Education Noticeboard

Welcome to the Education Noticeboard. A round-up of news, guidance and key updates for education settings.

Included in this update:

Director update

Dear Colleagues

It has been great to see so many of you involved in anti-bullying week, over the last few days. I have seen plenty of social media posts of odd socks on the feet of pupils and teachers sending out important messages about difference, acceptance and kindness. You all work tirelessly with our children and young people on these themes, and I know Shirley Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, enjoyed her visits to HLC Primary and TPS this week and saw plenty of odd socks in person!

This week I am delighted to share the update regarding the major expansion and refurbishment project at John Randall Primary School & Nursery and Haughton School which have now been completed. This is part of the ongoing drive to create more school places, in high quality environments.

This week I am asking for your help to promote the following:

Firstly is the request for young people aged 11 to 18 to join the Telford & Wrekin Youth Forum, which meets fortnightly and provides an opportunity to make a difference to the local community. We have shared a couple of short videos, one showing current Youth Forum members explaining how their involvement makes a difference.

Secondly is a reminder to our primary schools to share you work with the 10 by 10 initiative. Meadows Primary School have shared their experience. Please take a few minutes to watch the video below.

With the current concerns over the rising cost of living, there is a comprehensive article containing tips to make outdoor learning, educational visits and school trips as affordable as possible. Also shared are other updates including safeguarding and upcoming CPD opportunities.

It is Children in Need this Friday, and I am sure there are some exciting events planned in schools and settings across the borough. As always, we would encourage you to send stories and photos to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or tag us on social media with @TelfordWrekin.

Enjoy the rest of your week everyone.

Simon

Simon Wellman
Director or Education & Skills

Council's major investment in borough's schools continues

As part of its commitment to create a better borough, Telford & Wrekin Council has been investing £36 million into borough schools in recent years, to create more school places and provide modern learning environments.

The Council has recently completed a major expansion and refurbishment project at John Randall Primary School & Nursery and Haughton School that included new teaching and learning blocks, classroom extensions, a new multi-use games area outside and other facilities that enhanced both schools’ provision.

Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab), Cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “In recent years, our Council has been expanding schools’ capacity across the borough by hundreds of places to allow more youngsters to attend the local school of their choice and to benefit from modern facilities. Providing our young people with exciting and engaging spaces where they can learn and thrive, helping them as such to improve their outcomes and attainment is something we are really passionate about and that we will continue to invest in.

“We are delighted that a major expansion and refurbishment project has been recently completed in Madeley at John Randall and Haughton schools. This fantastic development increases capacity at both schools. In the coming months, other school sites across the borough will also benefit from refurbishments and expansions to provide the very best educational experience for our children and young people. We are on their side, we want them to succeed at the school of their choice and beyond and to get the very best of living and learning in Telford and Wrekin.”

Nina Sangha, Acting Headteacher at John Randall Primary School & Nursery said: “We want our children to have positive memories of their time in primary school and part of this experience is the building itself. Our new classrooms are large, bright and airy and provide a stimulating environment for growth and learning. Our children are happier! “

Gill Knox, Headteacher at Haughton School, said: “The extension and refurbishment project carried out by the Council in the last two years has provided so much space for our children. It has been exciting to see our school develop and we are thrilled to now have amazing extra facilities to further enhance and improve our learning environment.

“We have created a more accessible learning space for our children (larger classrooms, an accessible play area, new forest school area, a fully accessible food technology room and a new, fantastic sensory integration gym) and I look forward to seeing them benefit from this. Thank you to our children, parents and carers, staff and wider school community –their dedication and commitment has also made this complex building project possible.”

Further expansion and refurbishment works are planned at other school sites across Telford and Wrekin in the coming months.

Appeal for young people aged 11 to 18 to join the Telford & Wrekin Young People's Forum

Telford and Wrekin Council is appealing to young people aged 11 to 18 to join the Young People’s Forum and help shape decision making in the borough on a range of topics and Council’s services.

Young People’s Forum is a consultation action group organised by the Council for 11-18 year olds from across the borough. The forum meets every fortnight at The Wakes in Oakengates and shares ideas on various issues that matter to them.

“We talk about discrimination, culture and identity, mental health, the environment, what we can do to help the community, including children, the elderly.” – said Rae and James, current Forum members.

Jaina, another member, added: “I like how you can go and share your views and there won’t be anyone to judge you” while Isabella pointed out: “You don’t need to really know as much as you think you need to know. You can just come and bring your experiences. As regards the benefits for joining the forum, Young People’s Forum members say they can “reach out to important decision makers” but also that they have “become stronger people” , learning that “anything can be possible with help.”

Watch this video to learn more about what our current Young People’s Forum members do and how the Forum makes a difference to them and the community:

Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Labour), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, young People and families said: “Caring for and supporting our young people to develop their skills and take action for the future is a key priority for our council. One way we do this is through our Young People’s Forum that helps influence change on local issues important to our young people. The forum also carries out its own projects and supports locally the work of the United Kingdom Youth Parliament (UKYP).

“Anyone in our borough aged 11 to 18 is welcome to join the Young People’s Forum and take part in fortnight meetings, Wednesdays at The Wakes in Oakengates. Being a member of the Young People’s Forum is fun and involves meeting new people, learning new things and putting your ideas across on issues that you care about in our borough. If you are interested to join or if you know a young person willing to get involved and want to find out more, please get in touch with our team on cpt@telford.gov.uk.“

Telford & Wrekin schools mark Anti-bullying Week

Schools across Telford marked the start of Anti-bullying week, on Monday, by wearing odd socks to school. HLC Primary also welcomed Cllr Shirley Reynolds, who visited to talk about how pupils can reach out for help if they are being bullied whilst a 40 strong team of Anti-Bullying Ambassdors promoted a caring message at Abraham Darby.

The anti-bullying message is an important one, and children and young people of the borough have embraced it. Other activities included odd socks competitions, numerous themed activities and special assemblies

Bullying can make the person at the receiving end feeling hopeless, and the only way to change it is to challenge it. That is why the message to reach out is such an important one to share, As it stands, around one in four children are bullied so this message needs to be heard loud and clear by all. There are some excellent resources on BBC Bitesize, which can be shared with parents and carers, in addition to the school resources shared previously.

Together we can stamp out bullying!

Is your school actively taking part in 10 by 10?

Whether children want to get more active, learn a new skill or visit a new place, “10 by 10” can help.

We need your support to regularly promote this initiative in your school and encourage parents and carers to create their own account on the 10 by 10 website. This will enable them to track their child’s progress through each of the activities and receive regular updates.

View this video, where pupils from Meadows Primary talk about their 10 by 10 experience:

Please let us know how your school is supporting 10 by 10 – tag us on social media (@TelfordWrekin) or send your comments, photos, videos to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk.

Schools Pre-Inspection Data and Insight Team’s communication

This is a communication from Ofsted

Please find below the Schools’ Pre-Inspection Data and Insight Team’s updated inspection data summary report (IDSR).

The update is now live and can be accessed here: Ofsted: Inspection Data Summary Report

The following data has been added:

Key stage 4 attainment and progress data for 2022.
Key stage 4 subject entries for 2022.
Key stage 5 average point score per entry for 2022.
Key stage 5 best 3 A levels and AAB including at least 2 facilitating subjects for 2022.
Expanded pupil movement section covering latest 3 years and movement into alternative provision.
Updated stability data & disadvantaged pupil group data (key stage 4 only).

At this time, the new multiplication table check data and two term absence for 2021/22 have not been added - this will be included in a future update.

For further information please see the IDSR guidance.

If you have any questions, please contact the team via email to School.Performance.Data@ofsted.gov.uk.

This, and all future updates to the IDSR will also be announced on the IDSR News Page.

Changes in reporting missing persons to West Mercia Police

With effect from 2 November 2022; Partner Agencies (including care provisions and hospitals), and in cases where there is NO immediate risk of harm, will be directed to report a missing episode via the West Mercia Police website.

If you call the control room, and they deem there is no immediate risk, you will be advised to report online. However if you have no access to the Internet at the time of the report or there is an Immediate risk, a report will be taken in the usual way via telephone.

This method of reporting will reduce the time currently taken to speak to a call handler and will allow us to assess the most appropriate response; for example the forms will identify if the individual is not classed as missing (more so absent) and will advise the reporter of what they should do. It also improve the quality of information that we gather regarding the missing person.

The forms will all be reviewed within 45 minutes of receipt into our digital desk inbox, in most cases it will be triaged much quicker than this. The incident will be dealt with in the same manner as if it was reported over the phone. The reporter will be advised of the safe reference number and will be contacted back should our call handlers require any additional information.

There are also forms for updating a MISPER report with more information, or to advise a MISPER has returned. There will also be an option to include attachments, such as a Philomena Document or photograph of the MISPER.

This method has been utilised by other forces for some time and trialled within our force area prior to this ‘go live’ date.

You will be able to locate the report form on the bottom right of the website homepage within ‘Partner Services’. It has deliberately been hidden somewhat to prevent the public using it as the forms are tailored specifically for partners.

Any problems, feedback or concerns, please contact Ann Moore, MISPER Prevention Officer, via email to Telfordproblemsolvinghub@westmercia.police.uk.

Shout Out for SEND Super Session

The SOS Super Session is aimed at young people aged 11 – 25, and the Shout Out for SEND group would like to invite young people to join them and share their views on how young people can stay safe and well in their community.

The brilliant Embrace Group will be delivering multi-skill activities, Corrine from Lilu Pad will be Anime drawing and refreshments will be provided.

The details are as follows:
Date: Monday 21 November 2022
Time: 4pm – 6pm
Venue: The Family Zone, Hazeldine House, Central Square, TF3 4JL

A flyer for the event is available to download.

To book your place please send an email to info@iass.org.uk.

Top tips on how to make your outdoor learning, educational visits and school trips as affordable as possible as possible

The Outdoor Education Advisors Panel analysis from June 2022 shows that day educational visits have ‘bounced’ back after the pandemic, to their 2019 figure. This is very encouraging and shows that schools are keen to ensure young people are ‘out and about’ following two years of significant disruption.

Martin Smith from the Outdoor Education Advisors Panel, who conducted the analysis, says: "The ‘bounce back’ will, in part, be due to schools recognising the positive impact such activity has on the mental health of pupils, which we all know has been sadly affected by the lockdown restrictions. For many, just being outside or going beyond their immediate communities will be valuable experiences in themselves, in addition to the added value they contribute to the wider curriculum, as well as being both memorable and fun!"

Now there are further challenges on the way for outdoor learning and educational visits as the economic squeeze tightens. Here are ‘Top Tips’ on how to make your outdoor learning, educational visits and school trips as affordable as possible

Begin with what your educational aims and learning outcomes, to maximise the educational value of school resources, staff time and parents’ monies. If these are clearly stated they can be reviewed against after a visit, the benefits can be demonstrated, and the true value of the learning experience understood.
Speak to your provider – they will want to see you again and avoid a cancellation. A bit of flexibility of when you visit may help as most providers will have times of the year with a lower tariff. They will also have costs associated with number thresholds which may affect your course fees, ask to see if a slight change may bring down the per-head cost.
Ensure terms and conditions are fully understood and when there is a requirement to confirm final numbers and invoicing. Know your insurance policy – what it will cover and know how to claim.
Plan well in advance and across the school calendar. Allow parents to budget with as much notice as possible and to pay in ways that work for them. Avoid asking for payments approaching Christmas and in the New Year. The first part of the autumn term is a great time for a residential, developing relationships and setting up expectations, but think ahead so it is not a tight period for payment.
Know who is accessing these learning opportunities, is it the same children and young people? Do you need to target who you give extra support and assistance? Is it possible to offer parallel experiences at different price points that also to suit the needs of young people? For example offering both local day adventure activities and a residential adventure visit at the same time.
Transport is a significant expense so reducing travel or choosing cheaper times to travel, tying into coach companies school runs, developing relationships with the travel providers and capitalising on repeat and regular guaranteed custom.
Know and use your school site and local area – teachers often travel into school so the locality, biodiversity and its history may not be familiar or confident. A walk around the site is a good start – I started teaching in a school that had a real-life Roman road as its boundary – easy to miss but a readily accessible archaeological site. Also who are the living resources locally, groups and individuals who can help bring the curriculum to life – they may even be parents already within your school.
‘Swapsies’ with other schools, once you have exhausted opportunities at your school, are there schools nearby you could access? Make it an overnight expedition even?
Finally, have you untapped resources amongst your staff who would be prepared to upskill so that rather than buying in a provision you school can lead activities and experiences themselves? There are supportive networks easily accessed online, free resource websites and social media sites. I have included some to get you started.

For some visits high take up is needed to spread the cost. It is not all about finances; post-Covid some children and young people are not ready to go out, socialise and stay away from home. They need time and support to regain and/ or develop that level of confidence. For some staff it is a while since they may have led a visit, they too need time to refresh their skill set, update their knowledge of activities and venues to ensure their own competence and confidence.

Jo Barnett, Outdoor Education Services Manager said: "I know from my own experience just how creative and determined schools are to hold on to that which is good for their children and young people. I would like to use this opportunity to remind colleagues in Telford & Wrekin that support is here to help you make learning meaningful, memorable and fun."

For more information please contact Jo Barnett, Outdoor Education Service Manager, via email to edvisits@telford.gov.uk.

Pedestrian training workshops

Bookings are now being taken for pedestrian training workshops, suitable for pupils in reception through to year 6, at a cost of £125 per class.

The scheme will increase children’s knowledge of the Green Cross Code and teach them age appropriate pavement behaviour skills. Each session will consist of a classroom based workshop followed by an accompanied walk in the local area. A pre and post evaluation will take place, and results fed back to the class teacher.

For more information, answers to queries or to book a course please contact Gemma Marchant, Road Safety Education Officer, via email to gemma.marchant@telford.gov.uk.

Children in Need 2022

BBC Children in Need has raised over £1.5 billion from 1980-2022,currently supporting over 2,400 charities and projects in communities across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages such as living in poverty, being disabled or ill, or experiencing distress, neglect or trauma.

The Children In Need or “Pudsey Day” takes place annually in November.

Pudsey Bear is the official logo of Children in Need. Originally Pudsey was a brown bear with a red bandage on his head, however in 2007 he had a makeover and now wears a multi-coloured polka-dot bandage and is a yellow bear.

Every year the BBC hosts a live TV show with a range of celebrities taking part in exclusive sketches, exciting performances, including music and dance to raise funds for the Children in Need charity.

During the day schools and settings across the country take part in events to raise funds for this brilliant charity.

Is your school or setting doing anything to support Children In Need for 2022? If so please send your stories and pictures to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or tag us in on twitter @TelfordWrekin.

There are free educational resources for Children In Need 2022 available online:

BBC Children in Need: Schools

BBC Children in Need: Twinkl

Madeley Academy sixth form open evening

Madeley Academy are holding an open evening for their sixth form, for which admissions are now open. This will take place on 22 November 2022, 5.30-7.30p[m.

For more information about the post 16 provision at the school, please visit the Madeley Academy website.

An opportunity to place your CPD course bookings

The 2022-23 CPD Booklet is available on the Telford Education Services site.

Course bookings with a course code are made by sending a completed CPD booking form via email to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk.

Other courses and briefings without a course code are usually booked by sending your email address name and school name to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk (unless stated otherwise).

Assessment - termly update (morning) (CPD 502)	Tuesday 22 November 2022	9.15am to 10.45am
Assessment - termly update (twilight) (CPD 503)	Tuesday 22 November 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Safer Recruitment Administration (book via Human Resources)	Wednesday 23 November 2022	3pm to 5.30pm
Establishing Yourself as a SEND leader, for new and returning SENCOs (LSAT 302)	Wednesday 23 November 2022	4pm to 5pm
Newly Appointed Safeguarding Governor Induction Training – part 1 (SG 103)	Wednesday 23 November 2022	5.30pm to 7.30pm
Governors' Responsibilities for Exclusions (SG 104)	Thursday 24 November 2022	5pm to 7pm
Accredited Safer Recruitment Training (book via Human Resources)	Thursday 24 November 2022	9am to 4.30pm
Raising Awareness of Prevent (SG 101)	Thursday 24 November 2022	9.30am to 11am
Bright Ideas and Inspiration - for your breakfast, holiday and out of school provision (EY 303)	Thursday 24 November 2022	9.15am to 12noon
Induction Training for New Governors (GO 502)	Tuesday 29 November 2022	9.30am to 3.30pm - time TBA
Managing English as an Additional Language in Early Years Settings (CPD 710)	Tuesday 29 November 2022	1.15pm to 4pm
Early Years Coordinators – Termly Update (EY 007)	Wednesday 30 November 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Working Together to improve school attendance expectations for schools (AST 001)	Wednesday 30 November 2022	10am to 11.30am
Understanding Intent, Implementation and Impact within the EYFS in a school (EY 319)	Thursday 1 December 2022	1.15pm to 4pm
Child Protection Supervision (SG 203)	Thursday 1 December 2022	9.30am to 12.30pm
An Introduction to EAL for Early Career Teachers (CPD 527)	Tuesday 6 December 2022	3.45pm to 6pm
AET Making Sense of Autism – an introduction to Autism for Governors (LSAT 514)	Tuesday 6 December 2022	6pm to 7.30pm
Effective Support and Supervisions in the EYFS (EY 306)	Tuesday 6 December 2022	4pm to 5.30pm
Meeting the EYFS Profile Requirements for EAL Learners in EYFS (CPD 715)	Wednesday 7 December 2022	1.15pm to 4pm
Positive Behaviour Management in the Classroom (PSS 008)	Wednesday 7 December 2022	1.15pm to 4pm
Newly Appointed Safeguarding Governor Induction Training part 2 (SG 103)	Thursday 8 December 2022	5.30pm to 7.30pm
Observing Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EY 011)	Thursday 8 December 2022	1pm to 3pm

Safeguarding training for new and existing governors

As part of the Government’s update to Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2022), all governors are now required to undertake annual Safeguarding Refresher Training (SG 103) and all new governors are required to complete the equivalent of a day’s Safeguarding Induction Training in their first year of appointment (SG 206).

In addition, all new governors are also required to undertake a day’s course covering their core roles and responsibilities (GO 502)

Please see below details of the three courses:

SG 103 – Newly Appointed Safeguarding Governor Induction Training (for new governors)
GO 502 – Induction Training for New Governors (core roles and responsibilities) (for new governors)
SG 206 - Safeguarding Refresher Training for all Governors (for all governors annually)

To book a place on any of these courses, please liaise with your Headteacher or School Administrator/ School Business Manager who will book a place for you.

SG 103 – Newly Appointed Safeguarding Governor Induction Training (for new governors)

Part 1: Wednesday November 23 2022 - 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Part 2: Thursday December 8 2022 - 5.30pm to 7.30pm
or
Part 1: Monday January 23 2023 - 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Part 2: Wednesday February 15 2023 - 5.30pm to 7.30pm or Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - 9.15am to 3.30pm

Course Content
his course will provide all new governors with a detailed understanding of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. This is in line with the recommendations and requirements of the Government’s update to Keeping Children Safe in Education, with effect from 1 September 2022.

Key Outcomes
Attendance is required by all new governors to meet the requirements of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. Delegates will have an understanding of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding.
All new governors will need to attend either the full day course, or, if opting for twilights, will need to attend both twilights (parts 1 and 2 are interchangeable within the sets of dates so governors must attend a part one and a part two course).

Cost per delegate
Telford & Wrekin Local Authority schools and academies & those organisations which subscribe to either the Safeguarding SLA or the School Governance Service SLA - £158
All other schools and organisations - £190
* 10% discount per delegate for two or more bookings on the same course from the same school

GO 502 – Induction Training for New Governors (core roles and responsibilities) (for new governors)

Thursday, June 22, 2023 - 9.30am to 3.30pm

Course Content
The course will cover in some depth the key functions of the governing body, including:

ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction,
holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and the performance management of staff,
overseeing financial performance and making sure money is well spent,
the characteristics of effective schools,
the key roles and responsibilities of governing bodies in improving schools,
the different and complementary roles of governors and headteachers (distinction between governance and management).
Important note: for new governors, attendance on this course should be accompanied by attendance on course SG 103 - Newly Appointed Safeguarding Governor Induction Training. This is in line with the Government’s update to Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2022.)

Key Outcomes

As a result of this professional development activity, governors will be more able to:

work effectively with school leaders to communicate the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school and create a culture of ambition,
provide a balance of support and challenge to leaders, understanding the school’s strengths and areas needing improvement,
use a range of sources of objective data, including the OFSTED Inspection Dashboard to create robust accountability
understand the links between performance management of staff and school improvement,
hold the school to account for the impact of additional funding in improving pupil achievement seek and respond to the views of stakeholders, including through the use of Parent View.

Cost per delegate
Telford & Wrekin Local Authority schools and academies, and those organisations which subscribe to either the Safeguarding SLA or the School Governance Service SLA - £158
All other schools and organisations - £190
* 10% discount per delegate for two or more bookings on the same course from the same school

SG 206 - Safeguarding Refresher Training for all Governors (for all governors annually)

Wednesday, April 26, 2023 - 4pm to 5.30pm

Course Content
This course will provide all governors with a refreshed understanding of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding.

This is in line with the recommendations and requirements of the Government’s update to Keeping Children Safe in Education, with effect from 1 September 2022.

Key Outcomes
All governors are required to attend safeguarding refresher training annually in line with the Government's updated KCSIE (September 2022).

Cost per delegate
Telford & Wrekin Local Authority Schools & Academies & those organisations which subscribe to the Safeguarding SLA - £95
Non Telford & Wrekin Schools - £114
* 10% discount per delegate for two or more bookings on the same course from the same school.

To book a place on any of these courses, please liaise with your Headteacher or School Administrator/ School Business Manager who will book a place for you.

Relationships, Sex and Health Education Survey

This is an update from the Department for Education

We have commissioned IFF Research to survey schools on how they implement RSHE statutory guidance, and whether this has resulted in effective RSHE for pupils.

It is important we hear from teachers who teach any aspect of RSHE, in all types of schools, to learn as much as we can before the forthcoming review of the RSHE statutory guidance.

Teachers of any RSHE content are invited to complete the survey by Friday 25 November 2022. The survey refers to RSHE throughout, but if your school uses the term PSHE, please continue to complete it.

Apply to become a Teaching Regulation Agency professional conduct panel teacher or lay panellist

This is an update from the Department for Education

Our teacher regulation policy team is currently recruiting teacher and lay panellists to become members of the professional conduct panels.

Panels hear and consider allegations of misconduct and then determine whether to make a recommendation of teacher prohibition to the Secretary of State.

More information about the role and how to apply is available. The deadline for applications is Friday 2 December 2022.

An update for school settings on the ENOUGH campaign to tackle violence against women and girls

This is an update from the Department for Education

As part of the next phase of the government’s ‘ENOUGH’ campaign to tackle violence against women and girls, the Home Office has added a resources page for teachers and school staff to the campaign website.

This includes guidance on responding to and preventing abuse in a school setting, as well as resources for teaching about sexual harassment, sexual violence and abuse.

This entry was posted by Claire on Tuesday, 15 November 2022.

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Every week during term time we publish a new update for the education community. It includes essential briefings and specialist information about education.

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