Now the weather is beginning to warm up and it’s becoming bearable to be outside, people are starting to think about the summer meal that Brits are most fond of – the humble barbecue.
As soon as the first rays of sunshine are peeking through the clouds people flock to their gardens, spatulas in hand, to fire up their trusty grills.
This week is National BBQ Week, and what better way to celebrate than to bring the Barbie out of the garage, get some burgers and get cooking!
BBQ Facts
– Two out of every three UK households own a barbecue
– In 2013, people in the UK hosted over 125 million BBQ’s
– The entire BBQ market was worth just over £7.1 billion in 2013
– 33% of men and 32% of women attend between 8 and 9 BBQ’s a year
– There are three different methods that people call BBQ’ing – Grilling, smoking and BBQ’ing itself. Grilling means cooking food at a medium to high temperature, with the food directly over the heat source. Food easily burns this way. BBQ’ing actually requires a hooded grill, and is a slower process than grilling. The food is placed at the opposite end of the grill from the heat, and cooks slower. Finally, smoking is a technique that is favoured in the USA, and only uses the heated smoke to cook the food.
Weirdest BBQ’s
– The biggest ever BBQ was in New Orleans in 1997. Around 17500 people attended a BBQ held to commemorate a surprise 40th birthday party.
– The longest running BBQ lasted for seven months in Jamaica. It was eventually cancelled due to lack of food, drink or money.
– A group of men on a stag party were spoken to by police after hosting a BBQ in a graveyard, dressed as ghosts in 1999.
– In 1996, a bungee jumped down to a BBQ 250ft below in Auckland, New Zealand, to speed grill a burger.
BBQ Safety
– Wash your hands before preparing food, after touching raw meat and before serving
– Keep raw and cooked meats separate
– If the weather is hot, throw away food that is left outside for more than an hour
– Keep children and animals away from the BBQ
– Be careful to keep an adequate distance away from the BBQ, to stop yourself getting burned
– Always make sure that frozen food is completed defrosted before BBQ’ing
This weekend, make sure that your BBQ goes off without a hitch by preparing, serving and storing your food correctly. Why not have a look at our Food Hygiene course to find out the best way possible?
A career in the legal industry is undoubtedly one of the most interesting, but it’s one of the most complicated also. It’s not just cases and laws themselves that you need to remember, one of the most confusing things about law is the specialist terminology involved.
A court is perhaps the most jargon-heavy location, with specialist terminology banded around all over the place. If you’re going to understand exactly what’s going on and be successful in your legal role, you’ll need to know what’s going on.
Here we’ve put together an essential glossary of terms that will help you bust the jargon and understand a whole new industry.
Accused: Someone who’s been charged with an offence
Alleged: A term used when someone is suspected of committing an offence, but this has not yet been proved
Appeal: This is a form of review. It’s used when either party is not happy with a court judgement, the case can then be taken to a superior court for review
Bail: If someone is released from custody under the agreement to return to court at a certain date and time, they are released on bail
Breach: Used to describe the breaking of a contract, law, duty or right
Contract: A legally enforceable written or verbal agreement between two people or more
Court Order: A direction in court, issued by a judge, ordering a person to do or not do something
Custody: The legal confinement of a criminal
Damages: A sum of money awarded to a party because of harm caused by the negligence of another
Detention: When taken into custody for a period of time, it’s known as detention
Dismissal: When a case is dismissed there is no trial. This usually happens when a defendant pleads guilty or whenever there’s not enough evidence to bring a case to court
Although beauty products are getting more and more high-tech, all filled with the latest good-for-you ingredients, there’s really no reason to spend a fortune on the latest high-end products. If healthy, great looking skin is what’s important to you, then you should start perusing the aisles of your local supermarket more carefully in search of these top complexion cures.
Chocolate
Funnily enough, chocolate’s not all bad, in fact, it’s not too bad at all. There have been several proven health benefits of this sweet snack, but one of the most favourable is definitely the effects it has on the skin.
Dark chocolate contains a potent antioxidant called flavonols. Antioxidants are great at preventing cellular damage – the most common pathway for aging, cancer and a variety of other diseases – and battling against free radicals. To gain the maximum flavonol, you should be eating chocolate that’s at least 70% cacao.
It’s not just eating chocolate that’s good for you though, applying cocoa butter or any other cocoa-containing treatment, topically can help to reduce any puffiness – you can thank caffeine for that one.
Yogurt
Dairy in general is great for your skin. The protein contained in dairy products helps to firm the skin, making it resistant to lines. However, the proteins in Greek yogurt are around double that of regular yogurt and a lot of other dairy products, so eating a serving daily will keep your complexion smooth and youthful.
Pomegranates
Another food packed full of antioxidants, this time though it’s polyphenol antioxidants. Just like flavonols, these also help to fight free radicals as well as regulating the skin’s blood flow. A pomegranate or a few glasses of its juice every day should help to eliminate fine lines and moisturise your skin. Alternatively, if you’re not a fan of the taste, there are plenty of moisturisers out there that contain pomegranate extracts so you can reap the same benefits.
Walnuts
Omega 3 is essential in improving and maintaining skin’s elasticity, and walnuts contain a lot of these essential fatty acids. They’re also full of copper which boosts collagen production – collagen is responsible for skin health and elasticity. So, snack on a handful of walnuts to feel the effects of improved skin texture and high levels of elasticity.
Peppers
Studies have shown that women who eat yellow and green peppers tend to have fewer wrinkles, particularly around the eyes. The antioxidants found in orange and yellow vegetables (carotenoids) can also help to decrease your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, which is great if you’re prone to burning with even the highest factor of sunscreen.
Sunflower seeds
These little seeds of goodness also protect your skin from the sun. The vitamin E that’s packed inside helps to protect the top layers of your skin, in order to keep it youthful and supple. Again, there are plenty of products that make use of the essential fats contained in sunflower seeds, and they’re particularly beneficial to body parts that are prone to drying out, like your heels and lips.
Kidney beans
No one likes spots and one way to zap the zit is to ensure your zinc levels remain stable. Spots have been linked to low zinc levels, and considering kidney beans are high in zinc, they definitely deserve a place on our list.
Green tea
Okay, so not technically a food, but this magic potion is a must drink for a beautiful complexion. Also exceptionally high in antioxidants, green tea helps fight inflammation and drinking just a single cup a day will reduce redness of the skin.
If skin health is something that interests you and you’d be interested in finding out more, check out our beauty therapy course and open the door to a brand new career.
Events that took place on this day
2013 – The Church of Scotland passed a vote to allow actively gay men and women to become ministers. It was described as a “positive step forward for a more equal society” by a representative from the Equality Network, however there was some disapproval within the clergy. There were divisions within the church when the first openly gay minister was appointed four years previously, with two congregations and six ministers breaking away from the church.
2012 – English singer Adele was the big winner at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards. The awards, honouring music popularity, have been annually since 1989, apart from a 5 year break between 2007 and 2011. The awards are based on US yearly chart performance, rather than nominations and voting like most other music awards. Adele was announced as the Top Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist and Top Pop Artist, alongside winning awards for Top Pop Album, Top Streaming Song and Top Alternative Song, picking up 12 awards in total.
2003 – The US reality TV show “America’s Next Top Model” aired for the first time. The programme, created by model and television personality Tyra Banks, allows people the chance to become a supermodel. The show has run for 20 series, with the winners getting opportunities to model for brands such as Revlon and Guess.
1998 – Real Madrid won their 7th Major European and their first of the Champions League era. (The previous 6 being won as the former European Cup.) This was Madrid’s first European title in 32 years, Juventus on the other hand where in their third straight final and strong favourites to win the tournament. The match was notable as Real legend and Footballing great Zinédine Zidane played for Juventus against future club Real.
1992 – Rapper Tung Twista set a world record and became known as the “World’s Fastest Rapper”. He rapped 597 syllables in only 55.12 seconds, beating the previous world record holder Daddy Freddy, from Jamaica, who rapped 528 syllables in 60 seconds.
1990 – The Hubble Space Telescope sent its first image back to be viewed on Earth. The image, whilst exceeding the quality of all the ground-based telescopes, wasn’t as clear as they had hoped it would be. This was later found to be due to one of the mirrors being ground too flat. The images, although slightly blurry, allowed the scientists to see space in a different way than they had before. However, due to the poor quality of the image, they were not able to complete some parts of their mission.
1970 – “Let it Be”, the documentary film about the Beatles was released. The rehearsal and recording of songs for the album was featured on the film, which also included footage of an unannounced rooftop concert, which was their last public performance as a group. It was released just after the album, making it the final Beatles release.
1895 – The first commercial film was broadcast in front of a paying audience. It was projected onto a screen at a storefront theatre, and was an eight minute, black and white, silent film of a boxing match. The match, between Australian Albert Griffiths and Charles Barnett, was filmed on the roof of Madison Square Garden on May 4th, 1895, and was titled Young Griffo v. Battling Charles Barnett.
1932 – World famous pilot Amelia Earhart took off from Newfoundland, Canada. Nearly 15 hours later, she landed in Ireland, making her the first woman to sly across the Atlantic Ocean solo. She first became known after becoming the first woman to cross the Atlantic on a trans-Atlantic flight, as a passenger. She did not feel that she deserved the fame, saying, “I was just baggage, like a sack of potatoes”.
Died on this day
2012 – Robin Gibb: Recording Artist and member of the Bee Gees
1996 – John Pertwee: Actor of Doctor Who and Worzel Gummidge fame
2011 – Randy Savage: American Professional Wrestler and Actor
Born on this day
1970 – Louis Theroux: Television presenter
1946 – Cher: Recording Artist and Oscar Winning Actress
1944 – Joe Cocker: Recording Artist famous for The Beatles cover “With a Little Help from My Friends”
If you are interested in finding out what happened on other dates, why not take a look at our History Diploma?
Do you think you have what it takes to work in an educational setting? Do you enjoy working with children both individually and in small groups? Do you thrive in a work environment that is different every day?
If so, becoming a teaching assistant may be the right career path for you.
Teaching assistants work alongside teachers to support children in their development. Whether it’s just small amounts of help with a topic a child is struggling with, or whether a child has learning difficulties that require large amounts of one-to-one tuition, the responsibilities a teaching assistant has are varied and important to the development of children. There are many different names for a teaching assistant, they are often referred to as classroom assistants or sometimes learning support assistants.
The type of work you will be doing in a school setting differs depending on the age group of the children you are working with. In a primary setting, your duties are likely to include helping children with basic reading and numeracy skills, working in small groups. You may also be expected to help with arts and crafts, wall displays and also help to set up the classroom before lessons.
If you are working in a secondary school, you are more likely to be assigned to a single student, often one who has barriers to learning. They may require constant support in each of their classes, or they may require physical support with regards to getting between classes or carrying their equipment.
NCC Home Learning offers a Level 3 Teaching Assistant Diploma to benefit those who are working as, or looking to find work as a teaching assistant in either a primary or secondary education environment. Optional modules will allow you to develop your skills regarding working with children with special educational needs or disabilities, which can be advantageous when looking for a job.
We are offering you the opportunity to try this course completely free of charge, by providing you with a sample of module 7: “Support a Child with Disabilities or Special Educational Needs”. This sample demonstrates the way information is presented on the course, alongside the types of questions you will be asked to complete that assess your knowledge and understanding of the material studied.
You don’t need any existing qualifications or knowledge to study our Level 3 course, as long as you have an interest in working in the education sector and helping children with their development. It is necessary, however, that you do hold some skills. You should be patient, confident and able to form working relationships with students, staff and parents alike. You should be able to deal with difficult situations and behaviour, and be able to conduct yourself with professionalism at all times. With regards to qualifications, you should have good literacy and numeracy skills. Having a good knowledge of ICT or even of a second language will be beneficial, as many schools offer these as supplementary subjects on their curriculum. All of the above will be attractive to employers and give you the greatest chance of being employed.
NCC are offering you the opportunity to try our Teaching Assistant courses online for free, by providing a sample module that you can access for a month, completely free of charge. To get access to this free Teaching Assistant Diploma module, please click the button below.
This Week (17th-23rd May) is Dementia Awareness week, and people through the UK will be taking part in all sorts of events to raise awareness for this condition.
What is Dementia?
Dementia itself is not a singular disease or illness, but is an umbrella term used to describe lots of different types of conditions. These all have one thing in common; they attack and destroy the brain cells of individuals with dementia.
The cells that are affected are from specific parts of the brain which control your memory, thoughts and communication skills.
The most well known cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease and is incidentally also the most common cause. There are however other causes and it is also possible to have more than one type of dementia at the same time.
A good way of thinking about dementia is to compare it to cancer. With cancer there are lots of different causes and types of cancer including:
– Breast Cancer
– Testicular Cancer
– Lung Cancer
This is also true of dementia, with many varied conditions all being classed as a dementia.
5 things you should know about dementia (Alzheimer’s Society)
– Dementia is not a natural part of ageing
– Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain
– It’s not just about losing your memory
– It is possible to live well with dementia
– There’s more to a person than the dementia
It is easy for the person with dementia to become lost in the eyes of others i.e. they end up seeing the type of dementia and the symptoms and not seeing the person. This should always be prevented.
Facts about dementia
– Dementia is not a normal part of the ageing process, however age is a risk factor i.e. the older you are the more likely you are to experience a dementia. About 1 in 6 people over 80 experience dementia however there are over 40,000 people under 65 with dementia in the UK.
– The total number of people with a dementia in the UK is approximately 850,000
– On average one person every three minutes will develop dementia
– Dementia can affect anyone of any age, culture, race, status, or gender. More than 25,000 people from black, Asian and minority groups have dementia in the UK.
– Each person’s experience of a dementia will be unique
If you are interested in participating in Dementia Awareness week please visit the Alzheimer’s Society Website where there are lots of ideas and events that you can get involved in.
This year you can help by simply liking, sharing or tweeting about the Dementia to raise awareness. Use the handle #DoSomethingNew and spread the word. Some celebrities have already showed their support by tweeting, such as Welsh international footballer and pundit Robbie Savage, and former Strictly Come Dancing judge, Arlene Phillips.
Do you want to learn more about Dementia as a condition? NCC Home Learning offer a specific Positive Dementia Care course that aims to provide the learner with further knowledge on dementia as a condition.
Since 2000, the number of teaching assistants in British schools has more than trebled, rising from 79,000 to 243,700.
Research into support staff however, showed that the students with the support of teaching assistants were making less progress than those of a similar ability receiving little or no help. So, does this mean that teaching assistants no longer have a place in the classroom? Not at all. In fact, there’s been plenty of research with resulting evidence that proves the benefits that teaching assistants offer. Not only do they provide another adult presence in the classroom, they help to reduce workload and stress levels, as well as minimising disruption.
A recent report into the best use of teaching assistants resulted in experts devising seven recommendations based on existing research. These recommendations were split into three different categories: use of teaching assistants in the classroom; teaching assistants making interventions outside the classroom and linking the work of teachers and teaching assistants.
The conclusion reached is that TA’s are an excellent classroom addition as long as they’re used properly. Rather than using them as an extra teacher, focussing mainly on the lower achievers, teaching assistants should be used to enhance teaching rather than replacing the teachers.
In fact, classrooms should be run completely opposite to how they are at the moment. Teaching assistants should be used to encourage students to take ownership of their learning, and the way that they learn. For this, TA’s will require detailed training and robust support in order to effectively understand the different teaching methods. This will not only improve the structure of lessons, and the knowledge and ability of the TA, it’ll also allow teachers to spend more time with those low achievers that really do need their help.
With added training, teaching assistants would not only help relieve stress in the classroom, they’ll help to prevent the spoon-feeding and over-prompting of students. If teachers are given the time to teach their lesson and then focus on the students that are really in need, TA’s have the chance to move around the classroom and enhance the lesson for those that are able to get on without any problems.
If classroom assistance is something that you’re interested in but an admin role doesn’t sound like the thing for you, then consider becoming a teaching assistant. The rewards are huge and you can even gain the relevant qualifications in your own time.
This week, students up and down the country are beginning to sit their GCSE exams. In 2014, the A*-G pass rate was 98.5%, however, most students are aiming for A*-C grades. These grades are seen as essential to either get into college or to put on a CV, however in 2014, the A*-C pass rate was 68.8%. Many students may feel disappointed with their results, and they have the option to retake the exam to achieve a better grade.
Having qualifications is an important stepping stone for many things, getting onto a college course, getting into university or getting a job or apprenticeship. For most of these options, it is generally recommended that you have at least a C in the core subjects, English, Maths & Science. While subjects like IT and languages are not usually a requirement, they are looked upon favourably by employers as they can help to demonstrate skills that would be useful in a work environment.
Many people end up leaving school without any of these qualifications, or sometimes missing just one or two of the core subjects. This can cause them to encounter problems in life, as most entry level jobs still require evidence of GCSE qualifications. Even if GCSE’s are not listed as requirements for a job, many employers still look for evidence of extended study to demonstrate work ethic in potential employees.
There may be other reasons you wish to study a GCSE course, other than for employment or educational benefits. Many people simply wish to gain an understanding of the subject matter, or want to further their interest in a particular topic, and reinforce this with a recognised qualification. Some people never had the chance to take a traditional GCSE, as they were only introduced in the 1980’s. Before this, students had to sit O Levels before they left school. These qualifications are now considered outdated, and many people wish to refresh their CV and list of skills with the newest style of exam possible. Some parents decide to refresh their knowledge on certain topics before their children, as it allows them to guide their children through their exams more easily.
One option to improve further education or job prospects is to resit the GCSE subjects that are missing from a person’s list of qualifications, however for many this seems like an impossible task. Many people did not achieve GCSE’s initially because they disliked school, or had circumstances that did not allow for regular attendance of classes. Some colleges offer the option to resit GCSE’s, whether on full time courses, part time courses or at night school, however some people may be unable to attend classes to get these skills.
Home learning offers people the chance to retake the qualifications they need, at a time and place that suits them. The courses can be studied over a period of time that suits the learner, they can choose to complete in as long or short a time scale that suits them. As home learning courses feature independent study, they suit people with busy lifestyles, as work can be undertaken at a time that is suitable. It is possible for a student to either study a set amount of hours each day or week, or fit in varying amounts of studying at different times.
At NCC Home Learning we offer a wide range of IGCSE courses, from the core subjects such as Maths, to more specialised subjects such as Travel and Tourism. IGCSE’s are International versions of the traditional GCSE exams, which were established due to the difficulty of students abroad completing coursework and sending it back to the UK to be marked. Students taking the courses in the UK can benefit from this, as they won’t have to sit coursework either. This can save on time for those sitting the course, as they can focus their concentration directly on learning the material for the exams.
The courses are entirely graded through examinations, which must be sat at a Cambridge Board test centre. The exams can only be sat in June and November each year, so it is vital that any student undertaking these courses ensures that they are registered with a test centre with plenty of time before they are due to sit the exam. Local schools and colleges may accept private candidates to sit the exam alongside their students, which may be a helpful option for those taking the course from home. It is important to ensure that each home learning student allows themselves enough time to complete the necessary work prior to the date of the exam. Students are allocated twelve months tutor support from NCC Home Learning, so it is worthwhile starting the course at a time that fits in with the exam.
If you would like to resit a GCSE via home learning, why not take a look at the online GCSE courses NCC Home Learning currently offer?
Is your phone due for an upgrade? Are you tired of texting on a phone you don’t like?
Here at NCC we don’t like waste. We bought two Blackberry 9300 phones brand new for our office, however unfortunately they did not get used by our staff. We don’t want to leave them on the shelf, so now here is your opportunity to get your hands on one!
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning one is tweet us! We want to see your best spring photographs, whether they are landscape shots, family shots or even a spring selfie!
Send all photos to us @NCCHomeLearning with #nccphoto to be in with a chance of winning.
Terms & Conditions
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- – The two phones available are both Blackberry 9300 models, both in Graphite Grey.
– Each phone is locked to the O2 network, and will only work with a SIM card from a different network if unlocked by the competition winner.
– There is no monetary alternative to the prize offered.
– The packaging of the phones has been opened once, to ensure that all parts were inside and to take a photograph.
– The phones have never been used, switched on or received any charging.
– The phones are provided as seen on the image, and NCC will take no responsibility for any damage/faults.
Wyatt Earp was a famous frontiersman, gambler and marshal. He was known for taming the wild cowboy culture that had taken over the west, but after moving to Arizona, he got into a feud which ended with a gunfight at O.K. Corral.
Basics
Name: Wyatt Earp
Born: March 19th 1848
Death: January 13th 1929
Occupation: Law enforcement
Place of Birth: Monmouth, Illinois
Place of Death: Los Angeles, California
Overview
Born on 19th March 1848, Wyatt Earp was an icon of the American Wild West. As a member of law enforcement he played a huge part in the taming of wild cowboy culture that had taken over the frontier. However, after moving to Tombstone, Arizona he became involved in what is perhaps the most famous gunfight in American history at the O.K. Corral.
Early Life
Born in Monmouth, Illinois, as the third of five sons to Nicholas and Virginia Ann Earp, Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp became one of the most celebrated legends of the American West.
Earp’s father, a heavy drinker, was constantly on the lookout for ways to make it rich, which resulted in the family constantly moving around the unsettled west.
When he was 13, the American Civil War broke out and Earp saw this as the opportunity for adventure he’d been looking for. Absolutely desperate to get away from the family home, he tried to run away several times to join his older brothers in the Union army. However, on each attempt he was caught and returned home to his parents before reaching the battlefield.
He finally got his wish and left home at the age of 17. He moved to California and began living on the frontier, making a living hauling freight and then moving on to grade track for the Union Pacific Railroad. When he wasn’t working he trained hard and became a skilled boxer and a proficient gambler.
In 1869 he moved back to his family, who were then settled in Missouri, and he took over from his father as constable of the township.
In 1870 he married the daughter of a hotel owner, Urilla Sutherland; they built a home and were expecting a baby. However, within a year of their marriage, his wife contracted typhus and died, along with their unborn child.
The man of Western America
In a state of complete devastation after the death of his wife, Earp upped sticks again. In Arkansas he stole a horse and was arrested but managed to avoid punishment by escaping from his prison cell. The next few years he spent roaming the frontier, making his home in brothels and saloons, and making friends with a number of prostitutes along the way.
He moved to Wichita, Kansas, in 1876 where his brother had opened a brothel, and it was here that he once again took up a role in law enforcement, as a part time police officer. Earp loved the adventure that came with the job and thanks to the press that he received, along with his successes, he soon became city marshal of Dodge City, Kansas.
Just like his father, Wyatt Earp was constantly on the lookout for riches, and in 1879 he moved to join his brothers Morgan and Virgil, in Tombstone, Arizona. Tombstone became a booming frontier town after it was discovered that the land contained large quantities of silver.
However, the riches that the brothers were hoping for never arrived which forced Earp back into law enforcement in a place where lawless cowboy culture had taken over.
O.K. Corral gunfight
In March 1881 an old American stagecoach and its driver were robbed by a posse of cowboys. Earp set out in search of the group and in an effort to close them down quickly, struck a deal with a local rancher – Ike Clanton – and promised a reward of $6,000 for his help.
However, this relationship soon turned sour, as Clanton became paranoid that Earp would reveal the details of their bargain, and therefore turned against him. By October of the same year, Clanton, drunk and out of his mind, was venturing around the town’s saloons bragging about his intention to kill one of the Earp men.
On October 26th, the Earp brothers and their friend, Doc Holliday, met Clanton, his brother and two other men – brothers, Frank and Tom McLaury – at an enclosure called the O.K. Corral.
Just moments later this became the location of the most famous gun fight in the history of the American West. Within the course of thirty seconds, a number of shots were fired and resulted in the deaths of the McLaury brothers and Ike’s brother, Billy Clanton. The two Earp brothers and Holliday were all injured, the only one that got away unscathed was Wyatt.
This resulted in building tensions between the cowboy community and those hoping for a settled West. It also led to Ike Clanton plotting the shooting and Virgil Earp and the assassination of Morgan Earp.
The death of his brother led to Earp and Holliday roaming around the frontier on a killing spree that gained coverage around America and earned them both praise and criticism for taking on the wild cowboy culture that had taken over the west.
Later years
Earp spent the remaining years of his life in search of the success that had eluded him during his formative years, running saloons in California and Alaska, before finally settling in Los Angeles.
During the final years of his life, he became obsessed with the way that the West was portrayed in Hollywood. He craved a film that would tell his story and set the record straight, detailing exactly what he’d accomplished. However, the recognition he longed for didn’t come until after his death.
In 1931 his story was made, ‘Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal’, by biographer Stuart Lake. It was within the pages of this book that Wyatt Earp became a Western hero who was loved by all.