Frequently Asked Questions - The Creative Learning Journey

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see your resources on approval?

Unfortunately, CLJ no longer sends out sample copies of our resources. 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.
We can arrange a FREE online demonstration of how the CLJ works, call now to book a conference call and on line demonstration. 01634 716222

How can I see the CLJ in action?

This is one of the most common question we get asked. There are now thousands of schools throughout the UK and overseas using the CLJ and many schools welcome visits by other Head Teachers. If you contact CLJ on 01634 716222 we can suggest suitable schools in your area.

Can CLJ come to my school to show my staff?

Yes – The CLJ can provide an in-school presentation of the online topic wheels, planning and assessment. The presentation lasts approximately an hour and a half, depending on the questions. To book a presentation please contact CLJ on 01634 716222
We can arrange a FREE online demonstration of how the CLJ works, call now to book a conference call and on line demonstration.

What do I get with the CLJ?

The CLJ resources provides all you need to create a curriculum with great excitement, challenge and diversity within a supportive framework. See the Creative Learning Journey resources for a full breakdown of what's included.

What is CLJ doing about revisions to the National Curriculum?

CLJ remains committed to supporting schools in delivering a Skills and Knowledge based creative curriculum. The current CLJ resources meet every aspect of the National Curriculum and we are constantly reviewing all areas of learning. We will ensure that the Creative Learning Journey can be used with any revised National Curriculum. All updates to the CLJ will be free for subscribers.

Can I buy parts of the CLJ?

No – the CLJ is a complete curriculum from 0-5 through to year 7 and includes first year annual subscription to online wheels planning and pupil assessment programmes. Nursery, Infant and Junior CLJ resources are available.

Do you give discounts on your resources?

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.

Does the CLJ track the National Curriculum ?

The CLJ tracks all skills so you can see what skills you have done and which ones you have not covered. It also links all skills to the National Curriculum and shows you what parts of the National Curriculum you have covered and what parts you have not. A complete record of all skills and National curriculum is available for you to check at any time. All you have to do is create your Teacher tracker Log after you sign in once each academic year.

Is the CLJ user friendly?

The CLJ resources 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.

The CLJ provides on-going technical support and advice by telephone 01634 716222 or email admin@thecreativelearningjourney.co.uk. Please also remember to check the step by step user guides and frequently asked questions.

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. All skills directly link to the National Curriculum, so you can check coverage of the skills and the National Curriculum with just one click. The National Curriculum is automatically ticked when you choose the skills - showing you your National Curriculum coverage.

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, but also the weekly plans where all the skills from your wheel are available to view and import into your plans. It also links all skills to the National Curriculum and shows you what parts of the National Curriculum you have covered and what parts you have not. A complete record of all skills and National curriculum is available for you to check at any time. The skills then transfer directly into the pupil assessment programme enabling you to assess and check coverage for each individual child and class. All skills are linked to the National Curriculum and shows you the National Curriculum coverage.

Does the Pupil Assessment Manager give me reports and graphs?

The Pupil Assessment Manager provides 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?

Yes, 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 EYFS with the 0-5 skills 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 your wheel box and click on the wording VIEW SHARED WHEELS. A new pop up box will appear with all the shared wheels. This has a search engine to enable you to search for your topic or word.

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

The cost of a day's in-service training is £200 for a half day and £400 for a day + travel.
Please phone the office on 01634 716222 to book a date in the diary. Alternatively email admin@thecreativelearningjourney.co.uk.
We can arrange a online training of how the CLJ works, call now to book a conference call and on line training.

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

You can have a day's in-service 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.
We can arrange a online training of how the CLJ works, call now to book a conference call and on line training.

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

A new feature added at the top of the wheel is the OUTLINE box. Click this box and press save, then press get PDF. Your wheel will now show as a black and white outline only. To print- press print from your PDF screen.

Can I copy and paste into the planning section?

Yes, you can copy and paste from any text document into the planning templates or weekly plans and you can copy from the weekly plans (only one section at a time). You cannot 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?

Yes - if you go to the bottom of the short term / Activity/ Discrete plan you can copy a plan from any other weekly plan.

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. 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 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?

• It was initially funded by the DfES and Bexley Council
• It is also 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 and Excellence and Enjoyment,

Does CLJ cover all years – Nursery to Year 7?

Yes, the resources contain all the skills for each year group – 0-5 through to Year 7.

How does CLJ work with a mixed age school?

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

What if I have mixed age range years?

The CLJ resources online wheels, online planning and Online assessment cater for mixed age ranges, infant, junior and SEN units.
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 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 your topic wheels with other CLJ schools. All other CLJ resources are subject to 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? (Art unit), Vehicles (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?

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

Can I make my own wheels?

Yes – you will need to purchase a licence, sign into the CLJ site and click on the create new wheel icon.

How has CLJ been received by Ofsted?

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

Can I phone to order the CLJ resources?

Yes. Please contact us on 01634 716 222 to discuss your requirements. We will require a purchase order and our order form completed

When do I have to pay?

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