Features

Running school business operations

The role of the School Business Manager (SBM) is becoming even more critical in schools, as they are taking on a broader spread of responsibilities, whilst ensuring the best use of resources and value for money. Do SBMs have the skills to step up to their role and do heads and governors know what to expect of their SBM?

Inspiring pupils to design and make

Design and Build

Andy Mitchell of the Design and Technology Association discusses how schools are managing with the new D&T curriculum requirements within a rapidly-changing educational landscape

Smart advice on school energy efficiency

Energy

Alex Green explains how the Ashden Schools Programme has helped schools to cut their energy use, install renewable energy technologies, and embed sustainability into the curriculum

Does your school have asbestos?

Asbestos Management

Craig Evans, general manager of the UK Asbestos Training Association, explains the problems surrounding the issue of asbestos in schools, identification and legal obligation

Outdoor spaces for play and learning

Outdoor Learning

With outdoor play increasingly recognised as a factor in a healthy and happy childhood, Michael Hoenigmann of the Association of Play Industries comments on how schools
can make a difference

The risk factor

Educational Trips

Even when planned to the last detail, there is always the potential for group travel to go wrong. Mike Newman from the Group Travel Organisers Association examines the importance of having liability insurance when arranging school trips

New year, new food standards

Catering

Dr Patricia Mucavele of the Children’s Food Trust shares the expert support and advice available to schools implementing the new school food standards which come into force in January

Design plans for efficient catering

Catering

Simon Frost of the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association explores the steps that schools should take to ensure that dining areas help catering teams deliver a great service to pupils

Outstanding SEN education

Special Education

The nasen Outstanding Schools Project was developed in order to demonstrate what ‘outstanding’ SEN education looks like. Here we take a look at three of these outstanding schools

The rise of abuse

Security

Recent research reveals that school administrators face abuse from parents on a regular basis. Tony Attwood of the School of Education Administration and Management explores the depth of the problem, what causes it, and asks where we go next

The technology revolution in the dining hall

Cashless Catering

The advantages of a cashless catering system can be seen right through the school meal supply chain, with children, parents, caterers, schools and local authorities all benefitting. Carrieanne Marie Bishop, national chair of LACA, reports

Outside the school comfort zone

Educational Trips

School trips can give pupils the opportunity to learn and to mature outside the classroom, as well as create happy memories. Ian Beard, a head teacher and director at charity the School Journey Association talks about the importance of planning and the help the Association can provide

Next-gen tech  or emperor’s new clothes?

ICT

So you need to invest in some new educational technology? How, where, when and why, asks Dave Smith, computing advisor at Havering School Improvement Service and vice-chair of Naace

The impact of tablets in the classroom

ICT

UK charity Tablets for Schools shares the findings from its research in schools carried out in 2012-13, highlighting the benefits seen in classrooms and key implementation issues

Getting off to a good digital start

ICT

A recent report from TeenTech shares the opinions of teachers and employers on how to ensure that our young people are digitally equipped for the present job market. The organisation’s CEO, Maggie Philbin, discusses the findings and lays out a number of key guidelines

Allergy alert

Allergies

With almost 50 per cent of children now having some type of allergic condition in the UK, there is a real need for school staff to have a good understanding of the problems that they may face within the school environment. Allergy UK’s deputy CEO Lindsey McManus, reports

Surviving the cold snap

Health and Safety

With the cold spell upon us, schools must make sure they have a functional plan in place to keep students and staff safe from accidents caused by adverse weather, writes Nathan Davies from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)

Reassessing assessment