Education Noticeboard - 10 November 2022

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

Included in this update:

  1. Director update
  2. Telford Crisis Support Winter Coats and Shoes Project
  3. First children receive free swimming lessons in Telford and Wrekin
  4. Everyone’s welcome – Celebrating Arthog’s 60th Anniversary
  5. National School Meals Week: 7 – 11 November 2022
  6. Registration codes advice for schools (including for dual registered pupils)
  7. Updated Pupil Premium Strategy Templates
  8. Subsidy for Loudmouth’s Safeguarding Programme in Secondary Schools, 2022/23
  9. Do you have a Children’s Safeguarding Board?
  10. Strategic Partnership Board Newsletter
  11. Developing the role of the EAL Coordinator Course
  12. Children's Services Core Offer: Updated
  13. Careers advice is back – and it’s live!
  14. Anti-bullying Week: 14-18 November 2022
  15. World Kindness Day: 13 November 2022
  16. Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurupurab: 8 November 2022
  17. Telford Band Night at Telford Theatre
  18. An opportunity to place your CPD course bookings
  19. Autumn Term Education Conference – 15 November 2022
  20. New course – motivational interviewing for education settings
  21. An invitation for schools to join our latest National Tutoring Programme webinars
  22. An invitation for schools to register for the National Tutoring Summit
  23. An invitation for eligible schools to register for the National School Breakfast Programme
  24. An invitation for schools to share daily attendance data and view attendance reports
  25. An update for schools and colleges on the additional bank holiday on 8 May 2022
  26. Free CPD for teachers and leaders in schools and early years settings through National Professional Qualifications
  27. Drones and education settings
  28. Early years education recovery announcement
  29. 2023 Early Years Foundation Stage handbook published
  30. New early years online resources to promote the home learning environment
  31. New early years qualifications checking service

Director update

Dear colleagues

It is my pleasure to share a video with you this week, created as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations for Arthog. The Everyone’s Welcome project supports and encourages the involvement of Black, Asian and other ethnic minority groups with our fantastic outdoor provision. 

Now we are heading towards the colder weather, Telford Crisis Support are getting ready to launch their Winter Coats and Shoes Project. This will be the third year that the scheme has supplied children in need with weather appropriate items. Please read the details, and support if possible. We have also supplied information on how to make a referral.

As well as those two articles we have shared a number of other item including registration code advice in relation to dual registered pupils, links to the newly updated Pupil Premium Strategy templates and how to access subsidised sessions from Loudmouth’s safeguarding programme.

There is also the October Strategic Partnership Board newsletter, available to download, a number of key dates with accompanying resources and updates from the DfE.

Finally, it is anti-bullying week, starting 14 November 2022.  I know you will have many activities planned for this important area and the noticeboard includes some useful resources for you to use.

As always, we love to hear from you all, and share positive news, don’t forget to email stories and photos to us at education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk.

Have a great week

Simon

Simon Wellman
Director of Education & Skills


Telford Crisis Support Winter Coats and Shoes Project

The Telford Crisis Support (TCS) Winter Coats and Shoes Project, funded by Telford & Wrekin Council will launch again on the 14 November 2022.

The Winter Coats and Shoes Project has supplied hundreds of children with a coat and pair of shoes over the last two years. This year more than ever we know that many of our children will be in need of this service.

If you are working with children who do not have a suitable winter coat or footwear you can make a referral directly to Telford Crisis Support for assistance.

When will the scheme run?
14 November 2022 – 12 March 2023. Referrals can be made at any time.

Who can apply?
Professionals working in schools and other professionals working with families. 

How can I apply?
Once you’ve identified a child who needs these items of clothing speak to the family to ask if they are happy to be referred? You will then need to find out the sizes of any clothing/ shoes needed for each child to complete the referral form. 

All applications are made online via a password protected webform. This form is only for professionals please do not share the form or password publically.

Link to online referral form: Winter Coats & Shoes – Telford Crisis Support.
Access password = W1nt€rC0at5

What next?
Telford Crisis Support will source the items and deliver either to school or one of TCS designated pick up points, depending on the preference stated on the referral.

✓ One application is required per child.

✓ Please do not share publicly for schools’ academies and partner organization use only.

✓ On submission of a request a confirmation email will be sent to you, please ensure your specified email address is correct and retain a copy of this email for verifying items on receipt and ensuring they are distributed accurately.

✓ For more information on support services offered by TCS please visit the website: www.telfordcrisissupport.org.uk

If you have any questions relating to the scheme/ referral process or would like further information you can contact Debbie Hughes and Jaden Osbourne, Clothing Co-Ordinators, via email to clothing@telfordcrisissupport.org.uk or by calling/texting 07878 296958.


First children receive free swimming lessons in Telford and Wrekin

Almost 200 children in Telford and Wrekin have now started free swimming lessons a part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s 10 by 10 programme. In total the children have spent more than 80 hours in the water learning valuable life-skills, with more children starting their lessons each week across the borough.

10 by 10 encourages children to try ten activities that will help them to discover new talents and opportunities before the age of ten. Through the council, schools and other local partners, new offers are continually being developed and added, including those accessible to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

The free swimming lessons are provided by Telford & Wrekin Council to children living in the  borough aged between five and 10 years who are unable to swim 10 meters on their front and back. Each child is eligible for a free block of lessons (up to 13 lessons).

Mum Kylie from Telford commented: “This new 10by10 initiative launched by Telford & Wrekin was just what we needed to give us that extra nudge to get our daughter signed up for swimming lessons. We know all the benefits that learning to swim can bring but as busy parents it was something that we hadn’t got booked in. This opportunity has been fantastic and we can already see the difference a few weeks in the pool on these lessons has made on our daughter’s ability. She is more confident in the water and we will be looking to continue the lessons for her after her 10by10 free block is over. We got signed up at our local pool which is Abraham Darby Sport and Leisure Centre and the process has been easy to navigate.”

This offer will be available over the next two years and will be delivered through the council’s Swim4Life programme.  The lessons will be delivered across the four pools in the borough; Abraham Darby Sports and Leisure Centre. Newport Swimming and Fitness Centre, Oakengates Leisure Centre and Wellington Civic and Leisure Centre.

Parents interested in finding out more about the offer do so on the Telford & Wrekin Leisure website

Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, Shaun Davies (Labour) said: “We are hugely proud of our unique free-swimming lesson offer in Telford and Wrekin. From the offset we knew how popular these lessons would be with families and I am delighted that in less than a month so many children have already started their swimming lesson journey. The offer will be available for the next two years so we would encourage parents to continue to sign up.”

The 10 by 10 activities ten year olds are encouraged to try are to:

• Join in competitive sports
• Play an instrument
• Learn to swim
• Take part in drama and performing arts
• Visit the seaside and the countryside
• Experience museums, galleries and heritage sites
• Take part in camping trips and overnight residential
• Learn to ride a bike
• Take part in debating
• Use a library

Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "There are ten activities children should try before they are ten to help them discover their talents and experience the world.  From learning to swim to stepping back in time at a local museum, a happy childhood is full of new experiences like these. Swimming is a fantastic life skill, not only does it help your child enjoy the water, but it can also help prevent drowning, develop fine motor skills and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

"It's through these experiences that children can discover their talents and opportunities they might not realise they had. We don't want children in our borough to miss out on these opportunities during their primary school life.  That's why we are working with schools and partners to put together this comprehensive and diverse range of activities to boost children's learning – many are free. Whether through taking part in activities at school or by finding local offers on the new website, we hope your child can try as many 10 by 10 activities as possible."


Everyone’s welcome – Celebrating Arthog’s 60th Anniversary

As part of its 60th anniversary celebration this year, Arthog (the outdoor education centre in Wales run by Telford & Wrekin Council) has launched “Everyone’s Welcome” - a project aiming to increase the involvement of Black, Asian and other Telford and ethnic minority groups with Arthog.

A diverse group of young people have recently enjoyed their first visit to Arthog, thanks to an “Arthog 60” legacy programme fully funded by Telford & Wrekin Council. The Council has worked with a number of secondary schools in the borough to recruit the young people taking part, people who haven’t been to Arthog before as they found this experience beyond their reach.

Rob Wilson, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Telford & Wrekin Council said: “As we look forward to Arthog’s next 60 years, I am proud to coordinate an exciting project looking to get more diversity involved in Arthog: “We have engaged with a couple of secondary schools in our borough for some of their students to visit Arthog, students who never had a taste of Arthog before. During a three day residential trip, they’ve enjoyed rock climbing, canoeing and many activities at the Arthog centre. They are now “Arthog ambassadors” - championing other diverse young people in accessing and benefiting from the outdoor opportunities offered by our Council. Next year we will extend the “Arthog ambassador” programme so more diverse young people can live their first-time Arthog outdoor experiences that could really be life-enhancing, building their confidence, resilience and opening them up for new adventures.”

Ella, one of the students who took part in the “Arthog ambassador” programme this year said: “To be part of something like this is really cool. It’s bringing more people into Arthog and letting them have a taste of what it’s like. I want other people to experience this too!”

Reflecting on her first Arthog’s visit, Rhoda said: “I am really hoping that we can do this experience next year as well but for longer. We want to thank everyone for making this happen, because honestly, I have never been to the beach in my 14 years of living. “

Cllr Shirley Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children, young people and families said: “Everyone’s welcome at Arthog! We are very keen for young people from all walks of lives, from all abilities and backgrounds to come and experience life at Arthog, at the beach, in the mountains, away from technology – it’s life-changing. Through the “Arthog ambassador” project, we are paving the way for young people who never visited Arthog to come to the centre, explore what it has to offer and once home, encourage their peers to do the same.

“Being active, combining mental and physical challenges, working in teams, forming friendships in this beautiful setting in the Welsh hills makes memories for lifetime. Looking ahead for the next 60 years, we are committed to investing in this centre to ensure it provides for many Telford and Wrekin generations.”

Over the past 60 years of being a full time outdoor education centre, Arthog has hosted well over 100,000 people. Demand for places continues to rise and the facilities and activities on offer are increasingly being used by a broader spectrum of user groups.

The centre is open to children and young people as well as adults, places can be booked by calling 01341 250455 or by visiting the Arthog website.

If you are interested to get your child or their school involved in Everyone’s Welcome – Arthog ambassador project 2023, please contact robert.wilson@telford.gov.uk.




National School Meals Week: 7 – 11 November 2022

Telford & Wrekin Council have been highlighting the benefits of healthy lunches for National School Meals week, 7 – 11 November 2022.

We know that school meals are vital to a child's education. A nutritious meal helps with learning and concentration and is a fun social aspect of the day. 

Thank you to all schools who have taken part by having fun activities. Short Wood Primary School put together a vegan menu with tasty options to look forward to at lunchtime, including chocolate muffins. Hollinswood Primary School invited certain pupils to a VIP school meal provided by the council's Let's Dine Team as a reward for demonstrating the school's values.

Because of the cost-of-living crisis, we have also been encouraging parents to check to see if they are eligible for free school meals. Over the past year, we have seen a 9% increase in people claiming free school meals. So claims are increasing, and the likelihood is that they should also be rising in your school.

Any work you can do to support eligible people who are not claiming free school meals is appreciated. 

We are highlighting to parents the cashless payment process that ensures no one needs to know who has a free school meal. We also underline each meal's quality, portion size, and nutritional value. 

Parents can visit the council website to learn more about Free School Meals, Universal Infant Free meals and school menus.


Registration codes advice for schools (including for dual registered pupils)

Many schools are supporting pupils by offering a managed move (MM) or additional support at The Linden Centre. As all schools, including The Linden Centre, are Department for Education (DfE) registered settings, they have to follow the appropriate registration regulations. 

Pupils are allowed to be registered at more than one school – it is called dual registration. The pupil will remain on roll at their ‘host’ school but attend another setting.

For managed moves the host school (school A) should record ‘D code’ in the attendance register for every session the pupil attends the other setting (school B), even if it is reported the pupil is absent. School B will record the pupils’ attendance or absence.

Once the MM place has been successful the receiving school changes the on roll status to ‘main’ and the initial home school removes them from roll under regulation 8.

A further example is:

If a pupil is ‘mornings only’ at school A and afternoons only at school B, school A will record present or absent every morning and D code for every afternoon and school B will record D code for every morning and present or absent for every afternoon. Census will merge the two D code figures, otherwise the pupil will show as a duplicate at census.

There is no such thing as guest registration/status anymore. The school roll requirement is either ‘Main’ or ‘Subsidiary’ (historically ‘Subsidiary’ used to be known as ‘Guest’ but was changed on the census returns).

B Registration code is different. This would be the appropriate code if a pupil was attending an approved alternative provider, agreed and supervised by the school – for example House No.1 or Alternative Provision.

Both D and B code are non-statistical so will not have an impact on school or individual attendance level as he sessions are not counted. 

Please do not hesitate to contact AST via email to attendancesupportteam@telford.gov.uk or by calling 01952 385220 if you need additional advice.


Updated Pupil Premium Strategy Templates

On 27 October 2022 the DfE updated their three pupil premium strategy templates. There have also been slight changes to the ‘use of the pupil premium’ to reference the menu of approaches.

All schools that receive pupil premium funding must publish a strategy statement each academic year using the DfE template. The template, and completed examples, can be found on the GOV.UK website: 

Publications: Pupil Premium

The completed examples are provided as a guide only. Schools must develop their own strategy plan and reflect this accurately in your statement. Schools have until 31 December 2022 to publish their statement, which will enable them to take the needs of the new intake into account. If a multi-year strategy has been developed for pupil premium, there must be a review of plans and an updated statement published every year.

Format of the blank template Part A is designed to reflect the process for developing an effective pupil premium plan. The template should help schools to develop a plan and enable those reading it to understand the strategy. Part B is to use to explain what the outcomes of strategy used in the previous academic year were for disadvantaged pupils. There is an optional further information section to provide any additional information schools wish to publish.

Links to each of the templates are included below:

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement - blank template

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement - example (primary)

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement - example (secondary)

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement - example (special)

If you require any support or assistance, please contact Claire Killick via email to claire.killick@telford.gov.uk.


Subsidy for Loudmouth’s Safeguarding Programme in Secondary Schools, 2022/23

Funding is currently available to secondary schools in Telford & Wrekin, to part and fully fund Loudmouth’s theatre in education programmes on mental wellbeing, safeguarding and sex and relationships.

The tour is taking place until the end of July 2023 and the programmes on offer are as follows:

Year 7:
Free/fully funded virtual sessions of Bully 4 U on Bullying, resilience, online safety, homophobic and sexual/sexist bullying. These consist of a specially created drama film and live-streamed discussion workshops:
Bully-4-U (secondary)

Year 7:
Free/fully funded sessions of Talking Heads on mental wellbeing:
Mental Health Talking Heads

Year 9 upwards:
Free sessions of Calling It Out on sexual harassment and sexual assault:
Calling it Out

Year 8 upwards:
Schools may choose up to 2 of the following programmes for a contribution of £3 per pupil per programme:
Trust Me on sexual health: Trust Me
Safe & Sound on abuse in teenage relationships: Safe & Sound
Working For Marcus on child exploitation: Working for Marcus

For further information contact caroline@loudmouth.co.uk or ring 0121 446 4880.


Do you have a Children’s Safeguarding Board?

We know how important the voice of the child is, ensuring that we listen to seek to understand how safe they feel in and outside of school and giving every child an advocate to keep themselves and their peers safe.

Severn Training & Schools Alliance (STSA) are offering a course for schools who wish to establish a children’s safeguarding board and network meetings for those who already have an established board.

This course will support an understanding of the statutory policies that underpin a safeguarding board. There will be opportunities to begin to plan the values and vision for the board and identify pupils/students who represent the different groups within your setting.

Outcomes include:

  • To understand the rationale for safeguarding boards.
  • To understand the statutory documents that support safeguarding boards and the voice of the child.
  • To give pupils a voice.
  • To develop a culture of openness and honesty.
  • To upskill staff and pupils and students.
  • To involve pupils in keeping themselves safe.
  • To address the multi-facets that lead to child safety being put at risk.
  • To enable children to understand their rights.

Course date is 21 November 2022, 1 – 4pm at Brookside Central – cost £90.

Following the establishment of the board, all schools are invited to a termly network meeting. This will allow leaders of boards to network with one another, share good practice and understand how to address the LA Partnership Board priorities for safeguarding. To book a place, please visit the STSA website:

STSA: Continuing professional development

Termly network sessions:
Termly network sessions to develop and support your children’s safeguarding board are also available for free.

Children’s safeguarding Board network sessions will continue via Microsoft Teams, from 4 – 5.30pm each term. If you have a board or are thinking of setting one up, please do get in touch, so that you can be sent an invite.

As always the focus will be on sharing good practise and offer key areas of safeguarding. This will include:

  • Building a positive digital presence – your board as ambassadors(following the Molly Russell inquest – 28 November 2022.
  • Teaching children and young people about neglect in an age-appropriate way – 20 March 2023.
  • The Protected Characteristics for children and young people – 3 July 2023.

To book a place please email Sue.stoddart2@taw.org.uk.


Strategic Partnership Board Newsletter

The recent Education Strategic Partnership board took place on 17 October 2022, welcoming Dr Gillian Eatough as independent chair for the board.

The meeting was rich with discussion as our insight team had the opportunity to demonstrate the progress on the Local Area Education Dashboard which we have been developing. We are currently in the process of a pilot study of our local area data dashboard with a number of our schools to ensure that the usability and data provided informs schools of their progress, their areas of strengths and weaknesses and will also show demographic information. We have included snapshots of the dashboard in our latest October Newsletter to enable you to see what the Board have been developing. 

We have also discussed issues surrounding KS2 recovery plan and EDI agenda of Best Start in Life. These will be discussed further in future meetings. Any updates will be reported in future newsletters.

Strategic Partnership Board: October Newsletter

Each edition of the newsletter will be available for download on our Telford Education Strategic Partnership Board website. The page is still under development as we continue to improve it's content. 


Developing the role of the EAL Coordinator Course

A course focused on developing the role of the English as an Additional Language (EAL) Coordinator is running next week.

Course details:
Tuesday 15 November 2022, 3.45pm-6pm.

Target Audience:
taff members with the responsibility for EAL.

Course Content:
As the proportion of EAL pupils in schools grows, the role of overseeing EAL is becoming an area of specialist responsibility in increasing numbers of schools. This course will cover the role of the EAL Coordinator in developing systems and maintaining appropriate provision for EAL pupils across the school, including best practice in:

  • appropriate induction of new arrivals,
  • assessment and monitoring systems,
  • recording and sharing information,
  • developing an EAL policy,
  • planning support and intervention programmes,
  • processes to improve communication with parents / carers.

It will also signpost delegates to sources of further information, training and support. Key Outcomes Delegates will gain an overview of best practice in EAL provision and be able to take a leading role in the development of EAL provision across their school.

Cost per delegate:
Schools and academies - £90
10% discount oer delegate for two or more bookings on the same course

The training course will be held online, via Microsoft Teams. To book a place on this course please send an email to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk.

Multicultural Development Team (MDT) support for individual schools/ settings to deliver quality bespoke CPD is available upon request.


Children's Services Core Offer: Updated

Please take some time to download and read the updated Core Offer for Children’s Services which outlines how children, young people and families are supported across Telford and Wrekin including early help, education and social care. This has been updated since the version shared last week.

Updated: Children's Services Core Offer booklet

As a service, Children’s Services strive to work collaboratively, and in partnership to ensure that the best positive support is provided, to enable all families using the service to be as independent as possible and achieve positive outcomes.  

The Core Offer outlines key priorities and provides details for each team and service area who help work towards these. You can also use this document to familiarise yourself with the management structure of both Children’s Safeguarding and Family Support and Education and Skills.


Careers advice is back – and it’s live!

Students and families from a Telford school will get the chance to learn more about potential careers opportunities this month at one of the biggest careers events of the year.

The Live Careers Fair will take place in the sports hall at Hadley Learning Community on November 17 2023, from 3pm to 6pm.

Around 60 organisations will be represented including employers, training providers, apprenticeships, sixth forms, colleges and universities, and it’s the first time an in-person event has taken place since 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Catherine Lawson-Broadhead, head of business and careers lead at HLC, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to host this year’s careers fair on site rather than holding an online event – even though they were very successful for the last two years. We’re extremely grateful to the organisations who are supporting our careers fair and it’s a great opportunity for students and their families to ask direct questions and explore the potential pathways they could follow.”

The event is open to Year 9 pupils with the specific aim of helping them make vital Options decisions on what subjects they would like to study, and to Year 10 and Year 11 pupils to help plan their route into further education or employment.

Catherine said: “We are delighted to see such a varied range of providers signed up to the careers fair and it’s a perfect chance to show our students a wide-ranging and diverse snapshot of the world of work and study. Our event is designed to help start meaningful conversations around future plans, whether that be about further education, apprenticeships or full employment, and it will give students an opportunity to meet external providers they may not have encountered otherwise.”

Organisations taking part on the day include:

AFC Telford United; Telford College; Crossbar Coaching
The Army, Navy and RAF
Department of Work and Pensions (Job Centre Plus)
Dyke Yaxley chartered accountants
McPhillips
Nova Training
PAM Saint Gobain
Newport Girls’ High School sixth form
Training provider ProVQ Ltd
SYST
Wrekin Housing Group
University of Wolverhampton
Newcastle and Staffordshire Colleges Group
Dudley College.

“There’s a wonderful range of industries and organisations represented already, but we would also love to hear from businesses in the creative and NHS sectors who may be able to attend and share their experiences with our students and their families,” said Catherine.

Any business who may be able to support the careers fair should call 01952 387000 or email catherine.lawson-broadhead@lct.education.


Anti-bullying Week: 14-18 November 2022

Anti-Bullying Week 2022 is coordinated by the Anti-Bullying Alliance. It will take place from 14 to 18 November 2022 and has the theme Reach Out.

Following the success of the campaign in 2021 – when 80% of schools marked the week, reaching over 7.5 million children and young people – Anti-Bullying Week will remind everyone, whether it’s in school, at home, in the community or online, to reach out and show each other the support we need.

Anti-Bullying Week 2022 is aimed at sending a clear and positive message that bullying is neither acceptable nor inevitable in our schools and communities. This event aims to raise awareness about bullying and the effects that it can have on the people that experience it. 

This year on Monday 14 November the week will start off with Odd Socks Day, where adults and children wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.

Let us know what you are doing within your school to acknowledge Anti-Bullying Week to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or tag us on your twitter posts @TelfordWrekin.

Some useful resources are available online to support you with Anti-Bullying week:

Anti-bullying Alliance school resources

Twinkl Anti-Bullying Week 2022

Teachwire Anti-bullying Week resources

Mentally Healthy Schools toolkit


World Kindness Day: 13 November 2022

World kindness day is celebrated annually in the UK on 13 November. On this day, participants attempt to make the world a better place by celebrating and promoting good deeds and pledging acts of kindness, either as individuals or as organisations.

In the UK, Kindness Day UK is organised by Kindness UK, a not for profit organisation.

Kindness Day UK was launched on 13th November 2010, and this event has continued to grow in popularity. Every year this event has seen increasing numbers of individuals, schools, charities, institutions and businesses taking part in this event.

This year the theme for World Kindness Day 2022 is Be Kind Wherever Possible and all of the campaigns, celebrations, discussions, and events held on Kindness Day will focus on this theme.

There are a number of ways you can show kindness to people for example wave and smile at someone or compliment a friend or family member. There are many other ways to show kindness, please visit the Random Acts of Kindness website for additional ideas.

Free educational resource packs are also available online:

Kindness UK: Ideas for school

Twinkl: World Kindness Day

Remember Smile and Be Kind!

Please send any photos or good news items about what you did to celebrate this day to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or tag us on your twitter posts @TelfordWrekin.


Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurupurab: 8 November 2022

This holy festival, held on 8 November 2022, was celebrated by Sikhs all around the world. This year, was Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 553rd birthday.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab, also known as Guru Nanak's Prakash Utsav, celebrates the birth of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak. One of the most celebrated and important Sikh gurus and the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev is highly revered by the Sikh community.

This festival is one of the most sacred in Sikhism, or Sikhi. The festivities in the Sikh religion revolve around the anniversaries of the 10 Sikh Gurus. These Gurus were responsible for shaping the beliefs of the Sikhs. Their birthdays, known as Gurpurab, are occasions for celebration and prayer among the Sikhs

Guru Nanak Dev believed that any person could connect to God by through worshipping with sincere prayers and a clear conscience. His teachings are included in Guru Granth Sahib.

Free educational materials are available on the BBC bitesize website.


Telford Band Night at Telford Theatre

Telford & Wrekin Music will be hosting a Band Night at Telford Theatre on Tuesday 15 November 2022. The event will be a fantastic night of live music, with bands performing from schools and colleges within the Telford area.

For more information please download the event flyer:

Telford Band Night Flyer

Queries can be sent to Tracey Stirling, Interim Music Team Leader, via email to tracey.stirling@telford.gov.uk.


An opportunity to place your CPD course bookings

CPD courses to the end of the Autumn Term 2022.  Further details of these and other courses are available in the CPD booklet on the Telford Education Services website.

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).

Diversity, Accessibility and Equity: within and beyond the curriculum
(CPD 722)
Tuesday 15 November 2022 8.45am to 4pm
Primary Computing Update
(CPD 512)
Tuesday 15 November 2022 4pm to 5.30pm
Developing the Role of the EAL Coordinator
(CPD 616)
Tuesday 15 November 2022 3.45pm to 6pm
Listen with Lucy
(EY 023)
Wednesday 16 November 2022 1.15pm to 4pm
Understanding School Finances
(GO 508)
Wednesday 16 November 2022 9.15am to 12noon
Early Career Teacher Network
(ECTs in year one of their training) (CPD 720)
Wednesday 16 November 2022 2.30pm to 3.45pm
Early Career Teacher Network
(ECTs in year two of their training) (CPD 720)
Wednesday 16 November 2022 4.15pm to 5.30pm
Governor’s Responsibilities for SEND
(LSAT 212)
Wednesday 16 November 2022 5pm to 7pm
Designated Safeguarding Leads Refresher
(SG 1070
Wednesday 16 November 2022 9.15am to 3.15pm
Exploring the 7 areas of learning in a school based EYFS environment
(EY 318)
Thursday 17 November 2022 9.15am to 12noon
Understanding Nurture
(PSS 101)
Thursday 17 November 2022 9.15am to 12noon
Assessment - termly update (morning)
(CPD 502)
Tuesday 22 November 2022 9.15am to 10.45am
Assessment - termly update (twilight)
(CPD 503)
Tuesday 22 November 2022 4pm to 5.30pm
Safer Recruitment Administration
(Book via Human Resources)
Wednesday 23 November 2022 3pm to 5.30pm
Establishing Yourself as a SEND leader, for new and returning SENCOs
(LSAT 302)
Wednesday 23 November 2022 4pm to 5pm
Newly Appointed Safeguarding Governor Induction Training – part 1
(SG 103)
Wednesday 23 November 2022 5.30pm to 8pm
Governors' Responsibilities for Exclusions
(SG 104)
Thursday 24 November 2022 5pm to 7pm
Accredited Safer Recruitment Training
(Book via Human Resources)
Thursday 24 November 2022 9am to 4.30pm
Raising Awareness of Prevent 
(SG 101)
Thursday 24 November 2022 9.30am to 11am
Bright Ideas and Inspiration - for your breakfast, holiday and out of school provision
(EY 303)
Thursday 24 November 2022 9.15am to 12noon
Induction Training for New Governors
(GO 502)
Tuesday 29 November 2022 9.30am to 3.30pm
Managing English as an Additional Language in Early Years Settings
(CPD 710)
Tuesday 29 November 2022 1.15pm to 4pm
Early Years Coordinators – Termly Update
(EY 007)
Wednesday 30 November 2022 4pm to 5.30pm
Working Together to improve school attendance expectations for schools
(AST 001)
Wednesday 30 November 2022 10am to 11.30am
Understanding Intent, Implementation and Impact within the EYFS in a school
(EY 319)
Thursday 1 December 2022 1.15pm to 4pm
Child Protection Supervision
(SG 203)
Thursday 1 December 2022 9.30am to 12.30pm
An Introduction to EAL for Early Career Teachers
(CPD 527)
Tuesday 6 December 2022 3.45pm to 6pm
AET Making Sense of Autism – an introduction to Autism for Governors
(LSAT 514)
Tuesday 6 December 2022 6pm to 7.30pm
Effective Support and Supervisions in the EYFS
(EY 306)
Tuesday 6 December 2022 4pm to 5.30pm
Meeting the EYFS Profile Requirements for EAL Learners in EYFS
(CPD 715)
Wednesday 7 December 2022 1.15pm to 4pm
Positive Behaviour Management in the Classroom
(PSS 008)
Wednesday 7 December 2022 1.15pm to 4pm
Newly Appointed Safeguarding Governor Induction Training – part 2
(SG 103)
Thursday 8 December 2022 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Observing Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage
(EY 011)
Thursday 8 December 2022 1pm to 3pm

Autumn Term Education Conference – 15 November 2022

The Telford & Wrekin Autumn Term 2022 Conference - Diversity, Accessibility and Equity for all: within and beyond the curriculum will take place Tuesday 15 November 2022.

This conference will explore diversity, accessibility and equity within the curriculum across all ages, with the aim of raising aspirations and achievement for all children and young people.

The aim is to consider how to maintain the momentum and to build upon current practice by bringing colleagues together to further consider reading in terms of diversity and accessibility.

We want all of our children and young people to ‘see’ themselves within their curriculum, and to be enabled to have full access, regardless of their background or previous experiences. It is our collective job to raise aspirations and to support all children and young people to achieve the best possible outcomes.

The day will consistent of key note speaker presentations, as well as the opportunity to attend workshops.  We will also be accompanied by Peters - specialist suppliers of books to primary and secondary schools.

Key note speakers and contributors will include:

Liz Pemberton, The Black Nursery Manager is an award winning outstanding practitioner, who has significant experience in gaining excellent results in pupil engagement and raising aspirations. Liz states that ‘as children are growing and developing, it is our job, as educators, to help them form a positive sense of themselves and the people in the world around them’.

Lekha Sharma: An experienced and current school leader, who is the author of ‘Curriculum to Classroom’ and contributor to chapters within ‘Primary Huh’ (a Mary Myatt publication). Lekha explores the importance of curriculum coherence and sequencing of curriculum materials, with a focus on how to maximise the chances that pupils will secure understanding over time. Lekha will share practical examples of how this can be achieved in a primary context at both curriculum and lesson design level.

Andy Smith: A local practitioner and mentor for a number of young people in Telford & Wrekin. With direct experience of the social care system, Smash Life is an award winning company who promote diversity and celebrate children’s individuality – working with schools across the borough to engage pupils within the education system.

Olivia Taylor: Speaks candidly from the pupil perspective about the effects of the language of ‘disadvantage’ on those who have experienced it. Her experiences and achievements have enabled her to advocate for those who struggle to be heard against society’s noise. The alternative word presented is ‘underserved’. This word makes us stop and think about our perception of those who find themselves in this category.

Costs for T&W schools and academies:
One delegate - £158pp
Two delegates - £250
Each additional delegate (over and above two places being booked) - £100pp

To book your place/s please send a completed booking form via email to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk. Any queries can be sent to the same email address.


New course – motivational interviewing for education settings

Motivational Interviewing Training will be delivered by the Education Safeguarding Team and is aimed at school staff who work directly with families open to the family safeguarding model.

Wednesday 18 January 2023
Wednesday 3 May 2023
Both dates from 1pm to 4pm

Wednesday 1 March 2023
Wednesday 22 March 2023
Both dates from 9.30am to 12.30pm

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.

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

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.

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


An invitation for schools to join our latest National Tutoring Programme webinars

This is an update from the Department for Education

We recently held webinars to offer support and guidance to help schools make the most of their tuition support. These sessions were well attended, with the opportunity to ask questions about the new operating model along with queries on funding and reporting. You can access the presentation slides and a summary of the FAQs.

We are hosting re-runs of the sessions in November. You can sign up here:

Friday 18 November 2022 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm
Monday 21 November 2022 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm

If you have any queries about tutoring, please view our guide to tutoring or email the tutoring support team.


An invitation for schools to register for the National Tutoring Summit

This is an update from the Department for Education

The first National Tutoring Summit, organised by The Centre for Education and Youth and White Rose Maths, is taking place in central London on Tuesday 22 November.

This is a free event and will give school and trust leaders the opportunity to:

  • learn practical strategies for improving tutoring in their settings from other leaders, researchers and tutoring experts,
  • talk to representatives from the Department for Education and delivery partners from the National Tutoring Programme,
  • meet and network with like-minded leaders in similar settings to share experiences.

Find out more details and register your attendance. 


An invitation for eligible schools to register for the National School Breakfast Programme

This is an update from the Department for Education

The NSBP, funded by the Department for Education and delivered by Family Action, is available to all schools that have 40% or more children in IDACI bands A-F. It provides healthy breakfast food delivered to schools until the end of July 2023. Schools are asked to contribute just 25% towards the cost. If you would like to sign up, please complete the expression of interest form.

To find out more about the programme, please email or visit the NSBP website.


An invitation for schools to share daily attendance data and view attendance reports

This is an update from the Department for Education

70% of schools in England are sharing daily attendance data. This gives you, your local authority and trust (if applicable), access to daily attendance reports.

To share data, please accept the request in your Wonde portal. If you do not use Wonde, you will receive an email about our request and Wonde will contact you to set up a secure portal. If you do not have an email from Wonde, you can email them. We will then email you when your attendance reports are ready to view.

Please read our help article if you have not been able to access your reports.

You can also view a public dashboard for pupil attendance and absence in England. Schools and local authorities can compare themselves, regionally and nationally.

To tell us about your experiences using the reports, please sign up to take part in our research.


An update for schools and colleges on the additional bank holiday on 8 May 2022

This is an update from the Department for Education

In light of the announcement of His Majesty’s coronation on Saturday 6 May 2023, an additional bank holiday has been announced on Monday 8 May 2023. Settings that are normally closed on a bank holiday should close on this day. This will include schools and colleges.

The Standards and Testing Agency will update schools and stakeholders as to what this means for key stage 2 test week as soon as possible this month.


Free CPD for teachers and leaders in schools and early years settings through National Professional Qualifications

This is an update from the Department for Education

NPQs are courses for teachers and leaders in schools and early years settings. They are fully funded by the government and designed to be flexible, so they fit around your work and personal life.

Eight different NPQs are available: four specialist NPQs to help you develop your skills inside and out of the classroom and four leadership NPQs to help you become a confident and expert school leader, wherever you are in your career.

Find out more about NPQs on our professional development for teachers and leaders’ website.


Drones and education settings

This is an update from the Department for Education

There has been a reported recent increase in suspicious drone activity around education settings.

Most drones will be equipped with video and still cameras which can obtain high-quality images from several kilometres away. Please contact your local police if you see a drone flying over your setting.


Early years education recovery announcement

This is an update from the Department for Education

We recently announced a boost of up to £180 million for the early years sector to support children’s development. Early years professionals can now access new training and support including:

  • a National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership,
  • a Level 3 Special Educational Needs Co-ordination (SENCO) qualification,
  • Experts and Mentors training,
  • additional funded places for Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT),
  • an expansion of the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme.

For information on funding and how to access this new training and support, visit our GOV.​UK page.


2023 Early Years Foundation Stage handbook published

This is an update from the Department for Education

The 2023 Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) handbook has been published.

This provides guidance for schools when they complete the EYFSP assessment for children at the end of reception year and is designed to help teachers make accurate judgements about each child’s level of development.

In the 2022/23 academic year, the profile must be completed and submitted to the relevant local authority by 30 June 2023.


New early years online resources to promote the home learning environment

This is an update from the Department for Education

We have launched new online resources to promote the importance of the home learning environment to boost children’s language and socio-emotional development in the early years.

These expand the NHS Better Health Start for Life website with a full range of evidence-based, detailed and accessible advice for parents on activities they can do with children at every stage between birth and 5 years old, and a search facility to connect them to local support.

The launch is accompanied by a family-facing communications campaign supported by materials designed for stakeholders such as local authorities, libraries, early years practitioners and charities


New early years qualifications checking service

This is an update from the Department for Education

We have launched a new service to help early years settings and staff check if qualifications are approved for use within the early years foundation stage staff:child ratios.

Run by UK Ecctis, the service offers advice and guidance on qualifications awarded in the UK and brings back the early years statement for qualifications awarded outside of the UK.

For more information, please visit check early years qualifications.

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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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