Education Noticeboard

Education Noticeboard

Education Noticeboard 3 October 2024

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

Included in this edition of Education Noticeboard

Included in this update:

 

Director Update

Dear Colleagues

Welcome to this week’s noticeboard

There are several key pieces of information for you this week, including information around TWC policy and guidance for educational visits and there is an updated procedure for the reporting of sickness. 

Congratulations to Telford and Wrekin Virtual School who have become one of seven Virtual Schools in the UK to have been awarded the Gold Artsmark Award

Also, this week in addition to the usual CPD training opportunities there are several free training courses offering quality specialised training to equip school staff with valuable skills and knowledge.

Finally, a quick reminder about the upcoming Telford & Wrekin Education Strategic Partnership Board Autumn Term Leadership Conference, which is taking place on 23 October 2024. There are a few spaces left so, if you would like to attend the event then please book a place. 

Wishing you a good rest of the week.

Best wishes

Simon

Simon Wellman

Director Education and Skills

News

Early Help Training

Early Help Training for schools during the autumn term, focusing on the Early Help Assessment and Early Help Support Plan.

Training opportunities for schools to access free Early Help training. Training sessions are being provided in person on the following dates:

21 October 2024 – Park Lane Centre 10am – 12pm

15 November 2024 – Ketley Community Centre 1pm - 3pm

05 December 2024 – Randlay Community Centre 1pm – 3pm

Please respond to strengtheningfamiliesBSO@telford.gov.uk to book your free place at any venue.

Annual Leadership Conference for Headteachers, Principals and CEO’s in Telford & Wrekin

The Annual Leadership Conference for Telford & Wrekin Headteachers, Principals and CEO’s is taking place on Wednesday 23 October 2024 from 8.45am to 1pm, including lunch. 

The conference will provide a first opportunity to share data on the performance of our schools across the borough, comparing to regional and national data, looking at trends over time and identifying hot issues.  The presentation will include school performance data, SEND, CiC, Fairshare, attendance, exclusions and suspensions and will help to focus strategic networking discussions on the range of issues challenging our schools.

We are also delighted to announce details of our two key note speakers – Darren Edwards, record-breaking Disabled Adventurer, Inspirational Speaker and Author – and Malcolm Reeve, National Leader of Education and Chair of the Programme Board for Whole School SEND. 

Please see the attached flyer for further information about our key note speakers.

The delegate fee for this event remains unchanged from 2023 at £60 per person, with a discounted offer of £100 for two delegates from the same school, including lunch.  This event has been priced competitively to simply cover costs and to hopefully maximise attendance from all of our schools. 

The Partnership Board is delighted to welcome all Headteachers, Principals and CEOs to this event.  There is also some space for Deputy Heads to attend too, but we ask that they only attend alongside their Headteacher, and not as a replacement. 

To secure your place/s please send a completed CPD booking form to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Reporting ‘Sickness returns’ and the difference when referring cases of CNRE

From September 2024 schools have a duty to inform the LA of any child who is recorded with code I and who the school has reasonable grounds to believe will miss 15 days consecutively or cumulatively because of sickness. This is a data collection the LA record and is very different to the referral of CNRE for further support

In line with the DfE guidance ‘Working Together to Improve School Attendance’ schools should continue to refer pupils to the LA who have accrued 10 days absence. In T& W these pupils are known as COOS or CNRE. Often the pupil does not return to school in a timely manner and the school and LA work in partnership with agreeing appropriate support.

These referrals should continue in the same way. They are different to the Sickness return, which is purely a data collection by the LA as required as stated below.

DfE - Working together to Improve School Attendance – August 2024

40. Sickness returns: providing the local authority with the full name and address of all pupils of compulsory school age who have been recorded with code I (illness) and who the school has reasonable grounds to believe will miss 15 days consecutively or cumulatively because of sickness. Only one sickness return is required for a continuous period of sickness in a school year. This is to help the school and local authority to agree any provision needed to ensure continuity of education for pupils  who cannot attend because of health needs, in line with the statutory guidance on arranging education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs.

Schools will need to use the SAM Portal on Synergy to report sickness returns.

Synergy has functionality to receive forms from schools electronically so we will be asking all schools to use the School Access Module (SAM) Portal (link below) to complete and send in AST Referral. Referrals will no longer be accepted via email.

SAM Portal:

This is the link to the SAM Portal: https://education.telford.gov.uk/live/SynergyWeb/schools

Existing SAM Portal Users:

If you already have an account on the SAM Portal to complete FAP and Student Engagement Referrals you will be able to complete an AST Referral in the same way and will not need your account to be updated.

If you already have an account on the SAM Portal in respect of Admissions only, and will also need to use the Portal to AST Referrals, you will need to have you permissions updated. Please either email educationsystemssupport@telford.gov.uk or log a call with IDT Self Service, with the SAM Portal New User Form attached for this to be set up. Once set up, the SAM Portal should look like this (new “Online Forms” button):

New SAM Portal Users:

If you are going to need access to the SAM Portal, please either email educationsystemssupport@telford.gov.uk or log a call with IDT Self Service, with the SAM Portal New User Form attached for this to be set up.

Please do not click the “Create Account” button

There is also a user guide for the SAM Portal should you need any further support.

SAM Portal User Guide

Download other useful documents

Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)                                                                                   

Working together to improve school attendance

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/attendance-hubs

Major national drive to improve school attendance

 

Safeguarding

Telford & Wrekin White Ribbon Day 2024

Annual White Ribbon Day event raising awareness of Domestic Violence

Telford & Wrekin White Ribbon Day 2024

Together we can prevent violence against women and girls. It starts with me. It starts with men.

This year's White Ribbon Day event will be taking place on Monday 25th November 2024 from 10.00am to 1.00pm and will be held at Telford Minster, Meeting Point House, Southwater Square, Telford, TF3 4HS. This will be accompanied by 16 Days of Action following the event to raise awareness of male abuse against women and encourage men to stand up against this.

Please book your place here.

Organisational Abuse Webinar

This event aims to disseminate learning from the National Safeguarding Adult Review Analysis; provide updates on positive initiatives in this area of care and support; share insights from research and work with people who use these services; provide inspiration to improve what is done locally; and publicise the work of the Organisational Abuse Expert Reference Group.

Organisational Abuse:  What are the challenges and what helps in this area of safeguarding practice?

Tuesday 15 October 2024, 2.00pm - 4.00pm (online) Free to attend

Presentations include:

Learning from the 2nd National Safeguarding Adult Review Analysis –Professor Michael Preston-Shoot,  National SAB Chairs Network Lead, Independent Chair

Sharing insights from people who use these services – Sarah Carr and Tina Coldham, Mental Health User Consultant

Learning from Whorlton Hall Safeguarding Adult Review and progress responses to the findings – Lesley Jeavons, Independent Chair - Durham SAB, Whorlton Hall Chair

The Importance/role of independent advocacy in the context of organisational abuse - Gail Petty, Advocacy Programme Lead, NDTi

Safeguarding concerns and enquiries: Section 42 Care Act responsibilities - Jane Lawson and Jane Hughes, Making Connections

Good preventative practices –  Emily Russell,  Housing 21

Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) role and approach – Hayley Moore, Deputy Director Safeguarding Closed Cultures CQC

The Expert Reference Group and resources list –  Dr Adi Cooper, Care & Health Improvement Adviser, PCH Safeguarding Lead

This is a virtual Zoom webinar. Please book your place here..

 

TWSP Threshold Guidance Training

Free training opportunities for education staff provided by the TWSP

TWSP Threshold Guidance Training

The TWSP Threshold Guidance training covers:

  • An increased awareness, confidence and skills in using the Partnership Threshold of Need as a tool to provide the right help at the right time.
  • Enhanced knowledge and information around support available to children, young people and families within Telford and Wrekin.
  • Increased confidence around information sharing to improve outcomes for children by providing the right support for families at the right time.

We still have places available for the workshops, it is very important that we have good representation from all partners at this session and strongly encourage attendance to ensure an equal spread of knowledge relating to the use of the threshold guidance which impacts on daily operational roles.

You can sign up to the workshops here.

Free training opportunities for education staff provided by the TWSP.

TWSP face-to-face training – either virtually or in-person – is available to all TWSP partner agencies.

If you have any problems using your Ollie account, please email ollie@telford.gov.uk

TWSP training is free for all professionals and practitioners but please ensure that when you complete your Ollie account form that you complete the billing details section. This is needed in the event of non-attendance or late cancellation, or where a course is chargeable. You will be notified if there is a charge for the course for non-attendance.

TWSP - Brook Traffic Light Tool - Tuesday 13th May 2025 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm via Teams

Virtual School

Telford & Wrekin Virtual School Latest Updates

Find out about our Artsmark Award and recent band performance

Arts Mark

Telford and Wrekin Virtual School has become one of seven Virtual Schools in the UK to have been awarded an Artsmark Award and we are pleased to share that we have been awarded ‘GOLD’

Following the announcement of the award, the Virtual Schools Arts lead attended a celebration event which took place in Birmingham on the 25th of June 2024 and presented to an audience on their Artsmark journey.

Band Performance

This term the Telford & Wrekin Virtual School Band, who were formed last year, have continued to rehearse and perform, most recently at Southwater to mark World Suicide Prevention Day where they helped raise awareness of local and national support services.

For further information please contact virtualschool@telford.gov.uk

Early Years

Safety alert regarding "water beads"

Water beads have been linked to child fatalities overseas and to serious harm to children in the UK.

Please see below a link to a product safety alert for a product generically known as water beads, the common name for superabsorbent polymers (SAPs). When exposed to liquid, including water or gastric fluids, they can expand significantly greater than their original size. 

The main harms occur when dehydrated beads are swallowed and then expand in the gastrointestinal tract, causing a blockage that requires surgical removal. Ingested water beads can be very difficult to detect and do not show up on x-ray, making clinical diagnosis challenging.  Harm can also occur when a bead is accidentally inhaled into the airways, which can lead to coughing and choking.

https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-alert-water-beads-psa7

Advised Action

Consumers, Childcare and Education Settings:

  • Water beads should be kept away from young children, under 5 years of age. If you possess water beads, always store them out of sight and reach of children.
  • It is recommended that caregivers of young children, under 5 years of age, avoid having water beads in their household or classroom, even if intended for an older child or adult use. This is because young children have the highest propensity to put things in their mouths.
  • When using water beads with older children, ensure they are used under close adult supervision. Ensure water beads are not swallowed, that the area is thoroughly checked to ensure no water beads have rolled away, which later could be found by a child. Only allow children supervised access to a limited number of water beads at any one time.
  • Be aware of risks to older children and vulnerable adults, including people with special educational needs and disabilities which may make them more likely to mouth objects.
  • Be aware of signs that could indicate accidental ingestion, like vomiting and stomach pain. Remember, a child may only show symptoms, hours or even a day or more after swallowing a bead. If you suspect water beads have been swallowed, seek immediate medical attention. If you can, bring a sample of the product.

Be aware of signs that could indicate choking, such as difficulty breathing, speaking, crying or coughing or other signs of distress, such as pointing to their throat, grasping their neck or a face that turns pale and blue-tinted.

CPD

CPD

CPD courses to the end of the first half term 2024

Further details of these and all other courses are available in the 2024-25 CPD booklet on the Telford Education Services website and on the Ollie website

The CPD Booklet for the remainder of the 2024-15 academic year can be viewed via Telford Education Services.

As always, courses can be booked by completing and returning a CPD booking form to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk (unless denoted differently)

 

Literacy Pathway Intervention Training for TAs - part 1

Monday, October 07, 2024

9.15am to 12.30pm

Talk Boost KS2 (LSAT 511)

Tuesday, October 08, 2024

9.30am to 3pm

Safety Intervention Training (formerly MAPA) - Part 2 - CPI accredited (BSAT 201)

Wednesday, October 09, 2024

2pm to 4.30pm

Newly Appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads' Training (2 days) - part 1 (SG 102)

Wednesday, October 09, 2024

9.15am to 4pm

Assessing and Monitoring of Progress in EAL (CPD 701)

Thursday, October 10, 2024

1.15pm to 3.30pm

Best practice in your breakfast, after-school and holiday provision (EY 104)

Thursday, October 10, 2024

9.15am to 12noon

Newly Appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads' Training (2 days) - part 2 (SG 102)

Thursday, October 10, 2024

9.15am to 4pm

Literacy Pathway Intervention Training for TAs (part 2)

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

9.15am to 12noon

Designated Teacher for Children in Care Network Meeting (Post 16 )

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

4pm to 5.30pm

Positive Behaviour Management in the Classroom (PSS 008)

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

2pm to 4pm

EAL and SEND? (CPD 601)

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

1.15pm to 4pm

Meeting the Statutory Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the EYFS (EY 009)

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

4pm to 5.30pm

Understanding Nurture (PSS 101)

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

9.15am to 12noon

Behaviour Support Intervention Refresher Training - Non-accredited (BSAT 302)

Thursday, October 17, 2024

9am to 1pm TBC

Messy Mathematics in an Outdoor Learning Environment (EY 341)

Thursday, October 17, 2024

4pm to 5.30pm

Absence Management of Employees (HR course)

Thursday, October 17, 2024

2pm to 5pm

Raising Awareness of Child Protection (SG 108)

Thursday, October 17, 2024

9.30am to 11am

PROTECT Professional Campaign Launch

Monday, October 21, 2024

9.30am to 1pm

SEND and AP Change Programme Learning Lunch

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

12.30pm to 1pm

Adapting High Quality Teaching for SEMH (PSS 012)

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

4pm to 5.30pm

The Visually Impaired Child in Your Class (SIS 001)

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

9am to 4pm

School Attendance Briefing Updates (AST 004)

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

4pm to 5.30pm

Autumn Term Leadership Conference for Headteachers, Principals and CEO’s of Multi-Academy Trusts (see separate article)

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

9am - 1pm
with lunch

 

Assessment and Monitoring of progress in EAL Learners training

Specialised training designed to equip school staff with the skills and knowledge to effectively assess and monitor the progress of English as an additional language learners.

Telford and Wrekin are aware of the ever increasing need to ensure progress of EAL pupils is tracked to ensure they make accelerated progress, particularly in light of recent developments.

The training course will explore how schools can:

a) establish a robust baseline assessment of EAL learners' English language skills on first arrival, identify appropriate targets and next steps, and track progress against expected rates of language development

b) use a variety of EAL assessment frameworks to show evidence of progress, particularly for those pupils without prior attainment data and those working well below age-related expectations

c) integrate EAL assessment and monitoring into schools' existing systems.

There will be an opportunity to use case study material to identify how to evidence and demonstrate:

a) tracking of pupil progress in English language development

b) how to set targets

c) show progress and identify areas of concern.

Thursday, 10th October 2024 1.15pm to 3.30pm online via Microsoft Teams

MDT support for individual schools to deliver quality bespoke CPD is available upon request.

If you would like to attend or express an interest in the training, please contact the MDT team.

To book a place on the training course please click here

Insert photo

EAL and SEND

EAL and SEND Training designed to empower school staff with the tools and strategies needed to support students with diverse linguistic backgrounds and special education needs.

There are significant numbers of multilingual children who do have SEND. Learning English as an additional language (EAL) is not the same as having a SEND. This course will be run by the Multicultural Development Team and the Learning Support Advisory Team and will focus on pupils learning EAL who may also have SEND.

The course will:

  • consider the process of additional language acquisition and expected patterns of progression
  • differentiate between barriers to learning as a result of EAL and those related to SEND
  •  explore the process of unpicking EAL factors from SEND through case study material
  • discuss the impact of cultural norms and understandings of SEND when working with families

  • Wednesday, 16th October 2024 1.15pm to 4.00pm online via Microsoft Teams

    MDT support for individual schools to deliver quality bespoke CPD is available upon request.

    If you would like to attend or express an interest in the training, please contact the MDT team.

    To book a place on the training course please click here

    There will be an opportunity to use case study material to pinpoint and differentiate between EAL and SEND factors in those pupils where both may impact on their learning.

Other Information & Resources

Free sessions to schools from Barnados

Our new service with funding from the CO OP is dedicated to enhancing mental wellbeing, ensuring access to essentials such as food, as well as access to meaningful opportunities for growth and development

Barnardos are hoping to undertake some free outreach in schools.

They would love the opportunities to go into schools and deliver PSHE sessions/cooking sessions.  The sessions will be tailored to meet specific emotional and developmental needs of students, ensuring a safe nurturing environment and Barnados would welcome the school and students to steer the directions of their sessions.

The project is FREE to all schools, alternative provisions and colleges across Telford from 10-25 years. 

For further information please contact

Toni-Louise Bambrough 

tonilouise.bambrough@barnardos.org.uk

Family Board Games at Telford & Wrekin Libraires

Do you love playing board games?

Come along and play board games with other families.

Board games are a fun and sociable way to spend time with

friends and family.

We have a range of board games available to play.

Suitable for children aged 4+
Wellington Library Tuesday 29 October 10.30am-12.30pm

Southwater Library Friday 1 November 2-4pm

You only need to book one ticket per family

For further information contact Libraryenquiries@telford.gov.uk

TWC Policy and Guidance for Educational Visits Sept 2024

The latest versions of Telford and Wrekin’s Policy and Guidance for Educational Visits and Journeys is now available on Evisits.

TWC Policy for Educational Visits and Journeys

The policy has been reviewed and the 2024-25 version is available on Evisits.

There is additional information concerning Resilience and Incident planning as well as Communications.

There will be an update at the next EVC network meeting on 17th October, 1pm.

This policy is essential for all those who have responsibility for the approval, planning and/or execution of any educational visit or Outdoor Learning including on site adventurous activities.

All visits must be planned and organised in accordance with this document.  The status of this document is mandatory for all Telford & Wrekin maintained schools and for establishments working under the TWC Educational Visits Service Level Agreement.  Schools / Establishments, school staff and course providers have a duty of care to their children and young people, any accompanying adults, each other and themselves to ensure that they are kept safe and well and, that, in the event of any incident, they are able to respond appropriately in order to minimise the risk of harm.

Any Telford and Wrekin foundation or voluntary aided schools choosing not to follow the Telford & Wrekin Policy and Guidance must (as employers) have other guidelines in place for educational visits and journeys, which the Local Authority (LA) will expect to be at least as comprehensive as its own guidelines.

If you want to know more or need advice please get in contact.

EdVisits@telford.gov.uk

 

Urban Games launches its October 2024 half-term timetable

Urban Games is a free sports and activity programme run by Telford & Wrekin Council. This programme has been very successful over the summer with over 3,000 attendees.

Young people aged 0 to 16+ attended sports, arts and wildlife events at venues across the town and had access to more than 200 activities over six weeks.

The sessions attracted 3,098 attendees – more than double the previous summer’s figure of 1,146.

In addition, the Happy Healthy Active Holidays (HHAH) scheme offers children in receipt of free school meals, activities such as sports, cooking, dance, music, arts and a nutritious meal each day.

Some 4,325 children from reception through to Year 11 attended this year – that’s nearly half the eligible population of Telford and Wrekin.

Both these schemes support the council’s commitment to help provide affordable, accessible, and safe support for young people.

Councillor Kelly Middleton, (Lab) Cabinet Member for Healthier, Safer & Stronger Communities & Partnerships said: “I’m really a pleased that the numbers are so high and that the sessions are helping so many families during the holidays.

“Summer is such an expensive time, and the Urban Games have clearly been popular to keep youngsters entertained. We hope the success is down to the extensive programme supported by professional coaches who deliver the games and the fact that it’s super local and free for kids to attend.  

“Some young people do not have their school as a safe and supportive place over the holidays and activities such as this can go some way to providing diversionary activities. The sessions also encourage those taking part to build friendships and develop skills, for some young people it can help reduce the potential for vandalism and violence within a local area too.”

“The schedule this summer has been bigger and better than ever before, which will have helped with attendance at local playgrounds and sports areas.”

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “The Safer and Stronger initiative, I am working closely with Telford & Wrekin Council to deliver, has unity at its core.

“It’s great to see the huge success of Urban Games over the school holidays which has given young people an opportunity to take part in free activities and grow skills for life.

“Sport has a unique power to unite communities, and as their voice in policing, I want to ensure residents are empowered to speak out on issues that matter to them.”

The next Urban Games will be during October half term and the latest activity timetable is available here https://indd.adobe.com/view/d1ae3217-1cf3-4941-8eac-6ef69fe4abb4. The schedule is more limited due to poorer weather at this time of year.

HHAH activities are available during Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays with the winter sessions starting on Friday, December 20, visit the website to register and check availability https://hhah.telford.gov.uk/

For full details of activities for young people across the borough can be found here https://www.telford.gov.uk/whatsonintelford including

Challenge your child to 10 challenges before the age of 10 Home Page (telford.gov.uk)

 

This entry was posted by Zoe on Thursday, 26 September 2024.

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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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