Education Noticeboard 25 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
Half term is fast approaching us now - so I hope you all enjoy the upcoming break.
Please do promote the half term offers to your communities - there are some great activities available this year.
The Ercall Wood Academy expansion is looking brilliant and will soon be able to offer an additional 300 school places which will be great for our borough. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates as we progress through the development.
Most of you should now be familiar with our SAM portal so it is important to note - Synergy and the SAM Portal will be unavailable from 2.30pm until approximately 5pm on Wednesday 30th October due to an upgrade.
It is also vital to note that the EYFS statutory frameworks has now been revised and the new version will be implemented from 1st November 2024.
Simon
Simon Wellman
Director Education and Skills
NEWS
Ercall Wood Academy expansion is making great progress
Work to expand Ercall Wood Academy in Telford is progressing well with almost a third of the project complete.
The expansion will enable an additional 60 Year 7 pupils to start at the school from September 2025.
Over time, the project will help the school to grow its pupil numbers by around a third, with an increase in capacity of 300 students from 900 to 1200.
The extended dining room is expected to be completed by Winter 2024 and a new three-storey teaching block, which will focus on science, is on course to be finished by Summer 2025.
The academy is one of five secondary schools in Telford & Wrekin which are run by the Learning Community Trust.
The steel frame of the new block is now complete and concrete staircases have been built.
Work on the single storey ground floor extension, which will provide an additional 128 spaces for lunchtime dining, is also well underway.
Ercall Wood Technology College dates back to the 1940s and was rebuilt in 2014 on the same site as the existing school as part of a £14m project under the Building Schools for the Future scheme.
Headteacher Nick Murphy said: “We want our students to share the same high aspirations whether it is through academic success, sporting prowess or excellence in the arts.
“There are no limits to what can be achieved with hard work, resilience and determination – and we want them to thrive in the best possible learning environment.”
In its GCSE results this year, Ercall Wood Academy reported excellent English results once again, with subject areas such as art, business, dance and photography also performing well - achieving considerably higher results than the national average.
Telford & Wrekin Council approved plans for the expansion proposals in 2023.
Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Education, Employment & Skills, said: “We’re really pleased to see work progressing well at Ercall Wood Academy.
“The expansion of the school will cater for the demand from people living locally and support the school’s continued growth.
“Having improved facilities and more space to cater for further students can only be a positive for the school.”
You can find out more about the Ercall Wood Academy expansion here: Ercall Wood Academy - expansion - Telford & Wrekin Council
SYNERGY & SAM PORTAL
Unavailable Wednesday 30th October
Synergy and the SAM Portal will be unavailable from 2.30pm until approximately 5pm on Wednesday 30th October due to an upgrade.
Please do not try to log in during this time.
Safeguarding
Understanding Islamist extremist narratives
A FREE training session will be held on Microsoft teams on Wednesday 20th November 2024; 3.30pm to 5pm delivered by the DFE regional Prevent lead Sheri Alamgir
In partnership with the DFE, Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire are hosting this FREE online training session Islamist CTLP session. delivered by the DFE regional Prevent lead Sheri Alamgir.
As the West Midlands Prevent lead for Education I would like to re-iterate the importance of your attendance at the scheduled session. As a DSL or member of the SLT if you are not able to attend then please do send your deputy or a representative who is able to provide you with an update.
We know that both the arrest data and Prevent referral date highlights that the age of individuals being radicalised is getting younger and given some of the recent events locally, nationally and internationally it is more important than ever that we are all vigilant and aware of the narrative used by extremist to groom young people and be confident in reporting these.
This online training session will be delivered by Sheri Alamgir, DFE Regional Prevent Education Co-ordinator for the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Mercia. The training session provides delegates with knowledge that will support them in fulfilling their role within the Prevent Duty and links with our counter terrorism local profile. As the West Midlands Prevent lead for Education I would like to re-iterate the importance of your attendance at the scheduled session. As a DSL or member of the SLT if you are not able to attend then please do send your deputy or a representative who is able to provide you with an update.
We know that both the arrest data and Prevent referral date highlights that the age of individuals being radicalised is getting younger and given some of the recent events locally, nationally and internationally it is more important than ever that we are all vigilant and aware of the narrative used by extremist to groom young people and be confident in reporting these.
Please email cpdschool.improvement@telford.gov.uk to book a place on this training session, please provide your name, role and email address in order for the link for this session to be shared with you.
CAPE National Conference - Thursday 13Th March 2025
CAPE are pleased to announce their Annual National Conference for 2025! Supporting Senior Leaders, Designated Safeguarding Leads and Safeguarding Professionals from all agencies, to increase current knowledge and understanding in relation to the following
key themes affecting safeguarding practice.
• Simon Hackett, University of Durham: ‘AIM update, Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) a continuum’
• Jac Bastain, Diversity Role Models: LGBTQ, Inclusion and Legislative Updates’
• Shaheen Myers, Balance Ed: ‘Focus on Staff Wellbeing
• Nikki Holmes, Safer Together - ‘Victim blaming, risks and vulnerabilities’
• Superintendant Matt Davison, PREVENT Programme update, the understanding of PREVENT and work across England, with a Northern focus’
Please book your place using the Eventbrite Link below:
Cost: £185.00 per person, CAPE Members: £160.00 per person
If you require any further information about CAPE please check out our: website https://cape.org.uk/
NSPCC
NSPCC in the North East are launching these resources virtually on Weds 6 Nov at 3:45pm. If you, or any of your contacts, are interested in finding out more about the resources then you can sign up to join the virtual launch event for free by clicking here.
What’s included in the resource?
The resources include three films and accompanying lesson plans that follow four characters experiencing interpersonal domestic violence, in familial, friendship and in intimate partner relationships. Within the resources there are also clear curriculum links.
The resources are designed to enable young people aged 11-14 to explore the impact of the decisions that the characters make and investigate potential allies and intervention moments, while also exploring the questions surrounding what a healthy and unhealthy relationship is. The resources seek to prevent harmful sexual behaviours and coercive control that may lead to adult domestic violence and abuse in intimate partner relationships.
As part of the ongoing development and delivery of the PROTECT campaign, we are hoping in time that we can bring an adapted version of these resources to Telford and Wrekin, but in the meantime, I do hope that these national resources can be useful – please do feel free to use and share.
White Ribbon UK
White Ribbon inclusion events for under-represented groups. Come along to see what services are available in your area for victims and survivors of crime.
Telford – Thursday 28 November 2024: 9am–2.30pm
Leegomery Community Centre, Leegate Avenue, Telford, TF1 6NA
Contact: Valerie Comley <Valerie.Comley@victimsupport.org.uk
Early Years
Revised versions of the EYFS statutory frameworks
Please see the revised EYFS statutory frameworks, which will be implemented from 1st November 2024.
EYFS statutory framework for childminders - Click here
EYFS statutory framework for group and school based providers November - Click here
The Department for Education (DfE) has published its response to the consultation on proposals to strengthen EYFS safeguarding requirements
DfE intends to implement the EYFS safeguarding reforms from 1st September 2025
The Department for Education (DfE) has published its response to the consultation on proposals to strengthen EYFS safeguarding requirements, which ran from 22 April to 17 June 2024.
Based on consultation responses DfE will proceed with implementing all of the proposals consulted on, including for: safer recruitment, child absences, safer eating, safeguarding training and paediatric first aid training. Additionally, there are 2 new proposals on providing employment references and to support whistleblowing.
DfE intends to implement the EYFS safeguarding reforms from 1st September 2025. We will be offering workshops to support these changes prior to them being introduced.
Urban Games October Offer
This October Urban games are offering :-
BMX biking to multi sports sessions including cricket, football, basketball and lots of others hosted by professional coaches, there’s something for everyone at a host of venues across Telford.
Best of all, they are completely free and have been funded by the council’s Safer and Stronger Communities project.
For further information follow the link below
https://www.telford.gov.uk/info/20390/events_and_activities/6460/urban_games
October Half Term Holiday Activity Programme
Take a look at our October Half Term Holiday Activity Programme covering Monday 28 October to Sunday 3 November 2024.
Lots of fun activities for £2
For further information and to check out the brochure click on the link below
www.telfordandwrekinleisure.co.uk/info/3/facilities/76/holiday-activity-programme
Healthy Happy Active Holidays
Winter Registration Days 2024
Book your HHAH Registration support day in 21st December 2024 – 5th January 2024
Book in your pop up HHAH registration day at your setting.
We are able to attend your school/venue to support families in registering for winter HHAH activities.
We are also able to offer a flyer/drop-in session should families have queries as to what’s on offer for them in Telford over the Christmas period.
Eligibility Criteria:
Reception – Year 11 benefit related FSM Children
SEND Children
Referral in by schools/services for vulnerable/at risk students or families identified that may benefit from the scheme.
Email holidayactivityhub@telford.gov.uk to book in.
Outdoor Education
Outdoor learning and Forest School leaders 19th November
Are you involved in forest school or outdoor learning and wish you had a place to go to learn new skills, share ideas and generally feel you are not in it alone, well Sharing Good Practice sessions are for you?
These monthly sessions take place across the area, allowing experienced practitioners to enrich their sessions or those just starting out to gain ideas and a supportive network.
The last session was on 24 September and was held in Short Wood Schools’ Forest school site.
“It was really enjoyable to have hosted the second Telford Forest School Support Group.
After a tour of our site we discussed how we used the various areas to link to the curriculum and the Forest School ethos.
Whilst enjoying tea and cake we discussed different schools’ needs and how we can work together to support one another.
Judie, from Wrekin Forest School, was able to offer resources to develop sites and next time we will look at ideas for activities and using stories to initiate play. Really nice to get together and share experiences” Short Wood staff
Chat over a cuppa and slice of cake and do a few hands on activities.
These sessions are informal ways to share our knowledge.
We are happy to come to your site on occasion too and help with practical development.
Our next session is on Tuesday 19th November 3.30-5pm.
To book; https://wrekinforestschool.co.uk/events
£5 to cover Tea and Cake
CPD
CPD courses to the end of the Autumn Term 2024
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)
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Supporting Sustained shared thinking and scaffolding play in the EYFS (EY 008) |
Tuesday, November 05, 2024 |
1.15pm to 4pm |
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Tuesday, November 05, 2024 |
3.30pm to 5pm |
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Secure Attachment in Schools (PSS 020) |
Wednesday, November 06, 2024 |
9.15am to 12noon |
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Designated Safeguarding Leads' and Safeguarding Governors' Termly Update (SG 106) |
Wednesday, November 06, 2024 |
4pm to 5.30pm |
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CPI accredited Safety Intervention Refresher Training (formerly MAPA) - (BSAT 212) |
Thursday, November 07, 2024 |
2pm to 4.30pm |
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Effective Circle Times in the EYFS (EY 302) |
Thursday, November 07, 2024 |
1.15pm to 4pm |
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The Importance of the Early Years Foundation Stage in Schools (GO 603) |
Thursday, November 07, 2024 |
5.30pm to 7pm |
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Employee Investigations Training (HR course) |
Thursday, November 07, 2024 |
2pm to 5pm |
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Designated Safeguarding Leads Refresher (SG 107) |
Thursday, November 07, 2024 |
9.15am to 4pm |
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Annual Early Years Conference (EY 015) |
Friday, November 08, 2024 |
9.45am to 4pm - TBC |
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Literacy Pathway - part 2 |
Monday, November 11, 2024 |
9.15am to 12.30pm |
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Youth Mental Health First Aid - Part 1 (PSS 001) |
Monday, November 11, 2024 |
9.15am to 4pm |
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Using visuals to support all children in early years provision (EY 347) |
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 |
4pm to 5.30pm |
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Youth Mental Health First Aid - Part 2 (PSS 001) |
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 |
9.15am to 4pm |
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Safeguarding Induction Training for Governors - part 2 (SG 103) |
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 |
5.30pm to 7.30pm |
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Behaviour Support Intervention Training - Non-accredited (BSAT 301) |
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 |
10am to 2pm |
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Primary Computing Update (CPD 512) |
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 |
4pm to 5.30pm |
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Wednesday, November 13, 2024 |
1.15pm to 3.30pm |
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Designated Teachers & Governors for Children in Care Network (compulsory school age) (GO 503) |
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 |
3.45pm to 5.15pm |
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Governors' Responsibilities for SEND (LSAT 212) |
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 |
5pm to 6.30pm |
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Meeting the OFSTED Requirements for Equality and Diversity for Governors (CPD 717) |
Monday, November 18, 2024 |
6pm to 8.30pm |
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Assessment - termly update (CPD 502) |
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 |
9.15am to 10.45am |
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SEND and AP Change Programme Learning Lunch |
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 |
12.30pm to 1pm |
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Listen with Lucy (EY 023) |
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 |
1.15pm to 4pm |
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Safer Recruitment Administration (HR course) |
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 |
3pm to 5pm |
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Understanding Islamist extremist narratives (free online course) |
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 |
3.30pm to 5pm |
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Bright Ideas and Inspiration - for your breakfast, holiday and out of school provision (EY 303) |
Thursday, November 21, 2024 |
9.15am to 12noon |
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Improving Oracy for EAL Learners (CPD 731) *Postponed to 3 February 2024 |
Thursday, November 21, 2024 (*) |
1.15pm to 4pm |
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Supporting Emotional Needs of Learners (PSS 022) |
Monday, November 25, 2024 |
9.15am to 12noon |
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Tuesday, November 26, 2024 |
4pm to 5.30pm |
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Induction Training for New Governors (GO 502) |
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 |
9.30am to 3.30pm |
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Raising Awareness of Prevent (SG 101) |
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 |
9.30am to 11am |
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Managing English as an Additional Language in Early Years Settings (CPD 710) |
Thursday, November 28, 2024 |
1.15pm to 3.30pm |
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Early Years Coordinators – Termly Update (EY 007) |
Thursday, November 28, 2024 |
4pm to 5.30pm |
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The Role of the Key Person in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EY 106) |
Thursday, November 28, 2024 |
1.15pm to 4pm |
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School Attendance Surgery (AST 005) |
Friday, November 29, 2024 |
10am to 12noon |
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Literacy Pathway - part 3 |
Monday, December 02, 2024 |
9.15am to 12.30pm |
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Webinar session: Ensuring the quality of safeguarding records (SG 110) |
Monday, December 02, 2024 |
3.30pm to 5pm |
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Supporting pupils with down syndrome and behaviour challenges (PSS 023) |
Tuesday, December 03, 2024 |
9.15am to 12noon |
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School Attendance Briefing Updates - additional date re DfE Guidance (AST 004) |
Wednesday, December 04, 2024 |
4pm to 5.30pm |
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EAL & Maths (CPD 603) |
Wednesday, December 04, 2024 |
1.15pm to 3.30pm |
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Accredited Safer Recruitment Training (HR course) |
Thursday, December 05, 2024 |
9am to 4.30pm |
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Thursday, December 05, 2024 |
5pm to 7pm |
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Behaviour as Communication (PSS 013) |
Friday, December 06, 2024 |
1pm to 4pm |
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PROTECT Professional Campaign Launch |
Monday, December 09, 2024 |
9.30am to 1pm |
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SEND and AP Change Programme Learning Lunch |
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 |
12.30pm to 1pm |
Farmington Scholarships
Applications for the 2025/26 Farmington Scholarships are now open, with a closing date of Sunday 26 January 2025.
Scholarships are available to teachers of Religious Education and associated subjects in UK secondary, primary, and special needs schools. Headteachers who wish to undertake research into either religious education or values education are also eligible to apply.
Further information can be found on the website http://www.farmington.ac.uk
An application form can be obtained by sending an email to institute@farmington@ac.uk
Any enquiries about the Farmington Institute, or its Scholarships, should be addressed to:
Kay Webb
Administrator
The Farmington Institute
Harris Manchester College
Mansfield Road
Oxford OX1 3TD
Telephone: 01865 271985
Email: institute@farmington@ac.uk
Please find attached leaflet / flyer
Other Information and Resources
New school swimming courses available
Support your staff to deliver high quality swimming lessons.
Energize and Swim England have joined forces to bring the latest resources and training to help school staff gain the skills and knowledge required to deliver high quality school swimming sessions.
Our latest courses include:
Support Teacher and Teacher of School Swimming
· Date: 11th November 2024
· Venue: Abraham Darby Sport and Leisure Centre, Telford TF7 5HX
· Cost: £99 per person
· Date: 17th March 2025
· Venue: Shrewsbury School, SY3 7BA
· Cost: £99 per person
Supporting Pupils with SEND in School Swimming
· Date: 27th November 2024
· Venue: Abraham Darby Sport and Leisure Centre, Telford TF7 5HX
· Cost: £38 per person
For further details and to book these courses, or access other online free school swimming and water safety courses, visit https://www.energizestw.org.uk/swimming-cpd