ICTLady

Just seen this - I've downloaded and have been exploring some basics so would be really interested in a webinar

Not my school so can't help with queries but thought this might be of interest https://www.ringwood.hants.sch.uk/vacancies/support-vacancies/

Too late to be any use but Sophos had socks - anyone get those? I took mine home as a lovely present for Mr ICTLady

What floats on a pond and goes quick? A South African duck

Thank you @AJWhite1970 and @witch for the invitation Unfortunately we are not around that week so will have to pass this time but hope to meet some of you soon.

Darn, I am local but am not around on 26/7 Please can you include me in any future spamming?

I was forwarded the following Capita statement from our SIMS support team: Updated 24/04/2018 at 11:05 - Nationality and Country of Birth Please note that Nationality and Country of Birth will be included in School Census for the last time in School Census Summer 2018 and will not be included in School Census Autumn 2018 We have agreed with the DfE the following way forward. 1. Remove the tags and data from School Census 2018/19 return xml files. 2. Remove the columns for this data from our School Census 2018/19 detail reports. 3. Keep the existing functionality for recording this data in place. 4. Ensure in a future release that this data can be completely removed to satisfy any GDPR requirements. 5. Stay in line with the DfE specifications for CTF 18 so that this data is automatically exported and imported, but in a future release allow a school choice regarding import of this data.

That's my understanding. It would be worth double checking it with Parentmail support to be 100% sure.

This question was asked at the SSAT conference which I recently attended. The speaker from the ICO said that while the school would technically be in breach, the ICO would not normally envisage fining the school in these circumstances, as long as the school had taken reasonable steps to avoid such a breach. They do understand that not all schools have full time staff. In the above scenario I would expect the school to have put in place laptop encryption (if not prohibitively expensive), and to have clear procedures for staff on the secure storage of any confidential paperwork outside of school. She said that she would expect the school to have identified risks around availability of staff for complying with data protection law during holiday periods and have made whatever plans they could to manage these risks - for example, a notice on their website requesting people to submit SARs during term time only. They do, apparently, take into account the cost of measures such as extra staff, software etc which might be the ideal answer to an identified risk - so a school could say "We know that ideally we should do x, but the cost is prohibitive, so instead we have done y and z to manage this risk".

Decathlon is a good place for inexpensive running clothing - look out for the promotions in Lidl and Aldi as well. Worth having a wicking tshirt in this warm weather as it will help you feel cooler on the run but they're not too expensive in Decathlon and if you jack in running they're useful for other sports too (or everyday wear). Don't forget that walk/runners are welcome at parkrun, you don't need to be able to run 5k to take part. Starting parkrun was the best thing I did as a runner and really helped it to become a key part of my life.

Good luck to the new starters I'd agree with @HarryMonkey that while the longer runs will sound really intimidating now, the course is designed to get you ready for them, so that when you get there you will find that you can do it! Having said that, you always have the option to re-do a week if you are struggling. I had to re-do a couple of weeks because of illness or just not feeling like I was ready to move on to the next one.

https://medium.com/@fjmubeen/overwhelmed-by-size-underwhelmed-by-quality-a-review-of-edtechs-largest-show-bett-2018-4a98b71e4cf7 Another moany article by a disgruntled "educator"? (interestingly, he's not a classroom teacher but a Director of an online tuition software company - but describes himself in his bio as an Educator). Or does he have a point?

I've got a new job in a chess piece factory. I'm on Knights this week.

There's a Data Managers group here on Edugeek though it's a bit quiet these days. I suspect one reason is that a lot of people joined the Facebook group "School Data Managers", which is a good resource (although do be aware that it is run by reps from one software company so is not entirely independent). Lots of people also mention the SSAT forums though sadly our school are not members so I can't access those. Twitter is also brilliant for keeping in the loop with data stuff. There have been a few discussions in the Edugeek DM group about who is worth following. Welcome to the job

Reports -> Student Analysis -> Student Totals for Year groups You can set an effective date and it returns the number of students in each year, plus a total, for that date.

https://jobs.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/school-support-staff-schools-data-officer-ferndown-middle-school/23321.job Data Officer - Ferndown Middle School We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, motivated and resourceful Data Officer to enter, process and analyse student related data and produce student performance information for senior leadership. Excellent communication and IT skills are essential for this role, including proven ability to accurately create and manipulate data within spreadsheets and MIS systems. Knowledge of SIMS Assessment would be highly desirable. To start as soon as possible. Weekly hours are 27.5 and must be worked over 5 days per week, but the pattern of hours worked is negotiable. Flexibility is essential as it may be necessary to work additional hours at busy times of the year. Please visit the School website above or http://www.dorsetforyou.com for an application form and further details, or contact the Ferndown Middle School office. Ferndown Middle School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will need to undertake a criminal record check via the DBS. Ferndown Middle School also promotes equal opportunities for its workforce. Closing Date: Monday 25th September 2017 Interview Date: Monday 2nd October 2017 This is not my school by the way

https://www.ssatuk.co.uk/blog/raiseonline-mark-2-way/

@Iain.Faulkner, it was nice to say hello to you at BETT (I was at the Edugeek stand getting my lanyard when you came by). I'm doing OK at the moment, much happier running in this cold/dark/wet than in the height of summer. Unfortunately it limits my routes as I don't feel safe going off the beaten track but a nice slow few miles up and down the well lit main roads are quite pleasant in the dark and drizzle (no? OK maybe just me then ). Not much in the race calendar yet for 2017. Doing the Larmer 10 Mile in March and my first marathon in June if all goes to plan

Is it just me who clicked on this hoping for a lightbulb joke? https://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=108806 User: Light won't light. Tech: Did you plug it in and hit the switch? User: What? Tech: Did you plug it in and hit the switch? User: What?

"Schools will have to clone the 2016 season (which will include all QNs with results, including Non-EDI results) in the 2017 Performance Indicators. Each QN will then need to then be edited for 2017 performance points, equivalencies, A Level thresholds etc." Seriously????? This will be massive, especially for post-16!!

Have a look at the 4Matrix newsfeed, @CAM - there's an article explaining why Y11 P8 scores will look so low, and what schools can do about it.

Great stuff everyone Sorry to hear about your injury @Iain.Faulkner I didn't run at Bournemouth Marathon Festival this year (it's my local) as I ran the Royal Parks Half the following week - new PB of 2:18 for me. Could possibly have shaved a couple more minutes off if I hadn't stopped to take photos on the way round - great sight-seeing route past Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch, Downing Street, through Trafalgar Square, down the Strand etc. Marshalled at the Bournemouth 10k with my son which was great fun. And I may or may not have signed up for my first marathon after a few drinks - Giants Head, voted Best UK Marathon. I'll be doing it with a great group of friends I have met through running but I have to say I am wondering what on earth I have done.....

They actually removed the cog for the first week of term when everyone was trying to upload at the same time! It's back now. Slow though - start the upload then go away for at least a couple of hours while it works in the background.

What seems to have happened is that schools have changed their curriculum to put a lot more middle and lower ability students into Ebacc subjects (hence the change in slots filled). The national percentage of A*-C passes went down in all Ebacc subjects this year, but the estimates have still gone up hugely as a kid with DDE (for example) in Ebacc is still scoring much higher in that basket than a kid with one c and two empty slots.

Thanks so much everyone. Fortunately it looks like we are no longer considering this for 2016-17 (I say fortunately as we break up on Tuesday and I already have my summer holiday working weeks over-full with exam results and analysis) but I will keep hold of this useful information for 2017-18.