Education Noticeboard - 8 September 2022
Welcome to the Education Noticeboard. A round-up of news, guidance and key updates for education settings.
Included in this update:
- Director update
- Welcome to the start of the 2022-23 academic year!
- Telford & Wrekin community joins forces to give people hope
- NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are supporting the national 'Ask About Asthma' week
- Commonwealth Games equipment gifting for schools
- School parking safety message
- Travel to school survey
- Telford & Wrekin leave in term-time sample letters or schools
- 2022 Key Stage 2 September checking exercise
- Why language matters: Harmful sexual behaviour
- Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2022 and other essential updates
- Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings
- Updated Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership Escalation Policy
- Raising awareness of exploitation and vulnerability
- Updated Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy Template
- A new approach to area SEND inspections
- SENCo Network Meetings – Save the dates
- SEND Local Offer – Redesign
- Schools to share daily attendance data and take part in research
- New National Tutoring Programme (NTP) guidance for the 2022/23 academic year is now available to read
- Schools and local authorities to submit the mandatory 2021/22 year-end statement for school-led tutoring by Friday 16 September 2022
- School Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) members to meet the cyber cover conditions
- Schools to no longer use code X in the attendance register to record COVID-19 related absence
- Closure of the educational setting status (EdSet) form for schools, colleges and local authorities
- New careers guidance requirements from year 7 for secondary schools, academies and other educational settings
- Supporting attendance resources for schools and local authorities
- Primary and Secondary Music Network Autumn 2022 Meeting Dates
- Virtual School key documents
- CPD courses for school staff, senior leaders and governors
- Early Career Teacher Appropriate Body arrangements – important request
- Key Stage 2 Talk Boost
- Early Years Conference – opportunity to book
- New courses to improve school attendance and tackle pupil absence
- World Suicide Prevention Day
- Recycling Week: 19 – 25 September 2022
- International Literacy Day – Thursday 8 September 2022
- Recreation spaces survey
- Free online Cool Kids information session
- Webinar on dyslexia in schools
- Shropshire Beam Virtual workshop for Parents and Professionals
- Patrimonito International Storyboard Competition 2022
- Heritage Open days taking place in September 2022
- New youth fitness project, Freedom Fitness
- Free wraparound childcare for service families
Director update
Dear colleagues
Welcome back to a new term! I hope that you have all had a terrific summer, and managed to get some quality downtime. Thanks to all our Early Years Settings that have remained open!
This Education Noticeboard is jam packed with information for you. Please do take the time to have a look, as there are a number of DfE and safeguarding updates plus CPD opportunities, information, resources and news stories.
There are also a few housekeeping bits, designed to keep school organisation running smoothly. This includes a message to parents about school parking, should you feel it is needed.
Wishing schools a good rest of the first week back!
Simon
Simon Wellman
Director: Education & Skills
Welcome to the start of the 2022-23 academic year!
Welcome to the start of the 2022-23 academic year! Some of you have enjoyed the summer off, and others have worked through – either way it is time for to embark on a new term with enthusiasm! No doubt there was some very excited children waiting at school gates earlier in the week, ready to be back amongst their friends.
The first week back it almost done, and across the borough schools and settings will already be slipping back into the routines that help our children and young people to learn!
Let’s make this year a great one!
Telford & Wrekin community joins forces to give people hope
The Project Hope Telford event on Saturday 10 September 2022 (11am-3pm) has been organised by the local suicide prevention action group, Telford & Wrekin Council’s public health and housing teams and partners and those with lived experience.
It marks World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2022, and also recognises World Homeless Day which takes place a month later on 10 October 2022.
A mix of music, street art, face painting, circus skills and creative activities aim to raise awareness of the fact that someone sleeping rough is nine times more likely to die by suicide than a member of the general public. Thirteen per cent of deaths in 2021 among homeless people were also due to suicide.
94 men take their lives each week and figures from the Office for National Statistics in 2018 show that suicide is the second most common cause of death among people who are homeless in England and Wales.
On the day of the event, sleeping bags will be laid out on Southwater Square, Telford to spell the word ‘hope’ and there will also be a tree of hope for people to leave inspirational messages.
A series of water bottles have also been produced in conjunction with the Cameron Grant Memorial Trust which aim to support those that are homeless and suffering with mental ill health. The bottles, which have local contact numbers for help and support on them, will be handed out to rough sleepers on the day.
Councillor Kelly Middleton (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Public Health and Wellbeing, Equalities and Partnerships, said: “Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, one that can often be prevented by listening and talking to someone when in need. This event shows we are here to help those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts and support the most vulnerable, particularly those who are homeless for whatever reason. There is always someone to turn to for help.”
The term homelessness goes beyond describing people sleeping on the streets with no roof over their head, which is often described as ‘rough sleeping’. It includes two other categories of homelessness such as those in temporary accommodation, including hostels and bed and breakfasts, and the ‘hidden homeless’ who have no home but find somewhere temporary to live such as ‘sofa-surfing’ or in squats.
Councillor Paul Watling (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “Being homeless can have a huge detrimental impact on people’s mental health and figures show that suicide is a common cause of death amongst the homeless. We are making great strides to support the homeless across the borough through a series of initiatives such as the ‘Everybody In For Good’ campaign and through our rough sleeper taskforce.
“With World Homeless Day fast approaching, this event aims to highlight the help which is available and underline our commitment to helping local people - giving them hope for the future by ensuring they have a roof over their head. People who are homeless need emotional support as well as practical help and we know that suicide and homelessness are both issues of inequality.”
Local campaigners who have experienced a loved one taking their own life are also helping to organise the event. Support groups will have a presence on the day and provide information about the help which is available locally and nationally for people experiencing suicidal thoughts.
In 2021, campaigners laid out 94 pairs of empty shoes around Southwater Square to highlight the shocking fact that 94 men take their own lives each week and named it Project 94 “can you hear me?”
You can find out more about World Suicide Prevention Day and World Homeless Day online.
NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are supporting the national 'Ask About Asthma' week
NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are supporting the national 'Ask About Asthma' week, beginning Monday 12 September 2022, with the launch of a new app aimed at helping children and young people to better manage their asthma.
The new app called the 'Digital Health Passport' will help educate children and parents about the condition and is tailored to their individual needs.
The new app can be downloaded for free and helps children manage their asthma. It notifies them when they are due to take their inhaler, alerts them of particularly high pollen or air pollution triggers and keeps their annual review document easily accessible.
More information is available on the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
Telford & Wrekin Council would love to come to your careers fairs!
As you plan for your careers fairs this coming Autumn and beyond, representatives from Telford & Wrekin would be delighted to attend to discuss with your students career opportunities within the Organisation, including work experience, apprenticeships and more! Please contact us with dates and availability by emailing apprenticeships@telford.gov.uk.
Commonwealth Games equipment gifting for schools
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Sport England are pleased to invite community organisations to apply for sporting equipment which was used at the Games.
The opportunity is open to organisations providing inclusive and accessible sports, physical activity and wellbeing activities in communities in the West Midlands (Birmingham, Black Country, Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire, Hereford and Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire).
The organisations will be encouraging participation and cohesion through sport, while promoting the benefits of physical health and wellbeing for their community. Our main purpose is to help everyone in England to get active regardless of their age, background or ability.
This complements Birmingham 2022’s pledge to deliver an inclusive, accessible and sustainable Games.
Both Sport England and Birmingham 2022 are committed to tackling inactivity and extending the reach of sporting and physical activity opportunities, and these are set out in Birmingham 2022’s Physical Activity and Wellbeing Legacy Plan.
This sporting equipment includes an array of items from across the Commonwealth Games sports, such as basketballs, netballs, boxing gloves and rugby equipment.
A full list of the lots available are available via the sports equipment gifting legacy catalogue.
For full details please visit the Sport England website.
School parking safety message
A message to parents and carers has been provided, by the Parking Enforcement Team, for schools to use. A soft approach has been used, and the text can be tweaked and sent out from head teachers if needed.
The wording is as follows:
Dear parents/carers
I hope you and your child/children enjoyed the summer break and made the most of getting out and about in the warm weather.
We look forward to a new academic year beginning and I am sure it will be another successful one.
An issue which is a top priority for us is the safety of our children. That’s why I’m asking you all to think about where you park when doing the school run. Dangerous parking puts our children at risk and no one wants that.
I appreciate that pick up and drop off times are very busy and so I am encouraging you to consider walking or cycling to school instead. Both are cheaper alternatives, have health benefits and are better for the environment.
My message is please park safely, legally and considerately and set a good example to our children. This will ensure our pupils have a happy and safe journey to and from school.
Thank you for your support.
Travel to school survey
Telford & Wrekin Council is committed to investing and improving sustainable active travel over the coming years, to ensure that our transport network continues to evolve and be fit for purpose, but also to promote the health and well-being benefits associated with active and sustainable travel.
The Council has recently secured Department for Transport Active Travel Funding, and is required to carry out the Annual Travel to School Survey.
We would appreciate it if your school could carry out the attached hands up survey with all pupils (from Reception to Year 13), which simply asks ‘How do you usually travel to school?’
Please download the following two spreadsheets:
- Annual School Travel Survey Class Data Sheet 2022 – Please share this spreadsheet with all class teachers / tutor group leaders
- Annual School Travel Survey School Data Sheet 2022 – Please use this spreadsheet to collate all the data from each class spreadsheet, and return to Helen.Smith2@telford.gov.uk.
Instructions are enclosed within each spreadsheet.
The travel to school survey data, will support the Council, in developing and implementing further active and sustainable travel measures, as well as support future funding bids to Government.
Please return the completed School Data Sheet, along with your answers to the questions, by Friday 30th September 2022 via email to Helen.Smith2@telford.gov.uk.
Telford & Wrekin leave in term-time sample letters or schools
Provided for download are samples of all the letters for schools to use to support their own policy and documentation, to manage leave in term-time requests. The samples are provided in Microsoft Word format. I hope you find this useful.
These letter samples contain the necessary legislative language that needs to be included so that school letters can be used as part of the process for the LA to be able to proceed with any Penalty Notices. Some of these copies have highlighted areas, where school will need to add text/content as is required for each request for leave in term time.
The Department for Education (DfE) is currently reviewing the Penalty Notice & Pupil Registration legislation, following a consultation that concluded in July 2022, but any changes are not expected before September 2023.
Schools are expected to publish information for parents on their school website relating to leave in term-time. This information can be used as evidence when parents take their children out of school in term-time without formally requesting it.
A quote containing the appropriate language that schools can use on their website is available below:
‘Parents should apply to the Head teacher for any request for leave in term time by completing a request form available from school. (DfE guidance states schools should not authorise leave retrospectively)’.
The Government has renewed appeals to parents not to take their children out of school during term time. The Governors and Head teacher of the school support this and have decided that students will only be given permission to take leave in term time if there are exceptional circumstances. Each application will be considered and the Head teacher will determine the duration of any leave if it is agreed and authorised. However, if the application is not agreed and the absence occurs the dates will be unauthorised. Parents will be notified of any decision in writing. This notification may be hand delivered to the parent or posted to the parents’ home address.
As a school we are asked to inform you that, in line with Telford and Wrekin Council Policy, unauthorised absence may be subject to a penalty notice fine of £60 payable per parent, per child, increasing to £120 each if not paid within 21 days. If this fine is not paid within 28 days this may lead to court proceedings
Please do not hesitate to contact the Attendance Support Team if you need any advice. Queries can be sent to Kay Burford, Attendance Support Team Leader, via email to attendancesupportteam@telford.gov.uk or by telephoning 01952 3) 85220.
2022 Key Stage 2 September checking exercise
Head teachers and senior leaders should login to the Key Stage 2 (KS2) September checking exercise website to check that the Department for Education (DfE) have attributed the correct pupils to your school for the purposes of calculating your 2022 performance measures.
The KS2 September checking exercise will be the only opportunity for you to check that the correct pupils have been attributed to your school to calculate performance measures.
You can also submit the following amendment requests, if necessary:
- add pupils
- remove pupils that meet certain criteria (even if they remain on roll)
- limited characteristics amendments
- key stage 1 results amendments.
The provisional KS2 results data used in the checking exercise file are based on the information provided to the DfE by the Standards and Testing Agency on 1 August 2022. This data does not include later changes, such as scripts marked after the data was supplied to DfE, or the outcome of marking or clerical reviews.
During the checking exercise the DfE receives updates to results and outcomes of reviews for your pupils’ data. These will be uploaded on to the website towards the end of the checking exercise when you will be able to view these on the ‘View Late Results’ page. While these changes or results will have arrived too late to be included in our calculation of figures presented on the school ‘Summary’ page, they will be included in an update to ‘Analyse School Performance’ (ASP) later in the year.
Any outcomes of unplanned reviews or maladministration investigations that are shown on the Primary Assessment Gateway but not yet shown on the late results page will be automatically sent to the DfE by the Standards and Testing Agency (STA).
All late results, outcomes of reviews or maladministration investigations will be included in KS2 revised school level data due to be released to schools in December 2022.
Queries relating to the KS2 results of individual pupils (e.g. if you think a pupil has been matched to the wrong test result) should be directed to the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013 or submitted via email to assessments@education.gov.uk.
You can access the secure checking exercise website between 9:30am on Monday 5 September 2022 and 5pm Friday 16 September 2022. You will be able to download guidance on how to check that the DfE has attributed the correct pupils to your school and how to submit amendment requests, if necessary. Please read this guidance.
You must submit all amendment requests and upload any supporting documentation by 5pm on Friday 16 September 2022.
Checking school details:
The DfE takes establishment information, such as the head teacher and the school address for the performance measures from Get Information about Schools (GIAS). It is important that you check your school’s information, including your DfE number, in GIAS. Failure to do so may result in incorrect information being used about your school.
Website details:
To access the checking exercise, please visit the GOV.UK website.
Select ‘2022 KS2 September Checking Exercise’ and log in with your username and password.
- If you have forgotten your username, please use the ‘Forgotten Username’ link on the website.
- If you have forgotten your password or it has expired, please use the ‘Forgotten Password’ link on the website.
If you need further help logging in, please follow the appropriate instructions on the KS2 September checking exercise website. You can access these instructions using the links at the bottom of the ‘2022 KS2 September Checking Exercise’ ‘Log in’ screen.
If you do not have a Head teacher Account, you must complete the following actions online:
- Click the ‘2022 Key Stage 2 September Checking Exercise’ link.
- On the top right-hand corner of the ‘Log in’ page click on ‘Contact Us’ and complete the form, selecting ‘New Headteacher/Principal Account’ under ‘Enquiry type’.
You will then need to:
- confirm your full name
- confirm your school DfE number
- confirm you are the headteacher
- confirm your official headteacher email address
- provide a contact telephone number.
The DfE will then action your request, create a new account and email the account details to you. You can then create and manage login accounts for your chosen staff members.
Please review and, if necessary, update your details on GIAS before requesting a head teacher account.
It is important for the head teacher to log into the KS2 September checking exercise website to check the current usernames and accounts held for the school. User accounts can only be created and deleted by the head teacher. Please make sure you create adequate user accounts to complete the KS2 September checking exercise.
Helpline Enquiries:
For enquiries about the KS2 September checking exercise only, please contact the schools’ helpline by submitting a ‘Contact Us’ request or by telephone on 0845 3077867.
If you have a query relating to the KS2 results of individual pupils, please contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013 or email assessments@education.gov.uk.
Why language matters: Harmful sexual behaviour
NSPCC Learning has released the latest blog from the 'Why Language Matters' series. This blog looks at harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), the importance of focusing on a child’s actions rather than labelling them as an abuser, and the impact language can have on professionals’ perceptions and a child’s self-identity.
Names are powerful things. They can affect how people see you, and how you see yourself. That's why it's so important to focus on actions, rather than labelling children as 'abusers', when talking about harmful sexual behaviour (HSB).
Read the blog on the NSPCC website:
NSPCC: Harmful sexual behaviour blog
Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2022 and other essential updates
The latest version of Keeping Children Safe in Education was published on 1 September 2022.
Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2022 (DfE)
The latest version of Keeping Children Safe in Education was published on 1 September 2022. There are a few changes to the 'for information' version published in May 2022. The few changes have been grammatical errors or for clarity. Note that a new paragraph was inserted at paragraph 94, so all paragraphs after that have been re-numbered.
Download: Keeping children safe in education
Other documents have also been updated and are important reading:
Searching, screening and confiscation at school (DfE)
This guidance has been updated to take into account police searches undertaken under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) Code C.
Download: Searching, screening and confiscation at school
Behaviour in schools (DfE)
This document has been updated to give guidance on some specific behaviour issues:
- Child-on-child sexual violence and sexual harassment
- Behaviour incidents online
- Suspected criminal behaviour
Download here: Behaviour in schools
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 (HM Government)
Although updated a couple of times now, Working Together still has '2018' on the front cover. This is a factual update to Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 to reflect recent changes to legislation, including references to:
- Integrated Care Boards replaced Clinical Commissioning Groups
- Public Health England replaced by the UK Health Security Agency and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID)
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- UK GDPR is the retained EU law version of the GDPR. The UK GDPR sits alongside the Data Protection Act 2018
Download here: Working together to safeguard children
Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings
The inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills setting guidance has been updated, by Ofsted. The guidance sets out what inspectors must consider when inspecting safeguarding. It outlines the evidence that inspectors will look for during inspections and sets out the judgements they will make.
It needs to be read alongside the Education Inspection Framework (EIF) guidance.
Ofsted say that this document has been updated to reflect the recent changes to the DfE guidance 'Keeping children safe in education' specifically with regard to:
- preventing and responding to reports of sexual violence and harassment between children
- evidencing whether governing bodies and proprietors do all they reasonably can to limit children’s exposure to risks through the setting’s IT system, and
- clarifying that references to “staff” includes supply teachers, volunteers, tutors and contractors.
Note that to aid in its accessibility, this Ofsted document is only available as a webpage.
Previous inspector guidance said that schools should have appropriate filters and monitoring systems in place to protect children from online harms and cyber security risks. But the update goes a bit further, and says inspectors should consider whether governing bodies and proprietors “do all that they reasonably can to limit children’s exposure to any risks from the school or college’s IT system”.
It adds: “As part of this process, governing bodies and proprietors ensure that their school or college has appropriate filters and monitoring systems in place to protect children from potentially harmful content, and regularly review their effectiveness.”
In other updates on safeguarding, Ofsted said staff should recognise that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children may be targeted by other children. So, staff should take steps to reduce “additional barriers” these students may face in speaking out by providing a safe space or member of staff who they can share their concerns with. With the push for more tuition in schools post-lockdown, Ofsted has update its definition of “all staff” to include tutors, both in person or virtually. So, schools must include these in their single central record of staff. For tutors, classed as “supply staff,” schools should also include confirmation that the tutor’s employer had carried out the appropriate safeguarding checks.
Updated Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership Escalation Policy
The Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership Escalation Policy enables a means of resolving professional differences or issues in specific cases where one agency feels that the actions, inaction or decisions of another agency do not adequately safeguard a child or adult, through open communication.
This has been updated, and can be downloaded:
Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership Escalation Policy
Raising awareness of exploitation and vulnerability
A free training event is available, with the focus on safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults is everybody’s responsibility.
The course outline:
- Vulnerability factors and links to child sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation and county lines.
- Adverse childhood experiences.
- Organised crime groups.
- Modern day slavery.
- Consent for sexual activity.
- Child sexual exploitation.
- Criminal exploitation/county lines.
- Appropriate language.
- National referral mechanism.
- General Data Protection Regulation/disclosure.
- Pathways/diversionary/sharing of intelligence
Objectives:
- Highlight personal and situational factors of vulnerability.
- Definitions covering vulnerability, consent, criminal and sexual exploitation, modern day slavery, organised crime groups and gangs.
- Develop an understanding of indicators that may show within various forms of exploitation/modern day slavery.
- Understand the national referral mechanism, knowing whether their agency is a first responder and, if not, how to raise concerns to ensure the vulnerable are protected.
- Identify the key considerations necessary when receiving a disclosure and the impact of trauma on any disclosure.
- Understand the individual’s professional accountability and responsibility for sharing under General Data Protection Regulation.
- Understand the processes to get the right help at the right time.
Target staff:
These sessions are available to anyone who requires a raising awareness of vulnerability and exploitation.
On completion of this course you will be able to:
- Identify the vulnerability factors and adverse childhood experiences.
- Explain what the various forms of modern day slavery are.
- Recognise the signs, symptoms and indicators of exploitation.
- Understand how it impacts on a young person.
- Know how to respond, record and report concerns.
To request a place please send an email to trainerswdbc@westmercia.police.uk.
Updated Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy Template
The 2022-23 Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership (TWSP) Template Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy is now available. This has been updated to correct any SPAG errors as part of the proofing process.
To provide further information on the changes to KCSIE 2022 a one hour webinar will be provided on Thursday 8 September 2022, 1-2pm or 3.30-4.30pm and Thursday 15 September 2022, 5.15-6.15pm. The cost is £85 per delegate, with a 10% discount for multiple bookings from the same setting. This webinar is open to all DSL’s, governors and senior leaders. To book please email cpdschool.improvement@telford.gov.uk.
Key points of change to the template Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy
- The policy has been updated to reflect changes to KCSIE 2022.
- The policy has been reorganised in some parts to synchronise with KCSIE.
- The policy has been written as a template for all education settings and therefore it is your responsibility to edit the policy appropriately to reflect your own setting. To assist you in this we have provided a key to the changes you need to make.
- All key points for change in KCSIE shared with you at the DSL & Safeguarding Governor update in the Summer Term have now been included in the template policy.
- Please follow the cover notes at the beginning of the policy to assist you further.
- The cover notes include the list of policies and procedures you should have that need to be read alongside the Child Protection & Safeguarding policy. It is recommended that all settings have a mental health & well-being policy – please see link for a recommended template Mental health and wellbeing school policies : Mentally Healthy Schools. It is also recommended that you have, if you don’t have already a separate child-on-child abuse policy (previously known as peer-on-peer abuse) in addition to the new sections on child-on-child abuse included in the template Child Protection & Safeguarding policy. All supplementary safeguarding policies should be published on your website alongside your Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy.
- You will notice, this year, we have implemented a policy intent, implementation and impact to help you to personalise your policy, make clear your aims and how they will be implemented and to ensure the effectiveness of how your safeguarding arrangements are monitored.
- Your new policy must be signed off by your governing body/management committee/proprietor. However, while you are waiting for this to happen, we recommend publishing it on your setting website with a note to this effect to ensure compliance from 1st September 2022.
The following documents will be republished once final amendments have been made and agreed:
- DSL and safeguarding governor workbook along with the record keeping guidance
- Template Whistleblowing policy
- Template Procedure for managing safeguarding concerns, or allegations against staff (including supply staff, volunteers and contractors)
- Staff code of conduct
- TWSP safeguarding audit - education
For any further assistance please email educationsafeguarding@telford.gov.uk
A new approach to area SEND inspections
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission seek your views on proposed changes to the way they jointly inspect area SEND arrangements from 2023.
This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 11 September 2022.
The consultation seeks your views on proposed changes to the way Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) jointly inspect local area partnerships to assess how they work together to improve the experiences and outcomes of children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
They are seeking the widest possible range of views from those who have an interest in, or expertise relating to, disability, special educational needs (SEN) and/or alternative provision. Ofsted particularly want to hear from children and young people who have SEND, and their parents and carers. They are also keen to hear from local authorities, clinical commissioning groups, professionals and practitioners involved in the commissioning and delivery of services to children and young people with SEND.
Supporting documents
Alongside the consultation document, we are also publishing:
- an easy-read version of the consultation
- the draft equalities impact statement
- the draft inspection framework and handbook
Children and young people’s consultation
We are keen to hear from children and young people who have SEND and have set up a dedicated young person’s consultation page. This is where young people can access information that is relevant to them and give their views.
Respond to the consultation
You can submit your response to the consultation online:
SENCo Network Meetings – Save the dates
Save the dates have been announced for the programme of SENCo Network Meetings over the next academic year.
Briefings will take place virtually, with the invitation to the virtual meeting sent a week before it's due to take place, please save the dates in your diaries.
Locations will be arranged for workshops to take place face to face and these will be shared as soon as they have been confirmed.
If you haven’t received invitations to the SENCo Network meetings, are new to your role, or would like to be added to the invite list, please contact us with your name, position and school by via email to SENDandInclusion@telford.gov.uk.
|
Fair Share Briefing |
Thursday 29 September 2022 |
Secondary Schools |
|
SENCo Network Meeting – Briefing |
Thursday 6 October 2022 |
Primary Schools |
|
Annual Review Workshop |
3 November 2022 |
Primary Schools |
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SENCo Network Meeting – Workshop/Interactive |
Thursday 15 December 2022 |
Primary Schools |
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SENCo Network Meeting – Briefing |
Thursday 2 February 2023 |
Primary Schools |
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SENCo Network Meeting – Transition Workshop 7 |
Thursday 23 March 2023 |
Primary Schools |
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SENCo Network Meeting – Briefing |
Thursday 8 June 2023 |
Primary Schools |
The meeting dates are also published on the SEND Local Offer – SENCo Space.
SEND Local Offer – Redesign
Over the last year we have been working behind the scenes with parents, carers and young people to create a redesign of the SEND Local Offer – we are now pleased to share this with you!
Changes have been made to make the homepage simpler and easier to navigate. Further developments are still in progress so please bear with us as we complete all the changes.
In the meantime we have created a SENCo Space, this is an area where we can include links to all the information and downloads that SENCo’s may need to access frequently – we would love to hear your views on what should be included in this space. If you have any suggestions please contact us at: localoffer@telford.gov.uk.
Schools to share daily attendance data and take part in research
This is an update from the Department for Education
Over 65% of schools in England are now sharing their daily attendance data with us. Sharing data means you, your local authority and trust (if applicable) get access to daily attendance reports. To follow later in September, you will also be able to compare data from the previous academic year, for a school or an individual.
These reports can help to identify pupils needing support earlier, save you time building attendance reports and offer trend insights for different groups, helping you meet new guidance expectations around working together to improve school attendance.
Our supplier, Wonde, has contacted all schools with instructions on how to share data. Check your junk folder or email Wonde for support You can also find out how the data is used.
Please sign up to take part in our research, as your feedback is valuable to us as we continue to develop the reports.
New National Tutoring Programme (NTP) guidance for the 2022/23 academic year is now available to read
This is an update from the Department for Education
We have updated the NTP guidance for schools for the new academic year, including changes such as:
- additional information on how schools can use the NTP to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities
- information on data and reporting requirements for the 2022/23 academic year
- details of the support offered by our new NTP delivery partners: Education Development Trust, Cognition Education and Tribal.
Schools and local authorities to submit the mandatory 2021/22 year-end statement for school-led tutoring by Friday 16 September 2022
This is an update from the Department for Education
The year-end statement return must be completed, even if you did not use your grant. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will recover your funding if the form is not submitted.
To ensure the accuracy of your return, please use the school-led tutoring: allocations April 2022 to check how much you received.
You will need to enter:
- Your school-led tutoring spend – the total should include the funding we provided and your school’s contribution. If you used all your DfE funding, the number you enter will be higher than your allocation.
- How many hours of tutoring were delivered – if tutoring was delivered in groups, count the number of hours for each pupil. For example, if one tutor delivered a 15-hour package of tutoring to 3 pupils, count this as 45 hours.
- How many pupils received school-led tutoring – if pupils received tutoring in multiple subjects, only count each pupil once.
Technical and policy guidance and a short tutorial video are available to help you.
School Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) members to meet the cyber cover conditions
This is an update from the Department for Education
To ensure your school is covered for cyber incidents, you must meet the following four conditions:
- have offline backups
- all employees or governors who have access to the member’s information technology system must undertake National Cyber Security Centre training
- register with Police Cyber Alarm
- have a cyber response plan in place.
For more information, see the cyber guidance note.
Full terms and conditions of the cyber cover can be found in the membership rules.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our RPA team.
Schools to no longer use code X in the attendance register to record COVID-19 related absence
This is an update from the Department for Education
Last year, we temporarily changed the law to allow schools to record absence related to COVID-19 in the attendance register using code X. This legal amendment has now expired, so please no longer use code X (‘not attending in circumstances related to coronavirus’) to record any COVID-19 related absence.
We have withdrawn the guidance addendum: recording attendance in relation to coronavirus and the associated sub-codes guidance. Where a child is unable to attend school because they are ill with suspected COVID-19, their absence should be recorded as code I ‘illness’. Pupils and schools should continue to follow relevant public health advice relating to COVID-19.
Closure of the educational setting status (EdSet) form for schools, colleges and local authorities
This is an update from the Department for Education
Schools and colleges no longer need to complete the educational setting status form every Thursday.
We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 context and any other emerging issues and will be in touch should further data collections be required in the future.
New careers guidance requirements from year 7 for secondary schools, academies and other educational settings
This is an update from the Department for Education
The Education (Careers Guidance in Schools) Act 2022 came into force on Thursday 1 September 2022. The Act means that schools must now secure independent careers guidance for pupils from year 7.
This amends the existing duty, to secure independent careers guidance to pupils in school years 8 to 13. The Act also establishes consistency across education settings by extending the statutory duty to academy schools and alternative provision academies in England.
Supporting attendance resources for schools and local authorities
This is an update from the Department for Education
Supporting pupils to settle back into their school routines will be a big focus for the coming weeks, including maintaining high attendance. To support this, we have published:
- new guidance on the role of schools, trusts, governing bodies and local authorities, placing more emphasis on working together to improve attendance
- effective practice attendance webinars. Another webinar is planned on analysing attendance data to identify pupils who need additional support
- resources on the Education Hub and Teaching Blogs
The Children’s Commissioner also continues to support attendance through analysis, back into school webpages and a new evidence-based guide for attendance officers.
Primary and Secondary Music Network Autumn 2022 Meeting Dates
The Music Partnership has released dates for Autumn 2022 for the upcoming Music Network Meetings for those teachers involved in music in schools.
The updates will include key information on the National Plan for Music Education released in June 2022 for both primary and secondary, along with the next Singing Basics Course and a Music SEND Conference.
The new National Plan for Music Education (NPME) was published by the Department for Education (DfE) and is entitled, The Power of Music to Change Lives and follows on from the first national plan, The Importance of Music, published in 2011. The full document can be found in the link above
The document is divided into three chapters and covers the following:
- High Quality Music
- Partnership through Music Hubs
- Supporting Progression and Development
There are actions for all stakeholders to take, but especially for school and subject leaders and for organisations who are leading, or are key delivery partners, in local Music Hubs.
Network Meetings to discuss these are as follows:
21 September 2022 – NPME for Primary Schools
22 September 2022 – NPME for Secondary Schools
4 October 2022 – NPME for Primary Schools
5 October 2022 – NPME for Secondary Schools
13 October 2022 – Singing Basics – more details to follow
21 October 2022 – Music SEND Conference – more details to follow
To book your space please send an email to musicservice@entrust-ed.co.uk.
Virtual School key documents
Welcome back! Hopefully, you had a restful summer and are refreshed for the academic year ahead. Please find, available for download, key documents to support your work with our Children in Care (CiC). These are:
- Designated Teacher’s Handbook
- Model Children in Care Policy
- Previously Looked After Children Policy
- Pupil Premium Policy for Children in Care
Staffing – Virtual School Team
This term we welcome Joe Leppington as the new Education Adviser for Children in Care, who has replaced John Newton. John is wished well in his new post! Amanda Price is now the Senior Education Adviser within the Virtual School.
Previously Looked After Children
The key contact in Education Adviser Early Years/ Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) is Anita Farrant.
Children with a Social Worker – Virtual School head teacher extended duties
As you are aware the Department for Education (DFE) has extended the role of the Virtual School head teacher (VSHT) to encompass Children With a Social Worker (CWSW). This is a strategic role – supporting all stakeholders with advice, support and guidance. This will also include a focus on improving attainment to diminish the difference, improving attendance and reducing exclusions for this vulnerable group.
The CWSW Team consists of:
Zoe Mclaughlin, Education Adviser CWSW – Primary
Rebecca Best, Education Adviser CWSW – Secondary
Suzy Rogers. CWSW Tracking Officer
In the first instance if you have any enquires relating to education for Children with a Social Worker please send an email to virtualschool@telford.gov.uk.
Attachment Research Community
We are delighted to announce the launch of the newly developed Attachment Research Community (ARC) offer. This includes a three tiered award pathway that complements the ARC Matrix, aligning with Ofsted framework and supporting schools in their journey to attachment and trauma awareness and outstanding ratings.
Members will also benefit from complementary regional training workshops, conferences and panel discussions, as well as a discounted rate to attend ARC’s National Annual Conference. To find out more about ARC’s new membership offer please send an email to admin@the-arc.org.uk.
Preparations are well underway for ARC annual virtual conference, Attachment and Trauma - teaching, learning & emotional wellbeing in schools. Delegates will get the opportunity to attend a day of inspiring keynote presentations, workshops hosted by previous Timpson Award Winners, sharing their journey to becoming an attachment and trauma aware school; together with a thought provoking panel discussion between school leaders and academics. The 2022 conference will be available on demand to delegates for 14 days following the conference.
The details are as follows:
Tuesday 22 November 2022, 9am-5:30pm
‘Attachment & Trauma - teaching, learning & emotional wellbeing in schools.
Cost: Members £149 + VAT, non-members £199 + VAT.
There is also an opportunity to either attend virtually or face to face.
To book your place please visit the ARC website.
In addition, further training is also available from the Virtual School Team, please contact them directly for more details.
Termly network meeting:
The termly network meeting for schools will be held on 9 November 2022, 4pm – 5:30pm over Microsoft Teams with a guest speaker and a variety of CPD and updates. We look forward to catching up with all throughout the term.
Thank you all, and in the meantime please do get in touch with the Virtual School if they can support and assist further with our vulnerable children.
CPD courses for school staff, senior leaders and governors
The 2022-23 CPD Booklet is available on the Telford Education Services site.
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).
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AET Good Autism Practice |
Monday, September 05, 2022 | 9am to 12pm |
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AET Good Autism Practice |
Tuesday, September 06, 2022 | 9am to 12pm |
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Keeping Children Safe in Education (KSCIE) Webinar |
Thursday, September 08, 2022 | 1pm to 2pm |
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Keeping Children Safe in Education (KSCIE) Webinar |
Thursday, September 08, 2022 | 3.30pm to 4.30pm |
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ELSA Training - Part 1 |
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 | 9am to 3pm |
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Keeping Children Safe in Education (KSCIE) Webinar |
Thursday, September 15, 2022 | 5.15pm - 6.15pm |
| Thursday, September 15, 2022 | 3.30pm to 5pm | |
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Working Together to improve school attendance expectations for schools |
Thursday, September 15, 2022 | 1pm to 2.30pm |
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EAL Network Meeting |
Tuesday, September 20, 2022 | 4pm to 5.30pm |
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Working Together to improve school attendance expectations for schools |
Tuesday, September 20, 2022 | 5pm to 6.30pm |
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The Essential Induction Event for Early Career Teachers |
Wednesday, September 21, 2022 | 4pm to 5.30pm |
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Newly Appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads' Training (2 days) - Part 1 |
Wednesday, September 21, 2022 | 9.15am to 4pm |
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ELSA Training - Part 2 |
Wednesday, September 21, 2022 | 9am to 3pm |
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Pupil Premium Network Meeting |
Wednesday, September 21, 2022 | 4pm to 5.30pm |
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Newly Appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads' Training (2 days) - Part 2 |
Thursday, September 22, 2022 | 9.15am to 4pm |
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Safety Intervention Refresher Training (formerly MAPA Refresher Training) - CPI accredited |
Thursday, September 22, 2022 | 8.45am to 12.30pm |
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Pay and Conditions of Employment |
Friday, September 23, 2022 | 3pm to 5pm |
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ECT Induction Tutor - initial training |
Friday, September 23, 2022 | 4pm to 5.30pm |
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An Introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage |
Tuesday, September 27, 2022 | 4pm to 5.30pm |
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Forest School and Outdoor Learning for Practitioners Working within EYFS |
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 | 4pm to 5.30pm |
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ELSA Training - Part 3 |
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 | 9am to 3pm |
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The Hearing Impaired Child in your Class |
Thursday, September 29, 2022 | 8.30am to 4pm |
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Accredited Safer Recruitment Training |
Thursday, September 29, 2022 | 9am to 4.30pm |
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Safety Intervention Training (formerly MAPA training) - Part 1 - CPI accredited |
Thursday, September 29, 2022 | 8.30am to 4pm |
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Talk Boost - KS2 |
Monday, October 03, 2022 | full day |
| Monday, October 03, 2022 | 5pm to 7pm | |
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Weaving Literacy and Mathematical Development into a Broad EYFS Curriculum - Part 1 |
Wednesday, October 05, 2022 | 1.15pm to 4pm |
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ELSA Training - Part 4 |
Wednesday, October 05, 2022 | 9am to 3pm |
| Thursday, October 06, 2022 | 3.45pm to 6pm | |
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Designated Safeguarding Leads Refresher |
Thursday, October 06, 2022 | 9.15am to 3.15pm |
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Safety Intervention Training (formerly MAPA training) - Part 2 - CPI accredited |
Thursday, October 06, 2022 | 8.30am to 12.30pm |
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Early Years Annual Conference |
Friday, October 07, 2022 | 9am to 3.30pm |
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Establishing Yourself as a SEND leader, for new and returning SENCOs |
Tuesday, October 11, 2022 | 4pm to 5pm |
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Managing Employee Capability (Performance Management) |
Wednesday, October 12, 2022 | 2.30pm to 5pm |
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Meeting the Statutory Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the EYFS |
Wednesday, October 12, 2022 | 4pm to 5.30pm |
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ELSA Training - Part 5 |
Wednesday, October 12, 2022 | 9am to 3pm |
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Behaviour Support Intervention Refresher Training - Non accredited |
Thursday, October 13, 2022 | 8.45am to 12.30pm |
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Meeting the OFSTED requirements for Equality and Diversity for Governors |
Thursday, October 13, 2022 | 6pm to 8.30pm |
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Best practice in your breakfast, after-school and holiday provision |
Thursday, October 13, 2022 | 9.15am to 12noon |
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Absence Management of Employees |
Monday, October 17, 2022 | 2.30pm to 5pm |
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The Visually Impaired Child in Your Class |
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 | 9am to 4pm |
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Restorative Justice |
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 | 4pm to 5.30pm |
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The Strategic Role of Governors |
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 | 4pm to 6pm |
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Managing Absence |
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 | 9.30am to 11.30am |
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Weaving Literacy and Mathematical Development into a Broad EYFS Curriculum - Part 2 |
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 | 1.15pm to 4pm |
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Raising Awareness of Prevent |
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 | 3.30pm to 5pm |
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Designated Teacher for Children in Care Network Meeting (Post 16 ) |
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 | 4pm to 5.30pm |
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ELSA Training - Part 6 |
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 | 9am to 3pm |
| Thursday, October 20, 2022 | 3.30pm to 5pm | |
| Thursday, October 20, 2022 | 3.45pm to 6pm |
Early Career Teacher Appropriate Body arrangements – important request
You may already be aware that the Government is proposing the transition of the Early Career Teacher (ECT) Appropriate Body (AB) service from local authorities to Teaching School Hubs (TSH) from 31 August 2023.
How does this change affect ECTs already registered with Telford & Wrekin Appropriate Body?
- ECTs who started their induction with Telford & Wrekin (T&W) as an Appropriate Body (AB) in September 2021 should be able to complete their induction with T&W AB.
- ECTs who start their induction from September 2022 will need to transfer to a TSH AB by, or before, August 2023.
- Schools may request to transfer their ECTs from the T&W AB at any point. If, less than one whole year or equivalent, T&W AB will, on request, advise the school on the amount due for the proportion of the AB package used.
How does this change affect ECTs starting on or after September 2022?
- T&W AB is offering a 1 year AB package to ECTs starting in September 2022. These ECTs will then need to register with a TSH AB for the 2nd year from 31 August 2023.
- An AB support package will not be available for ECTs starting after September 2022 (i.e. mid-year) - these ECTs should be registered with a TSH AB.
Schools therefore have two choices in September 2022 for ECTs starting their induction?
- Register ECTs with T&W for the first year, then at the end of the year transfer to a TSH AB.
- Register ECTs with a TSH from the start; ECTs may then, if the school chooses, remain with this AB for the whole of their induction.
Telford & Wrekin (T&W) Local Authority (LA) remains an Appropriate Body for the next 12 months and are currently receiving ECT registration forms for September 2022 starters. All registration forms must be sent to schoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk by 30 September 2022 so that they can be uploaded on to the Teaching Regulation Agency portal by the absolute deadline of 18 October 2022.
Telford & Wrekin LA are working closely with the STEP Teaching School Hub, based at The Priory School, Shrewsbury, to ensure this transition runs as smoothly as possible. It is recommended that when schools either choose, or have to transfer, their ECTs at the end of August 2023, that they chose the STEP TSH.
Please send any queries via email to schoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk and either Joanne Perry, ECT AB Administrator, or Claire Killick, ECT AB Manager, will get in touch with you.
Key Stage 2 Talk Boost
Following a successful bid for funding the Telford and Wrekin LSAT Team is in a position to be able to offer training for ICAN’s Talk Boost KS2 programme free of charge to all Junior, Primary and Secondary schools in Telford.
What is TalkBoost KS2?
Talk Boost KS2 is a targeted intervention aimed at children 7-10 years old with delayed language, aiming to boost their language skills and help them to catch up with their peers. The programme aims to accelerate children’s progress in language and communication, after an eight week intervention.
Why should you sign up?
As previously communicated, The Speech and Language Therapy Team are moving towards a graduated response model which, for some children, will involve collating evidence of having implemented one of the recognised screening and intervention tools prior to referral. Being able to deliver TalkBoost KS2 in your school will enable you to evidence your graduated response.
What’s included?
For Junior and Primary schools only:
- One pack of resources per school (RRP £500).
- A full day of online training for 2 members of staff (this should be a class teacher and TA who will be overseeing and delivering the intervention together)
For secondary schools:
- We recognise that not all secondary schools will need to carry out this intervention. We are offering free training for 2 members of staff from your school and will then have packs of resources that we can loan out for secondary schools who have students in Years 7/8 who will benefit. We will ask our Primary and Junior schools to indicate during transition any Y6 students who are coming up in September who they feel would benefit. You will not be able to borrow the resources and deliver the intervention unless someone has had the training.
Dates
- The closing date for signing up is Monday 19 September 2022 at 5pm.
- Training: Monday 3rd October 2022, 9am-3pm via Microsoft Teams.
- Someone from your school will need to come and collect your free resource pack from a central location, you will be e-mailed with details regarding this shortly after booking has closed.
Booking
- The course booking form can be found here.
- To make a booking, please send a completed booking form to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk.
- If you wish to send more than 2 delegates, there will be an additional charge of £135 per person (with a 10% reduction for 2 or more paying delegates).
IMPORTANT
- Where possible, please type or complete the booking form digitally so that your e-mail address is clear.
- Joining instructions will be sent out to the e-mail addresses supplied 5 working days prior to the course.
- If you have not received the Teams invite 3 working days before the course date, please let the CPD team know as soon as possible as it is very difficult to send out further invitations on the morning of the course.
Early Years Conference – opportunity to book
The full day annual Early Years Conference is taking place Friday 7 October 2022 and will be led by two high profile key note presenters.
Morning Session: Penny Tassoni – ‘Reducing Educational Disadvantage in the EYFS’.
- Concerns about the gaps between children’s attainment in education have escalated further since COVID-19.
- In this presentation, Penny Tassoni will consider some of the reasons why some children are more likely to be at an educational disadvantage and the importance of being proactive in the early years. Penny will consider the role of assessment and why settings should take a strategic approach in order that children gain the skills, knowledge and emotional support needed to give them equal access to later opportunities.
- The presentation will also explore some of the tricky issues in narrowing the gap, including gender.
Afternoon Session: Shonette Bason-Wood – ‘Squiggle me into a Writer, including Dough Disco’.
- Wiggle me into a Squiggle is for the youngest of our early writers (age 2+). It is movement and messy play based, using specific movement to assist gross motor development.
- Squiggle Whilst you Wiggle is mark making, movement and letter formation. Then we step into Squiggle me into a Writer, linking our phonics into movement based letter formation.
- Done throughout Early Years and Year 1 the writing of your children will improve significantly.
Delegate fees:
- Telford & Wrekin Local Authority schools and academies – One delegate £158 pp, two delegates from the same school £250 total cost. Additional delegates thereafter £100pp.
Non Telford & Wrekin schools – One delegate £190 pp, two delegates from the same school £300 total cost. Additional delegates thereafter £120pp.
To book your place/s please send a completed CPD Booking Form, via email, to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk.
New courses to improve school attendance and tackle pupil absence
The Attendance Support Team have worked together with Cathy Hobbs to stage three new webinars, designed to improve school attendance.
Working together to improve school attendance (course code AST 001)
Dates and times:
Thursday 15 September 2022, 1pm – 2.30pm or Tuesday 20 September 2022, 5pm – 6.30pm.
Target Audience:
Head teachers, senior leaders, governors, school business managers and school administrators.
Course Content:
This webinar is likely to include the following:
- how to develop a whole school culture which promotes the benefits of high attendance
- effective use of pupil premium
- attendance and safeguarding
- reviewing your school attendance policy in light of the new guidance
- training for staff
- reporting to governors.
Delegate fees:
Telford & Wrekin Local Authority schools and academies – £95.
Non Telford & Wrekin schools – £114
*There is a 10% discount per delegate for two or more bookings on the same course from the same school.
Managing Absence (course code: AST 002)
Date and time:
Tuesday 18 October 2022, 9.30am – 11.30am
Target Audience:
Head teachers, senior leaders, governors, school business managers and school administrators
Course Content:
This webinar is likely to include:
- reviewing daily processes, including register management and lateness
- leave during term time
- informing parents
- support for returning pupils
- voluntary support to improve attendance
- formalising support
- fixed penalty notices
- intensifying support
- legal processes
- persistent and severe absence.
Delegate fees:
Telford & Wrekin Local Authority schools and academies – £105.
Non Telford & Wrekin schools – £126
*There is a 10% discount per delegate for two or more bookings on the same course from the same school.
Analysing attendance and absence data to identify pupils and cohorts that require support (course code: AST 003)
Dates and times:
Tuesday 6 December 2022, 10am – 11.30am or Wednesday 18 January 2023, 4.30pm – 6pm.
Course content:
This webinar will focus on examples of best practice, including:
- analysing cohort and whole school data
- data tracking
- pupil targeting.
Delegate fees:
Telford & Wrekin Local Authority schools and academies – £95.
Non Telford & Wrekin schools – £114.
*There is a 10% discount per delegate for two or more bookings on the same course from the same school.
To book your place/s please send a completed CPD Booking Form, via email, to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk
World Suicide Prevention Day
The September 2022 issues of the Shropshire Safeguarding Partnership, focusing on World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September 2022), is now available to download:
Recycling Week: 19 – 25 September 2022
The 19th annual recycling week will take place between Monday 19 and Sunday 25 September, 2022.
Recycle Week is an annual event designed to celebrate and promote the benefits of recycling. The theme for this year’s Recycling Week is 'Lets get real about Recycling”. This has been chosen to create opportunities for us all to implement positive change that will help protect our planet.
During a difficult COVID-19 pandemic where we haven’t had much control on day-to-day events, recycling is something we can have control over. The urge is for everybody to step up this Recycle Week and join the fight against climate change.
Recycling Week will see an increase in advertising campaigns across the country through working in partnerships with large companies and well-known brands.
Locally Veolia (Telford) is holding a competition to encourage children up to the age of 11 years old to make a poster promoting recycling at home. The winning poster will win a limited edition Telford and Wrekin Recycling Squad soft toy. The competition closes on Friday 16 September 2022, so get those paints and crayons out and start drawing. Visit the Veolia website for more information on the competition and free workshops for primary schools in Telford and Wrekin.
For further resources about recycling week follow visit the recycle now and twinkl websites.
International Literacy Day – Thursday 8 September 2022
This year International Literacy Day will focus on 'Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond', with a focus on the role of educators and changing teaching practices. This means that this year the day is more relevant than ever to teachers and the challenges of teaching literacy that COVID-19 has brought, and future-proof approaches to teaching that might be adopted.
There are 1 in 8 disadvantaged children that don’t own a single book; this means that these children will be held back at every stage of their lives.
They will struggle to do well in school or to find a job, and when they become parents they won't be able to support their own child's learning.
International Literacy Day falls in the first week we are back at school in September, so it's a great opportunity to get involved and undertake a range of fun literacy tasks to celebrate reading and writing.
For further information and free resources please visit the twinkl website.
Recreation spaces survey
Local residents – young and old are asked to share their opinions!
Do you have enough good quality play, recreation and open spaces near you? Maybe you care about green corridors for dog walking. Or play areas for your children. Or community gardens for relaxing.
Telford & Wrekin Council wants to know what improvements you’d like to see.
Take part in the 5-minute survey to have your say on local play areas, recreation sites and open spaces. Say what you like, dislike and what you’d love to see more of:
Free online Cool Kids information session
Free educational sessions for the Cool Kids programme are available.
Cool Kids movement programme session aims
- To provide a basic understanding of sensory motor development and why it is important to children in school.
- Understanding developmental stages of lying on the back, tummy, rolling, creeping and crawling.
- Understanding the underlying principles of the Cool Kids Programme
- Identify pupils who would benefit.
- Deliver the programme effectively.
- Incorporate strategies successfully in the classroom.
The session will be completed online via Microsoft Teams, and a link will be sent via email once a place has been confirmed.
Places are limited and must be booked in advance.
The next available session to book onto is 18 October 2022. 1–3pm.
To book:
- Up to two places for this session are offered to your school.
- It is recommend that a Class Teacher/SENCo attends this session, if they have not already done so.
- Additionally the session will be valuable to any member of staff who will be potentially delivering the group in your school.
- Please contact Occupational Therapy by telephone (01743 450800, option 2) to book your place on this training, and provide an email address that joining links can be sent to.
- Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Webinar on dyslexia in schools
Public Policy Exchange will be hosting a webinar on Dyslexia in Schools: Ensuring All Children with (the Gift of) Dyslexia Can Receive Support and Have Options Open to Them to Achieve Alongside Their Peers.
Key Speakers
- Andy Cook, Chief Executive of Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity
- Rachel Morrison, Specialist Teacher & Professional Diagnostic Assessor
- Dr Chris Arnold, Co-founder of The Dyversity Lab (Event Chair)
- Liz Loly, Education and Communications Consultant at Touch-type, Read and Spell
- Fran Foreman, Senior Education Officer- Inclusion and ASN, Inclusion Wellbeing and Equalities at Education Scotland
- Julian Elliott, Principal of Collingwood College and Professor of Educational Psychology, Durham University
- Prof Greg Brooks, Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Sheffield
- Jim Rokos, Founder of Dyslexic Design
- Michael Marra MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Scottish Parliament
Programme
- Discuss the impact of COVID-19 on schools’ ability to provide adequate support for students with dyslexia
- Consider effective strategies to overcome emotional and psychological impact of poorly supported dyslexia
- Discuss the relationship between dyslexia and allied reading difficulties and mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression and attention deficit
- Evaluate how the Children and Families Act 2014 has impacted SEND support systems for children and young people with dyslexia
- Reflect on how the Department for Education’s fund to train more educational psychologists in schools has impacted early intervention and support
- Assess the effectiveness of government programs such as Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) and Access to Work funding in levelling the playing field for people with dyslexia and other special learning differences
- Discuss the current SEND crisis and formulate strategies for addressing resulting inadequate provisions and children being educated in inappropriate settings
- Consider the government’s recent publication of the long-awaited SEND review and its implications for children and young people with dyslexia
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the new Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training Bill
- Assess what is needed from central government to ensure that all children with dyslexia are identified and provided with adequate educational support
For more information, and to register your place please visit the Policy Exchange website.
Shropshire Beam Virtual workshop for Parents and Professionals
Shropshire Beam are pleased to provide Virtual workshops for Parents & Professionals starting on Wednesday 7 September 2022, for six weeks. Duration of the workshop is approximately an hour.
Details below in chart, all you need to do is click on Link at the appropriate time of chosen Workshop. All workshop will be done via M S Teams Video call, we are unable to record sessions. The Workshops are derived to be informative and engaging sessions, please be willing to participate during the sessions.
There are three Workshops which will be rolled out to the end of October to enable more people to attend, please see the following details of content:-
- Managing Anxiety – aims & Objectives are to pass over psycho - education within the topic followed by practical suggestions of methods & techniques to help support the youth experience issues with anxiety.
- Wellbeing Planning – a workshop which explains & provides a tool for Children & Young people to support their general Emotional Health & Wellbeing, it recognises triggers and promotes self-awareness, his can also be used as a relapse tool to support resilience.
- Sleep Support - aims to pass over psycho - education within the topic followed by practical suggestions & advise of methods & techniques to help support the children & young people having difficulties with getting to sleep and staying a sleep. This workshop will be rolled out twice over the four weeks, due to popular demand.
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Managing Anxiety |
Wednesday 7 September 2022, 4pm |
Microsoft Teams meeting. Meeting ID: 355 721 682 360 |
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Sleep Support |
Wednesday 14 September 2022, 4pm |
Microsoft Teams meeting. Meeting ID: 386 358 644 436 |
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Wellbeing Planning |
Wednesday 21 September 2022, 4pm |
Microsoft Teams meeting. Meeting ID: 346 327 598 46 |
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Managing Anxiety |
Wednesday 28 September 2022, 4pm |
Microsoft Teams meeting. Meeting ID: 317 225 199 895 |
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Sleep Support |
Wednesday 5 October 2022, 4pm |
Microsoft Teams meeting. Meeting ID: 332 728 685 179 |
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Wellbeing Planning |
Wednesday 12 October 2022, 4pm |
Microsoft Teams meeting. Meeting ID: 357 202 073 990 |
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Managing Anxiety |
Wednesday 19 October 2022, 4pm |
Microsoft Teams meeting. Meeting ID: 390 810 487 616 |
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Sleep Support |
Wednesday 26 October 2022, 4pm |
Microsoft Teams meeting. Meeting ID: 359 625 398 630 |
Patrimonito International Storyboard Competition 2022
The Patrimonito International Storyboard Competition 2022 has now been launched.
For almost twenty years, the World Heritage Education Programme has created focused cartoons about World Heritage for children. The animated series, entitled Patrimonito's World Heritage Adventures was launched in 2002, and introduces a cartoon character called Patrimonito, who helps children learn about World Heritage sites and the challenges they are facing, as well as proposes a solution to help conserve the site.
These animated short films are intended to mobilise young people to participate actively in World Heritage preservation. Young people are invited to express their ideas through drawings in the form of a storyboard and submit these to UNESCO. In this way, young people can build critical thinking skills about heritage conservation in their own country. This year, we have decided to open the competition at an international level and invite submissions on the theme of Climate Change.
The best storyboards will be selected by an international jury and will be professionally developed into animated cartoons to be disseminated worldwide.
To successfully carry out this project, we need your invaluable assistance to encourage educational establishments and youth organizations in your country to participate in the competition.
Brief guidelines for participation are available online.
If you should require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Ines Yousfi, the Focal Point for World Heritage Education Programme (i.yousfi@unesco.org) and/or Ms Pravali Vangeti (p.vangeti@unesco.org) at the World Heritage Centre.
Heritage Open days taking place in September 2022
Heritage Open Days is an annual event that takes place over ten days in September that celebrates the country’s history, culture and architecture.
This year the dates are Friday 9 to Sunday 18 September, 2022. The theme for 2022 is 'Inventions, Innovation and Discoveries'.
This event is coordinated by the National Trust with the support from the People’s Postcode Lottery, describes itself as a “national local festival” and is the largest celebration of England’s history and culture during the year.
It’s a chance to explore hidden places and new experiences which are right on your doorstep. Across the country there are over 2,000 organisations taking part with over 5,500 events which are supported by 46,000 volunteers. All these events and venues are free during this week.
So why not take a picnic and step back into the past to explore some amazing places (some that are only open to the public during Heritage week), and see some mind blowing inventions all free of charge
Visit the Heritage Open Days website for more information, including a printable area list.
New youth fitness project, Freedom Fitness
Telford Minster Youth have started an exciting, new, youth fitness project, Freedom Fitness in partnership with West Mercia Police and Telford & Wrekin Council, at Telford Minster, Southwater Square, Telford TF3 5ES, helping to free young people from the things holding them back.
This brand-new project, @freedomfitnesstelford, will take place every Monday afternoon, mixing sport with faith!
- From 3.30pm – 4.30pm, the first session aimed at Year 3 – Year 6 (7 – 11 year olds) to play sports games, chat about how our day is going and our mental health, and to engage in circuits to burn off all that energy from the school day, reflecting on what we’re thankful for, hopeful for and the things we’ve got going on in our lives.
- From 5pm – 6pm, the second session aimed at Year 7 – Year 13 (11 – 18 year olds) to do more fitness circuits, to chat about self-confidence, positive thoughts, and our mental health, and to be able to chat to a youth worker confidentially if needed.
Please make sure that children know to bring their sports kit with them – there are toilets to get changed in. All refreshments will be provided. The doors to Meeting Point House should be used, and someone will direct those arriving upstairs.
Free wraparound childcare for service families
The Ministry of Defence has announced that there will be a full UK-wide rollout of the Wraparound Childcare Scheme (WAC) from Autumn 2022.
From the start of the 2022 Autumn Term, WAC funding will be available to all eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years who are in school or being home schooled in the UK. If eligible, families can claim up to 20 hours each week of funding, for each child, for before and/or after School Care during term time. This can be used with any Ofsted approved (or equivalent) childcare setting. The childcare provider must be able to accept payments from Tax-Free Childcare accounts.
Further information is available online.