Well done for coming out of the other side of what seemed like the longest January on record - ever! February looks to have its challenges too, but we know everybody working in schools is doing their best for their communities. Thank you.
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LGfL - Highlights
#BridgeTheDivide - mobile data and device procurements.
LGfL schools can check eligibility for Free School Meals on behalf of a parent (the parent needs to contact their child's school for them to run a check on their behalf).
From 1 Jan 2020 to 31 December 2020 we ran 23,090 checks for FSM for schools - this equates to a potential amount of £ 28,235,135 funding. This compares to 1 Jan 2019 to 31 December 2019 where we ran 18,181 checks which equates to a potential amount of £ 22,035,420 funding. This is an increase of 4,909 checks which equates to a potential amount of £6,199,715.
Today is Safer Internet Day, why not share DigiSafe Digest, our pupil online safety quiz which is ideal for home learning during lockdown? Scenario-based questions can be completed individually, in groups or as a class, and are designed to make pupils think about WHY each answer is correct. You can then discuss the themes together with the feedback provided, and it's also a great way to get parents involved too! Get quizzing at digisafedigest.lgfl.net.
DigiSafe have updated their safeguarding training programme. Find out more about their remote sessions on Prevent, Preparing for RSHE, County Lines and CEOP Online Safety at safetraining.lgfl.net.
LGfL - IncludEd
The IncludED In Your Classroom resource has been created to help school staff with the key points for ensuring their classroom and the whole school are as inclusive as possible. The latest addition is the Wellbeing Checklist.
LGfL has Mental Health resources which you may have been using during "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week". Namely, Wellbeing Connectedand Health Minds
BusyThings
Have you found our latest Reading zone resources for KS1 and KS2?
In support of our Reading Zone Live site, Busy Things have released a large number of well-known book extracts and supporting resources. The extracts can be read on screen in our book viewer. Use the paging, zoom and grammar features to explore the texts with your pupils! Each of the extracts are supported with a range of comprehension activities. Test your pupils understanding with games, quizzes and our colourful templates for writing a review and designing a book cover.
Visit English > Reading:comprehension in your chosen setup and explore the resources now.
Teaching young children online? Why not send them a friendly recorded message with their work?
Busy Things now lets you record a message when you send work or feedback! Audio messages can be sent to your whole class, small groups and individual children (see below).
You need to be working within a class setup to access this new feature. Class setups can be made very quickly and easily in the Manage setups area.
Simply record your message & click confirm.
Send a message to explain the work and increase engagement.
Children will find your message in their my Busy Things area
Just2easy (J2e)
Just2easy is a great platform to use with primary aged children for remote learning and they have recently released an update toJ2launch. Tiles on the "Launchpad" are now locked by default and can be unlocked to be moved. This can be done using the lock/unlock icon within your school logo area (see picture file above). This prevents accidental moving of tiles and makes j2e load even faster.
Have you got a Just2easy related question? Want to know how to create engaging activities for your students? Join the just2easy team and other teachers for the weekly J2skills drop-in session, where you can ask J2e related questions and network with other teachers. Book your space via Eventbrite here.
Schools are dynamic and collaborative places where documents and assignments change hands frequently. At Adobe, they recognise the sheer number of files and documents that are exchanged in schools. With the increasing digitisation of educational content and use of digital learning platforms, all educators can now know how to utilise the universally recognisable PDF to save time and make their daily practice more efficient.
Did you know that Adobe Acrobat Pro - which allows creating, collaborating and printing PDF documents and forms - is part of the LGfL Adobe Creative Cloud licenses? All LGfL schools are offered free Adobe licenses; if your school has not claimed their licenses yet, please clickhereto do so.
If you want to learn more about Adobe Acrobat Pro and how to use it for teaching and learning, please visit Adobe Education Exchange free online course‘Adobe Acrobat for Teaching and Learning'.
Training - Spring 2 2021
Check out the whole training portalfor online training on a wide range of topics, including technical training sessions taking place in the February half term. These cover Google G-suite, Microsoft O365, Webscreen, Neverware, Meraki MDM, Safeguarding & Security for school technicians, Gridstore online back-up, Adobe set up and an overview for schools techs on the added benefits of LGFL educational resources.
Training events are included in your school's Let's Get Digital subscription and are therefore *free* for LGfL schools staff to attend. You will receive a dedicated Training Bulletin just before half term. Also remember to visit ngfl.netto 'Meet the Team' and find information if you are a new member of the LGfL - National Grid for Learning community.
Fluency is one of the NCETM’s Five
Big Ideas of Mastery.
Join Natasha Dolling (LEO Academy Trust) to explore how to teach fluency, click on the links below to book a place:
The EdTech Demonstrator Programmeis not just for schools and colleges who have signed up to receive bespoke support, but is also a place where schools can access excellent, comprehensive resources created by the demonstrator schools and colleges across the programme.Get free peer-to-peer support from our network of EdTech Demonstrator schools and colleges. Click hereto register your interest.
In the video below Senior Leaders explain the positive impact on engaging with the EdTech Demonstrator Programme at Lawford C of E Primary School in Manningtree, North Essex.
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