Minutes of the meeting of the Project Implementation Group of the NGfL and SRB projects held on Thursday 21st January at the Lawn Lane Centre.

PRESENT:

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

1.    MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

PR confirmed Espresso project was experiencing some technical problems linking to the RM schoolshare systems installed in the 4 pilot schools (Archbishop Sumners, Glenbrooke Jnrs, Lansdowne, Loughborough Inf). PR to report progress at next meeting.

PR reported that Lambeth had been contacted further regarding the authorities NOF bid, to provide ICT training for teachers in partnership with the ITLE and to become an approved provider. PR to report to next meeting.

2.    NGfL Bid 1999/00 and Development Plan

PRo reported that the overall grant for Lambeth Education Department for 1999/00 had been confirmed at £520,000 and that an extension of the NGfL funding to 2000/2001 had also been confirmed.

RS reported that BECTa had been given the opportunity to review all authorities' bid submissions, but as yet there was no feedback from the DfEE as to individual allocations. PRo to report back to next meeting.

3.    NGfL DELIVERY PROGRESS REPORT

PRo noted the following progress points:

• All ISDN lines installed to schools by British Telecom
• Installation of systems to all 35 schools for 1998/99 phase to be completed by end of January 1999, ahead of schedule.
• The Lambeth project to be written up by Research Machines as a case study for reference for other authorities.

4.    ILS DELIVERY PROGRESS REPORT

PRo welcomed Frances Howlett as the consultant working on the use of the ILS systems in schools. FH updated the meeting on progress so far.

PRo also confirmed that 10 schools should have the systems installed before March 31st 1999. The orders had been sent to Research Machines, the site surveys had been completed and the training for schools had been booked for February 1999 - RM to confirm with schools directly the times and dates of installation of systems and training courses.

5.    STAFFING UPDATE

PRo introduced Verna-Jean Gervais and Gary Stevens, the 2 Primary Classroom Consultants appointed by ITLE to start in Lambeth schools as of Jan '99. Looking to produce strategy paper for needs analysis/needs identification to cover all schools for improving ICT development and to address any weaknesses and to identify beacon schools as examples of good practice.

PRo also confirmed that no secondary consultant had been appointed due to lack of suitable candidates, PRo/PD to progress re-advertised as necessary. PRo/PD to report back to next meeting

6.    CURRICULUM SUPPORT GROUP

PR confirmed that this group had been established with representatives from schools and briefed the group on the outcome of the first meeting. Problems with supply cover for teachers attending future meetings. RS suggested contributions could be submitted via the internet. PR to report to future meetings.

7. INTERNET/INTRANET STRATEGY

PR/RC briefed the group on the meeting that took place with Lambeth IT to discuss possible options to connect Lambeth Connections school users to facilities with in the council intranet.

A follow-up meeting arranged for Monday 1st February 1999 2:00pm at Lambeth Computer Centre to view intranet facilities and document handling/management programmes. PR/RC to report to next meeting.

PR also provided copies of the front screen of the Lambeth Schools On-Line web page and the associated links.

8.    LIBRARY LINKS

PR confirmed that he had met with representatives of Lambeth Libraries and that they would be attending future Internet/Intranet Strategy group meetings to look to integrate their systems as part of the council wide infrastructure.

9.    SCHOOLS AND EMAIL

PR circulated a paper and briefed the group on some of the opportunities and implications for schools and setting up local email addresses.

10.    EDUCATION EXTRA

PR reported that Lambeth is looking to develop a web-site in partnership with Crystal Palace FC. PR to report progress to future meetings.

11.    ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

PR/RC confirmed that this item had been discussed with schools IT co-ordinators at the recent primary ICT conference and copies of the draft acceptable use had been distributed to teachers for use in schools.

12.    DATE OF NEXT MEETING

9:30am Tuesday 16th March 1999 at the Lawn Lane Centre*

* Venue may change if colleagues from Lawn Lane have moved to new Education Department accommodation in International House please confirm with Phil Redman, Peter Robinson or Richard Charlton.

13.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS

MF distributed a booklet and briefed the group on the some of the projects and services that Brixton On-Line were involved in with departments throughout Lambeth Council.