The Icelandic Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism proposed a new bill of law that has recently been passed for investments in Iceland. The ‘Incentives for Initial Investment in Iceland’ bill is directed towards promoting initial investment in commercial operations, the competitiveness of Iceland and regional development by specifying what incentives are permitted in respect of new investments in Iceland and how they should be used.

The Minister of Industry now has authorisation to enter into new investment contracts on behalf of the Government. The previous methodology of making investment agreements on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval from the Parliament and the EFTA Surveillance Authority has been abandoned. This new process will consequently enhance initial investment in Iceland, the competitiveness of the country and also highlight which incentives can be granted to initial investment projects.

Thordur H. Hilmarsson, Managing Director of the Invest in Iceland Agency commented, “The aim of the new bill is to advance the promotion of industrial travel in a prominent way. With renewable energy at very competitive prices, well-educated labour, low corporate taxes and efficient placement between Europe and the USA, Iceland meets many requirements which are most relevant for foreign investors. The passing of the new Act is a great step forward for Iceland and a superb opportunity to bring a wide variety of direct foreign investment to the country”

A committee board will review all applications and the Invest in Iceland Agency will perform cost benefit analysis, as well as establishing the social and economical benefit for the country. The committee board then make a proposal to the Minister of Industry and the Minister makes an offer for an incentives package to the applicant on the basis of the Act.

Proposed investment projects need to meet requirements, such as being beneficial for the Icelandic economy and society, in terms of job creation, rural development, export and tax revenues and knowledge. However, approved investment projects will receive benefits in return, including derogations from taxes and charges. In addition, authorisation to fix the rate of income tax, in line with the current rate of income tax, for 10 years can be granted, as well as exemption from customs and excise duties on importation or domestic purchase of construction materials, machinery and equipment for the building and operation of the investment project.

For more information about investments in Iceland visit www.invest.is

On Thursday June 3rd, approximately 320,000 residents of Iceland, government bodies and various travel companies, such as Icelandair, left online messages of support, encouraging visitors to experience Iceland for themselves.

The event titled ‘Iceland Hour’ drew more than 100,000 visitors, 1 million downloads of the promotional video and images, as well as 5 million Twitter messages. This positive exposure was picked up and encouraged by foreign media and celebrities alike, including artist Yoko Ono, actor Viggo Mortensen, writer Steven Fry and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

The online campaign, Inspired By Iceland, is intended to help push Iceland tourism in time for the summer months since the flight disruptions caused by the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Visitor numbers to Iceland have dropped significantly, due to the misled image that travellers have of the current situation in Iceland. ‘Iceland Hour’ was intended to help make people aware that the safety, the infrastructure and the beauty of the country is still intact, as well as flights to Iceland resuming normal service.

Birkir Holm Gudnason , CEO of Icelandair commented, “We are extremely happy with the amount of positive exposure ‘Iceland Hour’ had within the foreign media, and of course not forgetting the tremendous effort amongst the Icelandic people. We look forward to the future of tourism in Iceland and for people to experience all that Iceland has to offer.”

To learn more about the Inspired By Iceland campaign and to join in further discussions about life in Iceland simply go to www.inspiredbyiceland.com and leave your own personal message. Alternatively, you can also visit the Inspired by Iceland Facebook and Twitter pages. Furthermore, to book flights to Iceland visit www.icelandair.co.uk for more information.

The Inspired By Iceland tourism campaign, today, made a world first after the Icelandic government encouraged the entire nation to unite online for one hour in order to support the country and its tourism. The momentous event took place today between 14:00-15:00 GMT, with the vast majority of the 320,000 inhabitants going online and sending messages to friends around the world inviting them to visit Iceland.

Inspired By Iceland is intended to help boost Iceland tourism after the number of visitors to the country dropped due to the Eyjafjallajokull volcano eruption. The campaign hopes to show the rest of the world that Iceland is still a safe place to visit and since the volcano eruption began only a small percentage of the country has been affected by the ash. Flights to Iceland have also returned to normal and are running efficiently.

The tourism campaign is being operated by the Icelandic government, Reykjavik City Council, Trade Council of Iceland, Tourist Board of Iceland, Travel Industry Association and numerous other Icelandic companies including Icelandair.

Birkir Holm Gudnason, CEO of Icelandair explained, “Here in Iceland, we believe our country is a beautiful place that inspires everyone who visits. The breathtaking scenery, the welcoming and kindness of people and also the unique culture are all aspects of our country that we want people to experience and to know about through this campaign.”

Furthermore, the Icelandic government are also encouraging people from around the world who have visited Iceland to get involved by logging on to www.inspiredbyiceland.com and leaving a message about how Iceland has inspired them. In addition to this, there are a number of social networks that people can join in order to help support the Inspired By Iceland campaign such as, www.facebook.com/inspiredbyiceland and http://twitter.com/icelandinspired.

The campaign website contains information and news on other events taking place over the coming weeks, as well as information on Iceland and how people can offer their support.

For further details about the Inspired By Iceland tourism campaign visit www.inspiredbyiceland.com and for further information about flights to Iceland and holidays in Iceland check out www.icelandair.co.uk

Online news channel IceNews provides all the up-to-date news coverage on the current Iceland volcano and the consequential flight delays across most of Europe as it unravels.

The online news channel has been reporting on all the major events surrounding the volcanic eruptions, since the beginning of the first eruption at Fimmvorduhals, and now the current eruption at the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in the south of Iceland.

IceNews has also been updating the public on crucial details regarding flight delays across most of Europe, information on the flights available as they happen and the opinions of those stranded in Iceland.

In addition, visitors to IceNews are encouraged to submit comments and to join in discussion on all articles published.

For examples of the latest news stories at IceNews, concerning the volcano, flights across Europe and reactions of the public, click either of the following:
Tourists in Iceland treated well during flight restrictions, a report on positive tourist treatment in Reykjavik, including links to interviews with those affected visiting Iceland.
Icelandair keeps the channels open between the US and Europe, an update on opened Icelandair flights to Trondheim, Norway, allowing passengers to commute between the US and Europe.
Iceland volcano coming to an end? A study from the University of Iceland Geology Department into the activity at the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, and other future possible volcanic activity.

IceNews is an independent news resource and media channel, published in English, focusing on stories across Scandinavia, Iceland and Northern Europe. IceNews covers all news stories from current events, politics, entertainment, travel and events in Scandinavia and Northern Europe.

To keep up-to-date on flight delays across Europe and news on the volcanic eruptions in Iceland as they happen visit www.icenews.is

In a recent ‘Show & Tell’ education event initiated by Becta, the government agency for technology in education, parents and teachers came together to see the benefits and advantages of technology and learning platforms in helping children’s education and their learning process. The location for the event was at Grays Infant and Nursery School, where staff and parents were keen to share their stories on how learning platforms have changed and are continuing to change their children’s learning for the better.

The interactive event began with an introduction to Grays School’s use of technology in education in relation to its learning platform, presented by Head Teacher, Christine Terrey. Grays School is an Infant and Nursery School of 240 children situated in Newhaven East Sussex and in Easter 2008 the school started using its brand new learning platform.

The Infant and Nursery school recently won the Extended School Engagement award for the University Awards in Excellence, the Becta ICT Excellence Award for Leadership Management and Collaboration, as well as being the first Infant and Nursery school in East Sussex to gain the ICT mark. Grays School’s Head Teacher, Christine, is a member of her Local Authority’s advisory board, ensuring that other schools in the East Sussex area are able to learn from her experiences of using learning platforms.

A learning platform is a series of different technologies that work together as a whole in order to provide opportunities for extending learning inside and outside of school. Students, parents, carers and school staff can access resources, online storage and tools for communication, collaboration and showcasing.

The learning platform at Grays School places emphasis on supporting and adding value to the work that the pupils already do by presenting them with opportunities for learning to continue after the school day has ended. Even the nursery school pupils are able to login to the learning platform, using a series of picture icons rather than words. Uploading lessons to the learning platform, within minutes of a lesson ending, means that children can reflect on the work they are doing and can share their day’s activities with their families.

“I think overall the learning platform has enhanced the school here. It has supported the pupils’ engagement with their learning and it is building their self esteem. We use it to celebrate achievement and to celebrate progress, and for our children to see their learning and be proud of it,” commented Christine Terrey, Head Teacher at Grays Infant and Nursery School.

Learning platforms can offer pupils, parents and teachers a combination of services available over a secure, safe network, such as a school intranet or the worldwide Internet. School staff, children and parents can log in with a password to access various services, materials and resources. These can be unique to each individual school depending on its wants and needs, but most typically include pupil information, online learning resources, pupils’ work files and communications tools.

For more information on Becta’s Next Generation Learning campaign, learning platforms and extended learning visit www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/extendinglearning

A report released earlier this week into parents’ involvement in school work at home reveals numerous homework problems that leave parents frustrated and children confused. The comprehensive education report shows that twenty-two percent of parents admitted they frequently feel unable to support their child with their education at home with eighty-one percent of parents welcoming guidance on how to support their child’s learning better.

The “I’m stuck – can you help me?” report commissioned by Becta, the government agency for technology in education, shows parents are keen to become more involved in their child’s education but many are left looking for more guidance and advice on how best to support their children’s learning outside of the classroom.
The report clearly indicates that parents’ inability to help their children is having a profound emotional effect with nearly a third of parents acknowledging that they felt frustrated for not remembering things from their school days. In addition to this, nineteen percent felt embarrassed and shown up by their child after trying to help them with their homework.

The report shows that more than a third of parents expressed a desire to know exactly how the teacher was teaching the material, so they could replicate their methods at home. Becta encourages more schools to use technology effectively to help support parents so then they can support their child’s learning at home through the Next Generation Learning campaign.

The Next Generation Learning campaign aims to use technology to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities. This enables everyone to achieve their potential and achieve much more. For example, easily available and simple to use technologies such as school websites and learning platforms can help parents create homework solutions by providing them with information that allows them to keep up-to-date with their child’s school and help their learning progress.

“Our learning platform provides links, materials and tutorials for the child and parent to work through together. There is no doubt that helping parents to support their children has had a significant impact upon learning outcomes, as well as developing even stronger links between the school, parent and child,” commented Headmaster Jeff Smith of Anson Primary School in Brent.

Subjects such as Maths and Science have been identified as the most difficult for parents, according to thirty-seven percent and twenty-seven percent of parents respectively. However, Anson Primary School also offers a solution to this by providing training sessions for parents on certain subjects so that they can be informed of the ways that they teach different processes. Each parent is then completely able to support their child at home.

Becta’s education report is available to download and read in full along with more information about Extended Learning at www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/extendinglearning

A new report into parents’ involvement in school work at home reveals the homework problems that leave parents frustrated and children confused. The education report shows that eighty-three percent of parents struggle to support their child with homework. Over half of children involved in the study said they are confused by their parents when they try to help with school work, whilst eighty-one percent of parents welcome guidance on how to support their child’s learning better.

The comprehensive study commissioned by Becta, the government agency for technology in education, involving 2000 parents and 2000 nine to thirteen year olds was released earlier this week. The report highlighted the apparent confusion, frustration and embarrassment that both parents and children experience in regards to homework. A large majority of parents often struggle to support their child’s learning outside the classroom, this then in turn leaves them feeling frustrated and their child unsupported.

The Becta “I’m stuck – can you help me?” report shows parents are keen to become more involved in their child’s education with many left looking for more guidance and advice on how best to support their children’s learning outside of the classroom. Becta encourages more schools to use technology effectively to help parents support their child’s learning at home through the Next Generation Learning campaign.

“Becta believes that when used effectively both in schools and at home, technology can be extremely beneficial to a child’s education. Schools benefit from proactive involvement from parents and if children feel they are getting the right support from schools and families, this has a positive effect on their grades. Many schools are already using technology in innovative yet practical ways to advise parents on how best to support children’s education at home and are reaping the rewards as children’s performance improves at school,” commented Niel McLean, Executive Director of Becta.

Easily available and simple to use technologies such as school websites and learning platforms can help parents and create homework solutions by providing parents with information allowing them to keep up-to-date with their child’s school and learning program. However eighty-four percent of parents revealed that currently their child’s school offered little or no resource to help support their child’s out of school learning.

Becta is campaigning and promoting the use of technology in schools by demonstrating the benefits involved for both schools, parents and pupils. School’s can engage better with parents using technology, helping them to effectively support their child’s learning at home and consequently support the work of teachers in school.

To download and read the Becta education report in full and to learn more about the Extended Learning campaign visit www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/extendinglearning

Becta, the government’s agency for technology in education, and the National Education Network (NEN) recently crowned Bilton Junior School in Rugby as the first ever Next Generation Learning National Schools Quiz winners and ‘Britain’s Brainiest School’. The online interactive competition involved 380 primary schools and 7,200 pupils up and down the country competing simultaneously in the battle for the title and prizes.

The nationwide quiz took place the week before last and saw thousands of school children, aged between eight and nine, compete for the chance to win up to £3,000 worth of ICT education equipment or training for their school. Bilton Junior School in Rugby won the title of ‘Britain’s Brainiest School’, whilst Ben Stoley of Stoke Park Junior School in Southampton took ‘Best Individual’.

The quiz was an exclusively online event, covering curriculum areas such as history, science, citizenship, numeracy and literacy. Questions were provided by a series of high profile national partners, who include the Historic Royal Palaces, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Birdseye and the relevant subject associations.

“We were delighted to see so many schools from across the country taking part in the first ever online National Schools Quiz and embracing the potential that technology offers. Becta believes that integrating technology across the entire curriculum is essential to making lessons and learning more enjoyable and rewarding. This quiz is a great example of how technology can be used to help inspire and excite learners up and down the UK,” said Stephen Crowne, Chief Executive of Becta.

Becta aims to promote and implement the productive and innovative use of technology throughout the teaching and learning process. The Next Generation Learning campaign encourages the move towards the innovative use of media and communication technologies in order to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities.

Becta’s Next Generation Learning Charter is a simple way for schools to publicly show its commitment and progress towards the use of technology in teaching and learning. Launched in January 2009, the Charter process leads and supports schools on a four-stage journey towards excellence in ICT usage, showing that the whole school has been transformed by their use of ICT in education.

Detailed information about Becta and the Next Generation Learning campaign and charter can be accessed at www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/nsq

The government agency for technology in education, Becta, in collaboration with the National Education Network (NEN) launched the first ever nationwide online schools quiz which took place last Friday. Thousands of primary school children up and down the country competed simultaneously in the interactive online competition battling to become the ‘Brainiest school in Britain’.

The Next Generation Learning National Schools Quiz was aimed at Key Stage 2 and open to pupils all across the country, aged between eight and nine years old. The online competition took place on Friday 12th March. The winning pupil’s school was awarded with up to £3,000 worth of ICT equipment or training.

“Becta believes that integrating technology across the entire curriculum is essential for making lessons and learning more enjoyable, and rewarding. This is just one great example of how technology can be used to inspire learners.” said Stephen Crowne, Chief Executive of Becta.

Becta aims to promote and implement the productive and innovative use of technology throughout the teaching and learning process. The Next Generation Learning campaign encourages the move towards the innovative use of media and communication technologies in order to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities.

A Learning Platform is an ideal example of what the Next Generation Learning campaign promotes, as it provides opportunities for extending learning both in and out of school. Students, parents, carers and school staff can access resources, online storage and tools for communication. While pupils can access learning material outside the classroom, submit homework and assignments for marking and assessment and also take part in live discussions with other pupils and teachers.

Becta’s Next Generation Learning Charter is a simple way for schools to publicly show its commitment and progress towards the use of technology in teaching and learning. Launched in January 2009, the Charter process leads and supports schools on a four-stage journey towards excellence in ICT usage, showing that the whole school has been transformed by their use of ICT in education.

Further details about Becta and the Next Generation Learning Charter can be found at www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/nsq

Becta, the government agency for technology in education, has launched a national online schools quiz that will be taking place on Friday 12th March. The Next Generation Learning National Schools Quiz will be an exclusively online competition, via the National Education Network (NEN), demonstrating the effect and innovative use of technology in learning. Becta hopes to see thousands of Key Stage 2 primary school children compete simultaneously all across the country, in the battle to become the ‘Brainiest school in Britain’.

Becta is the government agency leading the national drive to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology in learning. Becta’s ambition is to utilise the benefits of technology to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities, enabling them to achieve their true potential.

The National Schools Quiz is aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils, aged eight and nine years old in schools all across Britain. Becta will be awarding the winning pupil’s school up to £3,000 worth of ICT equipment or training. The online knowledge quiz will be covering curriculum areas such as history, science, citizenship, numeracy and literacy.

The nationwide schools quiz is part of Becta’s Next Generation Learning campaign, which enables schools, teachers and parents to take charge and use technology to its full potential in education. It allows parents to get fully involved in their child’s education, pupils to learn how, when and where they want, plus it helps schools train teachers efficiently and effectively.

Becta aims to raise awareness of the Next Generation Learning campaign through the quiz by engaging schools and learners in a way that demonstrates the benefits of using technology in education. Becta hopes that this will then lead to an increase in technology usage in schools all over the Britain.

The National Schools Quiz objectives are to demonstrate the innovative and effective use of technology in schools on a national level, to engage learners of ages 8 to 9 in technology within the classroom and to encourage schools to sign up to and proceed through the Next Generation Learning Charter. In addition to this, Becta hope to encourage schools and parents to use their Learning Platform. This online interactive feature enables pupils and teachers to access learning resources, online storage and tools for communication and management not just within school, but from outside it too.

Schools can register pupils for the nationwide schools quiz on the National Education Network website. Further details about Becta and Next Generation Learning can be found at www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/nsq

APC by Schneider Electric is to present cost-effective ways firms can embrace clean energy as part of the Green Debate at the Data Centre Europe Conference at Espaces Antipolis, near Nice in France from 22 – 23 April 2010. This fitting discussion comes at a time when companies are all too aware of the need to consider the environment when assessing their outsourcing requirements.

In a tough economic climate, firms will naturally want to put cost savings first, particularly as the cost of energy is on the increase. But with outside influences focussing on green issues firms no longer have the luxury of choosing between cost savings and the environment and will have to accommodate both.

The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), a sector of the UK Government, aims to reduce the level of carbon emissions produced by ‘low energy-intensive’ organisations by around 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2020. However, with power at the forefront of data centre design and cost, this Government interference had left the sector with a high price to pay.

Philip Low, managing director of BroadGroup commented: “Although carbon reduction is the global goal, the implementation of schemes by individual European governments does vary. The UK government’s CRC scheme for example is widely criticised, and has not factored in the need for enterprises to migrate to cloud services as part of the growth and expansion by data centres.”

Mr Paul-François Cattier, VP France, Benelux & French speaking Africa, comments on how APC by Schneider Electric can help firms with data centre outsourcing requirements: “Our company provides enterprise customers with a fully integrated solution to optimise their data centre power and cooling consumptions in a cost effective manner.”

For more information about the event and to book tickets visit www.datacentres.com/DCE/ there is an early bird discount available for those who book by 12 March 2010. The Data Centre Europe Conference takes place at Espaces Antipolis, near Nice in France from 22 – 23 April 2010.

For more information about the UK Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment log on to www.carbonreductioncommitment.info

Contact:
Kirsty Marshall
VP Communications
+44 (0)208 964 0260
Kirsty@vp-pr.com

Becta hopes to see thousands of primary school children up and down the country compete simultaneously in an online interactive competition to become the ‘Brainiest school in Britain’. The first ever nationwide online schools quiz has been launched by Becta, the government agency for technology in education, in collaboration with the National Education Network (NEN).

The nationwide schools quiz will be an exclusively online competition, via the National Education Network (NEN). The quiz will be covering curriculum areas such as history, science, citizenship, numeracy and literacy. A number of questions have been developed in association with a series of high profile national partners who include the Historic Royal Palaces, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Guide Dogs for the Blind, and the relevant subject associations.

The Next Generation Learning National Schools Quiz is aimed at Key Stage 2 and open to pupils all across the country, aged eight and nine years old. The online competition will be taking place at 11:00am on Friday 12th March. The winning pupil’s school will be awarded with up to £3,000 worth of ICT equipment or training for their school.

“We are delighted to launch the first ever online National Schools Quiz and hope to see thousands of pupils across the country taking part in this groundbreaking initiative. Becta believes that integrating technology across the entire curriculum is essential for making lessons and learning more enjoyable, and rewarding. This is just one great example of how technology can be used to inspire learners.” said Stephen Crowne, Chief Executive of Becta.

Becta is the government agency leading the national drive to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning. The aim is to utilise the benefits of technology in order to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities, enabling them to achieve their potential.

Each one of the national partners involved has helped compile and develop a series of exciting and challenging tests which pupils from across the country will answer in real time online. Every pupil will immediately be awarded gold, silver or bronze certificates, depending on their performance, with one school being awarded the star prize.

Registration details for the nationwide schools quiz can be found on the National Education Network webpage. More information regarding Becta and the Next Generation Learning National Schools Quiz can be found at www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/nsq

Despite the President‘s decision, the government of Iceland remains fully committed to implementing the bilateral loan agreements and thus the state guarantee provided for by the law.

The government views the loan agreements with the UK and the Netherlands as an integral part of Iceland‘s economic programme, as a solution to the uncertainty regarding repayment of deposit insurance required under Icelandic law. It constitutes an important step towards normalizing the external financing of the country. The government’s economic plan, developed in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and with financing from the IMF and governments of the Nordic countries and Poland, remains in effect.

Economic data indicates that the economy is performing better than previously projected and is already showing signs of recovery from the financial crash of late 2008. “The government is committed to ensuring that Iceland honours its international obligations and continues the important work of regaining forward momentum thus ensuring significant new job creation and renewed economic growth,” Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir said in a statement today.

Urður Gunnarsdóttir
Press Officer
urdur.gunnarsdottir@utn.stjr.is
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Rauðarárstíg 25, IS 150 Reykjavík
Iceland

A ‘Show & Tell’ event was held recently at Oakington Manor School in North London in which parents, teachers and bloggers came together to experience the benefits of online reporting in a real-life classroom environment. The event was organised by the government agency Becta in relation to their ‘Next Generation Learning’ campaign, which encourages the use of technology to improve communications between you and your child’s school. Oakington Manor school is innovating by not only making technology an integral part of pupils’ learning, but also making it central to the way parents can communicate with the school.

Oakington Manor’s state-of-the-art ICT suite, equipped with interactive white boards and the latest 3D learning technology, was the setting for the interactive ‘Show and Tell’ workshop.

The aim of the event was to support and raise awareness of the benefits of online reporting technology in education, particularly in terms of enabling better communication between you and your child’s school.

Head of ICT, Ophelia Vanderpuye, demonstrated the online reporting technology that is revolutionising the way parents communicate with the school and keeping track of their children’s learning. The event began with a demonstration of the school’s impressive learning technology then quickly moved on to the real focus of the event – online reporting.

Online reporting is the innovative use of media and communication technologies such as email, blogs, websites and text alerts in order to keep you better informed about your child’s educational achievements, progress, behaviour and attendance. Oakington Manor’s comprehensive information-packed learning platform is a great example of such technology as it provides a one-stop-shop for parents to stay in touch and up to date on school news, activities and more importantly their children’s learning.

A dedicated tour of the ‘Parents Room’ on the online platform gave parents and bloggers the opportunity to see first-hand examples of online tools available that enable parents to communicate directly with the school and with other parents. These tools included discussion forums, the ability to vote on topical issues like school uniform, homework and easy one click access to important school information.

Becta recently released the Schools & Parents: A New Partnership report, which is also a part of the ‘Next Generation Learning’ campaign. The report contains information and methods which enables you to become more closely involved in your child’s education and for teachers to update parents with in-school activity via online reporting technology.

To view the Becta Schools & Parents: A New Partnership report in full and to access more information about the ‘Next Generation Learning’ campaign check out www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk

For more information, please contact:

Sophie Jackson                        0207 025 6412 / Sophie.jackson@redconsultancy.com

Catherine Sharrott          0207 025 6589 / Catherine.Sharrott@redconsultancy.com

Kate Cox                      02476 797146 / Kate.Cox@becta.org.uk

According to a recent report released by Becta, forty-eight percent of teachers believe that while parents are a great source of support, they dont always know the best ways to get involved with their child’s education. Forty percent of parents say they think technology could help, however they don’t fully understand the ways in which they can use it. Consequently, schools need to review how they currently communicate different types of information with parents by consulting with the parents themselves and establishing whether their current form of communication is suitable

Becta encourages schools and teachers to ask parents how they would like to receive information about: the school calendar, topics being taught in class, how topics are being taught, homework, their child’s progress and achievements, their child’s special educational needs, attendance and behaviour.

The report reveals that the vast majority (89 percent) of parents say technology could play a more powerful role in their child’s education if they better understood how to use it. Schools and teachers need to talk to pupil’s parents early on and consider what the parents will want to see. Schools need to ask the questions, what technology do you use most regularly? what technology do you have access to at home? how comfortable are you, or your child, with using the technology you have?

With over a third (37 percent) of teachers would like to advice parents on how they can communicate more effectively. Schools need to offer training to help parents use these technologies with or without their child. Then the school can establish what is best for their pupils and pupil’s parents.

Schools should make information available for parents by providing them log in systems with secure access such as Learning Platforms or access through a portal to MIS (Management Information System) data. Email and text messaging could also be used by schools to contact and keep parents informed on sickness, school closure and other information that may be important to inform a parent about as soon as possible.

Publically accessible technology such as school websites, downloadable newsletters or a subscription service can provide updated information about school life and events, like school term times and parent consultation evenings.

Becta is the government agency aiming to advertise and implement the productive and innovative use of technology throughout the teaching and learning process. The Schools & Parents: A New Partnership report is part of the ‘Next Generation Learning’ campaign, which encourages the move towards online reporting by using an integrated range of technologies helping parents engage with their child’s learning.

To view the Becta Schools & Parents: A New Partnership report or for more details about Becta and the ‘Next Generation Learning’ campaign visit www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk

For more information, please contact:

Sophie Jackson 0207 025 6412 / Sophie.jackson@redconsultancy.com

Catherine Sharrott 0207 025 6589 / Catherine.Sharrott@redconsultancy.com

Kate Cox 02476 797146 / Kate.Cox@becta.org.uk