Lights…camera..action!

17379518 - 3d small people - cameraman
Copyright: art3d / 123RF Stock Photo

I  am currently in the post-production phase of an exciting film project for an education client. Watch this space as I will show you as soon as it is launched.

I have worked with the film crew and production team selected for this project for many years on a variety of client projects. They are talented bunch, that continually evolve to stay modern and fresh in their approach. You can check out their show-reel here (see if you can spot my current project!).Continue reading “Lights…camera..action!”

Slippers for Shelter

Are you wearing your Slippers to raise money for Shelter this year? To support fundraising in schools we developed four new fun, curriculum linked classroom activities for 4 -11 year old pupils  around the theme of ‘home’. The worksheets support D&T, PSHE, Art & Design, Science, English and Geography.

For more information and to download your free activity sheets visit shelter.org.uk/slippers

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Army in Education

AiE HistoryFor over 5 years during my time as Account Director at Education Connections, I managed the Army in Education client account. It was a fantastic project that aimed to raise awareness of the work of the British Army and create a positive relationship with young people in schools, colleges and higher education.  

The Army in Education (AiE) website and resources were designed to bring the curriculum to life, helping students (aged 11-16) to engage with a range of topical and controversial issues. The resources explored the Army’s work, the political and geographical situations in which it operates, and the values and skills that are necessary to carry out work in demanding and often dangerous situations. Continue reading “Army in Education”

Managing a Fear of Dogs

Managing a Fear of Dogs Dogs TrustDogs Trust launched their ‘Managing Fear of Dogs’ campaign today! Really great to be part of the team beavering away in the background on the supporting literature and information for parents.

Head over to the Learn with Dogs Trust website  to find out about their FREE workshops for families run by their team of Education & Community Officers. You can also download the ‘Managing Fear’ promotional flyer. Coming soon is a comprehensive guide with information on what fear is and why/how it occurs, how to gauge the level of your fear and advice on what you can do if your child has a fear of dogs.Continue reading “Managing a Fear of Dogs”

Shelter for Schools

Shelter for schools

Shelter have launched their new education programme, providing free teaching materials  as part of their ’50p Challenge’ fundraising initiative for UK schools. It has been a great project to work on knowing that the resources we develop will both educate and help young people. Continue reading “Shelter for Schools”

Cracking Ideas!

Cracking IdeasThe Intellectual Property Office are celebrating the 40th birthday of the world-famous Aardman studios with their Cracking Ideas Competition 2016. I was delighted to work on the development of the curriculum-linked classroom resources for ages 4-11, designed to generate competition entries and support wider learning.

Intellectual Property is a difficult topic for young children to understand, but it is an important one. We created the ‘My ideas have value’ assembly for use by schools to launch the competition. The assembly helps develop their understanding that creativity has a value called intellectual property, which can be protected to help ensure that the unique ideas, creations or work of an individual or group cannot be copied or reused without crediting or benefiting the creator. Continue reading “Cracking Ideas!”

A busy start to 2016…

It’s busy here at HQ! Lots of new things soon to be launched and more in the pipeline . I am delighted to have won a tender from the Intellectual Property Office back in January – watch out for the new resources and competition for Cracking Ideas 2016 launching very soon!

This year I am also working with Greyhounds in Need to extend their support for education in Spanish schools, with the launch of a dedicated website and new teaching materials.

There is lots going on with the education team at Dogs Trust, PLUS I am working with another national charity to develop a brand new education programme this year (another watch this space!).

 

SpyBirthday.co.uk

 

Spy Birthday

The team at spybirthday.co.uk deliver fantastic spy themed birthday parties. However, English is not their first language and whilst they know what they want to say, they sometimes need some help saying it.  It’s not just checking grammar and punctuation, it’s reworking sentences and making appropriate word choices as well. I help them write great content for their English target audience and hopefully get more clients too!

Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills
Copyright: iqoncept / 123RF Stock Photo

I was delighted recently to work with Lewisham and Southwark college in the development of a brilliant idea to engage secondary school pupils. Rather than going in and presenting their usual ‘this is why you should come to our college’  talk to potential students – they thought outside of the box.Continue reading “Transferable Skills”

Children’s activity booklets

cat detectivesI love creating activity booklets for kids, especially when there are other lessons to be learned at the same time.  Whether it is coming up with a wordsearch, a quiz or a practical crafty activity they can all come together in a booklet that engages kids and also entertains them.Continue reading “Children’s activity booklets”

Back to school mailings

Dogs Trust Youth Trainer PostcardIt’s a debate I often have with clients, whether we should mail schools at the end of the summer term or at the start of the autumn? After years and years of trying out both approaches I can conclude it makes little difference. If you truly want to be effective then mail twice, once at the start of July and then again mid-September. It doesn’t matter if it is email or postal, the same rule applies.Continue reading “Back to school mailings”

Doogies – Business Support

DoogiesIt’s really great when you get to work on things that you really care about. I’m delighted to be working with Niccy at Doogie’s to help her build her business.

There is no specific job description – whatever Doogies’ need is whatever I provide. Whether that is creating forms and documents, managing clients or assisting with website development, my job is to help Doogies grow as a business and help Niccy bring her ideas to life.

www.doogies.info

Marketing to schools

Army STEM promo
Promoting STEM workshops. Created for The British Army during my time at Education Connections.

Creating great resources and products for schools is one thing, making teachers and educators aware of it is a completely different ball game. Over the years the methods have changed with postal mailings making way for email campaigns and social media, but one thing definitely hasn’t – getting the messaging right.Continue reading “Marketing to schools”

It’s time for ‘The Big Scoop’ June 15-21st

The Big Scoop‘The Big Scoop’ is Dogs Trust’s annual campaign to encourage dog owners to clean up after their dogs. To help children understand why scooping the poop is important I worked with a digital marketing agency to develop ‘Jimmy’s Scoop the Poop’ game. Continue reading “It’s time for ‘The Big Scoop’ June 15-21st”