Aquaswitch providing Green water supplies for schools
The government recognises the education sector has a massive role in driving the country toward a net-zero future. Decarbonisation activities in schools and colleges can provide powerful learning opportunities. Adopting green energy initiatives is a common way schools are helping to improve the environment. Let’s look at another step schools can take in adopting a green water supply. What’s not green about a mains water supply? The supply of water to schools is highly carbon-intensive for two reasons: Water treatment – British water treatment plants process 10 billion litres of wastewater each year, emitting over 2 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. Pumping water – Pumping water from reservoirs to the water users uses lots of energy. What sustainable water options are available? Here are the most common sustainable water options that schools could take advantage of: Rainwater harvesting – Collecting and storing rainwater landing on your school buildings. Collected rainwater can be used directly in non-human processes such as sprinkler systems. Borehole water supplies – Pumping the pure water found in underground streams beneath your school up to the surface to be used as an alternative to the mains water supply. Greywater systems – Recycling and treating relatively clean wastewater produced by devices such as washing machines. The locally treated greywater is safe to use in flushing toilets or sprinkler systems. These options are great but require an upfront investment in time and money. There is also a quicker fix. Business water suppliers are now offering green water tariffs. In a green water tariff, the carbon emissions caused by your mains water supply are offset through investment in negative carbon projects such as planting forests. What about carbon emissions from energy supplies? Renewable energy technology is improving, and the green energy rates are getting ever cheaper. See if your school can benefit from a green energy tariff with a business energy comparison tool.
The headteacher urging kids to ditch the revision this bank holiday weekend
“Put down the revision and enjoy the jubilee.” That’s the message from one headteacher who believes there is much to be gained by enjoying the festivities despite the looming exams. While you may think that teachers would be advocating that the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend is the perfect time to get some extra revision hours in, Lawrence Tubb, headteacher of online independent school Minerva’s Virtual Academy, says it’s time to put down the textbooks and make the most of the Jubilee celebrations. “We can’t get away from the fact that the last few years have been incredibly hard for young people, who have faced huge amounts of disruption and have had to adapt incredibly quickly to the world of the virtual classroom,” he said. “This year we’re in a situation where thousands of students will be sitting formal exams for the first time and so, it’s no surprise that there’s so much exam-anxiety amongst the class of 2022. “Revision is so important, not only to make sure you’re up to speed with everything but that you feel confident going into the exam hall and ready to tackle whichever questions are placed in front of you. But, that’s not to say that it should take over your life entirely, especially not when we’re about to celebrate such a moment in history. “Think of it this way. When you’re 70 years old, telling stories to your grandchildren, it will be the memories of where you were and what you were doing for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee that you’ll remember, not the fact that you missed out on all of the fun because you were revising all weekend! Ultimately, a couple of days where you can let your mind completely switch off from exams could do you the world of good and it certainly won’t derail your whole exam season.” But if a four-day weekend revision free seems as panic-inducing as the thought of the exam itself, Lawrence says there’s a few things you can do to keep on top of your studying this weekend without missing out on any festivities. “When it comes to revision, think quality over quantity. Our brains tend to take on board more information when we learn in shorter bursts rather than one long stint. So if you’re wanting to get some revision in without missing out on the rest of the weekend, try setting aside 15-30 minutes in the morning to focus on one of your priority topics. “Your family wants you to do well so why not try roping in some willing family members to help quiz you on the topics you might not know quite as well. Quickfire questions that make you think on your feet are a great way to test your knowledge and identify if you’ve got any gaps that you could focus on. A couple of quick pop quizzes over the weekend will give you a more engaging way to revise and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the celebrations too. “Or, how about making the most of the royal connection and revising topics that link with that theme? Whether it’s learning a few key quotes from Henry V ready for your English exam or having a think about how the Queen has contributed to the making of modern Britain, a spot of royal revision could be just the ticket – and it might help make it more memorable as well!” For more tips on revising effectively or for more information on Minerva’s Virtual Academy, visit www.minervavirtual.com
West Yorkshire primary school “Borrows the Moon” to inspire children in Science
Meteorites have landed at Birstall Primary Academy in West Yorkshire. Students at the school near Leeds have had the opportunity to get their hands on rare samples of moon rocks and meteorites which were truly out of this world. These rare samples were provided to school through a project called ‘Borrow the Moon’ by the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) which provides educational packs in a bid to inspire young people in Science. Hundreds of schools, colleges, universities, museums and astronomical societies throughout the UK have enjoyed the meteorite samples and NASA Moon rock discs since the scheme began. The children were encouraged to reach for the stars and learn more about the Universe around us during a week-long interactive experience of astronomy. They were given the unique opportunity to touch a piece of a space rock not of this Earth as they handled genuine meteorites. The pack provided by STFC included a 1.2-billion-year-old piece of Mars rock and 4.3-billion-year-old nickel meteorite. It is unlikely that children will ever get the chance to hold an object older than this, as Earth itself was formed 4.6 billion years ago. The lunar samples that we received were collected in the late 1960s and early 70s during some of NASA’s first manned space missions to the moon. Jayde Weir, Interim Principal at Birstall Primary Academy, said: “When the opportunity was presented to us at Birstall we leapt at the chance to give out students this once in a lifetime opportunity. “All the children involved thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were fascinated to be able to touch something that was truly out of this world.” Birstall Primary Academy forms part of Focus-Trust – a charitable primary schools trust which is based in the North West of England and West Yorkshire with a vision of providing ‘great schools at the heart of our communities’ where children thrive, achieve and succeed.
Half of UK teachers have experienced harassment by students online
Half of teachers (49%) have been the target of inappropriate use of online devices and social media by students, according to new survey conducted by classroom management and safeguarding software provider, Impero. A similar number (43%) agreed that this type of behaviour is on the rise in UK schools. Around one-fifth revealed they have been approached online (22%) or followed on social media by their students (21%), while 15% have been filmed without permission in the classroom. One in ten have been abused online (11%) and the subject of student group chats (11%). Charlotte Aynsley, safeguarding expert at Impero, says: “It’s not news to safeguarding experts that teachers are often on the receiving end of cyber-bullying, but the extent of the trend is unsettling – especially since harassment of other students is also on the rise. A natural curiosity from children will quite often lead to social media interactions such as follow requests from students; teachers therefore have a responsibility to ‘protect’ their identity so they can’t be obviously found on social media. They should also follow the professional standards around not allowing students to befriend them to prevent any unwanted interactions.” She adds: “In today’s world, you can simply pick up a mobile phone, create harmful or inappropriate content, and share it to a wide audience online without being held accountable. Whilst schools play a critical role in educating students about online safety, the long-anticipated Online Safety Bill will be a huge step towards a safer online world for both adults and children – making platforms more accountable for the harmful content being disseminated.” Growing teaching pressures The survey of 500 UK-based primary and secondary school teachers, also found that the vast majority (89%) have considered leaving the profession as they face growing workplace pressures and classroom challenges. The most common reasons teachers have considered quitting: · Excessive workload (67%) · Anxiety and stress (53%) · Salary expectations (40%) · Lack of support from the school (30%) However, almost one-fifth (17%) cited harassment by students as a key reason, while just 14% expressed a loss of interest in teaching itself. A call for improvement The research also found that the majority of teachers also believe their schools need to improve on issues such as teacher safety and wellbeing (71%), staff retention (65%) and diversity, equity and inclusion (52%). Other areas where teachers called for improvement were: · More effective classroom management technology (69%) · Academic performance (66%) · Student safety and wellbeing (60%) Justin Reilly, CEO, Impero and former headteacher, says: “Teachers have a job unlike any other. Their workloads seemingly increase year-on-year, especially with the continued rise in concerns around student behaviour, academic performance, and safeguarding. There are clear actions which can be taken to remove everyday stresses if we are to empower teachers and retain them. After, all the top reasons for wanting to leave are not linked to losing interest in teaching but are instead rooted in safety and wellbeing concerns. “It is vital to create a safe and open environment for teachers to work effectively and feel valued. This means reviewing practices for engaging, protecting and retaining teachers, as well as swiftly addressing emerging safeguarding issues, such as the myriad of online abuse which we know can cause great harm to both students and teachers alike.”
Adventure Togs making it easy to source robust outdoor clothing
The team at Adventure Togs know a thing or two about outdoor clothing. The company, from Port Talbot, South Wales have been supplying schools and groups nationwide since 2003. “I can’t believe we will be celebrating our 20th Birthday next year’ says Catherine Graham, Managing Director. “I started the business when my own children were young as I found it difficult to find quality children’s waterproof clothing on the high street.” Adventure Togs now supplies local authorities across the UK, making it easy for schools to raise purchase orders for clothing on their admin systems, with payment on account. “We’ve practically helped shape how people look at the benefits to children of being outside. Schools all across the country trust Adventure Togs with their outdoor clothing. You’ll find our knees and elbows in sandpits, muddy pools, in ice and snow and beside the campfires burning away in the woods nationwide, 365 days a year.” In addition to the UK, suppliers come from Denmark and Sweden, countries known for their healthy approach to outdoor learning in the early years. The Adventure Togs range has been quality tested and they only stock the most robust of kids outdoor gear. They also stock a good range of craft wear and accessories and offer to source products for your specific requirements. Enquiries, however big or small are always welcome. Adventure Togs makes it easy for schools, and groups to find the right sort of clothing for children to learn and play in, from waterproof suits to wellies and sun hats to paint aprons. Adventure Togs is able to supply outdoor clothing for: Local Authority Schools Forest Schools Playgroups Nurseries Independent Schools Football Clubs, Charities, YMCA, Scouts, Guides, Children’s schemes They offer discounts and free delivery on bulk orders. Website: www.adventuretogs.co.uk Email: enquiries@adventuretogs.co.uk Tel: 01639 689183
Future-proofing learning environments with next-gen networking
School-wide connectivity and networks that are scalable and secure has never been more important in education. Networks must support hybrid learning, immersive digital experiences and emerging EdTech – all whilst making the management of IT simpler and keeping students secure. As organisations, schools are gradually transitioning into ‘smart spaces’ where monitoring everything from room temperature and device tracking to port management and encryption updates must be in a centralised, agile dashboard. Whether to do with site management, or the quality of classrooms, one thing is clear about the future of learning; a space where education can thrive comes down to high performance networking. Many schools are focusing on this digital transition, but without considering the foundations needed to underpin it successfully; it relies on more than just deploying the latest EdTech. Schools, colleges and MATs need networks that have anticipatory capacity and performance for tomorrow’s EdTech. These future-focused networks don’t just need to offer the highest levels of bandwidth and security, they also need to streamline monitoring and management to avoid IT teams growing at the same rate as networks themselves. Next-gen, cloud-based networks mean school IT teams can benefit from features that save time and resources, including automated network management, zero touch provisioning, and total network visibility in a single pane of glass. Redway Networks are independent networking and wireless specialists to schools colleges and MATs, offering WiFi, switching, security and network support services that are tailored to future-proofing educational organisations. Web: http://www.redwaynetworks.com/
Why use outdoor furniture made from recycled plastic?
The key reasons why plastic waste is so bad for wildlife and the environment are also some of the key reasons why recycled plastic is increasingly becoming the manufacturing material of choice for so many organisations who need to provide outdoor furniture. It’s perfect – the products last longer, do not rot, are resistant to insect infestation, are often stronger, more difficult to deface & vandalise, are usually heavier and are almost totally maintenance free. And, as an added bonus (following wet weather conditions), they can be easily wiped down and used straight away. Most importantly, the use of recycled plastic also reduces demand on the world’s natural resources and the need to grow, harvest or extract new raw materials. About KBS Depot Ltd KBS Depot Ltd is a family run business offering an extensive range of high quality outdoor street and park furniture solutions. We work closely with many of the UK’s leading manufacturers, wholesalers and suppliers to bring you the broadest possible choice of products, made from high quality materials, including Steel, Wood, Aluminium, Polypropylene and Recycled Plastic (see below). Bulk Buying? – We offer very competitive pricing on bulk purchases. Our multiple-purchase discount prices are detailed against each product on our website. Credit terms? We offer 30-day credit terms to all Public Sector bodies (Councils, Schools, Universities etc.) Need a quote? Quotes are available on request from our friendly sales team! – We’re here to help, so if you’re in any doubt about your requirements, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our team for advice. If we don’t know the answer to your query, we will always try and find out for you. Our full range can be found on our website at http://www.kbsdepot.com which is regularly updated with important Information on pricing and lead times.
Variety Children’s Charity Partners with I.D.E.A. on New Pre-school App
Variety, the children’s charity, a global non-profit advocating for kids, has partnered with I.D.E.A. on a new app for preschool children to highlight the needs of the differently able. Oville World, is an online collection of learning applications for children aged 2-5 years created by International Digital Educational Access (I.D.E.A.). After a successful launch last year, thousands of young children are using the apps to commence early reading, math, life skills, empathy and safely experience their first app. Oville World’s new partnership with Variety seeks to create awareness on inclusivity and encourage children to be leaders in a diverse society. Intuitive Learning with Oville World Oville World, built intuitively for pre-schoolers, is a collection of safe learning apps that link seamlessly into an online virtual community. In addition to kindergarten prep, Oville teaches important life lessons, including respecting others and taking responsibility. In the game, young players meet characters and explore an imaginary world to discover new houses that contain a variety of games, books, and music. Variety’s new character “Charitee” will give the children playing in Oville an opportunity to engage with a character differently abled than other characters and possibly themselves, as well as participate in being supportive members of a vibrant and diverse community. About I.D.E.A. I.D.E.A. has a mission that stands outside of traditional business goals. Our mission and vision is to impact the world, making it a kinder, gentler more inclusive place for our children to grow in. We build apps, games, toys, video and music that guide the youngest learner on an exploration that helps prepare them for life. Our team has been dedicated to this project for a number of years and every person from our first computer provider to our talented artist who has drawn every bit of Oville, all celebrate our success of Oville World together. “It’s never too soon to learn kindness, understanding and cooperation. The new mantra is Different, but the same,” says Eronne Foster founder and CEO of I.D.E.A. when asked about the fundamental message behind the new content coming to Oville World. “It can be hard for young children to know how to deal with differences. Here through the various characters in Oville, children learn how to celebrate what makes us unique while understanding what also unites us all as a community.” About Variety Variety is an international organization with 40 chapters in 11 countries currently providing support to children across the globe. It is each Chapter’s express position to raise money and awareness for those who are differently abled, providing resources for children and their families and encouraging their communities to be involved in their support. Variety fundamentally believes that there is a strong need for representation and inclusion of differently abled children in modern media and through public education. By advocating for young children to be made aware of those with different experiences early on, Variety intends to foster more meaningful relationships between children of diverse backgrounds and help raise the next generation of empathetic and understanding adults. Technology will change the social learning and development of our young children, which is why Variety feels it is more important than ever to advocate for those who need the extra care and support. Oville World is available in your App store for download https://www.ovilleworld.com/variety-house/
Medpac celebrates ten years of supplying emergency medicine bags
Medpac are practical bags specifically designed for carrying and storing prescription and emergency medicine in school, complete with photo identification. They are ideal for asthma inhalers, Epipens, epilepsy and diabetic medication and more. Medpac is the brainchild of Jayne Tarrant, a mum who saw a need for such a product when her own daughter was diagnosed with a condition that required her to carry emergency medicine with her at all times. Not able to find a product to fulfil the need, Jayne set about designing and sourcing a product that would work in many situations. Jayne says: “When I sat down at my kitchen table all those years ago and came up with the concept of a Medpac as a safe way for my then young daughter to store and carry her emergency medicine, I could never have dreamt that 10 years later it would be a thriving business supplying Medpacs worldwide.” Each Medpac is insulated and comes complete with a Medpac Photo ID and a Medpac Treatment Card to include clear instructions on how to use the medication. In summary Medpac is designed to store medicines safely and efficiently, easily identify correct medicine for correct child, save vital time in an emergency, help older children to carry own medication and display expiry dates to save time for staff Ideal for use in school, on school trips, after school clubs, swimming lessons and school transport. To discover more about this innovative range of products visit www.medpac.co.uk and see how Medpac could change the way you store the medicines in your school. There is no minimum order value, order online at www.medpac.co.uk or download an order form if you would prefer to receive an invoice, we also offer a 5% discount on orders over £200. Web: www.medpac.co.uk