Bulletin February 2010
Dear colleagues
I promised Andrew this month’s letter will have a rugby theme – well, I’ll give it a try!
For starters, there are two games that are similar but different (I will not enter into any correspondence on that statement)
- Rather like being a learner or a provider and trying to work out if your funding comes through SFA or YPLA
In a line out, both teams stand a metre apart and each try to catch the ball as it is thrown in
- Could this be the new system for determining who gets an S139a assessment – it’s as good as any!
Scoring a try is achieved by heading up the field, whilst throwing the ball backwards, until the ball is carried across the goal line
- Rather like being a learner headed in the direction of an ISC but feeling as if you are constantly going backwards as you are required to visits GFEs to be turned down, provide more paperwork, wait for panel meetings etc. Could be summarised as very trying!
A scrum is formed by the players who are designated forwards binding together in three rows. The scrum then 'engages' with the opposition team so that the player's heads are interlocked with those of the other side's front row (thanks, Wikipedia)
- This is what the whole process must feel like for anyone trying to get into an ISC, as if you are locked in battle with overwhelmingly large opponents
A conversion is when a goal is scored following a try
- This is the great moment when all the months of work turn into an offer of a funded place at the college of your choice
Well, that‘s enough rugby for now – next month, curling (not really, I promise – I have absolutely no idea what those brushes could signify!)
Anyway, there is plenty of sensible and useful information in this month’s bulletin, so please enjoy looking through it. Two key things to remind you:
- Only 4 weeks to go to the LA transfer
- Natspec conference on May 18th and 19th, the booking site will open soon
Best wishes,
Alison
How eCPD and the Online Learning Space (OLS) can help you
View this email as a Easy-Video-Page in easy read, with pictures and videoInnovations in Easy Read
Easy-video-websites just got better
Easy-Read-Online Limited is committed to looking for new ways to make information accessible to people with learning disabilities using the new technology. Recently we have developed new features for our Easy-Video-Websites which make it easier for people who have little or no reading to use the sites independently.
Fixed side bar
We have videos on every page - usually of someone with a learning difficulty reading out the text on the webpage. It's a problem if the video is stuck at the top of the page and you want to scroll down to see all the information. Not any more. We have developed a fixed side bar which keeps the video and all the accessibility controls on the screen when you scroll down. Have a look at The State of Care Accessible Summary Web Site introduction page
Video Light Box
When you are looking at a web page - you often want to look at some additional material - often presented in a text box. Now - people with learning difficulties can have the same experience - You can just click on the button, the main video pauses and a light box opens with additional - maybe case study - material and a new video starts. You can close it at any time and carry listening to the first video on the main page. Click on the Geoff Thomas - Keeping safe button on the 'What we have found' Page of the State of Care Accessible Summary Web site
More.
Our easy-video-pages are great at making websites better for people who have BSL as their first language. We have created an easy way to flick between BSL and English language versions - Click on the BSL introduction page - and look for the Easy Read Summary Button.
We've added pictures to the videos to help people with learning difficulties who want to follow the text as the video plays - the pictures co-ordinate with the Easy-Read printed summary. Click on the 'Putting People at the Centre' page to see an example.
We've recently completed a set of Easy-Video-Pages for Turning Point - which involve people with learning difficulties and parents talking about their services. This is a great way for people with learning difficulties to understand more about the services they can expect.
Free Consultation
If you are thinking about making more information accessible to people with learning difficulties and you want to think about using the new technology - email to arrange a free consultation meeting.
Good e-practice case studies on the Excellence Gateway
- Derwen College
Case study: Trialling new technologies - video conferencing and JANET Txt for teaching, learning and student support - Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education
Case study: Learning technologies shape the design for new academy for the deaf - National Star College
Case study: Christmas treat brings long-term benefits for the disabled (2008) - New College Worcester
Case study: MP3s for learners with visual impairments - Oakwood Court College
Case study: Webcams and avatars enhance communication for students with severe learning disabilities
Note:This is the most recent case study – BBC South West is very soon to produce a news article on the excellent practice covered in this case study, which will be published on the BBC South West website. - Pennine Camphill Community
Case study: Improving network efficiency for small organisations - Portland College
Case study: Testing the switching skills of learners in specialist colleges - RNIB College Loughborough
Case study 1: Visually-impaired learners benefit from audio and synchronised text on their mobile phones
Case study 2: Using text-to-speech software on mobile phones for visually-impaired learners
- The Royal National College for the Blind
Case study: Vinux for the visually impaired - Strathmore College
Case study: Mobile learning on the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
We need the opinions of disabled learners involved in Post 16 Vocational Education or Training
At the University of Worcester, we are running a European funded project that aims to offer support to disabled learners in post 16 education and training (excluding university education).
Outcome of the Project
We are going to develop a web resource that will enable learners to get more from their courses so that they will be more likely to get the job they want. We will do this by identifying potential barriers faced by disabled learners and provide resources and information to enable them to overcome these challenges.
How this will be achieved?
In order to make sure the resource meets their needs, we are seeking the views of disabled learners.
How you could help
We would like disabled learners to complete the survey, so would be grateful if you could send the text below in an email to your disabled learners:
Dear student,
We, staff at the Centre for Inclusive Learning Support at the University of Worcester, are running a European Commission funded project that aims to create resources to support disabled learners, such as yourself, in post 16 education and training (excluding university education), and we hope that using these resources will make it easier for you to engage with your course and increase the likelihood that you will be able to get the job you want.
In order to ensure that the resources meet your needs, we really need your views. Please go to the following website to complete our brief questionnaire.
This should take no more than 5 minutes and you could win £50 WHSmith vouchers.
Further Information
For further information about the Centre for Inclusive Learning Support, please go to You will also find information about other projects and online resources that we have developed. If you have any questions or queries, please contact Rachel Russell () or Chris Riley ().
Thank you for your time
Dear Friend of NPC
NPC’s latest tool for charities is now online. Clickhere to download The little blue book—our concise and practical guide to analysing charities. We hope all charities and funders will find it useful.
At a time when many charities are having to make tough decisions, this guide can help them to assess their own performance, to identify successes and failures, and to understand how they can improve. The little blue book can also help funders make thoughtful funding decisions, by better understanding charities’ strengths and areas for development.
The little blue book draws on our experience of analysing the charity sector over nine years. It is written with a clear understanding of the day-to-day challenges of running a charity, of managing finances in the turbulent world of fundraising, and of the difficulties of measuring impact. In writing The little blue book, we have drawn heavily on lessons from charities, grant-makers and other experts, many of whom have been involved in the charity sector for much longer than we have. We are immensely grateful to these organisations and individuals for sharing their experiences and expertise with us.
The guide contains examples of how charities and funders can benefit from analysis. It also explains NPC’s charity analysis framework, which looks at how charities can assess their own effectiveness in six key areas:
- activities
- results
- leadership
- people and resources
- finances
- ambition
On our website areexamples of NPC’s most recent charity analysis. These detailed pages illustrate what a piece of NPC analysis looks like,show how analysis gives insights into effectiveness, and share lessons about effectiveness.
Please use The little blue book, share it with others, and let us know what you think. We want it to be as useful as possible to charities and funders, and to achieve this we need your feedback. Please add your comments on our blog here. The guide can be downloaded for free, or if you wish to receive printed copies, priced at £10 each, contact us on 020 7785 6300 .
Martin Brookes,
Chief Executive, New Philanthropy Capital
Follow us on twitter:
The Healthy FE Programme
The Healthy FE Programme aims to improve the health of those who study or work in the FE sector. It isn’t about creating something new but about working with FE providers to strengthen what is already being done in this area, including supporting local partnership working with organisations providing health services. The Steering Group provides strategic direction to the Healthy FE Programme. All the current Framework of services and products, outlined below, has been developed in consultation with the Steering Group and they have recently signed off the Business Plan for what will be delivered in 2010-11.
Until recently, Natspec was represented by Julia Lindley Baker from Linkage College on the Steering group; Julie has now moved on, our thanks to her for her contribution to this work. Her place has been taken by Ian Booth from Lufton College, which has been involved in the programme. If you wish to find out more, you can contact Ian at . Ian has been working with Natspec to try and ensure that the materials aimed at learners through the programme are accessible to a wide range of learners.
What we are putting in place - the Framework
- Set up a dedicated Healthy FE website. Incorporated into the LSIS Excellence Gateway. Full version went live on 14 October – Big push now to upload case studies and other good practice materials.
- a self-review tool for colleges. This tool is now available on the website for live testing. Colleges register and then use for free. It will allow FE organisations to determine their starting point in devising an action plan for moving forward to improve their provision for learner and staff well-being. Testing to be completed by March 2010.
- a regional network of practitioners and their partners. These networks exchange information, gather data, and are a mechanism to promote peer review, training etc. It will maintain close links with existing networks run by AoC, NAMSS, etc. First meetings June/July 2009 (120 colleges attended); second round now taking place (Oct/Nov).
- a national baseline and data collection tool for colleges. Survey of 40 colleges will give us the starting point on where colleges are on learner and staff health, satisfaction with college provision and what more is wanted on-site. This survey will at same time pilot a tool for colleges to use by themselves in future. Complete by March 2010.
- communication routes. As well as website and regional network we use BIS, NAMSS and AoC newsletters plus LSIS routes. Forward Plan being revised for college/PCT/LA/Third Sector engagement and for placed articles, events to display at etc.
- agreed with Ofsted a contribution for FE in new Common Inspection Framework. Now providing the main driver for health and well-being and set of standards - Still looking at some other form of light touch recognition for colleges.
NIACE
The schedule of NIACE fee-paying courses for 2010 has now been extended with new dates and new courses. Please see below for details and book your place early to avoid disappointment.
All NIACE courses:
•are developed using the latest research in the field;
•are delivered by trainers with at least 10 years' experience in the education and skills sector;
•provide excellent value for money and NIACE does not charge VAT on courses; and
•give you what you need to keep your CPD record up to date. All course participants receive a certificate of attendance with prompts for reflection.
Get more information about each course and book your place by clicking on a course title below:
Engaging the Learner: The power of Storytelling as a teaching tool
Tuesday 16 March 2010, (Morning or Afternoon), Manchester
Screens and Pages: Technology and reading for pleasure
Wednesday 17 March 2010, London
Beyond the Worksheet: An integrated skills approach to meeting the everyday literacy needs of adult learners
Tuesday 27 April 2010, London (New Date)
(New Course)
Advising working people: Career Progression through work-based HE
Friday 7 May 2010, London
Tuesday 11 May 2010, Leicester
(New Course)
An Introduction to PRINCE 2: A one day workshop
Wednesday 26 May 2010, Birmingham
Demonstrating Impact for Quality using the five-stage process (RARPA) and the revised Common Inspection Framework (CIF)
Wednesday 3 March 2010, Birmingham
Tuesday 25 May 2010, London (New Date)
Dyslexia Awareness training for work-based learning practitioners: "It's about so much more than pastel paper & pretty folders"
Tuesday 8 June 2010, Leicester (New Date)
Getting on Brilliantly 1: Leading and managing large and small groups and teams
Tuesday 29 June 2010, London
Getting on Brilliantly 2: Getting the best out of being a line manager
Wednesday 30 June 2010, London
Improving Formative Assessment: One day course on developing strategies for building learner autonomy
Thursday 8 July 2010, York (New Date)
Transforming your organisation through disability equality
Tuesday 21 September 2010, Birmingham (New Date)
For a full list of all NIACE courses please go to:
If you have any questions please contact me on 0116 2859661 or send me an e-mail at : .
National Star College offers teaching in the lifelong learning sector training in the following qualifications:
- PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
- CTLLS (Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
- DTLLS (Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
We have specialist experience and a high level of expertise in delivering teaching qualifications and are currently working with 90 candidates in specialist colleges nationally. Courses are individually matched to each organisation and focus on specialist areas general FE course do not cover.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your own training requirements and to assess whether you would consider NationalStarCollege as being your training provider for these qualifications. We are able to provide competitive rates, and for groups of over 8 candidates, we will provide training at your location if this is more convenient and at times to suit you and your staff.
We are enrolling now for courses starting in September 2010.
For more information please call or email
Rachel Chronnell
Tel: 01242 527631 / 07858 373565
E-mail:
Website:
Engage
Team England’s fortnightly email to our partners in lifelong learning*
Contents
1) Research and labour market intelligence
2) Standards and qualifications development
3) Sector engagement and solutions
4) General announcements
Business Charity Awards
I am very pleased to tell you about some exciting new awards that Mandate has launched, together with Third Sector magazine and the Institute of Fund Raising.
The Business Charity Awards are designed to celebrate successful relationships between companies and the charity sector.
Building business and charity reputations alike is something we feel very strongly about at Mandate.