NEWS
‘Managed’ online systems
encourage responsible use
by Chris Parr
vide a powerful support for learn- “At John Cabot, we are in the
ing, but they can also present a risk process of preparing to make sites
for young people if they are not such as YouTube available to the
Students learn more about how to taught how to use them safely. students. I feel that the key is to
stay safe on the internet when their “Children and young people do have very clear expectations on
school computer system allows not always have the knowledge, acceptable use as well as clear con-
them access to a wider range of skills and understanding to keep sequences for any inappropriate
websites, Ofsted has claimed. themselves safe and so it is essential use.”
Schools that operate a “man- that our schools teach them how to The report, which gathered evi-
aged” online system, which blocks stay safe online. There are some dence from 35 school visits, also
fewer sites than those with a valuable lessons in this report for found that it was important for
“locked” system, are more likely to all schools.” schools to take on board the views
produce students with a responsible Chris Baker, head of e-Learning of families when developing e-
approach to their online safety and at John Cabot Academy in Bristol, safety strategies, and said that there
the way their internet activity can which uses a managed system, needed to be a focus on providing
affect others, the inspectorate said. agreed with the report’s findings. e-safety training for all school staff.
The report, The Safe Use of He told us: “The locked The report was published yes-
Technologies, found that locked approach does not help develop terday (Wednesday, February 8)
systems did not encourage students student’s ability to use technology to coincide with E-Safety Week,
to take responsibility for their own responsibly. It can also be very which runs until Saturday.
actions. frustrating for teachers who want For the full report, visit www.
Christine Gilbert, Ofsted chief to access the 21st century teach- ofsted.gov.uk, and for more on E-
inspector, said: “New technologies ing tools that now exist on the Safety Week, visit www.esafety
are central to modern life and pro- internet. week.info
Gaps in career guidance could
Collaborative project
prove costly to youngsters
receives cash boost
A Northern Irish school has been a collaborative environment. The
celebrating after receiving funding onus isn’t on breaking down bar-
More high-calibre people who are The Careers Profession reforms, based on 16 local authority for a project to bring Protestant and riers – the main focus is on educa-
qualified in career guidance are Taskforce, which launched at areas and 70 secondary and special Roman Catholic pupils together in tion. There is a kind of subliminal
needed to ensure youngsters get the end of January, will look at a schools, found that the quality of the classroom. breakdown which happens as part
the best possible advice on their number of areas, including: information, advice and guidance The award will allow of this.”
futures, the chair of a new taskforce • The recruitment and retention (IAG) provided to young people Cambridge House Grammar The Sharing Education
on the careers profession has said. of well qualified careers was rated “satisfactory” or worse in School in Ballymena to work Programme (SEP) is funded by
Dame Ruth Silver, who until professionals. 25 per cent of the areas visited. with other secondary and primary the International Fund for Ireland
summer 2009 was the principal • Ensuring that the profession is Dame Ruth continued: “Our schools in the local community and Atlantic Philanthropies
of Lewisham College in south diverse and reflects the make-up careers professionals are vital to to develop shared classrooms for and administered by Queen’s
London, says she wants to look at of the working population. ensuring all young people get the subjects ranging from A level biol- University, Belfast.
the career guidance that young peo- • Whether all career specialists good advice they need to make ogy to GCSE motor studies. The first phase of the pro-
ple are getting in schools across the should hold a specialist well informed, thought-through Peter Dennis is a senior teacher gramme began in September 2007
UK, and admits that there are “gaps qualification. choices and plans that enable them at the school and instigated the and is due to end in July 2010.
in provision”. Iain Wright, minister for 14 to progress smoothly into further Good job: Dame Ruth Silver successful application process. Some £3 million was available for
She told SecEd: “All young peo- to 19, said: “The taskforce under learning and work, now and in the Speaking to SecEd, he said: the 12 schools involved.
ple need the best advice that they Dame Ruth will play a key role in future. mobility and reducing inequality by “I’m delighted, absolutely delight- The funding received by
can get, and unfortunately there ensuring that the next generation “Developing the capacity of the helping those from disadvantaged ed. We’ve got a school open day Cambridge House Grammar
are always gaps in what is on offer of careers professionals can deliver workforce to deliver effective pro- backgrounds to “raise their horizons tomorrow so we’re in the middle School forms part of a follow-up
from one area to another. We need our ambition that all young people grammes of careers education and and by giving them the support they of organising that and with find- programme looking to work with
to look at how careers professionals get the best advice so that they personalised IAG for the future is need to fulfil their potential”. ing out about this happening at a further 12 schools. Some £2.6
are recruited, and come up with unlock their potential.” central to success.” Visit www.dcsf.gov.uk and the same time there’s a real buzz million is available for this phase,
clear advice on how they should A recent Ofsted evaluation of She added that careers advice search for “careers profession task- about the place. known as SEP 2.
operate.” the implementation of the 14 to 19 was also key to improving social force” for more information. “This project allows pupils to For more information, visit
travel to other schools to learn in www.schoolsworkingtogether.co.uk
Hunt is on to find
the next Bill Gates
An IT provider has launched a invited to XMA headquarters for an
nationwide search to find the UK’s “Apprentice-style” final.
answer to Bill Gates, the billionaire Speaking about the competition,
founder of Microsoft. Mr Richard said Bill Gates was an
The “Next Bill Gates” competi- inspiration.
tion is open to students starting He said: “He was the first great
university in 2010. Entrants have software billionaire and a huge
to explain why they are the next inspiration in the IT world. Our
Bill Gates in 100 words or with a challenge is discovering the talent
one-minute video, and stand to win before they’re at Bill Gates’s level.”
£3,500 worth of tuition fees, a lap- XMA business development
top, a mentor for their first year at director, Guy Bates, added: “With
university, and a summer internship tuition fees, living costs, student
in the IT sector. loans and overdrafts all mounting
The competition is being organ- up, many students in the UK have
ised by Nottingham-based XMA, become completely overwhelmed
an IT supplier to higher educa- by debt. This competition is a great
tion institutions and public sector opportunity to give someone a head
organisations in the UK, with spon- start at university.”
sorship from Toshiba. The closing date is Sunday,
Talking takes: Award-winning film director, Mike Leigh OBE, answered the questions of 60 Film Club members at Entries will be whittled down February 28, and the winner will be
Stanmore College in Middlesex last week. Mr Leigh, whose numerous credits include the BAFTA-winning Secrets to a shortlist by a panel of technol- announced in May. All entries will
and Lies, took part in the session as part of the after-school club’s Close Encounters programme, which offers young ogy gurus, including former BBC automatically be placed in a prize
people the opportunity to interact with people from the film community. Sixth-formers from the college described “Dragon” Doug Richard and The draw for a Toshiba high definition
Mr Leigh as “an inspiration from the moment he walked through the door”. For more on the FILMCLUB programme, Guardian’s technology correspond- flatscreen television.
which provides schools with weekly access to inspiring films, visit www.filmclub.org ent Bobbie Johnson. Enter via the website at www.
The three finalists will then be thenextbillgates.co.uk
4 SecEd • February 11 2010
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