Epilepsy charity open day

Young Epilepsy is inviting parents and carers to a free open day so they can learn more about its specialist school, college and medical facilities.

It takes place at the charity’s 60-acre rural headquarters in Lingfield, Surrey, on Wednesday, 11 July. 

 There will be the opportunity to find out about the charity’s education services and also the National Centre for Young Epilepsy which offers a range of diagnostic, assessment and rehabilitation services.  

 Anyone wishing to attend should e- mail openday@youngepilepsy.org.uk or call Mandy Richmond telephone 01342 831 348. To find out more about Young Epilepsy see www.youngepilepsy.org.uk or find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/youngepilepsy

Learning disabled role – a first for academia

A journal has been published with a selection of articles edited and peer reviewed by people with learning disabilities, in what is thought to be a first for academia anywhere in the world.

A University of Manchester team of academics and people with learning disabilities worked together on the British Journal of Learning Disabilities edition, which is published this week.

Team member Dr Rohhss Chapman said the project shows it is possible to make research into learning disability much more inclusive.

Lou Townson, works with People First, which helps people with  learning difficulties in Cumbria, is one of five members of The University of Manchester team who has learning difficulties. She said: “As someone with learning difficulties, I feel that there is nothing we can’t do, we just might need a bit more support.

“In terms of working with researchers, it’s isn’t usually  the information which is difficult to understand  but the way it is presented. We learned a lot by working on this on this journal.

“People with learning difficulties do have a valuable contribution to make to academic research into learning difficulty and I hope our work helps to make the case.”

The editor of the Journal, Professor Duncan Mitchell who is based at Manchester Metropolitan University said: “This special edition is significant because it explores ways in which people with learning disabilities can engage in research and ensure that papers that are about them are written and reviewed by them.”

Team leave for the challenge of a lifetime

Ten students with complex emotional issues, their teachers and celebrity chef, Anthony Worral Thompson, are to embark on a nine day trek across the floor of the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania in 40 degree heat.

Calum Carter, 15, from Springfields Academy, a special needs school, in Wiltshire, will be narrating and acting as a pupil mentor for the BBC documentary ‘The Hottest Classroom’ which is due to be aired later this year.

The main purpose of the trip is to raise people’s awareness about emotional and behavioural learning difficulties EBD.

A graduate of the Dore Programme, a personalised, drug free programme for dyslexia, Calum was unable to read or write when he was younger but he is now much more confident – playing rugby at a competitive level and about to sit his GCSEs.

‘The Hottest Classroom’, is one of a series of observational documentaries under the banner of ‘The Extreme Classroom’, devised and developed by Springfields Academy principal and chair of the Dore Foundation Trystan Williams, and vice principal Jon Hamp in the belief that ‘only by challenging students will they exceed expectations.’ 

Trystan Williams said: “The trip has been organised by two charities Engage in the Future and the Dore Foundation who share a similar set of principles which are compatible with what we are trying to do.”

This is a story of hope and an eagerly awaited viewing after last year’s instalment entitled ‘The Coldest Classroom’. 

“Calum is a perfect example of what we are trying to achieve. He is a true success story and has turned his young life around.”

Calum said: “I’m very excited and nervous at the same time. My life has been turned around and this is part of an incredible journey I just wouldn’t have been able to do once. I did well on the last trip but am wary of the heat this time – I think it will be the biggest challenge.”

£30,000 boost in education bursaries

The Chartered Institute for IT, BCS, has awarded £30,000 in education bursaries to 31 educational institutions to deliver projects to enable learners to benefit from computing.

More than 200 schools, colleges and universities had applied for the BCS Education Bursary, which was launched in March by the institute to celebrate Alan Turing’s centenary year.

Bill Mitchell, the director of BCS Academy of Computing, part of the institute said: “The level of applications was outstanding and made the judging process very challenging. 

“We’re now looking forward to following the progress of the successful applicants as they implement their ideas.”

The list of successful applicants, including a brief description of their projects can be found at www.bcs.org/bcsbursary

Disabled persons’ travel programme celebrates 5th anniversary

National Star Foundation’s award winning travel programme, Lift Training, is celebrating its 5th year enabling disabled, people to independently access education and employment activities, through public transport services.
Since it was launched in 2007, it has supported over 300 students in Gloucestershire – and 90 per cent of the students have progressed to independent travel. 

The programme is free to full time students and provides a combination of one-on-one practical support and an opportunity to gain an accredited Edexcel qualification on specific transport routes to support individuals with high transport dependency to be confident, successful and independent travellers.

Lift Training student, Robert Fisher, said: “My mum offered to give me a lift one day but I wanted to take the bus by myself. It was great being able to do this. I’m so pleased I did LIFT!”

Robert’s Mum, Janet Fisher, said: “The course has helped Robert gain much more confidence, he is naturally quite quiet so this was a big step for him to achieve. The course has also given me peace of mind knowing he has the knowledge to keep himself safe when travelling alone.”

Natalie Wadley, Business Development manager said: “The ability to travel independently underpins so many aspects of life from choices about our education to where we live and work. The personalised approach of Lift Training enables high success rates that have long lasting impacts on the lives of disabled, disadvantaged and vulnerable people.”

Initially introduced as a Gloucestershire based project run in partnership with National Star Foundation and Gloucestershire County Council, the programme is now being rolled out across other counties. 
National Star Foundation is working with Derbyshire County Council to increase independent travel across the East Midlands county, focusing on home-to-school and home-to-college journeys.
Lift Training is now recruiting students for the September-December course. For further information see www.natstar.ac.uk/lifttraining.

Autism conference to focus on challenging behaviour

Research Autism is to hold a conference to explore challenging behaviour as the government prepares to publish an initial report following the regime of abuse at the Winterbourne View unit, exposed by the BBC Panorama programme. 

Incidents of residents being kicked and slapped at the residential hospital for people with a learning disability in Hambrook, near Bristol, were captured on camera by an undercover reporter. It led to the closure of Winterbourne View, the arrest and charging of several staff members and inspections by the Care Quality Commission of care services for people with a learning disability.

On 27 June 2012, Autism and Challenging Behaviour: it doesn’t have to be like this, at the Ambassadors Hotel, London, will focus on research, and methods of working that have been shown to be effective and ethical in addressing challenging behaviour, while avoiding those approaches that can cause harm not just to the person but to all of those concerned. 

Richard Mills the research director of Research Autism said: “Despite the numerous scandals and many government reports, individuals are still vulnerable to poor treatment and even assaults.  We need to find new ways of responding to the issues they face based on the needs of each individual.”

Deepa Korea the chief Executive of Research Autism said: “One year on from the appalling abuse uncovered at Winterbourne View, this conference provides a vital contribution to the debate about how we care for some of our most vulnerable citizens. It is a timely reminder that there exist alternative ways forward for managing challenging behaviour. As the conference will make clear, it really doesn’t have to be like this.”

For more information see www.researchautism.net/computers

Study shows young people ill equipped to find suitable careers

A new report published today reveals that many young people are ill informed about their career options. New joint research from the Financial Skills Partnership and Career Academies UK shows that many young people hold views about careers and how to progress which are simply not based on evidence.

According to the report ‘Routes to Success’ – based on a survey of 17 and 18 year old Career Academies UK students – they lack awareness of their options, including a misunderstanding of university fees, apprenticeships and school leaver programmes. 

Liz Field the chief executive of the Financial Skills Partnership, said: “Young people are making poorly informed choices, which may affect their future career options and the talent pipeline for many industries. 

“We need to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to take responsibility for their own career planning and progression, if they are to be the professionals of tomorrow, able to lead us out of recession and into growth and renewal.”

James McCreary the chief executive of Career Academies UK, said: “Educators and advisors need to become more fully aware themselves of the full range of routes for young people, so as to give genuinely impartial advice and guidance.”

For more information see www.careeracademies.org.uk.

Gold medal guests light up children’s sports day

Two Team GB Paralympic athletes, one a Gold Medal winner, presented children from local schools with their winning medals at an inclusive sports day organised by Buxton College.

More than 70 children from High Peak schools; Buxton Junior School, Whaley Bridge School, Chapel High School, St Luke’s Primary School, Peak Dale Primary School, Peak Forest School and Fairfield Endowed School, enjoyed learning and playing a raft of new sports at the event held at Buxton College’s Harpur Hill sports centre.

The children competed against each other in tournaments of goalball, seated volleyball, tic-tag relay and sprint relay; sports designed to be played on level terms by people with and without a disability which will be played later this summer at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. 

Special guests Team GB Paralympic footballer Jordan Raynes, who competed in Beijing in 2008, and cyclist Anthony Kappes, who won two Gold medals in Beijing and will compete again in London 2012, both dropped into the event to hand out medals and share the secrets of their success.

Jordan Raynes, who now works as a Disability Officer for Stockport County Community Foundation, said: “Children of all abilities competed on an equal footing and had fun. We have shown how sports can be adapted to make them inclusive – which is the way sport should be.”

Buxton College Sports students, from the left, Matt Hoare and Jacob Bagshaw, Alice Wright and Karen Wardley from Buxton College with Paralympian Jordan Raynes, and three of the winning goalball team from St Luke’s Primary School

Manchester pupils come together for athletics championship

Children from 22 of Greater Manchester’s special educational needs schools will come together on 21 June to enjoy a day of fun and sporting activities, at Manchester’s Sport City, which can accommodate wheelchair users and all ability levels. 

Each SEN school will be represented by a team of 10 children who will participate in a number of activities specifically designed in partnership with Sportshall Athletics. Children with autism, Down’s syndrome and a range of physical disabilities can all compete at the event regardless of age or ability.

The championship, sponsored by the Manchester branch of education staffing specialist, Randstad Education, will see pupils with disabilities between the ages of 5 – 16 enjoy a number of athletic events including long jump, javelin and sprint relays. 

The activities from 10am-2pm will finish with a presentation where participating children will be awarded certificates and medals.

New online reading game

The Usborne Foundation, a charitable fund established by Peter Usborne to support initiatives to develop early literacy, has launched a free online game to help children practice and consolidate the essential first stages of reading. 

Aimed at beginner readers, Teach Your Monster to Read: First Steps is built on the principles of synthetic phonics and follows the teaching sequence in the “Letters and Sounds” programme.

It develops children’s speed and accuracy of letter recognition by taking them on a fantastic adventure through a magical world where they meet island kings and collect letters to win prizes.  It also explores blending and segmenting, and introduces “tricky” words in a fun, interactive setting. It is aimed at beginning readers, both those who are on track and those who need more support.

Peter Usborne said “It is absolutely crucial that we make learning to read as much fun as possible. I have long been fascinated by the magnetic attraction that computer games have for children, and have worked hard to incorporate some of that magic into Usborne books.” 

Teach Your Monster to Read, features the voice of Simon Farnaby from BBC’s Horrible Histories, and allows children to adopt a monster who has crashlanded his spaceship. They must guide him through a series of islands, practising letters to help him read his handbook, rebuild his ship and fly home.

To play Teach Your Monster to Read www.teachyourmonstertoread.com.

The sheep letter and sound game

Learning platforms conference looks to the future

The learning platform provider, Frog is hosting the Inter-National Learning Platforms Conference on 19 June at the ICC, Birmingham. It says it comes at an interesting time when learning is being flipped on its head and teaching is no longer confined to the classroom.

Frog is bringing together leaders across the education sector to discuss the future for teaching and learning and give solid, practical advice on getting the most from technology.

Following a twitter poll, Frog has invited speakers from primary, secondary, independent, international schools and academies to deliver workshops on mobile apps and wireless working, engaging the entire school and much more. Delegates will be able to take tips from the workshops straight back to the classroom to implement immediately.

 People can keep up to date on further developments following @frogtrade on Twitter and using the #frog12. For further information about the conference www.frogtrade.com.

New president for the Institute of Acoustics

Professor Bridget Shield has become the first female president of the Institute of Acoustics in its 38-year history.

Professor Shield, who succeeds Professor Trevor Cox, said: “It’s a great honour and I’m looking forward to carrying on Trevor’s work over the last two years in raising our profile and that of acoustics generally.

“The fact that I am the first female President will, I hope, encourage more young women into the profession. Since I joined the Institute in 1974 there has been a significant increase in the number of women members, and I intend to ensure this continues.

“I also want to establish closer links with other professional bodies, such as RIBA, and to disseminate our knowledge of problems in acoustics and noise to those people involved in devising solutions, for example architects and engineers.”

Professor Shield is Professor of Acoustics at London South Bank University. Since joining the university (then South Bank Poly) 26 years ago, she has established a world-wide reputation for her research, in particular the effects of noise on children and how it affects their ability to learn. Her expertise in this area resulted in her being appointed an editor of Building Bulletin 93 and she is currently involved in helping update the regulations governing acoustic design standards in schools.

Professor Bridget Shield, president of the Institute of Acoustic

Roadshow advice for disabled students

This year’s Mobility Roadshow offers help to young disabled people considering the practicalities of further education. It takes place over three days from 21- 23 June, at the Peterborough Arena, East of England Showground. Parking and entry are free.

Two roadshow exhibitors in particular offer practical advice and support. AskJules specialises in helping young disabled adults with the transition from living with their families studying at college or sixth form to university – from making the initial choice through to graduation. They will accompany prospective students on opening days, assist with the recruitment of personal assistants and help with managing care and finances.

The OU Access Centre Bus is the only one of its kind in higher education. A state of the art mobile assessment vehicle, it can be driven to the homes of disabled students or an appropriate location to enable a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) Assessment to take place as part of the DSA application process. The comprehensive range of assistive technology on board includes specialist computer text to speech and speech to text software, a CCTV system to magnify text and specialist ergonomic hardware and furniture.

If the move to higher education involves a transport rethink, visitors to the roadshow can find out more about the latest vehicle adaptations and conversions and experience a test drive (driving licence required).

For design and technology students, the expanded Design Zone offers the opportunity to meet a Royal College of Art designer in residence, vote for favourite products on the Cool Wall and talk with experts about the future of accessible design.

Register for test drives and free tickets at www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk or call 0845 241 0390 and follow on Facebook and Twitter.