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IT support for Literacy |
Primary phase teachers should note that Sherston Software have introduced a series of CDs to help support the Oxford Reading Tree scheme. The rhyme and analogy activity software for word level work covers children at stages 2 to 5. Talking stories reinforce children's understanding of the story and key words – and support IT teaching in the classroom. This also covers stages 2 to 5.
The Oxford Reading Tree clip art contains 90 images of favourite characters and scenes from reading stages 1 – 9 and includes 60 words including the key words from stages 1 – 3. Both PC and Apple Mac computers are supported. Details are available from the Oxford Reading Tree catalogue, a copy of which should be available in school. Alternatively details can be obtained from Sherston Software on 01666 840433.
Technical Support As of 1st April 1999, all technical support functions come within the Education Technology Service. Schools should report all technical faults to ETS on their helpdesk telephone number 751710. ETS will then decide whether to involve EDIT.
National Grid for Learning (NGfL)
Bradford has gained pathfinder status for its NGfL initiative, which utilises the Bradford Metropolitan Area Network (Bradford MAN) as the communications system between schools, the LEA and the Authority. This network has the potential to offer much more than access to the NGfL for Bradford Schools. In the future teachers, pupils, parents and governors will be able to access from home, information systems held within the Authority and each school, (subject to appropriate authorisation) as well as being able to access other Authority wide services. Remote management and technical support will also be possible including joint management and curriculum network access.
Bradford has embarked on a four year phased programme to implement NGfL. In phase 1 fifty schools were supported, the vast majority taking advantage of the contract negotiated with Dan computers, General Telecom and Legend Internet who are partnering the LEA to enable the NGfL initiative. Most phase 1 primary schools received a network of computers linked to the Bradford MAN using a system called Frame Relay. This enables future high-speed communications to be switched on, without the necessity to exchange communications hardware, thus saving schools considerable expenditure.
Although a PC platform was installed, curriculum software common to the Apple Macs was included giving increased flexibility and enabling the seamless transfer to PC technology. Schools also have access to the Bradford NGfL website on http//: www.ngfl.ac.uk. It is intended to offer the same system and services to phase 2 NGfL schools.
The time scale for phase 2 is as follows:
| April 1999 | The majority of matched funding identified | |
| May – June 1999 | Seeking sponsorship for remaining matched funding | |
| May – June 1999 | Phase 2 schools selected | |
| June 1999 | Meeting for Phase 2 schools | |
| October 1999-March 2000 | Implementation of Phase 2 |
Some 95 schools have applied to be considered for phase 2. Nominations closed on 30th April 1999. It is likely that between 30 and 50 schools from all phases will be supported but the criteria for selection has still to be agreed with the Head Teacher Reference Group who as of 10/5/99 have yet to agree a meeting date.
As in phase 1, training for ICT co-ordinators will be available. Further details of the NGfL phase 2 scheme will be circulated to Head Teachers in due course.
New Opportunities Fund (NOF) for ICT Teacher and School Librarian Training
This initiative was announced by the Government to support NGfL. It will run for a period of three years, beginning April 1999, but it is anticipated that much training will not begin before September 1999. Training will be by NOF approved trainers. There are 32 approved trainers of teachers (the NOF target is 150) of which EDIT is an agent for the OU/RM partnership. The Bradford School Library Service is one of 11 national training providers for school librarians.
All schools have entitlement for ICT training under this programme. The level of funding is determined by the FTE figure for each school. Bradford Education is consulting with NOF in respect of the review of school provision, which makes the allocation of funding under this system rather complicated. Head teachers have been asked to check the FTE figure supplied by NOF. Nothing else is required at this stage, as schools are still to receive the teacher ICT audit materials from NOF due this term. From this audit schools are required by NOF to produce a teacher training strategy to enable all teachers to be competent in the use of ICT by 2002. On approval of this document, which should form part of the school ICT development plan, and notification that sufficient computers are available for teachers, together with access to the Internet, schools will be able to access the funding.
Details are to be found in the NOF red folder, Section 3 page 11 and Head Teachers will receive further detailed information as the administration of this programme is agreed with NOF.
