Ready Reference Resources Style Guide.doc
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UK Sites
General
Google http://www.google.co.uk/
UK version of Google. Or, search regular Google and add: site:.uk
Business, Consumers, Statistics
BusinessLink http://www.businesslink.gov.uk
Information for small businesses
Consumer Direct http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/
Government-funded telephone and online service offering information and advice on consumer issues.
National Statistics Online http://www.statistics.gov.uk/
Free access to data produced by the Office for National Statistics, government departments and devolved administrations.
UK Currency Guide http://www.milesfaster.co.uk/information/uk-currency.htm
This site is geared to tourists to the UK but provides a handy overview of UK currency.
VAT (Value Added Tax) http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/BeginnersGuideToTax/DG_4015895
Guide to the VAT, the tax that you pay when you buy goods and services in the European Union (EU), including the United Kingdom (from the DirectGov site)
Education
UK Education System http://uk.internationalstudent.com/study_uk/education_system/
Overview of educational system with links to the various levels. Clicking on the link will open a new window.
Chart of English System of Education http://www.intense.co.uk/doc-pic/system/frameset.htm
Choose England from the main page here. The chart that appears gives both public and private educational systems in England, including age range for each level, which can help when translating to US levels.
National Curriculum http://curriculum.qca.org.uk/
Divided into Key Stage 1-2 and 3-4, the site contains information about the national curriculum, including the values, subjects, teaching requirements, etc for each Key Stage. Under each subject, the program of study is set out.
Scottish Educational System http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/FAQs
This gives an overview of the Scottish system, which differs from the English system.
Scottish Curriculum http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum
Scottish curriculum information; this is not statutory (ie not mandatory)
Genealogy
UK and Ireland Genealogy http://www.genuki.org.uk/
Good place to start
ScotlandsPeoplehttp://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/
Best place to start when researching family history in Scotland.
Government
DirectGov: Website of the UK government http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm
The Site Index and the Directories links are useful.
Find Your MP http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/commons/l/
This site contains general information about Parliament, including find your Member of Parliament (MP) by postal code. MP look up is also available.
The Scottish Government http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Home
Scotland has its own Parliament that has power over issues such as Transport, Health and Education. Also look here for Scottish Government Publications.
For information on Scottish Parliament and MPs, see: Scottish Parliament www.scottish.parliament.uk
UK Government Publications http://www.uk-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts.htm
all UK General and Public Acts from 1988 onwards and all Local Acts from 1991. You can search for legislation or track legislation as well.
Homework Help
BBC Schools http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/
Lists useful resources categorized by age, as well as information on Bitesize, the BBC's online study support resource for school-age students in the UK. It is designed to aid students in both school work and, for older students, exams.
Webtastic http://www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries/children/webtastic/
Sites arranged by subject for homework and fun, by the librarians at Westminster Library (London).
Language
The Best of British http://www.effingpot.com/index.shtml
Site with extensive list of British words and their meanings in American English. Divided into categories such as Slang, People, Motoring, etc.
British-American Dictionary http://www.peak.org/~jeremy/dictionary/dictionary/dictionary.php
As well as a dictionary in which you can search British or American words and get the equivalent in the other, this site has fascinating articles on the differences between the two.
Cambridge Online Dictionary http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
Online dictionary from Cambridge U Press. Default dictionary is English, drop down menu lets you select American English or Idioms.
Phrase Finder http://www.phrases.org.uk/
Search box lets you type in a phrase to find the meaning. Includes over 1,200 English sayings, phrases and idioms.
Libraries
UK Public Libraries http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ac940/weblibs.html
Links to UK public library websites, recommended by DirectGov.
See also Find a Library http://www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk/discover/findLibrary.do
This site allows you to submit a full or partial postcode or a town name - the library authority for that post code/town will then display. From the People's Network.
See also DirectGov http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm
Click on Find Your Council, then search by postcode or name; local council webpage is linked. From there, select link to Library.
COPAC academic and national library catalogue http://www.copac.ac.uk/
Gives free access to the merged online catalogues of major University and National Libraries in the UK and Ireland, including the British Library
Museums, Libraries, and Archives Council http://www.mla.gov.uk/webdav/harmonise?Page/@id=90
Check out their Links
Scottish Library and Information Resources http://scone.strath.ac.uk/slir/
It provides addresses and contact details of cultural, educational, research, and public information services located in Scotland. Use their links to search for archives, art galleries, libraries, museums, and contacts.
UK Public Libraries on the Web http://dspace.dial.ipex.com/town/square/ac940/weblibs.html
Literature
Fantastic Fiction www.fantasticfiction.co.uk
Bibliographies for over 15,000 authors, information on over 250,000 books.
The Poetry Society http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/
Classes, workshops, readings -- everything the poet or poetry fan might want to know.
Subject Guides
BUBL Link http://bubl.ac.uk/index.html
Selected Internet resources (primarily British) covering all academic subject areas organized by Dewey classification. You need to drill down a bit to get past all the subclassifications of Dewey before you get to resources and there are a few dead links, but great depth of coverage of British websites. BUBL UK has specific links to organization and institution sites.
Cyberlibrary http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/leisureandtourism/libraries/cyberlibrary.htm
The cyberLibrary contains links to hundreds of websites chosen, described and organised by librarians from public library services across south-west England
People's Network Subject Guide http://www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk/discover/browse.do?auth_id=25
Westminster Libraries Subject Guide http://www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries/gateway/
Travel
Traveline http://www.traveline.info/index.htm
Public transportation information for journeys around the UK.
National Rail http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
The official site for planning train travel.
Google Maps (UK) http://maps.google.co.uk/
Map of the UK from Google Maps. Some directions are available: go to Google Maps, click Get Directions.
Travel to Scotland:
http://www.scotland-info.co.uk/
Miscellaneous
Postcode Finder http://postcode.royalmail.com/portal/rm/postcodefinder
Use the "Find an Address" tab to identify a town or locality based on the postcode, or conversely use the "Find a Postcode" tab to find the postcode when you know the address.
Young People's Trust for the Environment http://www.yptenc.org.uk/
Good site to answer children's questions about Animals or Environmental Issues.
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