 The East Cambs & Fenland Evidence Network is a new initiative, offering professional development and school-to-school support in engaging with evidence to ensure the best possible outcomes for all our pupils, particularly our disadvantaged pupils, in the context of our rural schools. Visit the East Cambs & Fenland Evidence Network website.
The first East Cambs and Fenland Evidence Network Evidence CPD evening on March 23rd will be fun and informal, but offer lots of substance, as we hear from Marc Rowland, EEF adviser and Pupil Premium expert. This event will be particularly valuable to SLT, PP champions, middle and subject leaders, governors and schools in an Ofsted window. Book the Evidence Bites event on Eventbrite.
The PDPS is a register of Council-approved early years/childcare providers who are interested in operating from Council-owned premises. It will be used to advertise all upcoming opportunities including new premises, including early years facilities within schools. Those who have not joined the PDPS at the time an opportunity is advertised will be unable to apply for it.
If you missed out last time, don’t worry - round two is open! Applications can be submitted now until 29th March 2023. For Details about the application process, and dates for virtual events, see: Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System (PDPS) - Learn Together (cambslearntogether.co.uk).
Personalised Eating Disorder Support is a local charity that is offering FREE eating disorder training to SCHOOLS in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. This training has been funded by Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.
The sessions last approximately one hour but can vary depending upon the request of the organisation.
The training includes an overview of eating disorders, symptoms, the do’s and don'ts, case studies and signposting to relevant services.
PEDS are happy to tailor their training to your needs and are happy to set up meetings discuss the training / requirements.
We have also developed a range of toolkits, lesson plans and resources to support schools in teaching about the relationship between mood and food aimed at KS3. You can access these on the Healthy Schools Website here:
On the Eating Disorders page, a password protected page has been created where there are two bespoke toolkit documents to support schools in managing concerns around Eating Disorders – you can request the password to access these by emailing healthyschools@healthyyou.org.uk.
Schools 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 must be trained on the LA 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.
Full details of the County Council Swimming Pool Guidance are available here and upcoming courses are available here.
For further information please contact Ian Roberts ian.roberts@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Cambridgeshire County Council is holding an event on SEND Transformation for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs (SEND). This will be an opportunity for parents and carers to find out about the changes we are making to improve the system and to share their views and experiences.
Bookings can be made via Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/sendtransformation or by using the QR code above.
Please can you share this with your parents/carers in school.
ReadingWise Zip Phonics closed the reading gap in just over 2 hours as per this DfE-funded study. The gap among year 1 children falling behind started at 6.7m. After 2 hours 50 minutes the reading gap was reduced to 4.2m.
This year’s phonics screening check takes place the week commencing the 12th June. This leaves plenty of time to offer your readers who are falling behind an additional boost with ReadingWise Zip Phonics. Easy to set up and use, ReadingWise is offering schools who find out more through an online demo a pack of inspiring reading-themed postcards with no obligation. You can arrange your demo here.
Cambridgeshire Virtual School are delighted to be launching our very own podcast for all school professionals! Our vision is that all children who have or have had a social worker are enabled to learn, aspire, thrive and achieve. Hosted by our very own team alongside those with lived and learned experiences, we consider how to maximise opportunity to ensure full educational potential is reached. We explore factors affecting the educational journeys of the children we support and how typical barriers faced by this cohort can be minimised.
Learn - Aspire - Thrive - Achieve on Apple Podcasts
Learn - Aspire - Thrive - Achieve | Podcast on Spotify
Fullscope has been commissioned by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Public Health to develop resources in response to issues around high rates of self-harm in children and young people locally, as part of a three-year funded programme by NHS England. The work so far has included a data and research report and co-production workshops with local young people with lived experience.
The young people have been working with a film company to develop a training film resource and we are now seeking help in co-producing the learning resources to accompany the film. Fullscope are looking to talk to GPs/wider primary care staff, school staff and young people in particular – the audiences identified by the young people themselves. The young people have had some great ideas about how their experiences could be improved, and we need to make sure the training for this meets the learning needs of the identified audiences.
Sessions are available at various times, will last no more than 1 hour, and your input is invaluable.
SEND Services are excited to announce that a series of SEMH network meetings, aimed at Primary school SENCo’s/SEMH leads are now available on booking bug. There are three in person events which will focus on a common theme/topic identified through recent discussions with schools regarding supporting children with SEMH needs and will take place in three separate locations in order to try and meet the geographical needs of those attending. Each meeting will be facilitated by two SEND Service 0-25 Access and Inclusion Coordinators. There will also be an opportunity to network with colleagues and share best practice around meeting the needs of primary aged children with SEMH needs in Cambridgeshire. The first half an hour will be networking with the formal presentation and Q&A starting at 4.30pm. In order to manage numbers/capacity, this event is being limited to one member of staff per school.
The same session is being run in 3 different locations of the county and therefore you only need to attend ONE venue for each meeting.
Network meeting 1
Topic: The use and impact of temporary reduced timetables and AP on children with SEMH needs
Time: 4pm – 5:30pm
Dates & Venues:
- 13th March - Fenstanton Primary School
- 8th March – Fourfields Primary school
- 8th March - Burrowmoor Primary school
Network meeting 2
Topic: Transition planning for children with SEMH needs
Time: 4pm – 5.30pm
Dates & Venues:
- 22nd May - Fenstanton Primary School
- 17th May – Fourfields Primary school
- 17th May - Burrowmoor Primary school
Network meeting 3
Topic: EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance)
Time: 4pm – 5.30pm
Dates & Venues:
- 12th June - Fenstanton Primary School
- 21st June - Fourfields Primary School
- 21st June - Burrowmoor Primary school
You can book your FREE place by clicking visiting SEND Online calendar booking (bookingbug.com)
A vacancy has arisen for a playworker at Wisbech Adventure Playground. You will assist in planning play opportunities and activities, run play sessions, maintain and construct play structures working alongside the children, young people and staff team and support the planning and delivery of events at the Playground including National Play day. You will work with policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and families.
To apply click here (search Playworker), or email Violet Loveridge for further details.
 The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel takes place 20-31 March, and it inspires pupils to make active journeys to school, improve air quality in their neighbourhood and discover how these changes benefit their world.
Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is open to all primary and secondary schools in the UK, including SEN/ASN/ALN schools. It is free to take part and there are daily prizes to be won.
On each day of the challenge, schools compete to see who can get the highest percentage of their pupils walking, using a wheelchair, scooting or cycling to school. Your school’s best five days will determine your final position, but you can log journeys on all ten days if you wish.
The Road Safety team encourage all schools to register and take part.
We have been asked to send the following letter from Queen's University Belfast, for the attention of Headteachers, SLT and Literacy leads (KS1):
EEF Funded opportunity to engage in LEXIA reading trial (Year 2)
We are contacting you regarding an opportunity to be involved in a research study funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) to test an evidence-based Reading programme, Lexia® CORE5® Reading(Lexia) in primary schools in England.
The trial will assess the impact of Lexia on the reading skills of struggling readers in Year 2, when delivered as a targeted intervention (8-16 pupils per school).
Your school is being approached as it is in an Education Investment Area, which is a priority area for this project.
What will the project look like?
Please see this information sheet for schools to give you a clearer idea of what would be required of you and when. There is also information available on the Lexia website.
The project will include 224 primary schools in total, of whom half will be randomly assigned to deliver Lexia (intervention group) and half will be randomly assigned to continue with business-as-usual teaching and reading interventions (control group).
-
Intervention schools will only need to pay £350 including VAT to LexiaUK (to be paid before licence issue) to participate. This represents a discount of 92% as the bulk of the cost will be funded by the EEF.
-
Control schools will receive a payment of £1,000 for their full participation in the trial evaluation requirements.
Next steps to sign up
If you are interested in taking part, please read and complete this memorandum of understanding and return it to us at lexia@qub.ac.uk
We will be recruiting schools as they sign up and we expect a lot of interest for this project. If you match the selection criteria (see information sheet) and return the completed MoU, we will be in touch.
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards
Joanne O’Keeffe/ Maria Cockerill
Are you interested in a career in social work? Cambridgeshire County Council will be working with the Eastern Region Partnership and Anglia Ruskin University to deliver the Step Up to Social Work Programme, starting in January 2024. Successful applicants will receive a bursary of £19,833 over 14 months and have this course fees funded by the Department for Education. For further information, including eligibility criteria please go to https://jobs.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/jobs/job/Step-Up-to-Social-Work-Student/1064 . Application open February 17th and close March 17th.
At the end of 2021, there was commissioned a peer review of the Constabulary’s response to the threat from County Lines by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC). Feedback made it clear that many partners feel that it is hard to get their voice listened to and they frequently received little or no feedback from the Constabulary about what happened because of the information they shared with us. Clearly this position cannot be acceptable. County Lines, like so many other issues, can never be successfully tackled with a police-only, enforcement approach – success relies on effective, sustained collaborative work across a range of disciplines
Addressing County Lines in partnership is the only effective response. An event is being held at Pathfinder House on Thursday 9th MARCH 2023 between 09:30 and 13:30 hours to develop a better understanding of why we need to work closer and better together to address County Lines. Moreover, it is intended to develop a shared vision of how we can achieve the shared ambitions of safer communities, less victimisation, fewer crimes, and less harm.
The contribution of your views will be vital to the success of this event. We aim to develop a better mutual understanding of what information and intelligence is required from partners, how the feedback loop will work, and what fears and barriers you face that may be preventing our current practices from being as effective as they could be.
A working lunch will be provided but, most importantly, this is an event aimed at getting your voice heard. To participate in the event, please contact Michelle Evans
You are invited to join a workshop which will focus on the challenges faced by small primary schools, to share your ideas and thoughts and to look at possible options and solutions to support schools to manage these challenges. Your contributions will help to shape the LA’s future strategy around small primary schools.
The event will take place, remotely, on Thursday, 20 April between 13:30 and 15:30
You can book your place via the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/small-schools-workshop-tickets-533786067497
Kids Safety Net, a multi-agency campaign for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, to support parents and carers help keep children safe in their online world is launching on the 9th March. To mark the launch of the campaign there will be a special theatre performance at 2pm aimed at Years 6 and 7, at Northstowe College which will be live streamed free to schools across the region. The performance of “Sam’s Story” will then be followed by a workshop to explore the themes and issues highlighted by the performance. Workshop materials including a video will be provided free of charge.
To register your interest in the live streaming performance and to request your workshop pack, please email Gail.Sayles@nspcc.org.uk
Free Online Storytelling Sessions – Open to all Reception and Nursery Classes, parents and children aged 2 to 5 – 11th March and 17th March!
This online “Take A Little Walk Little Bear” interactive storytelling session will be held on Saturday 11th March from 10.30am and Friday 17th March from 9.45am. This is a sensory storytelling adventure told through sign, movement, sound and story together with especially made props and lots of audience participation. These 30-minute sessions are free for families and carers of children aged 2-5 years old, childminders, play-groups, pre-schools, nurseries, reception classes, and home-schoolers to attend.
Free Live Author Event - Open to all Reception Classes - 10th March!
Schools can join The3Engineers team to hear about their series of engaging books which bring awareness of environmental issues. The team of submarine engineers will read their second book in the series “The Adventures of Scout” called, “THE MISSING BEES” and discussing the importance of bees and their habitats on Friday 10th March from 2pm. The3Engineers have also created some FREE STEM resources for schools: www.the3engineers.com.This event will last 30-minutes and it is suitable for all Reception-aged children.
We are excited to announce the 2023 County Physical Education conference where the focus will be the legacy that PE can create for young people. Consideration will be give to how well taught PE & Sport can be a tool to strengthen transfers and transitions for young people between phases and help to accelerate progress, increase confidence and reduce anxiety. Teachers will have a choice of innovative practical and theoretical workshops to address focus areas that are relevant to their professional and school needs. We will also be launching the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Strategy for PE & School Sport.
Further details here
Any questions – please contact ian.roberts@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Cambridge Maths HUB
Places remain on Cambridge Maths Hub Specialist Training for Teaching Assistants working with three- to five-year-olds. Free for all state-funded schools.
SKTM - Primary Teaching Assistants | CambridgeMathsHub
Dates:
Day 1: Tuesday 21st February
Day 2: Tuesday 14th March
Day 3: Tuesday 18th April
Day 4: Tuesday 23rd May
All sessions will take place at Cambourne Village College from 9.30am - 3.00pm.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Places remain on Cambridge Maths Hub Specialist Early Years Teachers working with three- to five-year-olds. Free for all state-funded schools. Free – various dates in March, May and June. At either Watlington Primary School or Cambourne Village College. For full details see the link below.
SKTM - Early Years Teachers | CambridgeMathsHub
Enrolment for Cambridge Maths Hub programmes 2023-24.
Mastering Number
If you have not yet participated in Mastering Number (Reception, Yr1 & Yr2), applications are now open for 2023-2024. Please apply by 30th March to claim free class sets of rekenreks. Participation is free for all state funded primary schools. Information here. Application form here. Please note that this is blend of virtual and online training.
Maths in Science – Algebra Basics
For secondary teachers. 14 Mar 2023, 16.00 – 17.00, remote delivered, from £20
Integrating Climate Change into the Secondary Curriculum
For secondary teachers. 22 Mar 2023, 09.30 – 19.30, Northstowe Secondary College, from £185 with £400 subsidy available.
Plants and the Environment in Primary Science
For primary teachers. 17 May 2023, 13.00 – 16.00, West Town Primary Academy, from £95 with £65 subsidy available.
Promoting Oral Health in the Primary Classroom
For all Primary Teachers. Tuesday 21st March 2023. 15:45 – 16:45. Online webinar delivered by Cambridgeshire Community Services Oral Health Team. FREE
DT Network Meetings
For DT Leads. Thursday 27th April 2023 and Thursday 8th June 2023 15:30 to 16:30
Course Location – Online. Course Cost - £15 per delegate per session
Year 2 Moderation
For Year 2 Teachers. Wednesday 17th May 2023 – 9.30 - Noon. Course Location – St Neots
Course Cost – £45 per delegate
Moderating Year 6 Writing
For Year 6 Teachers. Friday 19th May 2023 – 09:30 - Noon. Course Location – St Neots
Course Cost - £45 per delegate
Continuing Professional Development (cambridgeshiremusic.org.uk)
Introduction to Early Years Music – Early Years and KS1 teachers Thursday 9th March 4.30pm until 6pm – Cambridgeshire Music Histon Centre
Continuing Professional Development (cambridgeshiremusic.org.uk)
Becoming a Music Co-ordinator – Any music leader in schools Wednesday 15th March 4pm until 5.30pm - Cambridgeshire Music Histon Centre
Continuing Professional Development (cambridgeshiremusic.org.uk)
Key recorder skills for the classroom – KS1, KS2 teachers – Thursday 23rd March 3pm until 4pm – Cambridgeshire Music Histon Centre.
Supporting PE for Tas & Adults Supporting Learning
6th March 2023, 1.30pm-3.30pm - £49 – By Zoom
Audience: his workshop is aimed at adults other than teachers who support learners in PE lessons. For example TAs, HLTAs, coaches, instructors and apprentices.
Primary PE Subject Leader Network Meeting
14th March 2023, 1.30pm-3.30pm - £49 – By Zoom
Audience: Primary phase PE Coordinators
What Does Outstanding PE Look Like in Primary Schools
20th March 2023, 1.30pm-3.30pm - £49 – By zoom
Audience: This course is for any teacher, coach or assistant in the primary phase.
New to Leading PSHE in Primary & Special Schools
6th March 2023, 1.30pm-3.30pm – by zoom – Subscribing schools £40, Non-subscribing schools £50
Target Audience: For Primary and Special School PSHE Coordinators, particularly those new to subject leading PSHE.
Digital Lifestyles for Primary & Special Schools
8th March 2023, 9.30am-11.30am – by zoom – Subscribing schools £40, Non-subscribing schools £50
Target Audience: For Primary and Special School colleagues, especially PSHE subject leads and school leaders.
Teaching RSE in Primary & Special Schools
3rd May 2023 – 3.30pm-5.30pm – By zoom – Subscribing schools £40, Non-subscribing schools £50
Target Audience: For Primary and Special School colleagues, especially PSHE subject leads and school leaders.
RE and Ofsted – Primary Schools – 21st March 2023, 3.30 – 5.00pm, via Zoom, £29 for LA schools and £39 for academies. This session will consider the requirements for OFSTED and Religious Education and the deep dive process. To look at how RE can fit into the broader curriculum and to understand the requirements of RE as a core subject.
Critical Incident planning (Book under Leadership and Management of Safeguarding Tab)
Audience: Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Designated Safeguarding Leads, Aspiring Leaders in schools and academies across all phases.
Thursday 2 March 09.30-10.30 Virtual course, £35
Policies and practice – does your website shout safeguarding? (Book under Leadership and Management of Safeguarding Tab)
Audience: Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Designated Safeguarding Leads, Aspiring Leaders in schools and academies across all phases.
Tuesday 21 March 13.30-14.30 Virtual course, £35
Ordinarily Available Provision – What is it? Why does it matter? How do we start?
For SLT & SENDCo, Thursday 2 March 2023 15:30-16:30. Online. Free.
The Next Step, Building on the Graduated Approach
For any Teachers, SENDCos Leadership, Thursday 9 March 2023 15:30-16:30. Online. Free.
How Do We Plan and Deliver What We Believe Should Be Ordinarily Available?
Everyone is welcome. Thursday 16 March 2023, 15:30 - 16:30. Online. Free.
Cambridgeshire Early Years Conference - Exploring the Great Outdoors
Thursday 18 May 2023,9 am to 4 pm, Horley Hale Farm, Littleport, CB6 1ER
For all Cambridgeshire schools and setting staff working with children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Tickets start at £55 for members using our `early bird' rates, which are available until Tuesday 28 February 2023.
|
