Category Archives: Tips and Ideas

How Schools Can Communicate with Parents Looking to Choose the Right School

Understandably one of the biggest decisions for a parent is choosing the right school for their child. School life forms a huge part of childhood, and having a happy and stimulating environment can make all the difference when it comes to learning and setting a child up for the best possible start in life.

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Many parents will start to look into schools in the area when it becomes time for the child to start moving onto that next phase in their life, and for schools, there are a few things that can help parents to make the right decision for their child.

Open days are one of the best ways of showing what life at the school is like. It is a great opportunity for children and parents to meet the staff and other students at the school, and to get a feel for what it will be like to attend the school.

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Another handy thing that parents will look for when they are researching schools is to look into the literature. This is the opportunity for the school to offer all the details and information on what the school is like, as well as what courses are available and lots of other information that parents will want to know. A school prospectus design company like this www.fsedesign.co.uk/school-prospectus-design/ can work with a school to help them put together the information that will be needed.

The internet is also something that parents will use, so the website for the school is another asset that can be helpful for school staff as well as parents.

How long will it take to buy a house?

The time taken to buy a house depends on a variety of factors. First, you have to do your research and decide what your budget is, what kind of property you want and where you want to live. Once you’ve found a suitable property and the offer is accepted, then the legal aspects begin.

At some point, you’ll need to organise a mortgage if you don’t have sufficient funds to buy the property outright. You may get an offer in principle for a mortgage before you start house hunting, but you need to finalise a mortgage offer and this will depend on factors such as length of employment, according to this report in The Guardian. Getting a mortgage can take between three and six weeks, depending on your credit score and how organised you are with supplying the necessary documents.

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Know what you are buying

It’s possible to buy a house without conducting a survey, but most buyers want to know if there are any serious structural problems or any other factors they need to be aware of. Surveys can be conducted relatively quickly, although it may take some weeks to get the final report. Once you receive the report, it can be a good idea to let your conveyancer see it to check for any potential obstacles or issues that need to be resolved before the purchase goes ahead.

Reliable conveyancing services

As the process of formally acquiring the property gets under way you will need reliable and trustworthy conveyancers. Firms such as Sam Conveyancing can assist with filing the necessary papers, conducting searches and where appropriate to your circumstances, ensuring that any deed of trust cost is reasonable. The process of conveyancing can take from a few weeks up to several months, depending on the type of property and the complexity of the transaction. It is strongly recommended that you get professionals to do this for you as mistakes can be costly.

If any issues arise during the process, professional conveyancers can deal with the other parties and make sure that they are resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. In conclusion, the property can then be registered legally in your name without any issues that may require expensive legal services to resolve further down the line. Conveyancing can also flag up issues the vendor needs to deal with before you take ownership of the property. Once you legally own the property, problems with it are your responsibility. It is a case of buyer beware, which is why you need competent and qualified people on your side.

In the final stages of the process, you will exchange contracts. For this to happen, every other element of the transaction, including the mortgage, the survey and the relevant stages of conveyancing must be in place. Once the contracts are exchanged, the next step is completion. This can take place within days of exchanging contracts, or up to three to four weeks afterwards. Your conveyancer should be able to advise you on this.

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The time scale of buying a house will be different for every property. As a general rule, you should probably allow at least three months, if the purchase is straightforward and you have an efficient team supporting you.

How to spot the best security guard for the job

Shop security is an issue to be taken seriously, from the physical measures to the practical means of ensuring your business does not suffer from the effects or deliberate damage such as using a Security Seal , like the ones you can see at https://acmeseals.co.uk on your high ticket products. There are a number of different ways you can try to secure your products and business premises. You may be thinking about employing a shop security guard to protect your assets but what are your options and how can you get the right person for the job?

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The job of a security guard may seem like an easy one when, in fact, it can be anything but. Human beings are complex creatures and security guards have to be prepared for almost anything – and capable of dealingl with much more than getting a shoplifter back into the store. Just think about the security guard who was accused of ripping a breastfeeding baby from its mother.

The mum has now appeared in court accused of perverting the course of justice. Read all about it at http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-who-falsely-accused-primark-6310759 or http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3208695/Mother-claimed-assaulted-Primark-security-guard-forced-stop-breastfeeding-appears-court.html.

To be sure that you employ trustworthy guards you might prefer to use the services of specialist agencies, but wherever in the country you are looking for security guards for, here are five important qualities you should look for:

Honesty

Your guard is likely to have free-access to all of your work space and may be faced with situations where their loyalty is tested. You need to be as sure as possible that they will resist temptation and make your business their priority.

Alertness

You need someone who can stay alert and has a good eye for detail. You want to know that they will not be distracted easily and can maintain focus without constant supervision.

Common sense

Your security guard will have to make many decisions as they go about their job and you need to be sure that they have the common sense and reasoning power to make the right choices and take appropriate action.

A good temperament

You don’t want someone who will lose their temper if their authority is questioned or put your business in jeopardy with rash judgements and actions. The guard is working for you so it is your name that is on the line.

Physical fitness

You will benefit from having a security guard who is fit and healthy enough to deal with all potential situations.

Get Outdoors in Naas

Now that the weather is starting to improve it is time to get your walking boots on and get out and explore nature. In Ireland, there are so many beautiful places of interest to explore, especially in the spring.

Stay in Naas and you will have the surrounding countryside on offer to you, as well as all the local facilities in the town – from great places to stay and eat, to shops like Vodafone Naas. Whether you are a thrill seeker, a nature lover, or have an interest in archaeology, there is plenty in the area to enjoy…

In the beautiful Wicklow Mountain range lies Mullaghcleevaun. This is the second highest mountain in the range and if you are up for the walk to the top the rewards are spectacular. There is a lake that you can wander around, and if you are feeling adventurous, try your hand at mountaineering. Remember to do this with someone who is experienced and let people know where you are going. There are many walking trails to enjoy in the Wicklow mountains and it gives you a real sense of wonder in this beautiful country.

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For a day out that doesn’t involve climbing mountains, head to Dondea Forest park. In the spring, the woodlands are full of the wildflowers which cover the forest floor. There is also a café on site where you can enjoy refreshments and the ancient remains of Dondea castle that now have become part of the natural scenery. In late spring the lake is full of stunning water lilies, dragonflies and many species of waterfowl.

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To explore a tranquil forest, head to Glen Ding forest. These woodlands are quiet and serene and the perfect place to go to be alone with nature. As well as the forest, keep on walking and you will come across Rath Turtle Moat. This is an ancient archaeological ringwork site believed to date back to the 12th Century.

Reduce your Risks of Being a Cyber Crime Victim

The internet has helped us in many ways, but it has also become a popular tool for criminals. Using the internet, criminals have been able to commit many crimes, from fraud and identity theft, to scams and theft.

Making sure that you do not fall victim to these scammers is something that you need to remain cautious of, and as so many of us are online nowadays it is worth being aware of the things that you can do to reduce your risks of being the victim of cyber crime…

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Prevent Money Laundering – If you run a business, beware of money laundering. Check new customers are who they say they are by running a check on them like this AML identity check. This will help to prevent money laundering.

Choose Strong Passwords – Make sure that passwords are a combination of letters and numbers that are much more difficult for a hacker to access. As well as this, use different passwords for everything to prevent one being taken and used.

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Use Anti-Virus Software – This will help to keep your computer safe from many attacks on your computer, which will then keep all of you important and personal files safe and secure. Remember to make sure this is always up to date.

Protect your Devices from Unauthorised Access – Make sure that your smartphone, laptop and computer are all password protected to ensure that if they are lost or stolen, nobody can access them and access your personal data.

Use our treatment guide to find the right material coating

The possibilities for modifying product surfaces are greater today than ever before but for precisely that reason manufacturers and artisans often need help choosing the best option. One of the most versatile methods is thermal plasma spraying, but even under this heading there are numerous methods and a multitude of possible materials that can be used. Choosing the best combination can help you reduce material costs while improving the durability, versatility and features of your product.

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It is always sensible to talk to your plasma spray specialist for help in choosing the best method and coating. Some popular choices include tungsten carbide, molybdenum/alumina, chrome oxide and abradable coatings like aluminium/graphite and boron nitride. However, plasma spray specialists often develop their own coating ranges (such as Apticote 800) or will formulate a bespoke coating honed to your precise specifications. The following paragraphs broadly outline your options.

Metals

Useful metal coatings include blends and alloys of copper, nickel, aluminium, tin and molybdenum. The aim is often corrosion resistance or to achieve a dry low friction surface for things like piston rods, moving valves and shifter forks. It is important to remember that not all metals are compatible with each other (mostly because of galvanic reactions, see https://www.engineersedge.com/galvanic_capatability.htm.

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Abradables

Abradable materials are designed to be less abrasion resistant than surfaces which they might come into contact with – insuring against wear or damage to the latter. They are therefore used for things like seals and gaskets close to critical components like turbine blades. Common options include aluminium/graphite and aluminium/polyester composites and the nitrides of nickel, chromium and boron. Some (like Apticote 800-89) also provide excellent corrosion protection from sea water or chemicals.

Ceramics

Ceramic combinations with metals such as titanium dioxide, chromium oxide or zirconium dioxide provide hard surfaces with excellent wear resistance and thermal insulation. They are often the ideal choice for piston caps, crankshafts, pumps, piston rods, exhausts and valve fittings.

Cermets

Cermets are based on ceramics with a metal binder that improves shock resistance (both physical and thermal). Most are based on carbides, nitrides, borides, silicides or oxides. An example is a TiC-Co-Ni cermet coating that is often applied to cutting tools to improve wear resistance. Tungsten carbide/Co is a common choice for brake discs, capstans, seals and compressor blades, while chrome carbide/Ni/Cr provides additional corrosion resistance for things like ship doors and lock gates.

What does the Land Registry do?

One of the most comprehensive government departments you can come across is the HM  land register. It is their job to provide you with a guaranteed title deed that shows the property is yours and that it belongs to you. It’s also there to define what boundaries of the property is yours to claim as your own. This is vital if there are any planning changes later in the properties lifetime or if you want to build an extension or even put a fence in the right place.

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It’s also a department that the conveyancers and the solicitors of the world have to deal with regularly. It’s undoubtedly a government body that Conveyancing Solicitors London based company Sam Conveyancing know all about dealing with.

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The Land register is there for when the mortgage and exchange on the property are complete. They will be the ones that update the records and keep them up to date. Any solicitor worthwhile will make sure that you are registering with the Land Register as this is the department that protects your lawful rights. If you are not registered, it makes life easier for fraudsters, plus it is evidence of the ownership rights of the property when it comes to selling it. They hold the title register, the boundaries of the property, whether the property is freehold or leasehold and if it is at any risk of flooding now or in the future.