"Quick Questions" for Register Schools

"We are working towards online reporting and should be grateful if anyone could let us have any details at all regarding a vision statement. Thank you."

"I am seeking a viable replacement for CHILDLOCK, which is appallingly bad security software for schools that just doesn't work. Our children have discovered proxy sites, and ULTRALOCK and we need something better to control internet use. Our kids are predominatly EBD pupils, we have 3 seperate sites (60 kids total) and 3 seperate servers, not linked. I've just taken over from the previous ICT manager who left the school with a bad history of ICT progress, and a black ofsted mark! so ANY advice on the right software would be great...??/"

"I have been asked to find a way to protect interactive whiteboards when they may be damaged as a result of activiities in the classroom. Does any school have experience of this?"

"Which are the most effective in Primary schools - PDAs or webbooks? We are looking to invest in a class set of one or the other, but are unsure which will benefit the children the most."

"I'm looking to update our school's ICT curriculum, but don't want to totally re-invent the wheel. Does anyone know if QCA is working on an update, have recommendations re published schemes, know of useful websites or have any other suggestions?"

"Does anyone have a model IT policy (staff & students) that we could use as a template?"

"We use a system here for parents, teachers and students to communicate using a system called simplyclick, allowing restriction of messaging between students and teachers. Are there other alternatives out there that people are using?"

"Does anyone know of a way to log a windows PC off prior to putting it into standby using a batch or VBS script, can this then be mapped to the power button of the PC"

"A former colleague has asked me about any schools with experience of switching from Microsoft Office to a recent version of Open Office? Any observations from schools with experience to share, whether strategic, logistical or pedagogical, or any tips, would be most appreciated."

"I would be interested in discussing the issue of allowing parents to purchase IT equipment directly from schools - are there ways in which schools can save parents paying the VAT on machines? We are already using some Eee pc's on a wireless network around the school but would like to open it up to all pupils. Is there any mileage in setting up a trust fund?"