CONTENTS In this issue... Dear Reader,


Welcome to the latest issue of Education Today. With the vaccination rollout now gathering pace across the UK, the Labour Party (at the time of writing) has reiterated its call for teachers and other frontline education staff to be vaccinated alongside the lower age ranges in the nine priority tiers set out by the JCVI. This is certainly an interesting idea, and although teachers are (according to the ONS, at least) no more likely to die of Covid-19 than anyone else, it might restore some confidence when schools reopen. As to when that might be… while the 8th of March has been given as the earliest possible date for this to happen, and the government has promised to give schools two weeks’ notice before any reopening date, it seems unlikely that schools will be widely open to all year groups and pupils before the Easter break. Let us know what you think! In the magazine this month our


feature focus is on intelligent classroom design, and how the spaces, furniture and fabric can be adapted in light of the pandemic; and we also take a look at parental engagement, another facet of school life which has become increasingly important during the pandemic. There’s also all the regular content you have come to expect. Remember, we love to hear from


you, you can get in touch with us via Twitter @EdTodayMag, Facebook and our homepage, as well as by phone or email. Enjoy the issue!


Jonathan Swift - Managing Editor


4 NEWS Highlights from the UK education sector 6-8 RED NOSE DAY All the details about this year’s event 10-12 IN DEPTH: UTCS


Education journalist Sal McKeown shares some inspirational UTC students’ stories 13 VIEWS


With Graham Cooper of Juniper Education, and Matthew Alexander, Intratek Ltd 14 BESA CORNER


With authors Daniel Sobel and Sara Alston; and award-winning digital EAL platform FlashAcademy 16-17 VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM We hear from Gus Lock, headmaster at Habs Boys 18 CONTRIBUTORS


With Clare Thompson from Edge Hill University; and Kirsty Bertenshaw 19 SPOTLIGHT ON SEND With regulars Joanne Gladders and Kate Sarginson


20-25 VIEWS & OPINION


Featuring comment and opinion from the UK education sector


26-27 FEATURE FOCUS: INTELLIGENT CLASSROOM DESIGN


With Kleopatra Kivrakidou, Channel Marketing Manager, EMEA, Ergotron


28-29 FEATURE FOCUS: INTELLIGENT CLASSROOM DESIGN


We hear from David Hockley, Area Technical Manager at Sika


30 FEATURE FOCUS: INTELLIGENT CLASSROOM DESIGN


With Bob Mortimer, UK & Ireland Sales Manager at Heckmondwike FB


32-33 FEATURE: PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT


We speak to Simon Hay, cofounder and CEO at Firefly 34-37 BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT


Including insight from Richard Aylen, Technical Manager, Junckers Ltd


39 ON THE COVER 40-41 IN OTHER NEWS


42-IBC RECRUITMENT Selected job opportunities from talentedteacherjobs.co.uk


Publication Manager: Carl Hearnden Publishing Director: Paul Ryder Managing Editor: Jonathan Swift Artwork Editor: Nic Mandeville Secretary: Tracey Ballard Published by: Datateam Business Media Limited, London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY Tel: 01622 699128 (Advertising) Tel: 07969 141997 (Editorial) Fax: 01622 757646 Email: education@datateam.co.uk Circulation: Curwood CMS Ltd datateam@c-cms.com Tel: 01580 883844 Fax: 01580 883849 Subscription Prices 2020 Number of editions per year: 11 UK: £52 Overseas: £132


The Publishers cannot accept responsibility for any discrepancies either in copy or between products and/or services listed. Nor can they be responsible for illustrations and/or copy for products which lead to infringement of copyright


Rosehill Furnishings understand the education sector and can tailor your order to suit your exact requirements. The products come in a huge range of colours and finishes to fit in with your existing décor or school colours. Many of the Rosehill classroom chairs have guarantees from 10-20 years and are ergonomically designed for postural support. Find us online


u www.rosehill.co.uk or call u 0161 485 1717


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