Education Noticeboard - 4 May 2023
Welcome to the Education Noticeboard. A round-up of news, guidance and key updates for education settings.
Included in this update:
- Director update
- Free educational theatre performance for Telford secondary schools
- King's Coronation Tree - A Telford & Wrekin School commemorative gift
- Coronation celebrations around the Borough
- A new Local Authority Education Management Information System - Synergy Project
- SEND Newsletter – May 2023
- Children’s Autism Hub – Spring Newsletter
- Free Mental Health Training and Support from the Mental Health Foundation
- SOS+ Criminal Exploitation Training for education professionals
- Implementing the Creating Active Schools Framework: Multiple benefits to pupils and teaching staff
- Telford & Wrekin School Attendance Averages for Spring term 2022-23
- Learn Telford: April Newsletter
- Walk to School Week: 15-19 May 2023
- Mental Health Awareness Week: 15-22 May 2023
- Foster Care Fortnight: 15-28 May 2023
- International Day Against International day against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia: 17 May 2023
- New addition to free Urban Games programme for May half term – Netball
- An opportunity to place your CPD course bookings
- Wildflower seeds for every primary school class in honour of the Coronation
- Upcoming webinar on responsibilities where a mental health issue is affecting attendance
- Working with the Education Endowment Foundation on maths attainment
- Exams update from Ofqual and information to share with parents
- Opportunity to share ‘understanding student loans’ resources with years 12 and 13
- Opportunity to register for the Early Years Professional Development Programme (EYPDP)
- Mainstream schools additional grant information published
- Multi-agency practice principles to respond to child exploitation and extra-familial harm published
Director update
Dear colleagues
I hope you all enjoyed the Early May Bank Holiday and the fact that the sun managed to make an appearance!
This week is another full Noticeboard, starting with a news piece about the Loudmouth production ‘Calling it Out’ which explores themes around attitudes to women. Whilst Ercall Wood is featured I know many of our secondary schools in the borough have taken part in the sessions that Telford & Wrekin Council have funded.
There are links to the latest SEND Newsletter, as well upcoming events which they are hosting. Other articles include updates from the Attendance Support Team, resources for upcoming key dates and information from Creative Active Schools.
Free Mental Health Training and support is on offer from the Mental Health Foundation, which is timely due to the upcoming Mental Health Awareness Week, which takes place later this month and there are several pieces of information from the Department for Education.
As we approach the King’s Coronation, please remember to share with us how you choose to celebrate this historic event in your setting. There is a special article below that let’s you know every school in the borough will receive a commemorative tree as a gift to mark the King’s Coronation! Please ensure to complete the quick and easy survey so we know what type of tree you would like!
There is always information to pass on, but we really do like celebrating the extra effort you make for the children and young people in the borough. As always, stories and pictures can be emailed to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk.
Good luck too, to all our children next week who will be doing their SATs!
Best wishes
Simon
Simon Wellman
Director: Education & Skills
Free educational theatre performance for Telford secondary schools
Pupils at Ercall Wood Academy have been learning about sex and relationships through theatre in a scheme funded by Telford & Wrekin Council.
All secondary schools and colleges have been offered the programme which specialises in helping young people learn about healthy relationships with education at the heart of the programmes.
So far, nine schools are programmed to see production company ‘Loudmouth’ deliver a play known as ‘Calling it Out’, which explores themes around attitudes towards women and is aimed at aimed at pupils aged 13+.
Life skills curriculum lead at Ercall Wood Academy, teacher Chris Hardman said: “Sessions such as these are a great way for schools to get important messages across to our young people. Topics like sexual assault and harassment can be difficult to talk about, so these activities really help to open up the subject for discussion in a safe and welcoming environment.”
The scheme - funded by the council – was created and launched by Loudmouth in response to finding ways to tackle sexual harassment in schools through a mix of live theatre performance, interactive character interviews followed by class size discussion workshops. The format provides a safe way for pupils to openly talk about their viewpoints.
To find out more about Loudmouth please visit their website.
King's Coronation Tree - A Telford & Wrekin School commemorative gift
To celebrate the King's Coronation, Telford & Wrekin Council is gifting each school in the borough a commemorative tree, which will be delivered for planting in the autumn term 2023.
To ensure that the tree your school receives is suitable for the site and space available, there are a variety of tree options to choose from, which are listed below with a number of other questions.
Please complete the form and return it by Friday 9th June 2023.
Coronation celebrations around the Borough
This weekend is another Bank Holiday, this time to celebrate the King's Coronation. To celebrate, there will be events around the borough.
These include tea dances, lunches,street parties and family fun days. Find an event and get involved!
A list is available on the telford.gov.uk website.:
A new Local Authority Education Management Information System - Synergy Project
For some time we have been exploring a new management information system that will support the Council to undertake its statutory duties in a more efficient way. We have benchmarked ourselves against other LAs and we are unusual in that the Council does not currently have a universal system across our education teams which means our data is held in various places and it can therefore be difficult to ascertain information held about children who are known to different teams. We are also acutely aware that we make frequent and at times duplicate requests for information from schools and academies because we do not have access to a ‘live feed’ from your own MIS systems. Again we appear to be outliers here as all other LAs we have spoken to have a corporate system that is able to interact with their schools and academies.
So after researching the market and following a lengthy procurement activity we have recently purchased a system called Synergy - from Access Group - and implementation is now underway. You may be aware that the Council already uses Synergy for School Admissions and for Early Years funding. The new modules we have bought will complement our existing packages which will ensure a whole system approach. So fear not we are not changing the admission system yet again! The new system will provide a single view across all education areas within the Council, which allows us to review real-time data, make accurate timely decisions, and reduce time spent on dual input across multiple teams, which will bring about efficiencies and greatly improve the quality of information being kept.
It will take some time to implement the new system (this is an 18 month project) and education teams will transfer over to their modules at different times. Please bear with us if we appear to be duplicating requests in the interim. We will get there!
There is one module where we need the help of our schools and academies, which is implementation of the ‘Orchestra’ module. This is a module that we need to get cracking with over the next few months as it is the bit of kit that enables us to pull data from your Management Information System (MIS) and will be essential to smooth operation of the whole system. Some examples of the data we need to collect includes:
- Pupils on roll – (UPN, ULN, former UPN)
- Pupils’ personal information- for example DOB, home address and post code, surname, forename, middle name, gender, ethnicity)
- Sessional Attendance Marks (AM and PM attendance marks, LEA, DFES code, school name, start date, end date, daily attendance / year attendance, attendance sessions, number of sessions attended, number of unauthorised sessions)
- Leavers (Enrol status, pupils who have left/moved school, left the area)
- Exclusions (type, primary reason, start date, end date, perm ex)
With this information coming into Education directly it will reduce the amount of time you spend submitting data and will help us create streamline processes for other referrals into different areas within Education. It will also reduce the duplication of work. You will have access to a secure portal linked directly to the council to allow the secure transfer of personal and confidential data.
There are many benefits to having Orchestra implemented into your school some of these are:
- Protecting and keeping pupils safe allowing for quick intervention
- Quicker responses to questions and to identify trends
- Requests between schools and the Council will be streamlined and more effective.
- Schools can be sent different reports securely
- Reduction in duplication of requests to different services
- Reduce the amount of manual input needed to send the Council key information securely
With open working and the sharing of pupil’s information this will allow for the Council and you to have accurate and up to date information. Ultimately each school and academy will need to agree to implement ‘Orchestra’ and sign a data sharing agreement. This agreement is with our Information Governance Team and will be released very soon. We really hope you can see the benefits of agreeing to implement ‘Orchestra’ and over the coming weeks we will explain this in a bit more depth at our various network meetings such as the strategic partnership board and at primary and secondary heads.
We will be looking for pilot schools who will assist us to test the process and provide feedback to help improve the way we work together. We will need to group schools according to what MIS system you have and will phase piloting as a result. For now, all we need to know is what your current MIS your school is using, whether you would like to be considered as part of our pilot and any immediate questions that spring to mind.
Please fill out the survey form, it should take no longer than a few minutes and return no later than 12 May 2023. If you have any further questions, please contact us at educationsystemsupport@telford.gov.uk
Simon
Simon Wellman
Director of Education
SEND Newsletter – May 2023
The SEND Newsletter – May 2023 has been published on the SEND Local Offer. Discover all the current news and information about Special Educational Needs and Disability in Telford & Wrekin.
Please take a look at the SEND News section on the Local Offer to see the full list of articles.
Children’s Autism Hub – Spring Newsletter
The Children's Autism Hub Spring Newsletter is available to download.
Download: Children's Autism Hub Spring Newsletter
A selection of flyers for Autism Hub events that support children, young people and their families are available to download on the SEND Local Offer and Telford Autism Hub website, and we have provided them below:
- Coffee and Chat Sessions
- Primary Fun Sessions
- Family Session - Dugout 11-18
- SEND Support and Play for Early Years Families
- Workshop - Understanding My Autistic Child
The Children's Autism Hub is open to all children and young people aged 0-18, and their families, who have a diagnosis of Autism. For more information about the support and services offered by Telford Autism Hub, please visit their website.
Free Mental Health Training and Support from the Mental Health Foundation
With Mental Health Awareness week coming up (15 – 21 May) we wanted to share some useful resources for you to use to support teachers, pupils and families – all ages from early years through to adulthood.
The Mental Health Foundation has a wealth of online resources for you to access for free as a school. There are resources for you to use with your pupils to highlight the importance of mental and emotional wellbeing and support your RSE curriculum:
Mental health resources for schools, parents, caregivers and young people
Professional learning resource for school staff
There are also lots of resources targeted towards staff wellbeing helping staff understand and improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. The resources cover topics such as rethinking rest and loneliness. There is also access to online learning and development courses for those wanting to learn more about their own wellbeing and advice on how to support others.
There are also resources that you can signpost parents/carers to that will give them tips to help them support their children’s mental and emotional wellbeing. These include a range of topics including healthy relationships, body image and sleep.
In Scotland a free training package promoted by the Mental Health Foundation has been developed that is supporting school teachers to working with children helping them tackle mental health in schools. The programme is broken down in to three sections and by creating an account you can dip in and out of the training at times that suit you.
As this is a Scottish programme some signposting, and references are not local for us but the learning is something that everyone can benefit from.
SOS+ Criminal Exploitation Training for education professionals
A SOS+ Criminal Exploitation Training course is being provided to schools in Telford & Wrekin free of charge, led by St Giles Education Trust in partnership with the Education Safeguarding Team. There is no limit to the number of delegates who can attend from each school.
A choice of dates and times (delegates only need to attend one date):
Wednesday 10 May 2023 – 10am to 11.30am
Wednesday 10 May 2023 – 4pm to 5.30pm
Tuesday 23 May 2023 – 4pm to 5.30pm
Each session will consist of a 60 minute presentation, followed by a 30-minute Q&A session. After the session delegates will be able to:
- understand how county lines are set up
- understand how young people are groomed, recruited and exploited; specifically exploring examples that involve educational settings
- recognise key signs and indicators that children and young people are being exploited or at risk of county lines involvement by unpacking what this looks like within an educational setting
- understand how school exclusions can increase the risk of students on the periphery
- recognise how to mitigate risks practically when considering exclusions learning from successful examples
- understand the perspective of an expert witness who is a survivor and/or perpetrator of a county lines operation, including how county lines operations use girls and young women
- develop initial interventions and long-term strategies to prevent and reduce the risk of students of criminal exploitation, and gang and county lines involvement within educational settings.
Bookings can be made by sending a completed CPD booking form via email to: CPDSchool.Improvement@telford.gov.uk.
Implementing the Creating Active Schools Framework: Multiple benefits to pupils and teaching staff
There are 19 schools currently applying the Creating Active Schools Framework from across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin. Over 5,710 pupils are benefitting from active learning, more movement, improved behaviour and attention.
What is Creating Active Schools?
The Creating Active Schools framework promotes a whole systems approach to school improvement and provides a structure for embedding physical activity at the heart of a school’s ethos. The approach was piloted across the Yorkshire area in 2019 before being rolled out as a national pilot across 17 Active Partnerships during the 2021-22 academic year.
As one of the 17 Active Partnerships, Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin are supporting the schools who are implementing the framework. They are regularly visiting the schools to provide plan development, give advice and to collect feedback about their progress of using the framework.
In Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin:
In 2021-22, a two tiered approach was taken to support 12 primary schools in total:
- 7 targeted schools selected based on Free School Meal, National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP), attainment and attendance data.
- A further 5 schools applied to participate through an expression of interest form.
The impact:
19 schools in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are implementing the Creating Active Schools framework, with over 5,710 pupils benefitting from active learning and more movement before, during and after the school day.
Meeting with teaching staff and pupils gives us some great feedback of the many positive benefits they are experiencing. Ranging from increased activity, improved behaviour, focus and attainment through to better self-regulation for pupils who previously struggled inside the classroom.
A series of videos which are available on the Energize website and YouTube channel.
Schools implementing the framework across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin have shared the following feedback...
- It is a whole school approach - everyone shares the same vision and understands what needs to be done to achieve it: "It has raised the profile of physical activity at a strategic level” - Dothill Primary School, Telford.
- Changes in staff mindsets - many staff had concerns about workload and timetable constraints but as they have seen the impact of CAS initiatives, they have gained in confidence and are starting to change their view: “Attitudes are different – people are trying new things” - Christ Church School, Cressage.
- Disengaged pupils are active - the focus has shifted to opportunities for EVERYONE to be active. Schools have taken time to conduct pupil voice to inform the opportunities to be active selecting non-traditional activities such as circus skills where appropriate. They are engaging their older pupils to support the younger children as sports leaders, taking the pressure off staff: “Every child is active at break and lunchtimes and behaviour has improved” - Tilstock Primary School.
- Improved knowledge and understanding of wellbeing - staff are using CAS to support their Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum. Pupils can articulate how they feel and what they need to do to feel better: “Children recognise the link between physical activity and mental wellbeing" - Windmill Primary School.
- CAS has been the catalyst for a range of positive changes - it has caused a ripple effect through schools wider than just increasing physical activity levels. Behaviour, social skills, creativity, and confidence have improved in the majority of schools: “Children are happier – school feels happier and more fun” - Longlands Primary School.
For further information about how well the first year of the pilot went, watch the YouTube videos, read our one page flyer here or the Creating Active Schools report here. More information can also be found on the Creating Active Schools webpage, and by downloading the scheme overview.
Any queries can be directed to Claire Mansfield, Active Schools Officer, via email to claire.mansfield@energizestw.org.uk or by calling 07539 824586.
Telford & Wrekin School Attendance Averages for Spring term 2022-23
The Attendance Support Team are so very grateful to all our schools for submitting attendance and P/A data for the Spring Term 22-23.
We appreciate how busy you all are and acknowledge that most schools are now sharing data with the ‘View Your Education Data’ developed by WONDE. There are still some issues with the accuracy of this data, and we are working with WONDE and the DfE to be able to resolve these.
We are pleased to share the overall attendance Borough averages with you all and can confirm that all school’s attendance rates were higher than those in the Autumn term 22-23 and persistent absence level is decreasing across the Borough. You can also compare these figures with the National Averages that we circulated on this board recently. (These are also detailed below in brackets).
From the attendance data that you submitted I can confirm that overall:
|
Telford & Wrekin Schools |
Attendance - Spring 22-23 |
P/A - Spring 22-23 |
|
All schools |
93.9% (92.4%) |
19.0% (22.5%) |
|
Secondary schools |
92.1% (91.0%) |
22.8% (27.7%) |
|
Primary schools |
94.6% (93.7%) |
15.7% (17.7%) |
|
Special schools |
89.6% (86.8%) |
27.9% (40.4%) |
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to you all your continuing effort and for your continuing support.
Queries can be directed to the Attendance Support Team, via email to attendancesupportteam@telford.gov.uk or by calling 01952 385220.
Learn Telford: April Newsletter
Learn Telford is Telford & Wrekin’s adult education and community learning provider. The April edition of the Learn Telford is now available:
Learn Telford Newsletter - April 2023
Walk to School Week: 15-19 May 2023
Get moving and encourage pupils to be more active during Walk to School Week The 5-day challenge takes place from 15-19 May 2023 and is designed to help children reach their minimum 60 minutes of exercise per day, before they even start school for the day.
It has been proved that getting some exercise in the morning before arriving at school will help set you up for a positive day, improving focus and concentration, and instilling a sense of physical and mental wellbeing.
Another great benefit of Walk to School Week is that it reduces the morning traffic. Instead of being coming to school in the car and contributing to congestion, by creating carbon emissions, and pollution, you can reduce this by walking. The knock-on effect of less cars on the road will create cleaner air.
If you are within walking distance to school while not meet up with friends. Parents and teachers are also encouraged to get involved.
Remember to keep safe!
There are some creative and fun ways to engage pupils in this activity. Please see links below for free recourses and further information on walk to school week:
Living Streets - Walk to School Week
Mental Health Awareness Week: 15-22 May 2023
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event to raise awareness of the importance of mental health. Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation for over two decades. This year the theme is Anxiety, and the event will take place on 15-22 May 2023.
Anxiety is an emotion that affects us all. Whether you're worrying about passing an exam, concerned about money, or trying something new that you've not done before, it's normal to feel some level of anxiety at stressful times in life.
However, anxiety can become a big issue when it starts impairing our functioning and severely affecting our mood. Excessive anxiety can create a level of stress and hopelessness that affects our overall mental health and wellbeing. Some symptoms of anxiety include difficulty sleeping, feeling sick, restlessness and racing thoughts. There may also be behavioural changes, such as avoiding social interaction or situations that trigger stress.
With the right support and healthy coping strategies, anxiety can be made more manageable. Reaching the core of the issue causing anxiety will help to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms that often come along with it. Focusing on anxiety this Mental Health Awareness Week provides us with an opportunity to understand how anxiety affects mental health and provide information on how to cope with and heal from anxiety.
Key Facts on Mental Health from Children’s Society
- 1 in 6 children (aged between 5-16 year olds)are likely to have a mental health condition.
- 52% of 17 to 23 year olds have experienced mental health (this figure has gradually increased over the last five years).
- 1 in 8 children were unhappy in school.
- 1 in 9 are experiencing a low wellbeing.
- For more facts and figures follow this link Children’s Society key facts and figures.
Listed below are some free resources which you may find helpful
Educational Support for teachers
Foster Care Fortnight: 15-28 May 2023
Telford Fostering, the Telford & Wrekin Council fostering team, would like to draw your attention to Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from 15 – 28 May 2023.
This is The Fostering Network’s annual campaign that aims to raise awareness about the importance of foster care and encourage more people to consider becoming foster carers.
As an education professional, you are already making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people. However, you may also have the skills and experience needed to become a part-time foster carer. Part-time fostering involves providing short-term care and support to a child or young person for a few days or weekends each month, while they continue to live with their birth family or main foster carer.
If you are interested in finding out more about part-time fostering and how it could fit in with your work and lifestyle, we encourage you to join an information event during Foster Care Fortnight.
This is a great opportunity to meet experienced foster carers, ask questions, and learn more about the process of becoming a foster carer.
To find out more and register for an information event, please visit the Telford Fostering website.
International Day Against International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia: 17 May 2023
Each year on 17 May we commemorate International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. This day was first established in 2004 to draw attention to discrimination, violence and marginalization that many LGBTQ+ people faced not only in the UK but worldwide and is a reminder that despite progress in the recognition of LGBTQ+ rights, there remains a long way to go in the fight against discrimination and hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
One of the most malicious forms of discrimination is homophobia which is defined as a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards homosexuality or people who identify as LGBTQ+ which can include prejudice, discrimination and violence against individuals who are perceived as not conforming to traditional gender roles. Homophobia can also lead LGBTQ+ people to experience anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
It is important for us all to recognise and take a stance against homophobia as it is not only a violation of human rights but also a hindrance of social progress. When individuals are discriminated against it can prevent them from fully participating in society, in the workplace, education or in aspects of public life.
We must all continue to strive for equality and inclusion for all regardless of sexual orientation or how someone’s gender is identified or by who they love.
Please consider organisations such as Stonewall who continue to campaign for LGBTQ+ rights in the UK.
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is an opportunity to reflect on the harm caused by homophobia and commit to acting against it. By educating ourselves and others, supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and challenging discriminatory attitudes and behaviours, we can help to create an inclusive society for us all.
New addition to free Urban Games programme for May half term – Netball
Telford & Wrekin Council’s free sports programme welcomes Telford Netball club to the running order for the upcoming May half term.
The club is hosting a trial session at Donnington recreation ground and if successful, will host more in the future.
Denise Westwood, a Lead Coach at Telford Netball Club said: “We’re delighted to be bringing netball to the community and getting more people involved. Netball offers more than just a bit of fitness; people make lifelong friends, and we have players from aged 8 to 80 so it’s a great game whatever your fitness level.
“All netball role models are real women – important for girls and women – and gives you confidence, team working and communication skills as well developing your personal fitness. If you haven’t played netball before, keen to meet players in your area or want to have a go, then please pop and see us."
Urban Games is a council-run free sports programme for young people aged 8+ with sessions held in local parks across Telford and Wrekin.
More than 100 young people took part during the Easter holiday where partners including Shropshire Cricket, AFC Telford United the Bike Hub held sessions with professional coaches - just one of the ways the council is supporting young people and families.
Don’t forget, Dr Bike will also attend the Bike Hub session on Friday, June 2 and help repair children’s bikes for free.
The project forms part of the Safer & Stronger Communities programme, funded in part by the Police and Crime Commissioner and aims to create community support projects and introduce safety measures, based on ideas and suggestions by residents.
Along with the Urban Games, youth and sport clubs, women’s self-defence classes, reading groups, even art and gardening groups are just a handful of projects the Safer & Stronger Communities team have helped set up in the last year.
It’s easy to get involved and if people have ideas for a project in their area, the team can help with advice as well as funding. £2.5m has been made available over a two-year period to support the establishment of new projects.
For more information visit the website at www.telford.gov.uk/Saferstronger or email the team at saferstonger@telford.gov.uk
Please note: All sessions are suitable for children and young people aged 8-16 years, there is no need to book but places limited to 25 people (first come first served). Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring plenty of drinks.
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).
|
Safeguarding Training for Newly Appointed Governors |
Tuesday 9 May |
9.15am to 3.30pm |
|
SOS+ Criminal Exploitation Training for Education Professionals (SG 207) – see separate article under Safeguarding |
Wednesday 10 May |
10am to 11am |
|
SOS+ Criminal Exploitation Training for Education Professionals (SG 207) – see separate article under Safeguarding |
Wednesday 10 May |
4pm to 5.30pm |
|
Safety Intervention Training (formerly MAPA training) |
Thursday 11 May |
8.30am to 4pm |
|
Accredited Safer Recruitment Training |
Thursday 11 May |
9am to 4.30pm |
|
Prevent Awareness |
Thursday 11 May |
9.30am to 11am |
|
EYFS Moderation Trialling |
Tuesday 16 May |
1pm to 4pm |
|
Understanding Children’s Development in the EYFS – Milestones, Theories and Approaches (EY 314) |
Wednesday 17 May |
9.15am to 12noon |
|
Safeguarding Training for Newly Appointed Governors |
Wednesday 17 May |
5.30pm to 7.30pm |
|
Safety Intervention Training (formerly MAPA training) part 1 - CPI accredited (BSAT 201) |
Thursday 18 May |
8.30am to 12.30pm |
|
Thursday 18 May |
4pm to 5.30pm |
|
|
Thursday 18 May |
9.30am to 11am |
|
|
The Importance of the Early Years Foundation Stage in Schools (GO 603) |
Tuesday 23 May |
5.30m to 7pm |
|
SOS+ Criminal Exploitation Training for Education Professionals (SG 207) – see separate article under Safeguarding |
Tuesday 23 May |
4pm to 5.30pm |
|
Wednesday 24 May |
9.15am to 4pm |
|
|
Behaviour Support Intervention Refresher Training |
Thursday 25 May |
8.45am to 12.30pm |
|
Early Career Teacher Network |
Thursday 25 May |
4pm to 5pm (with optional informal ‘drop in’ 5pm to 5.30pm) |
|
Thursday 25 May |
5pm to 7pm |
Wildflower seeds for every primary school class in honour of the Coronation
This is an update from the Department for Education
Upcoming webinar on responsibilities where a mental health issue is affecting attendance
This is an update from the Department for Education
Many children will experience normal but difficult emotions that make them nervous about attending school, such as worries about friendships, schoolwork, exams or variable moods.
We are hosting a webinar, with an opportunity for Q&A, to support the publication of the summary of responsibilities where a mental health issue is affecting attendance guidance.
This will include best practice examples for:
- steps to overcome barriers to attendance
- staff and parent engagement
- intervention options
- impact for the child
- monitoring progress
The webinar will be on Wednesday 10 May 2023, 4pm to 5:15pm. To register your interest, please complete our short form.
If you have any questions regarding the webinar, please email contact attendance.webinar@education.gov.uk.
Working with the Education Endowment Foundation on maths attainment
This is an update from the Department for Education
We are working with the Education Endowment Foundation to expand access to evidence-informed programmes that have the potential to raise pupil attainment.
Please see the links below for more information on projects currently recruiting that focus on maths outcomes:
Trials (approaches that show promise):
- Counting Collections (reception): tests a structured early numeracy approach that develops children’s understanding of number and quantity.
- 1stClass@Number (key stage 1): tests a small-group intervention delivered by teaching assistants to support pupils struggling with numeracy in year 2.
- The 5Rs approach to GCSE Maths resits (sixth forms and colleges): tests the impact of a post-16 programme for students resitting GCSE maths.
Subsidised access (shown to be effective in previous trials and being offered at a subsidised rate):
- Maths Mastery (key stage 1): a whole-school, two year, fully resourced curriculum package to deepen pupils’ understanding of key mathematical concepts.
Exams update from Ofqual and information to share with parents
This is an update from the Department for Education
Ofqual have just published new exam information resources for schools, colleges and parents.
The Ofqual guide for schools and colleges brings together information schools and colleges need to know about exams and assessments.
It explains what you can expect from awarding organisations regulated by Ofqual and covers qualifications which are typically taken in an academic year in centres, including the Technical Qualification (within a T Level). Changes in place to arrangements for qualifications in 2023, including grading and new actions to support the issuing of level 3 Vocational Technical Qualification results, used for progression to higher education, are included.
Ofqual’s Chief Regulator Dr Jo Saxton has also written an open letter to parents to explain arrangements and the support in place for exams this summer, as well as the information available to students.
We have also updated our blog on everything you need to know about this exams season, including the latest information on what support is in place for students and how grading will work.
Opportunity to share ‘understanding student loans’ resources with years 12 and 13
This is an update from the Department for Education
Earlier this year we shared the new understanding student loans resources aimed at pupils in England considering starting higher education this September or in 2024.
Please remind any year 13 students still planning to apply, that the application deadline is 19 May to guarantee having finance in place when their course starts. They can apply later, up to 9 months into their course, but it does take time to process.
This is also a good time to share the resources with year 12 pupils, so they have the facts on student loans as they consider future options.
You can download the written guide and FAQ from the Student Loans Company practitioner site and share the short explainer video.
Alternatively, you can signpost your students and their parents and carers to information on The Student Room.
Opportunity to register for the Early Years Professional Development Programme (EYPDP)
This is an update from the Department for Education
The EYPDP forms part of our early years recovery programme to help address the impact of the pandemic on the youngest and most disadvantaged children. Delivering high-quality, evidence informed professional development to early years practitioners, the EYPDP is available to up to 10,000 eligible practitioners across England.
The programme is being delivered by Education Development Trust and the next cohort of learners are due to start this September, with registration now open.
The programme has been designed to fit flexibly around busy lifestyles, covering 3 tailored modules in:
- communication and language
- early mathematics
- personal, social and emotional development.
Registration for cohort 2 starting this September is now open and eligibility criteria details are available.
Places are limited, so find out more and register your interest online.
Mainstream schools additional grant information published
This is an update from the Department for Education
The mainstream schools additional grant distributes funding to schools from the additional £2 billion provided as part of the Autumn Statement.
We announced the funding rates and methodology for this grant in December 2022. Last week, we published the school-level allocations, to show each school how much funding they will receive.
First payments to maintained schools will be made via their respective local authority from April 2023. Academies will receive their payments in May 2023.
Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education, wrote to all schools on 26 April 2023 with further information.
Multi-agency practice principles to respond to child exploitation and extra-familial harm published
This is an update from the Department for Education
Funded by DfE and developed by the Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) support programme, alongside professionals, children and families, the multi-agency practice principles will help safeguarding partnerships, strategic leaders, managers and those working directly with children, from a range of organisations, to respond to child exploitation and extra-familial harm.
The practice principles are available on the TCE microsite, alongside supporting resources for professionals.