Naace Newsletter - June 2020

News from the BoM (Board of Management)

The BoM has met five times so far since the AGM at BETT in January. Two have been face to face meetings after the AGM and in Leeds in February. Since them we have met three times online in April, May and June using MS Teams. We have looked at the day to day work that Naace helps schools with, such as using the SRF (Self Review Framework), applying for our awards and making best use of our time, which for some members of BoM is getting in excess of 20hrs a week! At our last meeting we created a group to support Christina Preston who manages and edits the Advancing Education Journal, so that each activity that Naace is involved in has a group of BoM members supporting it.

NAACE Covid19 Survey

Naace have launched a survey aimed at gaining an insight into the use of technology to support learning during the COVID-19 lockdown.

It is hoped this this will provide the most comprehensive picture on how schools and teachers have used technology to facilitate online learning over this period. Alongside teacher assessment of the EdTech tools used, the survey also looks at the level of support teachers may or may not have received and the impact on workload and wellbeing.

Please help Naace to understand the full impact of recent events and share this link as widely as you can.

Additionally, we have created a version of the survey that is applicable for those acting as a School Governor (or similar role). To access this survey please click here

Review of the content of the Self Review Framework (SRF)

Following the changes to the SRF in 2018, the number of ‘authors’ had decreased and the board undertook a review through the SRF Group as to how we should support and enlarge the group to undertake the next review. I am pleased to report that the Board has asked Anthony Hunt, Amanda Jackson, Gavin Hawkins and Andrew Davis to join Allison Allen and Dave Whyley as members of the authoring group. We will report briefly on the progress as the next few months progress. If you have suggestions for changes, especially if your school is currently using the SRF to help you developments the use of EdTech in your school please get in touch with us using srfsupport@naace.co.uk. There may also be the opportunity to create a small support group to comment on ideas and suggestions as the review progresses – again if you have experience with the SRF in school or as an assessor and would like to be part of this group - please indicate your interest to the same email address.

DfE Catch up Funding - how to get best value and evidence outcomes

As the impact of Covid-19 on schools recedes and the focus on attainment and pedagogy returns, the DfE has announced a £650m catch-up fund, provided to primary and secondary schools in England. The objective is to support schools to ‘make up for lost time’ with regard their pupil progress, ensuring pupils are at the standard they would have been had this disruption not taken place.

As a consortium of EdTech experts, we have considered the guidelines from the Education Endowment Foundation in detail. We've identified that many of the funding's objectives can be achieved using technology supported by effective implementation and training.

There is also a range of simple measures schools can take to provide evidence of progress and value to Ofsted when they come and knock at your door.

This seminar is ideal for school leaders considering the measures they can take to tackle the impact of lost teaching time.

A Member of the Board of Management of Naace (Andrew Davis, Headteacher of Belvedere Primary School in Shropshire) and Naace Sponsoring Partner Learning by Questions are supporting event hosts Elementary Technology.

Latest information released:

Keeping Children Safe in Schools

The latest version of Keeping Children Safe in schools, updated on 17th June202 has now been published by the DfE. It is the fourth document down on the page using this link.

The version of Keeping Children Safe in Schools, especially for parents and carers has also been updated on June 25th 2020 and is available directly on this link.

Internet Matters Research

Internet Matters have shared their most recent research entitled “Look at Me, Teens, Sexting and Risks.” The link below takes you to the full report which makes interesting reading for those involved in Online Safety in schools and youth environments as well as for parents.
Whilst it may be comforting to note that not all teens are sexting, about 17% of those aged 15 or over had shared a nude picture of themselves. Of this group 18% of them were pressurised into sharing the images. This isn’t the whole picture as those who are vulnerable for other reasons are more likely to share this type of image. The report is available for download using this link.

Learning by Questions is owned and funded by the Bowland Charitable Trust. Our founder is Tony Cann CBE who founded Promethean.

Maths Mastery, English, Science KS2 and KS3…

LbQ is a classroom App filled with curriculum aligned Question Sets and immediate pupil feedback to supercharge learning. Reduce teacher workloads with automatic marking and instant insight into lessons for effective intervention. It covers all abilities so you can support your pupils your way.

Elementary Technology helps schools use technology to deliver better education.

As a trusted advisor to hundreds of schools throughout the UK, they’ll help you plan, manage and upgrade your technology to improve teaching, learning, safeguarding and your school community.

Speak to Elementary Technology about their Classroom Healthcheck service - designed to ensure you make informed choices and align planning and procurement to the DfE EdTech Strategy.

A Platinum Partner to the big brands and a compliant public sector Framework Supplier, your service is always supported by consultancy, training, advice and ideas for your lifetime as a customer.