Notice: 22 October 2020

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

Included in this update:

After 45 years in local government (30 of these in Telford) I have finally decided to retire at the end of October. I would like to say thank you to everybody that has helped me on my amazing journey over the last 30 years.

In that time, I have seen Telford evolve into a successful unitary authority, offering high quality services. I have been lucky to work with a number of great and inspirational people and partners and have worked on a range of successful (some award winning) projects. I have also witnessed significant improvements in practice across Telford. It has been fantastic to see some of these improvements recognised by Ofsted and the CQC in recent inspections (schools and the local authority) and the LGA through its short peer review.

Telford’s strength is its committed workforce (school, partners, voluntary sector and local authority) backed by a supportive political administration. The way in which we have all responded to the pandemic, helping those who are less able than ourselves, has been exemplary.

You are all part of an incredible team and one that I have felt humbled to be part of and proud to be associated with over the years. In those inevitable darker winter moments, it is worth remembering what Ofsted said about children’s services in March of this year:

‘Children are cared for, and they are cared about. Children and their families benefit from creative high-quality services which support children to live with their families wherever possible…. Senior leaders have implemented a clear and ambitious vision for vulnerable children and families in Telford and Wrekin, which has resulted in outstanding services that are befitting children. Despite this success, they continue to work to continually improve services. They aspire to a service for every child that they would welcome for their own’

I leave behind a great workforce capable of working with its schools, children, young people and their families, the voluntary sector and all other partners to make further improvements in services.

In my retirement, I plan to spend more time at home with my family enjoying a number of hobbies. My wife Julie and I have also succumbed to the temptation of cycling, albeit short country rambles, when our bikes finally arrive!

Finally, I would like to wish you all the very best for the future.

Stay Positive, Be Kind and Stay Safe

Clive

Clive Jones
Executive Director: Children’s and Family Services

Half-term Covid-19 case notifications

We are very aware of how much a break is needed for all staff in school next week, particularly senior leaders. It is unavoidable, however, that you will need to continue to know of pupils who are self-isolating or who receive positive test results over the week as this may impact upon other pupils and staff. Parents and carers will need to be clear about when their children are expected back into school.

In order to support you in managing this, we would like to share some suggestions that may help to ensure that schools continue to be safe places to return to after the break whilst acknowledging the need for all staff to have quality time where they can refresh and recharge. This list is by no means exhaustive.

Creating a dedicated email address or phone line for parents to make contact with the school regarding Covid-19. This has the advantage that whoever is monitoring the email inbox/answerphone does not have to see messages about other, less important, matters. A school could use a school mobile phone as the published number.
Establishing a rota with one senior leader and a member of the admin team on duty each day to manage messages.
Ensuring that pupil and staff contact details are accessible remotely so that staff do not have to go into school.
Sharing clear expectations with parents and staff around the need to keep school informed of positive test results and where pupils or staff have been required to isolate.
Ensuring that seating plans etc. from the week before schools break up are readily available in the event of a pupil/staff member notifying of a positive test result in half term.

The Health Protection Hub will be there to support you when we become aware of a positive student. We have staff working 7 days a week so someone will be available to contact you. We will continue to operate the 381800 contact number Mon – Fri 8am – 5pm and the out-of-hours number at weekends just as we are doing at the moment.

You can continue to refer staff in for testing using the referral form and can also use this form to notify us of the students or student.

For further enquiries please contact us by email at: healthprotectionhub@telford.gov.uk.

I hope that you all have a save and happy half term thank you for all your support.

Health Protection Hub

Face Coverings in Education

Updated guidance has been released on face coverings in education to reflect the Local COVID Alert Levels.

When an area moves to Local COVID Alert Level: high or very high, in settings where pupils in year 7 and above are educated, face coverings should be worn by adults and pupils when moving around the premises, outside of classrooms, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing cannot easily be maintained.

Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak

Updates have been made to the Guidance: Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak, what all schools need to do during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from the start of the autumn term. Changes have been made to Prevention, Other considerations (system of controls), Response to any infection, Pupils travelling from abroad, Attendance, Workforce, Safeguarding, School uniform, Wraparound provision and extra-curricular activity, Behaviour expectations, Hospital schools and Contingency planning for outbreaks.

As outlined below:

Prevention (Section 1: System of controls)
Other considerations (Section 1: System of controls)
Response to any infection (Section 1: System of controls)
Pupils travelling from abroad (Section 2)
Attendance (Section 2)
Workforce (Section 2)
Safeguarding (Section 2)
School uniform (Section 2)
Wraparound provision and extra-curricular activity (Section 2)
Behaviour expectations (Section 3)
Hospital schools (Section 3)
Contingency planning for outbreaks (Section 5).

Guidance: Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak.

We will update local guidance where relevant.

Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Updates have been made to the guidance for childcare services early years settings and childminders. There has been amended information on local COVID alert levels and tiers of restriction (section 3), staff who are clinically extremely vulnerable (section 3), children who are shielding (section 4) and informal childcare (section 5).

The guidance has been updated as follows:

Made format changes to make information easier to find.

Added information on:

the use and disposal of face coverings (section 3)
supervised tooth brushing programmes (section 3)
local COVID alert levels and tiers of restriction (section 3)
music, dance and drama (section 3)
maximising use of sites and ventilation within settings (section 3)
reopening of buildings (section 3)
journeys, such as pick-ups and drop offs (section 3)
attending more than one setting (section 3)
a child with symptoms attending a setting (section 3)
pregnant women (section 3)
visitors to settings, including new admissions and settling in (section 3)
use of outdoor private and public spaces (section 5)
informal childcare (section 5)
supporting children’s and staff wellbeing (section 6)
new SEND legislation (section 6)
EYFS disapplications ending on 25 September 2020 (section 7)
emergency first aid (section 7)
the Job Retention Bonus scheme (section 10).

Amended wording on:

employer health and safety and equalities duties (section 3)
staff who are clinically extremely vulnerable (section 3)
children who are shielding or self-isolating (section 4)
safeguarding (section 6)
added an additional paragraph on managing coronavirus (COVID-19) cases (section 8)
updated information on funding (section 10).

Guidance: Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Headteacher Standards 2020

The Headteacher Standards replace the national standards of excellence for headteachers 2015. They are non-statutory and intended as guidance to be interpreted in the context of each individual headteacher and school. They are designed to be relevant to all headteachers.

The standards can be used to:

shape headteachers’ own practice and professional development, within and beyond the school
support the recruitment and appointment of headteachers, including the development of job descriptions and person specifications
underpin frameworks for the training of school leaders, including current and aspiring headteachers
inform the performance management of headteachers.

The first section of the headteachers’ standards outlines the ethics and professional conduct expected of headteachers. This is developed from part 2 of the teachers’ standards. As such, they consist of statements that define the behaviour and attitudes which should be expected of headteachers.

The second section sets out 10 headteachers’ standards. The first 6 standards build on the teachers’ standards, whereas the other 4 standards focus on leadership responsibilities specific to headteachers. There is no hierarchy to the standards; the numbering below is only to aid identification.

School culture (builds on teachers’ standard 1).
Teaching (builds on teachers’ standards 2 and 4).
Curriculum and assessment (builds on teachers’ standards 3 and 6).
Behaviour (builds on teachers’ standard 7).
Additional and special educational needs (builds on teachers’ standard 5).
Professional development (some match to teachers’ standard 4).
Organisational management.
School improvement.
Working in partnership.
Governance and accountability.

View the Headteachers’ Standards 2020 on the GOV.UK website.

For any other enquiries please contact us by email: Elisabeth.Smith@telford.gov.uk.

Council extends free breakfast scheme for families

Over the last few months, the Council, with help from a wide range of local community groups, have been providing free breakfast parcels for eligible families across the Borough. From June to August, more than 43,000 breakfasts have been provided. The breakfast parcels are for children on Free School Meals in years 3-11 and can be picked up from local collection points. We are now funding an extension to this scheme until the end of the Christmas holidays and our aim is to work with our local partners to look at also providing lunch packs during the Christmas holidays as well as to continue providing breakfast parcels until Easter. We will be sending a letter out to schools before the end of term and would be grateful if you could distribute this to eligible families with children at your school as soon as possible.

Your help to raise awareness of the scheme and ensure as many families as possible benefit is appreciated.

If you have any queries or would like any further information in the meantime, please contact grant.applications@telford.gov.uk.

Kickstart Programme Placement opportunities within schools – would you like the support of a fully paid 25 hour post?

Telford & Wrekin Council

“Kickstart" programme

The Programme

The Government has launched a new initiative to create job opportunities for young people who are:

Aged 16 to 24 years of age on commencing job
At risk of long-term unemployment and in receipt of universal credit and under the supervision of a DWP job coach.

The Kickstart offer:

Participants will be paid age related minimum wage
Job roles must be new and not replace existing roles
Minimum of 25 hours a week paid employment
Include an element of employability support delivered from the Skills Delivery team and other areas of the council.

The Council has set a target to employ 100 Kickstart people over a 12 month period starting in December 2020 with the goal of recruiting 25 people each quarter. SMT have requested that each service area have at least one placement during this period.

The Programme Timeline

The Council will set out the programme in phases to support service areas with current barriers within a working environment to accommodate a placement.

The suggested timescales suggested areas of the phases are as follows:

Phase 1 - December 20 20
Phase 2 - February 2021
Phase 3 and 4 – April 2021 onwards

Please note: if services want to offer a placement outside of this timeline we will be able to support this.

Roles and recruitment

There will be a series of generic job summaries developed for the placements. We will work with services to develop job summaries for more specific roles as and when required.

The posts will be offered on a 6 month fixed term contract so there could be turnover in some roles over the 12 month period. Participants will be employed on Telford & Wrekin Council terms and conditions and therefore will be required to comply with our policies of employment.

All participants are to be referred from the DWP, these names will be co-ordinated by the Kickstart project co-ordinator and shared with the relevant placement manager.

A simplified application process for these candidates will be developed and shared with managers around the shortlisting and interviewing of candidates.

Successful candidates will receive a specific induction programme from the Kickstart project and will include information on the service area of the placement.

Supporting participants and managers

A guide to help managers through the programme will be developed and shared once the process is further established.

A Project Co-ordinator will be recruited to support managers with recruiting into the placements and to be the link with DWP.

An Employment Support Officer will be recruited to provide pastoral and employability support to participants and work with managers accordingly.

Please provide your placement details to sharon.carrington@telford.gov.uk Sharon will follow up with you to obtain further details and develop the job summary.

By telephone: 01952 383506

Whole School SEND Ofsted HMI-Led

Whole School SEND has an Ofsted HMI-Led session on Thursday 5 November 2020 starting at 4pm. It’s now ‘live’ for booking.

The session will be presented by Ofsted HMI Chris Pollitt and will look at how high-quality education for all can inform provision for those at SEND Support in mainstream settings. It will also cover the best environments for inclusion, how to overcome barriers to learning and quality-first teaching as it’s referred to in the Ofsted Framework. The Webinar will run for 60 minutes and is aimed at teachers, subject leads, senior leaders, SEND Leads and governors.

Book online now

For further enquiries please contact: SENDandInclusion@telford.gov.uk.

Annual Review Workshop

All schools and settings are invited to join an Annual Review Workshop on:

Monday 9 November 2020
4pm - 5pm
(Microsoft Teams).

During the workshop the SEND Team will be providing updates on ‘Live’ Annual Reviews, sharing reminders and top tips. There will be an opportunity for schools and settings to share their feedback and participate in a Q&A session. The workshop will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams, please book your place by emailing: localoffer@telford.gov.uk.

SOS – Shout Out for SEND

The Shout Out for SEND Group are continuing to meet every two weeks and in the school holidays, sharing their views and consulting on projects. The group would be happy to welcome new members, so if you know a young person aged between 11 - 25 who would like to share their views about SEND and join in the interactive activities, please contact Telford and Wrekin IASS Service on: 01952 457176 or email: info@iass.org.uk.

‘Virtual’ SOS Group
Thursday 29 October 2020
3pm - 4pm
(Microsoft Teams)

To join the closed Facebook group and find out more about what the SOS group get up to: search Shout Out for SEND on Facebook and request ‘add group’.

For more information about the SOS Group, please contact IASS by email: info@iass.org.uk.

Voices – Young Peoples Focus Group

The Voices project is designed to create change in how we all work together to embed co-production, and to ensure that young people, families, providers and other partners are engaged as equals in service development. It is based on four cornerstones Welcome and Care, Value and Include, Communicate and Working in Partnership, these all work together to develop and nurture trust.

We would like to invite young people to join a Focus Group on:

Thursday 12 November 2020
1.30 - 2.30pm.

This Focus Group will only be for children and young people, it will be a safe space where they can discuss their stories and experiences openly and honestly. Having a good representation of children and young people will provide a strong young people’s voice to influence SEND strategy.

(Support can be provided by a teacher, carer, parent or someone else during this group)

Would you be able to support a small group of young people from your school or organisation to join this group and share their stories and experiences?

If so, more information can be requested from: localoffer@telford.gov.uk.

Learning Disabilities Programme

What is this engagement about?

We want to provide quality support in a personalised way so that people with a Learning Disability, their families and carers, can receive the assistance they need to in a way that enhances their independence and enables them to lead meaningful, valued lives within their own communities.

We want people with learning disabilities to:

live happy, healthy, safe and independent lives
be respected and have choice and control over decisions that affect them,
live their lives as active members of their community
access employment
have access to the right services.

It is important for us to understand what care and support people with Learning Disabilities need to live independently in their community.

This will enable us to develop a local Learning Disability Strategy which will help us deliver our responsibilities.

The following legislation and guidelines are important:

The Care Act 2014
Children and Families Act 2014
Human Rights Act, 1998
Mental Capacity Act 2005
Mental Health Act 2007
Autism Act 2009
Transforming Care Programme (TCP)
Think Local Act Personal.

Have your say

For more information please contact us by email: ldengagement@telford.gov.uk Or, by phone: 01952 385577.

CPD courses running directly after half term 2020

Details of these courses, and our fuller CPD offer, can be found in the CPD Booklet, 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 provides an overview of the CPD courses.
Supporting SEND in the classroom - for newly qualified teachers (LSAT 405) online via Microsoft Teams	Tuesday 3 November 2020	1.15pm to 4pm
Recently Qualified Teacher Development Programme (CPD 507) online via Microsoft Teams	Wednesday 4 November 2020	4pm to 5.30pm
Designated Safeguarding Leads' and Safeguarding Governors' Termly Update (SG 106) online via Microsoft Teams	Wednesday 4 November 2020	4pm to 5.30pm
Practical Approaches to supporting SEN across the curriculum (LSAT 401) Delivery method TBC	Wednesday 4 November 2020	9.15am to 12noon
Cover Supervisors - preparing for the role (PSS 010) Delivery method TBC	Wednesday 4 November 2020	1.15pm to 4pm
SEND: Building Capacity in your school (LSAT 403) Delivery method TBC	Thursday 5 November 2020	9.15am to 3.30pm

Full details of courses running for the remainder of the Autumn Term will follow in the next edition.

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

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

Life Ready Work Ready Newsletter

The Life Ready Work Ready Newsletter is available to download, this has been created to provide information to schools on preparing young people for the world of work.

Download the LRWR Newsletter October 2020.

For more information please contact us by email: lifereadyworkready@telford.gov.uk.

This entry was posted by Admin on Wednesday, 21 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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