New free digital resources and training improve how teachers use geospatial technology in lessons

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Esri UK announces new ‘Teach with GIS’ resources

 

27 September 2022 – Esri UK today announced a major refresh of its flagship teaching resources and support for teachers, Teach with GIS, to help them improve how they teach with GIS software (Geographic Information Systems) across major curriculum areas.

 

Consisting of lesson plans, teaching tools such as videos, interactive maps, mobile apps and dashboards, events and training, the updated website aims to be the ‘go to’ GIS destination for those teaching ages 7 to 18. Esri’s GIS software is powerful digital mapping technology, currently used by over 3,500 schools across the UK, helping students learn about geography and gain new geospatial skills.

 

“GIS has been on the National Curriculum for over a decade, making lessons more interactive and investigative, helping students to understand things more quickly but many teachers we talk to still struggle to use it,” explained Katie Hall, Schools Manager at Esri UK. “The latest version of Teach with GIS is designed to help fix this.”

New additions to the site include a video showing teachers how easy it is to begin using GIS in the classroom, a live streaming section for upcoming live lectures and the ability to book slots in Esri UK’s free training courses for teachers. A monthly event series ‘15-Minute Forums’ has also been added, providing regular updates on how to enrich key curriculum areas with GIS, from tracking hurricanes, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions from space, to using real Met Office data to understand climate change.

 

“This is the first major refresh of Teach with GIS since it was first launched two years ago, designed to support teachers so they can integrate GIS into different lesson plans more easily and enrich their teaching,” continued Hall. “The introduction of live lectures and a new training booking system will make it even easier for teachers to use GIS and bring geography alive for students.”

 

“Any teacher hoping to start or develop their use of GIS will find plenty of excellent expert advice and ready-made resources on the refreshed ‘Teach with GIS’ website. One of the many great aspects of ArcGIS Online is its capacity to visualise change over time, so that we can ‘see geography happen’ – showing coastal erosion, for example,” commented Brendan Conway, geography teacher at Notre Dame Senior School. “Career opportunities using geospatial knowledge and skills are increasing rapidly. The new website acknowledges this very effectively, with a range of judiciously placed profiles of people who use GIS in their work, demonstra​ting real world applications of geographical learning.”

 

Teachers can also sign-up to Esri UK’s free Education programme on the site, which provides free access to its ArcGIS software, teaching resources and training for all UK schools.

Resource highlights include:

  • A live hurricane tracker app which allows students to track hurricanes in real time and see their predicted impacts on people, using data from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) 
  • 40 years of historic satellite imagery allowing students to go back in time and see the explosive growth of megacities, the impacts of deforestation on Earth’s rainforests, and important changes to their local area 
  • An interactive digital atlas, allowing teachers to switch between 2D maps and 3D models of landforms, to explore geographic processes and landscape histories, with the option to take 3D maps into virtual reality headsets with just a few clicks 

 

Esri UK is holding a free webinar for teachers on Tuesday 11th October 2022, at 4:00-5:00pm, to discuss how best to apply the refreshed resources in lessons. For more information and registration please visit the event website here.

 

TrilbyTV highlights how digital signage brings pride to Brentwood School’s community

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Digital Signage solution TrilbyTV have released a brand new video, highlighting how Brentwood School in Essex have transformed the way that they communicate with their students.

Empowering students and creating a sense of pride

The video explores how simple the IT department found setting up and passing ownership to different digital leaders – empowering students and showing what goes on across the school.

“When we looked at TrilbyTV, it was very much user focused and for us as an IT department all we had to do was set it up, get it working and then hand it over to the users. Our sixth form team are able to take charge of the notices that go out to our sixth form students, the same in music and sport and drama.”

Sarb Singh, IT Manager at Brentwood School

TrilbyTV identified Brentwood as the perfect candidate for the video as they have grown their signage to 23 screens around their site. Brentwood, whose school values are ‘Virtue, Learning and Manners’, created the perfect gateway for celebrating success amongst stakeholders, whilst also showcasing a wide variety of content including images from trips, social media feeds of current events and up-to-date menus.

By adding an extra layer of visual communication around the site and giving everyone the opportunity to create, it has generated a real sense of pride amongst the wider community.

Headmaster Michael Bond also joins Sarb in explaining how visual communication is vital in an education setting and how the digital signage software has helped Brentwood achieve its communication goals.

To take a look at how TrilbyTV transformed Brentwood School’s digital signage, creating impact amongst staff, pupils, and visitors head over to https://www.trilbytv.co.uk/go/brentwood-video/ 

ABOUT TrilbyTV

TrilbyTV, created in 2015, is the number one digital signage platform made for education. Founders Ben Stanley & Neil Emery were technology trainers, who were fed up of walking into reception areas and seeing TV screens switched off. After investigating further and plugging in a cable or two, they’d usually find the Christmas play pictures from five years ago. When looking into why the screens were switched off initially, there seemed to be a pattern; the software was too hard to use and had to be constantly micromanaged by the IT department. This is why they created TrilbyTV, the easy to use digital signage software that gives users ownership and control of their own content. 

The platform offers a full range of content options for digital signage including video, slideshows, Twitter feeds and web content. It also contains a content catalogue, full of education-focused ready to use content from well known and trusted organisations.

More About TrilbyTV – https://www.trilbytv.co.uk/ 

Recyclabots: Encouraging the next generation to play their role in a more sustainable future

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Are you a parent, teacher or community leader passionate about nurturing the next generation of recyclers and protecting the environment long term?

EMR has released the brand new Recyclabots e-learning platform, designed to educate children in Key Stage 2 (7 to 11-years-olds) about the different properties of metals, how they are recycled and how responsibly disposing of metals and electronics can contribute to a cleaner, greener future.

“As a global leader in sustainable materials, EMR takes its role in promoting the sustainable recycling of metals both at home, at school and in thousands of businesses around the globe, extremely seriously,” says Ian Sheppard, Managing Director at EMR. “Recyclabots is a fun, educational way to ensure this work continues in the decades ahead, empowering young people with the knowledge and skills they need to be the recyclers of tomorrow.”

Recyclabots is a partnership between EMR and electrical retailer Currys. Launched in 2019, EMR and Currys have now relaunched the programme as a popular e-learning platform that can be delivered at home.

A cast of animated robots from the planet Metallum represent the main recycled metals. Characters include: Sycle (Aluminium), Electro (Copper), Magnus (Iron), Oretis (Nickel) and Poly (Plastic).

In addition to providing some key facts about the most widely used metals, the Recyclabots characters emphasise that most metals can be recycled many times over, further underlining the sustainability benefits of metal recycling.

The e-learning platform has been developed by animators that have worked for the likes of Disney and has been tried and tested by teachers. It can be used in schools as well as in Scout groups, Guides, Brownies and at home.

The updated Recyclabots resources include lesson plans, worksheets and stickers as well as an interactive video which includes a wealth of facts about recycling and protecting the environment. These include:

  • In the United Kingdom, a car is recycled every twelve seconds.
  • Every year, 155,000 tonnes of electrical equipment is thrown into the bin – even though it can be recycled. This is roughly the same weight as 95,000 cars or 25,000 African elephants.

“While most people know that paper, glass and many plastics can be recycled, they are a lot less certain about how metals and electronic products can be sustainably recycled,” says Ian. “Recyclabots is about giving young people that knowledge early so that they can help encourage parents and schools to be better recyclers and – even more importantly – to be ready for the sustainable, circular economy that the UK must quickly transition to.”

For those interested in delivering the Recyclabots programme in their school, youth group or at home, EMR has launched a dedicated webpage which provides information about downloading the interactive video and how to access the accompanying learning resources.

“EMR has a goal of becoming a fully net zero business by 2040 but that mission doesn’t stop at the gates of our state-of-the-art facilities. To really play our part in increasing recycling rates and decarbonising our industry we must work closely with the communities in which we operate,” says Ian. “Recyclabots is just the latest chapter in this journey and I’m excited to track the impact it will have.”

Specialist education digital marketing agency launches

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Two former education sector employees have launched a digital marketing agency that will specifically support primary and secondary schools, sixth forms and universities.

 

Georgie Thomas, who was formerly a secondary and independent school teacher as well as a freelance marketing consultant, and Curt Blunt, previously an academy trust IT manager, have formed Dream Digital Education. The agency offers specialist services covering:

 

* website packages including design, maintenance and content creation

* search engine optimisation

* social media management

* branding and logo design

* email marketing

 

They offer a flexible approach and can work pre-agreed hours, month-to-month or on an ad-hoc basis.

 

Georgie and Curt established Dream Digital Education after they noticed the resourcing issues schools face as a result of having to manage multiple online communications platforms. They joined forces during the pandemic – despite having never met – when schools were closed and the requirement for reliable and engaging IT was particularly pressing.

 

Georgie said: “Having been a teacher myself, I know first-hand the online challenges schools and education providers face. From websites that are difficult to manage and maintain, to inactive social media accounts, sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day to cover off the full range of digital communications.

 

“We’ve taken the plunge to form Dream Digital Education as we know just how valuable it can be to use a reliable third-party as an in-house resource. We’re looking forward to joining forces with teachers across the UK to help attract new students, raise awareness, and keep them in touch with parents and alumni.”

Curt said: “We appreciate that education budgets are incredibly tight, so are here to deliver a cost-effective and informed solution. Schools, colleges and universities can rely on us to provide engaged and informative digital communications, on platforms and networks that are safe and secure, while working to clear budgets.”

 

For more information visit www.dreamdigital.education, call 0800 0438 894 or email hello@dreamdigital.education

 

RECYCLING PROGRAMME LAUNCHED FOR SCHOOLS TO RECYCLE PLASTIC LUNCH BOXES & REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES

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  • The UK’s first free recycling programme for any brand of food storage containers and reusable plastic bottles has launched, allowing schools to recycle these hard-to-recycle items

 

  • Schools can sign-up to the programme to enable the school community and surrounding area to drop these items off to ensure they are recycled

 

  • For each item sent in to be recycled, schools will be rewarded with points that are redeemable as monetary donations. These can be used to fund any good cause, including school projects and charities

 

The UK’s first free recycling programme for any brand of food storage containers and reusable plastic water bottles has launched, allowing schools to recycle these hard-to-recycle items.

 

Schools can sign-up to the programme as a public drop-off location where they will be awarded points for each item they send in to be recycled. These points are redeemable as monetary donations which can be used to fund any good cause, including school projects and charities.

 

Local communities can make use of public drop-off locations to help schools collect more and raise more funds. Signing up also gives schools another way to work towards their Eco Schools Green Flag award.

 

The recycling programme has been set up by TerraCycle in collaboration with Sistema – manufacturer of food storage containers and reusable bottles. It has been designed to give food storage containers including well-used plastic lunch boxes and reusable plastic water bottles a second life after use.

 

These items are considered “hard-to-recycle” due to the high quality food grade BPA free materials they are made of. Whilst some councils collect and recycle some food storage containers, there are a number that don’t collect or recycle any. This means they are often destined for landfill or incineration.

 

TerraCycle recycles these items by shredding, washing and sorting the materials by type. The material is then dried, compounded and pelletized into hard-granulated plastic granules. These granules can then be incorporated into the production of different plastic products.

 

Schools can sign-up on the programme page on TerraCycle’s website to start collecting.

 

Julien Tremblin, General Manager for TerraCycle Europe said: “This is a first-of-its-kind recycling programme for the UK so we’d urge schools to get involved and start collecting as much as possible from their community.

 

“It couldn’t be easier to become a public drop-off location, and it’s a great way to inspire pupils and parents alike to rethink what they go to throw away.” 

 

A message from Louisa Hunter -Bett Director

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I am excited to announce the most significant change to Bett in our 37-year history. Starting with Bett 2023, we are transforming the way you and everyone in the Bett community connects and collaborates by launching a groundbreaking new programme called Connect @ Bett.

Connect @ Bett is a tech-enabled meetings programme that will drive more meaningful conversations between education buyers and EdTech solution providers than ever before. This new programme will be at heart of your entire Bett experience. You’re going to love it.

Connect @ Bett empowers education buyers to discover the right solutions for their learners, in a fraction of the time. And it allows technology providers to find the people within institutions that can unlock the potential of their tech. All meetings are double opt-in and just 15 minutes, so you can tackle your strategic, pedagogical, and operational challenges in the most time-efficient way.

Here are some important updates and changes to the show:

  1. Bett will be held on Wednesday 29 to Friday 31 March 2023 at the ExCeL, London
  2. Bett registration will open on Monday 3 October 2022
  3. Unlike previous Bett shows, there is now a deadline to register that ensures you get to fully participate in Connect @ Bett. Anyone can attend Bett for free if they register on-time. On-time registration ends on 3rd March 2023. Late registration tickets (4th March 2023 onwards) will incur a fee.

Find out more about Connect @ Bett

OrCam Technologies launches learning companion solution

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OrCam Learn empowers students with learning challenges to read and learn with confidence

 

22-09-22: OrCam Technologies, innovator of life-changing, personal “AI as a companion” solutions, has today launched the OrCam Learn, an innovative, powerful new solution that supports teachers and schools, enabling every student to explore their full potential – by offering vital, practical reading support, and feedback, analysis and reporting.

 

An evolution of the 2021 TIME Magazine 100 Best Inventions Winner OrCam Read, the interactive OrCam Learn empowers students with learning challenges – including dyslexia – to effectively read and learn, resulting in enhanced comprehension, reading fluency, and improvement of overall confidence in an education setting.

 

The OrCam Learn is a wireless, compact handheld solution with an intuitive point-and-click operation that “captures” and immediately reads out loud a full page, paragraph, or single word of text – of the student’s choosing – from books, digital screens, or classroom handouts The learning companion will listen to and provide feedback on the student’s reading, and test reading comprehension.

 

“Reading is crucial to access the school curriculum and we know that children who find reading difficult will struggle across all subjects. In fact, students with dyslexia or another specific learning difficulty (SpLD) are twice as likely to fail to achieve a grade 4 or above in English and maths at GCSE”, said Irie Meltzer, UK regional director at OrCam Technologies.

“The OrCam Learn solution has been designed to help teachers to support their students as they read and study. Integrated into day-to-day school life, it empowers students with learning challenges to develop and maintain reading and learning skills, gain confidence, and thrive – both inside and outside of the classroom. We are driven to level the educational playing field for a wide spectrum of students who can benefit from OrCam Learn.”

 

Moon Hall School in Reigate is one of 50 schools in the UK currently collaborating with OrCam Technologies in offering the OrCam Learn for use to their students with learning challenges.

 

“The OrCam Learn solution enables our students to be as independent as possible with their learning experience, and as headteacher I absolutely recommend it,” said Michelle Catterson, Executive Headteacher at Moon Hall School and Chair of the British Dyslexia Association.

 

Makes reading and learning flow for every student

 

Researchers have observed the benefits of reading out loud to improve reading comprehension and literacy. OrCam Learn’s innovative “Reading Pal” feature harnesses interactive AI to support students in improving reading fluency by allowing them to read any text to the OrCam Learn, and then receiving immediate, conversational, and encouraging feedback about their reading.

 

OrCam Learn listens to the student’s reading, provides positive feedback to elevate confidence and positive feelings about reading, and then generates reports through a web and mobile app that provides teachers and support staff with a comprehensive analysis of the student’s progress.

Enables teachers to focus on teaching

 

“Every teacher’s priority is the development of their students, and those with learning challenges typically require more time and attention to succeed. We developed the OrCam Learn to partner with teachers, providing access to the insight and support they need to guide students with learning challenges more effectively. Allowing schools to direct resources where they are needed the most, and enabling students to work independently which can free up teaching assistants and alleviate logistical pressures like finding extra classrooms or scheduling separate times for exams”, said Irie Meltzer.

 

Every OrCam Learn reading session generates an automatic analytics report identifying areas of challenge. Listening to the student’s reading, it captures a variety of metrics that help evaluate their performance, including those that are commonly used by reading specialists:

  • Text difficulty level
  • Fluency (measured by Words Correct Per Minute)
  • Accuracy (% of accurately read words)
  • Reading rate (Words Per Minute)
  • Total reading time

 

OrCam Learn also has an ‘Exam Mode’ that teachers can select by scanning a QR code before the student enters an examination. This offline setting ensures there is no possibility of any WiFi or cloud connectivity and that the solution complies with general school exam requirements. It also guarantees that students can complete examinations without the need for a human reader.

 

In June 2022, OrCam Learn was awarded the 2022 EdTech Breakthrough Award for Remote Learning Solution of the Year, joining winning submissions in other categories from companies including Discovery Education, LEGO Education, Logitech, Spotify and Verizon.

DREAMACHINE OPENS UP THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF A CHILD’S IMAGINATION WITH LIFE’S BIG QUESTIONS

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DREAMACHINE OPENS UP THE WONDERFUL WORLD
OF A CHILD’S IMAGINATION WITH LIFE’S BIG QUESTIONS

This year, children across the country were invited to answer big, burning questions about their perception of the world. The Dreamachine Schools programme, for students aged 7 – 11, encouraged them to delve deep inside their minds and stimulate their wildest imaginations.

Dreamachine asked questions aimed to evoke a sense of discovery and curiosity about others, and for students to discover how others feel and experience the world. Students thought about what really matters to them and what they’d choose to find out about others. What teachers discovered was a fascinating glimpse into their unique world.  

Launched during the summer term, primary school aged children across the country – both in school and at home – completed a series of mind-boggling challenges as part of Dreamachine’s Life’s Big Questions programme – an interactive quiz hosted by Martin Dougan (CBBC Newsround), exploring the power of the human mind. At the end of every exercise, they were asked a question that prompted them to think big (really big), about the world around them and their connections with others. It gave children the opportunity to voice their opinions, unlock their imaginations and reveal what is important to them.  

Enabling children to express themselves supports the development of a stronger sense of self. It is a view shared by Mr Dowell, a class teacher at Chesterton Primary School in Cambridge: “Offering, week after week, the big questions to the children has been a great and creative experience. I have managed to explore their interests further and put answers to many questions they asked. Learning about how the brain works and how different we see the world has raised their empathy and understanding around others.” 

Life’s Big Questions is a unique opportunity for children to learn more about the senses. Remember #TheDress? In 2015, we were all furiously debating the colour of the Roman Originals dress. Did you see a blue and black stripe dress, blue and brown or gold and white outfit? Life’s Big Questions takes children on a similar journey of knowledge and curiosity.

Professor Anil Seth who led the scientific elements of the Dreamachine programme, explained:
“We explored a variety of questions about how we perceive the world, how our experiences differ from one another, and we questioned whether the world is always as it appears to be. We looked at a variety of visual illusions which allowed children to experience the power of their own minds directly.” 

Teachers began the challenge with a straightforward question: if you could see anything in the world, what would it be? Some of the most captivating answers were those where imaginations had flourished; where children described things that are not possible or likely, at least at present: from reading people’s minds to being able to see through objects, from seeing money fall from the sky to seeing a chicken in space. Children touched upon the more philosophical topics, too, such as seeing people differently or seeing oneself as a baby.  

The activities conclude with children divulging what big questions they would ask the world. Mrs Duddridge, a year five teacher at Severn Primary, remarked: “My favourite activity was the children discussing the questions they would ask … it was so thought provoking. They came up with really wonderful questions that made me think that I would like to incorporate this with my other lessons.” 

Ellie asked If you could only keep one thing on the planet, what would it be?

Abdul wanted to know if new languages were still being invented. 

And Aurora wanted to know why we were all different. 

Children asked lots of questions about football and food, but also nature, animals and pets. There have been questions about space and time, questioning the unknown, and reflecting on what possibilities might be beyond our knowledge of humanity. And as a possible reflection on our society, there have been lots of references to having money

‘Does money buy happiness?’ but equally, some are clearly thinking about the differences between human life – why are we different, how are we different?

Philosopher Scott Hershovitz, recently remarked: “Every child is a natural philosopher. They’re puzzled by the world, and they try to puzzle it out.” What has been abundantly clear is that by exploring the power of the brain, Life’s Big Questions has ignited curiosity and imagination in the minds of children across the country about the world and themselves.  

For more information about Dreamachine’s Life’s Big Questions programme and to involve your class or child at home, please visit dreamachine.world/lifes-big-questions/    

Life’s Big Questions was developed in partnership with A New Direction, We The Curious, Professor Anil Seth, Neuroscientist at University of Sussex and Professor of Philosophy, Fiona Macpherson from University of Glasgow.

​Dreamachine Schools is a major UK wide free education programme, developed by A New Direction in partnership with the British Science Association and UNICEF UK, and commissioned as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK.

 

For more information

To find out more about Life’s Big Questions, please visit dreamachine.world/lifes-big-questions/ and to explore what children thought about Life’s Big Questions, please visit https://bit.ly/3fbeNZ5

Surfers Against Sewage proudly announce the return of The Pupil Power Assembly

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We are delighted to announce the return of the Pupil Power Assembly for the third year running! Join us live on the 18th November as we broadcast live to schools across the UK for a morning of inspiration and activism.

How do I take part? You must be a Primary School Teacher and be signed up to our Plastic Free Schools Programme where you will receive the link to save your place. It is all completely free!

WHO ARE SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE?

Surfers Against Sewage is a charity of water lovers campaigning to protect the ocean and all it makes possible, by taking action on the ground that triggers change from the top.  

Find out more about Surfers Against Sewage here.

 

WHAT IS PLASTIC FREE SCHOOLS

Plastic Free Schools is a system shaking, change making, pupil-led education programme. This ground-breaking programme equips and empowers young activists with the tools to create positive, lasting environmental change and teaches pupils that they should never underestimate the power of their voice.

Pupils will learn how to run their own campaign in the fight against single-use plastic; from challenging government and industry to creating tangible change in their schools and forming sustainable habits that will continue into adulthood.

Most importantly, Plastic Free Schools is free and easy to sign up to. Simply click here.

Want to find out more? Click here.

 

WHY IS THIS PROGRAMME SO IMPORTANT?

We know that in order to thrive as people, we need a thriving ocean. By signing up to this programme, you are taking direct action to address the ocean and climate crisis. With millions of young activists on board, we can end plastic pollution on our beaches by 2030.

WHAT IS THE PUPIL POWER ASSEMBLY?

The Plastic Free Schools Pupil Power Assembly has been designed to equip pupils with the tools and inspiration to make their voices heard at the highest level and to remind pupils of the wonders of the ocean and why it is so critical to protect it.

In this three-hour extravaganza, we will hear from prominent voices from sustainable industries, wildlife experts, and young activists who have used their voices to drive positive environmental change.

Pupils will get the chance to take part in interactive workshops and as a class respond and communicate with our amazing host for the third year running… Naomi Wilkinson! There are many other exciting speakers to be announced so watch this space.

Together we can make sure we kick out addiction to avoidable single-use plastic, and change the system that produces it!

WHY A PUPIL POWER ASSEMBLY?

Well…we know that pupils are the change-makers, system shakers, and the inspirational voices we need to hear in this critical decade for the ocean and climate.

That’s why, here at Surfers Against Sewage, we create resources that fuel environmental stewardship, inspire a generation of ocean activists and guide pupils on their path to creating Plastic Free Schools. This Pupil Power Assembly is no exception!

Last year we had an epic 9,000 pupils attend the assembly, showing unprecedented levels of passion, energy, determination and ocean optimism. Join us again and together, we can continue to create a thriving planet with thriving people.

 

That IS Pupil Power.

 

WHEN? HOW?

Plastic Free Schools and this assembly are completely free. The only two requirements for joining the Pupil Power Assembly are:

  • You are a UK based Primary School
  • You are singed up to the Plastic Free Schools programme.

The event will be broadcast live to your classroom from 9:00am until 12:00pm on Friday 18th November. Please get in touch with us by emailing education@sas.org.uk if you have any questions.

NOT SIGNED UP TO PLASTIC FREE SCHOOLS YET?

 

Plastic Free Schools inspires pupils to not only tackle unnecessary single-use plastics in their school but encourages them to challenge Industry and Government to make positive, strategic steps in the same direction.

Plastic Free Schools is fully linked to the National Curriculum and other relevant guidelines. There are separate versions of the programme available for nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools.

To achieve Plastic Free Schools status, schools have to complete 5 objectives which form the basis of any good campaign.

  • Action Group: Form a group of people who will work on the campaign
  • Trash Mob: Get evidence of the problem, in this case going out into the school grounds and tallying up the plastic pollution found
  • Challenge Government & Industry: Use the power of your voice to challenge the government and industry to do better
  • Challenge Yourselves: Take positive action by removing at least 3 single-use plastic products from their school for good.

Once a school is enrolled we then send you a welcome pack with all the resources and clean up kit you need. In addition, you will have access to a teacher’s dashboard where you can upload all your evidence for us to assess and sign off.

We do not expect schools to be totally plastic-free. Our aim is to free where we live from single-use plastic: the avoidable stuff that’s everywhere. Things like plastic drinks bottles, disposable coffee cups, sachets, bathroom plastics, excessive food packaging, takeaway containers etc. These are the things that are having a huge impact on our environment and which we can make changes in our lives to eliminate.

Sign up today here!

Or get in touch with us at education@sas.org.uk

Poor School Communications Have Left Parents Frustrated With The Lack Of Contact

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New study from Sangoma outlines 1 in 5 parents are confused and frustrated with lack of updates from their child’s school

Poor communications between schools and parents have left 1 in 5 parents frustrated with the lack of contact and updates on their child’s progress and education, research from Sangoma has identified.

In its latest research Sangoma, a unified communications specialist, found that a fifth (20%) of parents felt out of the loop about their children’s school events due to a lack of contact with the school.

Additionally, when attempting to contact their schools, more than half (56%) of parents agreed they experienced long wait times to have their calls answered, with a further 40% of parents saying their calls went unanswered.

And despite many schools having answering machines for parents to leave messages if calls went unanswered, 46% of parents stated that they do not have calls returned when they have left a message, or were often unable to speak to the person they left a message for (47%).

Parents of children attending primary school, secondary school, and colleges were interviewed for the research survey. The research report highlighted the drastic need for schools to place an increased emphasis on improving their communication with parents to ensure parents feel confident they are completely up to date with their child’s progress and education.

Simon Horton, VP of International Sales at Sangoma, says: “It is clear that schools are not keeping parents up to date with the latest updates concerning their child as a result of poor communications. Schools must begin to look at new technologies to help solve this issue.

“It is vital that parents are constantly in contact with their child’s school and receive updates on their activities and wellbeing, and are aware of the latest updates and events that may impact their child. This disconnection between schools and parents is leaving many parents feeling, understandably, frustrated and confused. And this raises concerns about how effective schools’ communications are when emergencies arise.

“With effective call management, call diversion, and messaging systems, schools can ensure parents are confident that when their contact their child’s school their call will be answered or returned.”