ICT & e-learning SLAs run for the academic year, from the 1st September to the 31st August of the following year
This SLA provides staff training for teachers on planning and delivering the computing curriculum, using ICT across the curriculum and how to make the best use of the School360 online learning platform and the resources therein.
Each school in ICT SLA 1 has a designated consultant contact who liaises with the school to arrange support and guidance which meets the needs of the school. Consultants provide guidance and support covering a wide range of areas relating to cross curricular ICT and Computing.
It is important that schools identify their key development needs and arrange to meet with their consultant to plan their dedicated support.
Support can be provided in a number of ways, ranging from email and phone support, school based one to one support for coordinators, phase groups or whole staff, to centre based day, half-day or twilight courses. We are also happy to run a course at your school for either yourselves, a group of schools or a partnership training event.
We offer a combination of face to face support and live video calling as part of our offering. This allows us to work with you remotely and for you and your colleagues to join the session even if you are working at separate sites or working from home. We’re able to share our screens with you to model use of resources and take you through interactive training presentations.
Training
We continue to offer a wide range of centre based, school based and online training courses.
Each term, course dates are sent out to schools via our mailing list, School360 and the ngfl website. In addition to this, schools can request specific training and support for their team which should be arranged in discussion with your designated ICT & eLearning contact. Again, this can be delivered either onsite or remotely.
Course booking can be arranged by contacting a member of the team.
Typical courses include:
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Teaching Computing in Key Stages 1 & 2, including an introduction to full units of work to teach computing in Primary school.
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Cross curricular ICT: Animation, Green Screen, Film making
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Home learning: Google Classroom, Busy Things and j2e.
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Physical programming and control: Bluebot, Ozobot and Crumble.
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Programming with Scratch and the big three: Sequence, Repetition and Selection.
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Using iPads to enhance literacy outcomes, Accessibility with iPad.
In addition to this we also deliver sessions for organisations such as the National Centre for Computing and Barefoot Computing, these sessions are also available to book.
Deployment and Management of iPads and Chromebooks
As part of this SLA we can support you in your purchase and initial set up of new devices. We can:
Enrol your iPads to your organisation’s Apple account
Link your devices to Lightspeed and set up key features and policies to ensure they are as safe as possible for classroom use.
Support with the ongoing management and deployment of apps.
We run a range of courses to help your team get the very best from your new equipment: iPad: Teaching and Learning @TheSill.
We are also able to set up and manage your Chromebooks via the School360 Google domain. Staff and pupils can then login to their chromebook using their existing School360 details.
Apps and web shortcuts can then be deployed easily via the Google console.
To ensure that staff and pupils are getting the most from their new devices, take a look at the Google Workspace training sessions we’re running this year.
Loan equipment
We have a range of equipment we loan to schools to help them evaluate technology or just supplement their own equipment. Most loans are short term, around half a term. Loan equipment includes:
- Sphero Bolts
- Sphero Indis;
- Crumble controllers;
- Lego Wedo;
- BlueBots;
- BeeBots;
- Ozobots;
- VR Headsets;
- Chromebooks and iPads.
Equipment loans can include a training session where necessary, for example a hands on session for your whole team, taking part in computational thinking activities using the Sphero Bolts to ensure staff are confident to make full use of the equipment in their classroom.
Digital Leaders
The Digital Leader initiative is a fantastic way to embed the use of technology in your school while giving your pupils a unique opportunity to share their passion for technology with others.
ICT consultants run day workshops around the County where teachers and pupils attend together. During the session pupils will take part in a variety of activities, collecting ideas and learning new skills to use back at school. They will also have the chance to collaborate with pupils from other schools and establish links to continue learning from each other throughout the year.
This year we launched the online Digital Leader Academy. Teachers and pupils can access a range of resources, activities and challenges online as they work toward earning a variety of Digital Leader Badges. Badges cover a range of key areas of development such as Online Safety and encourage a range of important skills including creativity, collaboration and problem solving.
Apple Regional Training Centre (RTC)
The Northumberland ICT and e-Learning team is pleased to have been recognised as an Apple Regional Training Centre for 2024– 2025.
Apple Regional Training Centres deliver courses to build the skills and confidence of educators to use Apple technology inside and outside the classroom. They are a community which shares best practices and inspires excellence through teaching with Apple technology.
This year we will be running a number of courses in schools across Northumberland.
First LEGO League
FIRST LEGO League is an exciting global, hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme for 4-16 years olds. Its purpose is to give children a love for STEM learning and inspire the next generation of engineers and technicians.
It is delivered in the UK and Ireland by The Institution of Engineering and Technology, and by regional delivery partners around the county, like us!
We're proud to deliver the biggest regional events in the UK in partnership with North Tyneside's Teach ICT team and Sage.
If you're yet to get involved in this fantastic project, email jordan.graham@northumberland.gov.uk to find out more.