Schools out for Summer! Now for some “me” time for teachers!

Almost by mistake (it's a long story!) The Editor of That's Education spent time as a trainer of 16 to 18 year-olds, so does have some experience of teaching, so I do know some of the stresses and strains you go through. So I am including this story because I feel it is something you might like to know about!

As pupils, large and small, across the country – from exam weary eighteen year olds to fidgety five year olds, celebrate the long awaited start of the summer holidays, they are by no means alone.

Just as elated to hear the final bell of the academic year, will be thousands of teaching staff and classroom assistants.

They will be in desperate need of some end of term TLC and where better to find this but at the peaceful and calming environment of Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire?

Weary teachers can trade a squeaky board marker or a piece of chalk for those traditionalists, for a soft fluffy robe and a massage couch!

Ragdale Hall has a varied range of spa days and spa breaks to suit every taste and pocket and award winning facilities in which to switch off and chill out in.

To find out what they can do for you please call Ragdale Hall on 01664 434831 pr visit www.ragdalehall.co.uk. Please mention That's Education when you do contact them.

And please pass this news story on That's Education to your friends and colleagues in education who you feel could benefit from such a personal pampering session and a nice, well-deserved spot of "me" time!

Kilmarnock College to boost financial reporting and eliminate duplication of effort with system from Advanced Business Solutions

Kilmarnock College, a Further Education (FE) college based in East Ayrshire, Scotland, will transform its efficiency levels and improve financial control by implementing a financial management system from Advanced Business Solutions (ABS). The new system, which has integrated electronic workflow and document imaging functionality, will enhance the reporting and accessibility of financial information across the college and reduce administration time through less re-keying of data. The planned go-live is August 2011.

Kilmarnock College required a flexible and scalable financial management solution to replace its restrictive accounting system and to significantly reduce the time spent on invoice registration, reconciliation and authorisation. Following a competitive tender, Kilmarnock College chose ABS’ system due to its strength in reporting, advanced functionality and tight integration qualities.

Michael Breen, Director of Finance at Kilmarnock College, explains, “We recognised that our existing finance system was inefficient and no longer fit for purpose. Through a very robust competitive tendering process we were extremely impressed by the quality of responses we received however ABS stood out at each stage. It was apparent that ABS fully understood our business needs and that its system was ideally suited to fulfill all of our key requirements whilst representing good value for money.”

Breen continues, “ABS also submitted a very thorough and methodical project plan which gave us the reassurance that they had the capabilities and experience of implementing integrated systems to very tight timescales.”

ABS’ integrated software solution will streamline Kilmarnock College’s financial processes and significantly improve the visibility of financial information, resulting in improved decision making whilst ensuring greater financial control. In addition, by seamlessly linking the College’s student records and tracking system with ABS’ financial management system, it will be quicker and easier for the College to extract financial information and tailor reports to its specific needs.

Breen comments, “By automating our financial processes ABS’ system will significantly improve efficiencies within the finance department. The ABS solution will remove unnecessary duplication of effort as we will no longer have to spend time re-keying data from our student records and tracking system. In addition the finance team will no longer be required to manipulate financial data into Excel spreadsheets to provide management reports. This will eliminate the opportunity for associated data entry errors.”

Breen continues, “The system’s advanced reporting capabilities will also allow us to easily interpret more meaningful financial information in greater detail than present, while enabling the closer monitoring of financial plans and project management costs, further improving financial control.”

Furthermore, using the integrated document imaging functionality (powered by Version One’s technology), inbound paper invoices will be scanned, indexed and then linked to relevant ledger in the finance system. Invoices with approved purchase orders will be automatically matched and paid. Those requiring circulation will be electronically routed to the appropriate staff for approval without requiring manual intervention, eliminating the time-consuming and costly circulation of 8,000 paper invoices every year.

Breen adds, “By eliminating manually-intensive processes we will save significant amounts of staff time. The finance team will also be freed-up to concentrate on analysing financial data instead of expending all of their efforts creating information.”

www.kilmarnock.ac.uk

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Big Book Challenge For Bookworms During School Holidays!

With the school holidays fast approaching, a special reading challenge for young bookworms is being launched in June in aid of The Children's Trust.

Over the next three months, children of all ages are invited to take part in the Big Book Challenge. The aim is to encourage children to read as many books as possible during their summer break, and ask friends and family to sponsor them to raise money for The Children's Trust, a national charity which supports some of the UK's most profoundly disabled children.

No matter how old, everyone loves a good story. It's a great opportunity for all the family to get involved. The children at the Trust will be joining in too with storytelling evenings and activities. Every penny raised will make a positive difference to the lives of the children and families that The Children's Trust supports.

Jacqueline Wilson, award-winning children's author who is supporting the special challenge, said: "I've been a bookworm since I was six years old. Books delight, entertain and inform - they're the most magical way of enriching our lives. It's also great fun discovering other worlds and meeting wonderful characters within the pages of a book. I hope children will really enjoy taking part in this challenge - and that a lot of money is raised to support the work of The Children's Trust."

Everyone who takes part will receive a certificate and those who raise over £50 in sponsorship will receive a free copy of 'The Bestest Ever Bear' poetry book.

For more information and to get started go to www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/bigbookchallenge or call Emma on 01737 365019.

FACTFILE:
The Children's Trust, Tadworth, is a national charity providing care, education and therapy for children with multiple disabilities and complex health needs, and rehabilitation services to children with an acquired brain injury. The Trust runs the UK's largest residential rehabilitation centre for paediatric acquired brain injury and has an on-site special school, The School for Profound Education (formerly St Margaret's), which publishes The Profound Education Curriculum for children and young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD).

For further information please www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk

Newly created Welsh college selects financial management system from Advanced Business Solutions

Cardiff and Vale College, which will be formed by the merger of Barry College and Coleg Glan Hafren to create one of the largest further education (FE) organisations in Wales, is implementing a financial management system from Advanced Business Solutions. This integrated system, which will include electronic procurement and workflow functionality, will improve financial reporting and support the new college’s sustainable agenda by eliminating time-consuming paper-based processes. The core modules will go-live on 1 August 2011 with a phased implementation to follow.

Barry College and Coleg Glan Hafren agreed to merge in response to the Welsh Assembly Government’s Transformation Agenda, published in September 2008, which recommended that colleges collaborate by creating economies of scale to maximise benefits to learners. The newly created entity, Cardiff and Vale College, will officially open in August 2011.

Nicola Lewis, finance director at Coleg Glan Hafren, explains, “As Coleg Glan Hafren and Barry College currently use two different finance systems we decided to undertake a strategic review of both colleges’ existing software. After evaluating the market, we decided that ABS’ system was sufficiently flexible and scalable to cope with the greater volume of transactions from the new college and drive efficiency savings whilst supporting growth and change in the future.”

Lewis continues, “We have also been extremely impressed by the professionalism of ABS’ team and their willingness to ensure that our new system will be implemented in just three months in time for our new financial year in August.”

ABS’ system will automate a number of financial processes which are currently manually-intensive. Its 1,000 staff will have instant access to key financial data and be able to raise purchase orders and approve invoices electronically. Authorised users at Cardiff and Vale College will also able to track the status of their budgets 24 hours a day, seven days a week and distribute budget reports to departmental managers electronically.

Lewis comments, “ABS’ system will enable us to considerably streamline our accounts receivable processes and improve financial control across the College. We anticipate being able to raise purchase orders and invoices in just minutes instead of hours each week, considerably enhancing purchase-to-pay efficiency. The system’s flexibility and intuitive reporting capabilities will also allow us to easily determine numerous ‘what if?’ scenarios which will be key as we formulate our business strategy for the new college.”

As the two main campuses of the newly created college are situated 18 miles apart, ABS’ electronic workflow functionality will help to reduce time-consuming and costly paper administration through the elimination of printing, photocopying and posting documents back-and-forth between its different sites

Lewis adds, “Having instant online access to our financial information will help to alleviate the delays and costs associated with documents going missing in the internal post. Eliminating unnecessary paper pushing will also support our sustainability agenda and assist us in minimising our impact on the environment.”

www.cardiffandvalecollege.ac.uk

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Debenhams reports boosted sales as teen prepare for proms

Debenhams has revealed that teenagers across the country won't be attending school discos over the coming weeks but instead dancing at American style school proms. 

The phenomenon is so prevalent that in some areas nine out of ten secondary schools will be hosting the events, sending sales of prom style dresses soaring and creating a new sales peak second only to Christmas says the store.

Unlike the school disco, the prom is a much more formal affair with evening wear and black tie being the required dress code.  Since the start of the ‘season’ Debenhams has seen a 57% rise in sales of occasion handbags and a whopping 1,322% sales increase on false eyelashes.

Party shoes have also sold faster than ever with ten styles selling out ahead of expectation.

The trend has been sparked by hit US TV shows such as 'Glee' and 'Super Sweet 16' and seems to be growing each year.

However, the move away from the disco has spawned another phenomenon - the Promzilla, a teenage girl who is keen to outdo her friends, according to Debenhams research.

Promzillas are so eager to be the bell of the ball that through 'pester power' they encourage their parents to spend nearly £600 on attending the prom, with limo hire, false tan, expensive haircuts and corsages sending costs soaring.

As a result Debenhams has briefed sales staff and personal shoppers to encourage parents not to feel they need to splurge large amounts on what is an end of term party and with prom dresses at Debenhams starting from just £60 they don’t have to.

Carie Barkhuizen, Spokesperson for Debenhams said: "Dancing at the school disco it seems has had its day.  All the focus is now on the prom and being the bell of the ball.

"What's fantastic about our store is that parents can get the designer names their kids are after, at high street prices."

'Ladette to Lady' Social & Etiquette Expert, Liz Brewer added: "Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, has been a brilliant role model for girls as she has shown that clothes can not only be recycled but that high street fashion is okay and appropriate."

The Big Bang London and South East hits The Science Museum this week

A free, interactive event aimed at inspiring young people in science, technology, engineering and maths comes to the Science Museum on Wednesday 22nd June 2011.

The Big Bang London and South East will welcome over 3,000 students, teachers and parents from across the region to enjoy exciting hands-on activities with industry professionals and top Universities from 10 am- 3pm.

STEMNET (The Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Network) is working with organizations including BP, IBM and LEGO to deliver a celebration of science and engineering for young people aged 4-17 years old.

Hands-on demonstrations, Maths Buskers and Science Museum galleries will be available for visitors to enjoy throughout the day. Students will have the chance to quiz scientists about their careers in ‘Meet the Expert’ sessions featuring STEM Ambassadors. Nationally managed by STEMNET, The STEM Ambassador Programme involves 28,000 professional volunteers acting as role models for a very wide range of careers and backgrounds.

STEMNET Chief Executive Kirsten Bodley says: “Introducing young people to STEM Ambassadors at The Big Bang London and South East will enable them to witness the range and scope of professions that use Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) helping them to make informed choice about their professional futures.”

Karen Davies, Head of Learning Resources, Science Museum said, “Through our innovative Learning programmes, products and resources - aimed at both students and teachers, the Science Museum is continuously seeking to engage and inspire young people in science and technology related subjects. For this reason we are delighted to be hosting this year’s Big Bang London and South East in partnership with STEMNET.”

Over 100 local schools are invited to display any exciting projects developed using science, technology, engineering or maths at one of the UK’s most famous museums for the day. Students can compete in a number of competitions including Young Engineers, CREST Award or STEM Club activities to win big prizes at our VIP awards ceremony, hosted by Space scientist, Dr Maggie Aderin and Rachel Riley; star of Channel 4’s ‘Countdown’!

Maggie says: “I'm looking to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers to continue my work: young people who are able to think expansively and eager to shape the future. The Big Bang London and South East will be an exciting environment where they'll find inspiration, creativity, fun and wonder by the bucketload.”

The Fair is a regional partner of the national event, which was held at the ExCel Centre on 10th- 12th March. Students, teachers and parents who enjoyed The Big Bang or missed the chance to attend, can register now for this free, single-day event.

To find out more visit www.stemnet.org.uk.

(EDITOR: There is no indication if there are plans to broaden out such an initiative to the rest of the UK.)

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Rural Sussex pre-school secures allotment

A pre-school in rural Sussex is adding allotment sessions to its curriculum after securing a plot next door to the school after several years on the waiting list.

Blackboys Pre-School near Uckfield in East Sussex was delighted to hear it had been successful in obtaining a plot. The allotment will let pupils spend time outside their pre-school environment to grow vegetables, fruit and plants and keep chickens, under the careful supervision of staff, during their sessions at the pre-school.

It will help teach them practical skills from a very young age and help them explore their natural environment, build their confidence and boost their independence. It will offer problem solving, team working and lessons in the basics of self sufficiency. They are even hoping it will allow them to grow their own snacks!

Green issues underpin the pre-school’s ethos. It enjoys a close collaboration with a forest school, the Mohair Centre (www.mohaircentre.co.uk) in nearby Chiddingly, which offers a wide variety of outdoor activities aimed at getting children to use their imagination and gain a greater understanding of their local environment.

To celebrate having its own allotment, the pre-school held an allotment dig over on Sunday 12 June. Parents and children braved the elements to transform the plot from neglected wasteland to a blank canvas for the pre-school children to begin planting fruit and vegetables.

Pre-school manager Jenny Novkovic says: “Having the allotment is a great excuse for us to engage with other members of the community. We’d love to get to know other allotment holders, and it would be great if they could share their tips with our children.

“Blackboys Pre-School is an important part of our local community. We’d love to engage with local people, regardless of whether or not they have children at the pre-school. It’s an opportunity to transcend generations and build a real sense of community into this rural village,” Novkovic adds.

The pre-school is also appealing for donations of unwanted garden tools or seeds to help kick start its allotment project. Mikyla Elsey, chair of the parent-led pre-school committee says: “Any tools would be greatly appreciated – we’ve already had a few donations, from a shed to a packet of seeds. We are immensely grateful for anything we are given. Being able to offer our children this experience is a wonderful opportunity. It’s a skill that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”

If you want to donate any garden tools, get involved in Blackboys Pre-School’s “Growing up Green” project or find out more about Blackboys Pre-School, contact Jenny on 01825 890 or email enquiries@blackboyspreschool.org.uk.

Mobex launches first mobile pinhole camera

South West England based exhibition and roadshow specialist Mobex has built a unique mobile pinhole camera known as a Phenomera.

The trailer has a multi-functional aspect as both a pinhole camera, so visitors can study both the art and science of capturing an image, and as a laboratory and dark room, where they can learn how to make light sensitive emulsions and experiment with refraction, optics and Goethe's colour theory.

In a fast-paced world we often get little time to take a step back, observe and fully engage and the Phenomera is designed to enable people to observe how light and dark effect the images created, and what processes are required to develop the image.

With the advance of digital photography a whole range of valuable learning opportunities in chemistry and darkroom photography are disappearing.

Mobex were given the brief to build this unique piece of kit by Alasdair Gordon of Igniting Flames and Mobex used the latest construction techniques and materials, plus their many years’ experience to help transform Alasdair’s vision into reality.

Alasdair said: “I chose Mobex as not only are they local and build robust units but they were very flexible and were up for the challenge to create something they had not done before”.

“I developed the Phenomera as an aid for working with young people experientially and to bring art and science more in balance with each other. This I have found brings a higher level of engagement and motivation because the learning process becomes more meaningful, relevant and creative.”

Alasdair has already had the Phenomera in action at the Steiner School in Bristol teaching students all about the art and science of taking photographs.

Engaging with your audience and customers is something that Mobex prides itself on helping its clients achieve every time.

Lynn Plant, Director of Mobex Ltd said “We take the time to find out exactly what our clients need to accomplish and then deliver a solution that allows them to reach the people required. We’ve never made a mobile pinhole camera before and although it was a complex design, we relished the challenge and as always, really worked as a team to deliver what was needed and are now delighted to see it in action with the young people from the Steiner School in Bristol.

For more information on how Mobex can help engage with the people you need to, please call 01453 511 210 or visit www.mobex.co.uk.