Education Noticeboard 13 June 2024

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

Included in this edition of the Noticeboard

An update from Simon Wellman

Dear Colleagues

This week there are some important updates around Authorised Absence from schools, including the Amended Sample Letters for schools in relation to Penalty Notices, please be sure to take some time to read through these updates

Did you know that Telford & Wrekin Council offers schools a fortnightly recycling collection service for paper, card, cans, glass and plastic and a weekly food waste recycling collection service? Make sure you read below to find out more.

Lastly, as always, there is information on CPD and qualifications available to staff which may be of interest to you.

Don’t forget we are always on the lookout for positive stories from across early years settings, schools, and post 16 providers. Please send your good news stories to educationnoticeboard@telford.gov.uk

Enjoy the rest of your week,

Best wishes

Simon

Simon Wellman

Director: Education & Skills

CPD

CPD courses to the end of the Summer Term 2024

Further details of these and all other courses are available in the 2023-24 CPD booklet on the Telford Education Services website and on the Ollie website. Summer Term courses will appear on next week’s noticeboard.

The CPD Booklet 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)

Safer Recruitment Administration (HR course)	Monday, June 17, 2024	3pm to 5pm
ELSA Supervision	Tuesday, June 18, 2024	1pm to 3pm
Bright Ideas and Inspiration - for your breakfast, holiday and out of school provision (EY 303)	Wednesday, June 19, 2024	9.15am to 12noon
Governors' Responsibilities for Exclusions (SG 104)	Wednesday, June 19, 2024	5pm to 7pm
Safety Intervention Training (formerly MAPA training) - Part 1 - CPI accredited (BSAT 201)	Thursday, June 20, 2024	8.30am to 4pm
Induction Training for New Governors (GO 502)	Thursday, June 20, 2024	9.30am to 3.30pm
Literacy Pathway	Thursday, June 20, 2024	Full day
CSE Termly Briefing for EY, KS1 & KS2	Wednesday, June 26, 2024	10am to 11.30am
Safety Intervention Training (formerly MAPA training) - Part 2 - CPI accredited (BSAT 201)	Thursday, June 27, 2024	2pm to 4.30pm
Designated Safeguarding Leads Refresher (SG 107)	Thursday, June 27, 2024	9.15am to 4pm
School Attendance Surgery (AST 005)	Friday, June 28, 2024	10am to 12noon
Primary Science Conference (see separate article)	Friday, June 28, 2024	9.15am to 3.30pm
Behaviour Support Intervention Training - Non-accredited (BSAT 301)	Wednesday, July 03, 2024	9am to 3pm
School Attendance Briefing Update (AST 004)	Wednesday, July 03, 2024	4pm to 5.30pm
Effective Circle Times in the EYFS (EY 302)	Thursday, July 04, 2024	1.15pm to 4pm
Safety Intervention Refresher Training - CPI accredited (BSAT 212)	Thursday, July 04, 2024	2pm to 4.30pm
Autism Leads Conference	Friday, July 12, 2024	All day incl lunch

Primary Science Conference for Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire schools - Friday 28 June 2024.

An opportunity to book your place and take advantage of the 70% teacher release subsidy by quoting the code TRP2224 detailed on the flyer.

This annual conference is for primary science practitioners and primary school teachers and is taking place at The Holiday Inn Hotel, Telford on Friday 28 June 2024.

The keynote speaker is Professor Lynne Bianchi, Director of SEERIH at the University of Manchester.

Lynne specialises in science and engineering education, with a particular specialism in the primary phase and student-led learning.

Lynne became Director of the SEERIH in 2014. She has a well-established profile in the areas of teaching, learning and assessment of school science and engineering, and cascades learning by working with in-service teachers.

Delegates will have the opportunity to:

discuss current good practice in primary science
recognise their own good practice, and identify areas for development
reflect on ways to translate ideas to their school context, and plan for action

For further details and information on how to book, please refer to the STEM Learning website and the attached flyer.

Telford & Wrekin Primary Science Conference | STEM

Click here for flyer

National Wraparound Childcare Programme – an opportunity to attend a free of charge briefings

Gain an understanding of how you can support meeting the government’s requirement of providing sufficient wraparound childcare in your school in 2026 by attending the Wraparound Childcare Briefing. Book your place to attend free of charge on Tuesday 18 June 2024.

You may be aware that the DFE announced and launched a wraparound childcare programme initiative in September 2023 as part of the national childcare reforms.The wraparound childcare programme is looking to create new wraparound childcare places and expand the wraparound childcare hours from September 2024 for any school aged child that needs care between the hours of 8am – 6pm.

The aim of the programme by September 2026 is to ensure sufficient wraparound childcare provision is in place for any parent with a school aged child who needs to access it between the hours of 8am- 6pm throughout the UK.

Telford & Wrekin Council Early Years and Childcare Team are supporting this initiative within the borough and we need your help in supporting the programme moving forward.

We would like to invite all Schools - Headteachers, Governors, School Business Managers and Administrators, HHAH scheme providers, Breakfast and Out of School Club Leaders to join us on Tuesday 18 June 2024 for one of the Wraparound Childcare Programme briefing sessions.

Three briefing sessions are being held on this date: 10am to 11.30am, 1pm to 2.30pm and 4pm to 5.30pm.

We will share with you how we are going to support this initiative within the borough, what funding and grants are available, and how your school community could be a part of this. We also recognise that not every school offers wraparound childcare, so we are also asking if you are interested in creating new provision to meet the wraparound childcare needs of families within your school and community.

Please come and join us to find out more about how we can support you with these developments – and help us in shaping and developing the wraparound childcare market here in Telford & Wrekin, enabling us to meet the needs of our parents and the aims of the DFE Wraparound Childcare Programme.

To book your free of charge place send an email to talkingchildcare@telford.gov.uk

Click here for flyer

Level 5 Certificate in Primary School Physical Education Specialism 2024-25

Expressions of interest needed by the end of June 2024 (deadline extended) for this primary school physical education qualification for primary school staff

What is the Level 5 qualification?

A bespoke primary school physical education qualification for primary ‘school staff’ (PE Coordinators, teachers and/ or teaching assistants with a sporting bias) developed by the Association for Physical Education (AfPE) and Sports Leaders UK.

Please note: Due to the pitch of the course (Level 5; equivalent to foundation degree) and the nature of the content, this course is predominantly targeting current practitioners, preferably with QTS status.

Why?

Much has been stated about the importance of the current physical education and school sport premium funding and the ability of schools to not only evidence actions but also show sustainable impact. This qualification is an ideal vehicle for demonstrating an investment in the improvement of teaching in physical education as well as upskilling current staff.

Content

The qualification enables delegates to understand the requirements of the primary school physical education curriculum. They will acquire the knowledge and skills that underpin 'good or better' teaching and learning within primary school physical education. Candidates will also review and evaluate the PE, physical activity and sport programme at their host school, identifying potential ways to improve policy and practice.

Tutors/ Assessors

The tutor, Chris Jew, is an experienced physical education specialist, known and regarded across the county. His background is in the leading of Physical Education, being the leader of a School Sport Partnership and a current School Games Organiser for East Shropshire. This will be his ninth year of delivery of this course. To date over 55 delegates have successfully completed the course

Delivery

The average learning time for this qualification is 141 hours. This is broken down as follows:

6 days attendance at a Shropshire based delivery centre. (42 Guided Learning Hours). This is provisionally equally mapped across the three terms during the academic year 2023/24. The initial session is planned for October.

In-school development work (99 nominal hours). This will involve a series of assessment tasks to be completed by the delegate via a portfolio of evidence. There will be at least one external assessment of teaching a ‘good or better’ physical education lesson.

Commitment

School: The release of staff for 6 days throughout the academic year. The ability for SLT to support and mentor, where appropriate, allowing opportunities/ time for the delegate to apply skills and knowledge within the school day.
Delegate: An understanding of the need to meet the nominal required guided learning hours, to complete all assessment tasks and to be proactive in further developing knowledge and skills at their home school.

Costs

The total delegate cost, including course fees to Sports Leaders UK (£200), is £1300 per delegate. This covers the delivery days, internal verification and the external assessment and remote support via the course tutors/ leaders.

Certification

All delegates will be internally verified by Trusted Sports’ Alliance staff and externally verified via the awarding body and on successful completion of this qualification delegates will be able to assist and develop the raising of standards within primary school physical education teaching.

Awareness Raising

At this initial stage my aim is to continue raising awareness and to gauge potential interest from local primary schools in Telford & Wrekin as we look to recruit for the seventh year of delivery. Feedback from current delegates is that the course is both demanding and challenging yet on completion allows for a step change in the delivery of high quality PE.

Application Timeline

By end of June 2024: An expression of interest is currently being sought. To register or confirm interest please email Chris Jew, by return, stating candidate’s name and home school.

September 2024: Candidates will then be asked to enrol on the course before the end of the first half-term in autumn so all is ready for the initial October delivery date.

For further information, please refer to the Sports Leaders’ UK website and / or contact Chris Jew, Head of Service – Trusted Sports’ Alliance via email: chris.jew@trusted-schools.com or telephone mobile: 07704 710536

Early Years

Family Hub funded training opportunity to support early Literacy in the Home Learning Environment

Making it REAL – Early Literacy Training

Making it REAL (Raising Early Achievement in Literacy) is an evidence based and award winning training that develops children’s early literacy by supporting parents to create a positive early home learning environment. The training:

Has a strong evidence base* and supports early literacy and communication skills through play and every day activities, in the home, and out and about.
Provides practical strategies and resources to share with parents for low cost and no cost activities to enjoy with their children.
Prepares practitioners to deliver early literacy sessions including home visits to the allocated families they support.

Making it REAL training (ncb.org.uk)

‘Parents [and carers] play a key role in children's learning. They are experts on their own children, and they are a child's first and enduring educators (National Children’s Bureau -NCB, 2010).

Making it REAL Training will be taking place in: Telford on the 5th July and 12th July 9:15 until 4:00pm (Both sessions must be attended) settings/school nurseries can request up to 2 places.

At: The Mercure Hotel, Forge Gate Overdale Telford TF3 4NA

Ofsted have recently recommended in several inspection reports that supporting children’s learning and development in partnership with parents/carers as an area for development.

There will be funding back fill provided for the 2 days training and to purchase resources necessary to the programme. To book places e mail talkingchildcare@telford.gov.uk

NCB has worked in partnership with Oldham Local Authority since January 2018 to support delivery of the Raising Early Achievement in Literacy (REAL)

Talking Time – Free Professional Development

Talking Time are looking to identify more settings in the region to take part

Talking Time: free evidenced-based professional development to support nursery children’s oral language

Early Years settings in Telford & Wrekin are being offered an opportunity to take part in Talking Time© as part of an Education-Endowment Foundation-funded research study.

Talking Time© is a universal oral language programme for children aged 3-5 years, which includes evidence-based professional development for nursery staff. It supports Early Years practitioners to deliver engaging, structured small-group activities to children, and enhance their oral language through high-quality interactions and conversations. Talking Time© is designed to be used flexibly and adapted to suit individual children and settings. Settings will receive training and mentoring to support implementation, and develop their early years team’s expertise in supporting early language.

Talking Time© was developed by leading academics at the University of Oxford and UCL Institute of Education, working closely with speech and language therapists and early education professionals. It has been shown to enhance children’s oral language and staff practice in other research studies.

Visit the Talking Time website to find out more about the programme and how to get involved: bit.ly/49K8TFB

Or join a webinar to find out more. Click to register for the date which suits you:

13 June, 3.30-4.15pm

19 June, 10-10.45am

25 June, 3:30-4:15pm

Alternatively, send us an email to register: talkingtime@education.ox.ac.uk

Future webinar dates will be posted on the website.

Attendance

Authorised Absence from school due religious observance for Eid-ul-Adha

Many pupils will be celebrating Eid-ul-Adha in June 2023.

Eid-ul-Adha :

Sunday, 16thJune and Monday, 17thJune 2024 (Telford Mosques)

Parents may request absence from school for religious observance on Monday 17th June 2024 this festival can last for three days.

Information for schools re: Eid ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)

In Telford, one mosque will celebrate Eid ul-Adha on Sunday, 16th June while the other mosques will celebrate on 17th June.

“Eid ul-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is a significant celebration in the Islamic calendar. It is sometimes called ‘Eid al-Kabir’, ‘Greater Eid’ or ‘Big Eid’. The festival occurs on the tenth day of the twelfth month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar. Typically lasting for three days, Eid ul-Adha will begin in Telford on Sunday, 16th June. Many Muslim parents will request a day off for religious observance on Monday, 17th June.

Multicultural

Refugee week 17-23rd June 2024

The theme for Refugee Week 2024 is “Our Home”. From the places we gather to share meals to our collective home, planet earth: everyone is invited to celebrate what ‘Our Home’ means to them.

“To me, a home is where you feel loved, safe, and cherished.”- Malala Yousafzai

Home can be a place of refuge, a feeling or a state of mind. It can be found in smells, tastes and sounds. From the clothes we wear to the words we grew up with. It’s in food, music and arts. It’s in our cultures and in our landscapes. Refugee week is an ideal opportunity to discuss what it means to be home, to be safe, to be loved and cherished.

Home can be more than one place and finding it can be a journey, as it is for so many of us who have to leave our countries and rebuild our lives. Sometimes we can find home in a single person. Other times it’s in a whole community. And often, it’s in a single gesture of care and welcome.

Simple acts like having a chat, walking together, or sending a message of welcome can help everyone feel like they belong. Our home is also global. We are interconnected; we share the earth’s resources, climate and its challenges. As we speak, millions of people are being displaced from their homes because of the climate crisis. But, exchanging knowledge, both new and traditional, can help us in practical ways to build hope for the future.

This refugee week is an ideal opportunity for school to address many of their PHSE and British Values through the theme of Our Home. MDT have provided some web links to resources below but are happy to advise school activities, especially if they are thinking of achieving school of sanctuary status.

https://refugeeweek.org.uk/theme-2024-ourhome/

20th June - World Refugee Day.

A Day of Welcome - Schools of Sanctuary (cityofsanctuary.org)

Webcasts

A Day of Welcome – Bobble (KS1) | VNET Education CIC (vnetcic.com)

A Day of Welcome – Bobble (lower KS2) | VNET Education CIC (vnetcic.com)

A Day of Welcome – The Power of Welcome (upper KS2) | VNET Education CIC (vnetcic.com)

Library Authors into Schools: "Journeys" online event with SF Said and Viviane Schwarz

The British Library Schools - Primary School Children's Event: Journeys Tickets | Tuesday, 18 Jun 2024 at 1:30 PM (seetickets.com)

Refugee Week Assembly for KS2/KS3 from the University of Winchester

Online Assembly Register - Refugee Week Wednesday 19th June 10 - 10.30 am (office.com)

http://www.telfordeducationservices.co.uk/multicultural-development-team-mdt

Outdoor Education Service

Education Nature Parks

A bit of information about the new National Education Nature Park and Climate Action Awards empowering children and young people to make a positive difference to both their own and nature's future.

Go on a journey with your learners to get to know your outdoor space and use creative decision making to improve your grounds for both people and nature.

The National Education Nature Park and Climate Action Awards empower children and young people to make a positive difference to both their own and nature's future.

Go on a journey with your learners to get to know your outdoor space and use creative decision making to improve your grounds for both people and nature. These free programmes provide all educators with the resources, support and guidance to embed climate and nature into learning in a way that suits your setting and learners.

https://www.educationnaturepark.org.uk/

Arthog Outdoor Education Centre, Wales

The end of an era as Mark Bramich hangs up his climbing shoes.

Arthog OEC will be coming to an end of an era as Mark Bramich has decided to move on at the end of this term.

Mark has worked at the centre for over 23 years first starting as a Freelance Instructor and becoming a permanent member of staff in 2001. He has progressed his way to becoming the Assistant Centre Manager and has worked tirelessly in ensuring each and every child, group and school visit get the best out of their stay. We will all miss him and his commitment to the centre and everything he has done behind the scenes to move the centre on, motivate the staff and help make Arthog the great adventure it is today.

We hope he will keep in touch with the centre and the team (and come back for the occasional freelance work!) and wish him all the best in the future.

Steve and the Team

Arthog Outdoor Education Centre, Bwlchgwyn, Arthog, Gwynedd, LL39 1BX

Other Information and Resources

Mighty Oaks Academy Trust Summer Term Engagement Event

'Planting the seeds for success'

Following the success of our Summer Term 1 event, we are excited to welcome you to our Summer Term 2 Engagement Event for schools who may be interested in finding out more about our Trust and working with us going forwards.

We appreciate it is a time of uncertainty and change within the maintained school sector (particularly at Primary level), with schools considering options regarding academisation and taking time to understand these options to make best decision for the future of their school. We are a vibrant, forward-thinking, collaborative Primary Phase Multi Academy Trust, and have two very clear priorities as part of our growth plan – we will remain Primary and we will remain local.

We firmly believe that positive collaboration between locally-based schools and communities is key to ensuring children can develop and thrive. We have created a unique Offer to schools that are part of the MOAT family – please see the attached document for details of this. We have also created individual Offers for key stakeholder groups – more details on these will be provided at the event.

This event will provide an opportunity for you to explore how becoming part of MOAT can provide high-quality School Improvement, Financial and Operational support, while retaining the unique character of your school. Furthermore, as a new and emerging Trust, you will have the opportunity to input and influence our future direction at an early stage of our development.

The event will be at Lilleshall Hall on Wednesday 3 rd July (8.30am arrival for a 9.00am start). Breakfast will be provided. Please respond via the Google Form HERE or call us at the Trust offices on 01952 387 927 if you would like an informal chat.

Further details about MOAT are available on our website here.

We very much look forward to meeting you. Best Wishes Paul Doddridge CEO, Mighty Oaks Academy Trust

Trust Offer

We have developed our Trust Offer in conjunction with the 5 key pillars for best practice in Multi-Academy Trusts

• As a new and emerging Trust, you have the opportunity to input and influence our future direction at an early stage of development

• We are a Primary specialist Trust ensuring the right level of expertise for your children

• We provide a family environment in a localised setting

High quality and inclusive leadership

We understand that high-quality schools are developed by high-quality leaders, and the balance between consistency and retaining your own character as a school.

• An opportunity to benefit from being part of a Trust, whilst still retaining your identity as a school

• A commitment to growing leaders and offering development opportunities within the MAT

• Opportunities for Leadership networking • An environment where everyone is valued

• Ability to further develop your curriculum whilst maintaining your individuality

• A focus on achieving the best outcomes for all children academically and personally

• Specialists to support with attendance, behaviour and children with additional needs

We pride ourselves on creating a working environment built around support, development and a commitment to well-being

• A decision making, well-being committee in every school, with representation from all staff groups

• Opportunities for development and career progression

• Quality, relevant and bespoke CPD

• A commitment to maintaining work-life balance and reduction of unnecessary workload

• Opportunities to collaborate with other practitioners across the MAT and wider educational community

Dates for your diary!

Don’t miss the chance to sign up for National School Sports or Healthy Eating week, or register a team for the Path to Paris!

The Summer term is packed with opportunities to encourage your pupils to lead a healthy, active lifestyle. Sign up now to access free resources, lesson plans and videos, and to enter for a chance to win free equipment.

Healthy eating week - Monday 10th to Friday 14th June
National School Sports Week - Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd June
Drowning Prevention Week - Saturday 15th to Saturday 22nd June

To further inspire your pupils in the approach to the Olympics and Paralympics this summer, join the Path to Paris. Schools can form teams to embark on a virtual journey to Paris, with free cross-curricular resources for students aged 5-19. You'll also have a chance to win exclusive Team GB and Paralympic prizes.

To register for these opportunities or access more resources to help your pupils stay active.

New 'Open Up' Campaign to Tackle Loneliness in Children

To coincide with Loneliness Awareness Week (10-16 June), NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin has launched the 'Open Up' campaign aimed at addressing the issue of loneliness among children in the region.

The ‘Open Up’ campaign highlights the growing concern of loneliness in children and young people and that signs can be hard to spot. The campaign aims to empower parents and carers (of children aged 7- 13), and children (aged 11-13) with practical tools and support to prevent loneliness, encouraging children to open up to a trusted adult about how they are feeling.

This integrated campaign has been developed in partnership with the local NHS and both local authorities in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and will run across a range of channels including out-of-home advertising, social media, radio, and media.

Please find a letter with more information on how you can support this campaign here

For tips and advice on how to prevent loneliness, visit: Open up campaign to prevent loneliness in children (stw-healthiertogether.nhs.uk)

Recycling Collection Services from Telford & Wrekin Council – are you taking part?

Did you know that Telford & Wrekin Council offers schools a fortnightly recycling collection service for paper, card, cans, glass and plastic and a weekly food waste recycling collection service?

The recycling collection service for schools is delivered through the Veolia Household Waste Service contract and working with the Telford & Wrekin Education Services Team.

The collection service mirror the household recycling collection service in Telford and Wrekin and is therefore familiar to pupils and staff who live in the borough.

We offer a range of container sizes for cans, glass and plastic to be recycled and also paper and card. We can offer wheelie bins to recycle food waste and can supply bags and indoor caddies to be used inside (and then decanted into containers for emptying).

The charges are based per container and they are kept as low as possible – just to cover the cost impact to the council. As well as choosing recycling services for environmental benefit, the cost of recycling may well be offset by a reduction in the amount of rubbish which needs to be collected.

Click here for flyer

School & Post 16 Travel Assistance – please apply before the 30 June 2024!

Telford & Wrekin Council looks to parents and carers to make arrangements for their (child)ren and young people to travel safely to their allocated school and/or post 16 provider, where possible.

If you are unable to transport your child or young person and you meet eligibility criteria listed on the council’s website, the council can provide travel assistance.

If you are applying for your travel assistance from September 2024, all applications must be received by the council by 30 June 2024.

Applications received after this date cannot guarantee that travel training or travel assistance will be in place for the start of the new term.

When will travel arrangements be in place?

The council aims put travel arrangements in place by the start of the new term, however, they can only start making arrangements after all applications are received on 30 June. Please submit your application as soon as possible. You will receive notification of travel arrangements before the start of the new term.

If my child/young person already have travel assistance do I need to re-apply?

You will only need to re-apply in the following circumstances:

If you have moved house since you initially applied or your child is moving school, as your eligibility could have changed.

Parents/carers for children over the age of 16 must re-apply for assisted travel every academic year. If you received travel assistance for your young person in a post 16 setting this year you will be notified this by email.

How to apply: You can submit your application NOW on the council's website and transport platform - School Travel Assistance (telford.gov.uk)

In order to submit an application, you will be required to login to your account or if you haven’t used the system before create a new account online. If you already have an email address registered with the council, please use this email when creating an account, this will help the council to link your existing travel assistance arrangements with your new account.

Once you have created an account and submitted your application, you will receive regular notifications on your application progress, you can log on at any point to see the progress. If you need support in creating a new account, please call 01952 384545 (Monday to Friday, 7.15am-5pm)

This entry was posted by Becky on Tuesday, 11 June 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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