Education Noticeboard - 9 February 2023
Welcome to the Education Noticeboard. A round-up of news, guidance and key updates for education settings.
Included in this update:
- Director update
- Keep the kids busy for one pound in February half term
- Alternative Provision Directory launch
- Rarely Exclusion guidance for schools
- LGBTQ+ inclusive resources for schools
- Virtual School Spring Term Network Meeting for Designated Teachers and Nominated Governors
- Invitation for a Governor to become a member of the school forum
- Motivational Interviewing for Education Settings
- Raising Awareness of County Lines – Free training
- BeeU Pathway drop-in
- Quality Assurance Specialist vacancy
- Early Years & Childcare Recruitment, Careers and Training Event
- Council to highlight range of apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week 2023
- Telford College leading the way with apprenticeship provision
- The Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Show – 16 March 2023
- Arthog Outdoor Education Centre is open for bookings up to August 2025
- Being prepared for emergencies
- Eating Disorders Awareness Week: 24 February – 2 March 2023
- Random Act of Kindness Day: 17 February 2023
- Schools Pre-Inspection Data and Insight Team’s communication
- An opportunity to place your CPD course bookings
- Behaviour for Learning training – a free opportunity from the Shrewsbury Colleges Group Limited
- Nominate a colleague for a National Teaching Award
- Updated data protection toolkit for schools
- Mental health issues affecting a pupil’s attendance: guidance for schools
- SmartWater Offer from West Mercia Police – Deadline extended!
Director update
Dear Colleagues
As we head towards half term, a quick reminder that Telford & Wrekin provide a number of activities for children and young people, costing just one pound. This is a fantastic resource for families in the borough, and we encourage you to share the latest brochure via your usual communication channels.
I am also pleased to share two articles from our Alternative Provision team. An Alternative Provision Directory, which has now been launched, is live on the Council website. The team have also been working on developing guidance to support schools with the suspension and exclusion process. The team are inviting suggestions before the document is finalised, so please do take a look.
Now that we are in LGBTQ+ History Month, we are sharing some more resources for schools to use to support this. Just Like Us work to empower the younger members of the LGBTQ+ community, and are a great resource that is available.
Other updates include articles from the Virtual School, the Telford & Wrekin Schools Forum, Safeguarding, SEND, the Skills Service and the Department of Education. The deadline to apply for a free SmartWater Kit for your school or setting has also been extended to 13 February, and details of this have been provided in this edition of the noticeboard. These kits are available due to funding by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Wishing you all a great (if slightly chilly) rest of the week.
Simon
Simon Wellman
Director: Education & Skills
Keep the kids busy for one pound in February half term
Telford & Wrekin Council’s one-pound kids’ holiday activities are back throughout February half term, helping residents to spend less and stay local once again.
The latest school holiday brochure has all of the family favourite activities like swimming, bike hire, tennis, golf and soft play – available from Monday 20 to Sunday 26 February 2023.
For those families wanting to make the most of the outdoors options include Telford Bike Hub, adventure golf and disc golf. These are all open during half term week in Telford Town Park. The Bike Hub are also offering extra Learn 2 Ride sessions for children aged 4 plus to get pedalling. As a part of the Kids for a quid programme families can also enjoy one pound bike hire all week.
The latest brochure can now be found online.
Many of these activities are also part of the council’s 10 by 10 programme which offers all children ten activities they should try before they are ten years old.
Alternative Provision Directory launch
Telford & Wrekin Council are pleased to announce the launch of the Alternative Provision Directory.
For some young people in schools, the opportunity to study outside of the school environment, to get support for their social or emotional needs, or to experience an alternative curriculum is just what they need to re-engage them in education.
The Alternative Provision Directory captures details of providers in Telford and Wrekin, or close by, which schools can use to enrich the experience of their young people or to give them much needed additional support.
Schools will commission places at these providers directly and therefore the school retains the responsibility for the safeguarding, attendance and quality of education for each child. However, to be included in the directory, Telford and Wrekin Council have visited each site and supported the providers with advice to help them to meet these expectations.
Rarely Exclusion guidance for schools
Shared below is a draft version of new guidance for all Telford & Wrekin schools and academies. The purpose of this guidance is to build on the statutory guidance which was published by the DfE for September 2022 implementation, to exemplify how we are working together across the borough to reduce suspensions and exclusions and put support in place to meet the needs of young people. Locally, we are calling this ‘Rarely Exclusion’.
We would love you to tell us what you think, is there anything missing? Are thee any elements of this you don’t agree with? Have you got any suggested changes to wording or flow diagrams?
We would welcome any feedback.
We hope to publish the final document in March, so any comments by the end of February would be welcomed. Please send this to Andy Cooke, SDM for Alternative Provision and CiC via email to Andy.cooke@telford.gov.uk.
LGBTQ+ inclusive resources for schools
Resources are available for schools to use during LGBTQ+ History Month, from Just Like Us who aim to support teachers to improve LGBTQ+ inclusion.
School Talks
Schools in England and Wales can book a talk from Just Like Us ambassadors, LGBT+ young people aged 18-25. Visiting schools in person or through an online platform, they educate on LGBT+ terminology, share their experiences and talk about allyship. To find out more, email info@justlikeus.org.
School Diversity Week
School Diversity Week is our annual celebration every June of LGBT+ inclusion within education. Reaching over 5,000 primary and secondary schools across England and Wales, the aim is to help schools to engage with LGBT+ inclusive education. Sign up via the Just Like Us website to access free resources and start planning your School Diversity Week!
Pride Groups
The Pride Groups programme aims to create safe and fun spaces for LGBT+ young people and their allies to come together and enjoy their time together at school. Just Like Us support groups across the country by providing fortnightly educational resources, termly training and facilitate the sharing of best practice amongst a community of like minded educators. Join the Pride Groups community for £99 + VAT for a year’s membership online, or email info@justlikeus.org and request an invoice.
Virtual School Spring Term Network Meeting for Designated Teachers and Nominated Governors
This term’s Network Meeting for Designated Teachers and Nominated Governors will be held via Microsoft Teams on 29 March 2023, from 3:45 pm.
In addition to an update from Michelle Salter, the Virtual School Head Teacher, we are delighted to be welcoming back our guest speaker Frances Waller from Role Models, who this time will be discussing how we can support our young people to build character in schools.
Role Models are a training provider who provide specialist support to young people, parents and schools with mental health and wellbeing. To find out more please visit their website.
If you haven’t yet booked your place for your school’s Designated Teachers and/or Nominated Governor, please find further details in the CPD Booklet.
Teams invites will also be sent out to all registered Designated Teachers from the Virtual School directly.
Queries can be directed to Michelle Salter, Virtual School Head Teacher (Michelle.salter@telford.gov.uk) or Joe Leppington, Virtual School CPD Lead (joseph.leppington@telford.gov.uk).
Invitation for a Governor to become a member of the school forum
An opportunity has arisen for a Local Authority Maintained Primary Governor to join the Telford & Wrekin Schools Forum. Any interested parties to please contact Andy Wood or Tim Davis on 01952 383746 to discuss further. For more information please visit the Forum webpage.
Motivational Interviewing for Education Settings
Motivational Interviewing Training is essential safeguarding training for schools and colleges to understand and work with Telford & Wrekin Council’s Family Safeguarding model. It is strongly recommended that a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Pastoral Lead is trained from each school and college across the borough to enable settings to successfully work with children, families, social workers and partners through the Family Safeguarding Model.
Please note that this training is limited to one free place per school, school nursery, academy, independent school and college.
The training is being delivered by:
- Louise Spragg – Principal Social Worker
- Christine Thursfield – Group Specialist for Family Hubs
- Dan Machin - Systemic Psychotherapist
- Karen Mosedale – Consultant Social Worker
The dates are as follows:
Wednesday 1 March 2023, 9.30am–12.30pm.
Wednesday 22 March 2023, 9.30am–12.30pm.
Wednesday 3 May 2023,1–4pm.
This training will provide an overview of Motivational Interviewing, including how, as partners, we can model this strengths-based approach within the Family Safeguarding Model.
The key principles are as follows:
- Engagement with the client, rather than doing something to them – i.e. change cannot be forced or pushed on to someone. It has to be internal for the client in order to be meaningful and long term.
- Rolling with resistance (NB this is not rolling over or being passive).
- Expressing empathy.
- Avoiding Conflict.
- Developing discrepancy in the client’s thinking.
- Supporting self-responsibility.
Key Outcomes:
Delegates will:
- gain an understanding of the spirit and principles of motivational interviewing
- gain a practical understanding of the cycle of behaviour change, and how it can encourage positive thinking about change
- be able to use key motivational interviewing techniques in the context of conversations, both formal and informal.
To book your school’s free place, please send a completed CPD Booking Form to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk.
Raising Awareness of County Lines – Free training
Today’s lifestyle leaves young people open to a variety of information via an online platform, this information challenges everyday ideals, thus promoting abuse, misogyny, and exploitation. As children mature parental influence is not as effective as the power exerted by friends and that ever present online life; these two areas will take precedent over parental concerns.
Part of the ongoing battle is to ensure our young people stay safe by upskilling front line professionals/parents/carers with the latest trends and concerns and more importantly know what to do.
• Spotting the vulnerability factors to county lines – befriending, exchange of favours, control, and exploitation.
• Trauma and the impact associated to County Lines.
• Vulnerability indicators – 3 critical moments.
• County Lines – what it is and how to safeguard and pathways/diversionary/sharing intelligence.
• National referral mechanism – what it is and why we need it.
Free training is available for 1 hour on Microsoft Teams. There is no need to register:
27 February 2023
8–9am.
Click here to join the meeting.
Alternatively use the following: Meeting ID: 336 578 816 95. Passcode: V45iBq.
9.30–10.30am.
Click here to join the meeting.
Alternatively use the following: Meeting ID: 324 047 923 315. Passcode: SQUHWH.
11am–12noon.
Click here to join the meeting.
Alternatively use the following: Meeting ID: 331 862 167 052. Passcode: rK3y4H.
12.30–1.30pm.
Click here to join the meeting.
Alternatively use the following: Meeting ID: 348 286 488 234. Passcode: x6tTmP.
2–3pm.
Click here to join the meeting.
Alternatively use the following: Meeting ID: 372 870 551 502. Passcode: YwjcYR.
28 February 2023
8–9am.
Click here to join the meeting.
Alternatively use the following: Meeting ID: 397 748 479 480. Passcode: ANLvEz.
1–2pm.
Click here to join the meeting.
Alternatively use the following: Meeting ID: 375 845 113 865. Passcode: SqnYqX.
1 March 2023
6–7pm.
Click here to join the meeting.
Alternatively use the following: Meeting ID: 335 800 703 604. Passcode: yTg4P4.
2 March 2023
6–7pm.
Click here to join the meeting.
Alternatively use the following: Meeting ID: 333 020 101 816. Passcode: sMwpPB.
BeeU Pathway drop-in
A drop in for schools and settings is being arranged to ask specific questions to the BeeU service, SENCo’s can register their interest to book a slot at the drop in by email. This session has been organised following feedback from the SENCo Network Briefing in December.
Wednesday 8 March 2023
9am - 10.30am
Friday 10 March 2023
9am - 10.30am
To book a place please email: marianne.johnson-everett@telford.gov.uk with your preferred date, schools will be allocated a 10 minute slot to discuss individual cases.
You can find out more about the BeeU service on the Telford.gov.uk website.
Quality Assurance Specialist vacancy
Telford & Wrekin Local Authority are seeking to appoint a Quality Assurance Specialist, L17–L 20 (£65,699 - £70,733), to join their School Performance team.
The Quality Assurance Specialist will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the Local Authority fulfils its statutory responsibilities to our maintained schools in relation to the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Our maintained schools are classified against a number of criteria laid out in the Securing School Improvement Protocol which focusses on the evidence that schools are securing an inclusive, good quality education and providing a safe environment, which leads to positive outcomes for pupils. The Local Authority Securing School Improvement Protocol is available online.
We are seeking to recruit an education professional who:
- Has a good working knowledge of the key elements involved in leading and developing a successful school including effective school improvement planning, interpreting data, monitoring and evaluating impact of developments and initiatives.
- Possesses the analytical, interpersonal and organisational skills necessary to work effectively with school leaders and governors.
- Has the ability to develop and sustain effective collaborative relationships with schools and other partners.
For more information please download the Quality Assurance Specialist Job Description and Person Specification.
To discuss the role or for further information please contact: Liz Smith, SDM for Education Achievement and Enrichment by calling 01952 380895 or sending an email to Liz.smith@telford.gov.uk.
Early Years & Childcare Recruitment, Careers and Training Event
Do you want to find out what working in the Early Years looks like? Are you passionate about working with children, helping them reach their full potential? Are you self-motivated, nurturing and enjoy working as part of a team to achieve incredible things?
Drop in to our Childcare Recruitment, Careers and Training Event in February and explore job opportunities and training available in Telford & Wrekin.
Wednesday 22 February 2023
11am-5pm
Southwater One, Telford, TF3 4JG
Network with local childcare practitioners, University and training providers who will be on hand to offer advice to support you in starting out in a career in childcare, or provide advice on training and qualifications to help you progress in your childcare profession.
Whether you’re considering what to do after school or you’re already in employment and are looking for a career change, this will give you a taste of the childcare sector.
Please share this information with your students and clients, we are particularly interested in targeting options students, school leavers, college students but as always we are interested in anyone who is interested in Childcare as a profession.
Pre register your attendance online.
Council to highlight range of apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week 2023
Telford & Wrekin Council’s Job Box service is backing National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2023 by highlighting the range of apprenticeships which are available to people of all ages across the borough.
Job Box and the Life Ready Work Ready team will celebrate the value that apprenticeships bring to employers and individuals between 6-12 February 2023 and also promote the exciting range of council apprenticeships. This year’s theme is ‘Skills For Life’ which reflects on how apprenticeships can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed for a rewarding career and help businesses to develop a talented workforce equipped with skills for the future.
Apprenticeships give people the opportunity to earn while they learn, achieve nationally recognised qualifications ranging from Level 2 to degree level, and gain valuable workplace experience. Since 2017, 204 Telford & Wrekin Council apprenticeships have been delivered and achieved and many council apprentices have gone on to land full-time roles with the local authority. Some of the most popular apprenticeships have been delivered in areas such as business administration, teaching assistants, housing and property management and customer service.
During NAW, Job Box will also signpost people towards the Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Show 2023 which is back at the International Centre,Telford on Thursday 16 March 2023.
Telford & Wrekin Council has worked with other main event sponsors - The Careers & Enterprise Company, Integrated Care System (NHS Shropshire Telford and Wrekin), Telford College and Harper Adams University - to host the event after a three year absence. It is the largest event of its kind this side of the NEC in Birmingham and gives people of all ages the opportunity to find out more about local apprenticeship, employment and training opportunities.
Visitors can take part in hands-on activities delivered by employers and training providers to gain a better understanding of apprenticeships and roles available and speak to employers that may be in a business sector they are interested in. Employers will be able to offer support and advice and help people make that all important decision about their first career move or even a change of career path. You can sign up for the Apprenticeship Employment and Skills Show online.
The council’s Job Box team will be on hand during National Apprenticeship Week to offer advice about apprenticeships and latest vacancies.
Councillor Eileen Callear (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, Employment and Skills said: “We offer a wide range of apprenticeships at Telford & Wrekin Council and we’re excited to be celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2023 and supporting the next wave of apprentices. “National Apprenticeship Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the many benefits that apprenticeships bring to employers, individuals and the wider economy.”
Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “Apprenticeships are an excellent way to gain essential experience, earn while you learn and gain nationally recognised qualifications. For some, the apprenticeship route may not be an obvious choice but it’s the perfect way to gain new skills and start on an exciting career pathway.”
To find out more about apprenticeships, visit the council's National Apprenticeship Week webpage. Or call Job Box on 01952 382888.
Telford College leading the way with apprenticeship provision
Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly popular way for businesses to overcome current recruitment challenges in the local economy, according to Telford College. The college’s employer engagement team is now working with around 300 local employers, sourcing and training apprentices from entry level all the way up to degree level.
It’s National Apprenticeship Week from 6-10 February 2023, and the college is showcasing many of the successful partnerships it has built up with the local business community.
Telford College’s principal and chief executive Graham Guest – a former apprentice himself – said: “Apprenticeships are real jobs – a chance to gain valuable qualifications alongside real-world work experience. With an apprenticeship, you’re on a clear career route. There’s a plan in place and a pathway for you to take – and you’ll earn your salary from your very first day on the job.
“But they do still have something of an image problem among people who don’t appreciate just how much they’ve evolved, and how diverse they have become. These days it’s possible to do an apprenticeship in pretty much anything, at any age, from entry level all the way up to university-level.”
Some of Shropshire’s biggest and best-known businesses are currently partnered with Telford College to recruit and train apprentices. They include former Shropshire Company of the Year McPhillips of Telford, Market Drayton’s two biggest employers Muller and Palethorpes, and Wenlock Spring from Church Stretton.
Law firm Hatchers, Kraft Heinz, Balfour Beatty, Avara Foods, Iconsys, packaging business Sirane, Bespoke Computing, Kier Highways, Breedon Aggregates, food processor Pickstock, and telecoms company Connexis are just some of the others.
Telford College business development manager Chris Field said: “Some of the companies we work with may have initially just taken on one apprentice to test the water – but others have employed multiple apprentices over a number of years. There is a proven pathway for our apprentices to progress within a company once their training in complete. At Cargo Contract Logistics in Telford, for example, another apprenticeship opportunity has just opened up after a previous recruit gained promotion.
“Our groundworks apprenticeship programme is proving particularly popular; we have a new group starting in March. And our electrical installation programme is running at full capacity – you can’t underestimate the importance of finding a reliable electrician!”
Telford College has also launched a new apprenticeship hub, bringing employers together to share best practice and discuss the challenges of employing and developing people. The aim is to share ideas, make it easier for employers to deliver apprenticeships, and spread word of the difference they can make. Muller of Market Drayton hosted a recent meeting, with another planned at Pickstock in Telford soon.
Graham Guest added: “With unemployment so low, and record numbers of job vacancies in many sectors, the time has never been better to capitalise on what apprenticeships have to offer. Many employers are offering above the minimum apprentice wage, attempting to entice candidates into this career path. They are seeing the benefits of moulding a staff member in their company’s culture.
“While apprentices can be of immediate benefit to a business, you don’t have to think too short-term. With the potential to progress right through to degree-level courses, apprenticeships offer attractive and progressive career paths - both for the employer, and employee.”
Telford-based civil engineering and building solutions company McPhillips has seen over 100 students successfully complete an apprenticeship since 1995. More than 20% of its team began as a McPhillips apprentice, highlighting how viable they are for businesses to create and grow a valuable workforce.
For more details about Telford College’s current apprenticeship opportunities, visit their website.
The Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Show – 16 March 2023
The Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Show 2023 is back on Thursday 16 March 2023. The event will take place at The International Centre, Telford 12noon-7.30pm, with the 12noon-12.30pm slot available exclusively for SEND students as a quieter time before the event gets too busy.
It’s the largest event of its kind this side of the NEC in Birmingham and aims to promote local apprenticeship opportunities to people across Telford, Shropshire and the West Midlands. It is completely free to attend.
Apprenticeships are a great way to build the workforce of tomorrow and are now seen as a very viable alternative to university. The show is also a great opportunity for businesses to showcase careers and jobs that exist now and in the future.
Please make sure this date is in your diary and reserve a slot for your school – we very much look forward to seeing you and your students at the show in 2023.
Places can be booked online.
Arthog Outdoor Education Centre is open for bookings up to August 2025
Arthog Booking Round for 2021 to 22 and 2022-23
Dear Colleague,
We are writing to let you know we are now taking additional bookings for the academic year 2023-24 and have opened up bookings for 2024-25 for Arthog Outdoor Education Centre.
If you have already made a booking and have received a confirmation of the booking, the fees and conditions remain as agreed with you. You do not need to send in another booking form.
Arthog sits within the Snowdonia National Park, along the coast from Barmouth. The Centre is a purpose built, 100 bed residential centre, in a stunning location where the mountains meet the sea. It is set within a quiet, safe, rural location its own extensive grounds. Highly qualified Outdoor Educators maximise learning opportunities whilst our Support Staff make sure Arthog feels like a home from homes.
There have been a number of staff changes in recent months with myself joining the team in September taking over from Mark Youd and I look forward to continuing his successful tenure. After a period of time without a Catering Manager, Cath Walford has been appointed and alongside Jacki and Clare this creates a really strong catering team going forward.
The longer term impact of the pandemic has shown us there is a real need right now to getting outside and embracing both nature and adventure; our course programmes aim to develop resilience, communication, problem solving and self-belief.
There have been a number of centre improvements including new touch screens in all the social areas and with all the outdoor Educators and Freelance instructors completing surf training in January we look forward to a summer of sun and surf!
Best wishes,
Stephen Parkin and the Arthog Team
For more information please download the latest Arthog newsletter, visit the Arthog website, email info@arthog.co.uk or call 01341 250 455.
Being prepared for emergencies
The Department for Education recently published updated guidance on emergency planning and response for education, childcare and children’s social care settings. This guidance can be viewed online.
The guidance has been produced to help all education, childcare, and children’s social care settings prepare for and respond to emergencies and advises that the leaders of those settings should ensure that emergency plans are developed and put in place.
The aim of an emergency plan is to help you and your staff respond effectively to an emergency at the setting or on an educational visit etc. while, where possible, continuing to prioritise and maximise face-to-face learning.
Your emergency plan should be generic enough to cover a range of potential incidents occurring during, and outside, the normal school day, including weekends and holidays.
These incidents include:
- public health incidents (e.g. a significant infectious disease incident)
- severe weather (e.g. extreme heat, flooding, storms or snow)
- serious injury to a child, pupil, student, or member of staff (e.g. transport accident)
- significant damage to property (e.g. fire)
- criminal activity (e.g. bomb threat)
- the effects of a disaster in the local community.
You should also include emergency procedures for:
- extended services, for example for school breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday activities
- open days, transition or taster days
- live performances with an audience.
For those settings with wider facilities, your emergency plans will also need to cover the whole estate, including facilities which may not be used for educational purposes such as accommodation, leisure or entertainment facilities, conference facilities etc.
To help you develop your emergency management arrangements the Council’s Resilience Team has produced a new Emergency Plan template and this will be sent out to you by email in the next few days along with accompanying advice on how to use the template.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week: 24 February – 2 March 2023
Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is hosted by BEAT and runs from 24 February - 2 March 2023 and it is an international awareness event, fighting the myths and misunderstandings that surround anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and EDNOS.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that involve disordered eating behaviour. This might mean limiting the amount of food eaten, eating very large quantities of food at once, getting rid of food eaten through unhealthy means (e.g. purging, laxative misuse, fasting, or excessive exercise), or a combination of these behaviours.
It’s important to remember that eating disorders are not all about food itself, but about feelings. The way the person interacts with food may make them feel more able to cope, or may make them feel in control.
- Approximately 1.25 Million people in the UK have an eating disorder (1 in every 50 people).
- Around 25% of those are male (1 in 4).
- Recent research from the NHS information centre showed that up to 6.4% of adults displayed signs of an eating disorder.
- The most common age of onset is between 12-25 year olds.
For further information and support please visit the following websites:
Rethink: eating Disorders Week
Random Act of Kindness Day: 17 February 2023
Random Acts of Kindness Day takes place in mid-February. It's a day dedicated to kindness and taking that extra, conscious step to brighten somebody’s day. This year it will fall on Friday 17 February 2023.
Sometimes it’s the smallest act that makes the biggest impact – something as simple as saying please or thank you can turn a day around and make life seem that much better.
Being kind doesn’t have to cost anything – a gesture of kindness can seem insignificant to but make someone else’s day.
Here are just ten tips we think you could take to make someone’s day (but especially Random Acts of Kindness Day) a good one:
- Smile at, or say hello to a stranger.
- Compliment somebody when they least expect it.
- Hold the door open for somebody.
- Pay for the next person in line’s coffee or snack.
- Donate your time to volunteer efforts.
- Help out an elderly neighbour or relative with their groceries.
- Call a friend to check-in.
- Donate old clothing, or canned food, to those who need it most.
- Give up your seat on the bus/train to someone who might need it more.
- Always say ‘thank you” no matter how small the action.
Is your school or setting carrying out any activities to celebrate this day, if so send us your pictures and good news stories to Education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or tag us in on your twitter postings @telfordwrekin.
Schools Pre-Inspection Data and Insight Team’s communication
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 2 revised.
- Key stage 1 final.
- Phonics final.
Minor changes have also been made to the pupil movement section of the secondary school IDSR.
For further information please see the IDSR guidance. If you have any questions, please email the team at: School.Performance.Data@ofsted.gov.uk.
This, and all future updates to the IDSR will also be announced on the IDSR News Page.
An opportunity to place your CPD course bookings
The CPD Booklet continues to be available on the Telford Education Services site to the end of the academic year 2023.
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).
Please note that some dates may be subject to change due to the national industrial action. We will keep delegates informed and update the CPD booklet as soon as any changes are made.
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Taking the Chair - part 2 |
Wednesday 15 February |
4.30 – 6.30pm |
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Supporting SEND in the Classroom for Early Career Teachers - part 1 |
Wednesday 15 February |
1.15 – 4pm |
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Safeguarding Training for Newly Appointed Governors - part 2 |
Wednesday 15 February |
5.30 – 7.30pm |
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Behaviour Support Intervention Refresher Training - non-accredited |
Thursday 16 February |
8.45am – 12.30pm |
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Meeting the OFSTED requirements and developing reading strategies for EAL learners at KS2 |
Thursday 16 February |
3.45 – 6pm |
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Early Career Teacher Network (combined event) |
Thursday 16 February |
4-5pm |
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Understanding Children’s Development in the EYFS – Milestones, Theories and Approaches |
Thursday 16 February |
9.15am – 12noon |
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Early Talk: Supporting Communication and Language - part 1 |
Wednesday 1 March |
1.15 – 4pm |
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Taking the Chair - part 3 |
Wednesday 1 March |
4.30 – 6.30pm |
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Understanding Nurture |
Wednesday 1 March |
9.15am – 12noon |
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Wednesday 1 March |
9.30am – 12.30pm |
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Thursday 2 March |
1.15 – 4pm |
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Safer Recruitment Administration (HR course) |
Thursday 2 March |
3 – 5.30pm |
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Supporting SEND in the Classroom for Early Career Teachers - part 2) |
Thursday 2 March |
1.15 – 4pm |
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Designated Safeguarding Leads' and Safeguarding Governors' Termly Update |
Thursday 2 March |
4 – 5.30pm |
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Thursday 2 March |
9.30 –11am |
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EAL Network Meeting |
Tuesday 7 March |
4 –5.30pm |
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Forest School and Outdoor Learning for Practitioners Working within EYFS |
Tuesday 7 March |
4 – 5.30pm |
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Weaving Literacy and Mathematical Development into a Broad EYFS Curriculum - part 1 |
Tuesday 7 March |
1.15 – 4pm |
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Restorative Justice |
Tuesday 7 March |
4 – 5.30pm |
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Meeting the EYFS Profile Requirements for EAL Learners in EYFS |
Wednesday 8 March |
1 – 3.45pm |
|
Raising Awareness of Prevent |
Wednesday 8 March |
3.30 – 5pm |
|
Behaviour Support Intervention Training - Non-accredited (BSAT 301) |
Thursday 9 March |
8.30am – 4pm |
|
Thursday 9 March |
3.30 – 4.30pm |
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Taking the Chair - part 4 |
Thursday 9 March |
4.30 – 6.30pm |
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Monday 13 March |
5 – 7pm |
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Primary Computing Update |
Tuesday 14 March |
4 – 5.30pm |
|
Establishing Yourself as a SEND leader, for new and returning SENCOs |
Tuesday 14 March |
4 – 5pm |
|
Wednesday 15 March |
3.45 – 6pm |
|
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Pupil Premium Network Meeting |
Wednesday 15 March |
4 – 5.30pm |
|
Early Talk: Supporting Communication and Language - Part 2 |
Wednesday 15 March |
1.15 – 4pm |
|
Newly Appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads' Training (2 days) - part 1 |
Wednesday 15 March |
9.15am – 4pm |
|
Thursday 16 March |
4 – 5.30pm |
|
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Newly Appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads' Training (2 days) - part 2 |
Thursday 16 March |
9.15am – 4pm |
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Primary Music Leaders' Audit |
Thursday 16 March |
4 – 5.30pm |
|
Youth Mental Health First Aid - part 1 |
Friday 17 March |
9.15am – 4pm |
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Weaving Literacy and Mathematical Development into a Broad EYFS Curriculum - part 2 |
Tuesday 21 March |
1.15 – 4pm |
|
EAL & Maths |
Tuesday 21 March |
3.45 – 6pm |
|
Safeguarding Training for Newly Appointed Governors - part 1 |
Tuesday 21 March 21 |
5.30 – 7.30pm |
|
AET Making Sense of Autism – an introduction to Autism for Governors |
Tuesday 21 March |
6 – 7.30pm |
|
Preparing for Statutory Assessment at the End of KS1 (CPD 505) |
Wednesday 22 March |
9am – 12.30pm |
|
Wednesday 22 March |
9.30am – 12.30pm |
|
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Safety Intervention Refresher Training (formerly MAPA Refresher Training) - CPI accredited |
Thursday 23 March |
8.45am – 12.30pm |
|
Assessment - termly update (morning) |
Thursday 23 March |
9.15 – 10.45am |
|
Assessment - termly update (twilight) |
Thursday 23 March |
4 – 5.30pm |
|
Promoting Cultural Diversity and Equality of Opportunity in EYFS |
Thursday 23 March |
1 – 3pm |
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Exploring the 7 areas of learning in a school based EYFS environment |
Thursday 23 March |
9.15am – 12noon |
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Accredited Safer Recruitment Training (HR course) |
Thursday 23 March |
9am – 4.30pm |
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Managing English as an Additional Language in Early Years Settings |
Monday 27 March |
1 – 3.45pm |
|
Designated Teachers & Governors for Children in Care Network (compulsory school age) |
Wednesday 29 March |
4 – 5.30pm |
|
Thursday 30 March |
9.15am – 4pm |
Behaviour for Learning training – a free opportunity from the Shrewsbury Colleges Group Limited
The Higher Education Centre of the Shrewsbury Colleges Group is providing 30 free places on their Behaviour for Learning training, taking place on Tuesday 28 February 2023, 5.30–8.30pm. The full details, including how to book, are contained in the flyer, which is available to download.
Nominate a colleague for a National Teaching Award
This is an update from the Department for Education.
Nominate a colleague for any of the 16 categories at the Pearson National Teaching Awards.
Open to teachers, school leaders, support staff and those working in further education and early years, the awards are an opportunity for the whole country to celebrate them.
Entries are free and the deadline is Friday 24 February 2023. Submit your nomination now.
Updated data protection toolkit for schools
This is an update from the Department for Education.
To help educational settings understand how to apply UK GDPR, we have developed a data protection toolkit.
This has recently been updated and includes a new format and revised content. A further review is planned for late spring. We would appreciate any feedback you have, which will be considered in the spring review.
Please provide comments by Tuesday 28 February 2023.
Mental health issues affecting a pupil’s attendance: guidance for schools
This is an update from the Department for Education.
Guidance on how to support school attendance where there is a pupil experiencing social, emotional or mental health issues.
Two documents are available to download:
Summary of responsibilities where a mental health issue is affecting attendance.
Support for pupils where mental health is affecting attendance: effective practice examples.
The examples of effective practice document shows how some schools have supported children to build up their confidence and help them to attend regularly.
This guidance is for:
- school staff
- academy trustees
- governing bodies
- parents and carers
- local authorities.
SmartWater Offer from West Mercia Police – Deadline extended!
West Mercia Police are inviting schools to become a Smartwater protected, where they would offer a free SmartWater Kit and signage, funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
SmartWater is a water based solution which contains a unique forensic code. Each pack contains its own individual forensic signature; by marking property with Smartwater, if an item is stolen it is more likely that we can trace that item back to its rightful owner.
Becoming a protected school not only will give you a kit free of charge we can also offer you some signage to be put on display around the premises, as research shows that 74% of acquisitive crime offenders would not break into a property with a SmartWater sign on display.
Training
We also offer out training sessions with our accredited exploitation and vulnerability trainers for your staff and parents, raising awareness of adverse childhood experiences, child sexual exploitation, modern day slavery and organised crime gangs. If this is something you would be interested in please email trainerswdbc@westmercia.police.uk.