The summer holidays start this week for most schools, giving teachers a well earned rest. However, the powering-down problem during the school holidays is well understood. And we know that children from poorer backgrounds are more likely to slip further behind during the long summer break.

We have just about recovered from our Spring conference - and looking forward to the long weekend to get some well-deserved rest!  The event went really well with Estelle Morris kicking off the proceedings with what she does so well - speaking from the heart.  The message that she gave was echoed throughout the day. There was general condemnation for the Ministerial team at the DfE for their obdurate refusal to look at any of the huge amounts of evidence about the impact ICT has o...

Over 40 schools have submitted applications for a grant, and the programmes will involve over 6,000 pupils.  What is pleasing is that many applications have come from schools where the e-learning programme is now an annual event.  Pupils and their families at these schools have come to expect the opportunity to take part in a 1:1 programme, and with a relatively small top-up grant, the schools can sustain these programmes year on year. The 40-odd schools have pledged over £0.5m for the...

This is the time of year when the online learning and revision sites are red hot.  SAM Learning, BBC Bitesize and the Intel funded maths and science site www.skoool.co.uk all report usage levels increasing three fold in the run up to summer exams.  SAM Learning tell us that over half of the use happens outside school hours. And they all tell us that exam results improve by up to a whole grade when pupils have good access when and where they need it. Spare a thought for the pupils whose...

The Easter Holidays are about to start, to be followed by the exams season, sports day and, for many pupils, final preparation to move onto new phases of their education whether it be entering the Sixth form or going up to Secondary School. In many ways it's just business as usual. Yet in other ways many things have changed.  Becta has now closed and only a handful of staff have transferred back into the Department, resulting in a huge loss of experience and knowledge of the role ...

The days are getting longer and sunshine is slowing returning to our morning routines. Not sure a lot of light is shining on where schools stand with their budgets though!  I know a lot of people are bracing themselves for the worst, and I suspect some are right to do that.  However, as it is so often the way there will be winners and losers. According to the Times yesterday Surrey Council has had its budget increased by 4% next year!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at BETT 2011 - this will be our tenth appearance.  We are on our usual corner spot (M40), in the National Hall, right next to the steps down from the main road entrance, so do remember to come and see us.  Our special message this year is that schools can double their money if they follow our advice - a message that should go down well given the latest CSR budget allocations! I will be speaking on the seminar programme at 1.15 on the Thursday of BETT ...

As bad as we thought?