1. Director Update
2. Red Nose Day - Comic Relief
3. Crudgington Primary School visit Southwater One library for World Book Day
4. New Youth Offer website aims to help young people to get out and about
5. Final Opportunity to access the COVID-19 Recovery programme: Summer term 2024 Funded Support for early years settings/schools and childminders from the experts and mentors programme
6. Sexual violence support services in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire Telford and Wrekin
7. Determined Admission Arrangements 2025-26
8. Vodcast for schools on the EYFS Profile
9. Delay on the requirement to use a second digital device for the Reception Baseline Assessment to September 2025
10. Early Years (Funding) Extended Entitlement and Wraparound Childcare Briefings
11. CPD courses to the end of April 2024
12. Early Years Coordinators’ Termly Update (EY 007) – 21 March 2024
13. FAP Referrals - Primary & Secondary
14. Crucial Crew 2024 – BOOKING IS NOW OPEN

Director Update

Dear colleagues,

I hope you are all having a good week. World Book Day took place last week, and proved to be a fabulous day, with some pupils at Crudgington Primary getting to visit our brilliant library at Southwater One.

Tomorrow, we have Red Nose Day from Comic Relief – I am sure some of you will be digging out your best red clothes and raising money, so best of luck to all involved.

Included in this noticeboard is the launch of Telford and Wrekin’s new Youth Offer website which aims to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of the young people in our borough. Please be sure to visit the new website and share with our young people.

Also included is some information around the COVID-19 recovery programme, and funding which may be available for some of our Early Years settings, this may prove to be beneficial to some of you.

There are also some important updates around Determined Admissions Arrangements, the new Fair Access Panel process and, of course, the latest CPD courses available. I hope you find this information helpful.

Enjoy the rest of your week,

Best wishes

Simon

Simon Wellman

Director: Education & Skills

Red Nose Day - Comic Relief

Red Nose Day is an annual fundraising campaign created by Comic Relief to end child poverty throughout the World.

The Red Nose Day campaign has become a yearly occurrence, and this year will take place tomorrow on Friday 15 March 2024.

The idea of Red Nose Day is to raise money using comedy and entertainment. The money raised will be used to help people in need all over the world, to tackle poverty, provide food, essential healthcare and safe shelter.

Every pound raised has an impact. Below are some examples of what your fund raising could buy:

• £5 could provide support to a young person in the UK through a mental health helpline or live online chat.
• £50 could provide 200 reading books for children in Uganda.
• £100 could buy mobility aids for five young people with a disability in Malawi.
• £300 could get 1200 meals to children and families most in need in the UK.

There are many fun things you could do to raise money, for example. 

• Non-school uniform day (wear something red)
• Fundraising through cake sales, crafts, raffles etc..
• Organise a “School Bake Off”
• Sponsored Silence
• 5 a side Football Fundraiser
• Talent Show

For free school resources for Red Nose Day see below:-

Red Nose Day School Resources

Twinkl

Crudgington Primary School visit Southwater One library for World Book Day

Children from Crudgington Primary School enjoyed a visit to Southwater One library last week for World Book Day 2024. Don’t forget joining the library is also part of our 10 by 10 programme. It's free to join our libraries. Anyone of any age can become a library member to borrow books > https://orlo.uk/cg9TV

And for the really little ones. You can find out what’s on in our libraries here > https://orlo.uk/5Kmjm

New Youth Offer website aims to help young people to get out and about

Telford & Wrekin Council has launched a new website to help young people aged 11 to 18 and up to 25 with additional needs in the borough discover fun and exciting activities to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

The new Youth Offer website is a hive of information when it comes to finding things to do in Telford and Wrekin. Youth clubs, holiday activities and sports clubs are just some of the activities which young people can now search for in their local area. The website promotes activities provided by partners across Telford and Wrekin to ensure young people are aware of and have access to activities in their local area.   

Parents, carers and education professionals are encouraged to share the new website directory with young people to inspire them to try something new. 

Councillor Paul Watling (Lab) cabinet member for adult social care and health systems said: “There are so many youth activities, clubs and groups that are available right across Telford and Wrekin. This new website now makes it easier for our youngest residents to find things to do in their spare time which are in a safe and relaxed environment.

“The benefits of taking part in the activities are far greater than just physical health. Many of these activities will enable our young people to discover talents, build confidence and find new friendships and that’s why it is so important that we share this information and encourage them to get involved.”

The new website marks the launch of Telford and Wrekin’s new Youth Partnership which includes strategic leads from many partners including Telford and Wrekin Council, West Mercia Police, Youth Offending Service, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, Public Health, Telford MIND, Town and Parish Council representation and voluntary sector services as well as a young person representative to ensure young people’s voices are heard. The partnership is committed to developing and expanding the local youth offer in the borough; ensuring that activities and youth provision in the local area is linked to health and wellbeing; education, employment and training; arts; culture; and participation.

The new Youth Offer website can be found at https://youthoffer.telford.gov.uk/

To add an activity that is not listed on the new Youth Offer website, please email youthoffer@telford.gov.uk

Final Opportunity to access the COVID-19 Recovery programme: Summer term 2024 Funded Support for early years settings/schools and childminders from the experts and mentors programme

Apply for support from the Department for Education’s Early Years Experts and Mentors programme.

The Experts and Mentors Early Years Covid-19 Recovery Programme from the Department for Education is focused on supporting Early Years practitioners and leaders, to address the impact of the pandemic on the youngest children.

The programme is available nationally, across England, until July 2024.

Eligible early years practitioners, leaders and whole settings will be offered bespoke support to be delivered both face-to-face and virtually. The offer to settings will include leadership support, coaching for leaders, mentoring for practitioners and whole-setting support, depending on needs.

Settings that are selected will receive the support of an Expert and Mentor for a set number of days within one term, between September 2022 and July 2024.

The Experts and Mentors who will be providing support to settings are experienced early years professionals.

Which settings are eligible for this programme?

The Experts and Mentors programme will support Private Voluntary or Independent (PVI) nursery settings, maintained nursery schools and school-based nurseries.

To be eligible for the programme, settings must fit at least one of the following criteria:

• been judged as Requires Improvement (RI) or inadequate by Ofsted in the last 3 years
• high numbers of children in receipt of EY Pupil Premium
• high numbers of children with SEND needs
• high numbers of children taking up the disadvantaged 2-year-old offer

Please note, this programme will not support reception year. For example, a school with reception year only, is not eligible to receive support through this programme.

How to apply for support from the programme

For more information on the programme, please read this information for settings

We are currently looking for settings who are interested in receiving support for the Summer term (academic year 2023/24).

If you are interested in receiving support from this programme, please complete the form linked here.

You will be notified if you have been selected to receive support for the term during May 2024.

Applying for support from the Early Years Experts and Mentors programme | Pen Green Children's Centre

Sexual violence support services in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire Telford and Wrekin

We are happy to inform you that a new website to help anyone find out more about sexual violence support services in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire Telford and Wrekin is now live.

The pathway can be accessed 24/7 at -https://westmerciasurvivorpathway.org/

Providing a safe online space for survivors of all ages, supporters, and professionals, ‘The Survivor Pathway’ has a comprehensive list of services in West Mercia and information on how to easily access them.

Funded by the NHS and delivered by Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, as part of his Safer West Mercia Plan commitment to put victims and survivors first, the platform also includes helpful information on sexual health, child sexual exploitation, reporting to the police and going to court.

Contact: Angela Rich

Sexual Violence Portfolio Lead

Email: angela.rich@westmercia.police.uk

Mob: 07816344131 Ext: 7772753

Determined Admission Arrangements 2025-26

Own Admission Authority Schools are reminded that their determined admission arrangements for 2025/26 must be displayed on their website by 15th March 2024. These arrangements should continue to be displayed for the whole offer year.

A copy must also be sent to the local authority by this date.

Please send your admission arrangements to admissions@telford.gov.uk.

Further information can be found here, School admissions code 2021 (publishing.service.gov.uk).

Vodcast for schools on the EYFS Profile

The Department for Education has published a vodcast for schools to support teachers completing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Profile. The vodcast:

• provides an overview of the EYFS Profile;
• addresses potential myths;
• answers commonly asked questions; and
• signposts where you can find further support on completing the EYFS Profile.

The link is: Vodcast for schools on the EYFS Profile - Foundation Years

Delay on the requirement to use a second digital device for the Reception Baseline Assessment to September 2025

2025 reception baseline assessment: IT guidance

This guidance is designed to help schools ensure they have the correct devices required to deliver the 2025 reception baseline assessment (RBA).

2025 reception baseline assessment: IT guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Early Years (Funding) Extended Entitlement and Wraparound Childcare Briefings

On Tuesday 9 April 2024, at The Ramada Hotel, Telford, Early Years and Childcare will be holding briefing sessions on the forthcoming changes to Early Years funding entitlements and the Wraparound Childcare Programme for Schools.

Whether you have existing provision, would like to extend, start a new business or need further information you are invited to attend.

Information on funding, criteria, grants and requirements will be shared along with the support which can be provided by the team.

If you are a nursery, school, childminder or out of school provider this should interest you.

9:30am to 10:30am (20/25 people)

11am to 12noon (20/25 people)

1pm to 2pm (20/25 people)

2.30pm to 3.30pm (20/25 people)

4pm to 5pm (20/25 people)

5.30pm to 6.30pm (up to 40 people)

7pm to 8pm (up to 40 people)

Booking via talkingchildcare@telford.gov.uk

Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK

CPD courses to the end of April 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)

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
SENCo Workshop – Transition	Thursday, March 21, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
CSE Termly Briefing for EY, KS1 & KS2	Tuesday, April 09, 2024	10am to 11.30am
Literacy Pathway	Thursday, April 11, 2024	Full day
Pupil Premium Network Meeting (CPD 721)	Thursday, April 11, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
An Introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EY 001)	Tuesday, April 16, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
AET Leaders	Thursday, April 18, 2024	3.30pm to 5pm
Supporting SEND in the Classroom for Early Career Teachers - part 3 (LSAT 502)	Thursday, April 18, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
Employee Investigations Training (HR course)	Monday, April 22, 2024	2.30pm to 5pm
EAL Network Meeting (CPD 526)	Tuesday, April 23, 2024	3.30pm to 5pm
Quality First Teaching for SEND Pt 3 (LSAT 516)	Wednesday, April 24, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
Red Book Training for Accessing Legal Interventions – in line with ‘Working Together to Improve School Attendance’	Wednesday, April 24, 2024	8.45am to 3.45pm
Understanding School Finance (GO 508)	Thursday, April 25, 2024	9.15am to 12noon
Taking the Chair (GO 504)	Thursday, April 25, 2024	4.30pm to 6.30pm
Safety Intervention Refresher Training (formerly MAPA Refresher Training) - CPI accredited (BSAT 212)	Thursday, April 25, 2024	2pm to 4.30pm
St Giles' Trust SOS+ Training	Monday, April 29, 2024	10am to 11.30am
Promoting Cultural Diversity and Equality of Opportunity in EYFS  (CPD 606)	Tuesday, April 30, 2024	1pm to 3pm

Early Years Coordinators’ Termly Update (EY 007) – 21 March 2024

The next Early Years Coordinators’ Termly Update is taking place at a local hotel on Thursday 21 March 2024 from 4pm to 5.30pm.

This term’s update will largely focus on:

Developing a creative curriculum using our local environment

Louise Lowings, Headteacher of Madeley Nursery School, will share the outcomes of the Nursery’s current research into developing children’s learning.

This work continues to evolve from the school’s inspiration of the Reggio Emilia approach.  Using practical examples of their 2-year project, ‘What is alive in the garden?’ Louise will share the positive impact this research is having on children’s communication and language, social skills and emotional regulation, as well as staff development.

Louise plans to build in reflective discussion and action planning throughout the session.

The update meeting will also provide an opportunity for delegates to network and share good practice before the end of term.

The cost is £105 per person, with a 10% discount per person for two or more bookings from the same school.

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

FAP Referrals - Primary & Secondary

Please find attached a simple guide that has been written for the schools regarding the FAP process. This will work alongside the general SAM Portal user guide.

Unfortunately, via this new system there is not the facility to upload a parent/carer signature, this will need to be provided separately to myself using the original signature sheet that you are used to using.

Please be aware that the form is very large and you are not able to save part way through. In case the person submitting needs to gather the information beforehand, I have attached a list of all the questions that can be used as a guide to collect the information. please ensure that you use this new system for any referrals for FAP for March onwards and not the old system.

Would you kindly pass this information to all relevant personnel in your organisations and share with colleagues wherever possible.

SAM Portal Guide

FAP Guide for Schools

FAP Referral Fields

FAP Parental Consent

Crucial Crew 2024 – BOOKING IS NOW OPEN

Crucial Crew is back for the 29th year and booking is now OPEN.

Crucial Crew is a multi-agency partnership event aimed at Year 6 students designed to provide them with life skills and knowledge that will help to keep themselves and others safe, both now and in the future.

Crucial Crew aim to raise students’ awareness of important safety issues, encouraging them to think about their own and others safety and guiding them on what to do in a number of potentially unsafe situations.

This year the event is taking place between 24 June 2024 and 12 July 2024, excluding transition days.

Booking is now open until 10 May 2024, so complete the form by clicking on the link.