-cost student workbooks, reducing costs: Strength Game (each box for 2–4 players) Teacher guides with clear step-by-step activity instructions Low-cost student workbooks (just buy new workbooks for each class) A4 flashcards A2 classroom poster Evidence from Denmark shows that using these resources can lead to: Noticeable improvements in individual self-esteem Improved class interactions and acceptance of diversity Greater engagement and willingness to learn In the UK, these leading-edge resources are supplied and supported by Tiny Sponges. We’re a specialist supplier of PSHE, mental health, and safeguarding resources to schools and parents. With over 30 years’ experience in education, we’ve worked with Strength Academy to adapt these unique resources for the UK. Email: info@tinysponges.com Web: www.tinysponges.com Tel: 01903 910191
University of Manchester standardises on bespoke Loxit desks
The University of Manchester is the largest single-site university in the UK and part of the prestigious Russell Group. The challenge The University of Manchester recently took the decision to invest in new desks for lecturers, but a number of specific requirements made this a difficult task, as Jamie Wright, media services assistant manager, at the university, explains: “We struggled to find something that would have all the abilities that we wanted: electrically height adjustable, the right size, which for us is shallower than a normal depth of desk, the ability to incorporate a 19” rack and customisable. We really struggled to find anywhere else on the market that could provide that. Thankfully when we came to Loxit, they managed to find a good solution.” The project After meeting with Loxit, the university discovered we were able to design and install desks that met their requirements. “One of the interesting things we found was that the type of mechanics we’ve got actually suited the university’s requirements but being a shallow desk, which was actually based on the depth of a plinth, and needing the integrated AV meant that it had to have a certain type of electrically height adjustable leg set,” explains John Whittle. Following the design review after the first rollout, the requirement to have a split vanity panel at the back was introduced. This means that IT can go into a room mid-lecture if a piece of equipment goes down, remove the portion of the vanity panel and access the back of the rack todo the servicing while the lecture continues to be delivered. Jamie Wright adds: “Generally when it comes to AV support there’s only one technician who’ll fix the issue, so instead of having to take off an entire vanity panel they can take off the section they need, which is just behind the rack, and get to all the equipment. That’s been really useful for us as opposed to having to get a couple of people in to take off whole vanity panels at once.” In addition to this, two-thirds height doors allow lecturers to access some of the components but ensure they’re not able to reach everything. The outcome The bespoke Loxit desks have now been installed across the University of Manchester’s campus. “It’s become part of our teaching standard. We have the same kit and the same layout in 85 of our centrally timetabled rooms which makes it really useful for the lecturers because no matter where they are on campus it’s the same equipment and the same layout.” – Jamie Wright, UoM “When lecturers come to use the equipment, not only the AV equipment but also the features of the desk like the raise and lower, they know where everything is located. It’s been really useful for us to be able to standardise on this product. It’s also actually had unexpected uses which we hadn’t planned for but it’s been delivered really well. “We started out with one particular product and through several iterations, which we worked on with Loxit, we’ve come up with a really good product which we feel we can roll out across our entire campus“. The Impact The height adjustment has been a particularly popular feature, having a number of unexpected benefits. “In addition to providing easy acces and comfort for wheelchair users or those who have difficulty standing for long periods, we’ve also found that the height adjustment has been very useful for some of our other users, such as our maths lecturers who want the desk to be raised quite high so they can use the visualizers.” – Jamie Wright, UoM Before we got the desks, lecturers were having to spend a good hour, sometimes even two, leant over writing formulae on the visualisers and we were getting a lot of complaints about people with bad backs. Having these desks has made it really easy for lecturers to be able to utilise things like the visualizer without causing any serious damage to their back, so it’s actually had unexpected uses which we hadn’t planned for but it’s been delivered really well.”
The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway Co Ltd
A traditional steam train, taking passenger on a unique journey to the tip of Lake Windermere. The perfect addition to your Lake District adventure. Established in 1973 The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway is a family run business in the heart of the Lake District. The track which passengers travel upon today was a former Furness Railway branch line, initially used to transport coal and iron ore, bobbins, dye, gunpowder and much more, in and out of the Leven Valley, as well as a booming trade in tourist traffic to visit Windermere by Lake Steamer. The industry and tourist visitors declined and by the late 1960’s the railway was shut. The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway Co Ltd was formed to re-open the line and with the help of many volunteers it succeeded and the line re-opened to tourist in May 1973. Today the company are very proud of their lovingly restored and maintained fleet of steam locomotives, which are available to view in the engine shed. Haverthwaite railway is home to a magnificently renovated and working Fairburn Class 4 MT tank engines, along with another under restoration as we speak – the only remaining locos of this type to survive. Different engines are used throughout the season to haul passengers through the tranquil scenery of the Leven Valley. The train heaves it’s passengers up the steeply graded line, leisurely transporting guests to Lakeside Station, where connections are available with Windermere Lake Cruises. Lakeside railway station neighbours the Lakeside pier making it an easy transition from the steam trains to the steam boats. You can also combine the steam train journey with other local attractions in the surrounding area, making it an exciting day to explore the Lake District. These include Windermere Lake Cruises, The World of Beatrix Potter, Lakeland Motor Museum, The Lakes Aquarium, Brockhole, Rydal Mount and Holker Hall. Escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life when you come to the railway, you are transported back in time to a place of nostalgia and calm. The beautiful surroundings at Haverthwaite Station entice guests to stop a while. At the Victorian Station visitors can spend a while in the comfortable and friendly surroundings of the Station Restaurant, serving quality home-cooked refreshments. They use local suppliers whenever possible and have their own speciality, the homemade fruit scone, served with freshly whipped cream and fruit jam. They really are scrumptious! The station is sheltered by British woodland, providing a beautiful canopy filled with wildlife, but also, nestled behind the gift shop is a children’s adventure playground. Adults can relax in the safe, peaceful environment while their children will love to discover the climbing structures, nets, slides and much more! From the playground is a magical short walk, winding through ancient trees, it’s a small climb to the summit but well worth it to experience the glorious vistas of the surrounding area. On a clear day views as far as the ‘Hoad Monument’ a local landmark of the closest town Ulverston can be seen. https://www.lakesiderailway.co.uk
Viking School Visits
Most schools these days are used to working with external musicians, sports coaches, and dance teachers. But what about using an external visitor to help with your history topic? If you want a WOW factor to your history topic, trips out of school are the obvious way to go; there are many excellent museums that cater to schools. However, trips can also be expensive, a logistical nightmare and you run the risk of losing children in the gift shop or having them run off to look at the Egyptians when they are supposed to be concentrating on Greeks. Using an external history visitor can really engage the children in a way a museum can’t. Children can handle the artefacts, try their hand at crafts, be immersed through role play and drama, and really get a feel for life in the period. The workshop will also cover more topics and at greater depth than you can in lessons. But how do you know you’re getting the best for your budget? The workshop leader should be an expert in their period. They should wear authentic period costume to present workshops and bring a variety of props, artefacts and activities for use throughout the day. Here’s five easy steps to follow when choosing a historical visitor: Read the website Thoroughly checking out their website should give you a feel for the level of professionalism and you should see some photographs of the person in costume. Ask for references Even if there are testimonials on their website, reputable history visitors will be more than happy to provide you with referees from schools they have previously worked with. 3 Check the details Is the visitor insured? Will they provide a risk assessment and invoice? At what point is your booking guaranteed? Do you have to pay a deposit? Is the visitor DBS checked? Be prepared to pay While there are a few people who will visit your school for free, most people will ask a fee plus expenses. As with all things in life, you gets what you pays for! Costumes, artefacts, and resources all take time and money to prepare and maintain, and overheads must be covered. Speak to or email the visitor personally If the visitor is part of an agency, speak to the person who will be visiting your school. It’s important to get a feel for who that person is and if they will be right for your group. Hopefully these tips will help you to choose the best history visitor for your topic. A good workshop can fire children’s imagination for weeks afterwards; a bad one can be dull, uninspiring and a waste of both time and money! https://vikingschoolvisits.com
Bring the magic of music to the classroom with Classical 100
The start of the school year is always an exciting, albeit busy, time. After summer, students and teachers (hopefully) come back to school feeling re-energised and eager to tackle the year ahead. Lesson planning can be enjoyable but it can also be daunting, as there are so many competing priorities. Trying to put together lesson plans that deliver key curriculum objectives whilst also being engaging for children is no easy task. Music education is a priority for the Department for Education, with School Standards Minister Nick Gibb MP recognising that “it is so important for young people – learning to play an instrument can open up countless opportunities, while the enjoyment of music can stay with people their whole lives.” At ABRSM, we’ve built our mission on a love for music, and we want to nurture and inspire achievement in it. We want to help teachers and schools deliver high-quality, engaging music education, available to all children. That’s why we’re encouraging you tomake the first term a classical one! Classical music is a rewarding, rich division of music that has the power to inspire musical activity. That’s why ABRSM, in partnership with Classic FM and Decca, developed Classical 100. Classical 100is a free resource for primary schools in the UK that will help ignite enthusiasm for, and keep children engaged in, classical music in the classroom. Classical 100features 100 pieces of classical music in a dynamic list, ranging from Bach to Bernstein and Handel to Haydn. The music can be sorted by mood, instrument, tempo and historical period, or in any other way that suits. Each of the 100 pieces features its own musical challenge. The challenges are fun and flexible and cover the following areas of learning: 1. Exploring instruments 2. Composing and creating 3. Performance and using your voice 4. Musical understanding You don’t have to be a specialist music teacher to use Classical 100. Each challenge includes a helpful guide and all the resources needed to tackle it in the classroom – helping make lesson planning easier during the busy back-to-school period. All the materials and language have been carefully created with the learner in mind, by industry and primary school experts. The Department for Education is a key partner and champion of Classical 100,as it can be used to meet several National Curriculum targets. Around 6,000 schools, over 10,000 educators and an estimated 200,000 pupils have already engaged with Classical 100across the UK since it first launched in 2015. So, help bring music to life in the classroom and make your first term a classical one! Sign up today here: https://gb.abrsm.org/en/classical100/ More about ABRSM: https://gb.abrsm.org/en/home
Busting the myths around becoming a foster carer in Manchester
There are lots of misconceptions around foster care and what it takes to become that special person in a youngster’s life. Giving a young person a home where they can live, learn and grow can be a life-changing experience, but many people don’t know where to start. People think there are all sorts of reasons why they can’t become a foster carer, but most of these are myths. What matters isn’t your age, whether you own a home, your sexuality or relationship status, but whether you can give a child a safe and happy home. The first thing to know about fostering is that there are lots of different kinds of foster carers – from those who look after a child in an emergency to foster carers who provide long-term care for children and young people. Children need different types of foster care depending on their circumstances, which means there are many different ways to get involved. In Manchester, there is a particular need for specialist foster carers who provide short to long term placements for children aged 3 to 11 years old, who need extra support. Some children struggle in their routine foster placement or at school. Specialist carers help the children have positive experiences and relationships so that they can deal with emotional or social situations, for example helping them to learn to accept close relationships with others and to co-operate, share and help others. In return, we offer support and training as well as an enhanced weekly professional fee of around £337 per week, tax-free when children are in placement, plus an additional child component of £173, totalling £510 per week. If you care about children and young people take a look at our fostering myth-buster now and see how you could help change their lives for the better: “I’m too old to foster.” Not true. Anyone over 21 can apply to foster as long as they’re fit, healthy, have a spare room and time to meet a child’s needs. “Men don’t foster.” Not true. There are NO restrictions on gender. No matter who you are or how you identify, if you can provide the love and support a child needs, you can foster. “I will have to stop working.” Not true. Fostering is flexible, and the council will work with you to find something that suits both you and your child. “I rent, surely I can’t foster?” Yes, you can. You don’t need to be a homeowner. As long as you have a spare room, it doesn’t matter if you’re a private renter or council tenant – this doesn’t affect your assessment or ability to foster. “I don’t live in Manchester, can I still foster for the council?” Yes. Anyone who lives in Manchester or the surrounding area can foster with the council. “I will be left on my own with no help.” Not so. Support is available every step of the way. From an expert social worker, to help with the application process to regular home visits. Becoming a foster carer has its challenges and can be demanding, but you’ll not be alone. Specific training is also available, to help foster carers if needed and there is 24-hour help at the end of a phone. “I can’t afford to foster.” Foster carers get paid for their vital work. On average you will be paid £380 a week tax-free for one child. You will get regular income if you foster with Manchester City Council because we always have children who need a home. Those who have more childcare experience may be paid more – as will those who take on more than one child. For more information on how to foster with Manchester City Council, click here. https://secure.manchester.gov.uk/info/159/fostering/6566/fostering