Frequently Asked Questions - The Creative Learning Journey

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see your publications on approval?

CLJ no longer send out sample copies of our publications, however, we can email you a secure PDF version of sample wheels and the brochure. This means you can view them on screen. You can also view a selection of sample pages on our website online.

How can I see the CLJ?

This is one of the most common question we get asked. With 1000’s of schools throughout the UK and overseas now using the CLJ many schools welcome visits by Head Teachers to see the CLJ. If you contact CLJ direct on 01634 716222 we can suggest schools in your area.

Can CLJ come to my school to show my staff?

Yes – The CLJ can provide an in-school presentation of all the materials, resources and online topic wheels, planning and assessment. The presentation lasts approximately an hour and a half, depending on the questions. There is a small charge of £50 + travel. To book a presentation please contact CLJ direct on 01634 716222

What do I get with the CLJ?

The CLJ resources provide all the materials you need to create a curriculum with great excitement, challenge and diversity within a supportive framework. See the resources page and the online step by step user guides, for Wheels Online, Planning Online and Pupil Assessment Manager.

Can I buy parts of the CLJ?

No – the CLJ is a complete curriculum from 0-5, Foundation through to year 6 and includes first year annual subscription to online wheels planning and pupil assessment programmes.

The exception to this is for infant, junior schools, mixed age range schools and SEN units – we have special resources for these schools – please see the resources pages on the website.

Do you give discounts on your materials?

The CLJ resources are already excellent value for money, and in fairness to all schools we do not offer discounts; however when a cluster or a group of schools in a local authority purchase together as a bulk order we may be able to offer a discount on the price.

Is the CLJ user friendly?

The CLJ materials have been designed to be used by teachers. They are aesthetically pleasing, set out in the 6 areas of learning and colour coded. All the skills are coded and relate to the areas of learning. The online materials are easy to use, fully functional and can be shared within the school.

What support do I get with CLJ?

The CLJ operates a 24 hour support line to help guide you through any difficulties you may have. T: 01634 716222.

Does the CLJ meet the National Curriculum?

Yes the skills in the CLJ cover the National Curriculum requirements; they also cover the Every Child Matters Programme, Excellence and Enjoyment and include SEAL.

Are the Skills levelled to the National Curriculum levels?

All the CLJ Skills are levelled to the National Curriculum. The Pupil Assessment Manager allows you to sub level, make a comment and use the integrated Traffic Light system for all reports and print outs.

How do I check the coverage?

The CLJ not only has the topic wheels, where the skills drop down automatically into the 6 areas of learning that print out, but also the weekly plans where all the skills from your wheel are available to view and import into your plans. The skills then transfer directly into the pupil assessment programme enabling you to assess and check coverage for each individual child and class.

Does the Pupil Assessment Manager give me Reports and Graphs?

The Pupil Assessment Manager allows for complete reports and graphs for any child, group of children or whole class or school. The reporting function will allow you to see progression for a child, a subject, or a class. You can use the reports for tracking skills, progression or areas of learning. See the step by step user guides for full details.

Does the CLJ Pupil Assessment cover all skills?

The Pupil Assessment Manager is an easy to use management tool that allows you to check coverage for each individual child, group, cohort or class. It is levelled to National Curriculum Levels, and has a Red Amber Green Traffic light system built in.

Does the CLJ cover the EYFS ?

The CLJ materials cover the EYFSwith the printer 0-5 and the online wheels.

How do I get a Username and Password?

Your School is issued with a username and Password when you purchase the CLJ resources. The Username and Password is given to the Head teacher.

Who can use the Username and Password?

The Username and Password can only be used by Teachers in the school. Each school completes a form with a list of users and their names. Teachers have to enter their name as per the list supplied by the school to gain access to the online resources.

How do I view shared wheels?

You need to log on with your user name and password to Online wheels, scroll to the bottom of you wheel box, click on the wording VIEW SHARED WHEELS. A new pop up box will appear with all the shared wheels.

How much does it cost for a day's Training?

The cost of a day's inservice Training starts at £400 a day + travel
Please phone the office on 01634 716222 for a rough estimate of the cost for the day, and to book a date in the diary. Alternatively you can email sales@thecreativelearningjourney.co.uk.

Can I have the Training held as a day for the staff in my school?

You can have a day's inservice in whatever area you wish. We can tailor the training to suit your needs exactly. If you prefer more emphasis on one area than another, that’s fine. We can provide what your school needs. Our trainer will contact you direct to discuss your requirements.

Can I order extra resources?

Yes schools can order extra resources as the school expands please contact CLJ direct on 01634 716222 with your requirements.

What is CLJ doing about the National Curriculum?
CLJ remains committed to supporting schools to deliver a creative curriculum as they create their own curriculum to meet the specific needs of their children. The CLJ provides the framework for every school to create a truly valuable curriculum. The current CLJ resources meet every aspect of the National Curriculum and we are constantly reviewing all areas of learning.

How do I print out the wheels without a colour background?

You need to set your printer settings to Black and White or Outline only – this has nothing to do with the programme you see on screen – it is your own printer settings you need to adjust.

Can I copy and paste into the Planning section ?

Yes you can copy and paste from any word type document into the Planning templates or weekly plans, you can copy from the weekly plans ( only one section at a time). You can NOT copy the whole template or weekly plan in one go. The grid can not be copied or changed.
This is a HTML file so you can not adjust the border or the layout of the grid ONLY THE TEXT.

Can I copy and paste a weekly plan ?

At this moment in time you can not copy a complete weekly plan and paste it into another week or year group, we are working on this idea now and hope to be able to indroduce this funtion shortly. You can copy parts of the weekly plan into a new plan ay any time.

Can I copy and paste from a document into planning ?

Yes you can copy and paste from any word type document into planning.

Can I copy and paste from a document into my wheel?

Yes you can copy and paste from any word type document into the centre of your wheel.

Can I edit my wheel at any time?

Yes you can edit your wheel just go to the wheel box and click on edit at any time, your wheel will open and you can edit – don’t forget to press save when you are finished.

My wheel does not seem to be saving

Make sure you click on save when you have finished using your wheel. If it still does not save and update check the following

1 – Your computer is connected to the internet
2 – You have not set your computer NOT to cache the website (see 3)
3 - Check your browser history
Log onto the internet – click on tools at the top of the page – dropdown box – go to internet options (at the bottom) - click on the general tab (first tab)
Click on browsing history – click on settings
Make sure the button is highlighted “every time I visit the webpage”
Click OK
Click on Delete under browsing history – click in the box - Temporary internet files, cookies, History
Click on Delete – close window.
Click on OK
You have now set your computer to refresh the website very time you visit, and to refresh as you save so you can see a new version of you wheel every time you save.

NOTE : Any websites you visit a lot please save in your favourites

Is the Creative Learning Journey recognised by any official educational body?

• Funded by the DfES and Bexley Council
• Recognised by the Leading Aspect Award

How does the CLJ fit into the Foundation Stage’s six areas of learning?

The CLJ extends the principles of the Foundation Stage into Key Stage 1 and 2.

In other words, it builds upon the Foundation Stage six areas of learning.

How does CLJ fit with ‘Every Child Matters’?

The skills continuum was developed using all current Government documentation, including ‘Every Child Matters’, SEAL, Excellence and Enjoyment,

Does CLJ cover all years – Nursery to Year 6?

Yes, the resources contain all the materials for each year group – 0-5 through to Year 6 with all the necessary materials for that year group.

How does CLJ work with a mixed age school?

The skills continuum allows teachers to select skills appropriate to ability rather than age. Mixed aged schools can use an A/B plan, as many currently do.

Can I purchase mixed years separately?

Yes, mixed age range resources are available contact CLJ on 01634 716222 for prices.

How does CLJ help develop a Creative Curriculum & how does the curriculum help teachers?

Learn the essential knowledge, skills and understanding of curriculum subjects through a cross-curricular and imaginative approach. Engage in purposeful learning so that they foster a high level of enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge throughout their school lives. Develop the personal qualities they need to be good citizens and to have more valuable experiences which result in a positive impact on achievement, behavior and attendance. Develop the children's enthusiasm as they engage in original activities which allow them to celebrate their own culture while experiencing and enjoying elements of each other's. Teachers need help and support too, that is why the CLJ has been designed with teachers as well as children in mind as schools begin to prepare for the New Curriculum.

Is the CLJ a cross-curricular tool for learning?

Yes, because many of the skills from the six areas of learning interlink.

Deliver the National Curriculum through a rigorous and meaningful teaching framework.
Use existing, and create further, cross-curricular themes within 6 areas of learning rather than as more disjointed discrete subjects.
Access a skills continuum that promotes progression and cohesion throughout the school.
Promote the principles and values of Excellence and Enjoyment, Every Child Matters and SEAL as well as supporting the development of Community Cohesion and Global Citizenship.

Can I share CLJ with other schools?

You can share and view the wheels with other CLJ schools All CLJ materials have a copyright and are sold under licence to the individual school.

How do I use the CLJ framework?

Look at your existing medium term plans and identify units which could be taught under a theme. For example: Guy Fawkes, The Plague, The Great Fire of London, and Can Buildings Speak? (QCA Art unit), Vehicles (QCA DT Unit) all work under the theme ‘An Eye on London’. Now create a ‘wheel’ or medium term plan with the skills identified around the outside of the wheel and the activities within the 6 areas of learning.

How does CLJ improve learning?

The CLJ is a skills led curriculum rather than content based. The teaching of skills enables children to become life long learners.

How do I contact CLJ for more information or materials?

You can contact CLJ direct on 01634 716222, or by email: sales@thecreativelearningjourney.co.uk

Can I make my own wheels?

Yes – you will need to purchase a licence. Please refer to the wheel icon and contact details on the website.

How has CLJ been received by Ofsted?

Ofsted said that this is “an outstanding curriculum which meets the needs of all the children”.

Are all the materials of good quality?

Great care and attention to detail has been taken in the production of each resource, all materials and finishes have been chosen to both enhance the look and feel of the resources with special attention paid to ensure durability.

How long do materials take to arrive when I purchase?

From receipt of your official purchase order please allow 28 days (we will attempt 14 days), this may be quicker depending on stock levels and demand at time of order.

Can I phone to order a set?

Yes. Please contact us direct on 01634 716 222 to discuss your requirements. We will require a formal purchase order.

When do I have to pay?

You will be invoiced after receipt of your resources. Payment is required 30 days from date of invoice. Any school requiring a payment plan option should contact us direct on 01634 716 222.