Education Noticeboard - 2 March 2023

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. It's World Book Day and what better way to celebrate than with a new library!
  3. Could you support a child or young person with special needs?
  4. 100% pass rate for latest Telford College groundworking students
  5. Send us your good news stories!
  6. The countdown is on... 30 days to go before the Bright Spots survey closes, and we need YOU!
  7. More parents are signing up to 10 by 10
  8. SEND & Alternative Provision Strategy Consultation
  9. The SEND Newsletter – February 2023
  10. Reviewed and updated referral form (ASTR) for schools
  11. Reviewed and updated Children Missing Education (CME/CNRE) referral form
  12. Threshold Guidance and Conference
  13. Updated Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy template February 2023
  14. Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership Training Newsletter February 2023
  15. Ongoing CPD and useful forms for Designated Teachers from Telford & Wrekin Virtual School
  16. Free session for the Cool Kids programme
  17. It’s getting exciting! The Apprenticeships, Employment & Skills Show returns on Thursday 16 March 2023
  18. Free year’s membership of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom
  19. Upcoming Music CPD
  20. Programming for Primaries: 11 - 20 March 2023
  21. British Science Week: 10 - 19 March 2023
  22. The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel: 20 - 31 March 2023
  23. World Maths Day: Wednesday 8 March 2023
  24. Asbestos Management
  25. An opportunity to place your CPD course bookings
  26. Free of charge online briefing regarding Early Career Teacher Appropriate Body arrangements from September 2023 – Thursday 9 March 2023
  27. Financial education webinars for school leaders and teachers in March 2023
  28. An update on strike action and the publication of evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body
  29. New ‘climate in education’ newsletter
  30. Disability data collection in schools
  31. Maths Development opportunities for Telford & Wrekin schools
  32. Do you have what it takes to ‘Step Up’ to social work?

Director update

Dear colleagues

I want to start off by saying that I hope you all had a good half-term, whether working or on a much needed break. It is hard to believe that we are already so far through the school year!

There is a lot to share with you this week!

We have shared a couple of news stories, including one about some collaborative work that Telford & Wrekin are doing with Parents Opening Doors to encourage local people to consider a job in the care industry. This is just a small part of the borough-wide SEND ‘Working Together’ charter.

Currently open is a survey, where we are seeking input from colleagues across schools, colleges and Early Years settings on the prosposal that has been outlined for a new SEND and alternative provison strategy. The strategy sets out the Telford & Wrekin local area partnership's vision for children and young people aged 0-25 years with special educational needs and/or disabilities and young peopl who are accessing alternative provision. The more input we can gather the more robust the resulting strategy will be.

A push also, as we have now entered the final month before the Bright Spots survey closes at the end of March. Gathering the experience of our looked after young people is invaluable when it comes to improving their well-being. We are keen to maximize the response rate, and ask that you help children or young people to complete the survey in a discreet way. Links to the survey have been sent directly to schools.

There are a few housekeeping articles to signpost you to. These include updates from the Attendance Support Team (who have updated a couple of their referral forms), Safeguarding, SEND, upcoming CPD opportunities and a useful list of resources from our Virtual School team.

In the coming couple of weeks are a few key dates which schools will no doubt be keen to incorporate into lessons. Programming for Primaries and British Science Week being just two examples. As always we are keen to hear how you have chosen to get involved. With today being World Book Day, we would love to see who children have chosen to dress up as to mark the date! Please send stories and photographs to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk for us to share!

As always, hoping the rest of your week is good!

Simon

Simon Wellman
Director: Education & Skills


It's World Book Day and what better way to celebrate than with a new library!

It's World Book Day and what better way to celebrate than with a new library!

Children from William Reynolds Primary School and Nursery have recently helped to open a local community library at Park Lane Centre by working together with local councillors.

Together, these young readers decided to vote on a project for the community and decided upon a library - not only because they are passionate readers but also because it would help them to complete their “10 by 10” challenge. 

Once the school agreed on the idea, their school council wrote a letter to local councillors to request their help with the project, and to inform them on which books they wanted in the library. Thankfully, the councillors thought it was a good idea too - Everyone can visit the library now!

Not only does reading bring people together, this work by William Reynolds Primary School and Nursery brings their community together in this library. Their collaborative efforts will make a positive change and benefit the local community for many years to come.

World Book Day is a great time to bring readers together too, so we'd love to know how you have been celebrating in your school, how the children dressed up and which activities they did and how you have encouraged them to “visit a library” as part of the 10 by 10 initiative.

World Book Day was created by UNESCO on 23rd April 1995 as a worldwide celebration of books and reading. This event is now celebrated in over 100 countries all around the world, with the aim to encourage young people to discover the pleasure of reading.

There are some great free resources available online, to support you to celebrate this event:

Celebrate World Book Day
Twinkl: World Book Day
The Literacy Trust

We really want to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, develop a life-long habit of reading for pleasure.

As you know, in the UK World Book Day is usually celebrated by school children dressing up as their favourite characters from a books that they have read and also donating money to Book Aid International, where proceeds go towards buying books for children who can’t afford to buy them. We would love to share photos of children dressed up for this event, so please send them to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or tag us in your twitter posts @TelfordWrekin.


Could you support a child or young person with special needs?

Telford & Wrekin Council is working together with PODS (Parents Opening Doors) to help children and young people with special needs and disabilities and their families to lead happier lives and benefit from enhanced support in the borough.

As part of this commitment (detailed in the borough-wide SEND “Working Together” charter), the Council and PODS are encouraging local people to consider a job in care. 

There are a range of job roles available to support a child or young person with special needs within the borough, either on a full-time or flexible (part-time) basis. Some of these job roles do not require any previous experience as the Council is providing extensive training.

Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab), cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “Together with PODS, we are dedicated to offer the best support for the borough’s children and young people with special needs, we are on their side. To give more young people with special needs chances to thrive, we need more people willing to support them and their families. As such, we are encouraging local people to consider a job in care and facilitate a range of experiences for young people to develop themselves and take part in the community. 

“Job roles supporting children and young people with special needs are available on our Council’s website, such as Skills CoachFoster Carer (Part-time)ChildminderPersonal Assistant or Micro-Provider. They offer flexible or permanent hours, on-the-job training and ongoing support. No specific qualifications or previous experience are needed for some of these roles– all you need are the right qualities!”

Jayne Stevens, Strategic Co-ordinator at PODS, said: "The families that our Charity involves and supports have told us how important it is to get help from professional staff in caring for their child or young person. Without this support, they feel “overwhelmed”, “exhausted” and “quite isolated”, to use their own words. Families are in need of support, a chance to rest, and to keep their families’ relationships strong and healthy, as well as giving their children and young people opportunities outside their home and in the local community, keeping them safe at all times.

“We are supporting the Council with this appeal for more local people to help make a difference to a child and young person’s life – there are paid, flexible or full-time job roles you can apply for. Get in touch with the Council to find out more about the job opportunities in care available.”

Job roles supporting children and young people with special needs are listed on the Council’s website, follow the links below:

Skills Coach
Foster Carer (part-time)
Childminder
Personal Assistant
Micro-provider

In the next weeks, the Council will be sharing on its social media channels several testimonials from local people in these job roles, who talk about their experiences. To make sure you don't miss these, please follow the Council’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts (@TelfordWrekin).


100% pass rate for latest Telford College groundworking students

Telford College is celebrating another 100% pass rate for its latest intake of ground works students. The students came from a range of local businesses, including McPhillips, GCS Shropshire, RR Groundworks, and S Kinsey & Sons.

A new programme is due to start in late March 2023, and the college is currently offering a recruitment service for apprentices, or any business wanting to upskill members of their team. Financial support is also available for eligible candidates.

One of the students to have passed the latest programme at the college’s specialist groundworks training centre is 19-year-old Will Cartwright, from Newport, who works at RR Groundworks in Halesfield. He said: “I’ve really enjoyed this programme. My tutors have been really good – I know that if I’ve ever had any questions, they’ve always been on the end of the phone for me. A lot of people have traditionally looked down on groundworks as a skill – they think it’s just about digging holes! But there’s so much more to it than that, and it really is an up-and-coming trade.”

The former Burton Borough school student said: “Following this Telford College course, I’m going to look to move on to higher qualifications and progress towards a leadership role. This is a career which is always going to be in demand – particularly in a place like Telford, where there is so much new development and road works going on.”

Telford College business development manager Chris Field said: “Will had previously been with us on a full-time electrical course so knew he wanted a hands-on career. He highlighted groundworks as something he would like to progress onto, and hasn’t looked back. 

“We are speaking to a lot of companies at the moment who say their order books are filling up, but the skills they need from employees are missing – this groundworks course is a perfect way for a business to future-proof their skills, develop their own staff and build a quality team over time.”

The Telford College groundworks qualification may also be eligible for financial support – it is possible for eligible candidates to receive £1,000 from the ESFA and an additional £7,250 through CITB grants.

Chris said: “With incentive payments from CITB, member companies can claim throughout the apprenticeship. If they are not currently members of CITB we can support them to register and be eligible for the incentives.”

For more details, email apprentices@telfordcollege.ac.uk or call the team on 01952 642452.


Send us your good news stories!

We love to hear positive things from our community, and we would love to share that positivity!

If you have a good news story, that you think others would be interest in, please send it through to us. It might be a competition winner, some charity fundraising or an awareness event. Whatever it is, please share it with us.

All we need is a brief piece of information, dates if it is an event, links to any websites which are relevant and a photograph if you have one. Send it all through to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk and we will do the rest.


The countdown is on... 30 days to go before the Bright Spots survey closes, and we need YOU!

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

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

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

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

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


More parents are signing up to 10 by 10

Parents have now signed up more than 1,350 children on the 10 by 10 website. A noticeable increase has occurred since the Attingham Park offer was launched. Families who have a child with a 10 by 10 account can still visit Attingham Park for a reduced price until Friday, 31 March 2023. The reduced tickets will be £5 per adult and £2.50 per child.

Your help in communicating this offer to parents has been pivotal. 

If you have not done so already, please share this letter directly with parents via your usual communication channels (e.g. email, text, Class Dojo etc.).

Download: Offer letter to parents

It has been great to see people taking up this offer to the museum and gallery at this Heritage site.

It has also been great to see that 500 children have started their free swimming lesson journey as a part of 10 by 10 in Telford & Wrekin. The free swimming lessons are for children living in the borough aged between five and ten years who are unable to swim ten meters on their front and back. Each child is eligible for a free block of lessons. Parents interested in learning more about the offer can visit the Telford & Wrekin Leisure website


SEND & Alternative Provision Strategy Consultation

The SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy for Telford & Wrekin area partnership has been developed using feedback from parents, carers, young people and professionals across health, social care, education support services, early years settings, schools and post 16 providers.

The strategy sets out Telford & Wrekin local area partnership’s vision for children and young people aged 0-25 years with special educational needs and/or disabilities and for children and young people who are accessing or may need to access alternative provision.

SEND and AP Vision

  • Localised provision.
  • System that makes sense.
  • Early identification and help.
  • Participate in decisions.
  • Data informed and intelligence rich.
  • Preventative alternative provision.
  • Children and young people fell values and visible in their community.

We would like to welcome you to share your views on the SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy 2023-2028. The closing date for the consultation is 16 March 2023More inforation on the SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy Consultation survey is available on the SEND Local Offer.

Complete the Survey: SEND and alternative provision strategy 2023-2028 


The SEND Newsletter – February 2023

The SEND Newsletter – February 2023 has been published on the SEND Local Offer. Discover all the current news and information about Special Educational Needs and Disability in Telford & Wrekin.

Please take a look at the SEND News section on the Local Offer to see the full list of articles.

Download: SEND Newsletter – February 2023

To make sure that you don't miss future updates, subscribe to the SEND Newsletter.


Reviewed and updated referral form (ASTR) for schools

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

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

Download: Updated Attendance Support Referral form

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

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


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

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

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

Download: Updated Children Missing Education Referral form

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


Threshold Guidance and Conference

The new Telford & Wrekin Partnership Threshold Guidance, which is a partnership framework for assessment and support  focused on access to the ‘Right Help at the Right Time’, has now been launched.

Download: Telford & Wrekin Partnership Threshold Guidance

This guidance is for everyone who works with children, young people, their families and carers in Telford & Wrekin. It looks at how we work together, share information and ensure that children and their families remain our main focus. It also looks at how we provide effective support to enable families to become stronger and more resilient so they themselves can identify the challenges they are experiencing and find solutions at the earliest possibility by taking a partnership approach from the earliest opportunity should mean that fewer children in Telford and Wrekin experience serious harm from abuse or neglect.

The Threshold Guidance framework is designed to help everyone to:

  • focus on the lived experience of the child and hear and respond to their voice;
  • understand the child and young person in the context of their family and the wider community;
  • achieve a holistic whole family approach;
  • develop relationship-based practice and build upon strengths, and
  • be non-discriminatory on the grounds of age, ethnicity, religious belief, faith, culture, class, sexuality, gender or disability.

The refreshed guidance includes a new 10-point indicator list for common risks and harms, to support practice, knowledge and understanding across the Partnership.

As part of the launch, a conference was held. This included presentations from across the partnership focused on information sharing, the difference between impairment and harm, and other key topics. Market stalls were set up from a range of services, and the Dandelion Parent Expert Group also attended to update on their work in parent participation and coproduction.

There were also two workshops: one on Contextual Safeguarding and the importance of looking further than the immediate family and home of the child - for example into schools, peers, and neighbourhoods. The other workshop looked at Family Connect (our front door), and how the Threshold of Need is applied in that context.

It is a requirement that all governors, leaders, the DSL and their deputies are familiar with the Threshold document. This will help to ensure that we apply threshold properly and that we offer the right support at the right time, to bring about better outcomes for the children and families we support.

For any further assistance please contact Scott Thomas-White, Education Safeguarding Coordinator, via an email to educationsafeguarding@telford.gov.uk.


Updated Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy template – February 2023

The Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership (TWSP) Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy template has been updated to include important additions, ensuring that the template policy remains compliant.

Download: TWSP Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy template

The key points of change to the template in the February 2023 update are as follows:

  • The policy now references the 2023 Telford & Wrekin Threshold Guidance.
  • The policy had further information about the different types of domestic abuse.
  • Stronger reference has been included on the DSL’s role to consider the PACE Code C guidance especially in ongoing enquiries under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 and police
  • Investigations and the requirement for children to have an Appropriate Adult.
  • Information has been added from child protection training as to what a person should do if they feel a DSL has not acted appropriately on their concern about a child’s welfare.
  • 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.
  • Please follow the cover notes at the beginning of the policy to assist you further.
  • Your updated 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 ongoing compliance.

For any further assistance please contact Scott Thomas-White, Education Safeguarding Coordinator, via an email to educationsafeguarding@telford.gov.uk.


Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership Training Newsletter – February 2023

The February issue of the Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership (TWSP) News and Updates is now available to download:

Download: TWSP News and Updates


Ongoing CPD and useful forms for Designated Teachers from Telford & Wrekin Virtual School

Below we have provided useful links for ongoing CPD for school staff in the area of Attachment and Trauma Informed Practice and booking forms for upcoming Virtual School events.

  • For any in borough Telford & Wrekin schools who haven’t yet taken advantage of their ARC membership and completed their initial audit, please visit the ARC website to do so.
  • Many of you will be familiar with Andy and Matt Smith and their team at Smashlife. For anyone who isn’t or who would like to find out more, please follow them on social media and / or visit the Smashlife website.
  • The Inclusive Solutions website showcases an example of a Circle of Adults session. This is something that can be really useful to use when trying to dig down into underlying needs and solutions to these. Their video (which can be viewed by followed the above link) gives an example of a school using this approach and the impact it can have. There is also an information sheet, available to download.    
  • Available on YouTube are case studies from two schools (one primary example and one secondary example) who are on the journey to becoming trauma and attachment informed. The videos are shared by The Rees Centre which specialises in research in this area and the candour with which the schools discuss their journey and the challenges makes this an interesting and informative half hour listen:
  • The Every Kid needs a Champion Ted Talk by Rita Pierson is now available on the Ted website.
  • Children's Mental Health Week (which ran 6-12 February in 2023) is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about children and young people's mental health. This important event is a brilliant opportunity to open a discussion about mental health and wellbeing with children and young people. The children's mental health charity, Place2Be, set up the event to highlight the importance of mental health for children and young people.  Up to 1 in 4 people experience some sort of a mental health issue at some point during in our lifetime. This year’s theme was “Lets Connect” and as human’s we thrive living in communities, and this is vital for our wellbeing, and our survival. When our connections are not met, we can sometimes feel isolated and lonely – which can have a negative impact on our mental health. It is important that we encourage our children and young people understand how important it is to make meaningful connections. When we have healthy connections – to family, friends and others – this can support our mental health and our sense of wellbeing in our everyday lives. There are a number of useful resources available online for teachers to use. These include the Twinkl website, Mentally Healthy Schools, School of Kindness and of course Place 2 Be. We would also recommend the information on recognising and responding to issues on the NSPCC website.
  • The UK Safer internet Centre have provided some information, aimed as foster carers and adoptive parents, but which offers an insight into the challenges faced to keep our children safe online and is a very useful link to signpost to.
  • The Bright Spots survey for 2023 is ongoing, and links have been distributed. There are different surveys for each age bracket: 4-7, 8-11 and 11-17
  • Please download the flyer and booking form for our Virtual School Conference, which will take place on Friday 9 June 2023.

For more information on any of the above please contact Joseph Leppington, Education Advisor for the Virtual School Team, via email to Joseph.Leppington@telford.gov.uk.    


Free session for the Cool Kids programme

Schools are able to book up to two free places for the next Cool Kids movement session. It is recommended that a class teacher/SENCo attends this session, if they have not already done so. 

Cool Kids movement programme Session aims: 

  • To provide 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 best available session to book onto is 26 April 2023, 1-3pm.

The full invite letter can be download.

Please contact Occupational Therapy by telephone (01748 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


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

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

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

Have you booked your school/college students in?

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

Please book online now: Book your place

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

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

Thank you for your support.


Free year’s membership of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom

Telford & Wrekin has been offered 50 free memberships for the Council for Outdoor Learning funded by West Midlands Waterways, Wildlife and Wellbeing project. The closing date to apply for one is 17 March 2023.

The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOTOC) is a registered charity existing to champion learning outside the classroom (LOtC).

The CLOTC believe that every child should be given the opportunity to experience life and lessons beyond the classroom walls as a regular part of growing up. These experiences expand the horizons of young people, opening their eyes to the wonders of areas such as art, heritage, culture, adventure and the natural world. They work to  ensure that more young people have access to these life changing educational experiences by providing support on the ground, facilitating the sharing of best practice and promoting the benefits of Learning Outside the Classroom in raising attainment and aspirations and re-motivating those who are disengaged from their education. 

The Council for Outdoor Learning website has more information.

To claim your school’s free membership, please email EdVisits@telford.gov.uk with your school's name, address, the contact name and email address and permission to share with CLOTC. We will forward on to the CLOTC, who will send the named contact a username and password which will enable them to access the membership. This will also give access to live and recorded CPD webinars, resources and presentations.

This offer is helpful to schools who wish to develop or expand their learning outside the classroom curriculum and practice.

If you would like practical help on developing learning opportunities in your school grounds and local area, Arthog Outreach offer a CPD package which includes risk-benefit assessment, curriculum delivery and positive outside class management.  Please contact Alan Braybrooke, T&WC Specialist Lead Teacher in Outdoor Education, via email to alan.braybrooke@telford.gov.uk or by calling 01952 387378.


Upcoming Music CPD

Information about valuable music CPD sessions on offer over the next couple of weeks to help ensure your school’s music offer is up to scratch. 

 The New National Plan for Music: Information for Governors
Tuesday 7  March 2023, 2023,  5-6pm.
To book your place, please send an email to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk stating your name, school name and email address.  As this event is free of charge a CPD booking form is not required on this occasion.

Ofsted – Assessment and Differentiation
Thursday 9 March 2023, 4.30pm-5.30pm.
To book please send an email to musicservice@entrust-ed.co.uk.

Primary Music Leaders' Audit
Thursday 16 March 2023, 4-5:30pm.
Complete a music provision audit online with help from the leaders of three local music services. By the end of the session, delegates will have a basis for their Music Development Plan.
Primary Music Leaders’ Audit

For more information on any of the above please contact Sam Newth, Telford and Wrekin Music Team Leader, via email to Telford.Music@telford.gov.uk or by calling 01952 380981.    


Programming for Primaries: 11 - 20 March 2023

Programming for Primaries was developed with an aim to shine a spotlight on the support and resources available to children, schools and teachers to help deliver inspirational programming classes in primary schools.

Learning to code from a young age can significantly help with problem solving skills later on in life but knowing exactly how to make the lessons engaging for younger children can sometimes be tough. Children as young as 7 years of age can start coding and learning programming basics. In fact, coding for kids has gained popularity rapidly in recent years as technology becomes increasingly part of everyday life. Children who learn to code when they're young can set themselves up for a lifetime of opportunities for success.

For further information and free resources please visit the websites below:

Teachers Pet Resources
Teach Computing

If you are celebrating this great event we would like to hear from you, so please  send us your photos and stories about what you did to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or tag us in your twitter posts @TelfordWrekin.


British Science Week: 10 - 19 March 2023

British Science Week is organised by the British Science Association. It is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), that takes place between the 10- 19 March 2023.

The week features entertaining, engaging events and activities for all educational settings from Early Years, through to Secondary schools to develop their skills within the STEM subjects, in an more innovative way. This year’s theme for British Science week is “connections”  We can find examples of connections within all subjects all around us. For example:

  • How the human body works (how the organs are all connect and work together).
  • Climate change (how the change in temperature is affecting our seasons and weather).
  • Technology (how this has changed the way we communicate with others all around the world).

For further information about the week, activity packs, and resources and how to organise an event please visit the following websites:

British Science week Activity Packs 2023
Twinkl Resources

If you are celebrating this great event we would like to hear from you, so please  send us your photos and stories about what you did to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or tag us in your twitter posts @TelfordWrekin.


The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel: 20 - 31 March 2023

The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is back for 2023! Taking place from the 20– 31 March 2023, pupils are encouraged to make positive changes by making active journeys to school. Each pupil can log one journey to school per day, this includes walking, using a wheelchair, scooting and cycling.

On each day of the challenge schools compete to see who can record the greatest number of pupils traveling actively to school. A schools best five days will determine their final place in the leader board. All schools will be entered into daily prize draws to win a whole host of rewards.

It couldn’t be simpler to take part, go to the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel website to register your school. On the website you will also find lesson plans, daily resources, parent’s letter templates and press releases.

Every Telford and Wrekin school that participates in the challenge will also receive a couple of goodie bags full of prizes!

Encouraging pupils to make active journeys to school not only helps them feel engaged and ready to learn, it also helps the environment by reducing car journeys and avoiding congestion. The Active Travel and Road Safety Team would like more Telford and Wrekin schools than ever to join the competition. So, this year every school that takes part in the challenge will receive a goodie bag full of prizes! To be eligible simply email this address helen.smith2@telford.gov.uk with evidence of participation – photos or a poster etc. and your school’s name.

If you are celebrating this great event we would like to hear from you, so please  send us your photos and stories about what you did to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or tag us in your twitter posts @TelfordWrekin.


World Maths Day: Wednesday 8 March 2023

World Maths Day is a global celebration of mathematics where millions of students aged 5 to 18 from all across the world compete in Live Mathletics challenges, to determine a global winner.

The competition highlight’s the wonder of numbers by encouraging students to participate in fun activities, which make maths exciting and engaging for all school-aged children from all over the world, regardless of ability cultural, socio-economic background. The competition has separate categories to accommodate students of all ages and abilities. The event is restricted to school-aged students aged 4 to 18 years old..

World Maths Day has been in place since 2007 and has had10 million participants in over a160 countries who have answered over 1 billion maths questions throughout the competition.

You can enter the challenge either as an individual, a school or a classroom. World Maths day is free for anyone to enter. See the link below to register and to download the World Maths Day handbook for everything you need to know about the event.

If you are celebrating this great event we would like to hear from you, so please  send us your photos and stories about what you did to education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk or tag us in your twitter posts @TelfordWrekin.


Asbestos Management

As schools will be aware the health and safety executive (HSE) are currently, as part of their asbestos management campaign, visiting schools to see how asbestos is being managed within the school environment. We are not aware that any school in Telford & Wrekin has been contacted by the HSE to date, but we are expecting that they will be soon. We have received some very helpful feedback from our neighbouring authorities, where these inspections have already taken place. We feel it is useful to share this with you.

The HSE are looking to see:

  • That the school has an asbestos management plan in place and that it is being actively used and updated.
  • At the front of the schools asbestos management plan, details on who is responsible for managing the asbestos at the school; a named person in the event of the person named as managing the asbestos is not at the school and a procedure that will be adopted in the event of neither of these named persons being at the school.
  • The roles of the persons responsible for asbestos at the school must be clearly defined
  • The emergency procedure to be adopted in the event of an asbestos containing material being disturbed.
  • A record sheet demonstrating that the school is regularly checking the known asbestos containing materials, in between the yearly inspections which are already organised by the Council.
  • Ensure that the contractors "permit to work register" is kept up to date and is being used.

To help, the council has updated its asbestos management plan template to include more clearly some of the items above. Remember though what is in the schools asbestos management plan must reflect exactly what happens at the school.


 

An opportunity to place your CPD course bookings

The CPD Booklet continues to be available on the Telford Education Services site to the end of the academic year 2023.

Course bookings with a course code are made by sending a completed CPD booking form via email to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk

Other courses and briefings without a course code are usually booked by sending your email address name and school name to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk (unless stated otherwise).

Restorative Justice
(PSS 003)

Tuesday 7 March 2023

4 - 5.30pm

Free of charge online briefing for governors - The New National Plan for Music (See Music CPD article above)

Tuesday 7 March 2023

5 - 6pm

Meeting the EYFS Profile Requirements for EAL Learners in EYFS (CPD 715)

Wednesday 8 March 2023

1 - 3.45pm

Behaviour Support Intervention Training - Non-accredited (BSAT 301)

Thursday 9 March 2023

8.30am - 4pm

ECT Induction Tutor and Mentor – Termly Update
(CPD 516)

Thursday 9 March 2023

3.30 - 4.30pm

Taking the Chair
part 4 (GO 504)

Thursday 9 March 2023

4.30 - 6.30pm

Supporting Pupil Premium Link Governors
(GO 602)

Monday 13 March 2023

5 - 7pm

Primary Computing Update
(CPD 512)

Tuesday 14 March 2023

4 - 5.30pm

Establishing Yourself as a SEND leader, for new and returning SENCOs (LSAT 302)

Tuesday 14 March 2023

4 - 5pm

Pupil Premium Network Meeting
(CPD 721)

Wednesday 15 March 2023

4 - 5.30pm

Early Talk: Supporting Communication and Language
part 2 (EY 316)

Wednesday 15 March 2023

1.15 - 4pm

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

Wednesday 15 March 2023

9.15am - 4pm

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

Thursday 16 March 16, 2023

9.15am - 4pm

Primary Music Leaders' Audit
(CPD 621)

Thursday 16 March 16, 2023

4 - 5.30pm

Youth Mental Health First Aid
part 1 (PSS 001)

Friday 17 March 2023

9.15 - 4pm

EAL & Maths (CPD 603)

Tuesday 21 March 2023

3.45 - 6pm

Safeguarding Training for Newly Appointed Governors
part 1 (SG 103)

Tuesday 21 March 2023

5.30 - 7.30pm

AET Making Sense of Autism – an introduction to Autism for Governors (LSAT 514)

Tuesday 21 March 2023

6 - 7.30pm

Preparing for Statutory Assessment at the End of KS1 (CPD 505)

Wednesday 22 March 2023

9am - 12.30pm

Motivational Interviewing for Education Settings
(SG 205)

Wednesday 22 March 2023

9.30am - 12.30pm

Safety Intervention Refresher Training (formerly MAPA Refresher Training) - CPI accredited (BSAT 212)

Thursday 23 March 23 2023

8.45am - 12.30pm

Assessment - termly update (morning)
(CPD 502)

Thursday 23 March 23 2023

9.15 - 10.45am

Promoting Cultural Diversity and Equality of Opportunity in EYFS (CPD 606)

Thursday 23 March 23 2023

1 - 3pm

Accredited Safer Recruitment Training
(HR course)

Thursday 23 March 23 2023

9am - 4.30pm

Early Years Coordinators – Termly Update
(EY 007)

Thursday 23 March 23 2023

4 - 5.30pm

Assessment - termly update (twilight)
(CPD 503)

Thursday 23 March 23 2023

4 - 5.30pm

Managing English as an Additional Language in Early Years Settings (CPD 710)

Monday 27 March 2023

1 - 3.45pm

Designated Teachers & Governors for Children in Care Network (compulsory school age) (GO 503)

Wednesday 29 March 2023

4 - 5.30pm

Designated Safeguarding Leads Refresher
(SG 107)

Thursday 30 March 2023

9.15am - 4pm

An Introduction to EAL for Early Career Teachers
(CPD 527)

Thursday 30 March 2023

3.45 - 6pm


Free of charge online briefing regarding Early Career Teacher Appropriate Body arrangements from September 2023 – Thursday 9 March 2023

You will already be aware that the Government is transitioning the responsibility for the Early Career Teacher Appropriate Body services from local authorities to Teaching School Hubs (TSH). 

From September 2023 Telford & Wrekin Local Authority will no longer be providing an Appropriate Body Service. We are working closely with the STEP Teaching School Hub, based at The Priory School in Shrewsbury, to ensure this transition runs as smoothly as possible. We recommend that when schools either choose, or have to transfer their ECTs at the end of August 2023, they choose the STEP TSH.

This free online briefing will be led by Telford & Wrekin Local Authority in partnership with STEP and is taking place Thursday 9 March 2023 from 3.30 - 4.30pm. The briefing will inform you of the arrangements going forward and what actions you need to take to ensure your ECT remains registered with an Appropriate Body.

To book your place please send a completed CPD booking form to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk


Financial education webinars for school leaders and teachers in March 2023

This is an update from the Department for Education

The Department for Education are hosting 4 online financial education webinars jointly with the Money and Pensions Service, in partnership with Young Enterprise.

The free programme will help school leaders to explore how financial education can support their wider school priorities. It will help teachers to deliver effective, engaging and age-appropriate content about money through the curriculum. Themed webinars will explore the links between financial education and primary and secondary mathematics and secondary citizenship.

Participants will hear from financial education experts, subject specialists and teachers. Following the webinars they will receive details of further support to help embed financial education into the curriculum, including links to accredited resources and professional development opportunities.

You can now register and find out more.


An update on strike action and the publication of evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body

This is an update from the Department for Education

Last week the Secretary of State for Education wrote to schools with an update on what the Department for Education (DfE) is doing to resolve the trade dispute with unions.

We have invited unions to enter into formal talks on pay, conditions and reform that will address the areas in dispute. This offer, which still stands, was made on the condition that the National Education Union (NEU) pauses its strike action this week to ensure talks can take place in good faith and without the disruption of ongoing action. At the point of sending, the NEU leadership has not agreed to suspend this week’s strikes and come to the table. Read the full letter online.

Last week, the DfE’s evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body was also published. This is the starting point for our formal talks. This written evidence sets out that a 3.5% pay award in 2023/24 is currently manageable for schools on average. It also acknowledges that changing conditions may allow schools to accommodate a higher award, and suggests that schools may wish to think about how their budgets would accommodate such an award. Read the published evidence online.


New ‘climate in education’ newsletter

This is an update from the Department for Education

Do you want to stay informed about the Department for Education’s sustainability and climate change updates? Sign up to our mailing list to receive our ‘climate in education’ snapshot newsletter with the latest updates on the delivery of our strategy and more.


Disability data collection in schools

This is an update from the Department for Education

The Department for Education’s (DfE) main source of data on school staff is the School Workforce Census (SWC).

The accuracy of this data is crucial for collecting a comprehensive picture of the workforce and its diversity. While DfE has good data on ethnicity and other characteristics from the SWC, there is limited data on disability in the workforce, which prevents reliable reporting.

A series of qualitative interviews was conducted with individuals in schools and local authorities that had a role in the collection and reporting of disability data in the workforce. This report details the findings from these interviews: Disability data collection in schools.


Maths Development opportunities for Telford & Wrekin schools

Opportunities are available for primary and secondary schools, funded by the Department for Education and the National Centre for Excellence (NCETM) in the Teaching of Mathematics, through SHaW Maths Hub.

These are as follows:

Mastering Number   

Please book by Friday 24th March 2023 to join a new September 2023 cohort for Mastering Number, which develops number sense for all pupils in Reception and KS1. Over 5,000 schools have already taken part in the programme, and are reporting pupils increasing their fluency and confidence in number sense. 

More information about the programme can be found on the NCETM website, and by joining the online ‘taster’ session for Headteachers, Maths Leaders and EY/KS1 Leaders on Thursday 2 March 2023, 3:30 - 4pm with a chance to watch part of a Mastering Number session and find out more about the programme.

Booking form: Mastering Number taster session on 2 March 2023
Booking Form: Mastering Number

Becoming a Primary Specialist

Are you interested in...

  • Becoming an expert primary school teacher of Maths?
  • Developing teaching for mastery in your school, with £3000 funding next year?
  • Working with other local schools from 2024-25?
  • Accessing ongoing classroom-based PD, collaborating with specialist teachers?

NCETM and Maths Hubs are looking to recruit new Primary Specialists. If you are interested in leading professional development to support schools and teachers locally, please read the webpage, watch the video and access the application form.Please contact shawmathshub@tpstrust.co.uk if you have any questions.

Please note: All schools are eligible to apply for one of their teachers to become a specialist. SHaW Maths Hub are looking to recruit two new Telford-based specialists. 

School Development Lead

The School Development Lead opportunity is for colleagues leading regular Maths Development with schools, including communicating with SLT, such as supporting school-based tasks for a Work Group. Current teachers would be better placed to apply to become a Primary Specialist, as that is more thorough and classroom based, with additional funding to work with other schools in subsequent years.

Professional Development Lead

The Professional Development Lead opportunity is for colleagues leading regular Maths CPD with teachers outside their own school. Current teachers would be better placed to apply to become a Primary Specialist, as that is more thorough and classroom based, with additional funding to work with other schools in subsequent years.

General Information
new report detailing the impact of the Maths Hubs Programme in 2021/22 has been published. The comprehensive report reflects activity across all school and college phases, and celebrates a year in which over 50% of schools in England worked with their local Maths Hub. It includes case studies on schools, colleges and teachers, and statistics showing the scale of the work.

Maths Hubs are currently planning their school and professional development offer for next year. As before, hubs will be offering a wide range of fully-funded CPD opportunities to schools in all phases and teachers at all stages of their career. Whether schools are seeking targeted improvement in an area of maths or development of approaches to enhance already successful maths results, Maths Hubs can provide dedicated support.

Any queries can be sent via email to claire.killick@telford.gov.uk or rebecca.carey@telford.gov.uk.


Do you have what it takes to ‘Step Up’ to social work?

The Step Up To Social Work programme in Telford and Wrekin council opens for recruitment for aspiring social workers to apply for a place on the intensive but highly rewarding training programme. 

Step Up To Social Work is 14-month, full-time training programme for talented graduates and career changers to become the next generation of child and family social workers supporting vulnerable children, young people and families. It is designed for people who want to become a social worker but do not have a degree in social work. Successful applicants train through a combination of academic study and hands on social work experience in a local authority.

Applicants eligible for the programme, which includes financial support alongside training, will be individuals with experience of working with vulnerable children, young people, families or adults, and who can demonstrate emotional resilience and potential for success.

Step Up To Social Work aims to attract applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and aims to have a workforce that represents the society that we serve.

 Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, Claire Coutinho said: “I’ve been truly inspired by the social workers that I’ve met. The passion and support they provide for children and families is a real testament to the profession and it is what makes it such a rewarding career. To attract more great social workers we’re helping councils, including (INSERT COUNCIL), with recruitment and retention, along with better support for social workers with new early career development.” 

More information about applying to Step Up to Social Work can be found on the Step Up to Social Work website.

 

About

Every week during term time we publish a new update for the education community. It includes essential briefings and specialist information about education.

Recent posts

Archives

Tags