BESA CORNER


This month, in our ongoing feature highlighting the work of members of the UK education suppliers’ trade body BESA, we hear from maths solutions provider EVERYBODY COUNTS; and learn about SCHOOLS BROADBAND’s backup solutions for schools.


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Everybody Counts - mathematics mastery


Mathematics, often dubbed as the language of the universe, has played a pivotal role in shaping human understanding of the world. From the intricate patterns of


nature to the complex algorithms powering our digital age, mathematics is the common thread weaving through the fabric of knowledge. Achieving mastery in mathematics goes beyond solving equations or memorising formulas; it is about developing a deep, intuitive understanding that empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of the world with confidence and precision.


At its core, mathematical mastery is not just about getting the right answers but understanding the underlying principles and concepts. It is about fostering a mindset that views problems as opportunities for exploration and discovery. The journey towards mathematical mastery begins with a solid foundation in the basics; these are the building blocks that pave the way for more sophisticated concepts later. Just as a skyscraper requires a sturdy foundation to reach great heights, a mastery of advanced mathematical concepts relies on a thorough understanding of fundamental principles.


In the early stages of mathematical education, students learn arithmetic, geometry, and basic algebra. Mastery at this level involves not just rote memorisation but a conceptual grasp of how numbers work and relate to one another. Moving beyond the basics, mastery involves developing problem-solving skills and a deep appreciation for the elegance and interconnectedness of concepts. Rather than viewing mathematics as a series of isolated topics, a masterful mathematician sees the underlying patterns and connections that bind seemingly disparate ideas.


Another key aspect of mastery is the ability to think critically and analytically. Mathematics is not just about following a set of procedures to arrive at an answer; it is about understanding the logic behind those procedures and applying them judiciously. This analytical mindset extends beyond the realm of mathematics and becomes a valuable skill in various aspects of life, from making informed decisions, to solving complex problems in different fields.


This holistic approach and understanding allows for creative problem- solving, enabling individuals to apply mathematical principles to novel situations.


Everybody Counts is a global, multilingual and intuitive solution for children, parents and teachers to make the process of teaching and learning mathematical concepts interesting. Our web and app-based platform takes the proven mastery model, championed in Singapore, and applies it throughout the content. Online maths lessons deliver core content to students through interactive learning. The platform also supports teachers by providing them with access to an array of tools such as teaching notes, student reports, management resources and a range of professional development. We know teachers play a crucial role in guiding students to connect abstract concepts to make the subject more tangible and relevant, so we are passionate about supporting teachers to do this. The Everybody Counts parent app, enables parents to upskill their own mathematical knowledge through content overviews, homework, and simplified teaching methods, to encourage efficient parent-child learning.


Everybody Counts is changing the way the world learns maths, one country at a time. To find out more information please visit www.everybodycounts.org.uk.


December 2023


Keep your school up and running – the importance of backup lines in UK


There can be few schools, if any, that don’t rely on their internet connectivity for most of their school operations. From teaching and learning experiences,


recording attendance, health records, school dinners, video streaming, staff conferencing, payroll, CCTV, alarm systems, telephony, and so much more, the internet is now our fourth utility service. An unexpected outage, even for the shortest period, can therefore cause entire schools to grind to a halt; that is, unless there is a backup line. It makes sense then, that in March 2022 an automatic failover to a broadband backup connection became part of the DfE’s Broadband Standards, to ensure continuity of school functions in the event of an outage of the main internet connection.


With the budgetary challenges schools face however, it’s worth knowing that there are different types of backup lines for varying budgets, depending on the size of the school and the intensity of broadband usage. It is also useful to know that due to lower utilisation and data transit on a backup line, they are charged at a reduced rate to a school’s primary connection line.


Check with your provider if their backup lines include the filtering and security service you might receive via the primary connection line. Schools Broadband backup lines for example automatically failover so that the same filtering, safeguarding, and security services are received as they are with a fixed line connection, keeping schools fully DfE and KCSiE compliant.


Types of backup connections Primary school backup connections


Smaller schools would benefit most from a 4/5G backup connection; this works using mobile internet technology and is quick to deploy. Mobile connections can remain up and running when fibre lines are disrupted, providing speeds of between 10 and 40Mbps (Megabits per second) depending on the strength of signal in your location. This is the lowest-cost backup option available.


Small to medium-sized school backup connections Small to medium sized schools who use a Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) or Leased Line would suit either a SOGEA FTTC or FTTP backup respectively, depending on what’s available in your area. You will need to check availability of this backup option as it is part of the Government’s Gigabit Capable Broadband project, currently being rolled out.


Larger secondary schools and Multi Academy Trust backup connections


For larger secondary schools and multi academy trusts, or those with heavy reliance on cloud services, it is advisable to take a second Leased Line or Full Fibre connection as a backup line. Should your main connection go down, a Leased Line or Full Fibre backup has capacity to handle the same high level of usage and will guarantee uninterrupted internet access during primary connection failures. Should a budget option be required, FTTP could be considered although availability for this is still currently limited but growing. Routers and redundant power supply


Further resilience can be provided with failover routers e.g., a dual router solution with a backup service, meaning that if the router fails, then the backup router will automatically take over from the failing router, so that all services continue to operate as normal. If you need to understand more about backup lines, their availability and pricing, please contact Schools Broadband who will be more than happy to help. Visit our website at www.schoolsbroadband.co.uk.


Schools Broadband is a leading provider of internet connectivity, security, safeguarding and filtering for education and has received multiple security awards from the Internet Service Providers Association including Best Customer Protection Award 2023.


www.education-today.co.uk 19


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