DAPH Update Spring Term - Issue 1

DAPH UPDATE

   Spring Term Issue 1 - 22 January 2015

Events

DAPH Spring Briefings 2015

3 February 2015 - Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre

View Delegate List as at 21/1/15

Book Now>>


12 February 2015 - Tiverton Hotel

View Delegate List as at 21/1/15

Book Now>>

Agenda to include:

 Excellence for All Programme - The New School Improvement Strategy
Eileen Barnes-Vachell - School Improvement Consultant, Babcock LDP
Following a comprehensive review of TISP and in direct response to Ofsted requirements, the new Excellence for All Programme will focus around 4 key areas: School Capacity, Standards, Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Groups and Safeguarding.

Safeguarding Update

Guidance on Disqualification by Association

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Education Law Conference - Is Your School Fit for Purpose

Thursday 5 March 2015 - St James' School, Exeter

A free full-day event run by Browne Jacobson Solicitors.  This event is aimed at Headteachers, School Business Managers and other members of the SLT in all types and phases of school. 

The day will include keynotes and workshops on SEN and disability code of practice, exclusions, promoting British Values, effective Governance, creating an effective SLT, fundraising and reducing costs through collaboration.  Demand for places is expected to be high - you are advised to book early if you are interested.  For further details and booking information - Read More>>

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Developing the Learning Focussed Curriculum Conference

Monday 1st June 2015 - Exeter Racecourse

Keynote Speaker:  Professor Mick Waters

For further details and booking information - Read More>>

What's New

Headlines

Read the latest edition of Headlines from Sue Clarke, dated 20 January 2015.  Read More>>

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Schools Health Education Unit Survey

This free survey will allow schools to highlight their pupils' positive health behaviours and identify areas for improvement.  The data will greatly assist Public Health Devon in planning and providing relevant health and wellbeing resources for schools in Devon.  An example report that a Primary School can expect to receive can be found here.  Please contact Public Health Devon if your school would like to participate.  For additional information and further training briefing dates.  Read More>>

Consultations

School Term Dates Consultation for 2016-17 and 2017-18

Devon County Council is consulting on proposed school term dates for the academic years 2016-17 and 2017-18.  Consultation closing date Thursday 26 February 2015.  Read More >>

Guidance

Devon Youth Inclusion and Support

Devon YISP (Youth Inclusion and Support) provides early intervention crime prevention through teams which sit within the Devon Youth Offending Service – what are they and how is a referral made?  Read More>>

Recommended Reading

Education Funding Agency (EFA) E-Bulletins

The Education Funding Agency (EFA) e-bulletins are issued weekly in term time. To subscribe to these bulletins email EFA.bulletin@education.gsi.gov.uk

E-bulletin for colleges, schools, local authorities and other providers:

8 January 2015
15 January 2015
22 January 2015

E-bulletin for academies:

8 January 2015
15 January 2015
22 January 2015

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Headteacher Update Newsletter

Read the latest edition of Headteacher Update.  To subscribe to this newsletter, visit the website and follow the subscription links.

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Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Newsletter

Read the Spring 2015 Newsletter from Babcock LDP Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service.  Read More>>

Reminders

Devon Maintenance Partnership 2015-2020 Agreement

You will no doubt be aware that schools who are members of the DMP were not required to make any contributions to the scheme for the year 2014/2015. This was because there were sufficient reserves from previous years to effectively provide schools with a 'free year'.

The new DMP will become effective from 01 April 2015 and schools are reminded that they will need to allow budget provision to subscribe to the scheme. The exact figure is still to be agreed but we suggest a budget of £10 per pupil based on NOR as of 01 January 2015. Exact details of the scheme and contributions should be issued to schools within the next 2 weeks and a further update will feature in the next DAPH Newsletter.  Any queues relating to this should be sent to Chris Jay at NPS.

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Employers Liability Certificate of Insurance 2015

LA Schools only - your updated Employer's Liability Certificate of Insurance 2015 is now available.  Read More>>

Ofsted

Inspecting Safeguarding in Maintained Schools & Academies

Ofsted has recently (January 2015) issued a briefing paper aiming to support inspectors in reviewing schools safeguarding arrangements when carrying out section 5 inspections. Read More>>

Early Years

(Almost) Everything Schools need to know about Setting up Early Years Provision in Devon!

The Early Years and Childcare Service have produced a comprehensive guide for schools wishing to set up early years provision.  Read More>>

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Moderation of the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFS Profile)

Statutory information for schools that are not being moderated in 2015.  Read More>>

Department for Education

Universal infant free school meals: capital funding allocations

The DFE has, this week, announced the allocated of additional capital funding to support schools implementing universal infant free school meals.  A list of the schools allocated this funding through the local authority universal infant free school meals capital bidding process has been published.  Read More>>

DEvon Education Forum

When attending meetings of DEF, sub-groups and other statutory or working groups, DAPH Representatives also provide a summary of key messages and issues affecting the primary phase.

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

DAPH representatives on DEF with effect from 1 September 2014:

Jamie Stone - Denbury Primary School   jstone@denbury.devon.sch.uk

Paul Walker - Sidmouth CofE Primary School  pwalker@sidmouth-primary.devon.sch.uk

Alun Dobson - Marwood Primary School  adobson@marwood.devon.sch.uk

Jonathan Bishop (Academy) - Broadclyst Primary School  jbishop@bcps.org.uk

Date of Next DEF Meeting:- 18 March 2015.  Minutes of the meeting dated 21 January 2015 will be available soon.

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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F40 National Funding Proposals

Read Devon County Council's response to the F40 proposals for a National Funding Formula.  Read More>>

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School Crossing Patrols

Read more on the proposals regarding the future of Devon School Crossing Patrol Service and DCC's subsequent Cabinet decision made on 14 January.

School Organisation, Capital and Admissions

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

Safeguarding and Early Help

Safeguarding in Schools and Academies

The Department for Education has recently written to all Local Authorities to remind them of their safeguarding responsibilities for all children regardless of where they might be educated.  The letter also reminds schools and governing bodies of their safeguarding responsibilities under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002.  Read More>>

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Serious Case Review - Key Findings

The result of a recent Serious Case Review has identified two key findings which David Taylor, Independent Chair of Devon Safeguarding Children Board has requested be communicated to all agencies in Devon.

The first is more directly relevant to schools, as the second relates to supervision (although all agencies need to be alert to this and share information in multi-agency working):

1.  in all your standard documentation including the assessment tools and referral forms, that there is relevant information about the father and/or other household members and that this is updated regularly.

2.  sufficiently robust supervision arrangements are in place within your agency to ensure that practitioners are conscious of the risks of parents who superficially cooperate but substantively still continue to exhibit behaviour that may be inimical to their children.

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Devon Safeguarding Children Board Survey

Devon Safeguarding Children Board has joined forces with all Partners across the far South West Peninsula, including schools, to gather feedback from front line staff and their immediate managers in order to understand safeguarding children practice in Devon.  You are invited to complete this short confidential online survey.  Read More>>

SEND

Parent Information Events - Moving from SEN Statements to Education Health & Care Plans

Parent Information Events are being held by Devon Parent Partnership Service aimed at parents/carers of children who currently have statements to explain the transfer process of statements to Education Health and Care Plans (EHC).  Please pass this information to SENCOs and distribute to relevant parents/staff.  Read More>>

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Free Family Consultation Days for children with additional needs

These days are for children and young people (aged 0-18) with additional needs and their families living in the Devon County Council area. Three days are being held across Devon in conjunction with Devon Parent Carers Voice during February half term. Read More>>

And Finally

Welcome

DAPH would like to welcome the following Headteachers who have taken up post in January 2015.

Lorna Kimberley - Fremington Community Primary and Nursery

Helen Whitehead - Littletown Primary Academy, Honiton

Christian Conners - Tavistock Church Schools Federation (Executive Headteacher)

Jason Edge - Upottery Primary School