Education Noticeboard

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

Director Update

Dear colleagues,

I hope you are all feeling refreshed after the half term break.

The noticeboard this week is only a short one, but as usual contains some interesting information. I would like to draw your attention to read the update on the County Lines and Exploitation Training Schedule and the new Early Years & Education Skills Hub through Telford College.

It’s International Stand Up to Bullying Day tomorrow, and there are some eye-opening facts around this included in the article, so please be sure to read this. It is also LGBTQ+ history month this month, and included in this article is some information around what Telford and Wrekin are doing to mark this.

Also, this edition includes the new CPD course calendar for the training available for the spring term 2024.

Best wishes

Simon

Simon Wellman

Director: Education & Skills

Building name revealed for Telford’s new digital skills and enterprise hub

Today marks a significant milestone for Telford as Telford & Wrekin Council reveals the official name of the digital skills and enterprise hub in Station Quarter —welcome to "The Quad." Supported by Towns Fund investment from Central Government, this project is set to redefine education, business innovation, and digital skills provision in the region.

The Quad symbolises more than a physical space; it describes a place which will support collaboration, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship—a holistic approach to education that extends beyond the classroom.

The Quad aims to be more than a place of learning; it will be a bridge from education to employment, attracting and retaining talent, upskilling residents of all ages, and supporting businesses in their growth journeys especially when starting out.

Councillor Lee Carter (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Cabinet Member for Place (The Economy & Neighbourhood Services), said, "The Quad signifies a ground-breaking collaboration between Telford & Wrekin Council, Telford College, Harper Adams University, and other partners. It's going to be a transformative space that bridges education and industry, creating opportunities for learning, innovation, and business growth."

“With more than 300 students a year expected to attend when The Quad opens its doors in September, it will not only offer pathways and opportunities for students already engaged in education and training, it will also offer advice and inspiration for those who may not have considered further training or upskilling.”

Ken Sloan, Vice Chancellor and CEO of Harper Adams University, added, "As a forward-thinking institution, Harper Adams University is thrilled to be part of The Quad. Our degree programmes in Applied Data Science, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronic Engineering, and Digital Business Management which will align closely with industry needs, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the digital landscape."

Graham Guest, Principal and CEO of Telford College, said: “Our investment in Station Quarter is a unique alliance between industry and education, delivering upskilling programmes which employers are asking us for. We are elevating aspirations, shaping our future workforce, and equipping people for careers in sectors such as cybersecurity, AI and robotics, virtual and augmented reality, cloud computing, wireless technologies, 5G innovation, and so much more."

Graham Wynn, Chair of Telford Towns Fund Board, added, “The Quad is a significant asset for our town centre. Its development is a testament to partner collaboration, creating a dynamic ecosystem for education, innovation, and economic development. With business support services and flexible enterprise incubator accommodation, it will also be a magnet for digital enterprises to establish and expand in Telford.”

Enrolment for courses at The Quad is now open. Find out more via the links below:

- Harper Adams University: https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/courses/

- Telford College: https://www.telfordcollege.ac.uk/

The Quad will officially open its doors in September, welcoming students of all ages and backgrounds.

To find out more about the Station Quarter project, visit www.stationquartertelford.co.uk

International Stand Up to Bullying Day - Friday 23 February 2024

International Stand Up to Bullying Day is observed twice a year in both February and November. In February, it is on the last Friday of the month while in November, the day takes place on the third Friday of the month.

It will next be observed on February 23. The observations in February are a part of the Anti-Bullying Week that aims to create empathy and end bullying and harassment.

It’s observed by schools, workplaces, and organisations in more than 25 countries.

Bullying can have lasting effects on a person’s psyche, and it is important to recognise instances of bullying and put an end to them immediately.

Recent statistics show that whilst bullying rates have remained constant over time, the nature of bullying is adapting to an increasingly digitised world.

Facts & figures on bullying (Cybercrew.uk cyberbullying statistics 2023)

1 in 5 children between the ages of 10 and 15 had experienced some form of cyberbullying within the last year
5% of students reported that they had abusive messaging or offensive posts made about them personally by people whom they didn’t know online.
Only 58% of students were satisfied with how their school dealt with incidents of online bullying
57% of young people have experienced bullying when playing an online video game
Abusive behaviour toward other students was via text or messaging apps at 56%.
Social media was second at 43% and online games made up 30%

Useful links:-

National Bullying Helpline

LGBTQ+ History Month

February is LGBTQ+ History Month, recognising the history of gay rights and related civil rights movements.

Early this month we raised the flag in recognition of this event and lit Southwater One in rainbow colours this evening.

We want Telford and Wrekin to be a safe and inclusive community for all and hope the LGBTQ+ community can enjoy celebrating History Month. To find out more about events happening up and down the country, visit https://orlo.uk/DDl8k

Ready, set go! Top litter pickers needed for the Great British Spring Clean!

Dear colleagues,

We’d like to invite your school to get involved in the Great British Spring Clean, the nation's BIGGEST mass-action environmental campaign, that takes place between Friday, 15 March and Sunday, 31 March.

We’re calling on #LitterHeroes across the country to clear litter from streets - what is good for our environment is good for our mental and physical health too. Plus, there are some great prizes up for grabs too!

Telford & Wrekin Council, with help from street champions, volunteers, community groups, businesses and partners, will be holding litter picks across the borough and we sincerely hope you can join us.

We’ll be on hand to help with equipment so taking part couldn’t be easier!

Competition time!

Why not join us and arrange a litter picking activity along a pre-planned route near your school between 11-22 March.
Ten students have one hour to collect as much litter as they can during this set time, separating general waste from recyclables.

Share your photos/videos on your social media or school newsletters, we can help share the good news to!

Winners:

The winning schools (one primary, one secondary) will be those that have collected the most rubbish at the end of their one hour activity (measured by the number of fully filled rubbish bags)
Winners will be announced after the Easter holidays and awarded with prizes. We will confirm the prizes over the coming weeks.

Council’s support

We will:

Provide your school with 10 litter pickers and blue and clear bags for disposing of the rubbish collected
Arrange for the rubbish to be removed as early as possible after collection.
Promote those taking part and use as case studies
Award prizes to the winning teams.

Interested?

If you have any questions or would like to register to join in with the litter challenge please email us at pride.officer@telford.gov.uk

The Great British Spring Clean is a campaign by Keep Britain Tidy - a leading independent environmental charity that works to inspire, educate and enable everyone in this country to value the environment on their doorstep.

We look forward to seeing your bags of litter soon!

FAP Requests and Student Engagement Programme Referrals

From Monday 19 February the Access & Inclusion Team and the Student Engagement Programme will be moving some elements of their work on to a new case management database called Synergy.

Synergy has functionality to receive forms from schools electronically so we will be asking all schools to use the School Access Module (SAM) Portal (link below) to complete and send in FAP Request Forms and Student Engagement Programme Referrals. Requests/Referrals will no longer be accepted via email.

SAM Portal:

This is the link to the SAM Portal: https://education.telford.gov.uk/live/SynergyWeb/schools

Existing SAM Portal Users:

If you already have an account on the SAM Portal in respect of Admissions, you can also use the Portal to submit referrals, however you will need to have you permissions updated. Please email educationsystemsupport@telford.gov.uk for this to be set up. Once set up, the SAM Portal will show the new “Online Forms” button below the “Admissions” button.

New SAM Portal Users:

If you are going to need access to the SAM Portal, please send an email to educationsystemsupport@telford.gov.uk with the following information (Please do not click the “Create Account” button):

Name
Email
School
Any other names/emails of colleagues within your school who will also need access

Wraparound Care Guidance for Schools

The DfE have published guidance relating to wraparound care.

This guidance is for:

school and trust leaders educating primary school age children
operational wraparound leads in schools
governing boards in maintained schools, academies, trusts, and free school

It provides guidance to help schools offer new or expanded wraparound childcare, with support from the national wraparound childcare programme.

Support Trans Youth - Respond to the Government Consultation

On 19 December 2023, the Department for Education published its draft guidance on ‘Gender Questioning Children: Non-statutory guidance for schools and colleges in England’ which is now open for public consultation.

These guidelines will help you respond to the consultation which closes on 12 March 2024.

Government launches crackdown on mobile phones in schools

Mobile phones are set to be prohibited in schools across England as part of the government’s plan to minimise disruption and improve behaviour in classrooms.

New mobile phones in schools guidance issued this week (19 February 2024) backs headteachers in prohibiting the use of mobile phones throughout the school day, including at break times.

Many schools around the country are already prohibiting mobile phone use with great results. This guidance will ensure there is a consistent approach across all schools.

New ways to support your pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing

This half term, the Energize primary and secondary half term highlights pages provide lots of ideas to support your pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing, including:

Wellbeing resources:

Access the Anna Freud mental health toolkits designed specifically for schools to help pupils express their emotions and discuss their mental wellbeing, or learn how the Tapscott Learning Trust is tackling attendance through a focus on health and happiness.

Active Travel:

Register your school for the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel from 11 – 22 March or Living Streets’ Walk to School Week between 20-24 May and access lesson plans, assembly presentations and ideas to encourage your pupils to stay active.

#LetGirlsPlay:

Join hundreds of schools on Friday 8 March for the Biggest Ever Football session aimed at getting as may girls as possible playing football on the same day.

To find out more about these and lots of other resources and opportunities, read more here:

https://www.energizestw.org.uk/primary-half-term-highlights

https://www.energizestw.org.uk/secondary-half-term-highlights

Keeping children safe parent workshop Telford and Wrekin

With more access than ever before to phones and other technology, it can be difficult to understand how to keep your child safe in an increasingly digital world.

The workshop is fully funded and will cover:

What online harm is and online gang recruitment.
Ways you can effectively help and support your children
Understand why and how children can become victims
How your response can support your child

An award-winning approach to support young people at risk of exploitation

Delivery by lived experienced professionals

To access the workshop (delivered via Teams – Teams app not necessary for participation), please click on the link below just before the training begins.

Tuesday 12 March 2024 5.30 - 6.30pm

Click here to join the meeting

County Lines and Exploitation Schedule

There is an opportunity, free of charge to access the training programme being offered by West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership. It is intended to develop and improve our understanding of the treat from County Lines and Criminal Exploitation.

All sessions are free of charge and delivered via Microsoft Teams.

Please book directly through the links provided.

County Lines Exploitation Awareness Schedule

‘Lunch and Learn’ Webinars focused on Domestic Abuse

On Monday 11 March 2024 from 12noon to 1.30pm the Education Safeguarding Team, together with The Haven and West Mercia Women’s Aid, will be holding the first of three ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinars focused on Domestic Abuse.

Each webinar will be offered free of charge and will focus on a key theme which is relevant to the contextual needs of Telford & Wrekin, underpinned by nationally recognised strategies and understanding.

The theme for the first session will be:

Who does domestic abuse affect? – The “Think Family” and “The inclusive approach”

This will be followed by 2 further sessions exploring, what domestic abuse looks like for different family members and a final session focusing on how to effectively support those who share concerns, allegations or disclosures, where and how to refer and support that schools can provide.

The sessions will equip school-based staff with the necessary understanding and tools to help effectively support pupils and families who are, or who have, experienced domestic abuse.

Bookings can be made for the first session by simply sending an email stating the delegate’s name, school and email address to: cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk

(A completed booking form is not required on this occasion).

Workplace Charging Scheme for state-funded education institutions

This grant is for state-funded schools and education institutions to install electric vehicle chargepoint sockets at their site(s).

Installations per charge point usually cost around £1,500 to £2,500, depending on the area and type of installation.

You can get 75% off the cost to buy and install chargepoints up to a maximum of:

£2,500 per socket
40 sockets across all sites including any applications made previously via the Workplace Charging Scheme

You will need to confirm that you meet all the criteria in the application form.

Read the rules to make sure you are eligible to apply for the grant.

Apply online

Talking Time Evaluation Study

What is Talking Time©?

Talking Time is a universal oral language programme for pre-school children aged 3 to 5. It supports Early Years practitioners to deliver engaging, structured small-group activities to children and enhance oral language through high-quality interactions. Although manualised, the programme is designed to be flexible and adaptable to suit individual children, settings and contexts. It has three main elements:

1. A flexible intervention programme

2. A practitioner manual (including activity plans and conversation prompts) and 5 core storybooks

3. Staff professional development: training + modelling, coaching and mentoring

Children take part in two 15-minute activities per week during regular provision, for up to 20 weeks. Activities take place in small groups (up to 5 children) of mixed language ability. The three evidence-based Talking Time

Activities are designed to promote high-quality conversations with children.

• Story Conversations: shared storytelling and conversation using illustrations in storybooks as prompts;

• Word Play: games and guided role play designed to develop vocabulary breadth and depth;

• Hexagons: narrative discussion and retelling based on photos of real situations and routines likely to be familiar to children within their lives and local areas.

Through professional development (see Table 1) and reflection, staff are supported in tailoring plans and prompts to meet the language needs of their children. The aim is to gradually decrease reliance on programme materials so staff feel equipped to own, adapt and embed the programme to suit their children and setting. Talking Time has already been shown to support children’s oral language in other research studies, including significant impacts on staff practice, children’s talk in groups and children’s vocabulary.

What is the Talking Time evaluation study and who is funding it?

As part of the Department for Education’s Early Years Recovery Programme, four EY Stronger Practice Hubs (SPHs) (Liverpool City Region & Beyond, REACH Out, Thrive Together and A Brighter Start) and the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) are collaborating to fund Early Years settings’ access to evidence-informed programmes, and study the impact on practice and child outcomes. The aim is to support education recovery following the pandemic and develop our understanding of effective professional development in the early years. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) have been selected to evaluate the impact of Talking Time on child language skills and staff practice as part of a larger trial, due to take place in 2024/2025.

Settings are invited to receive funded professional development (PD) through the Talking Time programme delivered by the University of Oxford. Participating settings will be randomly allocated either to the intervention group (who will receive Talking Time from Autumn 2024) or the control group. The control group will not receive the programme but will receive

a financial incentive as a thank you for their participation. This can be used to purchase the programme and some accompanying professional development at a later date. Random allocation is the fairest way to decide which settings receive the programme and the best way of evaluating impact on children’s outcomes. All settings (regardless of group

allocation) will take part in research activities, including child assessments, from September 2024 - July 2025. The research will help refine Talking Time and allow us to find out whether it is ready to be provided to more settings and children.

If you are interested in taking part, or have further questions, please compete an expression of interest form and/or contact: talkingtime@education.ox.ac.uk

You can also visit our project webpages: http://www.education.ox.ac.uk/talking-time

Talking Time Information Sheet

Welcome to the Early Years & Education Skills Hub through Telford College

Please let us introduce ourselves –

Sue Williams Business Programme Manager Early Years and Education

Abi Allen Programme Manager - HE & Access

Following on from the success of other skills hubs within the college directory, we are pleased to launch a skills hub to the Early Years and Education Sector and would very much value your participation and contributions.

Our Employer hubs have been so well received that we have been shortlisted as finalists for a beacon award with the Association of Colleges and City and Guilds – details on link below.

https://www.aoc.co.uk/awards/beacon-awards-2023-24/beacon-awards-commended-college-2023-2024/the-city-and-guilds-award-for-college-engagement-with-employers

Our Employer Skills Hubs give valued sector specialists like yourselves the opportunity to shape our future curriculum, and work with us at Telford College to ensure we cover emerging skills needs within the industry, as well as react to skill shortages within our local community. With our new Early Years T level being launched in September of this year, this also allows employers a “try before you buy” scheme to enhance your succession planning.

The hub meetings will take place 4 times per year and will last for a maximum of 2 hours and may be a mixture of virtual and onsite at Telford College.

Our first date is Monday 4 March 2024 on TEAMS from 6pm till 8pm.

An invitation (with RSVP details) and agenda is attached here:

Employer Skills Hub Invite

We look forward to you joining us in helping to shape the structure of the Early Years Workforce inline with current qualifications and frameworks as well as promoting quality care and education

Kind regards

Sue & Abi

Shropshire Athletic Association Under 11’s Year 5 and Year 6 Cross Country Championships 2024

The 2024 Shropshire Athletic Association Under 11’s Year 5 and Year 6 Cross Country Championships are taking place Saturday 16 March 2024 at Concord College, Acton Burnell, with the first race commencing at 2.30pm.

The entry form and routes for both races can be found here:

Entry Form

Year 5 Route

Year 6 Route

CPD courses to the end of the Spring Term 2024

The CPD Booklet for the remainder of the 2023-24 academic year can be viewed via Telford Education Services.

As always, courses can be booked by completing and returning a CPD booking form to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk (unless denoted differently)

Safeguarding Induction Training for Governors - part 2 (SG 103)	Wednesday, February 28, 2024	5.30pm to 7.30pm
Positive Behaviour Management in the Classroom (PSS 008)	Wednesday, February 28, 2024	2pm to 4pm
Designated Teacher for Children in Care Network Meeting (Post 16) Please contact virtualschool@telford.gov.uk to request a place	Wednesday, February 28, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
Raising Awareness of Child Protection (SG 108)	Thursday, February 29, 2024	9.30am to 11am
Literacy Pathway	Monday, March 04, 2024	Full day
Safer Recruitment Administration (HR course)	Monday, March 04, 2024	3pm to 5pm
Supporting Pupil Premium Link Governors (GO 602)	Tuesday, March 05, 2024	5pm to 7pm
Safeguarding Refresher Training for Governors (SG 206)	Wednesday, March 06, 2024	5.30pm to 7.30pm
Designated Teachers & Governors for Children in Care Network (compulsory school age) Please contact virtualschool@telford.gov.uk to request a place	Wednesday, March 06, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
EAL & Maths (CPD 603)	Wednesday, March 06, 2024	1.15pm to 3.30pm
Understanding Nurture (PSS 101)	Thursday, March 07, 2024	9.15am to 12noon
Literacy Pathway	Thursday, March 07, 2024	Full day
Accredited Safer Recruitment Training (HR course)	Thursday, March 07, 2024	9am to 4.30pm
‘Lunch and Learn’ webinar focused on domestic abuse (see article in Safeguarding section)	Monday, March 11, 2024	12noon to 1.30pm
St Giles' Trust SOS+ Training (SG 207)	Monday, March 11, 2024	1.30pm to 3pm
CSE Termly Briefing for EY, KS1 & KS2	Monday, March 11, 2024	10am to 11.30am
Restorative Justice (PSS 003)	Tuesday, March 12, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
Improving EAL pupils' writing through Oracy, grammar and tier 2/3 vocabulary acquisition (CPD 727)	Tuesday, March 12, 2024	1.15pm to 3.30pm
Primary Computing Update (CPD 512)	Tuesday, March 12, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
Behaviour Support Intervention Training - Non-accredited (BSAT 301)	Wednesday, March 13, 2024	8.30am to 4pm
Raising Awareness of Prevent (SG 101)	Thursday, March 14, 2024	3.30pm to 5pm
Taking the Chair - part 4 (GO 504)	Thursday, March 14, 2024	4.30pm to 6.30pm
Let’s Get Communicating And Reading In The Outdoors (EY 343) (see separate article)	Thursday, March 14, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
School Attendance Surgery (AST 005)	Friday, March 15, 2024	10am to 12noon
Equality & Diversity: Meeting the OFSTED requirements of teaching of protected characteristics (CPD 728)	Tuesday, March 19, 2024	1.15pm to 4pm
Assessment - termly update (CPD 502)	Tuesday, March 19, 2024	9.15am to 10.45am
Assessment - termly update (CPD 503)	Tuesday, March 19, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
Designated Safeguarding Leads Refresher (SG 107)	Thursday, March 21, 2024	9.15am to 4pm
Exploring & Creating Resources to Enhance Vocabulary during Story and Song Time in the EYFS (EY 342)	Thursday, March 21, 2024	9.15am to 12noon
Early Years Coordinators Termly Update (EY 007)	Thursday, March 21, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
Safety Intervention Refresher Training (formerly MAPA Refresher Training) - CPI accredited (BSAT 212)	Thursday, March 21, 2024	2pm to 4.30pm note time change
SENCo Workshop – Transition	Thursday, March 21, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm

HLTA Preparation Training with Severn Training & Schools Alliance

Severn Training & Schools Alliance (STSA) are offering HLTA preparation here in Telford beginning in Spring 2024. The course will be delivered in partnership with Best Practice Network and the face to face dates are 15 March & 10 May 2024.

The cost for the two day preparation (delivered face to face) will be £290 + VAT, following preparation candidates will need an external assessment, the cost for this will be £450.

You can find full details on the training and an application link here: https://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/hlta .

When applying please ensure you select face to face as your preferred training option, and then select Severn Training & Schools Alliance as the delivery partner (SVRN-TSA).

Let’s Get Communicating and Reading in the Outdoors – Thursday 14 March 2024

Forest School and outdoor learning is a great way to motivate, engage and spark children’s learning, curiosity and imagination in the outdoors and nature. This innovative training, taking place in Apley Woods, will provide delegates with fresh ideas and activities to use with children and young people.

Please see the flyer for more details.

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

This entry was posted by Oliver on Wednesday, 21 February 2024.

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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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