Below is some news information from EQUALS.
Dear Colleagues,
EQUALS Conferences
Half-Day Conference
Sensory Issues: are they the Key to Unlocking Autism?
Thursday 10th May 2012, University of Manchester, Dr Wendy Lawson
Wendy will be sharing her experiences, insights and knowledge when she talks on "Autism and Sensory Issues".
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EQUALS Full Day Summer Conference
Towards Outstanding Governance in Special Schools
Friday 15th June 2012, Manchester Conference Centre
The Conference will draw on aspects of the new OFSTED publication 'School governance: Learning from the best' and is aimed at school leaders and governors.
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Target Setting 2011
The EQUALS Target Setting Project and CASPA
• The EQUALS Target Setting Project ran successfully from 2001-2010. The project had its biggest impact in 2006, when 123 schools enrolled and EQUALS processed the data for 7812 pupils.In the past four years the "data market" has become busier, if not congested. Several new providers have come on stream, local authorities have begun to gather and evaluate their own data and latterly the National Strategies/DfE has produced their "Progression Guidance".
We are justly proud of our unique work in target setting, with PACE providing that assurance that the teacher's best fit was accurate.
Formally DURHAM CEM have processed our data, however this will no longer happen. EQUALS is proposing to facilitate the transfer of future data for CASPA to process.
CASPA can analyse EQUALS PACE assessment scores.
EQUALS members can purchase their initial annual licence fee with a discount of 33%.
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EQUALS GuidesThe EQUALS Guide to Literacy
Supporting access for pupils working towards Level 1 of the National Curriculum
| • The new programme follows a similar format to the original EQUALS document. That is the work is presented within P Levels (P1-P8) for different key stages. The new format still covers four key stages, but these are now EYFS and key stages 1-3 as EQUALS now has five one year programmes (Moving On) for 14-19. The new format is also not divided into word level, text level and sentence level where as the original EQUALS document but is divided into the current twelve Primary Strategy Strands. |
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Key Stage 3 - Themes
Cross Curriculum Themes
- For teachers working with pupils who are achieving within the P Scales
- A topic based curriculum for pupils with learning difficulties
- Linked to the seven cross curricular dimensions
It is hoped this will be available to order early 2012.
Currently in development
Understanding the Arts/Creativity
• A team is currently developing new materials for Creativity. It is hoped these will be available during 2012.
Aims
- To provide guidance on the Creative Arts to classroom teachers and school curriculum managers.
- To create a 'Learning Community' with best practice workshops, via the website and experts in the field.
- To create a basis for future best practice workshops.
More materials for 14-19
• New materials for Functional Skills and Sex and Relationships Education
• There are also updated versions of 'Adventurer', 'Explorer' and 'Traveller' - the three original Moving On one-year programmes.
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What's in the news - bbc.co.uk
Special needs education shake-up unveiled
• Plans for a radical shake-up of the system for supporting children with special educational needs are being published by the government. A total of 1.7 million children in English schools are identified as requiring extra support and ministers expect the figure will come down. They also plan to replace the current system with broader education and health care plans, drawn up after a single assessment.
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Special needs support promises more parent power
• Parents of children in England with special educational needs could get a personal budget to spend on support for their children. The idea is part of a major shake-up of the special educational needs system.
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If you have any queries about any of the items above, please ring the EQUALS office on 0191 272 8600 or email admin@equalsoffice.co.uk
Kind Regards
Paul Buskin
Business & Marketing Manager
EQUALS