GratViews
Murray Hudson's blog from Gratnells
Prince Andrew at BETT
Jan 11th
Just spotted HRH Prince Andrew at BETT 2012, next to a very tall man and some short children. He was there to launch InfoMentor, a collaborative learning and assessment tool for Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Further Education coming to the UK in 2012.
Former education secretary promoting British educational products.
Jan 11th
Former Education Secretary Charles Clarke doing his bit for the UK ( next to a Gratnells tray ) at the LJ Create stand at BETT 2012! LJ Create Ltd is a UK based company that produces interactive educational technology for the global market.
Laptop trolleys
Jan 11th
LapSafe showcase their new laptop trolley on another BETT stand featuring Gratnells trays!
LapSafe is a British company that specialises in the design, manufacture and distribution of various laptop security products that support the management and implementation of any type of mobile computer solution. Click on their logo below for more information.
BETT I can spot some Gratnells trays….
Jan 11th
As I was walking round BETT 2012 I was delighted to see this attractive stand from Constellations UK featuring an array of Gratnells trays. Constellations is part of the Confetti Media Group and they design, manufacture and install exceptional learning spaces from standard classrooms to specialist areas like ICT suites, drama, recording and TV studios. Click on the logo below for more information.
BETT’s on!
Jan 11th
Here we are at Olympia in London at the BETT show. Spencer Randon our Director of International Business welcomes a customer onto our stand. If you are at BETT over the next few days do pop by and say hello. We are on stand A69 in the Main Hall. Although we always attend BETT this is our first time exhibiting.
From ASE to BETT, it’s show time
Jan 10th
Here’s a photo of our stand at ASE last week where we were showcasing our new frame colours and our ready assembled frames with welded runners. See the post below for more information on the ASE Exhibition if you are not familiar with it.
This week I will be at the hi-tech BETT show 2012 in London’s Olympia. More information and pictures to follow next week – but in the meantime if you are planning a visit be sure and drop by our stand (A69 in the Grand Hall) or email me to arrange a meeting.
We’re at ASE 2012 in Liverpool
Jan 4th
On the 40th anniversary of the unveiling of the Gratnells tray storage system, we are once again exhibiting at the ASE annual conference.
The Association for Science Education get-together is taking place at the University of Liverpool between Thursday 6th of January to Saturday 7th of January and is a magnet for all those involved in science teaching not only in the UK but across the world. We will have all the latest products on display, so if you’re there drop by our stand E30.
How is practical science taught in the UK? Not well enough according to MPs.
Nov 25th
Buy the full report from wwwtsoshop.co.uk
A committee of MPs has concluded that many students are receiving poor practical science experiences during their secondary school education.
The Science and Technology Committee report, ‘Practical Experiments in School Science Lessons and Science Field Trips (HC 1060-I)’, concludes there was no credible evidence to support the frequently cited explanation of health and safety concerns for a decline in practicals and trips. Instead, more focus is needed on what happens after teachers have been recruited to the profession: knowledge and practical skills must be maintained and developed in order for high quality science education to be delivered.
The report goes on to say practical science is relatively expensive and carries little cachet for parents comparing schools. The inspection regime and the requirements set for exam boards should therefore drive higher quality with more and better practical science lessons.
The Committee also found a lack of coherence in the provision of science educational materials. It urges the science community to utilise the Science, Technology, English and Mathematics (STEM) directories – the online database of STEM enhancement and enrichment activities for schools and colleges – and calls on the government to secure the future of the directories which provide vital contacts between schools and scientists.
Finally, the Committee urges the government to provide a detailed strategy on how it intends to achieve its ambition to increase participation in school science subjects.
Despite some downbeat words, it does appear that the government is committed to keeping practical science alive.
We’re on the TV again!
Nov 22nd
We are always excited to spot Gratnells trays in the national media, so today we were thrilled to spot some trays in ITV’s Daybreak Programme. Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley introduced a feature about a Donate A Coat appeal and the cameras cut to Nick Dixon at Houghton Primary School in Cambridgeshire. And featuring in the background was a lovely array of F1 shallow trays. We know they are in pretty much every UK classroom – but it still gives us a ‘shallow’ thrill to see them on TV.
Gratnells at BETT 2012 – see us on stand A69 in the Grand Hall
Nov 22nd
For the first time Gratnells will be exhibiting at BETT 2012 in London in January next year. I will be joined by Spencer Randon, our Director of International Sales, and Robert Marmoy, our export manager to field calls and queries about Gratnells products.
BETT is dedicated to showcasing the best in UK and international educational technology products, resources and best practice, BETT has enabled thousands of practitioners to enhance their knowledge of learning through technology.
Taking place each January at Olympia in London, BETT attracts more than 600 educational suppliers and around 30,000 visitors. It brings together the global teaching and learning community for four days of innovations and inspirations.
Why not get in touch to make an appointment on murrayh@gratnells.co.uk
