Your Local Representative for Wiltshire is:
Helen Southwell
Email Helen
About Helen
- 3 years as lead adviser on SWGfL Merlin, working with school , local authorities and SWGfL
- Continuous involvement with SWGfL MIG through the Tender, Go live and Implementation phases including seconded work to support development and Parental Engagement.
- 5 years as advisor for primary ICT supporting Early Years and Primary settings in Wiltshire.
- 2 years seconded to support schools in special measures with developing their use of ICT with pupils and as independent ICT Consultant producing e-learning resources for schools, providing training under NOF scheme helping schools to implement ICT across the curriculum.
- Primary school teacher for 20 years, teaching throughout primary phase in both large urban schools and small village schools. 5 years as ICT subject leader and member of SMT.
Wiltshires Vision for Merlin:
Wiltshire is committed to helping schools progress through the steps to adopting a learning platform, and to help schools and the LA realise the following benefits:
Leadership & Management
- Improved coordination of information and communication within school communities, including
- leaders, managers, teachers, governors.
- Parents being more informed about and engaged with the school.
- More effective monitoring and managing of teaching.
- Better coordination of tracking and analysis of school data.
- Better communication of goals among staff, school managers and leaders.
- Enhanced recording and tracking of learner data.
- Increased support for the development of the school and wider community.
- Support for enhanced school provision for additional educational needs and inclusion.
Narrowing the gaps
- Increased motivation and support to enable learners to take more responsibility for independent learning.
- Easier access to relevant, engaging and motivational resources.
- Greater co-operation between learners.
- Development of functional technology skills, collaboration skills and critical thinking.
- Improved communication and organisation of learning among teachers, experts and learners.
- More opportunities for self-assessment and peer review between learners.
- More active group collaboration activities, including homework.
- Enhanced student voice and school democracy.
Partnership working
- More informed and involved in their child’s learning and target setting.
- Enabled to review and support their child’s learning.
- Easy access to organisational information.
- Be aware of best practice and exceptional work.
- Enhanced consultation in decisions and policy developments.
- Homework tasks are transparent enabling them to support their child.
As a local authority the benefits are equally significant and in a climate where more work must be done by less people there are developments in the pipeline that could afford significant savings for schools and the LA in both time and money.
Local Authority Merlin Roadmap
Click Here for the Roadmap
In addition to planned training, schools will receive regular opportunities to attend workshops to develop their skills and share good practice, receive site visits to further develop their implementation and receive on going help and advice via support sites.
To find out more about SIF and to start the process click here.