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
Nine ways to help your overwhelmed teen prepare for exams
Leading online tutoring platform, MyTutor, reveals the best tips to support your child’s study habits and wellbeing during the upcoming exam season For the UK’s cohort of students, the main summer exam period is due to begin next week. Yet in the run-up to this year’s GCSEs and A-levels, a new report has unveiled the spike in levels of anxiety among pupils, with teachers reporting an all-time high in panic attacks, angry outbursts, self-harm, and disengagement among students. Acknowledging students’ heightened anxiety, particularly due to being the first cohort in three years to sit in-person exams, MyTutor – the UK’s most trusted tutoring platform – has highlighted some tips from world renowned educator and expert on teen learning, Professor Barbara Oakley, who shared her insights on top ways to support your overwhelmed teen preparing for exam season. Encourage your teen to work ‘retrieval practices’ like flashcards into their study routine The best way for teens to learn a new topic is through retrieval practise. “When you’re first learning something, there’s faint links forming between neurons in their brain,” Professor Oakley explains, “the more you retrieve that learning– the stronger the links become.” Have them look over key learning areas before bed The brain is hard at work even when we’re sleeping. Professor Oakley told MyTutor that during sleep, “neurons are connecting.” So, telling your teen to glance over their notes right before bed for 2-5 minutes, helps consolidate their learning. So, when your teen is sleeping, by building “neural connections”, their brain will actually work to keep this new information in their memory. Who knew sleeping could double as revising? Breaks are important for learning Like sleep, breaks are important in making learning stick. Professor Oakley explained that short study breaks are vital for the part of the brain that stores new information. She says the best way to organise study time is by using the Pomodoro technique. It’s really simple: you turn off all distractions, set a timer for 25 minutes of focused study, and have a 5-minute break once the timer goes off. That makes one Pomodoro round – Professor Oakley recommends doing 3 over the course of a study session. She says it’s key for teens to avoid any focused activity in their break time – and that means they shouldn’t go on their phones where distractions might pop up. Staring into space or petting the cat are both a good use of break time. Having a snack and stretching works too. Spacing out learning is better than cramming for hours This might seem obvious, but we’ve all heard of someone we know who’s pulled an all-nighter: “Learning takes time,”Professor Oakley says, “just like a weightlifter developing their muscle, it takes time to build neural structure.” Your teen needs time to learn from direct instruction (so from their notes, textbooks, teachers), and then they need to go back over what they’ve just learned. Ideally, all the way up to exams, they’d repeat this cycle: study from classroom learning, retrieval practice, study from classroom learning, retrieval practice, and so on… Encourage them to study in different places Studying in different places, Professor Oakley informed MyTutor, can help refresh your teen’s brain and boost their memory. So, if they normally study in their room, try giving them the option to set up shop in the kitchen, a quiet corner of the house, a library or even a cafe (if they don’t get distracted). They could try making mind maps in a noisier space, and keep the library for past paper practice. Having different places to travel to can also help motivate them too. Slow learners can learn more deeply There are two kinds of learners: declarative learners – or as Professor Oakley likes to call them – “race car learners,” and there are procedural or “hiker learners”. Declarative learners pick up things quickly, but they might be less flexible. Procedural learners take longer and are often more accurate. Both fast and slow learners are just as good– one is not better than the other. But often in schools, fast learning is rewarded. If your teen’s stuck on their Maths homework, encourage them to take time to work it out. That’s where home learning can be so valuable – it’s where your teen can learn at their own pace, and go over things as many times as they need to until they get it. Starting off with rewards for learning isn’t as bad as once thought Professor Oakley explained to MyTutor how her daughter was not a big reader in school. To encourage her along, she would give her little rewards every time she finished reading a book. Over time, it was easier for her daughter to read and get into a book. “She eventually became internally motivated,” Prof Oakley says. This is a perfect example of how starting with small rewards– like pocket money or a treat on the weekend (to get things going)– can help them get over their fear of difficult subjects and become more self-motivated in the long run. Calm Exam Stress with breathing exercises As we all know, exams can bring on stress. Professor Oakley shared a useful tip for teens to use if they feel panicked when they’re revising or during an exam. It’s called “box breathing”. She recommends teens to try breathing in for 5 seconds, holding for 5 seconds, and breathing out for 5 seconds. She explains, “When you get very nervous you do shallow, panicked breathing. It doesn’t give you the oxygen you need.” Practising this deep breathing technique a few days or even weeks before exams–so that it seems normal– will help your teen relax. If they feel panicked in the exam hall, using this technique can help them refocus and remember what they’ve revised too. Help your teen reach out for support There are times when they just need a helping hand from an expert. Whether that’s with a tutor (if their anxiety comes from
Laptop lockers and sanitisation from LapSafe
NEW from LapSafe® Over 70% of UK universities have now installed LapSafe®’s Diplomat™ Self-Service Lockers and over half have either expanded their service or installed further lockers across their campus since their first installation. This year LapSafe® are launching their NEW smart locker software together with a variety of new locker bay sizes. Their most powerful, sophisticated, and innovative smart locker solution to date. The new locker software, ONARKEN® offers a host of services and integrations. The powerful ONARKEN™ software is at the heart of our smart lockers and combines all of our software services in one centrally managed suite of applications. Intuitive and straightforward self-check application installed in a terminal allows quick and easy access to the services users need such as borrow, return, reservations, drop-off and collect. ONARKEN® has been designed from the ground up, following years of user feedback and is probably one of the most universal, powerful and innovative smart locker platforms to date. Existing LapSafe® customers will be able to upgrade to the new software ONARKEN® if they would like the enhanced features and functionality. The new locker bay sizes will be available later this year. To sit alongside the LapSafe® smart locker range or to work standalone, we have also worked tirelessly during the pandemic to bring to the market our NEW Diplomat™UV-C Station which sanitises a laptop or similar device in just 15 seconds! 99% of bacteria and some viruses* are deactivated when exposed to high-intensity UV-C light. Fitted with 18 Phillips UV-C bulbs ensure all areas of the device get sanitised, including the hard-to-reach places. The Diplomat™ UV-C Station is simple and easy to use, place your hand in front of the sensor to activate and follow the straightforward instructions on the LCD screen. Place your device into the cleaning bay and leave the unit to do the rest. Web: https://www.lapsafe.com/products/diplomat/uv-c
Teachers offered training to identify pupils at risk of self-harm
Headteachers, teachers and teaching assistants across the East Midlands and beyond are being invited to free mental health workshops next week which will tackle identifying self-harm and anxiety disorder in young people. The sessions are being held as part of the county’s first mental health festival Headfest, which kicks off on Monday 9 May which also marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week. Paul Hanrahan, who is a teacher at the St Andrew’s Healthcare College, will be delivering two talks which are based on the mental health awareness programme LightBulb which the college has written for primary and secondary school children. Paul said: “We know the pandemic has had a profound effect on some children’s mental health, and even before we experienced the lockdown anxiety numbers among young people were already high. At St Andrew’s we care for some very poorly young people who have not received the help they needed until it was too late, leading to them needing to come into hospital. It is a worrying situation and the role schools can play in recognising and supporting mental wellbeing is paramount in ensuring young people have access to support when it is most needed. “LightBulb is all about equipping our young people with the skills they need to be resilient and seek help about mental health issues, hopefully reducing the distress they experience and positively impacting the outcomes they experience. We believe early intervention is essential and can make a huge difference to the wellbeing of those children who are experiencing mental health issues. “We’re thrilled to have been asked to take part in Headfest and provide teachers with a brief introduction to our programme, which could make all the difference in helping a young person who may be silently struggling.” Paul’s first session will focus on self-harm and will take place at the Royal & Derngate on Wednesday 11 May at 11:30am to 12:30pm. The second session about recognising anxiety disorder is being delivered on Thursday 12 May between 1pm-2pm.For more information about Headfest, visit https://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/headfest-2022/ To find out more about the St Andrew’s Healthcare LightBulb programme go to https://www.stah.org/education/light-bulb/
NBA basketball launches free educational resources for secondary schools
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced the launch of “NBA in the Classroom,” an NBA-themed educational programme that provides free, downloadable teaching materials for secondary school teachers in the UK. The resources focus on career development, financial management, mental wellbeing and physical education. NBA in the Classroom, which was developed with input from teachers and is available to all secondary schools across the UK, offers a range of downloadable, flexible, curriculum-linked teaching resources for use in PE, PSHE/Health and Wellbeing, careers and/or personal development courses. Students will hear from current NBA players and employees on a variety of topics through video content containing tips, challenges and more. “We are excited to unveil this original programme to help secondary school teachers in the UK educate and inspire students with interactive resources that can be used in a variety of settings,” said NBA Associate Vice President of Basketball Operations, Europe and Middle East, Neal Meyer. “Through ‘NBA in the Classroom,’ we look forward to collaborating with institutions and educators across the UK to help children develop their personal and professional skills and grow as leaders.” Through a range of NBA-inspired challenges, the programme will help students be more active, harness a positive mental attitude, develop financial confidence and nurture skills that employers value, including creativity, numeracy, communication, teamwork and organisation. Resources can be downloaded and used as standalone lessons or personal development sessions and select resources can be combined into full off-timetable enrichment and personal development days or after-school club sessions. Mr Leighton, PE teacher at Kettlethorpe High School, commented on the new resources saying: “At Kettlethorpe, it’s our priority to bring new experiences to our students and engage them in creative ways. NBA in the Classroom fits the bill for this perfectly. Our students were intrigued to discover that there’s so much beyond just the game, from mental attitude to wide-ranging careers such as sports journalism, social media and physiotherapy. The programme is diverse and easy to add into lesson planning” NBA in the Classroom builds on the league’s on-court youth development initiatives in the UK. In partnership with Basketball England, the NBA currently runs 21 Jr. NBA Leagues that reach 630 secondary schools and nearly 10,000 Year 7 and 8 children each year. In addition, the Jr. NBA basketballscotland League features seven leagues and a Jr. NBA Wheelchair Basketball League, while the Jr. NBA Basketball Wales League is currently running in each of Wales’s 22 local authorities. Register to NBA in the Classroom for free today and receive a free digital poster and get access to a range of engaging, curriculum-linked resources that will equip your students with the tools they need for a brighter future. Web: https://classroom.nba.com/
History brought to life at The London Bridge Experience
Step down in to the vaults of the original London Bridge with The London Bridge Experience, an immersive walk-through experience featuring live actors who will take you on a journey to relive and meet all the characters from the past 2,000 years of its history. Travelling back in time to an age of adventure, guests will uncover the dark secrets that lie beneath the world’s most famous and haunted Bridge. Moving through the experience you will encounter some of London Bridge’s gruesome characters from its past including William Wallace and Jack the Ripper and hear the tales from the Great Fire of London and join Queen Boudica and the Iceni tribe to take over Londinium. Then for those brave enough; laugh, scream and jump whilst going through the UK’s best scare attraction or for an alternative the class could join our fun headmaster for a further history lesson on London Bridge and the secrets it holds. It’s funny, historical and educational, making learning easy. Because of this the London Bridge Experience welcomes many educational groups every year and is an invaluable lesson in history covering a number of curriculum topics. Join us for a multi-sensory experience, you will see, hear and even smell what London Bridge was really like through its 2,000-year history. This really will be an unforgettable school trip and memorable lesson we can offer students hot food and beverages at our in-house restaurant. To book your school trip contact sales@tlbe.co.uk or telephone 0207 403 6333 Web: https://www.thelondonbridgeexperience.com
Government regulator to investigate ESS moving schools on to three-year contracts
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating whether education software company ESS is abusing a dominant position to push schools into accepting a new three-year contract. The investigation will assess concerns around a contract change made by Education Software Solutions Ltd Group (ESS) – the largest provider of school management information systems in the UK. The company is requiring its customers to move from one-year contracts to three-year contracts and the CMA is considering whether schools were given sufficient time to consider their options, such as moving to an alternative provider instead of renewing with ESS for the full three years. The CMA said it was concerned that this change makes it more difficult for alternative providers to compete with ESS to win business. In the UK, most state schools are required to have a management information system in place. These systems are used to handle student information, such as attendance and safeguarding. Some schools have told the CMA that the process for selecting an MIS is often lengthy and can involve complex procurement steps. The CMA will be considering all relevant issues, including the concerns raised by schools and whether it should be imposing interim measures while its investigation is ongoing. Ann Pope, Senior Director of Antitrust at the CMA, said: “We have heard concerns regarding ESS’s contract changes. Thousands of schools rely on management information systems and their choice of supplier should not be restricted. The duration of the ESS contract has been significantly extended and schools should be able to pick the best provider for their needs. “While ESS has made some changes to its original position, such as the introduction of a possible 6-month break clause, some schools tell us this is still not enough time. A formal investigation will allow us to consider this matter properly.” As part of its investigation, the CMA will also consider the pricing of some ESS product packages – specifically, it will look at how ESS’s management information system product is being sold alongside its financial management software. This could encourage customers to buy both products and deter customers moving away from ESS. The CMA is concerned that, by adopting such a pricing strategy, market players that only offer one of these services may be unable to compete, potentially leading to an uncompetitive market in future. More information is available on the Investigation into the conduct of ESS case page https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-conduct-of-education-software-solutions-limited
Children’s author Sarah Morrell announces free end of Primary event
A children’s author is hosting a free online event for up to 100 primary schools to celebrate their next adventure to secondary school. West Yorkshire author Sarah Morrell and Hashtag Press are will be talking about her new book ‘A Head Full Of Magic’ on 16th June 2022. Sarah swapped criminology for children’s books and since signing with prize-winning independent publishing house Hashtag Press, based in south-east England, she hasn’t looked back! Released this week, A Head Full of Magic is already getting rave reviews from the fiercest of critics – children – as well as librarians, booksellers, parents and teachers. This middle grade fantasy fiction about the last term of Primary School, is sure to be a big hit with readers aged 8-11, particularly those who enjoy books by J K Rowling and Maz Evans. “A laugh-out-loud, middle-grade story with a mixed raced protagonist who can talk to animals. A young Dr Dolittle – perfect for children seeking a story bursting with magic!” Fleur is used to balancing her two different cultures – from her English Mum to her West Indian Nan – but when she discovers that she can talk to animals she finds herself in a whole new world! Can her new powers help her take down Celeste ‘The Best’ the hockey-loving, ankle-smashing new girl, once and for all? “I read this book in 24 hours, it’s the fastest I’ve ever read a book, and the first book I’ve finished so far this year. I loved Sir Barclay and Fleur’s adventures!” – Macy Lewis, 11 years old, Kent, England In honour of the last term of Primary School, after a crazy couple of years thanks to Covid for these young students, and to celebrate their next adventure on to Secondary School, Sarah and Hashtag Press are hosting a free online event for up to 100 schools across the country on 16th June 2022. For more details: https://y6aheadfullofmagicevent.eventbrite.co.uk About the Author Sarah lives in West Yorkshire and worked as a Criminologist until she fell in love with writing and quickly swapped a life with crime for a life with rhyme! She is married with three awesome kids who keep her on her toes whilst she is plotting and sharing her latest stories. Sarah has self-published two picture books. ‘The King and the Cockerel’ was a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards in 2018 and ‘Molly’s Magic Brolly’ picked up a Silver Award in 2019. She is currently working on a number of middle grade and children’s picture books and has a couple of book club novels up her sleeve too. When she is not writing, she loves nothing more than to run, bike or swim in the hills of Holmfirth and recently entered her first Triathlon. Next New Year’s Eve, she will not be making any sports related resolutions… Sarah is an active SCBWI Member and a Volunteer Ambassador for Candlelighters Charity.