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An update to the Green Book has been published as a result of some recent employment case law (Brazel v The Harpur Trust). This identified some recommended changes to the calculation of annual leave for workers contracted to work less than fifty-two weeks per annum. The reason for the recommendations are to ensure that the pay and conditions of term time only employees are transparent, consistent and fair and they are treated no less favourably than employees on all-year-round contracts. Please read the full article here for further information on the case and the Council’s reponse.
Towards the end of this week the Admissions Team will start transferring preference allocation information with other local authorities relating to requests received from them.
You will notice some changes to your Provider Portal but please be aware that these will not be your final allocations.
With kind regards
Helen Pinner
School Admissions Team
Recent studies show that being outdoors and learning outdoors improves young people’s wellbeing and their focus inside the classroom environment.
We see this all the time with young people passing through our doors either on their first Residential visit or even visiting us for the day as a Pirate on one of our themed Pirate Days! It’s not just through the summer where activities can be fun. Be adventurous indoors and try climbing to the top of the climbing wall, and conquer those fears, or perhaps playing Robin Hood and have a go at Archery. Warm up over an Open Fire in the Bushcraft area with a hot chocolate and marshmallows!
Whatever the interest, Grafham Water Centre can offer all of this all year round. The centre is currently offering 20% off all winter bookings made before the 31st March this year. With some dates still available during the summer months, now is the time to start thinking about doing something different with your class or school this 2020.
Let’s make some changes to the way our young people learn, together.
Contact Ali Baines on 01480 810521 for more information.
School are reminded that they should not operate their pool unless the plant is serviceable and is operated by a currently qualified and trained Pool Carer. All staff caring for school pools, the operation and upkeep of water treatment plant, chemicals, equipment and water hygiene chemicals will be trained on the Local Authority's approved course of instruction covering the full scope of their duties.
All Pool Carers must obtain the Cambridgeshire County Council or equivalent Small Pool Operator’s Certificate and must re-validate this training within 3 years by attending an update seminar. Thereafter, Pool Carers must attend further update training at least every three years. Failure to re-validate the initial training by attending an update seminar within 3 years will require Pool Carers to attend the full Small Pool Operators course.
Full details of the County Council Swimming Pool Guidance are available here.
For further information please contact Ian Roberts.
We are pleased to inform all schools that we have received funding from Public Health to support school leaders in guiding conversations with families concerned about RSE. Recent press coverage about the forthcoming statutory status of RSE has lead to an increase in such concerns. Schools may have received queries from parents with a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds. The toolkit is designed, with local schools and SACRE, to avoid escalation and build trust through open communcation. All schools will receive a toolkit at the end of Spring Term and are invited to briefing events – see below.
Please find the January update here.
Click here to read the IDO Spring Newsletter, where you will find all the information regarding the upcoming School Census. You will find further Data Services information on this page.
Crosshall Junior School Academy Trust, in Eaton Ford, St Neots, has become the first and only school in the entire eastern region to be accredited as a Flagship School for Inclusion. For the past three years Crosshall Junior School has maintained its IQM Centre of Excellence status, which acknowledges its inclusive provision, ambition and leadership and was encouraged to apply for flagship status.
After a thorough inspection, the Inclusion Quality Mark assessors praised the school noting, ‘Crosshall Junior School continues to move from strength to strength in terms of its inclusive practice. Staff continue to respond to pupils' individual needs with a personalised approach. Pupils enjoy coming to school and they are given many opportunities to develop personally as well as academically... As such, I recommend the school is awarded Flagship Status.’
Crosshall Junior now looks forward to using its flagship school status to assist other schools to improve their inclusive activities, as well as participating in research to promote best practice.
Anne Eardley, Head Teacher, stated, ‘It is important now, more than ever, that we embody our school values of kindness, resilience and ambition, and this award acknowledges this. Crosshall Junior is an excellent school and I am proud to be the Head Teacher. This status reflects all the staff’s determination, vision and leadership. I hope the community is proud of what is being achieved.’
Keith Prentice, Chair of Governors said, ‘As HDC’s Executive Councillor for Communities, I am so pleased that the inspectors have highlighted the fact that the school is ‘…outward facing’ and acknowledges that Crosshall Junior is well ahead of the curve and making a difference to the lives of every child in its care, especially the children who need its support the most.’
Arty Speroni
Crosshall Junior School
Did you know that every half term the English and Maths Advisers produce updates for Subject Leaders? It is a chance for the advisers to share research and national updates; provides suggested actions for subject leaders and sign posts upcoming events. Both updates are sent out to all schools who have purchased Element 1 of the Primary Offer, but is also available to download from Knowledgehub: https://khub.net. Updates for the spring term are now available.
Read the County Alternative Education Provision Directory Guide here.
‘The Library Presents’ is a programme of high quality arts events taking place in 24 libraries across the county. The spring season runs from 22 February until 27 June and tickets are available to book right now!
Included in the programme is a great range of shows, performances and workshops suitable for both families and adults. We can also offer taster sessions, promotional offers and can also support Artsmark schools by arranging performances or workshops.
We want to let more schools and parents know what is happening on their door-step!
‘Conscious Communications’ are working with ‘The Library Presents’ to provide information to schools about the programme and are looking for a point of contact.
If you would like to receive posters / brochures / electronic promotional materials or volunteer to be the point of contact in your schools please email: ellie.tudor@consciouscomms.com
More information and the full programme of events is available here.
Staff and volunteers got into the festive community spirit on 13th December with a three course meal cooked and served by the Playworkers at Wisbech Adventure Playground. This was staff’s way of saying thank you to volunteers for their hard work. Playworkers were joined by staff from Care Network, the Children’s Centre, a Piano teacher and a senior member of the local community. Everyone enjoyed themselves.
Children and parents at the playground enjoyed a disco and fire pit the following week. All children received a surprise visit from Santa and a gift. Here is to another good year!
Wisbech Adventure Playground
The First Conversation runs from 13 January to 24 February 2020 (see https://www.greatercambridgeplanning.org for more information).
Cambridgeshire's annual Early Years Conference
Thursday 12 March or Friday 13 March 2020, Marriott Hotel, Huntingdon. For all practitioners and teachers working in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Making SEND Everybody's Business
Wednesday 22 January, 13:30 to 14:30, St Peters School, Huntingdon. For more information and to book (by 17 January 2020) please contact Beverley Susulowsky.
Improving Leadership Forum - session 3 - see "Developing Leadership" tab
Thursday 22 January (13:30 to 16:30), Huntingdon Football Association. For headteachers, deputy/assistant headteachers and newly appointed headteachers.
Cambs LA Maintained Schools £65, Out of County, Academies and Independent Schools £75. No charge for up to two people from schools that have purchased the New to Headship package.
SMSC and Collective Worship
Thursday 23 January 2020, 09:00 to 12:00, Buckden Village Hall. The session will look at the role of the SMSC in the school and the importance it plays in school improvement. Cost £70 including lunch.
Supporting Parents Concerned about RSE
Wednesday 18 March 2020, 15:45 to 17:00, Westfield Junior School.
Thursday 26 March 2020, 15:45 to 17:00, CPDC.
Briefing event for schools to support implementation of `Working with Parents Concerned about RSE' Toolkit. FREE.
Creative Ideas in RE
Wednesday 25 March, 09:00 to 12:30, Buckden Village Hall. The session will consider different creative approaches to RE that extend and challenge learners across different key stages.
Greater Depth Reading for Year 5 and 6 - a NEW course with the acclaimed Martin Galway
Session 1 Friday 17 January 2020, 09:00 to 16:00, Kite TSA at Spinney Primary School. For Year 5 & Year 6 teachers. £225.
Headteachers' Wellbeing Lunch, Networking and Talk with special guest Adrian Bethune
Friday 31 January 2020, 13:00 to 15:30, Kite TSA at Milton Road Primary School. For Headteachers. £35.
Oracy & Vocabulary in EYFS
Monday 3 February 2020, 13:30 to 16:00, Diamond Teaching School, Winhills Training Centre, St Neots. For Teachers & TAs. £60 per delegate.
Adult Mental Health First Aid - see "Mental Health" tab
Friday 31 January 2020, 09:00 to 17:00 (one-day course).
Tuesday 4 February and Wednesday 5 February, 09:00 to 17:00 (two-day course), CPDC. For any member of staff. One-day course £185, two-day course £290.
Safe Practice in Physical Education
11 February 2020. Ambury House, Huntingdon. £82.50/£99. To help teachers understand and share good practice for ensuring that PE and school sport is safe.
Making Sense of Assessment in Physical Education
11 February 2020. Ambury House, Huntingdon. £82.50/£99. To help teachers understand and share good practice for the assessment of children’s progress in PE.
PE for NQT’s and Inexperienced Teachers
13 February 2020. Godmanchester Bridge Academy. £125/£145. To develop their understanding of the national curriculum of PE, health and safety implications and how to deliver high quality PE.
SLE Core Training
Wednesday 29 January 2020, 09:30 to 15:00, Diamond Teaching School, Winhills Training Centre, St Neots. For Secondary & Primary newly designated SLEs – £150 per delegate.
Moderating Year 6 Writing
Thursday 30 January 2020 or 21st May 2020, Diamond Teaching School, Winhills Training Centre, St Neots. An opportunity to network with Y6 teachers . £60 per date per delegate.
The Highly Effective TA – 2 Parts
Friday 31 January and Thursday 30 April 2020, 09:30 to 12:00. Diamond Teaching School, Winhills Training Centre, St Neots. For TAs. £75 per delegate.
Enhancing Science Teaching through Texts
Tuesday 28 January 2020, 13:30 to 16:00, Diamond Teaching School, Winhills Training Centre, St Neots. For Teachers. £60 per delegate.
Improving Leadership Forum - See "Developing Leadership" Tab
Headteachers, Deputy / Assistant Headteachers and newly appointed Headteachers. Session 2 - Thursday 30th January 2020 (13.30-16.30). Huntingdon Football Association. Cambs LA Maintained Schools £65, Out of County, Academies and Independent Schools £75. No charge for up to two people from schools that have purchased the New to Headship package.
Strengthening practical work in chemistry
Tuesday 4 February 2020, 09:30 to 15:30, Thomas Deacon Academy. £125.
Linking core subjects: science and mathematics
Wednesday 29 January 2020, 13:00 to 16:00, Gladstone Primary School, £50.
Engaging science in KS1
Tuesday 28 January 2020, 13.00 – 16.00, Trumpington Park Primary School, £50
Tier 2 Speech Language and Communication Needs
Monday 5 February, 09:30 to 16:00 at the Oak Tree Centre, 1 Oak Drive, Huntington, PE29 7HN (Room G93). Training for Teachers and Teaching assistants working with students 11+ with SLCN. This is free training.
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