Education Noticeboard

Education Noticeboard

Notice: 15 October 2020

A round-up of news, guidance and key updates for education settings.

Director Update

Dear Colleagues,

I am delighted to have been appointed into the permanent position of Director for Education and Skills in Telford and Wrekin. Having worked here for the last 4 years, I have greatly enjoyed my journey with you on the SEND agenda and now look forward to delivering further improvements that will achieve positive outcomes for our children and young people. I know that we share the same ambition - that we have the best learning environments delivering high quality teaching and learning, providing a wealth of opportunity that prepares our children and young people for healthy, happy and successful adult lives. I truly believe that good quality education enriches us as individuals, allows us to achieve more than previous generations and enables social mobility. Education also allows communities to grow and be resilient, attracts business and wealth and creates opportunities which are valued by all. We will raise aspiration even higher in our borough and work collectively to overcome challenges ahead – always stronger together! 

I will continue the work that I have already started that promotes my commitment to a strong partnership with the education community and seek to strengthen existing networks. We will create a partnership culture that represents the ‘Family of Telford and Wrekin Schools’. Whilst there is respect for the mixed economy of provision, I will champion the needs of local children and always try and secure the best outcomes for the local area. We, as the Local Authority, will continue and do more of what we know supports you, but where it is necessary we will adapt and change. Personalisation will feature heavily in our work. Early years, schools and post 16 settings should not feel isolated in Telford and Wrekin. You should know that we are here to offer help, guidance and assistance when it is necessary.

I can’t wait to start our programme together. I know we have the potential to achieve even more success for Telford’s children and young people.

Finally, there are so many wonderful examples of the education community going above and beyond at this time. Thank you for your leadership. Our early years settings, schools and colleges continue to be the beating heart of their local communities.

Best wishes

Simon

Simon Wellman
Director: Education and Skills

Educational settings fire evacuation/drills advice during COVID-19

Things to consider under fire safety obligations.

Fire risk assessment

You may have made changes in relation to how you will operate your school or early year’s provision; this may include the layout of the building, one way systems, designated access and egress points, social distancing controls and “bubbles” of pupils and staff.

These changes may need reflecting in your fire risk assessment.

A couple of questions to consider for your premises:

  • Are additional areas of the school/setting being used as a classroom? If so:
    • Is there a sufficient means of raising the alarm? This will provide early warning of fire to others. Particularly where lone working is taking place.
    • Is there appropriate signage in place (fire instruction notice, fire exit signs)?
    • You should have fire marshals/wardens in place on each day.
  • Have you considered if:
    • They are still available to do this role? Consider any absences and increased absences due to any staff needing to isolate.
    • The allocated and trained staff are still available to assist with any personal emergency evacuation plans that are in place?
    • Are supply/agency staff aware of the fire procedures in place?
    • Is there any storage, furniture or group work now blocking escape routes? Escape routes need to be clear at all times to aid a safe evacuation and away from additional hazards and risks.
    • Do staff require any additional fire training so they are aware of any changes in place?
    • Where possible maintain social distancing rules during evacuation and at the muster point. You may need to consider additional muster points to enable social distancing.
    • Brief all staff, pupils and governors on any new evacuation procedures
    • Mark areas if necessary
    • Do you need to seek any additional support from your fire risk assessor?

Fire doors

A question we are currently being asked is: “Can I prop fire doors open during COVID 19, to prevent people touching them or for additional ventilation?”

No, fire doors are an important fire safety measure, keep fire doors closed and follow government advice on hand washing and cleansing hard surfaces.

You can check that your fire doors don’t have any defects by using the five-step fire door check.

Other Fire safety considerations

It’s important to continue to carry out tests on your fire preventative/protective measures such as fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire doors etc. All tests need to be logged in your fire maintenance records.

It is also important to have a business continuity plan in place to be prepared for changes that may happen such as COVID-19. It is a good time to do this

Donna Irish
Internal Health and Safety Advisor

Email: donna.irish@telford.gov.uk
Telephone: 01952 381817

Covid-19 Remote Learning

On 1 October 2020 the DfE published guidance on remote education good practice, view the guidance:

This makes it clear that there is an expectation that there is a remote learning offer where a class, group or small number of pupils need to self-isolate, or there are local restrictions requiring pupils to remain at home.

The DfE have also been distributing laptops for disadvantaged learners where a bubble of 17 or more learners closes. However, we have found that there hasn’t been the capacity to release the laptops in many cases of bubble closure. Where laptops have been issued, these often haven’t arrived until after the bubble has returned.

It is therefore recommended that school have in place contingency measures should a bubble close. We know, talking to schools, that many have planned ahead for this eventuality; we therefore want to share some of the good ideas. These include:

  • A survey of the young people to check access to suitable IT equipment and internet access at home.
  • Building a bank of laptops ready to distribute to those that don’t have access to suitable equipment at home.
  • Re-purposing older laptops in school to be available to loan to students.
  • Buying a suite of tablets ready to distribute to young people (considerably cheaper than laptops).

Don’t forget, to quote the guidance above, ‘Schools can spend their catch-up premium on remote education, for example purchasing additional devices or textbooks’. Additionally, this would also be an appropriate use of Pupil Premium money.

Please contact andy.cooke@telford.gov.uk for additional information.

Wellbeing for Education Return

During late September and early October we ran the Wellbeing for Education Return webinars based around how you can support children, young people and their families in improving a sense of wellbeing and developing resilience. There are two webinars. The first focuses on strategies to support a safe return to school as well as how to meet the needs of children experiencing trauma. The strategies are suitable for pupils of all ages and adults alike. The second Webinar focuses on bereavement and loss, low mood, anxiety and depression and how to support this. There are a wealth of free resources to use with staff and children and their families. Below are some quotes from your colleagues who have already attended the webinars.

I found it useful in general for children who are wobbly (without Covid to deal with). Many of the slides I could use with staff for training. It’s good to be reminded of good practice for the most experienced teacher – Jane Siddons Headteacher of Lightmoor Primary School.

I thought the sessions were very useful.  Excellent resources to share with staff for CPD and to use to support staff and children – Ellen Smith Headteacher Apley Wood Primary School.

Thank you both, super- informative and inspiring, as always! Jenny Pritchard Headteacher Muxton Primary School.

It was really useful. thank you! – Lynda Stolic Headteacher Randlay Primary School.

If you would like to take advantage of these free webinars please book using the link below. All sessions are via Teams.

This table shows all the sessions available via Teams

Webinar 1

3 November 2020

4pm - 5.30pm

For Schools and Early Years Settings

Webinar 1

6 November 2020

1.30pm - 3pm

For Schools

Webinar 2

17 November 2020

2pm - 3.30pm

For Schools

Webinar 2

26 November 2020

4pm - 5.30pm

For Schools and Early Years Settings

In order to book a place to attend this free webinar, please send an email to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk stating your name, the school’s name and your email address – together with which session you would like to attend. It would be helpful if the email subject could read ‘Wellbeing for Education Return Webinar’.

For any other enquiries please contact andy.cooke@telford.gov.uk.

Kooth – Mental Health Support

Kooth.com is a free, mental health and wellbeing online community available to young people in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin from the age of 11 up to 19. Kooth provides a safe and secure means of accessing mental health and wellbeing support designed specifically for young people.  

Kooth offers young people the opportunity to have a text-based conversation with a Kooth team member. The Kooth team consists of qualified counsellors and emotional wellbeing practitioners. The team is available from 12noon to 10pm on weekdays and from 6pm to 10pm at weekends, every day of the year on a drop-in basis. Young people can access regular booked online counselling sessions as needed. Outside counselling hours’ young people can message our team and get support by the next day. 

When a young person registers with Kooth they will have support available to them now and in the future. Support can be gained not only through talking to a member of the Kooth team but through articles, forums and discussion boards.  All content is clinically approved and fully moderated.

There is no referral required to access Kooth and no waiting list. To find out more visit the Kooth website where young people can register and others can find out more about the service. 

Professionals can view and download free Kooth resources via our online portal, Swivle which can be accessed on the Kooth website.

Teachers can request virtual/pre-recorded assemblies for their students and hard copies of Kooth resources alongside free staff training. Please complete the Booking/Order Form for any requests for assemblies, resources and/or staff training.

Subsidy for Schools: Safeguarding Programmes in 2020/2021

Primary Schools Subsidy for Year 5

Subsidy is now available to primary schools in Telford and Wrekin, for Year 5 pupils to have Loudmouth’s theatre in education programme Helping Hands on staying safe, focusing on domestic abuse. The tour is taking place between November 2020 and July 2021. The sessions will be run as live, in-school performance/workshops but can be made available as live, streamed sessions if required by current or last minute Covid restrictions. Schools are asked to contribute just £3 per head. View further information on the loudmouth website.

Secondary Schools Subsidy for Year 7

Secondary schools are being offered Helping Hands as a pre-recorded lesson for Year 7 students, plus a choice of one of the two following pre-recorded lessons (all lessons will cost your school just £35 + VAT each):

These lessons have been put in place for your students as a vital catch up for the cancellation, due to Covid, of the 2020 Crucial Crew and also to support students with their mental health and wellbeing. They must be used by the end of April 2021.

a) The Wellbeing Team - how to support positive mental wellbeing during the Coronavirus pandemic. This online pre-recorded lesson has been created specifically to support children to have positive mental health during these strange times. The lesson helps pupils learn that everyone has mental health, strategies for positive mental wellbeing and where to go for support. View further information including film trailer.

or

b) Talking Heads - how to support positive mental wellbeing during the Coronavirus pandemic. This online pre-recorded lesson has been created specifically to support young people to have positive mental health during these strange times. The lesson helps students learn ways to spot signs of mental wellbeing concerns, strategies for positive mental wellbeing and where to go for support. View further information including film trailer.

For further information contact caroline@loudmouth.co.uk or ring 0121 446 4880 and / or come along / join virtually the DSL meeting on 4 November 2020. This will provide further detail regarding the programmes and also a domestic abuse update.

For more information please contact us by email: Lyn.Stepanian@telford.gov.uk or, by phone: 07581354919.

Updated Schools Causing Concern and information about Ofsted’s Interim visits

The schools causing concern guidance explains how the Secretary of State can intervene when there are concerns about a school underperforming. The role of the Regional Schools Commissioners (RSCs) in working with schools is also explained.

The guidance is intended to provide school leaders with a broad overview of the circumstances in which a school is identified as underperforming; how the Secretary of State will identify underperformance, the support to schools, and ways of working with schools.

The guidance states that:

  • RSCs will only mandate academy conversion, leadership change or trust transfer of a school in relation to educational standards if Ofsted has judged it inadequate
  • RSCs will not use educational standards warning notices unless the school has already received an Ofsted inadequate rating
  • RSCs will not use formal intervention powers as a result of a school meeting the coasting definition
  • RSCs will not conduct uninvited visits to schools
  • The DfE is committed to ensuring robust governance in all schools. Where breakdowns in governance occur, the RSC and Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will use their powers to hold schools to account for their governance and financial management regardless of the school’s Ofsted rating. Both maintained schools and academies will be held to account equally and RSC’s will continue to challenge underperformance in both types of school.

The Academies Act 2010, Section 5D, enables the Secretary of State to revoke an academy order that was made because a maintained school is eligible for intervention. This power can be used at the discretion of the Secretary of State and it will only be used in exceptional circumstances and not just because a school’s Ofsted rating has improved. It is the Secretary of State’s view that schools in general should benefit from being part of an academy trust. In the Secretary of State’s view, transferring underperforming maintained schools to academy trusts is the most effective means of securing their rapid improvement. Ministers will make decisions on any revocations of academy orders.

The 2 October 2020 update clarifies the factors that the Secretary of State will take into account when considering a request to revoke an academy order because of ‘exceptional circumstances’.

The updated guidance provides examples of what ‘exceptional circumstances’ means. For example the Secretary of State decides whether a school is viable as an academy; whether improvements can be maintained without the support of a strong sponsor; if the original judgment concerned safeguarding issues, which have now been addressed, the Secretary of State has to decide if these can be maintained without a sponsor; the governors may ask to have the academy order revoked. This list is not exhaustive, as the Secretary of State will consider each individual case on merit.

Schools causing concern Guidance for local authorities and Regional Schools Commissioners on how to work with schools to support improvements to educational performance, and on using their intervention powers

Ofsted will make Interim visits to some schools from 28 September to December 2020

Ofsted have published their guidance on interim visits which will run from 28 September 2020 to December 2020.

How Ofsted will select schools for Interim visits

Not all schools will be visited. Instead a sample of schools will be selected based on a broadly proportionate representation of the sector. The sample will include:

  • approximately 1,200 schools across all Ofsted grades, including all schools that are currently inadequate
  • maintained schools, academies and free schools, special schools and centres of alternative provision
  • schools in cities, coastal towns and rural communities
  • as even a spread of schools as possible across different Ofsted regions and local authorities.

Please note: no schools are legally exempt from an interim visit, because these are not full inspections.

Interim visits will not:

  • result in any evaluation or graded judgement of a school
  • change a school’s current Ofsted inspection grade
  • use the education inspection framework and school inspection handbook
  • judge schools on their response to COVID-19 during the spring and summer terms 2020
  • require any pre-written planning, self-evaluation or other documentation
  • require teachers to prepare any lesson plans or examples of assessment, or to put up any displays for the visit
  • use lesson visits as a method of collecting evidence
  • involve a general review of a school’s policies
  • provide any evidence or lines of enquiry for later inspection events, once routine inspection resumes.

Inspectors will look at:

  • attendance, how quickly it is back to normal; which groups are not attending well and what leaders are doing about them
  • the curriculum, any adaptations/flexibilities; reasons for what are you doing
  • wellbeing of pupils and all staff
  • how the catch-up funding will be used and whether staff have considered the Education Endowment Fund (EEF) guidance
  • safeguarding measures, in particular the Single Central Record (SCR) and recently appointed staff.

Please note: inspectors will not require any documents to be shared with them. No teaching or learning will be looked at. It is envisaged that only senior leaders will be part of the discussion. A room large enough to manage social distancing and accommodate the inspectors and senior leaders will be required.

This is not an evaluative visit, it is to inform three ‘state of the nation’ reports that examine school recovery. All schools will receive a letter following the visit.

Guidance: Interim phase: maintained schools and academies

Please contact Michelle Parker, by email Michelle.parker@telford.gov.uk or by phone: 07989655439.

School Admission News

Closing date for secondary school applications is 31 October 2020.  This includes children with an EHCP.

Please can you remind parents to apply by the closing date.

Parents can submit four school preferences. We encourage them to do this. If not, there is the possibility that we won’t be able to offer any of their school preferences and will offer a school which is either their catchment or a school with places available. This is the same for any late applications, all the places will potentially be filled on national offer day and so parents may not get what they hope for.

We will be contacting the primary schools soon to check with you if any year 6 children have not applied yet.

Thank you

For more information please email us at: admissions@telford.gov.uk.

Don’t forget to complete the Travel to School Survey 2020

If you have not done so already, please complete the Travel to School Survey for 2020 as soon as possible. We have extended the deadline to Friday 23 October 2020.

This data is vital to support the Council in developing and implementing further active and sustainable travel measures as well as funding bids to Government.

Thank you to those schools that have completed the survey.

Earlier in the year, Government announced a £2billion package to promote alternative ways to travel, such as walking and cycling. Telford & Wrekin Council has also committed to invest more in sustainable travel over the coming years, to ensure that our transport network continues to evolve and be fit for purpose but also to promote the health and well-being benefits associated with active and sustainable travel.

As part of this work, we are conducting a borough wide Travel to School Survey. We would appreciate it if your school could carry out the attached hands up survey with all pupils (from Reception year to Year 13), which simply asks ‘How do you usually travel to school?’

Instructions are available in each spreadsheet and once completed please return to: roadsafety@telford.gov.uk.

Furthermore we would appreciate it, if you could answer the following questions about your school:

  • How many cycle stands do you have?
  • How many of your cycle stands are covered with a shelter?
  • How many scooter stands do you have?
  • How many of your scooter stands are covered by a shelter?
  • Have you noticed an increase in cycling or scooting to school since your return in September 2020?
  • Have you identified a need for additional cycle or scooter storage?
  • Do you have any specific road safety concerns regarding the journey to your school?

This information along with the travel to school survey data, will support the Council, in developing and implementing further active and sustainable travel measures, as well as support funding bids to Government.

Please return the completed School Data Sheet along with your answers to the questions by Friday 23 October 2020 to roadsafety@telford.gov.uk.

Thank you

Sian
Sian Skelton
Road Safety Team Leader

Places to Ride Programme

Thinking about applying for a small-scale grant from the Places to Ride programme? We know small amounts of funding can make a big difference.

How much can you apply for?

You can request from £1,000 up to £50,000, but we expect the majority of applications to be towards the lower end.

We want to fund as many projects as possible, therefore we will be looking for organisations to provide partnership funding. The target is 50% but it must be no lower than 25%.

Image of a little boy riding a bike

Who is it for?

This level of funding is perfect for improvements to an existing cycling facility, developing a learn to ride area, providing cycle storage solutions or purchasing equipment to support those from the local community. The fund is open to all organisations looking to develop cycling, but we would anticipate that clubs (existing or new), community organisations, education establishments or charitable organisations will be particularly interested.

What is expected of you?

The programme has a two-stage application process.

  • Stage 1 - The initial application is short and simple to complete and involves you introducing the project idea. This should detail who will benefit, what you are hoping to achieve and how it will happen.
  • Stage 2 - If your project is supported, you will progress to a second stage where we will ask for more information and supporting documents about your specific project and organisation. This could be more information about the equipment you are trying to purchase or more technical questions such as evidence of land ownership depending on the project.  

Make an application:

Small grants advice and support

Apply now

Find out what information is required before making your application online by viewing the sample application form. If you are a school please view the addition information about what to consider when submitting your application.

If you are interested in applying for funding please let the Road Safety team know too so they can link you with other initiatives, projects and programmes.

Telephone: 01952 384000
Email: highways@telford.gov.uk

Virtual School Termly Network Meeting for Designated Teachers and Nominated Governors of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children

This term’s Network Meeting will take place virtually, via Microsoft Teams between 4pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday 10 November 2020. As well as valuable updates for colleagues, the focus of this meeting will be ‘Making it Work for Looked After Children in a Post-Lockdown Curriculum’. We’ll be exploring the statistical impact of lockdown on our LAC and PLAC children and discussing some of the best practice to support their successful return to learning and relationships within school. We’ll also be joined by a guest speaker, Tim Allen from the ‘StayTrue Project’, who will share his experience as a Residential Care Manager on how to mentor young people who have suffered adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

To book your place on this free update meeting, please complete a CPD booking form available on Telford Education Services website and send it via email to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk.

The course code is GO 503.

For further enquiries please contact Michelle Salter by email: Michelle.salter@telford.gov.uk.

Governors Role in Monitoring the Recovery of Your School - Post Covid-19 Lockdown

During this term governors have been working alongside senior leaders to welcome all pupils back to school. Initially the focus has been on the logistics of getting schools fully open and the recovery curriculum.

Moving forward governors need to have a deep understanding of how effectively schools are engaging with pupils and ensuring that they are on course to meet their achievement targets by the end of the year.

As governors you are less likely to be physically in school at the moment to look at learning. However it remains essential that you are able to form secure judgements about the following key questions. 

The six key questions are:

  • How effectively have school leaders ensured pupils resume learning the school’s curriculum, including the blend of classroom teaching and, where necessary, remote education?
  • How effectively have school leaders used the catch up funding and the National Tutoring Programme to support pupils’ achievement and close gaps in learning?
  • How quickly and securely have pupils settled back into school routines and behaviours?
  • How effectively have school leaders identified specific health and well-being issues for particular pupils, and have they been effectively addressed and supported?
  • What contingency plans have school leaders drawn up for maintaining learning for pupils in the event of another lockdown?
  • Does safeguarding meet all the statutory requirement?

We would like to invite you to a virtual one hour twilight session on Tuesday 20 October 2020 at 4.30pm. This session will give you an opportunity to consider the types of evidence needed from leaders in order to form a secure view of learning and we would encourage at least one member of each governing board to attend the session.

The session is free of change and a calendar invite will be sent out via Microsoft Teams. 

For schools not subscribing to the LA School Governance Clerking Service, please contact SchoolGovernance@telford.gov.uk to request an invite.

Train to Teach

A two year part time course to become a qualified teacher in the post compulsory sector (age 14+). Starts on Thursday 5 November 2020 from 1pm - 6pm.

The course is for people with some experience of teaching in the post compulsory sector who have Level 2 in English and Maths and either a subject specialism at Level 3 or a degree. It is necessary to have access to 150 hours of teaching over the duration of the course.

Illustration of the train to teach document

For an informal discussion about the course, please contact us by email: gillian.willcocks@telford.gov.uk or by phone: 01952 382888 / 07974304051.

SEND Fair Share Fund for Mainstream Schools 2020/2021

SEND Fair Share Fund for Mainstream Schools 2020/2021 ‘Fair share’ of children with SEND across our mainstream schools is a local priority area for action. Fair share would assume that the distribution of pupils with SEND across schools is proportionate to the same proxy indictors that are used to generate the notional budget for SEND however data, shared with the school community, shows that some settings have disproportionately high numbers of pupils with SEND. Those schools report financial difficulties, given the support costs required are substantially higher than their allocated notional SEN budget. Longer term, work on creating a fairer share of pupils will create more balance in pupil numbers across schools but based on the current profile there is a need to release additional high need funding for SEND to those mainstream schools with disproportionate numbers.

The SEND Fair Share Fund for Mainstream Schools 2020/2021 has an allocated budget of £200K. This is double the allocation of a similar scheme from previous years and represents the ambition that mainstream schools are enabled and have the resilience to support increasing complexity of children’s needs. The fund is split into two parts; part A is determined through a generic formula and part B is through a request process. To qualify for part B you must have received funding from part A, unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Funding is allocated in two tranches. Schools who qualify for part A support in the summer term will be notified by 31 July 2020. Schools that qualify for support in the autumn and spring term will be notified by 30 September 2020.

Applications for part B funding should be made as soon as possible and preferably before 31 October 2020.

The SEND Fair Share Fund for Mainstream Schools will be reviewed on at least an annual basis and its renewal into future financial years will be dependent on the availability of budget within the high need block. Criteria is subject to change at any point.

Contact email: SENDandInclusion@telford.gov.uk or by phone: 01952 381045.

SEND Newsflash – Chief Public Health Nurse’s Letter

View the joint letter from Viv Bennett, Chief Public Health Nurse at Public Health England, and Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England to Directors of Nursing about winter planning to support children and families. The letter advises that professionals supporting children and families with SEND should not be redeployed to other services and should be supported to provide services to the most vulnerable families. 

Download the Winter Planning Letter.

CPD courses up to October half term

Please see below a list of the CPD courses running to the end of this half term, which may be of interest. Further details of these, and our fuller CPD offer, can be found in the CPD Booklet, available on the Telford Education Services website.

Bookings can be made in the normal way by completing a CPD booking form and sending it via email to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk

This table shows the CPD course dates and times

Meeting the Statutory Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the EYFS (EY 009)

online via Microsoft Teams

Monday 19 October 2020

4pm to 5.30pm

Pay and Conditions of Employment

(Please contact Rebecca.hulsmeier@telford.gov.uk  if you would like to book)

Wednesday 21 October 2020

3pm to 5.30pm

Newly Appointed Safeguarding Governor Induction Training (SG 103)

online via Microsoft Teams

Wednesday 21 October 2020

5pm to 7.30pm

EAL and SEND? (CPD 601)

online via Microsoft Teams

Thursday 22 October 2020

1.15pm to 4pm

Raising Awareness of Child Protection (SG 108)

online via Microsoft Teams

Thursday 22 October 2020

3.30pm to 5pm

Full details of courses running in the second half of the Autumn Term will follow in the next edition of the Education Noticeboard.

Sue Dyson
Traded Service Specialist, School Performance and Development
Email: sue.dyson@telford.gov.uk

For course bookings please email cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk

Farmington Scholarships

Applications for the 2021/2022 Farmington Scholarships are now open.

Scholarships are available to teachers of Religious Education and associated subjects in UK secondary, primary, and special needs schools.  Headteachers who wish to undertake research into either religious education or values education are also eligible to apply.

Scholarships cover the cost of tuition, essential local travel and, by negotiation with the school, the salary of a replacement teacher up to point 6 of the main pay scale. Scholarships last for a maximum of 30 days and can either be taken at a local university or can be home-based with a local tutor. 

Further information and an application form please visit the Farmington website.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 31 January 2021.

Any enquiries about the Farmington Institute, or its Scholarships, should be addressed to:

Kay Webb
Administrator
The Farmington Institute
Harris Manchester College
Mansfield Road
Oxford OX1 3TD

Telephone: 01865 271985
Email: farmington@hmc.ox.ac.uk

Membership of the Telford and Wrekin ICT Governance Board

As schools will already be aware, an ICT Governance Board exists in Telford and Wrekin which oversees the ICT Managed Service. The role of the Board is to monitor the performance of the service, make decisions on the annual costs of the service to schools and be involved in the development of the service and new projects.

Membership of the board includes key officers from Kirsty King’s ICT Service, Headteacher representatives from both primary and secondary schools and a School Business Manager.

The Board is currently seeking to appoint two Secondary Headteachers – ideally a representative from an academy / MAT and an LA maintained school. Any interest from Primary Headteachers is also welcomed.

The meetings are normally termly, and currently ‘virtual’, so the commitment is not too onerous.

If you are interested, please could you contact kirsty.king@telford.gov.uk.

Gill Eatough
Chair of the Telford and Wrekin ICT Governance Board

To register interest please send an email to kirsty.king@telford.gov.uk.

Arthog Wales and Arthog Outreach Coronavirus Update on their Outdoor Education Provision

Updated 16 October 2020 (Next review 11 December 2020)

The coronavirus continues to affect us all, but at Arthog Wales and Arthog Outreach, we are trying our best for the children and young people who usually enjoy and benefit from adventures in the outdoors.  We want to have something good to offer whilst adjusting our outdoor education provision to maintain the health and well-being of all involved. This update takes into account the July DfE Guidance for Schools for September 2020 and their expected review of Educational Visits in November 2020.

During these challenging times we would like to reassure our users and parents that Telford and Wrekin Council are adopting a supportive and flexible approach to our scheduled bookings. This statement extends up to and including the 5 April 2021

This table shows the Arthog Wales and Arthog Outreach Coronavirus Update on their Outdoor Education Provision

Autumn Term 2020

and

Spring Term 2021
  • Arthog Outreach is open for non-residential activities on school sites and in their local environments.
  • Arthog Wales residential provision

Arthog Wales is preparing to reopen its residential provision when the Government Guidance allows and with Covid-19 safe operating conditions. While the residential provision is closed, schools may choose to keep their bookings during this period so courses can continue if, and when, coronavirus restrictions lift.

  • Arthog Wales alternative non-residential provision

Arthog Wales is offering an alternative non-residential Arthog outdoor education experience in the school and local environment. A daily fee of £210 - 230 per group of 10 participants will apply, and will replace the residential fee. This is in collaboration with Arthog Outreach, but involves Arthog Wales Outdoor Educators.

Payment of Course fees

3 September 2020

to

5 April 2021
  • Arthog Outreach will invoice as normal.
  • For Arthog Wales, up to 5 April 2021 all invoicing and journal transfers according to standard booking conditions, will be suspended. 
    • To support our schools with changes in circumstances/courses instead of invoices being issued 6x weeks prior to a course start dates, invoices will be issued after a course has taken place and will be based on the actual numbers attending. This temporary measure will be in place to the end of the Spring Term.
  • For bookings after 5 April 2021 our Booking Form Terms and Conditions will apply, including the cancellation policy

Summer Term 2021

  • Arthog Outreach is open for non-residential activities on school sites and in their local environments.
  • Arthog Wales is planning to fully reopen and normal booking conditions currently apply. In the event that Arthog Wales cannot fully reopen it will offer;
  • A residential experience at the Centre based on the National and Council Guidance applicable at the time to ensure a CV-19 Secure operation,
  • An alternative Arthog outdoor education experience in the school and local environment. A daily fee of £210 - £230 per group of 10 participants will apply, and will replace the residential fee.

Rescheduling your booking with Arthog Wales
  • If you are due to attend in the Autumn/Spring Terms and you would like to discuss an alternative outdoor education experience in the school and local environment please get in touch with Arthog Wales. A daily fee of £210-£230 per group of 10 participants will apply, and will replace the residential fee.
  • Or you would like to discuss an alternative date then please contact Arthog Wales. Options include school holiday periods and weekends. [Please note we only have limited opportunities for postponement and are managing these by a case by case basis].

Individual Cancellations up to

5 April 2021
  • For some families, priorities will have completely changed under the current circumstances as a result of the Coronavirus.

Therefore;

  • If a school or group wants to continue to hold onto their existing booking slot, but due to the coronavirus individual parents want or need to cancel their child due to attend, we will not invoice for any reduction in their booked places. 
  • Schools and groups would therefore be in a position to issue refunds against any monies collected from that parents cancelling their child’s place, without being invoiced for these reductions. 
  • If parents, who have previously cancelled then wish for their children to re-attend, then that school will be invoiced for those places, subject to our provision capacity at that particular time.

Contacting us

  • We will refer any individual queries we may receive from parents back to the schools concerned.

  • We are continuing to work office hours. As we may not be working at our usual place of work, email is the best way to contact us.

  • You can also view our latest posts on our Facebook pages and on our websites

Outdoor Education Service

Arthog Wales

Arthog Outreach

Let’s Get Telford Active – The School Challenge is back for 2020/2021

After an abrupt end to last year’s challenge we hope you are all well and have settled back into school life, whilst still continuing to navigate our way through the pandemic!

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted to many people how important it is to take care of their health. Decreasing sedentary behaviour, increasing physical activity levels improves not just our physical health but also our emotional wellbeing and mental health.  Statistics have shown that for some, school is the only place children and young people have a chance to be active. Schools that support being active every day see lots of benefits for their pupils – better attainment and attention. 

Last year 14 schools joined in with the School’s Challenge which resulted in 150 miles and 172 10 minute shake ups being completed. This had positive outcomes not only for pupils who enjoyed the challenges and got healthier at the same time but also for the teachers. Don’t take our word for it, take a look at their stories below.

So we would like to invite your school to join our School Challenge 2 and help pupils and staff (plus involvement of families and friends) to improve their health and wellbeing in a way that is fun and engaging with a hint of competiveness where Activity = Points!

New for 2021 – Free school and pupil healthy lifestyle sessions

Our Healthy Family practitioners are offering a 30 minute virtual interactive Physical Activity information session that can be delivered to a group/class of children.  The idea is that these pupils then act as your Healthy School Champions, sharing what they’ve learnt and key messages with peers, school community, family and friends.  Helping us all to benefit from and enjoy being happier and healthier.

You will be able to book your school’s session by download our booking form. Advanced booking is advised due to the teams capacity so book early to avoid disappointment!

The Challenges

The Challenge will run over the course of this school year. Each term a new challenge will be set for schools across Telford and Wrekin to compete in getting children and staff active and having fun.  

This table shows the challenges
Term Date Challenge

Autumn Term Challenge 1

November 2020

The Daily Mile

Winter Term Challenge 2

January/February 2021

Active Travel

Spring Term Challenge 3

May 2021

School vote for the final challenge

How to get ready for Challenge 1

Throughout the month of November schools will be challenged to complete the Daily Mile. Schools will be able to bank their miles through the Telford and Wrekin Daily Mile club on Strava. The winning school will be the one who completes the highest recorded mileage (on Strava).

To prepare for the Daily Mile challenge all you need to do is follow the simple steps below: 

  • Sign up to the national Daily Mile initiative, (participation map - appearance on the map can  take a few days) 
  • Sign up to Strava creating a school profile - download the how to guide 
  • Email Healthy Telford with your Strava name, to receive your Strava club invite.

Note: Strava is how we will be monitoring the participation rates and how we will determine the winner. Accounts can be made private. 

Oh and don’t forget to share your school’s story 

We will be covering the challenge extensively across council communications channels, including social media, local news, emails and websites. You can join in and show us what your school is doing to take part by using the #LetsGetTelfordActive on social media. If you want your school to be part of the coverage then please get in touch, we will be looking for photos of children taking part and stories from teachers and pupils about how they have got on with the challenge.

Look out for related post on our Healthy Telford Facebook and Twitter pages as we lead up to Challenge One:

I look forward to seeing you as part of the Let’s Get Telford Active – School Challenge.

Mandy Sznober
Telephone: 01952 388550
Mobile: 07976100061
Email: mandy.sznober@telford.gov.uk

This entry was posted by Admin on Wednesday, 14 October 2020.

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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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