News New reading app launched for schools
Teachers are well aware that children are more receptive when they are actually taking part in an activity, even if only in a small way – enter Mr Glue Stories – the new innovative app for schools, which was launched this year. Mr Glue Stories is a free children’s reading app, available to download
via iPad or Kindle, which offers a personalised story adventure, which puts the child in the driving seat of the story; Children are no longer passively looking at a story, they are being invited
to step into it and become involved with the process at every stage. Because it’s an app, it bridges the gap between traditional reading and
technology – allowing the child to ‘step into the story’ as they personalise it, via features such as; • Customise with name and gender • Choose a level (easy, medium and hard) – avoiding age delegation • Choose a topic/ theme from a library of interactive children’s stories • Personalise via characters (friends and villains) and tools • Add drawings, colouring and sound using the draw and record section • Share in the classroom, or with family and friends • If desired, order professionally printed versions of the storybook The app has already been downloaded over 11,000 times and
additionally is currently undergoing trials in several UK schools with some initial very positive feedback. Whether you are a school that wants to test Mr Glue Stories as part of
teaching English as a foreign language to children, or simply want to get children more involved with reading (and colouring, drawing or communication skills), Mr Glue Stories is a superb tool for the job!
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http://mrgluestories.com
NAHT comments on approved reception baseline providers
Specialist Cheadle school’s awards success
Specialists at a Cheadle-based special education needs school, who are part of the Together Trust charity, were recently presented with two awards for the quality of the work they provide for pupils and their families within the North West. Ashcroft School, which supports young people
aged between 8 and 18 to overcome social and emotional barriers to their learning, was presented with a Quality Mark Award by national education standards group, The Nurture Group Network, at a ceremony attended by local business leader, John Timpson CBE. The network accredits dedicated Nurture
classes, which help to meet the complex needs of young people who might find traditional teaching methods challenging. Pupils are encouraged to build positive relationships with teachers and classmates in smaller groups to make learning easier. Eileen Sheerin, Headteacher of Ashcroft School,
was also given the ‘Be the Best Award’ by long- term Together Trust supporter, Convergys, at the O2 Young People’s Awards 2015 on Friday 12 June. The award acknowledges her commitment to going above and beyond for her pupils at all times. Eileen was also highly commended in the Teacher/Support Worker of the Year category.
July 2015 Eileen said: “At Ashcroft School we pride
ourselves on being one of the North West’s leading specialist education providers, doing whatever we can for our pupils to make sure they gather the very best skills for life in school and beyond. “A Quality Mark Award from The Nurture
Group Network is truly testament to our first-class practitioners’ dedication for using the most innovative learning methods, which we tailor to each of our pupils individually.” Kevin Kibble, CEO of The Nurture Group,
commented: “This is a fabulous example of how well Nurture works within a specialist school setting. The team at Ashcroft School and the Together Trust should feel justifiably proud. “It’s great to see that Nurture works in
different settings. It’s vital that children have a stake in their future and the team champions this approach at Ashcroft School. What has been achieved here, coupled with their ambitious plans for development, means the future looks a very exciting one for staff and students alike.”
uwww.togethertrust.org.uk/special- education/ashcroft-school
www.education-today.co.uk 5
The government has recently endorsed three providers of the reception baseline assessment for schools. The three are CEM (Durham), Early Excellence, NfER. Russell Hobby, general secretary of
school leaders’ union NAHT said: “We welcome clarification of the situation at Key Stage 1 - at long last. Our understanding is that the three providers highlighted by the Department for Education are the ones which most schools have chosen. “This decision is not without impact,
however. The delay to the announcement means the schools which have opted for non-approved providers will have limited time to switch. The government promised less upheaval in education from now on, delayed decisions and unnecessary uncertainty only harm children in the end. “There are many challenges about a
reception baseline but, in principle, it is better to measure progress from the start of school rather than the end of KS1. We also hope this will take the heat out of the arguments for more tests at KS1.”
uwww.naht.org.uk
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