Education Business Specifiers index 2010/11 by Public Sector Publishing

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SPECIFIERS INDEX 2010/11

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WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

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Well, that was one of George Osborne’s messages as he prepared to deliver his first budget – and a tough one at that. With borrowing having to be brought down, tax rises – such as increased VAT, a levy on bank profits, and an increase in capital gains tax for higher-rate taxpayers – and spending cuts – like scrapping tax credits for wealthier families and public sector pay freezes – are deemed necessary.

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SPECIFIERS INDEX 2010/11

With the newly established Department of Education having been asked to make £670 million in efficiency savings, what does the future for the education sector hold? On page 11 Ray Barker, director of the British Educational Suppliers Association, gives us an update on the latest changes to funding and policy by the new UK Government. On a different note, chef Gino D’Acampo of “I’m a celebrity…” fame gives his views on healthy school food and how to tackling the growing problem of child obesity on page 59. And there are as always many other topics discussed throughout the magazine. I hope you enjoy it.

editorial@psigroupltd.co.uk

EDUCATION BUSINESS MAGAZINE If you would like to receive 6 issues of Education Business magazine for £45 a year, please contact Public Sector Information, 226 High Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055, Fax: 020 8532 0066, or visit the Education Business website at: P NEWS P FEATURES P PROFILES P CASE STUDIES P EVENTS P AND MORE

8 www.educationbusinessuk.com EDUCATION BUSINESS MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION LIMITED 226 High Rd, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055 Fax: 020 8532 0066 EDITOR Sofie Lidefjard ASSISTANT EDITOR Angela Pisanu PRODUCTION EDITOR Karl O’Sullivan PRODUCTION DESIGN Jacqueline Grist

PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Julie White PUBLISHER Carol Symons ADVERTISEMENT SALES Paul Beech, Anna Wyatt, Jade Fisher, Benita Lester, Michelle Adedokun GROUP PUBLISHER Barry Doyle SALES ADMINISTRATION Jackie Carnochan, Martine Carnochan ADMINISTRATION Charlotte Casey, Victoria Leftwich REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media Specifiers Index compiled by Charlotte Casey and Victoria Leftwich

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© 2010 Public Sector Information Limited. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any other means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the editorial content the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. ISSN 1362 - 2541 THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR EDUCATION

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8 www.educationbusinessuk.com

CONTENTS EDUCATION BUSINESS SPECIFIERS INDEX 2010/11

07 NEWS 11 FINANCE The British Educational Suppliers Association looks at what is in store for education after the election Elaine Gibson from the Institute of Payroll Professionals takes a look at the importance of educating today’s children for tomorrow’s work place

21 INSURANCE BIBA discusses the importance of business continuity planning and the importance of having the right insurance

25 DESIGN & BUILD BSF and PCP pose interesting and specific questions in relation to historic school buildings, says English Heritage Secondary education in Hackney is undergoing a transformation that will see all the borough’s schools rebuilt or refurbished

35 ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT The key to taming asbestos lies in education and advice from competent professionals, writes IOSH

39 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT We review the Facilities Management Show 2010, which attracted a record number of visitors

43 ENERGY Carbon Trust programmes help organisations cut their energy use and carbon emissions. King’s College London is one organisation that has benefited BRE answers questions on the CRC Efficiency Scheme

53 SUSTAINABILITY Sue Shedden from St Lucia’s C of E Primary School in Shropshire talks about their aim to become 100 per cent waste free

55 CATERING The School Food Trust looks for evidence that a pleasant lunchtime experience can improve behaviour and performance Celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo gives his thoughts on what schools should do to tackle obesity in children The humble vending machine is unfairly being blamed for much of the nation’s obesity problem, says the Automatic Vending Association A preview of this year’s British Food Fortnight, where schools could win the chance to cook for the Royal family and the Hairy Bikers

73 ICT A look at two UK schools that won awards for their use of innovative technology in the classroom at the European Innovative Education Forum

81 FURNITURE The Office Furniture Advisory Service writes on the importance of ergonomically sound school furniture

83 OUTDOOR LEARNING We visit St Bartholomew School in Newbury and its new Green Roof

87 EDUCATIONAL TRIPS We take a look at the different accreditations providers can apply for in order to reassure clients that they are running a safe business The School Travel Forum discusses the new government’s policies

93 CONFERENCES & EVENTS Scotland teaches us a thing or two about hosting successful events, conferences and exhibitions

96 HUMAN RESOURCES The CMI looks at the problem of negative management styles in education

99 SPECIFIERS INDEX

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£50 million for college building projects urther education colleges are being given the opportunity to bid for a share of £50 million for building projects. Around 150 colleges who have yet to significantly benefit from the capital programme will each receive approximately £225,000 under a £30 million Renewal Grant. These projects will be expected to raise further private investment, significantly increasing their project size. A further £20 million will be made available to colleges through an Enhanced Renewal Grant, through which colleges will be able to bid on a project basis for

up to £1 million and will be expected to raise significant further private investment. Criteria have been set for colleges wishing to submit a bid for a share of the funding. These include condition of the college and its facilities, the benefits to learners and adding to regeneration of local communities. The college submitting the bid cannot have received more than £5 million of funding for building projects in the past from the Skills Funding Agency and the bid also needs to show that the building project can be completed by September 2011.

More young Scots make the right move after school ore young people in Scotland are going to college or university, into training or onto employment after leaving school, figures from the Scottish Government reveal. A survey carried out in March of the estimated 53,000 young people who left school in 2008/09 has found that

57.5 per cent went into further or higher education, almost 23 per cent went into employment and 4.4 per cent into training. Overall, 85.1 per cent, an increase from 84 per cent the previous year, of young people found a positive destination leaving school despite the economic climate.

Record numbers of candidates applying to teach maths and science ew TDA figures released show that science and maths applications to teaching are up by 40 per cent and 33 per cent, respectively. The quality of the incoming maths and science teaching pool is also high, with 53 per cent of those enquiring about teaching since the start of the current recruitment cycle (September 2009) having a 2.1 or better. The latest available figures from TDA for 2007/08 show that 91 per cent of

postgraduates on a teacher training course have a 2.2 or better, and 59 per cent have a 2.1 or better. There has been a rise in women becoming teachers in these subjects, with maths teaching applications amongst women up 35 per cent since last year and science up by 41 per cent. There is still, however, an urgent need for high quality science and maths teachers with around 6,000 required each year.

NEWSINBRIEF Decisions announced to free up schools from bureaucracy Further moves to free up schools and colleges from bureaucracy have been announced by Schools Minister Nick Gibb. As part of the changes, schools and colleges would be allowed to choose how many, and which, Diploma lines of learning they offered and routine Ofsted inspections of sixth form colleges rated ‘outstanding’ would end – meaning 40 per cent of colleges would be exempt. In addition the development of the Extended Diploma would be stopped as would plans to introduce in-year adjustments to 16-19 budgets, giving greater certainty to institutions. Meanwhile, sixth form colleges would no longer be forced to do ‘surveys of learner views’.

Progress in promoting healthy eating An new Ofsted report on food in schools shows that most pupils have a good understanding of what makes up a healthy diet. It also found that in the majority of schools visited, food is attractive, nutritious and well prepared. Many schools have succeeded in increasing the take-up of free school meals by giving better advice and support to parents. But less thought has been given to providing advice to families whose incomes are low but who are not entitled to free school meals.

Head teachers’ views published The views of almost 400 head teachers have been published in TES National Headteacher audit, which was conducted ahead of the 2010 General Election. Most school leaders polled tend to agree that becoming an academy would help them gain more independence from their local authority, as well as providing them with an opportunity to obtain more investment. Head teachers positively welcomed the introduction of technology in the classroom. State secondary school heads and state primary school heads largely agree that they have seen a significant improvement in the education system as a result of increased funding. School heads say that equipment costs would be the first thing they would trim if they had to cut budgets. Teaching assistants were also viewed as another key area for scrutiny.

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NEWSINBRIEF Ed Balls fights for free school meals Ed Balls has launched a campaign with the GMB union in protest against cuts to an expansion in free school meals. The shadow education secretary wants to reverse the cancellation of plans to extend free meals to a further 500,000 pupils. The Labour Government, in which Mr Balls had been schools secretary, had wanted to widen pilot schemes to test the benefits of giving all primary pupils a free hot meal. But the coalition government has stopped these extensions, saying that the cost had not been fully funded by the previous government.

Feel the power of the sun with free solar panels ritish Gas has unveiled a £15 million investment in solar technology for the nation’s schools. The company will donate and install solar panels – worth between £20,000 and £40,000 per school – in up to 750 schools. Each school will be able to generate its own free, green electricity, cutting as much as 20 per cent off its annual electricity bill. The panels will also help the selected schools to meet their carbon reduction targets, reducing emissions by up to 1,400 tonnes per year, equivalent to taking almost 400 cars off the road. The schools receiving solar panels will receive a smart meter, offering real time information so pupils can see

the difference their solar panels are making. Specially created Generation Green lesson plans will help teachers engage their pupils in learning about renewable energy, and schools will be able to track their performance against others and share tips and advice via a specially designed website. Schools can register for an application form at www.generationgreen.co.uk. British Gas has already earmarked half of the total investment to ensure that schools in low-income areas benefit from the initiative, and intends to deliver the technology to these schools in conjunction with the Government’s Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP).

Olympic-style national sports competition for young people announced new Olympic and Paralympicstyle sports competition for young people across England has been announced culture secretary Jeremy Hunt and education secretary Michael Gove. Up to £10 million of lottery funding, distributed by Sport England, will create a new sports league structure for primary and secondary schools culminating in a national final to be held in the run up to the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

Schools will compete against each other in leagues at a local level from 2011 with winning athletes and teams qualifying for up to 60 county finals. The most talented young athletes will then be selected for the national finals. Schools will also be encouraged to host in-house Olympic-style sports days so that children of all abilities have the opportunity to compete. There will be a Paralympic element at every level of the competition for young people with disabilities.

School turns waste cooking oil into fuel Pupils at Cheltenham College are converting waste cooking oil from their school kitchens into biodiesel for school vehicles. During the past 12 months, around 1,000 litres – worth approximately £1,200 – has been produced. By using GreenFuels’ FuelPod2, a 50 litre batch is generated on average every other week. It costs 20p per litre to produce and students sell it to the school for a nominal 70p per litre, putting the profits towards the College Rainforest Fund.

900 schools interested in becoming academies The Department for Education has published a list of the schools that have registered an interest in becoming Academies. Lord Hill, Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for Schools said: “I am delighted that so many schools have expressed an interest, and that over 900 outstanding schools are interested in becoming academies. “This is a genuinely permissive policy, there is no pressure for any school to convert by September, and they can do so at any time, when they feel they are ready. We want schools to decide what’s best for them, not politicians or bureaucrats.”

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Delivering Professional Training to the Private and Public Sector Industries Business Review is delighted to present Pass Training Consultancy Ltd with the highly accredited Company of the Month Award.The company has received this accolade due to its dedication to educating our society and providing high quality courses.

Mark Cox from Pass Training Consultancy can now supply lone worker devices. There are many things to consider when doing this and one of the most important is communication. For lone workers it is important to ensure that they have the necessary means of communication to get assistance when they need it and to ensure that you can contact them throughout the shift as a means of welfare checks

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We offers a variety of course packages such as: n Conflict Avoidance Training, n Welcome Host Customer Service Training, n Welcome Line Telephone Customers, n Welcome All Disability Awareness, n Customer Care Training, n Telephone Customer Service Training, n Notice Processing Training, n Civil Enforcement Officer Training, n Appraisal Training, n Fire Safety Training, n Manual Handling Training, n Supervisory Training, Health and Safety Training, n Vehicle Immobilisation Training, n Parking Shop Training n Car Park Officer Training n Basic Deaf Awareness n Basic British Sign Language n First Aid at Work 3 Days (FAW) n 1 Day Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) n 1/2 Day AED Defibrillator & Emergency Oxygen n Care for Children (First Aid) courses n In Case of Emergency (‘ICE’)

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Online Personnel and Reporting System

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MHR can simplify the administration of your personnel issues: • Absence and Holiday Management • Appraisal and Disciplinary Recording • Benefit Allocation • Company Vehicle Allocation • Customisation Screen and Employee Pictures • Electronic Document and Note Storage • Friendly User Interface • Diary Function • Pay Grades and Pay History • Record Leavers • Reporting System • Secondment Records • Staff Directory • Training and Target Allocation • Varying Levels of User Access • Operates on Windows and Mac

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FINANCE

AS THE DUST SETTLES Ray Barker, director of the British Educational Suppliers Association, updates Education Business readers on the latest changes to funding and policy by the new UK Government AS THE DUST SETTLES after the general election, the UK has watched as the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat Government implements a more budgetconscious approach to funding, and the public sector is told to rein in spending. Given the announcement by government that the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deficit is much worse than initially anticipated, there is little chance that we can expect to avoid future cuts right across the board. While each new policy announcement or funding cut has grabbed national headlines, it can be difficult to keep up-to-date with all the latest changes to education and take into account how it will change our industry. With an entirely new Department, a fresh ministerial team, the demise of several quangos and changes to policy, now is the time to take a step back and put everything into perspective, while exploring those areas of education that are still to be

discussed publicly by our new government. As of the 12 May 2010, the Department for Children, Schools and Families ceased to exist, and the new Government launched the Department for Education (DfE). The Department is supported by the new ministerial team, led by Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Michael Gove, Minister of State

for Schools, Nick Gibb, and Minister of State for Children and Families, Sarah Teather. AS THE AXE FALLS How has funding shifted for education? Firstly, it is important to remember that core funding for education is protected until 2011, with Chancellor George Osborne

With an entirely new Department, a fresh ministerial team, the demise of several quangos and changes to policy, now is the time to take a step back and put everything into perspective, while exploring those areas of education that are still to be discussed publicly by our new government

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TAKE CARD PAYMENTS AND GIVE PARENTS A REAL MULTIPLE CHOICE

For many parents these are testing times. This is why a rapidly growing number of schools are offering them the choice of paying their schooling expenses like trips, uniforms and fees by credit or debit card. As well as being a secure, familiar and convenient payment method, it can make managing their finances easier too. But the benefits don’t stop there. Card payments can improve your own cash flow and save on administration

time and costs. What’s more, because you’ve less need to keep cash on the premises, security becomes less of a worry, too. In fact, with so many advantages, the only question remaining is why are you not with RBS WorldPay, the number one card processor in the UK and Europe?* Contact us now so you can offer parents a real choice, safely and securely.

To learn about accepting card payments in your school and eligibility for our preferential rates, call us now on

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FINANCE

ABOUT BESA BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, is the trade association representing over 300 educational suppliers in the UK, including manufacturers and distributors of equipment, materials, books, consumables, furniture, technology, ICT hardware and digital-content related services to the education market. With 75 years of experience, BESA offers unparalleled support, research, events and advice on both UK and International markets, and the future of the education supplies industry. BESA is focused on promoting and providing support and advice to their members, the industry and to schools. BESA has a Code of Practice to which all members must adhere, along with a stringent membership process, both of which assure buyers of a high standard of quality in both product and customer service. advising that this would be the case for schools and all 16-19 spending. However, we have seen little pockets of money on the peripheral slowly whittled away. The Department for Education has been asked to make £670m in efficiency savings, and government quangos were the first to feel the pinch. Becta, the body responsible for promoting the use of technology in schools, and the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) have both been ordered to shut down. The Training and Development Agency (TDA), which works to attract new people to teaching and improve the quality of teacher training, is expected to make £30m worth of savings. Meanwhile, the National College (formerly NCSL), which has a role to develop and inspire great leaders in schools, early years settings and children’s services, is to reduce spending by £15m. The School Food Trust, which pushes healthy eating messages and works to improve school food and food skills, saw its communications budget reduced. While it hasn’t been asked to make any specific funding cuts yet, Ofsted, whose aim it is to help improve the quality and standards of education through independent inspection and advice, has been given a new remit in terms of leadership, outcomes, teaching and learning, along with safeguarding children. Ofsted is likely to undergo reforms and more power will be given to head teachers to improve student behaviour. Another £60m is expected to be saved through the removal of red tape surrounding the Diplomas and other vocational qualifications, and it has also been stated that support for the delivery of Diplomas and future development will be scaled back. Beyond quangos, the Department will also be reducing area-based grants to local authorities

to the tune of £311 million and expected to cut back on £11m worth of operations such as IT and procurement. Also, the Rose Review and associated curriculum has now also been canned, which will contribute to overall savings along with other unallocated non-frontline money that was previously set aside for initiatives such as Playing for Success, Gifted and Talented and Every Child a Writer. There is also expected to be capital savings from Extended Schools and Specialist Schools programmes. The DfE will also experience a recruitment freeze, and a cut to consultancy and travel costs. So all in all, we have seen many cuts away from the front-line in education – how this will affect the day to day work of teachers in the classroom, and standards, is still to be determined. Beyond funding, what is the government planning on changing within the education sector? Obviously, this government has very different priorities to the previous Labour Government, and the new government has been quick off the mark to make announcements about policy reform. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? Michael Gove did not hesitate to state his priorities for education as soon as he was made Schools Minister, saying: “I believe nothing is more important to the fairness of our society and the future prosperity of our country than getting education right. Too many children still leave primary school every year without meeting basic standards in English or maths and too few 16-yearolds get five decent GCSEs. So, improving literacy, raising pupil attainment, extending parental choice, freeing teachers from bureaucracy, improving discipline and closing the widening gap between the richest and the poorest should be our shared goal.” Creating more freedom over the curriculum, giving schools greater accountability and encouraging parents to set up state schools has been a focus of the new government from the onset. ACADEMIES & BSF As many of us have heard, secondary schools graded as outstanding could become academies and opt out of local authority control, by as early as September. With one in five secondary schools considered to be outstanding, we could see a significant proportion of schools make the change. All other schools will also be given the chance to become academies in the future too. Beyond this, “free schools” policy allows groups, such as interested parents, to set up their own state-funded school in their area without involving the local authority. At this point in time, no definite, concrete decisions have been made by the DfE on the Building Schools for the Future programme (BSF). However, the government is presently carrying out reviews of all the upcoming BSF

projects to see which projects can be stopped and how to reprioritise them according to need. It is still very uncertain if all BSF projects will continue, and if they are stopped, whether or not they will be started up again at a later date. DOWN THE TRACK In autumn the second “Education and Children’s Bill” will be released and is expected to highlight the details of the pupil premium. The pupil premium consists of an earmarked sum of money from outside the existing schools’ budget on top of what is currently being spent on schools. This is to help those children in “disadvantaged circumstances... to pay for smaller class sizes, one-to-one tuition and better qualified teachers”, as stated by Mr Gove. There will also be a curriculum consultation in the autumn, with Michael Gove stating that he is “an unashamed traditionalist when it comes to the curriculum”. Mr Gove has also said “teachers need a curriculum which helps them ensure that every child has a firm grasp of the basics and a good grounding in general knowledge, free from unnecessary prescription and bureaucracy.” It is thought that this new, condensed curriculum will focus on the core subjects, especially literacy, and be slimmed down from its current format. The aim will be to give schools more freedom to decide how to teach lessons in the future. HOW WILL THIS AFFECT EDUCATORS? In May, BESA held its annual focus groups with both primary and secondary teachers where many expressed uncertainty surrounding the new political scope, and concern about delays in decision making. However, most stated that they felt they could run “balanced budgets this year” and believed they had to think smarter “to take control of the situation” – such as making choices relevant to their school’s needs when it comes to procurement, staffing, and employing business managers. As the trade association for the sector, BESA and its 300 plus members work closely with educators to help them make best-value decisions, and to access information about the latest changes. To keep up-to-date on new changes, or find new resources from suppliers that meet BESA’s strict Code of Practice, visit the dedicated Ed Zone in the BESA website, at www.besa.org.uk.

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FINANCE

EDUCATING OUR YOUNG Elaine Gibson FIPP MSc from the Institute of Payroll Professionals takes a look at the importance of educating today’s children for tomorrow’s work place FOR YOUNG PEOPLE starting their first job is a daunting prospect. Some may take a Saturday job whilst they are still at school and some may start their first job upon leaving school after year 11 is complete. Either way, do those young people understand the implications of joining the UK workforce? What knowledge do they have when it comes to completion of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) forms? Do they know about tax and National Insurance (NI)? I am quietly confident the answer is no. This does not rest with only the young people but also with parents. Some parents are as in the dark like the children and so where do they go for help and advice? This is a good time to introduce the Institute of Payroll Professionals (IPP). We are a membership body who represents employers and their payroll professionals within. The IPP is also a provider of training courses from short day training courses to higher education from a Foundation Degree in Payroll Management to MSc in Business and Payroll Management. The IPP’s mission is to raise the profile of our profession, to educate individuals and keep them up to date on current government legislation. The IPP keeps its members and employers up to date via the Policy and Research team who monitors constantly changing legislation. INCREASING AWARENESS So that takes care of employers; however, we realise that there is another sector of the public who also need updating and educating. Okay, not to the level of a payroll professional but general awareness. This brings me back to young people who, if provided with general awareness on what to expect when starting their first job could avoid falling into the trap of paying too much tax. In all probability, the chances are that they should not be paying tax as most of them do not earn enough. One way to raise this awareness is via the classroom and to target young people early for example Year 9 students. The IPP is conducting research into being a provider of such education and training as part of general classroom studies, and exploring whether it would fit within assembly or part of a Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education and Citizenship (PSHEE & C) class. We have proven that this type of education is worthwhile as we conducted a pilot session for a school and provided tax and NI education to a group of Year 11 students. The teachers benefited from the session also, as they did not realise how important it is to understand HMRC forms and the payslip contents. To provide a taster of what needs to be

(MTH/WK)

Pay Elements

(PAY DATE)

09.04.10

Employee Deductions

Tax Code

647L

Year to Date Figures

Basic Hours

N/A

Income Tax

15.00

Total Gross Pay TD Gross for Tax TD

O/T @ 1.5

N/A

(Code No ) Employee’s NIC

09.95

Tax Paid TD Earnings for NI TD

O/T @ 2

N/A

Employee’s Pension

00.00

Total Deductions

24.95

TOTAL GROSS

200.00

National Insurance TD Pension TD

NIC Category

These figures would be generated by the payroll department. Just be aware that you may see such detail on your payslip.

Net Pay

175.05

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FINANCE

The IPPs mission is to raise the profile of our profession, to educate individuals and keep them up to date on current government legislation considered I will now briefly discuss the two forms that students/school leavers may come across and take a look at the payslip. FORM P46 IIf a student/school leaver starts their first regular job the first form they are likely to encounter is Form P46. This is an A4 size form that asks for certain details about the individuals circumstances. A sample of this form can be accessed on www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/p46.pdf. If this is the only employment the box on the form to be ticked will depend upon the individual circumstances. It is vital that the correct box is ticked, otherwise the individual could end up paying too much tax and this can take a while to correct. Traditionally, students/school leavers are not highly paid individuals and so can not afford to pay too much tax even if, ultimately they will be able to claim the tax back if entitled to do so. What if the student/school leaver only works in school holidays, so not in a regular job? Then you may need to complete Form P38(S). I briefly discuss this form next. FORM P38(S) An employer will use this form if the employee takes a job within a school/college vacation

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e.g. a summer job. The student must attend school/college at the end of the vacation; if this is the case the employee will be classed as a student and be covered by the form P38(S). An example for use of this form would be when a school leaver who is going to college commences work, if they subsequently leave the job just before the holiday period ends and start college the employer can use form P38(S) to prevent the worker from paying tax but the worker will pay NI if pay reaches the earnings threshold in any pay period – we all have to pay NI. Should an employee work on a regular basis, say on a weekend and then work the summer, and continue to stay in that job and still attend college the worker will not be permitted to be covered by the P38(S). If an individual is working regularly, as a result they will pay tax just like any other worker, no matter how old they are. In this situation the worker will have to complete a form P46. No matter how regularly the employee works, student situation or not, you will pay NI if your pay exceeds the earnings threshold. An important point to note is that the rules regarding use of form P38(S) are expected to change in 2011. Current

government consultation is discussing the abolishment of form P38(S) and exploring alternative options. The IPP Policy team is a stakeholder at consultation. Keep an eye on the IPP web pages for further information: www.payrollprofession.org. THE PAYSLIP This is a form that is provided to an employee on, or just before, each pay day. For example, if paid weekly on a Friday the employer may distribute payslips to each employee that day or post to the home address in advance of the Friday pay day. The payslip, pay advice or pay statement (different employers may refer to either) details: • your total earnings before any deductions are taken into account including sick pay, maternity pay etc. • PAYE – Income tax deducted • NIC – National Insurance Contributions • pension contributions • net pay One final point I would like to stress is for those school/college leavers who may be still deliberating a career path, why not consider the payroll profession? UK PLC would not function without those professionals who pay us for our work done in employment. This is a worthwhile career with opportunities to climb the ladder and reach the dizzy heights of senior management. If this has wetted your appetite for further information please visit the IPP web pages: www.payrollprofession.org.

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A fast, accurate and reliable payroll service from Advanced Payroll Services

E PROVIDE a competitively priced service for all aspects of payroll. Our management service is fast, accurate, reliable and up-to-date with all current legislation. Advanced Payroll Services will: • Calculate your employees’ pay • Keep you compliant with HMRC requirements • Provide you with payslips • Charge as little as £1.90 per employee • Provide a designated, experienced contact person for help and advice • Provide an increase in service level. Our payroll management service will make sure all your staff are paid on time, every time. We can offer a highly qualified, experienced and personal tailor-made service to schools throughout the country. We guarantee accurate, timely payroll with pre-agreed deadlines met for all types of schools including schools with larger sized payrolls. More and more schools are choosing to outsource their payroll administration because the benefits of outsourcing make payroll attractive to many schools, particularly during current times of limited resources and relatively small budgets. Our main aim is to provide a tailor-made, payroll outsourcing solution, which will increase the level of service you are currently receiving to make your management easier and more cost effective. We can provide a

service that’s equal to an in-house department for any school large or small. All Advanced Payroll services staff are extremely well trained and offer an efficient, friendly and totally professional service at all times. You will find that we are ready and willing to share our valuable experience and advice. We have more than 16 years of experience providing payroll services and can provide a service to all schools across the UK. Let Advanced Payroll Services manage all your payroll affairs, leaving you more time to run

your school. Our service is simple and easy to use and enables schools to process employees’ wages without the need to understand the complexities of PAYE legislation. Our team of experienced payroll administrators will be responsible for all payroll input. This includes the inputting of all details for your employees and any changes that may occur during the year.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0845 050 7928 Web: www.advancedpayrollservices.co.uk

Find the right accountant for your school’s payroll requirements at justaccountants.co.uk

S SCHOOL PAYROLL BECOMES increasingly complex and with more and more schools looking to move away from their local education authority, it is imperative that the right payroll decision is made. Many schools are, naturally, concerned about the implications of moving their payroll away from the LEA. Chief among these concerns are worries that the transition may cause problems with that month’s payroll, that the LEA would be uncooperative and that the new payroll provider has sufficient expertise to handle complex requirements. However, there are many advantages to using an outsourced payroll bureau – because they are commercially driven organisations, they are usually more cost-effective, have a better quality of service and are more flexible than the LEA. If your school has experienced any of the following common problems with LEA payroll services – leavers continuing to be paid, documents for review being sent after the pay date, lack of a single point of contact – then it’s certainly time to explore outsourced payroll. In order to assess the merits of a prospective payroll provider, there are certain questions that should be asked. First and foremost, a school should ascertain just how much experience the potential payroll provider has in dealing with

school payrolls. There are some unique features of school payroll, so experience in this area is a must have. Understanding pay scales and handling teachers pensions and local government pension deductions are both areas that the payroll provider must have experience of. Similarly, the payroll bureau must have advanced reporting capabilities to be able to assist with monthly and annual pension reporting for LGPS and TP and handle people on multiple contracts of employment. This is where Just Accountants can assist your school in finding a suitable payroll provider. We have worked with many of the United Kingdom’s leading payroll

bureaus over the past three years so are in a very good position to be able to help you find the right kind of payroll bureau. There’s no need to waste time calling one payroll bureau after another only to find that they either don’t have the capacity to be able to help or are far too expensive. Simply speak to us or answer a few simple questions on our website and we will help you get four quotes from payroll providers who can deliver the service your school deserves.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Call us directly on 01634 401772 or visit www.justaccountants.co.uk

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Ignite your potential with training from the Institute of Credit Management The credit management department is the engine room of any business so make sure it’s got the right spark. ICM Training delivers a comprehensive schedule of public and in-house training courses, all designed with a single purpose: to empower your credit management team. And with a number of new courses being added this year, look again at what ICM Training has hidden under its bonnet. Or if you want to plug into tailor made training, the ICM offers bespoke courses that can be designed with your business in mind. To ignite your training, email training@icm.org.uk or telephone 01780 722907.

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FINANCE

CALLING TIME ON STUDENT DEBT Debt in the world of education is not uncommon and student debt in particular is a subject that is always likely to create headlines, says John Paton of the Lewis Group ACCORDING TO LEWIS GROUP FIGURES, students incur average annual debts of £5,000, and by the time a student graduates the average debt burden is c£20,000. This is worrying enough, but the problem is getting worse. Student debt levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland rose sharply in 2009, as much as 30 per cent in some areas, and the fear is that the level will continue to rise. Tuition fees are, of course, a major headache, both for the student and the universities/ colleges tasked with collecting them. The mounting issue of unpaid tuition fees – and the problems caused by many of the apparently smaller, perhaps less innocuous debts such as outstanding library fees – are reflected in the steps being taken by many of the colleges and universities to recover them. A SYMPATHETIC EAR Generally, all universities and colleges will listen sympathetically to a student’s plight and assist where they can; but under no circumstances will they be hoodwinked. As a deterrent, some now levy late payment charges for fee instalments not received by the due date, with the threat of the removal of library usage and what they euphemistically call ‘the deactivation of university facilities’ – ie, preventing students from accessing IT infrastructure. One London-based university, for example, makes it clearly understood that ‘the quality of teaching is dependent upon funding and the university must therefore act to recover all outstanding debts.’ Other universities and colleges have clear policy documents confirming that they reserve the right to recover any unpaid sums ‘through collection agencies and/or by the legal process.’ Whilst similarly many education establishments terminate a student’s place whilst confirming that ‘any such debts will then be pursued by referral to an outside collection agency.’ The potential damage from debt can be considerable: even if only a small percentage of tuition fees, for example, is not recovered, this can amount to hundreds of thousands of pounds ‘lost’ to that establishment. Even outstanding library debts can run into thousands, not to mention the inconvenience – and additional cost – of having to replace books that have disappeared along with the student. Those colleges and universities that bring in outside help and employ third party collections agencies have overcome the traditional ‘barriers’ that prevent the remainder from taking the next step. They have overcome, for example, the cultural issue, that says chasing a student for money is unacceptable; they have

understood how a DCA operates and closed their minds to the media hype and they have understood how a third party agency complements their own in-house teams. OVERCOMING OBJECTIONS Of course it is difficult not to have sympathy with those that have not yet seen the light. Chasing a student for a debt may seem unacceptable to some, but if failing to recover these debts leads to a substantial drop in revenues, which in turn means losing facilities or even staff, then it is much more difficult to justify such a situation. Education debts are no longer the minor irritant they once were; outstanding debt portfolio’s often reach well into six figure sums. However, a shortage of resource, together with a lack of pro-active debt recovery experience or a structured and automated collection strategy in finance departments can lead to some establishments not being able to chase these quickly and effectively. This is where an experienced collection agency can help as evidence suggests that substantial amounts can be recovered by a third party agency in a relatively short space of time. For instance, for one of our newer college clients, we recovered almost £18,000 in just three months – over 35 per cent of the outstanding debt referred. In addition, we resolved a number of queries and agreed a sustainable repayment programme with many other students to repay their debt to the college. Failing to understand what a collection agency does and believing media stereotypes is always part of the problem. Working with an agency does not mean losing control of your debt, or placing your students in harm’s way. That is nonsense. Collection agencies are highly trained in the collections process and will work ethically and professionally with your own people to ensure success. At The Lewis Group annually, hundreds of thousands of pounds of student debt are recovered from hundreds of debtors with barely a single complaint being registered. Believing that your own teams know best and that employing an outside agency is somehow an admission of failure is also nonsense. Adding to your resource, at specific times, makes good economic sense. Many of the universities and colleges’ debts are cyclical and tend to concertina at different times of the year, which means agencies have to be flexible in the service they deliver and have the ability to work closely with their clients during the periods when they need them most. (One of the biggest challenges is debt from overseas students as in-house teams don’t always have the time or the experience to collect debts from overseas,

and again this is where agencies can step in.) The key to collecting most college and university debts is to refer them as early as possible, but this rarely happens as often as it should. Indeed, many such clients put out tenders for collecting debt which is already reaching or over 12 months old and amounting to six figure sums. They have almost certainly been obliged to wait so long through lack of resources, rather than lack of desire, but the result of having to put the debt issue on the back burner is that debt totals can fast become alarmingly high. TAKING SWIFT ACTION Taking swift action will bring in the cash much more quickly. Students are more likely to settle their debts in full, or at least arrange an instalment plan to a realistic timescale. Absconded debtors can be traced and any overseas cases that cannot be actioned successfully from the UK can be passed to a network agency to pursue debts in the country of origin of the debtor to maximise success. Of course in appointing an agency, it is important to find one that is sympathetic to, and has a clear understanding of, students and student debt, and have the specialist skills, techniques and staff required to get results. They should also be members of the Credit Services Association, which means it follows a strict Code of Practice. Change, of course, will not happen overnight. Views tend to be polarised. Colleges and universities are either entirely behind it or yet to be convinced (with some still preferring to keep everything in-house, and others going down the litigation route where additional and unnecessary expense can be incurred that may not be recoverable). Ironically, the current drive by businesses and government agencies to educate students about debt and provide best advice in managing their money is making the issue more widely debated. Fortunately, many have already accepted what a professional collection agency can offer and a new breed of management is changing the way that debt is perceived. Finance directors and managers who look at the balance sheet and take a more dispassionate view of debt, unencumbered by the actions of the past, are steadily winning the argument. There is a growing understanding that outsourcing – quite literally – pays.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact: John Paton Tel: 0870 085 7302 Mobile: 07968 512531 E-mail: jpaton@lewisgroup.co.uk

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Does your school have the correct insurance cover? Are you sure? Do you struggle to find the time to properly review your policy? What effect has recent legislation, including the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007, had on your requirements? Burnett Moore, a well established Insurance Broker, have developed a specific insurance policy dedicated to the needs of schools. Our policy automatically provides: 1. Teacher absence & Locum cover – saving you hassle. 2. Parental inability to pay – protecting your income and cashflow. 3. Cover for minibuses – no need to spend time looking for another provider. 4. Personal Liability for Governors and Trustees - letting them concentrate on the task in hand, free from worry. 5. Flexible payment options – designed to suit you, not the Insurer. 6. Dedicated service levels with a single point of contact – one call from you, we do the rest. Our Chairman, Jeff Moore comments: “Our policy is designed for forward thinking schools and academies. It includes a personal review of the requirement for each school – we don’t do ‘one size fits all’. We believe it offers a real alternative with many useful benefits at a competitive premium.” If you are serious about an alternative to the status quo then contact us on 01234 567890 or enquiries@insuremyschool.co.uk

26819.001_Eccles_PenPot_Educ_Mar10_125x86_v3_. 09/03/2010 11:09 Burnett PageMoore 1 are independent intermediaries, regulated and authorised by the Financial Services Authority (see www.fsa.gov.uk). Auth 473626.

Education insurance. From schools to universities, you’re in good hands

Ecclesiastical Insurance – an insurer you can trust HEN IT COMES TO

W protecting your education establishment, you need the support of a specialist insurer – one you can trust. Established in 1887, we’ve been serving the education sector for over 40 years. We also give all our available profits to charity – making us the 7th top corporate donor in the UK1. For the last three years running, insurance brokers have voted us the best insurance provider for education2. From nurseries through to universities, we know that each education provider is unique in its own way. That’s why we can tailor your insurance cover to meet your specific needs – helping you rest assured that

Thousands of the nation’s educational establishments are already insured with Ecclesiastical. Ask your insurance broker about us or visit www.ecclesiastical.com/ingoodhands

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you are properly covered. Backed by specialist advice and guidance and an excellent claims service, whatever the size or nature of your education establishment, you can be confident that with Ecclesiastical, you’re in good hands. 1. Source: Directory of social change 2. In research conducted by FWD, an independent market research company, of those brokers who named an insurer in the survey, the majority voted Ecclesiastical as the best insurer for education.

FOR MORE INFORMATION To find out more about how we could help you, speak to your insurance broker or visit www.ecclesiastical.com/ ingoodhands

Education Business | Specifiers Index

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SCHOOL INSURANCE

CRISIS MANAGEMENT James Woollam gives advice on business continuity planning and explains how having the right insurance is crucial A RECENT SURVEY for a leading insurance company declared that just under half of all businesses fail following a major fire. It is not unreasonable to replace fire with any unexpected crisis; the recent spate of snow is a common reminder that not even the met office can see too far into the future. Contingency planning is therefore a must for all schools in order to survive a crisis and indeed meet personal liabilities to the school and its governors. To ensure an effective business continuity plan, the process must become an integral part of your thinking, tied in to your operational plans, and with all key stakeholders having an involvement in its preparation and review. Any plan, once formulated, must also be regularly updated to ensure it remains relevant. I recall a school calling me following a major flooding incident, concerned that they were unable to alert anyone as the staff and contact details had not been updated for three years! The expectations in schools are now higher than ever, whilst competition in both

public and private sectors, and between the two, is fierce. At the same time, we read of disasters on an almost daily basis â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from fires and storms to floods, pandemic flu and more recently sabotaged computer systems. Are you prepared for these eventualities? And if not, is the school at risk? PRPARING FOR THE WORST Preparing a plan need not be overwhelming. The first step is to assemble a team. Senior management should be involved, with a project coordinator who is empowered to make decisions and implement them. Involve staff of all levels. Many will have an intimate understanding of the school, and what would be required in the event of a crisis. The actual planning process can take some time, but is relatively straightforward. Consider each activity the school undertakes, and then examine it in detail. Are some time critical? Should some take priority? When a school is involved in many different activities, or is particularly large, you

may choose to build plans for different departments or faculties, and then have these feed into one final document. With each activity there are a few key steps. First, develop a planning aim for each activity, such as a timescale for restoration. Next, determine the minimum steps for your initial response. Plan for restoring communication methods and consider key personnel and equipment, and other information sources. Delegate disaster planning assignments to the staff who carry out the essential activities on a daily basis. Finally, you can incorporate the fine details, focusing on the impact of the interruption, not the cause. WHERE TO CONTINUE TEACHING The school site will be high on the agenda. If you have more than one site, then consideration must be given as to whether you could continue functioning, at least in the short term, from your other sites, or are some of your activities based on very specific facilities? If you only have one site, then would it be possible to

THE BRITISH INSURANCE BROKERS ASSOCIATION (BIBA) The British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) is the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s leading general insurance organisation representing the interests of insurance brokers, intermediaries and their customers. BIBA is the voice of the industry, advising members, the regulators, the government, consumer bodies and other stakeholders on key insurance issues. BIBA provides unique schemes and facilities, technical advice, guidance on regulation and business support and is helping to raise, and maintain, industry standards. BIBA works closely with the Chartered Insurance Institute to provide training to those working in the industry and actively participates in helping the industry and its customers deal with some of the major issues of the day. BIBA members provide professional advice to businesses and consumers, playing a key role in identification, measurement, management, control and transfer of risk. They negotiate appropriate insurance protection tailored to individual needs and operate to a very high standard of customer service with the aim of ensuring peace of mind, security, financial protection and the professional advice required.

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A New Era in Security and Safety Management Demonstrating security and safety technology · Surveillance & CCTV · Access Control, Time & Attendance · Biometric & Video Analytics · Intruder Detection & Alarms · Fire Detection & Evacuation · Integrated Safety Solutions · Audio, Intercom & Messaging · Transmission & Comms Systems · Building Management Systems

Security – who’s job is it anyway? Your security requirements traditionally fall into 4 areas Physical Security, CCTV, Access Control, and Intruder Alarms most of which have either migrated from analogue to digital technology, or are in the process of doing so. Digital systems are increasingly being run over networks using IP (internet protocol). The benefits are self-evident with further integration of audio, intercom and messaging, fire and evacuation, asset management and tracking and transmission and comms technologies. But the world is changing, and IT and Network professionals are becoming more involved, with growing responsibility for both Physical and Logical security within an organisation, particularly with intelligent building management and facilities solutions also beginning to converge. This shift will change the way we protect and manage all of our organisations, properties and people in future and will introduce both opportunities and challenges for those responsible for security and safety. It's time to embrace and investigate this migration, and to identify how best they can be exploited. In a recent survey of IT, ICT and Network managers, 80% of respondents agreed that physical security was increasingly becoming part of their remit and that engaging with security and safety professionals was key.

Convergence Key to Efficiency

20 SECT E N

International IP Solutions Exhibition & Conference

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We are all acutely aware of the continued convergence between the physical security, life safety and IT worlds. We also understand that for Networked Security and Safety Applications to become more effective it is essential that we learn to engage with both the security specialists and the IT industry as a whole and the IP players in particular.

Preparing for the Future Helping to increase the awareness and acceptance of new IP based applications across many market areas, the IIPSEC exhibition and conference now located at the IP EXPO will ensure that you gain from the synergies between the various technologies on display and will provide a firm basis upon which Stake-Holders, Security and Safety Professionals and IT and Network Technologists can discover the opportunities that lie within mutually accessible solutions.

Where to learn more IIPSEC at the IP EXPO will demonstrate real life solutions and allow security specialists to engage with IT and network professionals for the first time. The combination of the product showcase, technical and practical seminars and workshops and presentations tailored specifically to your needs will result in an informative and enlightening participation. IIPSEC has always concentrated on the application of technology within the Security, Life Safety and BMS environments, whereas the IP EXPO is dedicated to the underlying technology itself, covering Cloud computing, Virtualisation, Infrastructure and Wireless and Storage solutions. This is a unique combination of events where Security, Safety, IT and Network Professionals can mingle and understand the commercial and practical possibilities available when working together to increase security and safety.

Education Business | Specifiers Index

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SCHOOL INSURANCE

put temporary accommodation on any playing fields or other free space? Some towns and cities have seen a glut in commercial property, could this be utilised? Even other local schools may be able to help, and it is a given that an agreement will be easier before a crisis than during, on the basis of mutual assistance. Communication is essential, and a part of any good plan is detailed information on key staff, with their contact details, and methods of communicating about any disaster. You will also need information on other important third parties, from trusted contractors to the local press and your suppliers. Indeed, your insurance broker or insurance company is likely to be near the top of your list. But how will you deal with any media pressure? What happens if the event has caused a human disaster, such as a loss of life? Your reputation will be on the line and you will have little time to respond. In recent times, it has become common to also keep the details of a crisis containment consultant, who can hold information about the school and react immediately should an incident occur. Some insurers have started offering this service as a part of the cover, and it is worth checking with your broker if this is the case. The insurance can even cover the cost of their fees and expenses. THE RIGHT INSURANCE You cannot consider how to survive a crisis without considering whether your insurance

is adequate. Business Interruption insurance, otherwise known as consequential loss, is a vital component of a continuity plan and it will be impossible to ensure the cover is correct without a good plan in place. In depth discussion on your Business Interruption insurance would be impossible here, but there are crucial links in to your plan that should be considered. You will have estimated how long it will take you to return the school to its former position before the event. This length of time should be reflected in your cover, and is known as the indemnity period. If you believe the school will not have its full complement of students for say five years and therefore your revenue will be affected for this period of time, your Business Interruption cover will also need to last for five years. The second aspect is what to insure for. Some multi site schools may believe that their revenue will not be affected as they can simply switch sites, some may have specialist departments reliant on specific machinery or other facilities, which can simply not be replicated quickly. Some schools will therefore insure on a full revenue basis, which will then be multiplied over the indemnity period. Other options could be to define the revenue and only insure for those aspects you believe will be affected, for example removing government fees and grants as you continue to educate the pupils, leaving only additional income streams which

will cease until the school is rebuilt, or insure only the first element of the revenue, known as “first loss”. Finally, you could believe that your revenue will not be affected at all providing alternative and temporary accommodation is provided quickly, and your plan suggests this is possible given your circumstances. In this case you will only need cover for Alternative Expenditure and Increased Costs of Working. With a Business Continuity Plan in place, schools can at least have some certainty for the future; the unexpected does happen more than you think. It helps you to retain and keep your key staff, and to ensure your reputation is not unnecessarily affected by bad news. It also helps you meet governance criteria. A helpful secondary benefit is that any claims costs will be kept to a minimum, and insurers may well allow discounts on your insurance cover for a well thought out business plan. And in this cost conscious age, saving money and reducing insurance costs can only be good news. This article was written by James Woollam, director of Educational Insurance Services, on behalf of the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA). Educational Insurance Services is a member of BIBA.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Web: www.biba.org.uk

Burnett Moore develops a specific insurance policy dedicated to the needs of schools

OES YOUR SCHOOL have the correct insurance cover? Are you sure? Do you struggle to find the time to properly review your policy? Is your existing cover value for money? What effect do you think that recent legislation, including the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007, has had on your requirements? We all know what the main risks faced by schools are but what about the less foreseeable ones; do you know how to deal with those effectively? Does your existing Insurer support you and help you understand and manage these challenges? Burnett Moore are a well established Insurance Broker. We have experience of the particular challenges faced by bursars and school administrators when considering their insurance requirements. There can be 101 other demands on your time and resources. It can be tempting to ‘renew as invited’ without a thorough review of either what covers are already in place or what actually should be in place. In response to these challenges Burnett Moore have developed a specific insurance policy dedicated to the needs of schools. This is only available through

us. Our policy automatically includes: 1. Teacher absence and locum cover – saving you hassle. 2. Parental inability to pay – protecting your income and cashflow. 3. Cover for minibuses – no need to spend time looking for another provider. 4. Personal liability for governors and trustees – letting them concentrate on the task in hand, free from worry. 5. Flexible payment options – designed to suit you, not the Insurer.

6. Dedicated service levels with a single point of contact – one call from you, we do the rest. Our Chairman, Jeff Moore comments: “Our policy is designed for forward thinking schools and academies. It includes a personal review of the requirement for each school – we don’t do ‘one size fits all’. We believe we can offer a real alternative with many useful benefits at a competitive premium.” What’s move, over the coming months Burnett Moore intend to arrange a series of regional seminars covering the issues and challenges faced in this market. Plans to support its regional seminars with a nation wide programme of Insurance Workshops are already well-advanced. Amongst other things these will offer practical advice, learning opportunities and guidance on an interactive basis with experts on hand.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Interested? Want to know more? Then we want to hear from you. Don’t leave it until the last minute. Contact us now on: Tel: 08707 66 11 25 E-mail: enquiries@insuremyschool.co.uk

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DESIGN & BUILD

BACK TO SCHOOL (BUILDINGS) Tim Brennan, senior regeneration adviser, English Heritage, looks into BSF and PCP with regards to historic school buildings THE MANNER IN WHICH the debate about the state of the public finances has dominated news headlines since the general election in early May has left little doubt that major capital spending programmes such as Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and the Primary Capital Programme (PCP) are coming under careful scrutiny. While their long-term future is yet to be confirmed, it seems reasonable to assume that there will at the very least be changes to the way they are run and funding allocated and spent. Nevertheless, the new government has consistently said that education remains one of its priorities and funding for school buildings is likely to remain at a significant level. So perhaps among the changes to these funding streams we may see variation in the proportion of buildings refurbished or remodelled in comparison to new build. Recent figures suggest that 70 per cent of completed BSF projects to date are demolition and new build – statistics that have clear implications for the stock of historic school buildings still in educational use. There are several thousand listed school buildings in England, with many more having community value in the sense that they are liked and valued by their local communities and regarded as local landmarks. ENSURING BEST POSSIBLE EDUCATION English Heritage has been an interested observer of BSF and PCP since their inception, and the recent levels of investment pose some interesting questions in relation to historic school buildings – clearly, the investment in and updating of the school estate is both very welcome and necessary to ensure that students receive the best possible education. Along with some other types of public buildings (police and fire stations spring to mind) it is clearly crucial that that the buildings themselves continue to evolve and adapt to allow them to best serve their original purpose – in the case of school buildings to reflect fast moving changes in the national curriculum and pedagogy. But where historic buildings are concerned, how can modern teaching equipment, such as interactive whiteboards or laptops be accommodated? How can we ensure that refurbishment and reuse also retains what is special about these types of buildings? The uses to which school buildings are now put are much wider than used to be the case (leading to flexible and multi-purpose use requirements), while those involved in planning for BSF and PCP investment also need to consider wider issues such as energy efficiency requirements. When combined with the largest investment in school building in living memory, these factors

Elm Court School, London Borough of Lambeth. © Clive Sherlock photography

The new government has consistently said that education remains one of its priorities and funding for school buildings is likely to remain at a significant level. So perhaps among the changes to these funding streams we may see variation in the proportion of buildings refurbished or remodelled in comparison to new build can combine to create an extremely complex situation with tensions as to what the ultimate outputs of the programme are with regard to historic school buildings: should we be aiming for educational transformation, the refurbishment and restoration of a significant building or simply the creation of a functional and well-equipped school? So at first glance, it might appear that there are some hard choices to be made when it comes to planning for BSF and PCP investment with regard to historic school buildings. But in many respects care for the historic environment and a top class learning environment need not be contradictory, or force schools and local education authorities into what are essentially false choices. LOOKING AT THE CHALLENGES As an organisation, English Heritage is extremely conscious of the many conflicting pressures and challenges that face local education

authorities, and that dealing with historic buildings can sometimes add an extra layer of complexity. That’s why we have recently published ‘Refurbishing Historic School Buildings’, which presents a series of case studies where historic school buildings have been refurbished, remodelled and extended. Each project identified successful solutions to issues such as rising school rolls, updating and modernising ICT facilities, energy efficiency requirements and comprehensive forward planning for future investment projects. We hope it will help people to better understand that the envelope of an historic building does not mean that a school will be denied the opportunity to modernise facilities or alter the layout of the building to ensure that it is able to provide a top class 21st century educational environment. We are also currently working with colleagues at

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DESIGN & BUILD

Mott MacDonald on a technical briefing note that will go into more detail on the kind of issues and solutions common to refurbishment projects on historic school buildings. ADAPTING TO HISTORIC BUILDINGS English Heritage encourages those involved in programmes such as BSF and PCP to take an approach known as Constructive Conservation – using the opportunities afforded by programmes such as BSF and PCP to invest in historic buildings, reinforcing what is special and distinctive about them as part of the refurbishment and at the same time ensuring that they remain fit for purpose in the 21st century. It means being positive about adaptation of the historic fabric where it is sensible to do so, in turn meaning that the building can continue to accommodate new equipment and uses. Such an approach ensures that the inspirational surroundings offered by historic buildings are not denied to future generations of students, while also reusing finite resources in the interests of sustainability. Elm Court School in the London Borough of Lambeth is an excellent example of constructive conservation in practice. Situated within the Brixton Hill conservation area, the refurbished

school reopened in April 2009. Careful and imaginative planning, the early involvement of conservation staff and the inherent flexibility of the building itself have combined to create a striking, modern and well-equipped school within the envelope of an historic building. PREPARATION In terms of preparation ahead of investment in a local authority’s school estate, other useful factors can underpin this kind of positive approach to the updating and adaptation of historic school buildings. Research to look at the architectural and historic significance of a local authority’s educational estate can help identify significant buildings, thereby removing risk from later stages of the development process, while detailed assessments of individual buildings are vital ahead of refurbishment projects. This is the type of approach taken by Sheffield City Council in its preparations for its entry to the BSF programme. By commissioning a listed building strategy for both its entire school estate and individual buildings, it was able to identify well in advance where its priorities lay. BSF funded work is currently underway at the Grade II listed High Storrs

Secondary School, and the research undertaken by the City Council has guided the strategy for the project. This has successfully identified solutions to issues such as ventilation and accessibility while at the same time retaining the character and special interest of the building and its fixtures and fittings. THE FUTURE At the time of writing there is much discussion as to the future of BSF and PCP funding. While we may have to wait a little longer to discover if they are to change direction significantly or whether funding levels will be reduced, it is fair to assume that refurbishment projects will continue to play an important role in the overall mix. English Heritage will continue to advise local education authorities and their partners to help find successful and innovative solutions. English Heritage advice on refurbishing historic school buildings and on undertaking assessments of local authority school estates to help with preparation and planning for the investment process, together with the forthcoming technical advice note when available can be found at www.helm.org.uk/historicschools.

Eric Cole Architects – the building refurbishment and construction specialists T HAS BECOME APPARENT that in this current economic climate many clients are finding it difficult to raise capital for building projects. This goes across all sectors but is more evident in education where government funding is being cut and so many new school projects have been put into doubt. Often schools have been working with problems and issues in old buildings that they can only see getting worse and perceive can never be overcome, which is often not the case. They are now having to consider refurbishment but are concerned on the process, especially those that have listed buildings in their portfolio. As with any building scheme, involvement of the local authority can help keep the proposal running smoothly through the approvals process. This is especially important with listed buildings, where good pre-application advice and consultation, with relevant bodies like English Heritage, not only keeps all parties informed of the proposal but can sometimes help with the resolution of the scheme. A good architect can satisfy the requirements of these bodies and their client often coming up with creative solutions to the problems. Eric Cole Limited has been working for many years with listed buildings, across various sectors, giving us a breadth of experience to deal with these issues. Our commissions

are of all sizes across the full spectrum of building types and clients. Work ranges from traditional design and detailing for old and new buildings, including refurbishment, alteration, preservation and conservation through to the design, construction and fitting out of complex projects involving modern building techniques and specialist installations. We are also used to developing schemes that need to be constructed, while maintaining the full function of the site. This is particular important in education where the pupils, staff and public need to be safely separated and managed from the contractor, along with planned working times, deliveries and noisy activities.

We give emphasis to understanding and meeting the client’s brief, especially budget and programme and satisfying the needs of building users. We have a reputation for reliability, technical competence and commercial awareness. We encourage a team approach and a close working relationship between all parties. The application of progressive flexible thinking, traditional skills and modern technology within an architectural firm of 150 years standing, provide Eric Cole Limited with unique qualities for us to fulfil our client’s needs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Web: www.ericcole.co.uk

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DESIGN & BUILD

TRANSFORMING SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HACKNEY Secondary education in Hackney is undergoing a transformation that will see all the borough’s schools rebuilt or refurbished THE COUNCIL HAS SECURED more than £170 million from the government for its ambitious Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, which aims to provide modern learning facilities for nearly 7,000 students across the borough by 2015. Hackney BSF will be completed in three phases to ensure maximum efficiency in the delivery of the rebuilding plans for all the schools. Later this year, Hackney will celebrate the reopening of the first two schools to be transformed – Clapton Girls’ Technology College, E5, and Stoke Newington School, N16. Towards the end of this year the second phase of works will begin, with three more schools benefiting from modern new facilities. The third, and final, phase of BSF will see the modernisation of Hackney’s special schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs). Cllr Rita Krishna, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Every pupil in the borough will have access to the first class buildings they deserve, and in which they can pursue their goals and fulfil their true potential. The BSF programme will dramatically change the way we teach and learn in Hackney and will create modern facilities that serve the whole community.” UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND NEAR COMPLETION Building work commenced in late 2008 on all the BSF Phase One schools. Construction at the three sites has been scheduled to cause as little disruption to the students’ education as possible. The schools benefiting from this first phase of the Hackney Building Schools for the Future programme are: Clapton Girls’ Technology College, Laura Place, E5. The BSF programme has brought an added dimension to the already outstanding Clapton Girls’ Technology College, which first opened in 1906. The school became a Leading Edge Technology College in 1999 and is the first to be updated under the BSF scheme in Hackney. The newly refurbished Clapton Girls’ Technology College has been redesigned by Jestico & Whiles architects and built by Mansell Construction and now has: • a generous reception and a welcoming waiting area within the historic ‘Pankhurst’ building which retains original features including the historic oak staircase • a modern Learning Resource Centre with its magnificent double-height space and smart facilities offering a unique study area • nine refurbished and modernised science laboratories • a new dining area with impressive glass doors opening onto the original courtyard

Stoke Newington School during refurbishment

The new façade of Stoke Newington School

Every pupil in the borough will have access to the first class buildings they deserve, and in which they can pursue their goals and fulfil their true potential. The BSF programme will dramatically change the way we teach and learn in Hackney and will create modern facilities that serve the whole community THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR EDUCATION

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DESIGN & BUILD

control, zoning of building to enhance the level of community use out of school hours. Hackney Free & Parochial CE Secondary School, Paragon Road, E9. This school celebrates its 490th anniversary this year, and will benefit from a new assembly hall and classrooms, which are on target for completion by this summer. A specialist sports college, the rest of the £17 million, newly built campus is on schedule to be ready by late winter 2011. The new building, designed by Avanti architects and built by McLaren Construction will provide: • a complete rebuild on the school’s current site with new modern facilities • high-tech sports centre and outdoor training grounds • up-to-date information and communication technology facilities and a new library • a new assembly hall and contemporary classrooms • a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) that can be used for sports, meetings and other functions • new ICT systems throughout the school.

Hackney Free... undergoing refurbishment

HFPS building Paragon Road Jan 2010

• a dedicated sixth-form area housed in a new building together with the Applied Learning, Additional Learning and ICT departments • an impressive, new assembly hall which opens onto a landscaped courtyard • eco-friendly ‘green’ roof, which will see the growth of up to 7,000 plants of 10 different species and will support an abundance of birdlife while at the same time, contributing to reduce global warming. Stoke Newington School, Clissold Road, N16. The BSF programme marks a new chapter for Stoke Newington School, which was first constructed in 1967 and originally designed by architects Israel, Lyons, Ellis and Grey. The main building works have been completed with the remaining phase of external works being on schedule for autumn 2010. The school became a media arts college in 2001 and received a second specialism in science and maths in 2006, and a third for inclusion in 2009. The building, refreshed by Jestico &

Whiles architects and constructed by Willmott Dixon Construction, now has: • an enhanced and impressive external façade including new glazing to the boiler room and which has led to interest in being used as a film set • a refurbished building being fully accessible to disabled students which is important for inclusion • reconfigured floor layout and level access improving the functionality of the building • modernised Expressive Arts, Humanities and Inclusion as well as Science, Maths and Sports • new English and Music block with thirteen contemporary new classrooms • refurbished existing 240-seat drama theatre in to high-tech theatre • high quality media, television, photography and radio suites • newly constructed school dining area featuring roof lights to maximise light • redesigned external spaces and garden • technological improvements including access

PLANNING STAGE AND NEAR CONSTRUCTION The schools benefiting from the second phase of delivery of the Hackney Building Schools for the Future programme are: Haggerston School, Weymouth Terrace, E2. This Grade II listed building was designed by architect Erno Goldfinger, in the early 1960s. He was also responsible for Trellick Tower in Notting Hill. Today, Haggerston caters for 800 girls, aged 11 to 16. This September will see the admission of boys for the first time and also the launch of a sixth-form with approximately 250 students. Specialising in technology and modern foreign languages, in 2009, the school’s GCSE results made it the third highest achieving school in Hackney. BSF will allow the current facilities to be modernised, while remaining true to the architecture of the original site. Haggerston will benefit from the addition of a new building, which will raise capacity for the co-educational and sixth-form requirements. Construction is scheduled to begin late 2010 and expected to be completed by late 2012. The new school will provide: • new sixth-form facilities • a more open and welcoming environment by widening corridors, increasing daylight and improving internal circulation in the building • a new art, design and technology block • better designed teaching and learning spaces resources for students to enhance project-based learning • up-to-date information and communication technology facilities and a new library • improved catering and dining facilities. Cardinal Pole Catholic School, Kenworthy Road & Victoria Park, E9. Formed in 1959, the school was named after the last Roman Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury; Cardinal

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DESIGN & BUILD

Reginald Pole. In 1964, the school moved to a new building on Kenworthy Road, and a few years later an impressive Huguenot Victorian building on Victoria Park Road was also added as a second site. Its latest addition was The Sixth Form Centre, which opened in 2008. Last year, Cardinal Pole celebrated both its Golden Jubilee and its best ever post 16 GCSE results. Today, with a science specialism and more than 1,000 pupils on its roll, Cardinal Pole is ready to embrace the next phase of its history by moving to a new modern school on a single site by autumn 2012. Design work for the new building started in June 2009 and planning application has just been submitted so that construction work can commence. Construction will commence in late winter 2010 and will take approximately two years to complete. The school’s proposed new facilities are: • a modern campus on a single site with 21st century facilities • easy-to-use and accessible information and communication technology facilities • modern PE and sports facilities. Our Lady’s Convent High School, 6-16 Amhurst Park, N16. Founded by the order of The Servite Sisters, this Roman Catholic school has a rich 100-year plus history. Our Lady’s first opened its doors on 11 January 1904, with 38 pupils on its roll. Since then, the school has been through a series of transformations from 1916 to 2001. Always remaining in the north of the borough, the school prides itself on providing high quality education in a caring environment. In 2009, the school achieved its highest ever results. 84 per cent of students achieved five A*-C grades with 69 per cent getting five A*-C grades including English and Maths, its specialism is languages. Today, Our Lady’s Convent High School is an 11 to 19-years girls’ school with 750 students, which also admits boys to its sixth-form. The current plans are to replace its overcrowded

and dated buildings with modern facilities to serve the needs of its 21st century students. Design work for the new building started in June 2009 and the planning application has just been submitted. Construction is due to commence later this year and expected to be completed by late 2012. The school’s proposed new facilities include: • improved social areas for students • state-of-the-art laboratories and workshops • modern library and ICT facilities • a rooftop multi-use games area and a sports hall to vastly improve sporting opportunities • much improved wider corridors, open spaces and dining areas will mean a better overall educational experience. SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND PUPIL REFERRAL UNITS The BSF programme also provides an opportunity to build and modernise Hackney’s special schools (for children and young people with special educational needs) and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs). The programme will result in new special school and PRU buildings that are: • large enough to respond to Hackney’s increasing population as well as predicted growth in numbers and complexity of children and young people with special educational needs • flexible enough to respond to the changing needs and complexity of children and young people with special educational needs both now and into the future. The special schools and PRUs, which will be benefiting from the third phase of delivery of the BSF programme in Hackney, are: • Horizon School • Downsview School • Stormont House School • Ickburgh School • a year 5-9 short stay school (Currently St John’s & Daniel House PRU) • a key stage 4 vocational college (Regent’s Vocational College & New Vision PRU)

The new BSF special schools and PRU buildings will provide: • accessible buildings that are fit for purpose with modern facilities that meet personal learning, medical and health programmes • outdoor play space designed to meet the special needs of the pupils • specialist facilities and rooms catering to the specialisms of the schools (e.g. hydro-therapy pool, sensory garden, sensory rooms, colour suites, quiet work areas, extensive facilities for physical education, visual impairment assessment rooms, audiology rooms, etc.) • modern facilities to support sharing skills and expertise between schools (including both mainstream and special provision) and to strengthen partnership working with other agencies (e.g. health, social care and voluntary sector organisations) • more local resident children and young people with special educational needs to be educated in the borough, closer to home and their local community; • spaces and resources to support parents and carers and to allow them to meet with each other and with school staff.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information on Hackney BSF e-mail: bsf@hackney.gov.uk/bsf or visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/xe-bsf.htm www.learningtrust.co.uk www.partnershipforschools.org.uk www.education.gov.uk For more information about the Phase 1 and Phase 2 schools, please visit their websites: www.clapton.hackney.sch.uk www.sns.hackney.sch.uk www.hackneyfree.hackney.sch.uk www.haggerston.hackney.sch.uk www.cardinalpole.co.uk www.ourladys.hackney.sch.uk

The ideal material choice for educational environments

HERE IS A WIDE VARIETY of educational spaces such as classrooms, sports halls, corridors, social areas and washrooms. Interiors within such environments must be durable and withstand the impact high traffic areas endure. The hygienic and durable properties of Formica® High Pressure Laminate (HPL) allow it to excel in an academic setting. Offering highly decorative, dependable and low maintenance surfaces, the Formica® product range provides a wide variety of colours and designs to bring the right mix of materials to the learning environment. Materials ideal for such surroundings are Formica® Compact Top and Chemtop2™ by Formica Group. Formica Compact Top

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thickness it has inherent structural solidity and dimensional stability making it ideal for horizontal and vertical surface applications. Chemtop2 by Formica Group features an advanced chemical resistant surface, using specialist papers and incorporating a highly resilient coating during manufacture. It is unrivalled for high stress environments that require resistance to harsh chemicals such as laboratory tables, splashbacks, screens and fume cupboards. provides a high performance, damage-resistant homogenous solid core laminate for areas where the upmost protection is required. The range offers a practical and robust design application for laboratories, for example, where harsh substances are often used. In a 16mm

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we are able to provide a fully equipped building in an average of only 8-12 weeks, with far less disruption and site traffic affecting staff, students and visitors. We can also assist in helping to achieve BREEAM Excellent status where required. These buildings are available for hire or sale, and all the catering equipment is supplied and supported with training, maintenance, service and spare parts from Whitco Catering Equipment Ltd. For more details on the remarkable PremierPlus Building System, contact - Premier Interlink (Waco UK Ltd)

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Unrivalled expertise in asbestos removal Robyland Environmental Ltd is part of Robyland Ltd who are a very successful construction and building company for the past 33 years. Robyland Environmental Ltd have been operating for 8 years. The management and the workforce have a vast knowledge in all aspects of the asbestos removal industry. Robyland Environmental Ltd has unrivalled experience and expertise in the specialised field of asbestos removal works. Over the past years we have undertaken contracts of every size and scope across a broad spectrum of commercial and domestic buildings from theatres to factories to the private housing sector. We have vast experience working for and along side of local councils and housing associations. We operate our asbestos removal works using the latest plant and equipment all plant and equipment are fully serviced and tested as to the Health and Safety executive requirements. All management and staff are fully trained, holding certificates on the experience of asbestos removal and safety on site. Robyland Environmental Ltd carry out Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 asbestos content surveys in buildings. Depending on the outcome of the survey we will undertake encapsulation, or carry out asbestos removal work efficiently, effectively and most importantly safely.

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ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT

ASBESTOS: THE MONSTER IN THE CUPBOARD With the right support and training, schools can manage asbestos effectively, says Joanne Lewis, chair of the education group for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health

LEARNING TO MANAGE THE RISKS in day-to-day activities is part of a good education. School pupils learn how to handle a wide variety of risks, from the busy road where a crossing or lollipop warden helps pupils to cross safely to the science lab where safety spectacles stop chemicals splashing into students’ eyes. When the danger is hidden and its effects aren’t apparent until years later, it becomes more menacing and more difficult to manage – a monster in the cupboard waiting to pounce. Asbestos is just such a monster, prevalent in many of our schools as well as domestic properties. But with knowledge and effective management, we can tame it. KNOW YOUR MONSTER In order to manage the risk, it’s important to understand what you’re dealing with. The Asbestos Training and Consultancy Association (ATaC) says that around 75 per cent of Britain’s schools contain asbestos and asbestos containing materials (ACMs). There are high-risk materials such as asbestos

The menace of asbestos is two-fold: it causes respiratory illness and death, and it acts with stealth so many victims don’t know about the damage until it’s too late. Mesothelioma, the most potent asbestosrelated cancer, can take 20 or 30 years to emerge, and by the time patients realise they’ve got it, they often have only months left to live lagging on pipes and boilers; sprayed asbestos used for thermal insulation, fire protection, partitioning and ducts; some ceiling tiles; and asbestos insulation board. Some ACMs, such as floor tiles, asbestos cement roofing and guttering, and textured coatings, are considered a lower risk – but a risk nonetheless. The menace of asbestos is two-fold: it causes respiratory illness and death, and it acts with stealth so many victims don’t know about

the damage until it’s too late. Mesothelioma, the most potent asbestos-related cancer, can take 20 or 30 years to emerge, and by the time patients realise they’ve got it, they often have only months left to live. In the UK, around 2,000 people die from mesothelioma every year. The figure has doubled since 1992, and it’s set to rise further because many of the people who were exposed before the ban won’t know they’re ill yet.

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ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT

To date, says ATaC, 178 teachers are known to have died from asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos has also been implicated in the deaths of younger people like Leigh Carlisle, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma aged 26. Leigh died in 2008, aged 28, and it’s still unknown whether her illness was caused by asbestos in her school or taking a shortcut through a factory yard where asbestos was cut. CLOSING THE CUPBOARD DOOR The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006 bans the importation, supply and use of all forms of asbestos. The most dangerous types, crocidolite (blue asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos) have been banned since 1985, while chrysotile (white asbestos) has been banned since 1999. There’s also a ban on the second-hand use of asbestos products. Nevertheless, asbestos and ACMs can often be found in schools and colleges built or refurbished before blue and brown asbestos were banned in 1985. Some ACMs such as asbestos cement were still used up until 1999. The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations specify a “duty to manage asbestos” for nondomestic premises. Anyone with responsibility for the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises has a duty to know whether the premises contain asbestos, where it is, what condition it’s in, and to ensure that it’s managed properly – including telling anyone who may disturb it that it’s there. If it’s undamaged, and isn’t in a place where it’s likely to be damaged, it can be left in place and monitored regularly to make sure it’s still sound. For most educational establishments, the ‘dutyholder’ will be the employer. In many cases that’s the Local Education Authority, although for voluntary aided schools, foundation schools and Academies it will be the school governors, and for independent schools it may be the proprietor, governors or trustees. These measures aim to close the cupboard door; to contain the asbestos monster so it can do no more harm. But it’s important to acknowledge that constant monitoring and competent management is needed to make sure that door stays closed. SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS In February this year a snapshot survey of 16 British schools by ATaC found that none of them was meeting the regulations on managing asbestos. The report followed a questionnaire carried out by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and HSE in 2009 on local authorities and dioceses, which showed similar flaws in asbestos management. ATaC says that many schools lack the resources to manage asbestos safely, and has joined forces with the Campaign Against Asbestos in Schools to press for a working group to be set up, risk assessments and management plans to be effectively implemented, and full training to be

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introduced for teachers and school staff. Some teachers’ unions are also calling for all asbestos to be eliminated from school premises. At the very least, the survey has highlighted a need to give schools more support in managing asbestos. “ATaC’s audit and our own research reveal that in many schools, staff are not aware of the dangers of asbestos; they do not know where it is and are not involved in its management,” says Philip Parkin, general secretary of Voice: the union for education professionals. “Urgent action is required to improve standards of asbestos management, and to create an action plan for asbestos in schools, including: audits, risk assessments, relevant training and guidance, and for all asbestos to be identified and removed in a phased programme when schools are refurbished.” TAMING THE MONSTER At IOSH, we believe that because all types of asbestos fibres are potentially harmful, people should be protected from inhaling them. That means the careful recording, monitoring and management of asbestos and ACMs if they’re in good condition, and the sealing off or safe removal of any materials that are in poor condition. The IOSH manifesto, Creating a healthier UK plc, sets out the challenge of getting better health through better work and advocate the embedding of sensible risk management principles throughout the education and training system. We’re also working to support teachers in educating tomorrow’s workers about the risks. We developed the Workplace Hazard Awareness Course, a free resource for education providers to teach Year 10 pupils about the risks they might face at work – including asbestos. “IOSH takes a sensible risk management approach to the problem of asbestos,” says David Garioch, corporate health and

safety manager for the London Borough of Sutton. “Adequate training and support needs to be provided by the employer for schools to manage asbestos effectively.” David describes how those principles have been put into practice in Sutton. “We’ve provided school asbestos duty holder training along with help and support to complete the asbestos registers,” he says. “We firstly carried out a Materials Assessment through a competent contractor, and then worked with the duty holders to complete the Priority Assessment and show them how to inspect the condition for updating the register.” The key to taming the asbestos monster lies in education and advice from competent professionals. Everyone responsible for nondomestic premises should have their property checked for asbestos, using a competent person such as an accredited asbestos surveyor. And you need to keep checking any asbestos and ACMs to make sure you’re aware of any new risks that arise. Most importantly, information about the risks needs to be passed on to anyone – teachers, maintenance staff and pupils – who might come into contact with asbestos or ACMs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Workplace Hazard Awareness Course: www.wiseup2work.co.uk/whac IOSH manifesto Creating a healthier UK plc: www.iosh.co.uk/news_ and_events/campaigns.aspx HSE guidance for schools: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/schools.pdf Asbestos in Schools website: www.asbestosexposureschools.co.uk

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KAD – the specialists in managing asbestos

How much do you know about asbestos?

HE HSE’S LATEST awareness campaign will be designed to target ‘employers’ and legal ‘duty holders’. Are you fully informed on the legal requirements; the risks and for what you must provide to comply? KAD Environmental Consultancy Ltd is a specialist in managing all risks associated with asbestos. KAD has developed simple and effective management systems in line with current regulations and HSG264 the Survey Guide, to immediately minimise exposure risks in any premises. KAD operates on behalf of their clients and legal ‘duty holders’, to ensure all asbestos risks are managed correctly, professionally and efficiently. KAD is currently providing full asbestos management packages for central government departments throughout England and Scotland, as well as many other public and private sector clients including NHS Trusts. KAD’s free, no obligation and confidential Asbestos Management Health Check instantly identifies

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mid 1970s were constructed using asbestos materials. The number of people dying each year from illnesses as a result of exposure to asbestos contamination is still rising, making asbestos, without doubt, the single biggest cause of death due to work related illness. Asbestos is still present in these types of buildings, putting the health of children and teachers at risk. ACAD is a founding member of UKATA responsible for setting standards for the asbestos training industry, and is on the list of organisations accredited to deliver such training. Our trainers deliver courses designed to meet the standards of HSG247 Chapter 4 of the licensed contractors guide and are delivered throughout the UK and abroad. ACAD has won awards for its ground breaking initiatives in the asbestos industry, and works closely with the HSE and other stakeholders encouraging

the adoption of best practices throughout the industry. With a growing membership nationwide, ACAD is frequently contacted for free advice on all asbestos related issues.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Should you have any queries regarding asbestos training, e-mail annlineton@tica-acad. co.uk. For membership details contact angelabradshaw@ tica-acad.co.uk

Asbestos awareness training from ARCA

Bespoke training from Gully Howard

HE ASBESTOS Removal Contractors association (ARCA), committed to promoting standards within the UK asbestos abatement industry for its member companies, joined forces with the Health and Safety executive (HSE) and other prominent stakeholders to support the campaign ‘Asbestos: The hidden killer’, which is aimed at making tradesmen aware of asbestos and the damage it can cause to their health and lives. The HSE’s Approved Code of Practice states that asbestos awareness training is the appropriate information instruction and training for persons who are

SIGNIFICANT change in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 was the inclusion of mandatory training for those liable to come into contact with asbestos. Regulation 10 states that “Every employer shall ensure that adequate information, instruction and training is given to those of his employees who are or who are liable to be exposed to asbestos, or who supervise such employees”. Asbestos awareness training is required, amongst others, for: • General maintenance staff • Electricians • Plumbers • Gas fitters • Demolition/construction workers • Roofers • Heating and ventilation engineers • Building surveyors and other such professionals We are pleased to offer a three hour training course covering the four key areas: • Properties, uses and

liable to disturb asbestos during their everyday work. ARCA is the leading supplier of asbestos awareness training aimed at building and maintenance workers. The range of courses which ARCA has available is comprehensive. Each has been designed to ensure that your staff acquire a real depth of knowledge and capability.

FOR MORE INFORMATION To find out more or to arrange a no obligation meeting to discuss your employees asbestos awareness training needs please contact ARCA on 01283 531126.

risk to health • Use of asbestos in the construction industry • Risk of exposure and control methods • Legislation Gully Howard Technical Ltd is run by qualified scientists, occupational hygienists and surveyors who have extensive experience in providing training in all aspects of asbestos work. Training can be delivered in our dedicated training facilities or we can organise course training at your own premises.

FOR MORE INFORMATION www.gullyhowardtechnical.com

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New Academy Achieves ‘Very Good’ Rating Designed and built by award winning developers, Rydon, St Paul’s Academy in Greenwich has finally celebrated its long awaited opening. Built on the existing campus of St Paul’s Catholic School, the new academy will eventually accommodate 1,200 students. The single site houses a sports and assembly hall, kitchen and refectory, admin space and general classrooms as well as specialist areas that include dance and drama, music, food tech. and science laboratories that all reach a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’. Working with St Paul’s Trust, Rydon ensured only the most robust products were specified, hence the decision to make Armitage Venesta (AV) sole manufacturer and supplier of all washroom and changing cubicles, vanity units and benches. AV’s Academy range, with its steel cored anti-vandal structure that was specifically designed for the hardest working school environments, was installed to provide a washroom solution that will stand the test of time and still look impressive. AV’s pre-plumbed system, IPS Evolve, with its factory fitted sanitaryware, was used across the academy to provide easy clean surfaces that promote hygiene and allow easy access for ongoing maintenance. For more information on Armitage Venesta’s washroom systems and IPS Evolve®, visit www.armitage-venesta.co.uk or call 01474 353 333

Academy

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FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

EDUCATION AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE FACILITIES SHOW Event attracted a record number of visitors and closes a success THE FACILITIES SHOW, the UK’s leading FM event was a hive of activity when it took place 11-13 May at the NEC Birmingham. In its 11th year, The Facilities Show offered more educational content, industry renowned exhibitors and innovative features than ever before. Winner of the 2009 AEO Award for Best Trade Exhibition, The Facilities Show 2010 built on the success of 2009 when more than 19,000 professionals descended on the NEC Birmingham. Produced in association with the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM), the 2010 event built upon the previous years’ successes and was attended by industry professionals looking to explore the latest offerings from leading FM manufacturers, distributors and suppliers at the extensive exhibition. A wide range of industry renowned companies launched and demonstrated their latest products at services including Anabas, B&Q, Buderus, Bosch, CLM, MG Lites, Nickleby, Screwfix and Shred-it. Education has long played a vital role at The Facilities Show and the 2010 event offered the most comprehensive, freeof-charge programme to date. Visitors had the opportunity to attend more than 30 hours of complimentary seminars to learn about the latest issues facing the industry and receive best practice advice from facilities management leaders. TWO SEMINAR THEATRES There were two dedicated seminar theatres on the exhibition floor; The Facilities Show Seminar Theatre, sponsored by Moneypenny, addressed topics including managing maintenance, best practice techniques in secure management destruction, benefits of a web based permit to work systems and career pathways and qualifications in facilities management to name but a few. The Sustainable FM Academy, sponsored by FMX, featured seminars delivered by key industry figures covering a range of topics to help reduce carbon footprint and help organisations work towards a more sustainable future. Adrian Newton, portfolio director of Safety and Building Management at UBM Live, organisers of The Facilities Show, said: “The reason the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) recognised The Facilities Show as the best trade exhibition in 2009 is because of our commitment to driving this exciting industry forward. We offered our most comprehensive programme to date for 2010 and we were in no doubt that visitors would get all the information

they need to drive their businesses forward.” Education once again took centre stage at The Facilities Show with two dedicated seminar theatres on the exhibition floor. The Facilities Show Seminar Theatre, sponsored by Moneypenny, housed an extensive programme that focussed on the latest industry developments. In addition to a keynote presentation by Ian Fielder, chair of BIFM, there was a raft of topical presentations, including: • ‘The cowboys are facing their alamo’: The British Parking Association/UK Parking Control Ltd, Richard Hilton, BDM and Rupert Williams, MD • Managing maintenance: The opportunities and pitfalls with outsourcing building maintenance and compliance services: CLM, Paul Caddick, MD • Double your money: FM and Construction Act 2009: Nickleby, Nick Smale, director • Saving money and lives; the benefits of a web based permit to work systems: Banyards, Simon Oliff, MD. The Sustainable FM Academy, sponsored by FMX, allowed visitors to hear from industry leaders who shared best practices in order to make workplaces greener and more sustainable. Seminar topics included: • Voltage Optimisation – Can you afford not to?: powerPerfector, Angus Robertson, CEO • Low Energy Air Filters (CIBSE CPD Acredited Seminar): Camfil Farr, Peter Dyment, energy consultant • Energy efficient buildings – Web based real time energy monitoring, The first step to

energy efficient buildings: Building Sustainability Ltd, George Bartley, managing director • Green roofing and refurbishment – The sustainable solutions: Bauder, Paul Munley, regional manager. ENERGY MANAGEMENT At a time when facilities managers are taking greater responsibility for the energy management of their buildings, The Facilities Show 2010 launched the Energy Management Zone, sponsored by powerPerfector. Following research, it was apparent that 30 per cent of visitors had responsibility for energy management or supply. Therefore to address this growing requirement, the new zone housed some of the leading providers of energy products and services to give visitors the opportunity to address all their energy management needs in one dedicated pavilion. Camfil Farr, Energy Intelligence Group and IM Serve are just some of the names that exhibited within the first ever Energy Management Zone. Today, organisations are seeking more efficient, productive and sustainable FM solutions so The Facilities Show highlighted such products to its visitors with a dedicated trail. New for 2010, the Prop IT Trail highlighted market leading companies offering cutting edge products in computer aided facilities management (CAFM), document management, resource booking software, security and fire services, mobile communication and systems integration. FSI, Serco – FM Easy and Qube

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FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Global Software are just a few of the companies that participated in the Prop IT Trail. The Green FM Trail returned once again for 2010 to highlight exhibitors offering advice, product and services in response to the ever growing green challenge. Visitors to The Facilities Show also had the opportunity to relax and unwind at The Facilities Show Bar, sponsored by PPL. EXHIBITOR HIGHLIGHTS To mark their first appearance at the Facilities Management Show, CP Plus launched their bespoke ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) service into the FM market. In addition to their current FM service offering – a flexible one-stop solution to help clients increase efficiency, cut costs and reduce the number of suppliers – CP Plus can now provide their FM clients with the ability to improve security, customer familiarisation and congestion processes, using proven ANPR technology. ANPR can also offer facilities managers greater staffing flexibility and data capture capabilities, as well as providing effective solutions to restrict unauthorised use of public and private parking areas. Developed in-house and designed with features including permit management,

enforcement processes, patrol logging and vehicle tracking systems, CP Plus’ ANPR services ensure that clients and their customers benefit from a superior parking experience. State-of-the-art technologies such as mobile phone and Internet-based payment systems are also available. Grahame Rose, development director at CP Plus, commented: “We use technology where there is a proven need and where it adds real value to the service we offer our clients – not because it’s the latest thing. We never underestimate the simple approach. Where the situation demands it, we employ uncomplicated, traditional systems – in fact we utilise whatever is needed to ensure that our client receives the very highest FM service.” Swallow Evacuation and Mobility Products Limited launched the first Mobile Goods/ Cargo handling product that can also evacuate a wheelchair user in their own wheelchair. Working in conjunction with the Arcadia Group, the Goods Mate can carry goods up to 100kg, up and down stairs, at the touch of a single button with no operative balancing requirement. The unit can also take a wheelchair user in their own non motorised wheelchair, thus enabling the Arcadia Group the ability to have one product that fulfils different purposes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION The Facilities Show returns to the NEC Birmingham from 17-19 May 2011. Visit www.thefacilitiesshow.com for further information and follow us on twitter @ facilities_show for the latest updates. Companies interested in exhibiting at The Facilities Show 2011 should contact Fergus Bird, 020 7921 8660 or e-mail fergus.bird@ubm.com

Secure archive and destruction services

New knowledge calls for new equipment

LARKS ARCHIVE STORAGE offers state of the art archive services supported by our storage facility designed to allow maximum flexibility and access to your material. CAS is ISO9001 and ISO27001 certified. Using the latest technology, each archive box is bar-coded and scanned, keeping a secure audit trail of all clients’ transactions. Our retrieval and collection service has been proved and tested over many years. We are able to supply storage boxes designed specifically for the storage of document records and files, made from high quality, strong and durable board. All businesses produce documentation containing confidential and sensitive information which, under ever increasing laws, must be securely destroyed and disposed of to comply with legislation. We offer a reliable destruction service, supplying a secure waste wheelie bins in a variety of sizes for ease of transportation. There is no

NDUSTRIAL and commercial equipment provider Slingsby supplies over 35,000 products through its website and catalogue including a wide range of lockers, cloakroom equipment, health & safety products and recycling equipment. But even with over 35,000 products you may still not find what you’re looking for. No problem, whatever your requirement we can provide bespoke solutions tailored to your needs. With 116 years experience of solving workplace problems our skilled staff can provide advice or guidance and we can manufacture or source solutions especially for you. Our no quibble guarantee and 12 month warranty scheme give you complete peace of mind and we can also offer you an instant credit account to make it even

Firstly, staff can take goods in tote boxes, up and down stairs, in a safe manner without any lifting or manual handling on the stairs. Secondly, should the need arise that a wheelchair user needs to be evacuated from above or below ground, the unit can allow safe egress from the building without the need to transfer the occupant out of their own chair, this also eliminates the need for manual handling of the occupant as well. Thirdly, with the nature of lifts, they will break down on a regular basis, therefore this product allows the company not to be reliant on a lift engineer again. Finally, this product helps with compliance of the Fire Reform Order, Disability Discrimination Act & Health and Executive Manual Handling Guidelines.

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contract to adhere to, only a charge on each collection when required. The bins are transported back to our premises and the documentation is then shredded and destroyed in accordance with the Data Protection Act. We provide a daily service to and from London and a pre-arranged service to the rest of mainland UK.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Clarks Archive Storage Contact: Danny Clark Address: Stour Valley Business Centre, Brundon Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 7GB Tel: 0845 5050 003 Fax: 0845 5050 004 E-mail: info@archivestorage.com

easier to place your first order. Nothing is too much trouble, we’ll do all we can to accommodate your needs and we’re confident that our unique combination of product choice, free delivery and no minimum order make us hard to beat. In addition we offer a free next day delivery service for all stocked products.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Call 0800 294 4440 or visit www.slingsby.com today. Quote ref: PH4.

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Written by the Carbon Trust

ENERGY

HIGHER EDUCATION CARBON MANAGEMENT Small steps pave the way for energy savings fit for King’s College London THE CARBON TRUST’S annual carbon management programmes for the public sector enable local authorities, universities and NHS trusts to collaborate in developing and implementing effective carbon reduction plans. Around 400 have already completed the programme. A further 120, with a combined annual energy spend of £365 million, recently signed up for the year ahead. These included 20 ministerial departments, government agencies and non-departmental public bodies that joined a new Carbon Trust programme for the central government estate. One of the first institutions to sign up to the Carbon Trust’s Higher Education Carbon Management service, King’s College London has built on its achievements, progressing from small-scale action to challenging refurbishment and renewable energy projects. As a result, the College cut its CO2 emissions by over 3,000 tonnes within the first year of implementing its Carbon Management Programme and now factors energy efficiency into every estate management decision. These savings helped it become one of the first 12 organisations to achieve the Carbon Trust Standard, win a Green Gown award and support its aim of working towards achieving BSI EN16001. THE BUSINESS FOCUS With 23,000 students spread over five campuses and two further residential sites, and buildings ranging from a Grade I listed library to 21st century state-of-theart laboratories, King’s College London is an energy efficiency challenge. Driven by cost considerations in the face of rising energy prices, university expansion and reputational as well as regulatory concerns, King’s had recognised the need for strong action on energy management by the early 2000s. By the end of 2004 it had undertaken most of what it saw as quick and cost-effective tasks. However, by 2005, its energy bills had reached over £3.7 million and annual carbon emissions were exceeding more than 48,000 tonnes. King’s therefore wanted to take its activity to the next level of sophistication. So when in 2005 the Carbon Trust Higher Education Carbon Management (HECM) service was launched, intended to help universities develop strategies towards greater energy efficiency, King’s leapt at the chance to join the pilot programme. “We first heard about the service at a meeting of London University energy managers in 2005, facilitated by the Carbon Trust,”

We can always find the technical fixes, but getting the message across is much harder. I can still walk around the buildings and find lights left on, or receptions lit up like a Christmas tree says Keith McIntyre, energy and environment manager at King’s. “We had already decided that measuring CO2 output would be a good way to compare the performance of our different buildings, so working with the Carbon Trust seemed like a good fit.” King’s initially identified projects within its Carbon Management Plan that would result in a 12.5 per cent reduction of its CO2 emissions from the 2004/5 baseline by 2011-2012. If achieved this would equate to a cumulative total reduction of more than 19,000 tonnes and a £4.4 million saving in energy costs. Funded by a series of Salix loans, King’s has

now met this goal by exercising increasing control of its buildings’ energy consumption, principally through new controls on lighting and temperature. The Salix Energy Efficiency Loans scheme provides funding for public sector organisations who want to invest in energy saving technologies. “If we hadn’t taken these actions, our revenue spend would have been £2 million to £3 million higher. And as from 2011 money from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for capital projects is going to be linked to our carbon performance, the better we get the more

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Worried about the new CRC legislation?

Effective building controls can help you with Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) requirements. Optimising your building energy management system (BEMS) will quickly deliver significant energy savings and reductions in carbon emissions. In addition to significant energy savings, a Trend system can also provide the environmental data and information collected for teaching purposes in the classroom. Simply email your address details to crc@trendcontrols.com and we will send you a FREE Trend CRC booklet which illustrates the practical steps you can take to reduce your carbon emissions.

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Request a FREE copy of the Trend CRC booklet now.

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ENERGY

funding we have the potential to achieve.” To reach its targets, King’s College London, in partnership with the Carbon Trust, identified a number of actions that it could undertake to address its energy use and spend. The first significant investment was the replacement of a leaky, inefficient 40-year old boiler system within a teaching and research area. By comparing their efficiency with Carbon Trust benchmark data, King’s realised how urgent the project had become. With £100,000 of Salix funding, a modern, modular boiler system was fitted to a research/ teaching building. Further work on downstream circuits and the introduction of a Building Energy Management System (BeMS) has resulted in further heating circuits being added to the system during refurbishment of other areas, giving more efficiency and removing the need to replace additional boilers. “This has meant we have got more savings from the initial investment than first planned,” reveals Keith. Perhaps surprisingly, some of the most up-to-date solutions can be more sympathetic to the architecture of the older buildings than the technologies they replace. This was the case when it came to replacing the metal bay lighting in the Grade 1 listed, neo-Gothic Maughan Library. “The Maughan Library has high, vaulted ceilings,” says Keith. “We have been able to strip out the metal bays and halogens and replace them with compact fluorescents. Not only have we gone from 200w per light to 40w, but you can actually appreciate the vaulting far better than before.” EXPLORING NEW OPTIONS Age and architecture are not the only factors demanding consideration. As 60 per cent of King’s focus is research, it operates many highly intensive laboratories, whose temperature, humidity levels and air change rates are all

dictated by strict Home Office criteria. “Because we can’t change the settings, it’s forced us to look instead at how the power is generated,” says Keith. “The knowledge we have gained from starting small means we are not frightened to try something new in our building and refurbishment projects.” As a result, the College has taken an imaginative approach to energy generation for its newest building. The Cicely Saunders Institute, the first dedicated palliative care research centre in the world, has its underfloor heating and chilled beams powered by a ground source heat pump, while its hot water is created by solar power. In other areas King’s is looking at photo-voltaic and combined heat and power (CHP) solutions. PUSHING BEMS BOUNDARIES “We are now a really big user of BeMS,” explains Keith. “Five years ago, we didn’t really have any. Now, we are not just putting in bog standard models any more. We know what we want and have tweaked them beyond what the manufacturers offer.” The College’s control settings now all align to building opening hours, and are linked to a central web enabled control software system. The College has also put in meters to provide valuable data on where it is using most energy, so that it can identify and reduce areas of energy wastage. For example, metering can highlight when lights are left on throughout the night. MAKING THE MOST OF CHILLED BEAMS The College has also embraced the idea of chilled beams, a relatively new technology. “We recently upgraded three floors of a 1970s building,” says Keith. “It is made mainly of concrete and we were restricted in what we could do. One thing we did was to improve the thermal envelope; the

other was to put in chilled beams.” As part of this work, the College engineered a passive sensor into the chilled beams and also selected to incorporate an innovative Pressure Independent Characterised Control valve. Through the BeMS this could not only accurately regulate the thermal input into the rooms, in this case offices, within the building but also allowed accurate measurement of the thermal load. “The passive sensor within the chilled beams operates both the lights and temperature. This means that we can have very tight control of energy usage in the room,” highlights Keith. “Users have control within a tight control band of their own environment. If no one is detected within the working space the BeMS regulates down the chilled beam and also ramps down the main ventilation plant.” REFURBISHING FOR THE FUTURE When, in 2007, the College began the extensive refurbishment of its Strand campus, sited in an 1829 Grade 1-listed building, it decided to adopt a sustainable approach to the task. “We needed to make the most of the existing estate through better use of space and refurbishment, and at the time we wanted in part to prove there could be environmentally positive refurbishment. We’ve had proof that we’ve achieved these goals by winning the Sustainable Construction Green Gown award,” says Keith. “These recognise exceptional initiatives being taken by universities and colleges across the UK to become more sustainable.” Initially King’s was going to put in air conditioning. But while waiting for the plans to go through, there was a new directive on sustainability, and as a result, the plans were re-engineered. Now the building makes the maximum use of natural light and solar

The Efficient Energy Corporation – investing in the future

WARENESS and installations of micro-generation and efficient energy systems are growing. This is largely due to an increased understanding of the environmental impacts of energy creation, the potential cost savings, how some systems can actually generate revenue and a reduction in costs through technological advancement, grants and expanding government support and incentives. Here at the Efficient Energy Corporation we can take you through the whole process. Starting with a sight survey, to designing bespoke systems, advising on grants and feed-in tariffs, full installation by our certified and courteous specialist engineers and monthly after care checkups for six months.

with the existing feed-in tariffs offer a ten per cent return annually for up to 25 years. • Heat Pumps (ground, air and water source) and Solar thermal, which with the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (April 2011) give a rate of return of 12 per cent and six per cent annually respectively for up to 20 years. We cover a full spectrum of technologies and are purposefully not tied to any one producer in order to offer our clients the best advanced and well-proven technologies. Two examples include: • Solar Photovoltaic, which

FOR MORE INFORMATION For any questions or to simply learn about available technologies, please get in touch. Tel/Fax: 020 7095 1289 E-mail: anthony@ceecsystems.com

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The Key Steps To CRC Success With the first full compliance year of the CRC well underway, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re approaching the halfway point of the registration period. You may still be working through the complexities of subsidiaries, SGUs and exemptions, but now is the time for action. You should also be looking at how you can get the best ranking on the early action metrics. Inenco is already helping customers to ensure that they are compliant, to optimise their league table position and to get the long term benefits of becoming a low carbon organisation.

To find out how we can help you: Call Inenco on 01253 785000 or visit our website www.inenco.com

understanding energy

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ENERGY

heat and the windows can be opened, reducing the need for air conditioning. The building will reduce electricity by 830,000 units a year, saving 383 tonnes of CO2 – and £77,000. PEOPLE POWER Getting staff and students on board with the need for greater efficiency has also been crucial to the new focus. The College worked collaboratively with Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Trust, with whom it shares its campuses, on an early awareness raising campaign. This highlighted the difference made by switching off computers and lights, not overfilling kettles, and other everyday examples of responsible energy use. “Our biggest challenge is still behavioural change,” admits Keith. “We can always find the technical fixes, but getting the message across is much harder. I can still walk around the buildings and find lights left on, or receptions lit up like a Christmas tree. It’s about putting the message into context, for example highlighting to students that their actions are wasting their fees.” Part of the challenge is that the turnover of students is so rapid; no sooner has one

cohort absorbed the thinking, than they have been replaced by a new intake. More broadly however, energy efficiency has become central to the way the College functions. “One area where we have been hugely successful is with our estate managers. They now automatically think ‘Is there an energy efficient way of doing this?’ and consider it a key part of procurement and building projects,” Keith says. “It’s factored in from the start in a way that would never have happened before. In fact the biggest problem now is that it’s become so instinctive they don’t think to tell me about it!” In 2008, King’s became one of the first 12 organisations to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard – a mark of excellence that recognises organisations for measuring, managing and reducing carbon emissions. “Getting the Carbon Trust Standard has given us a great way to demonstrate to our employees and students that we are committed to reducing our carbon impact,” says Colin Bushnell, assistant principal (Estates). “It is also a great testament to their efforts. The Standard has given us the independent endorsement for the actions we have taken and the reductions we have made.”

King’s has adopted a very collaborative approach to working. In part this is due to its proximity to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. King’s also works closely with one of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) providers of facilities maintenance for two of its buildings, which it has worked with since 1999 as part of a 25-year PPP contract. “We completed some further Carbon Trust audits of two of our PPP buildings, as part of this collaborative working,” explains Keith. “The aim is to identify energy saving initiatives which our partner will implement. The aggregated savings from the measures identified could represent a 24 per cent reduction in energy consumption. “A couple of years ago this type of working would have been unheard of and would have required changes to contracts. The facilities management team has been very cooperative, to the extent of actually driving the project.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION Web: www.carbontrust.co.uk

How choosing the right broker can help cut the cost of your school’s gas and electricity bills

ITH THE INCREASED PRESSURE on budgets, ensuring your energy is purchased at the most competitive price has never been more important. Purchasing of gas and electricity is unlike purchasing anything else. Energy prices change on a daily, if not hourly, basis and suppliers offer confusing products with different contract lengths. This can be a minefield for the inexperienced. The expert advice of an energy broker or consultant can work to your advantage in receiving the most competitive prices on the market and will empower you to make the correct choice when agreeing your electricity and gas contracts. A responsible energy broker should take the problem out of your in tray and come back to you with answers. When contracting an energy broker you should ensure their service includes: • Tendering of energy contracts to the market. Following all legal criteria • Analysing all offers and showing savings on offer in an easy to understand format, with an estimated annual spend • Advising the customer of fees before any work is carried out • Complete transparency with the customer signing off all energy contracts • Terminating of energy contracts with suppliers as per the terms and conditions

• Validation of all energy invoices to insure contracts are billing as per contractual terms • Ongoing account management for the length of the contract. Stephen Drewett of Paragon Energy says: “We believe an energy broker should work alongside the customer. The customer should be presented with all of the information in an easy to understand form. The customer should then be able to make an informed decision.” There are some unscrupulous energy brokers on the market and Stephen Drewett has this advice on how to avoid them: “Always agree fees before any work is carried out, avoiding brokers offering half savings, as we have found in the past with customers being invoiced

thousands of pounds by their broker after contracts have been accepted. Ensure you always have the final say on which contracts to sign, knowing what rate you will be paying and never allow a third party to sign your energy contracts on your behalf.” He also added: “At Paragon Energy we design a bespoke service around each customer’s needs. If we are unable to show savings we will pro rata our rates – to date this have never happened.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01249 462719 Fax: 0871 733 6005 E-mail: sdrewett@paragon-energy.co.uk Web: www.paragon-energy.co.uk

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Systematic Energy.

Big on expertise and focussed on your problems Get us on board and we can help you to shrink the Telecoms and Energy Bills. We specialise in helping you: • Reduce Costs • Use less -spend Less • Highlight Unexpected Costs Unexpected Usage • Set up action plans to prevent wastage • Provide all your utility services for smaller sites

We are installers and suppliers of air conditioning and heating systems for schools, offices, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and factory units across the UK. We can advise, design and install a system to suit any requirements. We also service and maintain existing heating and air conditioning systems. Our fully qualified and experienced engineers aim to take the stress out of our clients’ projects. We can advise schools on how to apply for an interest-free loan from the Carbon Trust in order to install energy-reducing equipment (such as heat pumps).

We can advise you on how to make better use of building services. Better use will result in less waste which means less cost. Our skills and knowledge will help you to focus on the systems that are wasting your resources and creating an environmental impact that is too high. Remote metering/ bureau services can be provided at minimal cost or installation of further automated metering. We will help you to highlight when and where waste is occurring.Together we will set up action plans to minimise cost and waste. Provide less costly telephone services, mobiles, internet, gas and electricity. Without locking you into long term contracts and poor invoicing.

You can talk with me on free phone 0808 1088057 email gerry.goldner@systematic-energy.org.uk

E-mail: info@sdh-aircon.com 8 Forest Way, Bolton, Lancashire, BL7 9YE.

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ENERGY

ARE YOU COMMITTED TO CARBON REDUCTION? Robert Rabinowitz, director, Environmental Markets for sustainability consultancy, BRE, answers your questions on the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme THE CRC ENERGY EFFICIENCY SCHEME came into effect on 1 April and has the potential to pose significant challenges to many organisations. For most participants, this will be the first experience of being subject to a complex carbontrading scheme. Yet, unlike many other forms of regulation, the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme is a profit opportunity for the best performers. This is in addition to the value of energy savings and the growing commercial benefits from integrating sustainability into the business model. WHY LAUNCHING THE CRC? The CRC has been launched because of the failure of British organisations to invest in energy efficiency, despite the estimated 15 per cent return on such investments and the £1 billion in energy savings that could be achieved. A report in 2005 by the Carbon Trust revealed three main reasons why such investments are not taking place: 1. Information gap – There is a lack of accurate data on energy use, the costs and returns of investment options and a lack of trained personnel. 2. Misalignment of incentives – Energy price signals are not reaching the right people. For example, landlords pass on energy costs to tenants and so have no incentive to reduce emissions, while the tenant has no incentive to invest in the fabric of the landlord’s building. 3. Organisational issues – Energy managers cannot get management to pay attention to energy efficiency. Energy costs are a small issue for most organisations and companies prefer to invest in growing their businesses. The CRC has been explicitly designed to remedy each of these failures. An organisation will have a successful CRC strategy if it can answer the following questions: • Do we know where and how our organisation uses energy and what opportunities there are for cost-effective reductions in energy use? • Have we put in place the right incentives to drive carbon reduction through the organisation? • Has the organisation’s board created a comprehensive carbon reduction investment plan? WHAT ARE MY OBLIGATIONS? Organisations qualify to participate in the CRC if during calendar year 2008, they consumed more than 6,000 MWh through half-hourly meters. The government estimates that there are 4-6,000 organisations in this category including local authorities, large NHS Trusts, central government departments, retailers, financial institutions and commercial

property owners. Those subject to the CRC have three primary obligations: 1. report their total carbon footprint (electricity, gas and other fossil fuels) to the Environment Agency 2. compile an auditable evidence pack signed by a Board director substantiating that report 3. buy and surrender one allowance per tonne of emissions (£12 per tonne from April 2011). The CRC will be implemented on a phase-by-phase basis. The first phase runs from April 2010 to March 2013. Future phases will last for five years. WHY SHOULD I CARE? Financial – Unlike most government regulations, the CRC represents a profit opportunity. The top 50 per cent of CRC performers can expect to make a profit from the scheme (before internal costs, fees and energy cost savings). Poor performers face higher costs. There are significant cash-flow implications for all participants. Legal – Directors of the highest parent company are required to sign off on the evidence packs and there are fines and other civil and criminal penalties for failure to register, missing deadlines and inaccurate reporting. Reputation – Your organisation’s performance will be published by the government in a single public league table, which will rank every participant from top to bottom. A low ranking may create questions about cost controls and commitment to sustainability. WHAT DO I DO NEXT? BRE, together with commercial real estate brokers and consultants Cushman & Wakefield, have devised a simple model for organisations that wish to set up a CRC compliance strategy. The first step in every case relates to operational readiness. Liability mapping involves identifying every electricity and gas meter (and other emission sources) for which the organisation is a counterparty to the energy supply contract. Mapping out the organisational structure can be quite complex for certain commercial organisations. Local authorities have the added complication that they must include emissions from their schools even though they have no direct operational control over their energy use. Without a liability map, an organisation cannot understand their “value at risk” – the financial benefit/cost of reaching the top/bottom of the league table. An effective response to the CRC cannot be left to energy managers alone. Capacity building needs to involve facility managers, finance directors, communications experts and the legal department. Even a basic liability mapping exercise requires information

from various departments who each need to understand what to contribute and why. Decisions on early action (see below) cannot be taken without consideration of issues related to communications and reputation. Organisations need to put in place procedures to ensure that they are collecting high quality information for the evidence pack that they need to compile each year. Estimated data must be inflated by 10 per cent, increasing the costs of compliance, and 20 per cent of evidence packs will be audited each year with escalating fines for inaccuracies. In the first three years of the CRC, league table positions (which determine whether an organisation profits from the scheme) are dependent on early action measures; voluntary installation of automatic meters and Carbon Trust Standard accreditation. Participants need to make decisions quickly on the cost-effectiveness of these actions because delays result in a lower score and hence a worse financial result. Once organisations have addressed these issues and registered for the CRC, they can move on to address longer-term strategic issues such as how to optimise their portfolios from a CRC perspective, how to fund carbon reductions and how to use carbon trading to generate the best financial returns. CRC READINESS BRE and Cushman & Wakefield recently undertook a survey of CRC participants to assess their readiness for the regulations. It found that while there was fairly good general awareness of the CRC among likely participants, many organisations did not realise the detailed preparation that is required. A majority of organisations had not calculated the financial impacts of the scheme and were not undertaking early action measures and only 20 per cent had appointed a multidisciplinary team to manage compliance. This low level of readiness actually provides an opportunity to shine for those organisations that take an effective approach to their preparation. While the CRC clock is already ticking, it is not too late enhance your organisation’s reputation and to profit financially from participation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For CRC advice, please contact Robert Rabinowitz Tel: 01923 664857 E-mail: rabinowitzr@bre.co.uk For Energy Management training details, please contact BRE Training Tel: 01923 664829 E-mail: train@bre.co.uk Web: www.bre.co.uk/training

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ENERGY

BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE The Building Schools for the Future programme represents a great opportunity for improving energy efficiency in schools

AT OCIP ENERGY we recognise that the Building Schools for the Future Programme represents a great opportunity for improving energy efficiency in schools. We are excited by the prospect that our LED lighting range can help schools meet energy efficiency objectives and carbon reduction targets, when building new or upgrading existing schools. We are also passionate about the potential for small wind turbines as an income generator for schools. However, we recognise that there is a challenge for schools, and finding and eventually replacing existing lighting stock is a time consuming process. Likewise switching from fossil based to renewable energy sources can be a challenging thing to do. In this edition we talk more about small wind turbines, more about LED lights and more about how we can deploy energy efficient technologies in schools. And for a few lucky schools with a real passion for this, we are offering some free consultancy advice and support. See below for the details of our energy efficient schools initiative and how your school could take part. MORE ABOUT SMALL WIND SOLUTIONS The potential for small wind solutions has been talked about for some time as a means of complimenting the deployment of large scale wind farms and other renewable energy sources. However, both the design and the economics have been challenged by non believers and some have been as open as to say the business case ‘just does not stack up’. In our opinion a company called quietrevolution is changing all that. They

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have developed a wind turbine that works well in both rural and urban environments, where wind directions change frequently. The elegant helical (twisted) design ensures a robust performance even in turbulent winds. It also means there is virtually no noise or vibration. With just one moving part, maintenance can be limited to an annual inspection and at only five metres high and three metres in diameter, it is compact and easy to integrate on a wide variety of sites. It’s well liked too, receiving Yellow Pencils for the D&AD Award in Product Design in 2007, being nominated for the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2009 and being a finalist for the iawards 2009. This is why we believe it is ideal for schools. Ocip Energy is the distribution partner for the quietrevolution wind turbine, and we would be delighted to work with any schools interested in deploying small wind turbines. More details on small wind can be found at the British Wind and Energy Association website or at www.ocipenergy.com. In short, by deploying clever solutions like these schools can help meet their own carbon targets and potentially have an additional income too. MORE ABOUT LED LIGHTING Like for small wind, a similar debate has been going on about LED lights in the UK. Some, like us are passionate about the products, others are less keen, but we firmly believe where there are large areas of floodlighting, fluorescent lighting and high bay lighting, there is an immediate opportunity to reduce energy consumption and electricity costs

through the direct replacement of existing lighting with the latest LED technology. Take for example the work we did at RAF Hendon where the Museum has replaced the existing 400W high pressure sodium lighting with twenty 100W LED High Bay lights. The use of the LED lights will see a saving of over 18 tonnes of CO2 and over £4,000 per annum in energy costs, quickly justifying the investment in the technology. However, there are other advantages – the total life costs of implementing the changes – such as the reduced maintenance required due to the longer life of the LED lights and the lack of hazardous waste disposal issues sometimes associated with other forms of lighting. This is why we believe LED lighting is a great idea for schools. Ocip Energy is the UK distribution partner for Singbee, who designs and manufactures the LED lights, and we would be delighted to work with any schools interested in replacing their lighting. More details on LED lighting can be found at the Lighting Association website or at www.ocipenergy.com. By replacing old lights for new LEDs schools can help meet their own carbon targets and potentially reduce their energy costs too. ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN SCHOOLS INITIATIVE Because we know finding the time to deal with all this is tough we have decided to support a small number of schools throughout 2010 to help them improve their energy efficiency ratings. In summary we’ll give some free consultancy advice to a small number of schools that are passionate about our products, in an attempt to try and help people understand how they can find the grants and funds needed to pay for renewable energy solutions. The advice might be as simple as how to fill in the appropriate forms to apply for Carbon Trust grants or, if budgets are already secured, it could be an on site lighting feasibility study to help demonstrate the energy savings switching to LED lighting can make. We are currently looking for schools to take part in this project, so if your school is interested in talking to us about this, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Please send your name and contact details in an e-mail to info@ocipenergy.com listing reference ‘energy efficiency in schools’. We are excited about the potential of these technologies for schools and hope you are too.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Ocip Energy Ltd Freephone: 0800 917 9360 Fax: +44 (0)1242 522 343 E-mail: info@ocipenergy.com Web: www.ocipenergy.com Registered office: Unit J, Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, GL53 7FD.

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ENERGY

SMART CHOICES ON SMART METERING Smart metering can help you acheive your carbon and energy management goals ELCOMPONENT is a leading provider of metering and data logging equipment and services to the HE sector and is proud to have provided more than thirty automatic metering and sub-metering packages to universities and colleges across the UK. In most cases Elcomponent has provided an end-to-end solution, starting with the meters themselves and ending with M&T PC software, plus a web browser interface if required. However we also provide systems in which the meters are read automatically with the data being exported to thirdparty software for analysis. In all cases the package is designed in conjunction with the client, and installed and commissioned using Elcomponent’s own engineers. The HE sector can be challenging from an installation viewpoint because campus layouts vary considerably. At one end of the scale are the large single location sites, with metropolitan universities and colleges occupying a host of buildings at different addresses at the other. On the other hand the sites themselves are usually well-suited to the retro-fitting of AMR systems because they are usually well served by a single or interconnected LAN. In terms of data acquisition this eases matters considerably, but all sites will present a varied set of hurdles to overcome if a reliable and effective system is to be achieved. INTEGRATED SOLUTION It’s clear that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is not the way forward, so multiple data acquisition techniques are generally required, and it is here that Elcomponent has been able to show an advantage. AMR systems are often thought of as comprising three separate entities (meters, networking, software) working in (theoretical) harmony, but the Elcomponent approach is to offer a more integrated solution. All hardware is linked via the LAN to a software package that handles both data collection and data browsing and reporting. This allows systems to be tailored to the requirements of the site. Direct LAN connections are simple and cheap where they are available, and radio connections are ideal where no other form of connectivity exists. The trick is to combine the relevant technologies to provide the best and most cost-effective performance. This approach has allowed Elcomponent to implement HE campus AMR/aM&T systems comprising well in excess of 500

Elcomponent’s unique ‘MeterWeb’ software offers unlimited user log-ins and is easily configured to show departments and individuals the data that matters to them meter points, at a remarkably low ‘cost per point’, and usually with no downtime of any critical services. The business case for AMR is now generally well understood with many documented case studies revealing 15 per cent plus savings accruing from the improved housekeeping that these systems allow, but the payback calculation must take the operating costs into consideration, as these continue for the life of the system and can have a serious impact on long-term viability. A predominantly LAN-based system employing one-time licensed software has very low costs going forward, and this is another area in which the Elcomponent approach is delivering value. WHAT ABOUT UTILISATION? Traditionally the data provided by half-hourly read meters have been keenly utilised by energy and estates managers to achieve often spectacular savings in energy consumption and its carbon equivalent. Early savings are all about waste elimination, leak identification and optimising the performance of automated

systems (or switching off the manual override as it’s commonly known). This is followed by a host of energy management techniques including benchmarking and detailed plant analysis, but to really maximise its value, we have to step out of the estates department. Involving staff and students in the drive to improve the organisation’s carbon footprint is no easy task, let alone achieving the behavioural change needed to make a difference, but with energy, cost and carbon data presented in a web dashboard, the situation changes dramatically. Elcomponent’s unique ‘MeterWeb’ software offers unlimited user log-ins and is easily configured to show departments and individuals the data that matters to them.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more details see: www.meterweb.com or www.elcomponent.co.uk Alternatively, please e-mail debbie@elcomponent.co.uk or call 01279 503173

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YOUR WORLD NEEDS WIN £25,000

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Our planet’s natural resources are under huge pressure, so we need to try and use more well-managed materials that can be re-grown or regenerated. Tetra Pak cartons are made from 73% wood fibre – a natural, renewable resource. Get thinking Tetra Pak and WWF-UK need you, your students, family and friends to tell us your ideas to get people to think and choose ‘renewable’. Your idea could WIN you £1,000 and £25,000 towards making it happen. Get voting Join in by voting for your favourite idea. We’ll donate 10p to WWF* for every vote cast. Tetra Pak supports WWF’s responsible forestry programme, helping wildlife and communities prosper and protecting some of the world’s most endangered species, like the Persian leopard. £100 to be won every 2 weeks! Plus, every fortnight, with every idea and vote, you could WIN great prizes such as £100 worth of WWF shopping vouchers or a WWF adopt an animal gift.

Visit www.renewableidea.co.uk today to ENTER or VOTE. Don’t forget, cartons are widely recyclable across the UK and now businesses and schools can recycle their cartons too. For more information and to get a quote, please visit www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk

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*In anticipation of your ideas and votes Tetra Pak will pay £120,000 +VAT per annum to WWF-UK (World Wide Fund for Nature) Trading Limited which pays all its taxable profits to WWF-UK (Registered Charity No: 1081247 and Scottish Registered Charity Number: SC039593) under the Gift Aid Scheme. In addition £1 plus VAT per idea posted and 10p plus VAT per vote cast to a maximum of £5,000 +VAT will be paid to WWF-UK (World Wide Fund for Nature) Trading Limited as set out above for the duration of the competition.

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SUSTAINABILITY

ACHIEVING ZERO-WASTE Sue Shedden from St Lucia’s C of E Primary School in Shropshire tells Jill Partington from the Eco Schools programme about how the school is on a quest to become 100 per cent waste free WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT if we could significantly reduce our waste so that hardly anything went in the bin? Well this is the challenge St Lucia’s Primary School in Shropshire set itself recently. The twice Green Flag winning school set about their challenge after completing a waste audit of the school. Jill Partington from Eco-Schools visited the school to speak to Sue Sheddon, the Eco-Coordinator about their waste project and how they managed to get the whole school involved.

Why did you decide to undertake this project? The Eco-Club decided that they wanted to be as close to 100 per cent waste free as possible. The project involved the whole school plus parents (who made the waste free packed lunches). How was the project delivered and was it integrated into the curriculum? We completed a waste audit which showed we were 74 per cent recycling or reusing. A year later we re-audited and had increased our waste recycling/reusing or waste reduction to 98 per cent. Pupils received lessons and outside visits from eco-project managers to help them understand what they could do to save their planet. What challenges did you have to overcome to make the project succeed? We had an issue with recycling plastic but now one of the parents collects it from the school and takes it to the county recycling plant. The local community also use the facility at the school to recycle their plastic.

How did you get the children involved? How did they have ownership? The children were in charge of the whole project. They decided what they wanted to do and then wrote letters/designed posters etc. They took part in all the activities to help reduce waste and encouraged their parents to recycle. It was a whole school and local community effort. We now have an almost waste free school and we purchase stock that is either recycled or can be recycled.

How have the children benefitted from the project and any other benefits for the school? We have achieved waste reduction by 98 per cent! The whole school is much more aware of their environment and how they can save it. They have a litter-free school of which they are justly proud. What advice would you give to schools that want to follow in your footsteps? Please contact us to talk about what we have achieved – the children would love to talk about what they have done and offer any help that they can to allow other children to benefit from a cleaner world. Visit: www.eco-schools.org.uk

Pupils from Sycamore Primary School in Nottingham were joined by Environment minister Lord Henley as they visited a stall at the Eco-Schools Show

THE NEW ECO-SHOP Eco-Schools is proud to announce the launch of the new Eco-Schools shop. It aims to provide a comprehensive selection of the best and most relevant products that can assist with projects on the Eco-Schools programme. All products are easily accessible on the site and are listed under the topics that they relate to, such as biodiversity or litter. The full range has been approved by Eco-Schools to give buyers peace of mind, and the idea for the website came from

schools looking for a handy and safe place to order products and materials quickly. Andrew Suter, programme manager, Eco-Schools, said: “We want to make project work accessible for teachers and pupils. Spending hours on the internet searching for the right product can be a chore. The online shop should reduce this for buyers and give them helpful guidance on the best choice of product for them.” For more information visit www.shop.eco-schools.org.uk/

2010 ECO-SCHOOLS SHOW Keep Britain Tidy’s annual Eco-Schools Show has been a resounding success, with more than 2,000 school children attending the event on 23 June. The show, which was held in Peterborough, featured a plethora of eco-orientated workshops, activities, shops and healthy food, making it a true a celebration of all things connected to the Eco-Schools programme. Adding to the exciting programme of activities, the show featured a special guest in the form of Lord Henley from

the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Lord Henley said: “I hope young people will be inspired by what they see here today and take what they learn back to their homes, schools and communities to encourage ecofriendly behaviour all over the country.” Phil Barton chief executive, Keep Britain Tidy added: “We are thrilled Lord Henley is supporting the programme. The show is a chance to see the programme’s impact on schools, their achievements, and the pupils who drive the innovation.”

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THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING Can a pleasant lunchtime experience really have a significantly positive impact on pupil behaviour and performance? The School Food Trust finds evidence at two successful schools A PRESTON TEAM THAT POOLED expertise in cooking, teaching and business development to overhaul a local college lunch service has taken a national award for its work – and highlighted the importance of good school food for good performance in the classroom. The transformation of lunchtimes at Corpus Christi Catholic Sports College in Preston clinched the Times Educational Supplement’s Outstanding School Dinners award for the college, after its new restaurant and catering service saw healthy lunch numbers rise from 20 per cent to 85 per cent in the last two years. Head teacher Martin Callagher, head chef Chris Callagher and business development director Cath Wallace led the work to transform the old gym into a brand new restaurant, Il Cenacolo, which has been a huge hit with students and staff alike – providing restaurant-style food in a relaxing and inviting environment. STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD The School Food Trust supported the award and chief executive Judy Hargadon was among the first to congratulate the school: “There were a lot of strong nominations but Corpus Christi really stood out. “The team has transformed lunchtime – proof that treating students as customers and making the dining room a place where they want to spend time are among the most important things a school can do to increase its lunch numbers. A good lunchtime isn’t just good for students’ health – it also improves their performance.” Chris’ team provides restaurant-style food in ‘Il Cenacolo’, a relaxing and inviting environment, along with a buffet catering service for the local community. Next year, he hopes to start providing lunches for local feeder primary schools too. “We are absolutely delighted and I’m so pleased for all the staff,” says former restaurant chef Chris. “They’ve been with us from the very beginning of this process and have really got on board with the changes we wanted to make. “It’s fair to say that for some staff it was ‘just a job’ in the old days, but now they’re in a restaurant kitchen – and one of the busiest around. It’s a social experience at lunchtime – the students come in and try things they’ve never tried before. We also invite parents in to try our menus and the response from them is often complete disbelief at how much the menus have changed.” Inspirational food and a revamped dining space weren’t the only benefits to come out of Corpus Christi’s hard work. Head teacher Martin says he sees improvements in his students’ behaviour after a better lunchtime. “The entire catering team has put in a

huge amount of work to transform school lunch into a fantastic restaurant experience,” he says. “After eating in Il Cenacolo students arrive into afternoon lessons much calmer. You can see a noticeable difference after they have eaten a good lunch.” Martin’s comments reflect the School Food Trust’s research on the link between lunchtimes and pupil behaviour. Tests in schools during 2007 and 2008 found that, after a good lunch in the right environment, pupils were more focused in their afternoon lessons. Over a 12-week period, improvements were made to the quality of the food on offer and the dining room environment in four primary schools in Sheffield. Behaviour in the classroom after lunch was observed at baseline and again after 12 weeks for 136 primary school children aged

TV comedian Alexander Armstrong presented Corpus Christi Catholic Sports College with their award for Outstanding School Dinners from the Times Educational Supplement. Image courtesy of George Fox.

The team has transformed lunchtime – proof that treating students as customers and making the dining room a place where they want to spend time are among the most important things a school can do to increase its lunch numbers. A good lunchtime isn’t just good for students’ health – it also improves their performance 9-11. Children from the intervention schools were more than three times more likely to be “on-task” with their teachers after lunch, when compared with those from two control schools where no changes were made. POSITIVE IMPACT The impact of lunchtime improvements was also seen in behaviour for secondary school students. Seven mixed secondary schools and four similar control schools were selected in Sheffield and, again, schools in the intervention group made changes to both the food on offer and the dining room environment. Following the changes, pupils in the intervention schools were 18 per cent more likely to be concentrating and engaged in the classroom compared with pupils in the control schools. It’s a theme raised by other head teachers who’ve shared their experiences of improving school lunch with the Trust – the nondepartmental government body established in 2005 to transform school food and food skills. Hove head teacher Janet Felkin says making a good lunchtime a highlight on her school’s timetable was the key to improving pupils’ concentration and behaviour during

the difficult afternoon lesson period. Since 2001, Janet has led a programme of gradual improvements to the catering and dining facilities at Blatchington Mill School and says she believes they have made a difference to the way pupils study and behave after their lunch break. “Afternoon lessons are traditionally a challenge in many schools as pupils’ energy and concentration levels drop, which can lead to bad behaviour and unruly classrooms,” says Janet. “The changes we have made to improve nutritional standards in our food, as well as the renovation to the dining room, have had a huge impact on performance levels throughout the school. Blatchington Mill School originally relocated its 1970s-style kitchen and dining room in 2001, to improve efficiency and increase space. In the last two years, modernisation work has seen the dining room expanded even further and contemporary furniture installed, with a separate sixth form café built away from the kitchen. Alongside structural works, the school has improved the quality of the food on offer in its canteen. All school food is prepared fresh on-site and breakfast, lunchtime and break time services are available with menus rotated

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The changes we have made to improve nutritional standards in our food, as well as the renovation to the dining room, have had a huge impact on performance levels throughout the school every three weeks. Every meal is prepared from recipe cards and planned by development chefs, who are supported by specialist nutritionists. UP TO STANDARD Blatchington Mill’s approach to school food is set out in its Healthy Eating policy, ensuring that all food meets the national school food standards but also embedding healthy eating in the curriculum and giving students the chance to feed back and influence decisions about what they are eating at school. With a grant from the local authority, the school installed a computerised, cashless “Smart Card” payment system, which means that students can pass quickly through the servery to collect and pay for their food. Integrated plasma screens display the day’s menu alongside nutritional information about the food on offer. Since the improvements, the school has seen an

increase in take-up of school food. Plans for the future include the introduction of a fashionable baguette bar and a facility for parents and guardians to top-up Smart Cards online. School Food Trust Chair, Rob Rees, said: “We know from our research that a good lunchtime experience can, quite literally, make or break how students feel about their day, as well as having an impact on their performance. “It’s fantastic that teaching staff at Blatchington Mill are seeing those effects in action. Their hard work to improve the lunchtime experience shows how investing some time and getting everyone at school involved with improving lunchtime can really pay off – in every sense.” Any school looking for information, guidance and ideas on improving lunchtime for students can sign up to the School Food Trust’s Million Meals campaign at www.schoolfoodtrust.org. uk/millionmeals. Here, schools can access a

huge range of resources designed to help them increase the number of pupils taking a school lunch – from downloads of free materials for promoting menus and template letters for parents, to case studies from other head teachers who’ve tried and tested different approaches and are happy to share what they’ve learned. The Trust’s ‘Fresh Look at the Lunchtime Experience’ is also a great starting point to audit your lunchtimes and find out how you can make a difference to your lunch numbers. You’ll find questions to get you thinking about your current arrangements and links to sources of information and advice on many common school lunch issues. Visit www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/parents-carers/ resources/a-fresh-look-at-the-school-mealexperience-second-edition to download a copy. The Times Educational Supplement schools awards celebrate and reward teams making an outstanding contribution to schools throughout the UK.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information on the School Food Trust’s ‘School Lunch and Behaviour’ research, visit http://www.schoolfoodtrust. org.uk/research/research-projects.

BRITA® water filters optimise your drinking water with their unique BRITA® filter system LTHOUGH TAP WATER in the UK is perfectly safe, it doesn’t always taste, look and smell as pleasant as we’d like. As experts in the field of water filtration, BRITA filtered water is enjoyed by many households and businesses. Both our household and professional filters remove many impurities leading to a more enjoyable drinking experience. Chlorine and heavy metals such as lead and copper are removed which can affect the taste, aroma and appearance of the drinks. Limescale (temporary hardness) that is present in hard water areas can leave an oily appearance on hot drinks, adverse affect the taste and presentation of cold drinks, as well as leading to costly scale build up in appliances. Water makes up 98 per cent of tea and coffee, so it has to be of consistently high quality. BRITA offers a wide product range, suitable for all: • Water filter jugs – for use within the home or a meeting environment • Inline filter taps – suitable for installation within the home or small business • PURITY range – designed to be fitted upstream of catering equipment, the PURITY filter protects against limescale build up and

ensures consistent machine performance • PURITY C range – designed to be fitted upstream of a coffee or vending machine to ensure good quality drinks are produced and protect appliances against scale related breakdowns. BRITA’s PURITY and PURITY C filter range has been specifically created for the catering,

vending and coffee sectors. The water filter cartridges are simply installed upstream of the appliance and are ideal for small, medium and large capacities. They significantly reduce the limescale and impurities which lead to unpleasant taste, odours and scale related breakdowns on the machine. Handling the filter cartridge is easy, no tools are required to replace the cartridge during exchange. BRITA has developed the IntelliBypass technology and even flow system which features in the PURITY and PURITY C heads. This system ensures the water quality remains consistently high during the whole service life of the filter cartridge. BRITA works closely with its customers, suppliers and distributors, from initial supply and installation of catering, vending or coffee equipment to regular maintenance and supply of exchange filters. This ensures BRITA quality is provided throughout appliance life and high quality end products are produced.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For enquiries, please contact the BRITA professional team by telephone on 0870 487 0900 or by e-mail at professional@brita.co.uk

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LET’S GET BACK TO BASICS Celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo believes that schools have a major role to play in the fight against childhood obesity. Angela Pisanu finds out more IF THERE’S ONE THING that gets under the skin of Gino D’Acampo, it’s laziness and ignorance when it comes to food and cooking. In his mind, these two factors are a major cause of childhood obesity in this country. “Knowledge and respect for food should come at an early age. People often ask why most Italians can cook. The reason is we are taught at a very early age from our mothers and our grandmothers. Yes the passion for food should start at home, but schools also have a very big part to play. They must teach children about the importance of good quality food and healthy eating and make food a subject that children can get excited about,” he argued. To this end, Gino believes that more action and less talk is needed in food technology lessons: “I’ve sat through some school cooking classes and have been disappointed to see that they don’t actually show them much; it’s all talk and books. They should show them the basics like how to make a simple omelette or tomato sauce. It is these skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.” CUTTING CORNERS But schools must also practice what they preach by serving their pupils good quality and healthy food. “Unfortunately what I’ve seen in a lot of schools is the tendency to cut corners; using ready-made meals rather than cook dishes from scratch. What they don’t understand is that this will cost them more in the long term. It’s not expensive, complicated or time-consuming to make a simple tomato and basil sauce,” he said. And if schools do take short cuts, Gino insists that it is their responsibility to read the ingredients to make sure what they are serving is not full of preservatives, fat and salt. The reliance of ready-made meals could be a symptom of a lack of knowledge in the kitchen; if school cooks are not competent and confident in making dishes from scratch, then they will turn to ready-made meals. The solution comes from the top down. In Gino’s mind, the government should spend more money on training school chefs how to cook properly so they are confident in making meals from scratch. So what’s the situation like in Italy? “In my country the government invests more money into training school chefs to cook basic food. If you ask a school cook in Italy to make a shepherd’s pie, they will boil the potatoes, cook the meat, make the sauce and put everything together – they won’t cut corners.” “In this country, schools are too worried about giving their kids a lot of choice, so they rely on dishes that are ready-made. But that’s wrong. Instead you should give pupils less choice but of well prepared dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. And if you explain to them the reasons why you are doing it, you shouldn’t

Photography: Kate Whitaker

GINO D’ACAMPO Gino was born in Torre del Greco, Napoli where he lived with his parents and sister. He inherited his grandfather’s (head chef for Costa Cruise Ships) love of cooking and entered the Luigi de Medici Catering College at the age of thirteen. Gino graduated with masters and went on to work in top restaurants in Europe, including Perignon in Nice and as Head Chef at Sylvester Stallone’s Mambo King in Marbella. He arrived in England the following year (1995) where he worked at The Orchard Restaurant in Hampstead and the Cambio Restaurant in Guildford. Aged 32, Gino now makes regular TV appearances on shows such as BBC Ready Steady Cook and This Morning. In 2009 he was crowned King of the Jungle in ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of get any resistance. Children are smart and will understand it is for their own good.” RETURNING TO THE SIMPLE LIFE In Gino’s mind, the need for convenience in modern life has ruined the simple pleasures; a walk with the family has been replaced by video games and the process of cooking has been replaced with heating ready meals in a microwave. He sees this as a big reason why such a large percentage of children are overweight. “What we need to do is go back basics. People use all sorts of excuses for eating unhealthily, like the recession for

Here’. He has three books – Fantastico, Buonissimo and the Italian Diet – as well as a successful cookery range. Gino is a member of both the Federazione Italiana Cuochi (Federation of Italian Chefs) and Associazione Professionale Cuochi Italiani (Association of professional Italian chefs). He has been involved in some exclusive events including the Gala Dinner for Luciano Pavarotti at his last concert in London in January 2002 and a private party for the Italian Ambassador in 2003. Gino lives in north London with his wife Jessie and two sons Luciano and Rocco who are his favourite food critics. “If the food is not up to standard my boys simply spit it out and I have to find a tastier recipe combination – it’s a really rewarding challenge!” example. But when you think about it, the most beautiful food in the world is the simplest and the most inexpensive. We must make sure the young generation understand this. “The recipes I have chosen come from my book The Italian Diet and sum up everything I have said in this interview; they are inexpensive, simple to do, children love them, and they are easy to cook on a large scale. I hope my thoughts will inspire schools to take a fresh look at their menus,” he concluded. The Italian Diet by Gino D’Acampo and Juliette Kellow is published by Kyle Cathie Ltd, priced £12.99. www.kylecathie.co.uk

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Food Service Mixes

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GINO’S BREAKFAST BARS I have to admit this recipe came to me by mistake. I was trying to create something different for breakfast by mixing all sorts of cupboard ingredients together and, if I may say so, what a masterpiece! I am so proud of my breakfast bars that I even named them after myself. If you prefer, you can substitute freshly squeezed orange juice for the apple juice. This recipe can also be used as a snack during the day. INGREDIENTS 50g dried mango | 100g dried figs | 100g dried apricots 60g almonds | 50g sunflower seeds | 50g porridge oats 60g wholemeal flour | 60ml apple juice | 4 tablespoons runny honey

SERVES: 14 bars

NUTRITION

FACTS

per serving • 133 calories • 4.7g fat • 0.4g saturates • 14.6g sugars • 0g salt

PREPARATION 1. Preheat the oven to 190ºC/375ºF/gas mark 5. 2. Place all the dried fruits in a food processor and blitz until roughly chopped. 3. Fold in the almonds, sunflower seeds, oats and flour. Pour in the apple juice with the honey and roughly blitz. 4. Line a greaseproof baking tray with greaseproof paper. Transfer the mixture into the baking tray and spread evenly with a knife until about 1cm thick. 5. Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes until golden brown. 6. Remove from the oven, leave in the tray to cool and slice into bars.

Photography: Kate Whitaker

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NUTRITION

FACTS

Photography: Kate Whitaker

per serving • 349 calories • 16.7g fat • 6g saturates • 6.7g sugars • 1g salt

CHICKEN BREAST WITH PARMESAN, TOMATOES & MOZZARELLA

SERVES: 6

‘Petto di pollo alla Parmigiana’ This recipe comes from the town of Parma where Parma ham and Parmesan cheese are produced. I was there at Christmas 2008 where I saw this recipe served in a very famous restaurant and I thought I would share it with you. Of course, I added a few Gino twists with the mozzarella and oregano. If you are looking for a full-on flavour recipe, this is the one! INGREDIENTS 3 aubergines, about 200g each, cut lengthways into 0.5cm slices | 4 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for brushing | 1 egg, beaten | 2 tablespoons skimmed milk | 60g freshly grated Parmesan | 60g breadcrumbs, toasted | 6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, about 100g each | 1 large onion, finely sliced | 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes | 1 teaspoon dried oregano | 100g mozzarella, drained and sliced | salt and freshly ground black pepper PREPARATION 1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas mark 4 and preheat the grill to hot. Pour 2 litres water in a large saucepan with 1 teaspoon salt and bring to the boil. 2. Cook the aubergines in the boiling water for 2 minutes and drain. Allow to cool slightly, then pat dry with kitchen paper and place on a baking tray. Brush with a little oil and cook under a hot grill for 2 minutes on each side until browned. 3. Mix the egg and milk together. Mix the Parmesan and breadcrumbs together. Dip each chicken breast in the egg mixture and then coat with the Parmesan breadcrumbs. 4. Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large frying pan and cook the coated breasts for 2 minutes on each side until coloured. Drain on kitchen paper. 5. Heat the remaining olive oil in a medium saucepan and fry the onion for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Tip in the tomatoes with the oregano and season with salt and pepper. Stir everything together and continue to cook for a further 5 minutes. 6. Spoon the tomato mixture into a 2-litre shallow ovenproof dish and place the chicken breasts on top. Cover with overlapping layers of aubergine and mozzarella and then top with any remaining Parmesan breadcrumbs. Cook, uncovered, in the centre of the oven for 35 minutes until golden brown. Serve hot.

Photography: Kate Whitaker

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Healthy Food that’s Cool For School • New machines available on rental-leases • Cashless payment systems • Telemetry data reporting for total control of stock and cash • Service and maintenance contracts for your peace of mind • Extensive range of healthy, school friendly products

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EAGLE VENDING SERVICES & FAIRTRADE VENDING Eagle vending are an innovative forward thinking company, bringing new vending and beverage concepts into the vending market.

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Eagle/Fairtrade Vending was the pioneer of Fairtrade within the vending industry and was the first company to introduce Fairtrade branded beverage machines to the market.

HEALTHY VENDING for the Education sector.

Eagle vending again was a pioneer in introducing healthy vending into secondary schools (prior to Jamie Oliver!). Working with the Health Education Trust and product manufacturers, we introduced a wide range of healthy snacks & drinks that complied with the government’s nutritional standards, and followed the School Food Trusts changing guidelines.

For further information on any of our products and services please contact Mike Steel on 01634 722999 Mobile 07949 135999 Email: mike@eaglevending.co.uk

www.fairtradevending.co.uk

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VENDING IN SCHOOLS The humble vending machine is unfairly being blamed for much of the nation’s obesity problem, says the Automatic Vending Association WHILST THE DEBATE ON OBESITY amongst the population, particularly the young, and the importance of a balanced diet continues, the vending machine is being singled out and unfairly attacked, all in the supposed pursuit of the healthy lifestyle. When in reality it offers convenient choices that reflect the demands of today’s consumers and, as the Automatic Vending Association (AVA) explains, can help to solve the problem. Led by Jonathan Hilder, the AVA is the trade body representing the £1.65bn refreshment vending industry. It is working with the Food Standards Agency and lobbying government to ensure that legislation does not impose limited choice or financial penalties on the consumer, as well as ensuring that the vending machine gets fair treatment. UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE The Food Standards Agency recently said that there is no such thing as unhealthy foods just unhealthy diets. With this view the AVA is in full agreement. It is well proven that a lifestyle that combines regular physical activity with consumption of a wide range of food choices is the key to a healthy lifestyle. It is vital that consumers, whether they are in schools, hospitals or the workplace, are able to make that choice for themselves. It is worth noting that the UK snack and confectionary market is worth £39bn of which £7.8bn is chocolate and snacks. Only 5 per cent of the snack intake goes through the vending channel, so to attack the vending machine will do little to affect the health of the nation. Government has placed particular concern on schools and the pressure to provide healthier food has intensified. We have seen schools bow to pressure and ban certain products from machines and introduce new “healthier choices”. In reality this has meant that the pupils have been forced to purchase the banned items outside school. As Jonathan Hilder, AVA CEO, pointed out: “When you impose restrictions on choice, all that happens is that the point of purchase moves to another place which often can’t be controlled.” Scotland’s largest teaching union has thrown its weight behind a campaign to amend the law to allow Aberdeen pupils at Dyce Academy to sell chocolate in their school. The Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS) agrees that new healthy eating guidelines which have forced Dyce Academy to close their Fairtrade confectionary stall are “flawed”. Deputy head teacher Ruth Teehan added that any legislation that denies pupils the opportunity to make balanced decisions “negates” what educationalists are trying to achieve. The pupils told MSPs that healthy lifestyles

The AVA supports any initiative that encourages the health and well-being of consumers. Vending offers flexibility and choice; it allows the widest range of products to be made available and can be used to reinforce good lifestyle messages cannot be “forced” on youngsters, and a balance must be struck because they would only go to nearby shops to buy chocolate and sweets that are not available in school. Chocolate will be part of their lives forever and they need to be educated to be able to properly make choices. Educated to make the right choice was clearly a view shared by head teachers in Cardiff as

they rejected a proposal by Cardiff Council to remove all junk food from vending machines in Cardiff’s secondary schools. Head teachers argued that a blanket ban is not the answer. COMMON SENSE APPROACH Jonathan Hilder is keen to point out that the AVA is working on solutions to bring

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about change in consumer behaviour so “we can show that education and a phased approach to changing lifestyles will work so much more effectively that blanket bans”. Before the election it was reported Mr Cameron and his advisors had decided that a new policy to give children back their childhood should include a ban on vending machines. Having discussed the rationale behind this proposal, common sense prevailed and the AVA has it in writing that the Conservative party does not intend to ban the vending machine. As Jonathan remarked “a win for common sense” and it is this common sense approach that he is keen to see more of. He went on to explain: “The AVA supports any initiative that encourages the health and well-being of consumers. Vending offers flexibility and choice; it allows the widest range of products to be made available and can be used to reinforce good lifestyle messages. But when there is no clear guidance on what constitutes healthy and very little encouragement to educate the young then it is little wonder that there is so much confusion.” LABELLING SYSTEMS There are currently three recognised labelling systems operating to educate consumers and encourage healthy eating, namely; GDA, the traffic light system and calorific value. Jonathan believes that the calorific value

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system is the simplest to follow, most people understand that if they consume more than the average recommended number of daily calories without burning them off then they will gain weight. He acknowledges that nutrition is a complex area but says we have to start somewhere. This view is supported by Gill Fine, director of consumer choice and dietary health of the FSA, who commented recently: “The battle between GDA and traffic light labels has been deeply unhelpful.” She went on to explain her work with caterers where 21 companies have put calories on menus, consumers have found this useful and she summed up by saying “it is excellent news for consumers”. Keen to implement guidance to his members and committed to demonstrating that the vending machine is part of the solution to healthy eating, the AVA has formed the Vending Choice Coalition (VCC). The VCC is a group comprising of key food and beverage associations, major brand manufacturers and operator companies. Their goal is to ensure that consumers have freedom of choice to purchase a wide range of food and beverages through the vending channel in order to achieve a balanced diet. The AVA and VCC organised a one day conference at University of Wales Institute, Cardiff to look at ways of increasing the range of items in vending machines. Expert

Johnathan Hilder, AVA CEO

speakers were on hand to offer advice and talk through real life case studies. Jonathan concludes: “There is no such thing as junk food, just inappropriate diet and lack of exercise. Let’s educate people so that they understand and embrace this.” A point that was heard clearly when Jonathan was recently interviewed on Radio 4 You and Yours.

Visit the website to view the categorised product finder

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How to turn the concept of healthy vending into a viable source of revenue within your school

OBY HANBURY of The Healthy Vending Company offers an innovative model of how to turn the concept of healthy vending into a viable source of revenue within your school. The Healthy Vending Company was launched in the autumn of 2008 with the aim of revolutionising the approach to healthy eating within the vending industry. Promoting healthy eating as part of a healthy lifestyle is of paramount importance, especially in schools. We live in a fast-moving, grab-andgo lifestyle which the younger generation is beginning to embody within their school life. “Rather than removing vending, we believe that the vending machine is the perfect solution and an integral way to promote healthy eating in schools, especially where a school operates a dual-purpose leisure facility,“ says Toby Hanbury. Our state-of-the-art vending machines are efficient, reliable and hard-wearing. Delivered fully branded, our glass-fronted machines are not only stylish, vibrant and colourful but they are packed full of schoolfriendly products, the vast majority of which count as one of your “5-a-day”.

From savoury snacks and dried fruits to granolas, snack bars, pure juices and smoothies, our approved product range is exciting, visually stimulating and tasty. Most importantly, the range is full of products brimming with natural energy and health properties that are great for students of all ages. The vast majority of our products either: contain no added sugar, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives; or they are school friendly. Machines can be leased over three or five years under our fully maintained and filled service-package or they can be self-operated by the individual school as a financially viable enterprise with the potential for profits to be re-invested in school sports equipment. Our machines can be fitted with a cashless or

a token based system which can even enable the school to work alongside parents to provide students with a weekly or termly allowance specifically for purchasing a healthy option through the machine. These flexible options facilitate the THVC machines’ placement as an integral part of a three to five year plan to create a financially viable enterprise within a school which promotes the values of the Every Child Matters initiative. The Healthy Vending Company works with its sister brand, The Classic Vending Company, to provide a complete vending solution for any site. Whether through a hot drinks machine for the early winter mornings, or a healthy snack or drink to aid concentration throughout the day, THVC can provide the perfect vending solution, central to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and a healthy culture within your school.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Unit 3, Maxted Park, Maxted Road, Hemel Hempstead HP2 7DZ Tel: 01442 768 595 E-mail: info@thehealthyvendingcompany.co.uk Web: www.thehealthyvendingcompany.co.uk

Eagle/Fairtrade Vending – bringing new vending and beverage concepts into the vending market

AGLE VENDING is an innovative forward thinking company, bringing new vending and beverage concepts into the vending market. Eagle/Fairtrade Vending was the pioneer of Fairtrade within the vending industry and was the first company to introduce Fairtrade branded beverage machines to the market. As a registered distributor to the Fairtrade Foundation with whom we work closely, they see us as the UK’s leading supplier of Fairtrade branded vending machines and approve all our branding before release to the market. With an ever increasing portfolio of Fairtrade branded machines, both in hot beverage systems & snack vendors, our range of machines are unequalled in the industry. Eagle vending again was a pioneer in introducing healthy vending into secondary schools (prior to Jamie Oliver!). Working with the Health Education Trust and product manufacturers, we introduced a wide range of healthy snacks & drinks that complied with the government’s nutritional standards, and followed the School Food Trusts changing

guidelines. Although many secondary schools no longer use vending machines, losing them a vital source of income, our wholesale delivery service does assist schools in meeting the standards. A new initiative is our ‘Healthy Tuck Shop’ guide for primary schools, which promotes healthy eating and encourages the whole school approach at an early stage in children’s education. Eagle vending in addition to healthy vending, set up a wholesale delivery service to secondary schools of approved snacks and drinks for over the counter sales, with the largest and most comprehensive product range available from anyone single supplier in the UK today. Please note our wholesale service is only available in the south east for snacks and drinks, nationwide we can only supply healthy snacks.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For further information on any of our products and services please contact Mike Steel on 01634 722999 Mobile 07949 135999 E-mail: mike@eaglevending.co.uk Web: www.fairtradevending.co.uk

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A FORTNIGHT OF FOOD Use this year’s British Food Fortnight to get ready for the move towards compulsory food technology in 2011 and win the chance to cook for the Royal family and the Hairy Bikers RUNNING FROM 18 September to 3 October and now in its ninth year, British Food Fortnight is an established date on the school calendar. Hundreds of schools regularly use the event as an opportunity to teach young people about food: about the diverse and delicious range of food available, the benefits of healthy eating and about the pleasures of eating quality, fresh, seasonal and regionally distinct produce. This year there are stronger reasons than ever for schools to join in. The countdown to compulsory food technology in 2011 has begun and the national food celebrations are a fun way to get ahead of the game and launch cookery activities in schools. WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR? This year’s British Food Fortnight School Challenge is the biggest yet. For pre and primary age children, British Food Fortnight has teamed up with Tractor Ted, the character behind the real life action farming films

winning school will be invited to London to cook their chosen meal for HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and the Hairy Bikers. WHY SHOULD SCHOOLS TAKE PART? Food technology will be compulsory in 2011 and British Food Fortnight is a fun way to get ahead of the game and launch cookery activities in schools. For primary schools, it is ideal for helping teachers make sure that food stays on the curriculum which is the best way of guaranteeing the healthy wellbeing of pupils. The event provides schools with everything they need to teach cookery: lots of online resources and the largest volunteer movement educating young people about food with a network of 9,000 chefs from some of the biggest catering organisations and chef associations all of which have volunteered to send people into schools to teach children how to cook during British Food Fortnight. The event organisers guarantee that no

Inspired by the Hairy Bikers’ recent ‘Mums Know Best’ television programme, secondary school pupils are being challenged to design and cook a meal based on recipes that would have been used in their school’s part of the country by previous generations. The winning school will be invited to London to cook their chosen meal for HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and the Hairy Bikers and books, to challenge young children to design the ultimate school smoothie. The ultimate school smoothie challenge will be judged by Children’s TV presenter, Michaela Strachan. Think seasonal, think local, think healthy, think yummy! All entries will receive a free Tractor Ted goes milking DVD with teacher notes worth £12.99 – a real life film showing where milk comes from; a fun and factual treat for Early Years and Foundation Stage children. On top of this the winning school will receive the full Tractor Ted DVD, Book & Toy collection worth £250 and a visit to their school from Tractor Ted and his little Activity Shed. Inspired by the Hairy Bikers’ recent ‘Mums Know Best’ television programme, secondary school pupils are being challenged to design and cook a meal based on recipes that would have been used in their school’s part of the country by previous generations. The

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school will have to contact more than three organisations on its network before finding a local chef who can visit your school to help with cooking lessons for your pupils. Every school can have its own Jamie Oliver to help teach children how to cook during the national food celebrations! British Food Fortnight has now over-taken France’s long-running Semaine du Gout which sends chefs into French schools every October to teach children about the delights of their national cuisine. Many of the major retailers run promotions during the event and are all urged to donate ingredients to schools taking part. Competition details and entry forms are on the Teacher Zone of www.lovebritishfood. co.uk. See also the new downloadable resource, ‘Putting the Ooo back into food – The Case Studies’: 100 inspiring case studies showing how schools have taken part in

British Food Fortnight in previous years. The Teacher Zone on the event’s website www.lovebritishfood.co.uk has been described by subscribers to TES as “a wonderful resource, saving hours of work”. It is a one-stop-shop for teaching young people about British food and includes the opportunity to sign up for monthly e-newsletters featuring an ‘Inspiring school of the month’ that is leading the way in incorporating food and cookery within its curriculum teaching. Plus a short film explaining why it is best to buy British food, seen through the eyes of children and ideal for use in assembly. The site contains all the event’s ‘Putting the Ooo back into food’ teaching aids for schools, contact details for inviting a chef into your school, recipe cards for children, ideas for involving parents, what’s in season when charts, A-Z of food facts, food photographs and stickers and advice on seeking coverage in your local papers.

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HRH The Duchess of Cornwall with winners of last year’s British Food Fortnight school competition

St George’s Wrotham Kent with a chef from Ightham Mote

Pupils from the Friary School in Lichfield. Image courtesy of Express and Star

Wilson’s Endowed School pupils with Hairy Bikers. Image courtesy of Lancaster Guardian

IMPRESS THE HAIRY BIKERS Dave Myers & Si King, the Hairy Bikers, have long been big supporters of British Food Fortnight, leading the event’s network of 9,000 chefs that is at the ready to help schools during the event. Commenting on this year’s Challenge for secondary schools they say: “We love this year’s British Food Fortnight School Challenge – great British food from the custodians of culinary traditions, our Mams, Grannies and Dads. So get rummaging in your bottom drawers, cupboards and your parents and grand parents’ memories for their secrets, recipes and top cooking tips. And cook some really special, truly delicious food from the people who know best.” Alexia Robinson, organiser of the event, adds: “With the opportunity to cook for the Royal family, receive free teaching resources, invite a chef into your school, ask retailers to donate

ingredients and use the resources on the event’s website, British Food Fortnight is a guaranteed recipe for success in the classroom!” British Food Fortnight is sponsored by Budgens, ARAMARK and the Department of Health’s 5 A DAY Just Eat More (fruit & veg) programme. It is supported by over 70 organisations led by 3663, Brakes, National Farmers’ Union, National Trust, Oxford Hotels and Inns, Compass Group, Tenant Farmers Association, Young’s pubs and Youth Hostel Association.

Ansford School, Somerset pupils with canteen staff

FOR MORE INFORMATION For information on British Food Fortnight and to order resources contact the event office. Tel: 020 7840 9292 E-mail: info@lovebritishfood.co.uk Web: www.lovebritishfood.co.uk

Cummersdale School group of pupils cooking around a table

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SOLUTIONS for EDUCATION

New UB-T880 touch-sensitive Interactive Whiteboard • Multi-touch operation: 3 pupils can work together and multiple points can be used to manipulate objects. • Both finger-touch and electronic pen operation or simultaneous usage of both. • Highly durable surface to resist everyday use. • Large screens for high-impact lessons 83-inch (UB-T880W) and 77-inch (UB-T880). • Built-in stereo speakers and 2 USB ports. • Easiteach software included for creating engaging lessons. • Height adjustable stand as an option.

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INSPIRATION FOR EFFECTIVE EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY Visitors experience a ‘classroom of the future’ at BETT EARLIER THIS YEAR at the famous BETT education technology show, attending education professionals seeking education technology solutions could not have missed Panasonic, a big name company that was exhibiting a raft of education technology solutions. It was the first time the global audio visual and technology leader had had a bold presence at the show since the company’s founding in Japan in 1918. Visitors were attracted to a ‘Classroom of the Future’, an experience publicised heavily before the event as the platform the company would use to demonstrate their most exciting education innovations. With products far advanced since the founder, Konosuke Matsushita’s originals, which included a bullet-shaped bicycle lamp developed back in 1923, Panasonic’s classroom of the future looked set to attract big crowds to the stand. Perhaps it was the basic founding management philosophy set out by Matsushita and Panasonic ‘to devote itself to the progress and development of society’ that had played a key role in inspiring the company to attend BETT. Of course the opportunity to exhibit the diverse range of education technology solutions with products ranging from security and surveillance systems to printing equipment to interactive whiteboards, rugged Toughbook computers and audio visual equipment that also made BETT a big focus for the company. EDUCATION INTERACTIVITY MATTERS Keeping students’ attention whether in the primary, secondary, sixth form, college or university environment is a major part of lesson planning and a challenge for education professionals. In the same respect it has long been known that interesting and engaging teaching materials that keep students eyes on the board and off their mobiles, and other distractions, helps educators achieve the required education objectives. Until now electronic whiteboards have been a growing aid in gaining and sustaining student attention as they can be connected with PCs to display colourful and dynamic multi-media content such as videos and images. Teachers also have the ability to manipulate information and bring in new information in from the internet based on questions, all live and direct at the front of the class. Panasonic has long been a supplier and strong in the area of electronic whiteboards dubbed ‘Panaboards’, in fact in 2008 Panasonic was the global number one manufacturer based on unit sales according to Fuji Chimera Research Institute Inc1. Maybe

this was part of the reason why there was great excitement around the announcement of Panasonic’s latest interactive whiteboard offering; enter ‘elite Panaboard UB-T880’. ELITE PANABOARD UB-T880 Until now touch sensitivity which enables both teachers and students to engage with content on interactive whiteboards has been limited by the number of students that can simultaneously touch and interact. This can sometimes be frustrating in a teamwork exercise where time is a critical factor and where part of good team working is in effective multi-tasking to help speedier completion of separate elements of a task simultaneously. Visitors picked up on the fact that up to three pupils can work together and multiple points can be used to manipulate objects through both finger-touch and electronic pen. This multi-touch operation, similar to how other Windows7 and iPod devices work also brings a new feeling of fluidity and smoothness to the new board. Another feature that attracted a surprised but very positive response was the new highly durable surface of UB-T880. Unlike other solutions available the new board was durable to resist the daily grind of everyday use. In terms of reducing the cost of ownership this feature was seen as invaluable by many of the educators that saw it, as the cost of replacement, spare parts and the equipment downtime alone was often a reason to delay purchase or select alternative equipment. Panasonic is known for rugged and durable devices and was also showing its Toughbook mobile computing solutions which presented new opportunities for taking PCs on field trips etc.

What’s more, the new Panaboard had a large screen for high-impact lessons with up to an 83-inch2 display area. Along with its built-in stereo speakers and 2 USB ports the UB-T880 gave an all in one comprehensive solution capable of solving many of the problems related to having to connect external equipment in the classroom in lesson preparation plus the obvious security problems related with detachable solutions that can get stolen. It was the supplied Easiteach software that teachers could use for creating engaging lessons that rounded the UB-T880 package off and perhaps another reason why the Panasonic order book was filling up at BETT. Before now integrated software solutions have been difficult to find although essential to add value to and encourage investment. Easiteach was introduced to enable teachers to plan lessons in advance, setup colourful and interesting challenges that can be downloaded via USB, reused and developed for ongoing use. At BETT it was clear with the elite Panaboard UB-T880, Panasonic’s slogan ‘Everything Matters’ was very much in play when the solution was being developed and tested. Today with educators able to take advantage of new Panasonic technology it’s even easier for them to deliver more interesting and engaging lessons than were previously possible. 1. Information Equipment Comprehensive Marketing Handbook 2. 83-inch (UB-T880W) and 77-inch (UB-T880)

FOR MORE INFORMATION Web: www.panasonic.com

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Lumens Ad 08_06_10:Layout 1

8/6/10

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Page 1

Interactive education

5 year lamp and hardware warranty

From o n

£249

Visual presenters… bringing education to life Lumens DC120 digital visualiser is the perfect teaching assistant: • Simple power by USB Connect your DC120 to your computer with a USB cable and your installation is complete. No power supply or VGA cabling is required. • Seamless interactive whiteboard integration USB powered and control means the unit can easily be driven via the interactive whiteboard. • LED lighting to illuminate your documents • Auto focus at the touch of a button • Video / Audio recording via USB to computer • 5-year swap out warranty Visual presenters are the modern replacement to the OHP and can be easily integrated with projectors and interactive whiteboards. “I have been hugely impressed by Lumens’ digital visualisers. The picture quality is tremendous and this helps to engage the class and keep them focused. I was also pleasantly surprised to discover just how easy the visualisers are to use.” Gemma Smith, Year 5 and 6 Leader, Gusford Primary School. August 2009.

If you would like to book a demonstration or training on these products e-mail info@lumensuk.com or visit www.lumenseu.com for more information Prices are trade and exclude carriage & VAT. Prices are correct at time of publication, please confirm at time of ordering. E&OE. All transactions are in accordance with our full terms and conditions, a copy of which is available on request. 04 DM Range_Education Business:Layout 1 1/10/09 10:40 Page 1 All trademarks are the property of their respective manufacturers. Your calls may be recorded for training purposes. Copyright © Lumens. Lumens, 4116 Clipper Court, Fremont, CA 94538 USA. NM-483-Q2-10.

Work and play with the stylish DM stereo digital recorder range from Olympus. Record every important detail then enjoy audio books, podcasts and music during breaks. The perfect pocket companion. 2GB1 and 4GB2 internal memory Five storage folders and one music folder, plus automatic archiving and synchronisation Enhanced voice guidance making navigation a breeze Versatile recording quality options, including high quality PCM recording Podcast function with bookmarking for easy stop-and-go listening Customisable playback speed of 50-200% 1. DM-450. 2. DM-550.

www.olympus.co.uk

Job no.: 0758-04 Client: Olympus Product: DM Range Publication: Education Business Size: 178 (w) x 125 (h) mm with NO bleed Supply: Hi-res Pass4Press pdf Date of prep: October 2009

High-quality audio processing at your fingertips

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ENGAGING STUDENTS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY Two UK schools won awards for their use of innovative technology in the classroom at the European Innovative Education Forum. Kristen Weatherby, Partners in Learning Manager at Microsoft UK looks at the winning projects

MICROSOFT has been recognising Innovative Teachers for years at our regional and worldwide Innovative Education Forums. Teachers from around the globe have the opportunity to build global communities of practice, collaborate with colleagues from over 100 countries, access quality content developed by their peers, and challenge themselves to take their use of technology to the next level. Every year, teachers who exhibit the greatest innovation are selected by their schools to attend a regional forum. Next, the most innovative teachers are selected to participate in the forum for their country. Finally, the teachers who demonstrate the greatest innovation at the countrywide forum are selected to attend the Worldwide Innovative Education Forum. In the UK, Microsoft held our Innovative Education Forum in December 2009 in Birmingham. We brought together nearly 100 educators from England, Scotland and Wales, and awarded four teachers the opportunity to travel with us to Berlin in March 2010 for the European Innovative Education Forum. In Berlin, these four teachers had the opportunity to meet other like-minded teachers from all over Europe, attend professional development workshops and listen to some of the best speakers in the field. They also visited German schools, collaborated on projects and came away from the event with new tools, colleagues, ideas and friends. Two teachers were lucky enough to win

awards at the European Forum, and as such, they will accompany the Microsoft UK team to Capetown in October for our Worldwide Innovative Education Forum. Jan Webb, of Weston Village Primary School in Cheshire, and Simon Horleston, of Howe Dell Primary School in Hertfordshire, are using technology in truly innovative ways with their students. We think they have a great chance of winning the coveted awards in Capetown with their projects. Jan’s project, ‘Working in a Classroom without Walls’ started as a result of the integration of a new learning platform in her school. If the learning platform was going to be used for learning and not just as a glorified website, teachers needed to be convinced that there would be an educational impact and that it would not just be “another thing” to be squeezed into an already packed curriculum. Jan’s role was to try out the new tools and sharing them with colleagues if and when they proved useful. COLLABORATIVE LEARNING Through the learning platform, Jan was able to identify a school in Singapore for her children to collaborate with. The teacher from this school, Temasek, and Jan were able to find some common objectives for the joint project. Forums were initially suggested as a means for the children to be able to gain a broader understanding of life in other countries. These

enabled the children to ask each other questions about their lifestyles, about their similarities and differences. They were able to develop their understanding of the world by talking to each other – the time differences weren’t a hindrance to the project because the children could see replies to their questions when they went online at school or home in their own time zones. They discussed how to stay safe online by thinking about what information the children would make public in the forum and pupils created their own avatars to use in place of photos. Online maps were invaluable for the class to be able to find out where Singapore is – Multimap was used to explore the location. The collaboration with Temasek continued with the pupils exploring healthy living topics and comparing issues like healthy eating, fitness and other common issues such as bullying and mental and social wellbeing. Pupils in both countries compared their respective heights, weights and compared them in Excel spreadsheets to look at growth of pupils over time. Jan continued her classroom’s collaboration through the learning platform with a school in Brunei, studying the rainforest. Her pupils were writing persuasive arguments on saving the rainforest, and they gained a lot of the data for their arguments from their new friends in Brunei, who visited their local rainforest and sent back photos and reports. Through this virtual class trip, pupils learned a great deal about not only the rainforest and their new friends’ environment, but they were engaged and motivated from being able to talk to children in other parts of the world. ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE Simon Horleston is fortunate to work in a primary school that has recently been housed in a stunning new eco-building, complete with wind turbine, rooftop gardens, solar panels and photo-voltaic windows. Pupils at Howe Dell are able to take advantage of this incredible location and the resources it provides through their environmental curriculum. Simon’s project, Climate Change Challenge was designed for upper KS2 pupils, and takes advantage of the school’s unique curriculum and focus to encourage pupils to take responsibility for their world. Pupils used different forms of ICT to communicate their learning to others by carrying out six stages of learning: research, story-writing, stop-motion-animations, evaluation, spreading the message and taking responsibility. Simon believes that this empowered his

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class to believe in their learning, share their learning and act on their learning. One of the special characteristics of this project is the fact that the students were the ones who selected the topic and focus for their study through the school’s regularlyused suggestion box. Once the concept of the project was born and the children were put into mixed ability groups with both genders working together, they guided the direction of their own project within a project. Each group had the same learning objectives and the same key skills being taught, but they each independently chose their own local/ global environmental issue to research and build a project around. As a result of giving the class freedom to choose their own topics, the children owned their projects and this inspired them to do extra work at home. Once each group had conducted their research, they were ready to create their story with a message about climate change, but before they could create their stop-motionanimation they had to map their own learning against the ESD concepts and produce the writing that proved they were ready for the next stage. The project continued with filming of the student’s stories and use of voting pads

to assess their colleague’s work. The array of technology used communicated to the class a belief in their capabilities and established a sense of responsibility, due to the cost of the equipment and the high expectations that were set. Once the work was complete the final product looked professional due to the use of technology and therefore the children felt rightfully proud of their achievements. EMPOWERING STUDENTS The Innovative Education Forum is the ideal platform for both teachers and their students to recognise the growing need for exciting technology in the classroom. Schools are taking technology and virtual learning to the next level, as seen by both Jan and Simon, to empower students with self-learning techniques and equip teachers with the resources needed to encourage students. The technology-rich classroom is already evident, with projects such as Jan and Simon’s, and schools are increasingly using interactive white boards and learning platforms to move away from a display mentality – with a teacher at the front of the classroom – to create a more informal collaboration between groups of pupils and teachers. The future of teaching

is undoubtedly a more interactive environment, incorporating the growing trend of social networks to engage students and communicate with peers across the globe in forums, such as Jan’s project. Today’s technology is a great tool for teachers to use to help their students learn in a way that will prepare them for the tomorrow’s world of work. They’re able to achieve and excel while learning about the important issues of global citizenship, problemsolving, teamwork, and are improving their communication and collaboration skills. At Microsoft we recognise the importance of introducing innovative technology into the classroom along with good teaching and learning practices to ensure a rich learning environment. As we move further into the future, IT will become less visible and more natural in schools, so that learners will have access to technology they currently have at home, rather than having to turn off their devices as soon as they walk in the school doors. Both Jan and Simon have already paved the way in their respective schools and through their recognition at the Innovative Education Forums we hope that they will inspire other teachers and schools to engage further with their students through technology.

Equanet offers innovative ICT products and solutions that can really benefit your school QUANET IS ONE OF THE UK’S largest ICT resellers with specialist teams dedicated to education and the public sector. Not only do we provide ICT products we also offer solutions that can really benefit your school. We have a proven track record of offering value-added services, ICT products and innovative solutions to the classroom and the wider education community. As an education customer, you will have access to a dedicated account team to ensure Equanet delivers on its promises. Through this close working relationship we have become a partner of choice and more than just a supplier of ICT equipment to over 20,000 schools, colleges and academies across the UK. At Equanet we work with manufacturers and service providers to give our customers access to the products and services that are the mainstays of successful ICT implementation in education. Our education team deal solely with education customers and therefore has the necessary expertise and understanding to ensure that working with us is easy and stress free. Equanet can: • Identify and procure the most suitable ICT equipment for your requirements, whether this be computers for classrooms or tills for the school canteen

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• Configure and deploy any kit, integrating within existing IT systems • Seamlessly integrate Mac and PC environments • Offer full support for any and all ICT equipment you purchase We pride ourselves in working jointly with you to understand your needs for ICT equipment and develop the best ICT solution for your unique requirements. We are also an Apple solution expert for education, making us masters of integration for Mac and PC in education. Visit our site at www.equanet.co.uk to see

our range of services that we can provide at special prices for the education sector. Or call our education team on 0844 871 2409, Monday to Friday to discuss your ICT requirements and how we can help you and your schools deliver ICT to the classroom. Planning for the year ahead now means you can enjoy the summer holidays too.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact the education team today on 0844 871 2409 or visit www.equanet.co.uk

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The essential tool in the Modern classroom! Having an AVerMedia Visualiser in your classroom makes learning memorable, fun, engaging and spontanteous! Our SPB350 platform Visualiser can connect to virtually any projector or whiteboard to provide a striking visual element to your lessons. The SPB350 is packed with useful features such as autofocus, 160 x zoom, 5MP Camera and image storage to SD card or internal memory, plus a market leading 5 year warranty. To find out more about these great products, contact our friendly sales staff now! Contact us on 01908 371772

visualisers@avermedia-europe.com www.avermedia-europe.com/uk

AVerMedia visualisers make learning memorable, fun, engaging and spontanteous OLLOWING THE RECENT general election, there has been uncertainty for those holding the purse strings at schools up and down the country. With a huge deficit, the new government must reduce spending and Becta has already been axed. So what can schools do to ensure that their budget is spent on things which give a real benefit to teaching? Well, for one thing, they should consider using ROI (return on investment) calculations when purchasing. So what products, currently on the market, can show a clear benefit to teaching and learning? One product stands out in a crowded market – Visualisers. Here, AVerMedia marketing manager, Nigel Roberts, explains why Visualisers are a good purchase, especially in these troubled times. “Visualisers can be used for so much in the classroom, from simple ‘show and tell’ exercises to peer-to-peer assessment and student portfolio applications. The beauty of the Visualiser is its straightforward installation, portability and ease of use, which few classroom technologies can compete with,” Roberts said. “All of our Visualisers come with our licence free Aver+ software, which is easy to use. In these times where maximising budget and return on investment are critical, Visualisers can save schools money as teaching assistants no longer have to photocopy handouts for every pupil

and the educational benefits of spontaneous presentations due to the immediacy of the product are well documented,” Roberts added. One of the stars in AVerMedias product line up is the SPB350 Platform Visualiser. The SPB350 features a platform base, with a built-in lightbox, which mean you can show transparencies, x-rays and other transparent media to your classroom or lecture theatre. The SPB350 features a powerful 160 x zoom, allowing you to get ‘up close’ with your subjects. The five megapixel camera has a very clear, pin-sharp lens and a mechanical arm, which helps to eliminate camera shake, which can be experienced on some lesser Visualisers. The SPB350 also features an

SD card slot, so in addition to the 80 images which can be saved internally, video, time lapse or still images can be captured, stored and used in digital portfolios or for evidence gathering. From the entry level, flexi-neck autofocus CP155 – offering 3.2MP camera and 16 x zoom to 160 x zoom – to the full featured SPB350 platform Visualiser, AVerMedia offer a range of Visualisers for every application. In addition to great product features and clear benefits to end users, all AVerMedia products include a full five year Warranty for complete peace of mind. AVerMedia is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of Visualiser technology and over the past ten years have been paving the way in gaining the acceptance of Visualisers in the UK and Europe. Working closely with specialist educational products distributor, Steljes, together with a national network of dedicated resellers, they have established excellent working relationships with ICT specialists and LEAs around the country. This has allowed AVerMedia to understand the unique requirements of the education sector and incorporate this feedback into their Visualiser range.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01908 371772 E-mail: visualisers@avermedia-europe.com Web: www.avermedia-europe.com/uk

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GETTING THE RIGHT MESSAGE ACROSS Chris Rice explains how Milton Keynes College adopted an integrated media approach for its student recruitment campaign

MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE is a further education organisation in a competitive situation. The aim is to attract the maximum number of students onto its courses. Milton Keynes College is one of the fastest growing colleges in the UK and has over 3,500 16-18 year old students. Full-time recruitment is up by 40 per cent in the last three years. Our strategy is to use the student as the hero in our marketing communications. The department’s marketing plan has a commitment to communicating with potential students using their preferred methods and media formats. Our preferred style is to use peer-to-peer integrated multi-channel campaigns – “take one simple message and work it hard”. BEST PRACTICE A well-integrated campaign has several key components: It needs to be centred around one clear, focused, big idea for the brand. It has to have a single communication voice. It must have a consistent look and feel among all components. Media types need to work naturally together in concert to create a “whole is greater than the sum of the parts” effect. Also, media types must have a clear and distinct role in the overall communication that leverages the particular strength of that medium. Integrated campaigns take the strengths from a number of advertising mediums, and deploy them in a united marketing method to achieve maximum results. Integrated campaigns that use social media as a central platform can provide explosively successful results. By combining offline, digital and social marketing techniques, a campaign is more likely to be shared between networks,

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peers and tribes of friends. Once a viral seed has been planted the message can spread far further than the original first line of audience. Our research identified that potential students are increasingly looking to online sources and communities for information on selecting a college. The importance of advocacy is all too clear, peer-to-peer communication and recommendation were highly valued by potential students. Our campaign aims were to create content featuring current students and then harness their online networks and contacts to reach potential students, give them a feel for the college using ‘one big idea’ and one clear message in a way that would appeal to the demographic. This campaign set out to: Create rich content that reinforces key messages in a credible way; incentivise the sharing of the content to create a viral effect; use our students and their social networks to reach the audience rather than us; and to do this supporting online activity with integrated activity. CREATING CONTENT We ran a competition to find two very important people to represent the college. Over a 150 students auditioned in a stretch limo and their promo videos were viewed on the College’s YouTube channel by tens of thousands of people. Students were encouraged to get their social network contacts to view and comment on the videos – many of these were potential students. The two students with the most views got to be the new faces of the college and were given the VIP treatment for an all-day

photo shoot. The results were seen on buses, traditional and digital six-sheets, and online ads. The images and concept were incorporated in college publications and open evenings. Digital and online media used: • Web 2.0: A College YouTube channel became the focus of the campaign. Social network sites were enhanced. • Online advertising: Users targeted by age and location. Multiple ads were created and CTRs monitored. • Digital Six-Sheets: Five second ads were placed throughout the MK shopping centre. • Mobile: SMS using the txttools package was used as a call to action. • College website: Landing pages and banner ads linked to the new online applications feature. ROLE OF MOBILE MARKETING The digital communication process has undergone a drastic change and SMS is now the prime tool for information delivery. It is universally adopted by potential students and is their communication method of choice. SMS is Ideal for launching viral campaigns and engaging in a cost-effective way. Auto response features and shortcode numbers make it ideal for a call to action. SMS is measurable with real-time data (easy to calculate ROI) and is an essential digital marketing tool alongside social media. OUTCOMES There was a 9.5 per cent increase in applications year-on-year, a 16.8 per cent increase in acceptances and 31 per cent of applications were submitted online. There were 35,277 video views during the campaign, with the winning video receiving 2,352 views and second place receiving 1,248 views. The College YouTube channel had 7,552 views – the fourth most viewed channel on YouTube. LESSONS LEARNT We have learnt about the demand for online applications. By next year we expect 50 per cent of our applications will be submitted online. We have also learnt that if you have interesting and dynamic content, people will engage with you and this positively affects their perception of your offer. In addition we learnt that integrating the campaign gave it extra weight and increased awareness. The experience also suggested how new media formats might offer opportunities to remove barriers for potential students while providing rich sources of customer feedback. We also realised that the amount of admin work required for an online campaign shouldn’t be underestimated and the value of current students in attracting new students and the increasing role of online communities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0113 234 2111 E-mail: info@txttools.co.uk Web: www.txttools.co.uk

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ICT

AN IMPROVED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Future proof your IT with the help of Express Data LEEDS-BASED Systems Integrator, Express Data is a specialist in the education sector and has successfully delivered projects for educational institutions including Leeds City College, Leeds College of Building and Barnsley College. As a registered partner of some of the World’s leading IT manufacturers and over 20 years experience and the technical capability, Express Data has become an expert in creating tailored IT solutions within a school or college environment. Most importantly, all solutions offered by Express Data provide flexibility and the expertise to meet the growing needs of any college, in order to create an intelligent working environment for its students and staff. INCREASED UP-TIME AND RELIABILITY A project for Thomas Danby College in Leeds saw Express Data resolve a persistently failing IT network which was delivering an erratic performance. The IT specialist was brought in by the in-house IT department to deliver a turnkey solution to increase the up-time and reliability of its system. Several key elements were addressed during the project. These included the installation of remote connectivity and content control – which is vital in a schooling environment with children. Express Data also addressed the firewall security settings and DNS (domain name servers) issues, the network speeds were improved ensuring the ability to transfer large files and share multimedia devices between computers as fast as possible. On the project, Graham Eland, computer services manager, Thomas Danby College, said: “Express Data’s help in this project was immeasurable. From the initial consultancy, through the design stages and right through to the implementation, Express Data was helpful, flexible and professional throughout. The solution the team recommended not only solved all our problems, but also incorporated network reliability, robustness and scalability, all within our budget. The overall solution took into account all aspects of the infrastructure to ensure that the students and staff can now enjoy increased performance. Express Data is now our preferred supplier for all networking requirements at Thomas Danby College.” Following the successful completion of this project, Express Data was appointed to undertake a project for Leeds City College which comprises the three city based colleges, Thomas Danby, Park Lane and Leeds College of Technology. Express Data was brought on board to

connect all three of the sites via a wide area network solution to enable the newly formed Leeds City College to run shared services and communicate more effectively. The overall aim of the project was to provide a unified IT communications infrastructure upon which shared IT services could be accessed. At the start of the project all three colleges were operating with disparate network solutions, supplied by different manufacturers. Express Data overcame this challenge and implemented a solution which not only brought them all together but also included the necessary technical foundations to integrate future IT projects such as E-learning systems, IP Telephony systems and e-mail messaging systems – ensuring that it was fully future proofed. The technical infrastructure which was incorporated now enables each College site to access HR/Payroll, LIS and Finance applications irrespective of site location. In delivering this project, Express Data performed a full audit of each of the three College Networks. They provided sufficient skilled resource at each college to undertake the work required and rigorously tested the systems throughout to monitor the effectiveness of the inter site links All of the work was undertaken with minimum downtime and disruption to the colleges and was predominately undertaken during holiday periods. Express Data also now provides an ongoing managed and remote monitoring service. This provides the college with access

to a 24/7 help desk service to troubleshoot and manage network connectivity issues. The service also includes carrier management for the installed LES (LAN Extension Services) 100 circuits to avoid any grey areas that often appear in multi-discipline network environments. EFFECTIVE SOLUTION Simon Wilson, managing director of Express Data, said: ”This was a complex project with many challenges but our experience in the education sector enabled us to develop an effective solution. We were able to ensure minimum downtime for all three colleges which was vital and implemented a system that is both resilient and reliable. The provision of ongoing help desk support enables us to monitor the infrastructure and also provides Leeds City College with the peace of mind that we are on hand to manage the system whenever they need us.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information on the products and services available at Express Data visit: www.expressdata.co.uk

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KI - Supporting Student Success Smart spaces inspire achievement. KI’s award-winning educational furniture encourages both interaction and autonomy in learning environments. That’s why more high performance KI products are being chosen for the classroom and beyond. Durable and flexible. Attractive and ergonomic. KI has the products, resources, and expertise to foster student success through smart design.

www.kieurope.com www.kieducation.com sales@kiuk.co.uk

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Axis – improving learning environments

ORTEK HAS BEEN manufacturing technical workstations for more than 30 years, supplying many well known establishments including British Aerospace, the Metropolitan Police, the BBC and Siemens with electronic laboratory and production workstations. We commenced supplying to the educational market in 1990 when we designed and launched a design-technology range of furniture and have specialised in that area since. In more recent years we have designed many unique furniture products for ICT areas. Being manufacturers we therefore have complete control over our products. We have amassed a wealth of experience, which has honed our

CHOOL PROPERTY specialist Axis, provides refurbishment, decorating and renewing services to enhance the built environment and a repair and maintenance fabric service to ensure the safe and effective running of schools. Axis Education is part of the £60m turnover Axis Group, who provide the above services to over 100,000 local authority properties including; social housing stock, education sector properties and public sector offices. Understanding the challenges of working in and around educational buildings, Axis dedicated education services team has a proven track record of completing projects within tight timescales, working within school holiday times to minimise disruption during term time and ensuring high standards of safety and service. To protect the security of those Axis serve and work in a

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product designs. In addition to manufactured products, Nortek is the sole UK distributor of the VS range of superior school furniture from Germany. Today we can genuinely claim that our total range is the best available in the UK. We therefore now protect our designs with European Design Registrations. We are committed to the pursuit of excellence in seeking to provide the most innovative designs, the highest quality of manufacture, and the best value for money and best possible customer service. The process is on going and our commitment to making improvements is a matter of company policy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Web: www.nortekgroup.co.uk

safe manner, all staff working in educational environments are Criminal Records Bureau checked and the company holds all relevant insurances, accreditations and H&S assessments. Use the contact details below to enquire about a free site survey, consultation about your school property requirements or to ask any questions about Axis.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 020 7564 2095 Fax: 020 7564 2116 E-mail: education@ axiseurope.com Web: www.axiseurope. com/education

Written by Margaret Haynes, director of the Office Furniture Advisory Service

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FURNITURE

TAKE A SEAT The recently introduced standard BS EN 1729 is the only current standard specifically targetting classroom furniture, and covering desks, chairs and tables in schools BS EN 1729 IS A TWO-PART standard looking firstly at the dimensions and the shape of product, and secondly at the strength and stability – ensuring that the product will endure the heavy demands placed on it by children, without compromising their safety. TIMELY ADVICE The Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) and British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) worked jointly to collect the necessary data in a broad-ranging survey of pupils in schools. In the many years since the subject was last addressed by British Standards, the height of children had increased to a considerable degree, and the recommended sizes in the new standard reflect this change. Six height ranges, together with an age guide, have been identified, each colour coded, and specifying the required seat and table height. Ergonomic features are also addressed, particularly in the shape and design of seating and the possible need for height-adjustability. The UK has lagged behind many European countries – and most notably Sweden, Finland and Germany – in addressing the health and safety issues allied to needs of children throughout their education. One can only imagine the damage wrought to growing youngsters spending much of the school day on “cheap as chips” polypropylene chairs with desks of inappropriate heights. Even now, this new standard is advisory only and schools are not legally obliged to comply. Whilst it is possible that some manufacturers may continue to make furniture in the existing sizes, but they will be expected to move to the new sizings. Schools may continue to use their existing furniture, but it is in everyone’s interest if the new recommendations are adhered to as and when furniture is replaced. LESSONS FROM SCANDINAVIA One commercial furniture company, Kinnarps, manufacturing in Sweden, has for many years endeavoured to create better working environments for UK businesses, and they are now drawing on their experience and success within the Scandinavian sector to help improve some of Britain’s largest and most important workplaces – schools, colleges and universities. Head of marketing at Kinnarps, Marc Bird, offers a few thoughts on the subject: “There is a gap between the quality of the working environments found in the education and business sectors. Why is it OK to seat students and teachers on chairs that would be illegal in UK offices? In Sweden there is a passion about the welfare of teaching staff and pupils and the need to protect them with good ergonomics in the classroom. Are we as concerned in the UK? “Great ideas are being developed and

piloted by educational experts and indeed by UK government. Are the people who are actually designing and building schools and colleges facilitating these advances in educational practice? Do they speak to real teachers and thought providers? Or does flexibility come at too high a price? “The health of the working population is inevitably linked to the equipment and support they receive in their formative student days. Investment in education facilities today is an investment in a healthier and more productive workforce of tomorrow. Is the British mentality to be reactive – waiting for health problems to solve – rather than the Scandinavian pro-active approach? Is the emphasis on building and refurbishing schools too focused on the architectural beauty of the exterior or are we building practical, well-designed interiors that support new teaching methods and improve learning?” Now there is great opportunity to grasp the awareness that the new standard is generating. We must hope that everyone involved in the furnishing of our schools – government, local authorities, head teachers, architects and interior designers, the furniture manufacturers and suppliers – all take stock and resolve to appreciate the long-term benefits that ergonomically sound furniture for our children will deliver. What a great trade in: a few extra pounds spent now against a lifetime of back-related sick leave! Margaret Haynes is director of OFAS, The Office Furniture Advisory Service, the impartial and independent advisory service offering advice and information on commercial and contract furniture.

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OUTDOOR LEARNING

PUPILS TAKE LEARNING TO THE (GREEN) ROOF The UK’s leading trade association for the landscape industry, the British Association of Landscape Industries, takes a look at the future of landscaping in schools ST BARTHOLOMEW SCHOOL in Newbury has future proofed newly built school buildings by investing in a Green Roof. The project began with the building contractor Willmott Dixon challenging a selection of Year 9 students at the school to investigate the possibility of having a Green Roof system on new buildings the group were in the process of planning to build at the school. The Willmott Dixon Challenge involved the students researching design, installation, cost, maintenance and life span of a Green Roof. They were also asked to investigate if a Green Roof would improve the bio diversity of the school grounds and whether installing a Green Roof would have a positive effect on the environment. The students’ findings were then presented to the Willmott Dixon senior managers and the Design and Construction team, and concluded with the team deciding on installing a Green Roof. TYPES OF MATERIALS St Bartholomew Schools interest in installing a Green Roof and its dedication to involving the pupils in this process also involved a group of Year 8 pupils learning about the different

types of materials that can be used on a Green Roof. Green Roof expert Dr Alun Tarr, who recently spoke at BALI’s Green Roof & Living Walls seminar in Sheffield, led a science experiment with the pupils testing Green Roof sedum varieties. The group created miniature scaled Green Roofs that were then planted in specially constructed wooden boxes in the school grounds, then over a series of months the pupils monitored growth rate of the sedum and incorporated this research into both their science lessons and the overall research put forward to the Willmott Dixon Challenge. West Berkshire council, in which the school is situated, worked closely with Willmott Dixon in the planning stages of the installation of the Green Roof and is using the scheme as a flagship project for other schools in the area. RoofGreen UK subcontracting for Roofline were brought in to construct the Green Roof, it was decided by the pupils to select six different varieties of sedum for planting trying to get as much variation as possible with regard to leaf colour, flower colour and plant height as to get maximum aesthetic as well as making the roof as bio diverse as possible, the total roof area covered by sedum was approximately

4,000m2. BALI affiliate members Boughton Loam worked with Roofline to supply 400 tonnes of specialist lightweight soil to go onto the roof, in which 68,000 plants were planted. 55 tonnes of gravel was also used on the roof to finish the edging detail. Simon Hedley, Boughton Loam Ltd’s business director explains the development of the soil: “We were very pleased to have been selected to supply our specialist lightweight green roof soil for Roof Line Ltd’s prestigious contract at St Bartholomew’s School in Newbury. The growing substrate was developed with Bernard Courtney, to be free draining although still retaining enough moisture and nutrients to encourage a healthy growing environment. Bernard Courtney also stipulated that the substrate must be made predominately of recycled materials to adhere to the ethos of sustainability which Bernard and Roof Green Ltd promote. “Boughton Loam Ltd supplied approximately 500 cubic metres of substrate in bulk bags. The Boughton substrate was made up of a blend of a sandy loam, green compost and lightweight aggregate. The material was supplied to the school site with very strict delivery controls to allow for as little disruption to the smooth

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It’s more than just Child’s Play As one of the most progressive play area design, installation and maintenance companies in the UK tcl Playscapes works for a range of clients which includes local authorities, schools and children’s nursery groups. Our reputation is built on creating exciting, imaginative and attractive play spaces. Whether the site is small or large, urban or rural, our focus is on delivering a play scheme that makes sense commercially for our clients, is designed with the specific needs of the end user in mind and fits in within the environment in which it is being built.

Our services include: • Creating sensational bespoke play areas to a RoSPA approved standard • Natural play areas which fulfil the child’s instinctive play behaviours and offers an exciting balance between safety and enjoyment • Sensory garden design and installation • Support through the whole process of defining, designing, planning, budgeting, installing and maintaining the play space for long lasting value • Post completion, operational and annual inspections along with a regular maintenance programme for the surrounding landscaped area • A national service performed by trained and CRB vetted tcl workforce

For further information or to have a conversation with one of our experienced play team call 01604 822268 or email playscapes@tclgrp.co.uk

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OUTDOOR LEARNING

running of the present school as possible.” Bernard Courtney, horticulture manager from RoofGreen UK, commented on the logistics of installing the Green Roof at St Bartholomew School: “It was a massive undertaking to get 400 tonnes of soil and 55 tonnes of gravel to roof level of a six storey building, moreover none of the roofs are flat and have a very intricate design with slopes of different angles ranging from 6 degrees to a maximum slope of 18 degrees. Special soil retention brackets had to be installed on the slopes to ensure maximum stabilisation of the soil. “Planting was also a massive undertaking on this project, 68,000 plants in an area the size of a small football pitch which were spread over seven different roof areas. We were very satisfied with the outcome on what was a very prestigious project, our team felt proud to be a part of it.” “GREEN POINTS” Councils in the United Kingdom must now attain a certain amount of “Green Points” in all their building and construction projects, as such Green Roofs have become a significant factor in this environmental drive by public bodies and schools have therefore become a major focus for Green Roof Installations. St Bartholomew School’s

Pupils planting sedum

approach to installing Green Roof technology demonstrates a unique project in which pupils can learn about the benefits of a Green Roof as well as the technology involved and incorporate this into the curriculum at a number of age levels. The last few sedum plants which completed the Green Roof were put in place by a selection of Year 9 & 10 pupils. The students then took great delight

in (safely) viewing part of the roof along with Chairman of the Council Councillor Geoff Findlay, the schools headteacher and representatives from Willmott Dixon and RoofGreen UK. With thanks to Bernhard Courtney Roofline, Simon Hedley of Boughton Loam and St Bartholomew

Wild Flower Turf creates Twig education friendly fun for schools landscaping highlights the importance of play W HEN OVERTON PRIMARY SCHOOL decided to create some wild life play areas for their children, they naturally approached local Hampshire Turf producer, Wild Flower Turf. A meadow play area was soon installed in 2008 and then, last year, a pond was added surrounded by wild flowers, now in full bloom and providing a natural haven for butterflies, beetles and grasshoppers. These wild life areas are the brainchild of teacher Kate Jennings, who knows just how much the children adore them and how educational these spaces can be. Such bio-diverse habitats supply a rich source of food for birds and clearly give access to a great environment for children. In the autumn, she will be adding ’Pond dipping’ to the school curriculum. Site manager, Tim Henderson, who has collected plants and tadpoles from Wild Flower Turf’s irrigation lake to increase diversity

HETHER

W PHYSICAL,

in the pond, says: “It was much faster than seeding, which we’d attempted twice before without success. Despite the difficult spring, our meadow is now well established. This turf is so light and easy to handle and it only needs cutting once in the autumn.” The turf also offers new solutions for civil engineering and urban development. So not just an educational triumph!

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01256 771222 Fax: 01256 771900 E-mail: wildflower@ wildflowerturf.co.uk Web: www.wildflowerturf.co.uk

social, cognitive or imaginative, play is essential to a child’s development. Twig works with school staff, governors, parents and pupils to ensure that the spaces we create offer maximum benefit and stimulation in line with as broad a range of curriculum requirements as possible. While designs will be produced with firm curriculum aims at their heart, meeting requirements for literacy, numeracy, science, nutrition, music etc they will also incorporate elements of hidden curriculum through the placement of symbols, signs, information boards, partnership and team activities. You can be assured of a

professional and conscientious service by a company that cares about its customers. We are members of BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries), your guarantee of our excellent standards giving you extra peace of mind. We are covered by £5 million public liability insurance, manage risk assessments and adhere to a strict health and safety policy. All our staff are CRB checked. We cover the South East of England, the Home Counties, London and are based in Lamberhurst, Kent.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01892 890098 E-mail: miranda@twiggroup.co.uk Web: www.twiggroup.co.uk

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Written by Brian Ogden, Chair AAIAC, and Trevor Clarke, AHOEC

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EDUCATIONAL TRIPS

GOING FOR GOLD Adventurous activities carry an element of risk – we look at the different accreditations providers can apply for in order to reassure clients that they are running safe business RECENT YEARS HAVE SEEN considerable growth in outdoor recreation and the adventurous activities that take place outdoors, be they in traditional pursuits such as hill walking, canoeing, sailing, or more modern trends like mountain biking, canyoning or coasteering. Many people start their interests during their school years, often attending local authority centres, commercial providers, the YHA or Outward Bound. Other entry points include Scouting, Guiding or participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme where each level has an Expedition section to complete. Some youngsters get hooked straight away and go on to pursue their hobbies and activities to high degrees of competency and qualification through training courses at recognised centres of the National Governing Bodies for sports and activities. However, it is probable that the majority do not follow up their initial introduction immediately. More and more, though, are returning to the outdoors a little later in life as people head for upland or coastal areas to refresh and practice what becomes a hobby or perhaps take part in a new adventure activity whilst on holiday. RISKY BUSINESS Adventurous activities by their very nature have an element of risk. The thrill and excitement of the unknown or unpredictable is part of the attraction, the sense of enjoyment, independence and fulfilment that comes for new achievement. These days we are frequently reminded of the need for healthy life styles, greater exercise and agility in both mind and body. In all but a handful of cases participants return unscathed, unharmed and safely, having had an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Look in any outdoors magazine, tourist information centre or National Park visitor centre to see the literature and advertisements that are testimony to the growth in provision of adventure or activity holidays in our tourist destinations. Countless companies, organisations and sole traders have set up in business to provide activities, plan journeys, specialist sessions sometimes linked to accommodation and other day ventures. There is anything from mountain biking to horse riding, white water rafting and guided walks to the highest peaks, if you want them. How safe then are the practices and procedures of the providers or the participants who “go off on their own in increasing numbers”? Those of greater years remember the Cairngorm Tragedy of 1972, and more recently the Lyme Bay disaster of 1993, each leading to the sad loss of young lives in one event. As has been said, adventurous activities

Adventurous activities by their very nature have an element of risk. The thrill and excitement of the unknown or unpredictable is part of the attraction, the sense of enjoyment, independence and fulfilment that comes for new achievement do carry an element of risk and accidents happen. The adventure activities industry is seeking to manage that risk through a continuum of accreditation of providers and encouraging any participants to ask whether the outdoor centre or provider has an AALA licence, Adventuremark, LOtC badge or the AHOEC Gold standard. These terms need some explanation to describe how they make a continuum and what they cover.

AALA The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) was set up in 1994 by the government in direct response to the Lyme Bay tragedy in which four young canoeists drowned whilst on a course from a centre in Dorset. Any provider supplying defined adventurous activities in the UK for young people under 19 years of age must now have an AALA licence to do so. Adventure Activities Licensing ensures that activity providers

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Develop your team, transform your school The National College has launched a new programme for developing secondary school senior leadership teams (SLTs). The programme will be tailored for each school, to meet its particular needs. This programme offers space for SLTs to think constructively about how to address key challenges. An experienced facilitator will work closely with your SLT over six to nine months to address the priorities for development that they have identiﬁed in their School Improvement Plan. Overall teams will improve their effectiveness and performance and exceed their previous best.

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EDUCATIONAL TRIPS

follow good safety management practices for activities in scope. It should allow young people to experience exciting and stimulating activities outdoors without being exposed to avoidable risks. Activities in scope of Licensing are: climbing, abseiling or scrambling over natural terrain and cliffs; trekking on foot, horse or cycle over remote hills or mountains; watersports on the sea, tidal waters, large lakes or white water; exploring natural caves underground. There are approximately 1170 licenced providers throughout Great Britain. (Licensing does not apply in Northern Ireland). If your child goes on a school outdoor activities course or holiday offering in scope activities then the venue centre provider must hold an AALA Licence. A licence is granted after inspection for between one and three years, before reapplication and re-inspection. AALA was formerly administered by the DCSF but is now under the Health and Safety Executive. The licence may not cover all the activities taking place because some, including newer ones, are not included within the scope of licensing. Accordingly, if a provider does not cater for young people under the age of 19 or undertakes activities that lie outside the scope

19. AAIAC has developed that parallel system, using expert consultants and taking much of its methodology from the licensing system. It launched it as Adventuremark in 2009. Adventuremark is a system accrediting the safety aspects of adventure provision. It looks at the way practices and procedures are carried out and uses a similar inspection regime to AALA. Staff qualifications, emergency procedures, briefings and developments, standard locations used as well as the quality of equipment etc., are all part of the inspection accreditation regime. Adventuremark can be gained by a provider making application to cover any adventurous activity, provided for any age group and anywhere in the U.K. It is not restricted to under 19s, unlike licensing, and covers England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and centres abroad if the badge holder operates from the U.K. LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM During the research and development phase of Adventuremark, the government in England had been pursuing a curriculum initiative called Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC). This is designed to stimulate and extend learning and teaching methods, using anything from

Adventure Activities Licensing ensures that activity providers follow good safety management practices for activities in scope. It should allow young people to experience exciting and stimulating activities outdoors without being exposed to avoidable risks of licensing there need be no accreditation to assure users and customers that practices have been inspected and/or conform to standards of safety recognised as acceptable good practice by the industry. It is estimated that about 75 per cent of all adventurous activity provision lies beyond the remit and scope of licensing. In reality therefore, there is little that stops you or I setting up an adventure activity business with no check on safety credentials, experience, qualifications, expertise or equipment. Let it be said immediately that there is no evidence of hoards of unscrupulous operators entering the industry but not all operators are necessarily aware or sure of all that can be done to ensure their own commercial success or the safety and well-being aspects of their customers and users. ADVENTUREMARK In 2005 the then DfES (Department for Education) commissioned the Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee (AAIAC) to research and develop a parallel system of accreditation which could sit alongside licensing to cover activities that lay outside its scope and also providers of activities for people over

the school grounds, local area and wider educational visits as we know them. It can apply across any subject area and has been seen to pay handsome dividends in terms of pupil progress. After all, history or geography do not take place in classrooms, literature is normally about happenings outside them, mathematical understanding develops much more extensively if it is applied to the real world and science and technology become applied at home, at work and in the adventure activities sphere – so let’s study things where they originate as well as within the confines of school buildings. In seeking to extend learning beyond the classroom it became the case that a system of badging, for providers who service the educational demand elsewhere, ought to have some form of accreditation to safeguard schools, their students and teachers and confirm that acceptable standards of good practice are being applied at those learning venues. Accordingly, there has been in operation for just over a year now an LOtC Quality Badge system for providers to apply for in ten learning strands, including adventurous activities. The Quality Badge is open to all organisations providing

learning outside the classroom experiences. The route any organisation takes to achieve the Quality Badge will be determined by the degree of risk management required to manage the activities offered. Learning experiences in museums, theatres, places of worship constitute Route 1 for the activities with least risk, whilst field studies, expeditions, study tours, farm visits and adventurous activities constitute Route 2 where the regime is more rigorous. AHOEC GOLD STANDARD In 2009 the Association of Heads of Outdoor Centres (AHOEC) launched its own quality assurance badge called the AHOEC GOLD Standard. It is a scheme that builds on the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality (LOtC) Badge. The GOLD standard exceeds the benchmark set by the LOtC Badging scheme and provides clients and centres with a scheme that not only addresses the issue of safety but the delivery of a client focused quality experience. WHERE TO FROM HERE? AAIAC invites anybody wishing to use an adventurous activity provider to simply ask the provider – does where we are going have any of the badges AALA, Adventuremark, LOtC or AHOEC GOLD standard? If they do it assures greater protection and the security of knowing that accreditation has been awarded on the basis of industry wide standards of good practice, if not the licensing regime. If they have not, ask whether they are in the process of seeking one of the badges and, if the answer is no to either question, then it is suggested you look elsewhere for somebody/a provider who has. If customers and users start asking now, a momentum will be built up that allows the accreditation system to become more or less universal because providers will soon learn that it becomes at least desirable if not a necessity. In that way we have a better, safer industry and experience for customers/users who can be surer that things will be done correctly in activities which do have an inherently greater risk – ones that can and should be properly managed. After all, outdoor centres are in the business of preventing accidents and doing their best to provide fun, enjoyment, exhilaration and achievement, and return home safely every time. Those who venture out on their own, and it is a huge number of people these days especially in our tourist hotspots, can have the benefit of the previous experience from school days, activity holidays, from organisations such as scouting, guiding and the DofE. etc. Such experiences are “provided” from a rich variety of sources and “train” people in the craft of their sport or activity so they become proficient themselves. Accredited providers give a better standard of training for those who later go on to “do it themselves”. That’s also why asking whether providers are “badged” makes greater sense now.

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EDUCATIONAL TRIPS

SCHOOL TRIPS – WHERE TO NOW? Ian Pearson of The School Travel Forum writes on the new government’s policies regarding educational trips FOLLOWING THE ELECTION and the new government being announced, any visitor to the government’s education web pages are met with pop up and banner notices that declare: “A new UK Government took office on 11 May. As a result the content on this site may not reflect current Government policy. All statutory guidance and legislation published on this site continue to reflect the current legal position unless indicated otherwise.” Pretty unequivocal, the new residents at Number 10 want to put everybody on notice that everything’s up for reconsideration. With measures already announced, these are not just idle words. So how do these affect educational visits and the wider remit of Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC)? Already cancelled is the new Primary Curriculum that sought to widen the curriculum horizons. On hold and under review is the

• Ofsted should include learning outside the classroom provision as part of the curriculum in its inspection framework. Indeed they concluded: “We are of the view that learning outside the classroom, if it is to be taken seriously by all schools, needs to be made an entitlement within the National Curriculum. Learning outside the classroom should be considered by Ofsted as part of school inspections and be reflected in the School Report Card.” The Select Committee’s view is echoed by a new report issued by the English Outdoor Council, ‘Time for a Change in Outdoor Learning’. This effectively draws together the evidence supporting LOtC. It says there is clear and compelling evidence that LOtC: • raises educational standards • makes a powerful contribution to curriculum aims

We are of the view that learning outside the classroom, if it is to be taken seriously by all schools, needs to be made an entitlement within the National Curriculum. Learning outside the classroom should be considered by Ofsted as part of school inspections and be reflected in the School Report Card contentious vetting and barring legislation. Also announced is a general review of health & safety rules, often sited as a barrier to school trips. Not yet mentioned, but waiting anxiously for news is the LOtC Council, which was set up by the DfES and only partly through to its ultimate goal of being self financing. STRONG SUPPORT There are, however, strong and unequivocal arguments for this government to continue to support and develop LOtC for every child. In April 2010, a cross party House of Commons select committee investigating progress of LOtC concluded: “Learning outside the classroom supports pupils’ learning and development. It has the potential to enrich and enliven teaching across all subjects.” In addition they challenged the last administration that: • all children should have opportunities to experience environments away from their local area • there should be an individual entitlement within the National Curriculum to at least one out of school visit a term

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• outdoor activity helps to address health problems and enhances wellbeing • offers real contact with the natural environment • builds cross cultural understanding and can change communities • helps reduce anti-social behaviour, crime and disengagement from education • helps young people manage risk and encourages them to welcome change. MANAGING COSTS So what about the costs? We have all been told that we can only spend what we can afford and ultimately the government’s pockets are our own. In fact the costs are minimal and often just a case of redirecting current budgets to maximise greater learning effectiveness. Research shows that there is a great variation across schools in how they allocate their spending and how much support is given to LOtC from out of those budgets. However the evidence is clear, schools that invest in LOtC show great pupil benefits, both academically and socially. These

benefits are particularly noticeable for pupils who do not respond well to a “normal” school environment. Pound for pound LOtC is way up there with best value for money. We all agree with the aim to achieve reasonable and responsible health & safety measures, but we also believe that the well publicised wild decisions, wrongly justified on health & safety grounds, are more to do with corporate worries about compensation culture. Real health & safety management enables, that approach restricts. School trips have an enviable reputation for safety, even with the high media coverage of the few incidents that happen. The School Travel Forum (STF) scheme, which independently verifies the safety management systems of STF members, is a good example where the needs of teachers and suppliers meet and are satisfied in a sensible and practical way. All school trip providers need to ensure they have strong safety measures in place. It is simply not in their best interests to ignore such significant potential threats to their businesses. Likewise schools need to ensure themselves that suppliers are reputable and are performing to current good practice. Now wrapped up with the LOtC Quality Badge Scheme, the STF scheme provides both schools and suppliers the means to achieve both ends. And for schools it’s easy to use, assured and costs nothing; all costs are borne by the suppliers. So the benefits are proven, the risks manageable, the cost impact on the state minimal and the value great; the message has to be: “Keep supporting great learning experiences, Mr Gove.” Ian Pearson is the development officer for the School Travel Forum. He is a qualified Health & Safety manager with over 18 years’ experience in school travel and has been closely involved in pioneering safety management systems for educational travel companies and the LOtC Quality Badge. He represents the study trip sector on the LOtC’s Quality Badge Committee and Advisory Group. Comments on this article are welcome, please e-mail info@schooltravelforum.com.

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EDUCATIONAL TRIPS

Hands-on science at Techniquest NSPIRE YOUR PUPILS and free their minds to enjoy science by making the most of Techniquest. Imagine a place where the inquisitive mind can explore, and where getting stuck in, hands-on and involved is positively encouraged. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Techniquest, the hands-on science centre in Cardiff Bay. Children can see and touch science, and make things happen for themselves. It is no longer a matter of reading about electrical circuits in a textbook â&#x20AC;&#x201C; here you can make one and see the results. The exhibition floor has more than 120 interactive exhibits covering all aspects of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). Visiting school groups will see a show or presentation in the Science Theatre or Planetarium, or join in a workshop in the laboratory. Techniquest also provides a range of inspiring shows, workshops and other programmes which

can be brought to your school. Techniquest caters for all ages from reception class right up to A-level students, with all its products firmly tied to the National Curriculum.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit www.techniquest.org or call the bookings team on 029 20475476.

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CONFERENCES & EVENTS

EXCELLENCE IS ON THE CURRICULUM IN SCOTLAND Scotland not only has an enviable reputation for standards of education, it can also teach the rest of the world a thing or two about hosting successful events, conferences and exhibitions THE COUNTRY GETS TOP MARKS for the range and diversity of venues on offer, is highly commended for the warmth of its welcome and, as the home of golf, a gold star for the very best in mixing business with pleasure. Among Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous sons and daughters are a plethora of inventors, great thinkers, philosophers, scientists and entrepreneurs who have inspired the world. Their spirit lives on in the country today and the indigenous expertise can be seen across a range of sectors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; optoelectronics, life sciences and knowledge-based industries which embrace software, engineering, electronics and nanotechnology. This means that anyone looking for a conference destination

Lower College Hall - St Andrews University

With a higher concentration of universities than anywhere else in Europe, including the 600-year old University of St Andrews, there is no shortage of academic venues that can welcome large events where they will be in inspiring company can choose Scotland with confidence. ACADEMIC VENUES With a higher concentration of universities than anywhere else in Europe, including the 600-year old University of St Andrews,

there is no shortage of academic venues that can welcome large events. Every city boasts university campuses with lecture theatres, reception halls, breakout areas and extensive on-site accommodation available outside term times. Significant investment is being ploughed into redevelopment

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BMA House - Conferences and Events in a stunning Grade II listed building • Home of the British Medical Association • Available to hire for Conferences, Banqueting, Exhibitions and Special Events • Outdoor spaces available for Summer entertaining • Located in Tavistock Square with close proximity to the new Eurostar terminal and Euston Station

020 7874 7020 bmahouse.org.uk

loads of options Set in 200 acres of parkland, Lincolnshire Events Centre has so many benefits, it’s certain to be the right choice for your next event. Why not contact our sales team to find out more? Give us a call on 01522 524240, email us at events@lincs-events.co.uk or visit the www.lincs-events.co.uk Lincolnshire Events Centre, Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln, LN2 2NA

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CONFERENCES & EVENTS

and refurbishment, as well as into the creation of brand new, bespoke facilities. In Edinburgh, The University of Edinburgh has completed a £9m extension of their main conference facilities by refurbishing and extending the John McIntyre Centre at Pollock Halls campus. The upgraded and enlarged facilities include the new Pentland conference suite, capable of seating up to 350 theatre style with four breakout rooms accommodating up to 250 delegates, two boardrooms, a flexible lounge area, reception area and an open-air terrace. Along with a stylish new restaurant seating up to 650 with an adjoining bar and lounge, naturally the Centre also features Wi-Fi and state-of-the-art audio visual equipment. Another high profile development is the New School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews. Opened in summer 2010, the cutting edge design of the new building is a refreshing contrast to the University’s historic architecture. Features include: a large auditorium with capacity for up to 300 people; a large flat floored exhibition area and two further meeting rooms to accommodate up to 50 people each, plus 12 smaller breakout rooms. Add to the academic facilities state of the art conference centres in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, a wealth of contemporary and traditional hotels to suit every budget, castles, stately homes and other heritage properties and it is clear that Scotland is world-class in the diversity and choice of its offering. HELP AT HAND VisitScotland’s dedicated Business Tourism Unit (BTU) leads in showcasing Scotland to the rest of world and its success is evidenced by results. In total, over 330 association conferences – virtually one a day – are held in Scotland every year. Edinburgh and Glasgow are second only to London in the UK in terms of numbers for such conferences and recent research carried out by VisitBritain saw both cities in the top three in Europe for value for money in hosting conferences The BTU, along with the city convention bureaux, runs fully-fledged Ambassador Programmes, encouraging everyone involved in specialised organisations, professional bodies and associations to help spread the message about Scotland. A brand new web-based facility has just been launched to take the pain out of preparing large-scale bids by using a comprehensive venue search, accessing a library of inspirational Scottish photography and customising a ready-made presentation. One ambassador who used such support to good effect was Stirling University’s Professor of Sports Studies, Wray Vamplew, who succeeded in attracting 200-plus delegates to attend the World Congress of the International Society for the History of Physical Education and Sport in Scotland in 2009. As well as using the facilities at the university itself, the conference extended to the newly-redeveloped Doubletree

John McIntyre Conference Centre

University of Stirling

by Hilton Dunblane, with delegates offered the opportunity to explore the surrounding area. EDUCATION-THEMED CONFERENCES This year, some of the recent and educationthemed conferences that took place in Scotland included The British Association of Early Childhood Education and the 400-strong British Association of Teachers of Dance, both held in Aberdeen. In the autumn, The Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre in Glasgow will play host to 2,000 delegates attending the Association of Medical Education in Europe, plus the Scottish Learning Festival, which attracted 7,000 visitors last year. Catriona Anderson, marketing manager, Associations for VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit, sums it all up by saying: “The

only problem that event organisers have in looking at Scotland as a destination is one of choice – which is a great problem to have! “Unquestionably we offer value for money, first class cuisine, venues to suit any occasion and, on top of that, access to the wealth of expertise from the team at VisitScotland. We are serious about the business of business tourism and our passion for our product is, we hope, infectious. Certainly, the feedback we receive and the fact that so many events return here time and again, is testament to just how well, and how consistently, we deliver excellence.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0131 472 2376 Web: www.conventionscotland.com

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HUMAN RESOURCES

ACHIEVING A POSITIVE WORK CULTURE Recent research revealed that more than half of the education sector workforce thinks the dominant management style within their organisation is negative. Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the CMI explains why this issue should be addressed without delay THE CON-LIB COALITION GOVERNMENT has now begun swinging its axe over the public sector in a bid to cut spending by £6 billion and the education sector undoubtedly faces the prospect of some tough times ahead. Slashing funding is likely to have a detrimental effect on the delivery of services, not to mention the quality of management and teaching. In order to cope with the forthcoming changes, strong managers and leaders will be essential if the sector is to deal with the lean times and emerge as unscathed as possible. Against this backdrop of uncertainty the Chartered Management Institute’s (CMI) latest Economic Outlook research, which tracks business confidence amongst the UK’s senior public sector executives, reveals that job insecurity is at record levels. Almost 80 per cent of managers say morale has worsened over the past six months, despite assertions that the UK is pulling itself out of the downturn. But, with the impending threat of cutbacks

do in response to massive budget cuts. By giving a logical reason for operating in a certain way and being as transparent as possible, employers will help restore the confidence of their employees and boost their loyalty during tough times. It is common that staff satisfaction naturally increases in organisations where managers provide clear direction when delegating tasks and guide employees through any problems. Creating a positive working culture will generate goodwill that not only improves people’s working lives but also adds to the bottom line in the form of productivity, retention rates and employee loyalty. KEEPING POSITIVE To achieve a positive work culture and subsequently improve business performance, employers need to take a step back and consider their management style, strengths and weaknesses. Although this may be low on managers’ lists of priorities when battling

Slashing funding is likely to have a detrimental effect on the delivery of services, not to mention the quality of management and teaching set to become an even bigger reality, what should employers be doing to support and motivate staff during the hard times? GETTING THROUGH TOUGH TIMES It’s easy to say that employers within the education sector need to stand up and take responsibility for supporting their workforce through these difficult times, helping them to cope with challenges that may arise. But, at the same time, it must be said that they cannot expect to get through the difficult times without facing, and being prepared for, possible side effects of the budget cuts – namely redundancies. Although redundancies are sometimes unavoidable, they can leave many employees demoralised, due to losing their colleagues and taking on increased workloads to compensate for reduced teams. To tackle these issues, and increase staff motivation, employers must work to boost employee engagement levels by striving to understand the pressures employees face while communicating a clear vision of what their organisations plan to

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with the effects of budget cuts, positive personal development is at the root of good business. Not only is personal reflection on management style a proactive step towards becoming a better all-round employer, it will help senior staff to be at the top of their game. The failure by managers to invest adequate time into understanding their personal management style could have a significant detrimental effect on their workforce. Recent CMI research revealed that more than half (64 per cent) of the education sector workforce thinks the dominant management style within their organisation is negative. The three most common styles according to the education workforce are authoritarian (26 per cent), bureaucratic (15 per cent) and secretive (12 per cent). These statistics are worrying. Only nine per cent of education sector workers describe their bosses as trusting and just four per cent think senior staff are empowering. With figures like that, we can be in no doubt that the sector’s management and leadership styles need to change if this fragile sector is going to

successfully recover from the tough times ahead. Bosses who think that management styles have no bearing on morale, productivity and profitability must think again. They need to get serious about their development for the good of their organisations. KNOCK-ON EFFECT Considering the negative perceptions that the workforce has of their bosses, there is a danger that negativity will seep throughout the sector. If this continues, it could even affect employees’ desires to go on to occupy senior roles. CMI’s research revealed that almost one in five education sector workers (19 per cent) said the traditional stereotypical “suited and booted” view of managers puts them off becoming managers themselves. If this is allowed to fester, and talented individuals within the sector shy away from senior posts, it could create a significant skills gap at senior level that would be difficult to bridge. It’s not just about style though; it’s also about skills. Sector managers must practice what they preach by investing time and resources into their own personal development to ensure they are performing at the top of their game. Only one in five managers in the UK holds a professional qualification. Managers cannot expect to do a good job, and deliver good results, without appropriate training. There is no excuse for managers who fail to take their personal development into their own hands, or employers that fail to support their management teams in developing. As a busy manager in today’s tough environment, it’s all too easy to put personal development low on the list of priorities but, in fact, it’s the lynch pin upon which success or failure of both the individual and the organisation depends, especially considering the current economic climate. Considering the continuing pressures faced by the education sector, both in the general workforce and among managers themselves, the need for a drastic improvement in leadership is something that cannot be delayed. Good leadership is something to be admired. Isn’t it time you led by example? The CMI is the UK’s leading professional body for managers

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information on improving your management style, visit: www.managers.org.uk

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HUMAN RESOURCES

We Check, We Screen, We Care For high quality, fast and cost effective preemployment screening, vetting and background checks, BS7858 compliant checks or seek compliance with the Baseline Personal Security Standard we are here to help.

How well is your leadership working? When was the last time you took time out to review your leadership approach? You know its important but are just too busy or stressed? Put that right today by booking to attend one of our Leadership 24 Events. During this inspiring 24 hour event for senior leaders you will:

Give your business the protection it deserves. Call in Agenda for all your pre-employment screening needs. For more information please contact us at: info@agenda-security.co.uk

• Evaluate your current leadership approach – what is working / what isn’t • Learn about the unique Farsight Leadership ModelTM and 360 assessments • Reflect on what is important to you and your people • Reconnect and develop your leadership vision • Create an action plan Dates: 28/29 September or 16/17 November (5pm – 5pm) Location: The Beautiful Nunsmere Hall Hotel Price: £795 + VAT inclusive of all meals and accommodation Book early as places are limited: Call 0161 266 1090 and ask to speak to David Parkinson or Rachel Day or email enquiries@Farsightleadership.com. Further details on our website: www.Farsightleadership.com Farsight Leadership: Leadership Development, Coaching and Assessment Farsight is a CMI accredited leadership training centre

Offices in Cambridge and Hull T: 08456 44 55 46 Int: +44 (0) 1964 671207 F: 08456 44 55 47 E: info@agenda-security.co.uk W: www.agenda-security.co.uk

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ADVERTISERS INDEX The publishers accept no responsibility for errors or omissions in this free service ACAD

Eric Cole

Ocip Energy

Advanced Payroll Services

Farsight Leadership

Outside Structure Solutions

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Panasonic UK

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Formica

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Armitage Venesta

Grant Westfield

Pass Training Consultancy

Asbestos Removal Contractors Association

Gully Howard Technical

Play & Leisure

AVerMedia

HC Slingsby

Powermaster (Wakefield)

Induced Energy

Premier Interlink

Avery Office Products Balens

Inenco

Reach 24

BJ Campbell South West

Institute of Credit Management

SDH Airconditioning Services

Brita Water Systems

IP UserGroup

Star Uretech

British Harlequin

JJ Food Service

Systematic Energy

Burnettmoore Risk Management

Jo Bird & Co

Techniquest

Charity Gift Vouchers

Clarks Archive Storage Collinson

Tetra Pak

London Duck Tours

The British Medical Association

Marley Eternit

The Efficient Energy Corporation

Coronet Turf

Midwich

The Lewis Group

CSM

Minerva Business Systems

Toh Trading

Trend Controls

Day’s Rental

IBC, 32

OBC, 50

Mirage Display

Eagle Vending Services

Misco

Turn Key

Ecclesiastical Financial Services

Mitchell & Cooper

Twig

Elcomponent

Mitsubishi Electric

txttools

Electrolux

Monodraught

Village Hotels

Energy Brokers UK

Müller Dairy UK

Equanet

Nortek

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ADMIN / FINANCE & LEGAL AUDIO VISUAL CATERING CLASSROOM CONFERENCES & EVENTS DESIGN & BUILD EDUCATIONAL VISITS ENERGY ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ADMIN / FINANCE & LEGAL Accountancy ICM 01780 722907 www.icm.org.uk/training

Equipment Leasing Lease direct Education 01244 525406 info@leasedirect education.co.uk

Just Accountants 01634 401772 www.justaccountants.co.uk

Financial Consultancy BCS First Floor, Block D, North Star House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1FA 01793 417530 www.bcs.org/personalfinance qualifications@hq.bcs.org.uk

RSM Tenon 020 79203200 www.rsmtenon.com Asset Management CSG 01689 806970 www.progressive-finance.com sales@proggresive-finance.com Association Dogs Trust 020 78337656 www.dogstrust.org.uk educ@dogstrust.org.uk Banking Barclays 0800 0151874 www.barclayscorporate.com Charity Shelter www.shelter.org.uk kathryn_chapman@shelter.org.uk Credit Cards Visa www.visa.co.uk enquiries.europe@visa.com Debt Collection Callcredit Information Group The Bailey, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1DN 01132 441555 www.callcredit.co.uk/govt Debt Collection Incasso www.incasso.co.uk Mackenzie Hall Ltd 01949 831495 www.mackenziehall.co.uk The Lewis Group 0870 0857302 www.lewisgroup.co.uk info@lewisgroup.co.uk Electronic Payments RBS World Pay 0800 010166 rbsworldpay.com/ education sQuid squidcard.com/education White Eagle (Europe) Plc 020 70810847 www.white-eaglegroup.com

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HEALTH & SAFETY HUMAN RESOURCES ICT OFFICE EQUIPMENT SECURITY SEN SPORTS & PLAYGROUND TELECOMS TRANSPORT

DJS Research 01663 732721 www.djsresearch.com England Marketing 01487 822320 www.englandmarketing.co.uk Interviewing Services 01763 272746 ann@interviewingservices.co.uk Research Quorum 01256 345547 www.quorum.co.uk research@quorum.co.uk

Solutions Asset Finance Limited 0151 3555560 www.solutionsassetfinance.com info@solutionsassetfinance.com

ThePeoplePartnership 01749 899242 www.thepeoplepartnership.com ann@thepeoplepartnership.com

Insurance Balens 2 Nimrod House, Sandyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road, Malvern WR14 1JJ 01684 580776 www.balens.co.uk info@balen.co.uk

Performance Monitoring Edexcel www.edexcel.com/aa-recruitment

Burnett Moore 01234 567890 enquiries@insuremyschool.co.uk Cobra Insurance Brokers Ltd RUGBY 23 Cromwell Rd, Rugby, Warwick CV22 5LP 0845 6860260 www.indemnitas.co.uk claire@cobrarugby.co.uk Ecclesiastical www.ecclesiastical.com/ ingoodhands Hayes Parsons Ltd St Lawrence House, Broad Street, Bristol BS1 2HF 0117 9299381 enquiries@hayesparsons.co.uk KGJ Insurance Group 3 Charter Court, Broadlands, Wolverhampton WV10 6TD 01902 796796 enquiries@kgjgroup.co.uk Market Research 2020 Research 01226 767120 www.2020research.co.uk Alchemy Research Associates 01924 382863 www.alchemyresearch.co.uk info@alchemyresearch.co.uk Carrick James Market Research 6 Homer Street, London W1H 4NT 020 77243836 www.cjmr.co.uk

Printing and Design Magicard 01305 767100 www.magicard.com Risk Management Experian www.experianbi.co.uk/riskauditplus School Supplies Astirvant Ltd, Belmont Street, Oldham OL1 2AX 0161 6229987 www.speedyshelters.co.uk eb@astirvant.com Avery 0800 9804800 www.avery.eu Fujitsu http://emea.fujitsu.com/scanners GLS Educational Supplies 0845 1203213 www.glsed.co.uk sales@glsed.co.uk OKI Printing Solutions 01753 819856 marketing.team@okieurope.co.uk Slingsby 0800 2944440 www.slingsby.com Sycamore Supplies The Sycamore, Church Road, Luckington, Wiltshire SN14 6PG 01666 841311 www.ssbe.co.uk sales@ssbe.co.uk Viking Direct 0844 4120000 www.viking-direct.co.uk

VKF Renzel Ltd Unit 20e, Harris Business Park Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove B60 4BD 01527 878311 www.vkf-renzel.co.uk sales@vfk-renzel.co.uk Stationery Supplies Team 01274 741111 www.supplies-team.co.uk AUDIO VISUAL Acoustics Anders+Kern UK Ltd Norderstedt House James Carter Road Mildenhall Suffolk IP28 7RQ 01638 510900 www.anders-kern.co.uk sales@anders-kern.co.uk Bose 0870 7414500 www.bose.co.uk/business_solutions uk_pro@bose.com ecophon 01256 850989 www.ecophon.co.uk marketing@ecophon.co.uk

101 101 102 102 102 102 102 102 102

VeriCool 0845 8382410 www.vericool.co.uk sales@vericool.co.uk Consultants Amadeus Associates Ltd 01827 880317 www.amadeus-associates.co.uk tburholt-amadeus@uwclub.net Ross Ross House, Grimsby DN31 3SW 0800 132096 Drink Suppliers Aimia Foods 01942 408600 www.aimiafoods.com Lavazza BLUE 01895 209750 www.lavazza-coffee.co.uk info@lavazza-coffee.co.uk Schweppes 0800 580580 www.getbritainschwimming.com Van Houten www.vanhoutendrinks.com Yazoo www.yazoo.co.uk

PC Werth Limited Audiology House, 45 Nightingale Lane, London SW12 8SP 020 87722700 www.pcwerth.co.uk

Equipment BBCS Limited 01530 274933 www.bbcs-ltd.com admin@bbcs-ltd.com

Southfield 020 87722700 www.soundfield.info

Bonzer 0845 0177 488 www.bonzer.co.uk

Information Display MRG Systems Limited Willow Court, Beeches Green Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 4BJ 01453 751871 www.mrgsystems.co.uk sales@mrgsystems.co.uk

Caterkit Services 1 The Maltings, Stanstead Abbotts, Herts SG12 8HG 01920 872580 www.caterkitservices.com sales.caterkit@tagukltd.com

Interactive Whiteboards Smart av Greenway Business Centre, Harlow Business Park, Harlow, Essex CM19 5QE 0845 0780326 www.smart-av.com info@smart-av.com

Contact Grill Company 01189 653535 www.contactgrillcompany.co.uk

CATERING Cashless Payment Systems Live Register 0870 2422528 www.liveregister.co.uk RST EPoS Solutions 0800 1070069 www.rstepos.com sales@rstepos.com

DCE Limited 0845 6035331 www.directcatering.mfbiz.com directcatering@ntlworld.com ES Catering Equipment 24 London Road South, Mertham, Surrey RH1 3DT 01737 642100 www.escateringequipment.co.uk GFV Haven Road, The Hythe, Colchester, Essex CO2 8HT 01206 867770 www.goldstarfv.co.uk enquiries@goldstarfv.co.uk

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Induced Energy 01280 705900 www.inducedenergy.com sales@inducedenergy.com Labcold www.labcold.com Miele Professional 0845 3303618 www.miele-professional.co.uk Steelite 0800 78335483 www.steelite.com Teknomek 01603 788833 www.teknomek.co.uk Fair Trade Produce Eagle Vending Services Ltd 01634 722999 www.fairtradevending.co.uk info@eaglevending.co.uk Food Suppliers Cadbury 08702 400861 www.cadbury.co.uk CSM 0800 783469 www.csmglobal.com/uk DBC 01707 323421 www.dbc.co.uk info@dbcfoodservice.co.uk JJ Food Service Five Arches Business Estate, Unit 2, Maidstone Road, Foots Cray DA14 5AG www.jjfoodservice.com Kellogg 0800 7836676 www2.kelloggs.com kellogg.trade@kellogg.com Müller 01630 698 571 Quality British Turkey 0800 7839994 www.britishturkey.co.uk Redcliffe 0800 3898950 www.redcliffe.com The Healthy Vending Company 01442 768 595 info@thehealthyvending company.co.uk Unilever Foodsolutions Unilever House, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead KT22 76R 0800 7833728 www.unileverfoodsolutions.co.uk Kitchen Design Electrolux 0800 988 2809 www.electrolux.co.uk/foodservice Public body School Food Trust www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk Water Coolers PHS Waterlogic 01252 852606 www.phswaterlogic.co.uk waterlogicinfo@phs.co.uk Water Filter BRITA Professional 0870 4870900 professional@brita.co.uk CLASSROOM Art & Craft: Materials Ellison 0871 2222277 ukeducation@ellison.com LJB Design www.ljbdesign.co.uk info@ljbdesign.co.uk

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Educational Resources AssemblyBox Ltd 145-157 St John St, London EC1V 4PY www.assemblybox.co.uk enquiries@assemblybox.co.uk Everyone’s Reading www.everyonesreading.org.uk Kumon 0800 854714 www.kumon.co.uk Renaissance Learning UK Ltd 32 Harbour Exchange Square, London E14 9GE 020 71844000 www.renlearn.co.uk info@renlearn.co.uk Music & Drama: Musical Supplies Dolphin Music 0844 8150777 www.dolphinmusic.co.uk CONFERENCES & EVENTS Exhibitions iipsec 2010 www.iipseconline.com TES Education Apex Room, National Hall, Olympia, London 0870 1129055 www.teachingexhibitions.co.uk Venues BMA House 020 78747020 www.bmahouse.org.uk Burwell House Burnwell House Study and Conference Centre, North Street, Burwell, Cambridgeshire CB25 0BB 01638 741256 www.burwellhouse.com Conference Leeds 01132 476501/2 www.conference-leeds.com Eastwell Manor Eastwell Park, Boughton Lees, Ashford, Kent TN25 4HR 01233 213000 www.eastwellmanor.co.uk enquiries@eastwellmanor.co.uk EBEC Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire 020 88463792 Floral Pavilion Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Wirral CH45 2JS www.floralpavilion.com floralpavilion@wirral.gov.uk Friends House 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ 020 76631094 www.friendshouse.co.uk events@quaker.org.uk Horticultural Halls 0845 3704606 www.horticultural-halls.co.uk horthalls@rhs.org.uk Mercure Letchworth Lane, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire SG6 3NP 01462 683747 gpyke@fairviewhotels.com Pentire Hotel Pentire Avenue, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 INU 01637 872334 www.pentirehotelnewquay.co.uk Saviles Armouries Drive, Clarence Dock Leeds LS10 1NF 0113 2201990 www.savileshall.co.uk info@savileshall.co.uk Stirling Management Centre 01786 451712 www.smc.stir.ac.uk

The Belfry 08709 000066 www.thebelfry.com The Victory Service Club 020 76168305 events@vsc.co.uk Venue Essex 01206 872358 www.essex.ac.uk/venue-essex venues@essex.ac.uk Village Hotels 0844 980 0036 www.village-hotels.co.uk Westpoint Westpoint Arena, Clyst St. Mary, Exeter EX5 1DJ 01392 446000 www.westpointarena.com info@westpointarena.com DESIGN & BUILD Architects Eric Cole Architects Web: www.ericcole.co.uk

Construction: Canopies Outside Structure Solutions 0844 5617679 www.outsidestructure solutions.co.uk Interior Surfacing Formica Limited 11 Silver Fox Way, Cobalt Business Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE27 0QJ 0191 2593100 www.formica.com samples.uk@formica.com

Inenco 01253 785000 www.inenco.com

Modular Building Systems Ltd 01376 528200 www.portablebuildingsuk.co.uk sales@portablebuildingsuk.co.uk

The Efficient Energy Corporation 020 70951289 anthony@ceecsystems.com

George Boyd 0845 6013547 www.george-boyd.co.uk Construction B J Campbell South West Ltd Nut Tree Cottage, Harp Road, Mark, Somerset TA9 4QL 01278 641547 www.campbellsouthwest.co.uk mail@campbellsw.co.uk

The Qube Suite 11, Mobbs Miller House, Ardington Road, Northampton NN1 5LP 01604 785786 www.theqube.co.uk info@theqube.co.uk

Britplas Group 01925 577801 www.britplas.com office@britplas.com

EDUCATIONAL VISITS Accommodation Avon Tyrrell 01425 672347 www.avontyrrell.org.uk info@ukyouth.org

Elizabeth Pride Limited AXA House, Box Lane, Barking, Essex IG11 OSQ 0845 29969155 elizabethpride.com sales@elizabethpride.com Gallic Construction Limited Unit 10, Pond Farm, Godstone Road, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6JG 01342 835587 www.gallic-construction.co.uk sales@gallic-construction.co.uk Grant Westfield Limited Westfield Avenue, Edinburgh EH11 2QH 0131 3376262 www.grantwestfield.co.uk sales@grantwestfield.co.uk Hampshire Mezzanine Floors 02380 631888 www.hmf-uk.com Keyspace 01482 326565 www.keyspace.co.uk sales@keyspace.co.uk Marley Eternit 01283 722588 www.marleyeternit.co.uk McGee Group Limited 340-342 Athlon Road, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 1BX 020 89981101 www.mcgee.co.uk asbestos@mcgee.co.uk Robyland Ltd 65 High Road, Wormley, Herts EN10 6JJ 01992 451767 Construction Consultancy Atkins 0161 2453401

ENERGY Consultants Get Solutions 0247 6308830 www.getsolutions.co.uk edubus@getsolutions.co.uk

Modular Construction GML Group Orchard House, Westerhill Road, Coxheath, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4DH 01622 742700 www.gmlconstruction.co.uk

Premier Interlink (Waco UK Ltd) 0800 3160888 www.waco.co.uk sales@waco.co.uk

Collinson Riverside Industrial Park, Tan Yard Road, Catterall, Preston, Lancashire PR3 OHP 0800 8401698 www.collinson.co.uk

Wildlife Envisage Wildcare Kingsdown Lane, Blunsdon, Swindon SN25 5DL 01793 724848 www.envisage-wildcare.co.uk

Museums Coventry Transport Museum 0247 6234270 www.transport-museum.com Outward Bound Centres Adventure Beyond 01239 851028 www.adventurebeyond.co.uk fun@adventurebeyond.co.uk Chill Factore 0161 7492218 www.chillfactore.com London Duck Tours 0845 4346013 www.londonducktours.co.uk PGL 08703 800238 www.pgl.co.uk schools@pgl.co.uk Plas Menai 01248 670964 www.plasmenai.co.uk info@plasmenai.co.uk Ripley’s 1 Piccadilly Circus, London W1J 0DA 020 3280022 www.ripleyslondon.com Rippledown 01304 364854 www.rippledown.com office@rippledown.com Techniquest 029 20475476 www.techniquest.org The Scout Association 0845 3002549 www.scouts.org.uk/sac Thriftwood 01277 212784 www.thriftwood.org.uk schools@thriftwood.org.uk Ski Trips Skibound 01273 244500 www.skibound.co.uk

Paragon Energy 01249 462719 www.paragon-energy.co.uk

USC 0844 8551439 www.usc.uk.com enquiries@usc.uk.com Energy Suppliers EDF Energy edfenergy.com/eetoolkit Ocip Energy Ltd 0800 9179360 www.ocipenergy.com info@ocipenergy.com UCR Consultants 0116 2424054 www.ucrconsultants.co.uk ENVIRONMENTAL Asbestos Management ACAD www.tica-acad.co.uk Allan Dyson 0800 9885010 www.allandyson-asbestos.co.uk lincoln@allandyson-asbestos.co.uk ARCA 01283 531126 www.arca.org.uk Ark Environmental Ltd Unit 8b Gate House, Trading Estate, Lichfield Road, Brownhills, Walsall WS8 6JZ 01543 378317 www.arkenvironmental.com arkenvironmental@ btconnect.com Gully Howard Technical Limited 5 St George’s Business Centre, St George’s Square, Portsmouth PO1 3EY 023 92728040 www.gullyhowardtechnical.com LAR Ltd 0161 9479628 www.larltd.com info@larltd.com ngNNE Ltd 7 Friarsdene, Lanark ML11 9EJ 0870 7661955 www.ngnine.com Tersus 0121 2702550 www.tersusgroup.co.uk info@tersusgroup.co.uk Recycling Services Tetra Pak www.renewableidea.co.uk Water Treatment Aquadition Ltd 023 92691035 enquiries@aquadition.co.uk www.aquadition.co.uk FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Air Conditioning Cyclone Commerce Ltd 01920 824058 www.cyclonec.com

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Education Business | Specifiers Index Educool 02392 361260 www.educool.co.uk info@educool.co.uk Samsung 01623 646640 www.gallantairconditioning.com enquiries@gallantairconditioning.com SDH Air Conditioning Services Ltd 8 Forest Way, Bolton, Lancashire, BL7 9YE 01204 305053 www.sdh-aircon.com info@sdh-aircon.com

PWP Ltd The Firs, Moor Road, Bestwood Village, Nottingham NG6 8TU 0115 964 7781 www.pep-ltd.co.uk fire@pwp-ltd.co.uk Steinel (UK) Limited 25 Manasty Road, Orton Peterborough, PE2 6UP 01733 366700 www.steinel.de/en Toshiba 0870 8907200 marketing@toshibatec-eu.co.uk

Air Filtration Widespread Solutions Ltd 01423 522836 www.widespreadsolutions.co.uk sales@widespreadsolutions.co.uk

Energy Management Systems BIU 01253 789816 www.biu.com amr@biu.com

Building Consultancy BSEC www.buildingschools.co.uk

Chalmor 0844 3511199 www.chalmor.co.uk info@chalmor.co.uk

Kinnarps www.kinnarps.co.uk/education Mouchel www.mouchel.com learningled@mouchel.com Building Products Jablite Vencel Resil, Infinity House, Anderson Way, Belvedere, Kent DA17 6BG 0870 4448769 www.jablite.co.uk/aplus Marlety Eternit Ltd 01283 6722588 hydropanel@marleyeternit.co.uk Watco UK Limited Watco House, Filmer Grove, Godalming, Surrey GU7 3AL 01483 418418 www.watco.co.uk sales@watco.co.uk Cleaning CRN Contract Services Ltd 0207 7900140 www.crncontractservices.co.uk Genie www.clean-genie.co.uk info@clean-genie.co.uk Electrical Equipment Austin Hughes 01794 521810 www.austin-hughes.eu sales@ausit-highes.eu AVerMedia 01908 371772 www.avermedia-europe.com/uk visualisers@avermedia-europe.com

Costmaster Ltd Newton House, Birchwood Park, Warrington WA3 6FW 0845 1235154 www.costmaster.org EBUK Ltd 01305 766 154 www.ebukltd.com laurie@ebukltd.com Elcomponent Unit 5, Southmill Trading Centre, Bishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 3DY 01279 503173 www.elcomponent.co.uk sales@elcomponent.co.uk Ener G plc 0845 3008882 www.energ.co.uk em@energ.co.uk Enistic 0844 8751600 www.enistic.com info@enistic.com EnLiDa P O Box 2881, Coulsdon, Surrey CR5 3WS 01737 557632 www.enlida.co.uk info@enlida.co.uk ESTA E.ON Lounge, Ricoh Arena, Coventry www.esta.org.uk

Cardiac Science 0161 9260000

Industrial Energy Broker.co.uk 01733 304030 www.industrialenergybroker.co.uk

Comet Business Services 0844 4992121

Ivy Energy Savings Ltd www.ivyenergysaving.com/schools

Heatrae Sadia 01603 420220 www.heatraesadia.com

Monodraught 01494 897700 www.monodraught.com

La Conch Lighting Ltd 020 86017138 www.laconch.co.uk info@laconch.co.uk

Peak Energy Ltd 02380 302002 http://peak-energy.co.uk sales@peak-energy.co.uk

Lumens 4116 Clipper Court, Fremont CA 94538, USA www.lumenseu.com info@lumensuk.com

Powermaster 01924 272 696 www.power-master.co.uk

Mitsubishi Electric 01707 282880 www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk Panasonic www.panasonic.co.uk PSA Parts Limited 0208 5447300 www.psaparts.co.uk schools@psaparts.co.uk

Professional Energy Services Ltd 8 Mount Mews, High Street, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 2SH 020 30680000 www.professionalenergy.co.uk enquiries@professionalenergy.co.uk Schneider Electric 0870 6088608 www.schneider-electric.co.uk

www.educationbusinessuk.com

Smart Metering Solutions The Business Development Centre, Eanam Wharf, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1 5BL 01254 292690 www.smartmeteringsolutions.co.uk info@smartmeteringsolutions.co.uk Systematic Energy 0808 108 8057 Water Efficiency Solutions 65 Riverside 3, Medway City Estate, Rochester, Kent ME2 4BH 0800 0434270 www.waterefficiencysolutions.co.uk enquiries@wateres.co.uk Heating Hoval Limited Northgate, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 1JN 01636 672711 www.hoval.co.uk sales@hoval.co.uk Trend Controls www.trendcontrols.com Landscaping AllTurf Management 028 90227229 www.carbsforturf.com info@allturfmanagement.com GMC Landscapes Ltd 18 Ferrers Avenue, West Drayton UB7 7AA 0800 9176110 www.gmclandscapesltd.co.uk info@gmclandscapesltd.co.uk Kings Landscapes 01306 883799 kings.landscapes@virgin.net Mor Design 01326 211988 www.mor-design.co.uk Primary Landscapes 0845 6039435 www.primarylandscapes.co.uk info@primarylandscapes.co.uk tcl Pitsford Road, Chapel Brampton, Northants NN6 8BE 01604 822268 playscapes@tclgrp.co.uk The Garden Escape 4 Schools 0800 9177726 www.thegardenescape4schools.co.uk The Twig Group 01892 890098 www.twiggroup.co.uk info@twiggroup.co.uk Timotay Playscapes 01933 665151 www.timotaylandscapes.co.uk Wild Flower Turf 01256 771222 www.wildflowerturf.co.uk wildflower@ wildflowerturf.co.uk Landscaping Products Aileen Shackell Associates 01737 363162 www.asa-landscape.com aileen@asa-landscape.com Classic Teak Unit 8a, Park View, West Ind Estate Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS25 1PE 01429 890808 www.classicteak.co.uk sales@classicteak.co.uk Sparkford Sawmills Limited Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 7LH 01963 440414 www.sparkford.com Sureset UK Ltd 01985 841180 www.sureset.co.uk mail@sureset.co.uk

TENAX 01978 664667 www.tenax.co.uk info@tenax.co.uk Lighting Controls Simmtronic Ltd Waterside, Charlton Mead Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 0QR 01992 456869 www.simmtronic.com TRILUX www.trilux.co.uk Property Management Kiwi Movers 0800 9886955 www.kiwimovers.co.uk

Firebuy www.firebuy.gov.uk Fireco Ltd 0845 3417474 www.firecoltd.com sales@firecoltd.com Honeywell www.gent.co.uk JoBird & Company Ltd 01278 785546 www.jobird.co.uk info@jobird.co.uk Solid State 01257 463018 www.solidstatesecurity.co.uk

Signs and Signwriting Sedao 01271 377977 www.sedao.co.uk

Hygiene Aquacare Water Hygiene 0845 6032152 www.aquacarewhs.com

Washroom Equipment Armitage Venesta Washroom Systems 01474 353333 www.armitage-venesta.co.uk

Baxx UK Ltd Tudor House,18 Manor Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG2 OHP 01423 540664 www.baxxuk.com

Dyson Airblade 0800 3457788 www.dysonairblade.com

HUMAN RESOURCES Consultancy Farsight Leadership 0161 2661090 www.Farsightleadership.com enquiries@Farsightleadership.com

Grant Westfield 0131 3376262 www.grantwestfield.co.uk Initial Washroom Solutions 0845 6003090 www.initialwashrooms.co.uk SchoolToilets.co.uk 0845 1701240 www.schooltoilets.co.uk info@schooltouilets.co.uk HEALTH & SAFETY Advice Association of School and College Leaders www.ascl.org.uk/offers Data Sound 020 88150334 www.ds-healthandsafety.com bursars@datasound.com Loggerhead Films 0845 6050230 www.loggerheadfilms.co.uk Nationwide www.nationwideeducation.co.uk Consultants Croner 0800 6341700 www.croner.co.uk cronerinfo@croner.co.uk

Pass Training Consultancy 08432 895581 www.passtrainingconsultancy.co.uk Prospect Consulting 0844 5617116 www.prospectconsulting.co.uk enewton@prospectconsulting.co.uk Incentives Charity Gift Vouchers 01323 848686 www.vouchers4charity.org.uk info@vouchers4charity.org.uk Theatre Tokens 0870 1648800 www.theatretokens.com Tickets for Schools 020 70148450 www.ticketsforschools.com Vouchers4Charity 01323 848686 www.vouchers4charity.org.uk Recruitment First Standard Ltd 01434 600547 www.firststandardltd.co.uk checks@firststandardltd.co.uk

Food Standards Agency www.food.gov.uk

Randstad Education 0845 6001234 www.randstadeducation.co.uk education@randstadeducation.co.uk

Plansafe Solutions Ltd 49 Buccleuch Street, Dumfries, DG1 2AB 01387 255535 www.plansafe.co.uk info@plansafe.co.uk

School Job Search 020 30519251 www.SchoolJobSearch.co.uk contactus@schooljobsearch.co.uk

Drug Testing Concateno plc Harbour Quay, 100 Prestonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road, London E14 9PH 020 77128000 www.concateno.com enquiries@concateno.com Fire Equipment Amerex 01633 627000 www.amerexfire.eu sales@amerexfire.eu BAFE www.bafe.org.uk DSPA.uk Ltd The Center, 201-203 London Road, East Grinstead RH19 1HA 01342 310107 www.dspaltd.com

Staff Training Appointments Commission 0870 2403802 www.appointments.org.uk BYTSYZ 0800 5677107 www.bytsyz.co.uk support@bytsyz.co.uk Empowering Confidence Un-Limited 01908 332699 www.empoweringconfidence.com suepalmer@empoweringconfidence. com Focus Games www.focusgames.com Meta Log 01290 559028 www.metalogtraining.co.uk sales@metalogtraining.co.uk

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Education Business | Specifiers Index

www.educationbusinessuk.com

National College www.nationalcollege.org.uk/dslt School Skills 01279 869575 www.schoolskills.co.uk Sony 07824 465472 www.pro.sony.eu/education The Open University 0845 7585097 www.openuniversity.co.uk/staff

HellermannTyton 01604 707420 www.htdata.co.uk Quest Wireless Networks Ltd 01942 718822 www.questwirelessnetworks.com Security BioStore www.biostore.co.uk

UK Mediation 01773 822222 www.ukmediation.net admin@ukmediation.net

Intellect Enterprises Ltd www.intellectenterprises.co.uk escrow@intellectenterprises.co.uk

VTCT 02380 684500 www.vtct.org.uk

LapSafe 0845 2301010 www.lapsafe.com

ICT Consultancy Place ICT 0845 1309950 www.place-ict.com enquiries@place-ict.com

Network Box Managed Security Services 0800 1076098 www.network-box.com

Amsys 020 86609999 www.amsys.co.uk support@amsys.co.uk ClearViewFE 0844 3728722 www.clarity-integration.com clinfo@clarity-integration.com JTRS Ltd The Forum, 277, London Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9QU 0844 8700435 www.jtrs.co.uk sales@jtrs.co.uk LANDesk 01483 6744444 http://itsm.landesk.com Minerva Business Systems Ltd 12a South East Lane, Cumberland Street, Edinburgh EH3 6RY 0845 2450008 www.minervabs.net info@minervabs.net Data Capture memory4teachers www.memory4teachers.co.uk Document Management Capita Total Document Solutions 0845 6040080 www.capita-tds.co.uk ZyLAB UK Limited 4 The Deans Bridge Road Bagshot Surrey GU19 5AT 01276 850970 www.zylab.co.uk info@zylab.co.uk E-learning bksb 01623 413333 www.bksb.co.uk bksbenquiries@bksb.co.uk Hardware Equanet 0844 871 2409 www.equanet.co.uk Misco 0800 0350799 www.misco.co.uk/go/education education@misco.co.uk Hardware: Laser Printers Brother www.brother.co.uk/education Imaging Olympus www.olympus.co.uk

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Networks Express Data www.expressdata.co.uk

Software IDN Supplies Ltd 01204 363530 info@idns.co.uk Reach Out Interactive Aurora Court Barton Road Middlesbrough Teesside TS2 1RY 01642 226693 www.amazing-int.com Software: Classroom Management I Doctum +36 1/266 5226 www.idoctum.com info@taneszkoz.hu Software: Design and Publishing Amazing Interactive Company 01642 226693 www.amazing-int.com Symbiotics Design Consultancy Unit 11, The Old Forge Dean Hill Park, West Dean Salisbury Wiltshire SP5 1ET 01794 340000 www.symbiotics.co.uk info@symbiotics.co.uk Web Resources ONELAN 01491 411400 www.onelan.com sales@onelan.com OFFICE EQUIPMENT Binding and Lamination Star Uretech Ltd Enterprise House Hollin Bridge Street Blackburn BB2 4AY 01254 663444 www.star-uretech.com Office Furniture Notice Board Company sales@noticeboardcompany.com Office Furniture 4SchoolFurniture.com 0800 181941 www.4schoolfurniture.com Cost Cutters Unit 22A, Cobbett Road Zone 1 Burntwood Business Park Bruntwood, Staffs WS7 3GL 01543 495070 www.costcuttersuk.com sales@costcuttersuk.com Favourite Cat 01243 773722 www.favcat.co.uk info@favcat.co.uk

Forbes Group Ltd Glendower Road Leominster Herefordshire HR6 0RL 01568 616638 www.forbesgroup.eu info@snapdrape.co.uk

Kalamazoo Secure Solutions Ltd Unit 1 Arrow Valley Claybrook Drive Redditch B98 0FY 0844 5766770 www.kalamazoosecure.co.uk kalamazoo@ksp.co.uk

Innomensa 020 8610 6010 www.innomensa.co.uk

SEN Access Equipment Day’s Rental 0800 3897626 www.dayswheelchairvehicles.co.uk

KI www.kieducation.com sales@kiuk.co.uk Mungai Mirrors 01207 521677 3 St Johns Mews, Burnhope Co. Durham DH7 0EQ www.mungai mirrors.co.uk sales@mungai mirrors.co.uk Nortek Vale Business Centre Priesty Fields Congleton Cheshire CW12 4AQ 01260 298321 www.nortekgroup.co.uk sales@nortekgroup.co.uk OFC Staffs OFC House, Unit 2, Hewitts Site Victoria Road Fenton Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2HS 01782 416465 www.ofcstaffs.co.uk Profile 0151 4793030 www.profile-direct.co.uk enquiries@profile-education.co.uk Somerset Panel Centre Ltd Unit 2b, The Monarch Centre Venture Way Taunton Somerset TA2 8DE 01823 324110 www.fittedsolution.co.uk somersetpanels@ btconnect.com SECURITY Access Control Agenda Security Services Cambridge and Hull 08456 445546 www.agendasecurity.co.uk info@agendasecurity.co.uk Cardax 02476 641234 www.cardax.com saleseurope@cardax.com Gallager Security Management System Europe 02476 641234 www.cardax.com saleseurope@cardax.com Honeywell 0844 8006890 www.honeywell.com /security/uk/systems systemsenquiries@ honeywell.com TDSI 01202 723535 www.tdsi.co.uk sales@tdsi.co.uk ID Cards Databac 020 85469826 www.databac.com sales@databac.com

Evac+Chair International Ltd 0845 2302253 www.evacchair.co.uk pcad@evacchair.co.uk Associations and Consultancies Hillcrest 08458 727477 www.hillcrestcare.co.uk The National Autistic Society www.autism.org.uk The Turnabout Programme www.turnabout-education.co.uk Education Resources Cambridge House Dyslexia Resources 01732 269822 www.cambridgehouse-dyslexia.co.uk info@cambridgehouse-dyslexi.com Real Training 01273 358080 www.realtraining.co.uk Sensory Equipment Logan Technologies 0845 5190871 www.logan-technologies.co.uk Software Microlink 0238 0240379 www.microlinkpc.co.uk las@microlinkpc.com SPORTS & PLAYGROUND Equipment Childrens Play Solutions www.slkids.co.uk Exsite events Manor Park Runcorn WA7 1SN www.exsiteevents.com fitnessgaming 4 Chapel Square Settle North Yorkshire BD24 9HR 0845 4594460 www.fitnessgaming.co.uk info@fitnessgaming.co.uk Jane’s Pond Landscaping 01454 202679 www.janespond.co.uk info@janespond.co.uk Mike Ayres Design Unit 8 Shepherds Grove, Stanton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 2AR 01359 251551 www.mikeayresdesign.co.uk enquiries@mikeayresdesign.co.uk Play & Leisure 01244 546797 www.playandleisure.org.uk Play Direct UK Clock House Nurseries Clock House Lane East Egham Surrey TW20 8PG 0800 8409526 www.playdirectuk.com sales@playdirectuk.com Play Scope 01206 796722 www.playtoz.co.uk sales@playtoz.co.uk

Solutions 4 Playgrounds 01604 727454 www.solutions4playgrounds.co.uk contact@solutions4playgrounds.co.uk SutcliffePlay Waggon Lane Upton Pontefract West Yorkshire WF9 1JS 01977 653200 www.sutcliffeplay.co.uk turfandstuff.com 0800 9889252 www.turfandstuff.com/schools Vitrathene Limited Rufford Road Churchtown Southport Merseyside PR9 8LA 01704 509888 www.vitrathene.co.uk sales@vitrathene.co.uk Playground Canopies Design and Build (Play) 51 Kenworthy Rd London E9 5RB 07956 403690 www.designandbuildplay.org.uk info@designandbuildplay.org.uk Touch Wood Enterprises Ltd 0117 9638222 www.touchwoodenterprises.co.uk admin@touchwoodenterprises.co.uk Surfaces British Harlequin plc Festival House Chapman Way Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 3EF 01892 514888 www.harlequinfloors.com enquiries@harlequinfloors.com TELECOMS Text Messaging Services Groupcall 020 33284600 www.groupcall.com/messenger sales@groupcall.com TXT Tools 0113 2342111 www.txttools.co.uk info@txttools.co.uk Training Equipment EchoMobi 020 79351001 www.echomobi.com/teachme Two Way Radio DCRS 0800 0432688 www.dcrs.co.uk sales@dcrs.co.uk Wireless Communications AIT Partnership Group Ltd 0845 0177018 www.lanpartnership.co.uk Wireless Communications MLL Telecom www.mlltelecom.com enquiries@mlltelecom.com TRANSPORT Minibuses Abacus 13-19 Johnson Road Ferndown Ind Estate Wimborne Dorset BH21 7SE www.abacusminibuses.com Castle Minibus Flexible Leasing Solutions Commerce House Telford Road Bicester Oxfordshire OX26 4LD 01869 253744 www.castleminibus.co.uk enquiries@castleminibus.co.uk

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Formica Limited, 11 Silver Fox Way, Cobalt Business Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE27 0QJ. Tel: 0191 259 3100, Fax: 0191 259 2648, www.formica.com. Formica and the Formica logo are registered trade marks of The Diller Corporation.

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