Opportunities for Schools
Sage Educational Trust is committed to sharing information and resources, as well as spreading the word about potential opportunities for schools. When we find such opportunities we will post them below.
Sage also produces a regular Newsletter for Schools' Staff, giving more in-depth information for schools on Sage programmes and local news. Check here for the next edition, which will be out in the autum term.
IT
Make IT Happy!
Make IT Happy's annual UK-wide competition for primary school is now officially open! They will be awarding cash prizes to schools that show how they have helped their community learn about the exciting possibilities of the internet. http://makeithappy.cc4g.net/
NATURE
Royal Horticultural Society
The RHS's Campaign for School Gardening is designed to support school gardening. Sign up to the benchmarking scheme as this gives you a guide to starting out.
The Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust have lots of free resources (great for wet days and outside worksheets). They also provide free trees to plant and a free nature hedge plants. http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/ and www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
Tree Planting Packs
The Woodland Trust also have tree packs available to schools and youth groups. The packs are available in two different sizes; 105 trees, ideal for planting as a hedge or copse; 420 trees, ideal for planting on roughly an acre of land. http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/plant-trees/help-advice/planting-trees/Pages/free-trees-for-schools-and-communities.aspx
Freecycle
If you sign up, you can give and request items. Great for tools and seeds etc... http://www.freecycle.org/group/UK/London/Lewisham
MUSIC
Sing Up - Help Kids find their Voice
A full programme of Continuing Professional Development and Networking events for October 2009 to March 2010, covering a wide range of subject areas delivered by specialists in that area. (PDF 526KB)
Singing Tips and Inspiration
Useful tips and inspiration for those with vocal ambitions in a supplement on singing published by the Guardian. Includes tips from Royal Academy of Music tutors on warming up, breathing and singing in different styles, plus insight from singers such as Andrea Bocelli talking about stage-fright and Will Young admitting how often he forgets his lyrics. Available at http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/series/guide-to-performing-singing
Guide to Buying Quality Musical Instruments
The Music Industries Association has launched a PDF guide to buying quality musical instruments. Budding instrumentalists or parents buying instruments for their children can get advice on all the most common acoustic instruments, plus electric guitars and keyboards. The guide covers all the basic questions, with lots of information about the specifics of particular instruments and the benefits of music-making in general. www.mia.org.uk/docs/quality_instruments.pdf
Musical Futures CPD Courses
AUTUMN TERM. Musical Futures' CPD courses have been developed by innovative classroom teachers who have adapted and adopted Musical Futures in their schools. A range of training is available, from introductory sessions, to sessions that aim to build on and share good Musical Futures practice. Training will be hands-on, practical, and will equip you with ideas and resources. All training is free of charge. http://www.musicalfutures.org.uk/training
Sing Up
Sing Up aims to make singing central to young children’s lives – in primary schools, the home and the wider community, and offers a free-of-charge, searchable Song Bank, offering a complete package for each tune. Included are audio tracks of full performances, backing tracks for teachers who do not play an instrument and echo tracks to facilitate learning. Registered users can now search for a song by entering your specific requirements, eg search by Key Stage, Year Group, Curriculum Links and Song Style. http://www.singup.org/index.php
Take it Away
Arts Council England has recently launched Take it away, a new initiative that aims to make musical instruments and tuition more affordable for aspiring musicians, especially younger people and those on lower incomes. www.artscouncil.org.uk/takeitaway/
READING
Building whole-school reading culture with Reading Connects
This website offers schools the tools they need to develop a whole-school approach to reading for pleasure. It features practical tried-and-tested ideas, resources and case studies. Start planning for National Year of Reading by signing up and becoming a Reading Connects school. http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/reading_connects
TRANSPORT
Transport for London School Party Travel scheme
This scheme covers London Underground, Buses, Docklands Light Railway, Trams and National Rail and is available Monday-Friday during term times. The maximum group size is 20 (plus 2-4 adults) and tickets must be applied for at least 14 days in advance. For further details see www.tfl.gov.uk/schoolparty
MEDIA
My Mediabox
Grants from £100 - £1,000 are available for young people aged 13-19 in England, to make creative media projects for film, television, radio, online and multi media platforms. Applications can be from individuals or a group for one-off project funding. There is a simple and quick application process - applications can be made at any time. See: www.media-box.co.uk and look for the application links.
SPORT AND PLAY
UnLtd Sport Relief Funding
UnLtd Sport Relief is a funding programme aimed at young people aged 11 to 21 who want to run a community project that uses sport or recreational activities to address a conflict or social problem. The money can be used to pay for project costs and UnLtd offers a package of support for personal and project development including one to one support and access to networking events. For further details see: For further details see: www.unltd.org.uk/template.php?ID=110&PageName=sportrelief
Playground Partnerships
The Playground Partnerships scheme is for primary and special schools aiming to improve their playgrounds. Schools can apply for awards of between £1,000 and £10,000 to help them create a playground where children play well, be healthy and have fun. The scheme is run by the charity Woolworths Kids First. See: www.playgroundpartnerships.org/
HOLIDAYS
Pearson's Holiday Fund
Pearson's Holiday Fund makes grants that assist disadvantaged children and young people living in the United Kingdom to have holidays or take part in respite activities away from their normal environment which would otherwise not be possible without some external financial support. For more information visit their website at www.pearsonsholidayfund.org/
Canal Boat Trips
London Narrowboat Project (LNBP) was founded by a group of teachers in 1981 and aims to provide inexpensive holidays on the inland waterways for children and young people of all backgrounds but with an emphasis on those from deprived urban areas, the partially disabled, and the disadvantaged. Boats are available to registered groups, such as schools and youth organizations and prices start from as little as £7.77 per person per night. http://www.lnbp.co.uk/
SCIENCE
Science Grants
A small grants scheme designed specifically for schools and colleges has been set up, providing schools with grants of up to £500 for small-scale projects or events linked to the teaching or promotion of physics. : www.iop.org/activity/education/Teacher_Support/Grants/page_4712.html
Met Office Sale
The Met Office have a range of resources to support the National Curriculum, including free posters and DVDs. For further information see: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/education/teachers/resources.html
MISCELLANEOUS
Hamilton Trust
Hamilton Trust is a small educational charity that has developed free adaptable plans and materials with the single aim of supporting quality teaching and saving teacher-time. A small number of plans is provided free, but becoming a Friend of Hamilton by donating £12 gives you access to the full range of plans. www.hamilton-trust.org.uk/index.asp?id=1