July 2015

The know zone

  • Sixth sense
    As timetables are tweaked in readiness for the new sixth-form provision in September, schools and colleges should ensure that their 16-19 study programmes will meet tight new financial and curriculum standards, says Kevin Gilmartin. More
  • Know your numbers
    Pay progression data can reveal hidden – possibly discriminatory – trends, so it is vital to study it carefully, says Sara Ford. More
  • Making allowances?
    Pay rises could push you over the tax relief limit and into trouble with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) so check your position, warns Stephen Casey. More
  • Experience counts
    Devising your school or college’s continuing professional development (CPD) programme can seem a daunting prospect. Do you plan for your own staff to deliver, invite a facilitator in to do the work or send staff out on external courses? What are the pros and cons of each approach and which provides the best value for money? More
  • A tidal change
    The Royal Merchant Navy Education Foundation (RMNEF) is a British educational charity that officers support for the natural or adopted children of Merchant Navy seafarers and professional sea-going fishers, and of crew members of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI’s) lifeboats. More
  • Extra daylight, extra opportunist thefts
    The warm summer evenings mean that everyone can look forward to spending more time outdoors. More
  • Question time
    What is the one big issue that you would like Secretary of State Nicky Morgan to tackle in this Parliament and why? What is the one burning issue that is affecting you and your school or college? Here, ASCL members share their views… More
  • Leaders' surgery
    Hotline advice expressed here, and in calls to us, is made in good faith to our members. Schools and colleges should always take formal HR or legal advice from their indemnified provider before acting. More
  • Reflected glory?
    The head is an ambassador for the school. However, there are – to put it mildly – some dangers in over-identification between the needs of the school and its leader’s desires, according to Chris Pyle. More
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Extra daylight, extra opportunist thefts

The warm summer evenings mean that everyone can look forward to spending more time outdoors.

Sadly, we also tend to see an increase in garden and outbuilding thefts during this time of year, as burglars often take advantage of the extra daylight. If not locked away or otherwise hidden from view, all of your expensive power tools, bikes and children’s toys are more visible to passing criminals.

And bear in mind that loose items like ladders and wheelie bins are perfect for burglars to use to get into your home, so you should also shut these away, out of sight and beyond their reach if you can.

Our tips on beating garden burglars

  1. Don’t tempt the thieves in; put away your garden tools, paddling pool, trampoline and bikes at the end of the day.
  2. Lock your sheds and outbuildings. If the padlocks are rusty then replace them.
  3. Close gates and repair damaged fences – deterrents are sometimes the best prevention.
  4. Hide or cover bulky items that can’t be locked away, such as large gas barbecues and picnic benches.
  5. Lock up ladders and secure wheelie bins – they are perfect for giving burglars a leg up into the rest of your home!

Get a home insurance quote at www.fromyourassociation. co.uk/ASCL

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