DAPH Update Spring Term | 5 January 2016 | Issue 1

DAPH UPDATE

 Spring Term    |    5 January 2016    |    Issue 1

Events
School leadership

13 & 14 October 2016
The Saunton Sands Hotel, North Devon

Following the success of this year's event, we're pleased to confirm that The Saunton Sands Hotel has been booked again for next year's DAPH Annual School Leadership Conference.

Thank you to everyone who has already booked online - please view the revised DELEGATE LIST as at 05.01.16 (apologies to those who had previously booked but were not showing in the last DAPH Update newsletter)

Further details regarding pricing options to follow but for now, register your place by completing the ONLINE BOOKING FORM

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DAPH logo

DAPH Spring Briefings 2016

SEND will be the main agenda item for our Spring events and we have received confirmation that a representative from the Standard’s and Testing Agency will attend on the morning of the Tiverton event to update on changes to testing and assessment in KS1 & KS2 from 2016 followed by Q&As.

Dates and venues have been confirmed as:-

Tuesday 2 February 2016  |   Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre

Thursday 11 February 2016   |   The Tiverton Hotel, Tiverton                     

BOOK ONLINE  

 Delegate List (as at 05.01.16) : Buckfast            |          Delegate list (as at 05.01.16) : Tiverton

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Magenta Principles book

Mike Hughes   |   The Magenta Principles 

One day Workshop on 28 June 2016

Mike Hughes will be delivering his one day workshop at the Tiverton Hotel on Tuesday 28 June 2016.

Price £150 per delegate and includes a free copy of 'The Magenta Principles' book

 

The main areas of focus will include:

  • Practical strategies that both engage and excite
  • teaching for understanding
  • getting the balance between achieving examination and Ofsted success AND teaching lessons that are interesting and enjoyable
  • switching the emphasis from occupied to engaged, knowing to understanding, teaching to learning
  • using the Magenta Principles to improve questioning
  • implications for professional development

BOOK ONLINE    |    see more at mikehughes-ets.co.uk

Academy Update
DfE logo

Pupil premium: conditions of grant 2016 to 2017

A summary of the conditions that academies and local authorities must meet to be able to receive the pupil premium    |    READ MORE

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Consultation for academies: Risk protection arrangement for academy trusts

The DfE are seeking views on proposed changes to the risk protection arrangement (RPA) from September 2016    |    READ MORE

This consultation closes at 5:00pm on 31 January 2016 

Consultations

Consultation on School Admission Arrangements 2017-18 and the Education Transport Policy for 2016/17

Dear colleagues

The admission authorities for all schools are required by the School Admissions Code to consult on their admission arrangements.  Equally, local authorities such as Devon are required to consult on the co-ordination schemes and other policies that enable parents to apply for places. The intention is that admission arrangements meet the needs of parents and children. Consultation is an important part of the process in setting school admission arrangements. 

For supporting information and more details about the consultation   |   READ MORE
Consultation closing date   |   31 January 2016

How do I comment?         schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk   or contact School Admissions Consultation, Room L102, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QG

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DfE logo

Staffing and employment advice for schools

The DfE are seeking views on plans to revise our guidance on managing staff employment in schools   |   READ MORE

This consultation closes at 10 February 2016 at 5:00pm

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DfE logo

Open consultation: Keeping children safe in education: proposed changes

We're seeking views on proposed revisions to guidance for schools on keeping children safe   |   READ MORE

This consultation closes at 16 February 2016  at 5:00pm

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School Crossing Patrol Consultation Launched  

A consultation reviewing how school crossing patrols should be funded and provided in the county is being launched by Devon County Council.

The authority is exploring ways to maintain the service while looking to save £250,000 from the service’s budget in the coming financial year. It is part of £110 million of savings required over the next four years    |    READ MORE

Read the proposal and complete the FEEDBACK FORM

Consultation closing date: 8 January 2016

Leadership Development

School Leadership Support Service (SLSS) 

The School Leadership Support Service offers a personal and confidential service to all school leaders via telephone and email during term time    |    READ MORE

01392 380518 or 07970 905511   

slss-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

Leadership clock
Guidance

Free School Meals Eligibility Checking Service

An important letter relating to the provision of Devon County Council’s Free School Meal Eligibility Service has been advertised recently via School Comms    |   READ MORE

If you wish to contract with Devon County Council from the1st April 2016, please could you notify Neil Keen (Senior Admissions Officer) by return email to neil.keen@devon.gov.uk by Friday 29th January 2016 with the subject header of free school meals contract.

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Free School Meal Lists – Spring Term 2016 (update from Schools Admissions Team)

It is appreciated that schools will want to ensure all eligible FSM applicants are recognised in readiness for the upcoming School Census 21.01.2016 and therefore it is the intention to provide schools with a list of eligible children by close of play on Tuesday 19th January 2016.

READ MORE   |    contact:   neil.keen@devon.gov.uk   (Senior Admissions Officer) 

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Admissions Policy (refusal to provide contact details)

In the rare instance whereby a parent refuses to provide contact details when applying for a school place, schools are advised as matter of best practice to write to the parent, confirming that they acknowledge their refusal to provide contact details and that a record of their decision will be placed on file.  Schools should also confirm that in the event of an emergency the school will not be able to contact them.

Children cannot be refused admission or excluded from school on the grounds that parents don't provide full contact details. Also, it is not legal to insist on a home school agreement as a condition of entry. This advice has recently been confirmed by a County Legal Advisor.

Winter weather banner

Planning For School Emergencies

With the winter fast approaching, the potential threat of severe weather, fuel strikes and the continued risk of seasonal and swine flu there has never been a better time to think about reviewing the schools Business Continuity Plans    |    READ MORE and download:-

plus more information on salt supplies and guidance for clearing snow.

Recommended Reading

Education Funding Agency (EFA) e-bulletins

The Education Funding Agency (EFA) e-bulletins are issued weekly in term time.

e-bulletin Issue 112 dated 17 December 2015   |   e-bulletin for academies click here

To subscribe to these bulletins email EFA.bulletin@education.gsi.gov.uk

What's New

Save the date… WRAP Train the Trainer 
3 March 2016 at Newton Abbot College

‘WRAP Train the Trainer’ will be held on the morning of Thursday 3rd March at Newton Abbot College for Devon Heads and Designated Safeguarding Leads.

Full details will follow in the New Year but, in brief, the course will enable attendees to deliver training to staff in their own schools and understand the Prevent Duty and how schools should demonstrate compliance within the Ofsted framework.  Approx charge of £45 pp. (We are hoping to be able to reduce this cost dependent on number – but it represents good value as attendees will in turn be able to train all other staff in their own school)

Bookings can be taken via email Ruth Bellas  rbellas@nacollege.devon.sch.uk

Department for Education
DfE logo

Preventing extremism in schools and children's services

What the government is doing to prevent extremism in the education and children's services sectors. READ MORE

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School census 2015 to 2016: guide for schools and LAs

A guide to help schools and local authorities (LAs) complete and submit their autumn 2015 to summer 2016 school census data   |   READ MORE

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Behaviour and discipline in schools

Departmental advice for school leaders and school staff on developing a school behaviour policy. READ MORE

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David Carter

New National Schools Commissioner appointed

A new National Schools Commissioner has been appointed by the Department for Education.

Sir David Carter, currently the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) for the South West, will succeed Frank Green who completes his term as Schools Commissioner at the end of January 2016    |    READ MORE

DEvon Education Forum

When attending meetings of Devon Education Forum (DEF), its sub-groups and other statutory or working groups, DAPH Representatives provide a summary of key messages and issues affecting the primary phase.

For full minutes of recent meetings of the DEF and LA working groups which report to DEF please visit the DEF website and follow the appropriate links.

Details of Membership on DEF with effect from 1 September 2015 are available here >>
Date of next DEF :- 18 January 2016.

Agenda and minutes of previous meetings  available here >>

To contact the Forum: schools.forum@devon.gov.uk         Tel: 01392 382305

Schools Finance

To view the objectives, Terms of Reference and minutes of meetings for Schools' Finance Group, which is a sub-group of Devon Education Forum, visit the SFG Website.

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FPS Web Training Dates in January / February 2016

The Education & Learning Team are pleased to announce that following a successful Financial Planning Suite (FPS) Web pilot and approval from Schools Finance Group, DCC will be adopting the FPS Web as the budget planning tool for 2016/17. The training is mandatory for all maintained schools and will cost £130 per school (up to 2 people may attend), with the training course taking place over a full day.  Dates have been confirmed as:-

  • 11th, 12th, 18th, 20th January –  Exeter Racecourse
  • 19th January or 22nd February –  The Imperial Hotel, Barnstaple
  • 1st or 8th February –  The Watermark Centre, Ivybridge
  • For Secondary Schools: 27th January – Exeter Racecourse
  • For Federations: 9th February – Coaver Club, Exeter

To book a place, please read the Education Finance Blog. Note that bookings must be made by contacting ScoMIS on 01392 385300 or email ScoMIS@devon.gov.uk

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DfE logo

Schools revenue funding settlement for 2016 to 2017

Written ministerial statement by Childcare and Education Minister Sam Gyimah about funding arrangements for schools in 2016 to 2017    |    READ MORE

School Organisation, Capital and Admissions

To view the objectives, Terms of Reference and minutes of meetings for School Organisation, Capital and Admissions (SOCA), which is a sub-group of Devon Education Forum, visit the SOCA website.

Safeguarding and Early Help
Dialogue

Dialogue - Child Protection and Disability

Following the popularity of the Child Protection & Disability training in 2015, Dialogue Ltd have broadened their offer with two different levels of training.

Group 3 child protection & disability

18th January 2016, Old Heathcoat Community Centre, Tiverton

This interagency child protection refresher course ensures practitioners understand what to look for and what to do when they are worried about a disabled child. The course highlights some of the blocks and barriers to identification of abuse and neglect with disabled children, considers effective approaches and listening skills, and highlights the components of an effective referral to MASH.

Group 4 child protection & disability

19th January 2016, The Ship Studio, Dartington;

25th January, Old Heathcoat Community Centre, Tiverton

This interagency course builds on from the Group 3 course, examining the approach, research and planning required from the point of a MASH referral through assessment to child protection conferences.

To more info and to book your place visit www.dialogueltd.co.uk/disability. Funded places are available for DSCB partner agencies.

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Keeping Devon's Children Safe

e-Bulletin: Keeping Devon’s children safe

Each month Devon County Council distributes an e-Bulletin to people who work in children’s social care, called Keeping Devon’s children safe.

26 November 2015    |    22 December 2015

Following on from our Ofsted inspection of our arrangements for child protection, the e-Bulletin covers improvements to the way we work in children’s social care, improvements to outcomes for children and young people, and relevent staff information.

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New Extremism, Radicalisation. Prevent PowerPoint training
for school staff

This new PowerPoint (with Trainer’s notes) has been created for Head Teachers/Designated Safeguarding Leads to use to train all school staff. By the end of the session staff should:

  • Understand the difference between radicalisation, extremism and terrorism,
  • Understand who may be vulnerable to radicalisation and why
  • How to make a referral if they have a concern that a young person is being radicalised (‘Prevent’)
  • Know how they can contribute to protecting young people from the risk of being radicalised

Babcock LDP is not charging schools to use this training package, which should take about 1 – 1.15mins to deliver. However, if you would like one of our WRAP trained staff to deliver it for you, there will be a charge of £130.
To book, please contact Louisa Rockey:  Louisa.Rockey@babcockinternational.com

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Devon Safeguarding Children Board

Read the latest issue of the DSCB Newsletter dated January 2016 which includes information on MACA Best Practice Seminars - the DSCB is running free workshops across Devon on best practice when working with unborn babies subject to a Child Protection Plan. 

READ MORE AND BOOK ONLINE

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Reminder: Deadline for submitting Safeguarding Audit 2015 is now overdue

Schools will have received instructions by email with details on how to complete this year's return via Survey Monkey together with some important FAQs and a Quick Guide to Completion.

Schools can still submit their audit online - view this link to access the online audit

The closing date for returns was 31 December 2015.

Contact the Safeguarding Team:
01392 287223   |   safeguardingaudits@babcockinternational.com

SEND

Advice and Support on SEND Processes

This helpline is to support SENCOs, Heads and anyone in Devon schools who have questions about SEND processes / practice. It runs on a Tuesday afternoons between 1-3pm.

Download the flyer

Contact: Helpline: 01392 287248    |    Email: LDP-SencoHelpline@babcockinternational.com

And Finally

Welcome

DAPH would like to welcome the following Headteachers who have taken up post in January 2016

Annabelle Grose   |   Willowbank Primary School

Naomi Tottle    |    Hartland Primary School

Timothy Salvadori Paleotti    |    Holsworthy CofE Primary School

John Jolliffe    |    Exe Valley Federation

Kevin O'Donnell    |    South Molton United C of E Junior