Education Noticeboard - 9 March 2023

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

Included in this update:

Director update

OFSTED and CQC are coming to Telford & Wrekin on the 16 March 2023

We have had the OFSTED and Care Quality Commission (CQC) call and they will be visiting our area to inspect the local arrangements for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) between 16 – 24 March 2023.

This joint inspection will consider education and care council services, schools, early years providers, post 16 settings and health providers. Over the next week we will send regular updates so that you are aware of what is happening, what role you may play and how you can get involved.

Our initial ask is that help us distribute the following survey link to young people, families and practitioners, using as many means as possible. We really want to maximise the amount of responses we get so that OFSTED/CQC hear from as many people as possible across Telford & Wrekin. These surveys will allow inspectors to consider the views of children and young people, parents and carers and practitioners.

The surveys are open from 6 March 2023 (now!) to 9am on 14 March 2023.

Area SEND Inspection initial briefing - Ofsted and CQC

An initial briefing about the Area SEND Inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was held earlier this week. For those unable to attend, the slides are available to download:

Download: Area SEND Inspection slides

Content includes information about the inspection framework, how information will be gathered, the process and how to prepare. We would like to encourage all collagues to download and read the slide deck.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) want to know about the help and support that children and young people with SEND get in Telford & Wrekin

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) want to know about the help and support that children and young people with SEND get in Telford & Wrekin.

As such, we ask that you share the below message this week to parents/carers (using your school newsletter and/or any other communication channel):

“Are you a parent/carer of a child or young person with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)?

Please take part in a survey that runs until 14 March! Please share to everyone eligible to take part!

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) want to know about the help and support that children and young people with SEND get in Telford and Wrekin.
You can tell them your views by filling this survey:

Area SEND Inspection survey

All answers are confidential. The survey closes at 9am on 14 March 2023.
Thank you for taking part!

The feedback collected will be part of an Ofsted and CQC review of local arrangements for children and young people with SEND that takes place between 16th – 24th March 2023”

SEND and alternative provision improvement plan published by the DfE

The Department for Education has set out their plans to change the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision system in England.

The plan explains what the DfE will do to make sure more children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision get the support they need.

It follows the SEND and alternative provision green paper which was consulted on in March 2022.

The plan includes:

responses to the feedback they received
the improvements that will be made as a result of the feedback
the proposals they are going to test and review.

The roadmap summarises the actions that will be taken to improve the SEND and alternative provision system in England that are set out in the improvement plan.

An executive summary of the improvement plan is available in British Sign Language (BSL).

If you would like a Braille or audio version of the improvement plan or an accessible format that is not listed, email SENDAP.IMPROVEMENTPLAN@education.gov.uk.

Please view the full report on the GOV.UK website.

PODS over the Easter holidays

Following on from the success of the pilot holiday scheme at Christmas, Parents Opening Doors (PODS) are delighted to be running another SEN holiday scheme over the Easter period.

This time they have made a few alterations based on feedback, and will be offering sessions of varying lengths and differing themes. Please advise parents and carers to carefully read the details and costs for each session before making their selection.

As before all children/young people aged 0-25 with an additional need and/or a disability are welcome, including their siblings. All children/young adults will be provided with lunch and refreshments to either eat during the sessions or takeaway. There will be plenty of staff on hand to support, but please note parents/carers must remain onsite at all times. Each family will only initially be allocated one date, to allow as many families as possible to access the scheme.

The sessions are as follows:

Monday 3 April 2023, 10.30am-1.30pm
Wrekin Forest Schools
Families need to make their own way there, children's lunch is provided.
£4 per child.

Wednesday 5 April 2023, 10am-3pm
Carding Mill Valley
PODS will be providing transport, children's lunch is provided
£4 per person.

Thursday 6 April 2023, 10-12
Easter Egg hunt, and crafts, children’s takeaway lunch is provided.
£3 per child.

Wednesday 12 April 2023, 10am-1pm
Science and activity session, children’s lunch is provided.
£3 per child.

Thursday 13 April 2023, 12noon-4pm
Project Farm
PODS will be providing transport, children’s lunch is provided
£4 per person.

Please request your session by following the PODS Happy Healthy and Active Holidays Easter Scheme 2023 booking link.

Booking closes midday Monday 13 March 2023, and you will be notified of your allocation by Monday 20 March 2023. Payments for the sessions will be due no later than Monday 27 March 2023, and failure to pay by this deadline will result in the session being reallocated. If you have any payment difficulties please contact us in the strictest of confidence. For any queries or questions please email elaine@podstelford.org.

Telford & Wrekin pupils dress up for World Book Day

Pupils from schools all across the borough dressed as characters from their favourite stories last week, to celebrate World Book Day. Schools also devised lovely activities, such as devising alternative book covers.

The event is all about sharing the joy of reading, and it was great to see so many children and teachers entering into the spirit of things!

World Book Day was created by UNESCO in 1995, as a worldwide celebration of books and reading. It is now marked in over 100 countries around the globe, and from 1977 onwards included the UK.

Find out more about World Book Day online.

Proud charity single, which features Telford & Wrekin pupils, is out now

A charity single with Heather Small, from M People on lead vocals, has been released and features young voices from Telford & Wrekin.

Proud features every single Young Voices 2023 choir, which blended together, alongside Heather. This included a number of talented singers from schools across Telford & Wrekin.

The song is available to purchase for less than £1 from iTunes and Amazon, with all proceeds going to Place2Be to support children’s mental health.

Telford & Wrekin Council is the first West Midlands council to make “care experience” a “protected characteristic” status

At a full council meeting on Thursday, 2 March 2023, Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab), Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families put forward a motion to make “care experience” as an additional “protected characteristic” in Telford and Wrekin for children and adults who have been in care.

The motion, which was approved, has led the council to become the first in the West Midlands and the first “Outstanding” Ofsted-rated council for Children’s Services in the country to declare care experienced people as a group who face discrimination and to give them protected status.

This means that in Telford and Wrekin “care experienced” will be added as an additional characteristic and given the same protection as other protected characteristics under the Equality Act (2010), such as age, disability, race, religion and others.

Telford & Wrekin Council is a ‘corporate parent’, with councillors and all staff members having a collective responsibility to provide the best possible care for all children and young people that are looked after by the authority, in the same way as any parent would do for their child.

Councillor Reynolds spoke about addressing discrimination, stigma and prejudice in care leavers’ life. She told the full council meeting: “During my many years of teaching, I have witnessed first-hand care experienced young people who have faced significant barriers that might have impacted them throughout their lives.

“Despite their resilience, society doesn’t always take their needs into account. They may face discrimination and stigma across housing, health, education, relationships employment and in the criminal justice system. Well, not in Telford and Wrekin - here we can make a difference.”

Read the full story on the Telford & Wrekin Newsroom.

To find out more about the council’s support for children and young people in care and care leavers, visit the council’s website

Council and local partners run SEND and Alternative Provision strategy consultation

Telford & Wrekin Council and local partner organisations are running a consultation for parents/carers, children, young people, family carers and professionals to have their say on a new draft strategy set out to improve services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 25.

This consultation is a result of the council’s ongoing collaboration with PODS, as part of the SEND “Working Together” Charter, that ensures borough families and their children and young people with special needs and disabilities are listened to, cared for and involved in decision-making on services that impact them.

The council has published the draft SEND and alternative provision strategy to set out how children and young people with SEND and those using alternative provision* will benefit from better support services and better outcomes over the next five years.

PODS Parent Carer Forum and families have been involved in workshops over the last few months to support the development of the draft strategy. Health, social care and education support services as well as early years settings, schools and post 16 providers also provided their input.

People are invited to share their views on the draft SEND and alternative provision strategy by completing an online survey on the council’s SEND Local Offer website.

Paper copies of the survey are available on request by calling 01952 385399 (9am-5pm, weekdays).
The consultation runs until 16 March 2023.

Read the full story on the Telford & Wrekin Newsroom.

The countdown is on... 24 days to go before the Bright Spots survey closes, and we need YOU!

As you are aware, here at Telford & Wrekin we are currently working with the charity Coram Voice on their Bright Spots Programme. The programme aims to help us better understand how the well-being and care experience of our looked after children can be improved. The Bright Spots consultation ends on 31 March 2023.

To maximise response rates, children and young people will be completing the survey with an adult they trust. In the school setting, this will most likely be their designated teacher or SENCO. Whilst we want as many children and young people to complete the survey as possible, we would suggest avoiding actions that single children out as looked after, such as pulling them out of class. It may be helpful to suggest integrating completion of the survey with pre-existing activities.

We have rolled this out via multiple streams of contact so please check if the young person in your care has already completed our survey as we can only accept 1 submission per child.

Alternatively should the child or young person wish to speak to us via telephone for the completion of the survey this is also a possibility – please contact Becky Shelley, Project Officer, via email to Becky.shelley@telford.gov.uk.

All questions are optional, and the survey has been designed so that it is possible for a child/young person to skip questions that may be upsetting or not relevant. We ask that you use your knowledge of the child/young person to support them to complete the survey in a way that works for them.

Happy Healthy Active Holidays – Easter 2023 registrations open

The Happy Healthy Active Holidays (HHAH) scheme will be running through the Easter holidays (Saturday 1 April to Sunday 16 April 2023). Holiday activities will be available for children and young people who are receiving income-based free school meals (FSM).

There will be a range of activities on offer at Holiday clubs for children in reception to Year 11. Every day a child attends they will be provided with a nutritious meal and at least 4 hours of enrichment activities, including 60 minutes of physical activity, arts, crafts and nature walks. In order to access the scheme parents and carers of children who are eligible must register on the HHAH website. Video tutorials on how to register, manage and cancel bookings are all available on the website.

Parents and carers who are eligible for income-related FSM have been directly notified of the scheme and how to sign up by letter this week (a copy of the letter is available for download).

If you are able to further promote the HHAH scheme to eligible families then that would be appreciated. We know some families will need your support to register for the scheme and we have created a paper registration form to help any that are finding it difficult to apply online. Please can we ask that schools support these families in completing the form and returning it to us so that we can get them in contact with the holiday club.

Thank you for help with this!

Like last year, there is some flexibility for other children, not eligible for FSM to access the scheme. This may include children and families living in areas of deprivation, those known to children services and those that have SEND as examples. If you feel a child would benefit from the HHAH programme, please contact the HolidayActivityHub@telford.gov.uk inbox so we can provide more information and a special code for the family to register on the website.

We have put together a brochure of some of the activities running over the Easter holidays. All income related FSM families will have received in their letters! Bookings for activities will go live on 13 March 2023.

Bright ideas from students in year 6 and above are needed for community projects in Telford & Wrekin

We are asking schools in Telford and Wrekin with students from year 6 and above to get involved in our latest initiative Young People Making A Change.

Young people aged 11 - 18 can submit their community project ideas online for a chance to make their projects come to life. We need ideas by Friday 17 March 2023, so you need to be quick.

The projects should fit into one of the three themes as highlighted from the “Make Your Mark Ballot” for young people from March 2022.

They are:

1.         Health and wellbeing.
2.         Environment.
3.         Jobs, money, homes and opportunities.

The top 5 ideas will each be awarded a grant of £2,000 for their project. Details on how to enter and to submit a project idea is available online.

If your students aren’t sure what would make a good community project, that’s one of the FAQs on the webpage. The answer is “A community project can cover almost anything that would improve or benefit your community or area. Think of the themes first; health and wellbeing, environment and jobs, money, homes and opportunities. Does that prompt an idea for you? For health and wellbeing it could be setting up a forest school for a local club, arranging a sport or fitness class, for environment it could be tidying up and planting a community garden, for jobs, money, homes and opportunities it could be setting up a CV workshop or learning scheme.”

For all the FAQs visit the webpage, above, but if you have another question email a member of the team on Saferstronger@Telford.gov.uk.

As part of 10 by 10, are you encouraging children to take part in debating?

Taking part in debating is one of the 10 things every child should try before they are ten years old.

Debating is such an essential life skill as it helps children develop their confidence, argue their point of view, learn to think critically and independently and overall, it builds their skills of future leaders.

Through 10 by 10, we encourage all schools in our borough to set up debating clubs like the one at St. George’s Church of England Primary School.The school started a debating club at the end of last year and the children are really enjoying it!

They are practicing debating techniques, doing research work on different topics, analysing different viewpoints and overall, having so much fun with their peers!

Please continue to encourage children and their parents and carers to create a 10 by 10 account on the 10 by 10 website and to track their journey as they try the 10 key activities.

Thank you for your support!

Reminder to use the School Closure Line if your setting is closed for any reason

A quick note to remind settings about the school and settings closure line. Please do ensure to use the School Closure Line if your setting is closed for any reason (e.g. adverse weather conditions, maintenance issues etc.).

The school/settings closure line has been in operation for 12 months now. This system is user friendly and easier to use.

Each school/setting will be responsible for keeping the information up to date about their respective school/setting.

Please note that your school or setting will need to be registered to be able to access and use the system. You will need to ensure that you have nominated /designated persons who will be given administration rights and be responsible for keeping the closure line up to date (this can be either a general admin person/email address, head teachers, PA’s or a mix of).

We need to ensure the system remains effective, and therefore it is important that the system is kept up to date. The information displayed on closure line automatically updates the Telford & Wrekin website, this is used to keep staff, pupils, parents and the residents in Telford & Wrekin aware of the latest school /settings closures

If you have any issues with accessing the closure line or require any further information please email schoolclosures@telford.gov.uk

Reviewed and updated referral form (ASTR) for schools

The Attendance Support Team have amended the Attendance Support Team Referral form, as schools will need to provide additional information when making referrals going forward.

Please begin to use the new form with immediate effect, with apologies for any confusion:

Download: Updated Attendance Support Referral form

Schools will be aware that the Attendance Support Team are working towards implementing changes in line with the DfE guidance ‘Working Together to Improve School Attendance’ that was published in May 2022. The referral form (ASTR) now requires additional information as AST will require evidence that appropriate support has been offered to families before punitive measures are taken.

Please begin to use the attached version of the ASTR immediately.

Reviewed and updated Children Missing Education (CME/CNRE) referral form

The Attendance Support Team have amended the Attendance CME/CNRE referral form as referrers will need to provide additional information about pupils who are moving into the area going forward.

Please begin to use the new form with immediate effect, with apologies for any confusion:

Download: Updated Children Missing Education Referral form

Schools will be aware that the Attendance Support Team rely on detailed information to be able to track children missing education successfully and in a timely manner. The updated referral form for CCME/CNRE now requires additional information regarding the pupils personal/educational history.

Motivational Interviewing for Education Settings – an opportunity to secure your school’s free place on this new course

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.

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.

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.

Available dates:

Wednesday 22 March 2023, 9.30 – 12.30pm
Wednesday 3 May 2023, 1 – 4pm.

Delegates only need to attend one session.

Please note that this training is limited to one free place per school, school nursery, academy, independent school and college.

To book your school’s free place, please send a completed CPD Booking Form to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk.

It’s getting exciting! The Apprenticeships, Employment & Skills Show returns on Thursday 16 March 2023

It is not long now until we open the doors of our 2023 Apprenticeship Employment and Skills Show.

The show is returning to The International Centre, Telford on Thursday 16 March 2023 (12 noon-7.30pm) and is completely free for visitors to attend. The show is also a great opportunity for businesses to showcase careers and jobs that exist, both now and in the future.

Have you booked your school/college students in?

We know the date of the event is a potential strike day for schools. Many thanks to those that have signed up to attend despite the uncertainty. If you haven’t already we request that secondary schools do book their pupils on a place to help us gauge potential numbers. Please use the booking link below. There is no problem if your school is not able to come on the day.

Download the show guide for more information, and please book online now: Book your place

In the event that strike action does take place and the school feels unable to attend we request that you promote young people to attend with their parents to the event during the day or if more convenient during the evening.

We very much look forward to seeing you and your students at the show in 2023

Thank you for your support.

DfE Early Years Child Development Training

The DfE Early Years Childe Development training aims to help early years practitioners and childminders strengthen their child development knowledge. It builds on the reforms to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework and supports our aim of improving outcomes for children at age 5.

The flexible online course:

has been developed in consultation with early years experts
has been tested with early years practitioners and experts, and refined based on feedback
provides a greater understanding of child development
gives practical advice for supporting children in early years settings
reinforces understanding through videos, learning check questions and end of module tests
allows you to pause and restart the training at any time
offers the chance to download certificates of achievement for each module

The first 4 modules of the course available now are child and brain development, PSED and communication and language. Further modules will be added throughout 2023.

For more information visit the Early Years child development training page on the GOV.UK website.

Hadley Hot Rod Car and Garage supports early years learning

Our ‘Hadley Hot Rod’ car and garage equipment have been kindly donated to Hadley Under & Over 5s from parents for the children to use their imagination as they embark on make believe adventures.

Our garage area has continually evolved (as has the risk assessment) and supports all areas of learning across the EYFS as children use numbers to measure up for tyres, manipulate tools to carry out repairs and conduct MOT’S and services using their language and literacy skills to list all the jobs they need to get done.

Hadley Hot Rod covers miles in the children’s minds as they pack up their friends and everything they need to set off on their travels. The conversations that flow are extensive as they describe what they will do when they reach their destination, whether that be the seaside, the farm or Tesco.

Our children particularly enjoy washing their car ready for road trips which they insist must be done before each adventure!

Young Carers Action Day: 15 March 2023

Young Carers Action Day is an annual event, organised each year by Carers Trust. It's a day for raising public awareness of young carers and young adult carers, the pressures and challenges they face, and the incredible contribution they make by caring for their family members and friends.

Young Carers Action Day – 15 March 2023
“Make time for Carers”

The young adult carers need support as they continue to balance their caring role with the difficult transition into early adulthood.

Being a young carer can be tough. You have extra chores, worries and responsibilities – and can struggle to keep up at school, often missing out on a social life, and feeling isolated and stressed.

Young carers can feel overwhelmed, and with additional support in schools, access to finance and counselling would help them cope with the difficult physical and emotional situation they find themselves in.

For further information on how you can support the young carers that attend you school please visit the links below:-

Telford & Wrekin Young Carers

Young Carers Action Day

Comic Relief Red Nose Day: 17 March 2023

Comic relief was founded in 1985 by Lenny Henry in response to the famine in Ethiopia. The concept of Comic Relief was to get British comedians to make the public laugh, while raising money to help people around the world and in the United Kingdom. Donations were pledged via the telephone line.

Comic Relief – Red Nose Day
Friday 17 March 2023

The highlight of Comic Relief's appeal is Red Nose Day, which is an annual event held in March every year to raise money to bring about positive and lasting change in the lives of poor and disadvantaged people.

Red nose day is all about coming together spreading joy and having fun in school. The red nose is a symbol of the comic relief funding raising event.

Many schools and settings raise money for this great cause by encouraging pupils to wear red, host a cake sale, a quiz or arranging a whole school challenge.

Below are some resources that are available to support Comic Relief “Red Nose Day”:

Red Nose Day resources for Schools

Twinkle Red Nose Day

Are you doing anything to celebrate Comic Relief Red Nose day?

Send us your pictures and stories to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or copy us in to your tweet @telfordwrekin.

Global Recycling Day: 18 March 2023

Global Recycling Day was created in 2018 to help recognise, and celebrate, the importance recycling plays in preserving and securing the future of our precious planet.

Global Recycling Day
18 March 2023
Recycling into the Future

In the last decade we have experienced some extreme weather conditions, from global warming (the melting of the icecaps, and the increase in forest fires etc) all of which causes not only natural devastation but has an effect on the economy too. If we don’t make significant and rapid changes to the way we recycle, we will continue to see rising global temperatures.

If we put more effort into recycling items that we usually throw away, we can work towards saving our planet.

There are several ways to recycle that allow some materials to be reused multiple times which would save money and natural resources. The most common everyday recycle items are newspapers, plastic water bottles, cans, bottles and cereal boxes.

Caring for the environment is now an important part of any child's education, and topics on environmental issues are included in many GCSE science and geography courses so that they understand the importance of recycling and the role it plays in protecting the future of our planet. .

Below are some teaching resources for all age groups about recycling :

Free recycling resources

Twinkle Educational Resources

Veolia Educational Resources

Global Recycling Educational Resources

If your school is doing a project about recycling, we would love to hear about it. Send your pictures and stories to Education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or copy us into your tweets @TelfordWrekin.

World Poetry Day: 21 March 2023

World Poetry Day is also celebrated because it is one of our most treasured forms of expression, as it can be simple or complex, can challenge traditional ideas or convey love and loss. Poetry is a beautiful form of expression and can capture the creativity of the human mind. No other type of literature creates such a huge amount of feelings and emotions as poetry.

On this day poets, both past and present, are honoured.

A Poem is a piece of writing that expresses feelings and ideas using imaginative language and people have been writing poem for thousands of years. Poems can also be expressed with other mediums such as music, dance, painting, and many more.

Let us know what you are doing to celebrate World Poetry Day this year? Share with us your photos and stories from your school about Poetry Day. Send your photos and stories to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or copy us into your tweets @TelfordWrekin

Below are some free resources that are available to school and settings:

Twinkl World Poetry Day

Literacy Trust

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).

Supporting Pupil Premium Link Governors (GO 602)	Monday 13 March 2023	5-7pm
Primary Computing Update (CPD 512)	Tuesday 14 March 2023	4-5.30pm
Establishing Yourself as a SEND leader, for new and returning SENCOs (LSAT 302)	Tuesday 14 March 2023	4-5pm
Pupil Premium Network Meeting (CPD 721)	Wednesday 15 March 2023	4-5.30pm
Newly Appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads' Training (2 days) - part 1 (SG 102)	Wednesday 15 March 2023	9.15am-4pm
Newly Appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads' Training (2 days) - part 2 (SG 102)	Thursday 16 March 2023	9.15am-4pm
Primary Music Leaders' Audit (CPD 621)	Thursday 16 March 2023	4pm to 5.30pm
Youth Mental Health First Aid - part 1 (PSS 001)	Friday 17 March 2023	9.15am-4pm
EAL & Maths (CPD 603)	Tuesday 21 March 2023	3.45-6pm
Safeguarding Training for Newly Appointed Governors - part 1 (SG 103)	Tuesday 21 March 2023	5.30-7.30pm
AET Making Sense of Autism – an introduction to Autism for Governors (LSAT 514)	Tuesday 21 March 2023	6-7.30pm
Preparing for Statutory Assessment at the End of KS1 (CPD 505)	Wednesday 22 March 2023	9am-12.30pm
Motivational Interviewing for Education Settings (SG 205)	Wednesday 22 March 2023	9.30am-12.30pm
Safety Intervention Refresher Training (formerly MAPA Refresher Training) - CPI accredited (BSAT 212)	Thursday 23 March 2023	8.45am-12.30pm
Assessment - termly update (morning) (CPD 502)	Thursday 23 March 2023	9.15-10.45am
Promoting Cultural Diversity and Equality of Opportunity in EYFS (CPD 606)	Thursday 23 March 2023	1-3pm
Accredited Safer Recruitment Training (HR course)	Thursday 23 March 2023	9am-4.30pm
Early Years Coordinators – Termly Update (EY 007)	Thursday 23 March 2023	4-5.30pm
Assessment - termly update (twilight) (CPD 503)	Thursday 23 March 2023	4-5.30pm
Managing English as an Additional Language in Early Years Settings (CPD 710)	Monday 27 March 2023	1-3.45pm
Designated Teachers & Governors for Children in Care Network (compulsory school age) (GO 503)	Wednesday 29 March 2023	4-5.30pm
Designated Safeguarding Leads Refresher (SG 107)	Thursday 30 March 2023	9.15-4pm
An Introduction to EAL for Early Career Teachers (CPD 527)	Thursday 30 March 2023	3.45-6pm

Secondary Subject Network information

Secondary Subject Networks being run by University Centre Shrewsbury, which are open to schools and academies in Telford & Wrekin.

Termly subject networks are delivered by associates who are experts in their area. Delegates are updated on national and local developments that are new and emerging. The networks provide an opportunity to develop subject knowledge and share best practice, resources, and ideas. Visiting speakers are often invited to present at the meetings.

To book onto a network meeting or for further information, please visit the University Centre Shrewsbury website.

Date:	Time:	Subject/course title:	Venue:	Cost per person:
17 March 2023	1.30-4pm	Exciting New Course* - An Idiots Guide to KS3 Dance	Shrewsbury Academy	£100
29 March 2023	9.30-11am	PSHE / RSHE Network (Secondary	Microsoft Teams	£70
17 May 2023	3.45-5.15pm	Pastoral Care and Support (Secondary)	Microsoft Teams	£70
23 May 2023	9.30-11am	Secondary Drama Network	Microsoft Teams	£70
5 June 2023	9.30am-12noon	Secondary Geography Network	University Centre Shrewsbury (face to face)	£100
15 June 2023	1.30-4pm	Secondary Modern Languages Network	University Centre Shrewsbury (face to face)	£100
22 June 2023	9.30-11am	Secondary PSHE/RSHE Network	Microsoft Teams	£70
27 June 2023	1.30-3pm	Secondary Physical Education Network	Microsoft Teams	£70
29 June 2023	9.30am-12noon	Secondary ICT Network	University Centre Shrewsbury (face to face)	£100
29 June 2023	2-4.30pm	Secondary Science Network	University Centre Shrewsbury (face to face)	£100
3 July 2023	1.30-4pm	Secondary Design and Technology Network	University Centre Shrewsbury (face to face)	£100
4 July 2023	1.30-4pm	Secondary Art Network	University Centre Shrewsbury (face to face)	£100
4 July 2023	1.30-4pm	Secondary History Network	University Centre Shrewsbury (face to face)	£100
6 July 2023	9.30am-12noon	Secondary English Network	University Centre Shrewsbury (face to face)	£100

For enquiries please contact:

Lucy Adams l.adams@chester.ac.uk (01743 297596)
Pam Welsh cpd@chester.ac.uk (01743 297168)

Statement on industrial action from the Secretary of State for Education

This is an update from the Department of Education.

The Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan, has issued a statement on the planned industrial action by the National Education Union (NEU).

The government’s offer to the teaching unions to enter into negotiations on all areas of the formal dispute, including pay, still stands. Gillian Keegan is willing to discuss pay this year and next, as well as workload, subject to the NEU pausing strikes and preventing further unnecessary disruption to children’s education.

Watch the Secretary of State's video message.

School sports given huge boost to level the playing field for next generation of Lionesess

This is an update from the Department of Education.

On International Women’s Day (Wednesday 8 March 2023) the Government set out new standards for equal access to sports, making it clear that girls and boys should be offered the same sports during PE and extracurricular time in schools.

Today’s package will help to boost equal opportunities in school sport both inside and outside the classroom, delivering on promises made by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan to the Women’s Euro 22 winners the Lionesses.

This follows on from the success of the Football Association’s (FA) #LetGirlsPlay campaign which is working to change perceptions and make sure girls get the chance to play football within the school curriculum, as well as at breaktime, after school and at local clubs.

The campaign was launched by the Lionesses squad and the FA after the England Women’s team’s success at the Euro 22 tournament last year.

Schools that successfully deliver equal opportunities for girls and boys will be rewarded through the School Games Mark, which will assess parity of provision in PE and extracurricular sport.

Schools are also being asked to offer a minimum of two hours curriculum PE time and Government will provide support to schools on how to do this through the upcoming refresh of the School Sport Action Plan.

Alongside this work, Ofsted will be publishing a report into PE in the coming months, which will inform future inspections and set out what they believe is possible in terms of offering high quality PE and equal access to sports.

This is backed by a package of cross-government funding to help boost sport and activities both inside and outside school hours including the confirmation of over £600 million in funding over the next two academic years for the PE and Sport Premium and £22 million for the School Games Organisers (SGO) network.

To read the full article, visit the Department for Education website.

New engineering book for secondary schools

This is an update from the Department of Education.

In March, all state secondary schools will receive a free school kit containing two copies of the book ‘Engineers Making a Difference’, a teacher’s guide, 12 hot topic posters and a timeline wall chart.

Created by What on Earth Publishing in collaboration with Imperial College London and Gatsby Charitable Foundation, the resources align with Gatsby Benchmark 4: Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers.

For more details, visit the campaign website.

Changes to the COVID-19 vaccination offer

This is an update from the Department of Education.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced the spring COVID-19 booster programme to protect the most vulnerable. Further information on the offer and eligibility is available online.

DHSC has also announced that the offer of a first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will end on Friday 30 June 2023.

Further information on how to get a first or second dose can be found on the NHS website.

The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel – 20 to 31 March 2023

The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is back for 2023 and the Active Travel and Road Safety Team would like more Telford and Wrekin schools than ever to join the competition.

Its’s completely free to enter and not only is it a great way to encourage active school runs and reduce congestion, The Big Walk and Wheel are also giving away daily prizes for the duration of the challenge! Up for grabs are bespoke playground markings, bikes, scooter pods, cycle and scooter racks and micro scooters. As well as these great prizes, every school that takes part in the competition will receive a goodie bag full of prizes from the Active Travel and Road Safety Team.

It couldn’t be simpler to take part, go to Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is taking place 20-31 March 2023 to register your school, then record how many of your pupils are walking, using a wheelchair, scooting or cycling to school during the competition. On the website you will also find free curriculum linked lesson plans and daily resources.

It’s more important now than ever to continue to travel actively. Active travel is a great way to build physical activity into children’s daily routine. It helps them arrive to school more relaxed and alert and is great for their mental wellbeing too.

If you would like any further information visit the Big Walk and Wheel website or email helen.smith2@telford.go.uk.

Free Book Trust online talk and Q&A

Join super star space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock in a live event, tailored especially for schools. She will answer questions about the wonders of the universe for curious children (and teachers).

The session is suitable for years 5, 6 and 7, and is totally free. The details are as follows:

Friday 17 March 2023
10-10.45am

Find out more on the Book Trust website, where you can download the learning resource to accompany the session, order a copy of Maggie’s book ‘Am I Made of Stardust/’ and sign-up to attend.

This entry was posted by Claire on Wednesday, 08 March 2023.

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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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