SWGfL News Feed

Everyone Matters

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

London Grid for Learning launches anti homophobia resources for London Schools...

The Romans in London

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

London Grid for Learning launches a comprehensive new resource exploring London’s roman legacy...

Best price Sophos anti-virus and encryption software for SWGfL schools

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Due to overwhelming demand, SWGfL are pleased to announce that further Sophos software licences have been made available exclusively to our customer schools...

ICT Conferences in July 2012

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The South West Grid for Learning Trust is proud to be a lead partner in two ICT conferences taking place across this region this July...

Online Compass

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A free, self-review tool for any group where there are children and young people. The tool is designed to help professionals in those groups to keep children in their care safe online...

Partnership / Joint Venture Opportunity

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

SWGfL are seeking a potential partner to help us continue to deliver exceptional value for money for schools by providing access to a range of software and related services that will deliver increased choice and flexibility for schools combined with exceptional customer service and support...

ATL 2012 Conference

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

April 3rd 14:00 - the pros and cons of social networking...

Childnet Film Competition

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Positive and inspiring use of the internet is at the heart of Childnets 2012 Film Competition. They are inviting all schools and youth organisations in the UK to enter their challenge...

Spring Clean

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

...get your digital duster out and give those rugs a shake; it’s the perfect time for a SWGfL Spring Clean Top Ten!

DfE publish broadband advice

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

After a long consultation with industry and NEN today the DfE published advice for schools who are reviewing their broadband provision...

Trustees Needed - Voluntary Post

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

We are currently recruiting for Trustees. Find out more...

Important information regarding the (BECTA) ICT Self Review Framework

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If you have engaged with the BECTA SRF over the last few years you will be aware that you have data specific to your school entered into the tool. As you should be aware the DfE have passed on the responsibility of the SRF to Naace...

Success for two SWGfL Project Team employees

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

SWGfL are delighted to announce another year of success for two Project Team employees at the South West Regional Apprentice of the Year Awards...

The Education Act 2011 - Part 2 Discipline

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Searching for banned technology items and data deletion, an update...

Hue Animation Web Cams - Special Offer

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Education suppliers Digital Blue are kindly offering a discount on their Hue Animation Webcams exclusively to SWGfL schools...

Greetings from Mrs Baranowski’s Technology Class

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

We know that our reach is worldwide but recently we had an email from Mrs Baranowski’s Technology Class in Edgewater Charter School, Virginia, USA...

Online Compass revolutionises Internet Safety for children’s organisations

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Online Compass empowers children’s organisations to effectively navigate the digital world. It is aimed at any group or organisation that works with children such as childcare, early years, children’s homes, children’s centres, youth clubs, voluntary groups, work placements for example...

Freedom Charity - Saving Lives

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Freedom Charity aim to raise awareness and prevent child abuse around the issues surrounding forced marriage, dishonour based violence by placing informative material in schools.

New research concludes that many schools still lack a basic capability to manage childrens data

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) together with partners IKeepSafe Coalition, are marking Data Privacy Day 2012 by publishing a brand new report; Online Safety Policy and Practice in the UK and internationally...

Copy Rights and Wrongs

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

NEN launches new website and guidance on 'Copyright in the Digital Age' to support UK schools...

Transparent Safety Services

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

We have been working on a major enhancement to the content filtering service, called ‘transparent safety services’ that allows content filtering of internet traffic on all devices, not just school laptops and desktops...

New reasearch into internet addiction shows clear symptoms and effects

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A new internet addiction study shows how brain imaging can demonstrate that people with internet addiction share the same emotional and physical profiles as those with substance addiction or behavioral addictions like gambling...

UK Safer Internet Centre LSCB E-Safety stock take

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The following paper reflects the responses made to an online survey between September 2011 and December 2011 regarding e safety within Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards (LSCB) across England...

A Parents Guide to Technology

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A online resource providing advice for parents about the benefits, capabilities and potential risks of smartphones, gaming devices, tablets and internet-enabled media players...

Saltash Y9’s Online Safety E-Book

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

20 Year 9's as part of a project were learning all about social enterprise as part of one of a theme days...

Merlin goes further

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Never one to sit back and relax, Merlin has been conjuring ways on how to make the experience of our users even better, even more informative and even more enlightening for all stakeholders in the learning lives of pupils.

IKeepCurrent NewsFeed

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Our friends at our partner IKeepSafe in the US have just launched an amazing new resource, IKeepCurrent Newsfeed...

Parents don't stand a chance

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

SWGfL is now offering the chance for your school to host a free parents Internet safety awareness evening...

360 wins another award!

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

South West Grid for Learning was a winner at the BCS and Computing UK IT Industry awards which recognise the innovation and professionalism of those working in IT...

Sophos Safeguard Enterprise - Encryption Software

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Information Commissioner issues another undertaking notice to a school for a breach of the data protection act...

Getting to Grips with your Anti-Virus Software – LIVE Online Demonstration

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Want to understand more about what Sophos Endpoint Security can do for you? Perhaps your Anti-Virus Licences are coming up for renewal and you’re not sure if you NEED to replace them?

Are your Anti-Virus Licences coming to an end?

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Are your Anti-Virus Licences coming to an end? Want to pay the best possible price to renew them?

New online Science resource from BP

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A new engaging online resource for both Primary and Secondary schools focuses on the key curriculum areas of Science...

New Ofsted evaluation schedule; New powers for schools and teachers – Free Update Briefings

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The autumn term will see radical change; change that will have far reaching impact especially with regards Internet safety. SWGfL is organising short briefing sessions right across the South West...

SWGfL Merlin at the heart of pupil collaboration

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Local school selected as one of three finalists for the ‘Film my School’ competition...

SWGfL to address the IGF at the United Nations

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

SWGfL has been invited to lead a workshop at this year’s Internet Governance Forum (IGF) at the United Nations centre in Nairobi...

Arts skills for Teachers launched

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Simple yet highly effective art and craft techniques that non specialist teachers can feel confident at trying in the classroom...

A new dress up day for a marvellous children's charity.

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity is inviting school children up and down the country to get creative by going to school on one day in September dressed as their favourite Roald Dahl character.

Changes to Facebook Privacy Settings 2011

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

There have been some dramatic changes to privacy settings; released on August 23rd, these affect everyone. SWGfL has prepared a helpful 2 page summary of the major changes...

The Online Abuse of Professionals

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Research Report from the UK Safer Internet Centre - Professor Andy Phippen, University of Plymouth...

Nominet Internet Award winner

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

360 wins at prestigious 2011 Nominet Internet Awards...

Its Here

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The new-look Merlin is here and it is great to see the exciting changes that have taken place.

SWGfL wins the Internet Safety and Security award at the ISPA Awards 2011

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

SWGfL collected this prestigious award in recognition of 360 degree safe on the 7th July 2011 at London’s Lancaster Hotel...

Espresso works with Merlin

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

We are excited to announce the official accreditation of Espresso Education as one of the first official ‘Works with SWGfL Merlin’ content providers...

EPICT Online safety qualification

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Does your school have a first aider? Who is your e-safety aider – someone who can provide initial support and advice on online safety issues, just as important in today’s world of technology?

Back to basics-saving YOU money

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

SWGfL and Sophos partnership means South West Schools get best prices in the UK!

Make the Link – Climate ex Change

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

is a 3 year project funded by the EU, promoting learning, dialogue and action on climate change through linking 11-19 year olds in primary and secondary schools, as well as youth groups in the EU and those in Africa...

How can you safeguard children and staff online?

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Do you know how to minimise the risks of exposure to undesirable forces?

How can you save time and cut the paperwork?

Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Use Merlin to save precious time and resources, so that you can focus on teaching and learning...

Formspring.me

Tue, 17 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Are your students using Formspring.me? Find out more and get useful safety advice here...

SIF Excellence Awards 2011

Tue, 17 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Merlin was the first large scale SIF project in the UK; launched in October 2008 Merlin is the foundation for schools Learning Platforms across the South West of England...

How can we help parents be more aware of E-Safety?

Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A recent report from Ofcom showed that 48 per cent of parents believe they are less clued-up than their 5 to 15-year-old kids...

What can you do to help boys read and write well?

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Reading and writing skills are important to a child’s overall attainment. Boys tend to read less, and make less progress...

The Professionals Online Safety Helpline

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

is now available on...

What can you do to reduce bigotry and divisiveness?

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Find out how you can push the boundaries and stay safe...

Approval of SEAL

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

How can you help kids learn collaboration, perseverance and empathy?

UK Safer Internet Centre - Professionals Online Safety Helpline

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Safer Internet Centre has been commissioned by the European Commission to set up and run a pilot helpline for professionals in the South West...

How do you get parents on board?

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Government expects schools to offer parents online access with real-time reporting on progress...

An end of paper exams for the digital generation?

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

You may have missed the interesting article in the news, recently in which Ofqual's chief executive suggests that exams should become computerised, to reflect the digital lives of the students undertaking them.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary Latest News

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Fake email scam warning - Police are warning people who sell goods on auction sites to beware of email scammers.
Anyone using these on-line sites should be aware of the dangers of sending out goods before you have received any money...

Online Reporting - A guide to the Law for School Governors

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

At SWGfL Merlin, we do the tough stuff, it's true. We are the beating feet of the serene swan, or the oily engine room of the cruise liner.

The Magic Touch

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Pupils at a Dorchester School have been putting their news skills to the test. The Prince of Wales First School in Maiden Castle Road has been running its own online newspaper called the Merlin Times...

SWGfL Collects Two Regional Apprentice Awards

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

SWGfL is proud to have received two awards in the ETS South West Regional Apprentice of the Year Awards

Tools for Schools website

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Anti-bullying Alliance has launched its new Tools for Schools website...

Design Your Own Avatar Competition Winners

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

SWGfL Merlin is currently used by more than 2,000 schools, and one of the many great features in this shared platform is the ability for all users to create and customise a personal v-Me™ avatar.

Professional Abuse Survey

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A news article from the BBC earlier this year highlights the concerns of professions working with young people in becoming victims on online abuse.

FILMCLUB: The After School Activity Sweeping The Nation

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

- Great Movies Inspire Young Minds -

We've won a BETT Award for 360 degree safe

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

South West Grid for Learning is celebrating its BETT Award for its highly regarded 360 degree safe self review tool for e-safety in schools.

Don’t Put the Learning on Ice

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Throughout the winter months, many schools have to take the tough decision to close, due to weather disruption. But the school community can thrive in these situations, by utilising the best of the SWGfL Merlin Learning Platform...

Google Image Search SWGfL SafetyNet Filtering

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

SWGfL have identified a possible issue for schools searching for online images through ”Google Image Search” using the SWGfL SafetyNet filtering service...

SWGfL joins forces with iKeepSafe to launch Generation Safe

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The South West Grid for Learning successful esafety tool, 360 degree safe has already benefited over 1,000 UK schools since its launch less than a year ago. Thanks to a unique partnership with iKeepSafe, this benefit is being extended to schools across America, Australia and the Far East as part of a brand new global resource, Generation Safe.

New Digital Parenting magazine from Vodafone

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Vodafone has created a new magazine called ‘Digital Parenting’ to help parents get to grips and get involved with their children’s digital world...

SWGfL or DIY?

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

When finances are tough and the economic climate continues to be uncertain, it can be tempting to leap at cheap prices. Domestic and corporate internet providers are just that: domestic and corporate. They can fall short of the education sector's specific needs and the gaps in service can be costly. We invite you to compare like for like.

School & College Network

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

ABA is pleased to offer easy access to anti-bullying information, support and services through our new subscription scheme tailored specifically for schools and colleges.

Beatbullying

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Leading bullying prevention charity brings charities together and engages help from partner brands, companies and individuals to stand up to bullying...

Save The Date: Safer Internet Day 8th February 2011

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

From January 2011 Childnet along with the SWGfL and the IWF will form the UK Safer Internet Centre...

Top tips for Anti-Bullying Week

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Get ten ideas to help your school make Anti-Bullying Week a big success.

FILMCLUB

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

More dates added. A free introduction for teachers, FILMCLUB helps set up simple and inspiring after-school film clubs...

Largest ever report on E-Safety in schools reveals staff need to be better trained.

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In what is believed to be the largest study of its kind in the world, 547 education establishments in England and Wales assessed their own E-Safety provision.

Safer internet searching and the best KS2 learning resources.

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Swiggle - the ideal classroom homepage.

We've moved!

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Find out where to find us and how to contact us

Introducing your new Schools Internet Services

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Internet Services that we provide to your school are changing for the better

ICT Conference attendees raise money for IT in African Schools

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Following the bucket collections held at the conferences in Bristol and Torquay during July, over £280 has been donated to IT Schools Africa...

360 degree safe Self Review Tool & E-Safety Mark

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The tool which provides schools with the (free of charge) opportunity to review their E-Safety policies and practice now has over 600 registered establishments, spread over nearly 100 local authorities.

Does your School Use Joomla?

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

If your web site is powered by Joomla, find out how to make it perform better

Can you help in research to understand what young people think about the internet?

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

That may sound a rather strange question. After all, the internet is there, and young people use it every day. But...

Just how aware are children and adults of E-Safety issues?

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The main aim of this research was to measure and track parents’ and children’s awareness, attitudes and reported behaviour across the various safety issues covered within the Staying Safe Action Plan and the Byron Review of 2008.

Free Know IT All resources: please tell us what you think

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Since 2005 The Know IT All resources have been produced and distributed by Childnet to Schools in the South West, and across the rest of the country, free of charge.

An ugly word with attractive prospects for schools ICT – ‘interoperability’

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A quiet, unaudited scandal that has plagued schools, local authorities and government interventions since computers made their way into education – the lack of common standards and compatibility between hardware, operating systems, software and data – could soon become a thing of the past.

British Pathe Schools Licence

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Because of this development the number of schools wanting to download movie files or stills has diminished considerably, and so SWGfL has decided to end the earlier licence we had with British Pathe.

SWGfL successful in bid to be UK Safer Internet Centre from 2011

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The South West Grid for Learning, Childnet and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) have been selected by the European Commission to form the next Safer Internet Centre for the UK starting from January 2011.

The University of Plymouth certifies the 360 degree safe Self Review Tool

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The value of the online tool has now been enhanced through its official endorsement by the University of Plymouth,

Six South West schools among first in the country to be awarded E-Safety Mark

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Six schools have now been successful in the E-Safety Mark applications, following a visit from the Assessors.

Click Clever Click Safe Campaign

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

On 9 February2010 there are advertisements going in some of the national newspapers and there will be more information appearing on the government’s web site.

Teaching students to think before they post SID 2010

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We have developed a school play called “With Friends Like These” which challenges the way young people publish images of others without any though of accountability and explores how these actions can affect the relationships and dynamics within a social group.

Legal Statement Regarding Sparklebox

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Important statement regarding a recent court case brought against the owner of Sparklebox

Free publicity for your school

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

There's now a new free publicity service available to your school as part of your membership of SWGfL.

What is the point of Regional broadband consortia?

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Regional broadband consortia such as SWGfL are not always headline news, which is why it is possible to ask, “What is the point?”

Digital Manifesto

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Digital Manifesto from the Children’s Charities Coalition calls on the government to block access to all known child abuse websites and newsgroups and to ensure that the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre’s funding is sufficient for their needs.

The ‘Green Cross Code’ for internet safety

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

An unprecedented coalition of Government, industry and charities has launched the first UK internet safety strategy, to help children and young people stay safe online.

SWGfL / University of Plymouth Sexting Research

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

These findings, which come from a survey conducted by South West Grid for Learning and the University of Plymouth, will horrify many teachers, parents, police, and virtually everyone else who deals with young people.

Films for Learning

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Films for Learning www.filmsforlearning.org is a must for all teachers and learners developing all those fabulous curriculum ideas with film making. Professor Hargreaves goes on to say," It is through such school-led and student-led enterprise that 21st Century schooling will be transformed."

Where can you find copyright free material to use in class?

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Learners and teachers have an insatiable appetite for images, sound clips and video to use in projects and assignments.

Where can you find copyright free material to use in class?

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When visiting schools I see some fantastic work from teachers and children of all ages but the overwhelming majority contains media which belongs to somebody else... there are so many sources of high quality media available that nobody need ever risk infringing copyright again.

Digital manifesto calls for a block on child abuse sites

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Manifesto calls on the government to block access to all known child abuse websites and newsgroups

The ever increasing demands on administrators

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Outside doors might seem to be just, well, outside doors. But as soon as one starts thinking about them, questions are raised. If (for example in a primary school) there are special doors that can only be opened by adults, does this meet with the requirements of health and safety legislation?

How can you best inform your anti-bullying strategies?

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hear the views of children and young people in Wiltshire

Promoting the Family Safety Toolkit for schools

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It doesn’t matter how hard your school tries to protect pupils from potential dangers of the internet if, when they can go home, they can access any websites on their own computers.

O2 and Childnet Publish Internet Safety Book

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

O2 and Childnet International have jointly punlished a fun, edicational Internet safety book; and it's free to schools and libraries ...

SWGfL launch the E-Safety Self Review Framework

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Creating an E-Safety policy? Where do you start? To make it easier for you, SWGfL has developed an E-Safety template policy ...

Does your school have an e safety policy? Is it up to date?

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Based in national policy and best practice, the SWGfL template e-safety policy provides a 'brown field site' when it comes to creating an e safety policy that is fit for your school or organization. It outlines what should be included ...

Creating an e-Safety policy? Where do you start?

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

To make it easier for you, SWGfL has developed an e-Safety template policy ...

SWGfL Safety & Security Booklet now available

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The SWGfL Safety & Security Booklet is now available to download.

Join our register!

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A new register of teachers and professionals who have the confidence to deliver e-safety related programmes.

One click from Capture - BBC Panorama discovers the filming of one SWGfL E-Safety film

Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

SWGfL again applauds the BBC and the Panorama programme for airing One Click from Capture ...