Melissa Würtz Azari, co-founder and CPO at Tiimo, the assistive technology app that provides visual guidance and structure to those affected by ADHD, ADD and autism, comments on using technology to help pupils focus…

Cognitive deficit disorders can make daily life a little messy for the person affected and for those around them – and when we find ourselves in a tangled and confusing situation, the thing we need most is focus. While technology has traditionally been seen as a source of distraction – especially for children and young adults – we decided to use this fundamental aspect of our daily lives as a source of help, a useful tool to re-centre and find focus. 

Consort’s PLE panel heaters feature an electronic timer which offers a 7-day programme with 3 heating periods per day. The concealed digital controls located on the side of the heater include an easy- to-read display, four large control buttons with audible and tactile feedback and an electronic lock to prevent tampering with the controls.

Pupils at Weaverham Primary Academy have pledged to ditch their phones and smart devices before bed.

Research has shown that using the technology at the end of the day can cause poor-quality sleep, which is linked to a decline in mental health.

Pupils at the school debated over whether smart phones should be used in their bedrooms before going to sleep.

And the resounding verdict was ‘NO’!

Now the Year 6 children have promised to shut down their screens earlier in the day.

Executive Head Teacher, Fiona Whittaker, said: “It was very clear from the arguments for and against, that mobile phones and smart devices should not form part of a night-time routine.

It’s unsurprising that children who have confidence in their abilities tend to be more successful in their studies - and that confidence isn’t just built within the school gates. Teaching kids about science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) early on helps lay the foundations for deeper learning, and parents can play a big role in supporting this. 

Leading chemistry specialists Radleys share their top tips for getting kids excited about STEM subjects.

Look outside the classroom

Mental health issues in the classroom are hitting the headlines once again. Citing an Office of National Statistics study of 7,000 children, Mr Javed Khan, Barnardo’s chief executive, warned it had become a wider issue affecting children of all classes and backgrounds. "Three children in every classroom are thought to have a diagnosable mental health problem, which is approaching epidemic proportions," he said*.

Pupils at Rudheath Primary Academy, Cheshire - one of the 15 schools within Focus Trust - have been celebrating the diversity that makes up the school and wider community through a week dedicated to providing enriching activities and the opportunity to learn about different cultures, religions, sexualities and genders.

The school-wide initiative saw each class - from Early Years to Year 6 – take part in activities that taught the importance of diversity through some of the key topical issues.  

According to figures recently compiled by the Liberal Democrats, 3,750 teachers (one in 83) were on long-term sick leave last year due to pressure of work, anxiety and mental illness. And more than three quarters of teachers are seriously considering leaving their job, according to YouGov research commissioned by the Education Support Partnership in 2017.

Livia Bran, Content Manager at Cypher Learning, discusses teaching introverted children and how to meet their needs through e-learning...

Introversion can be easily misunderstood, especially in social settings that favor the extrovert ideal. Schools are a great example of such a setting, with group papers, oral presentations and participation points being the norm. Those students who have a quiet nature and prefer individual work are often dismissed as not-that-great students.

The market leader of mechanical security access products, The Key Safe Company, is revolutionising the way in which schools and colleges can access premises safely and securely.

Its leading Supra C500 is a locked metal box, which provides a secure method of externally storing keys to the exterior of a property. The Supra C500 can hold up to five keys and is regularly used within educational premises to gain access to buildings, classrooms and storage facilities. 

The product allows controlled access to anyone from caretakers responsible for the site, to teachers, support staff and out of hours cleaners. It ensures the facilities remain secure and can allow access in the event of an emergency, without encountering restrictions.

A recent survey conducted by custom screen printing & embroidery company Yazzoo Personalised Clothing discovered that over half of young people value group identity as highly as individual identity.

It has been argued that group identity has always played a role in determining the value placed on individual choices. Historically, identity was prefabricated depending on the group a person belonged to. These groups, guilds and castes created cohesive identities that carried with them sets of values and conditions for living. Today, identity is more fluid. Identity is no longer assigned at birth — it is constantly shifting as people move between careers, locations and personal choices.