Autumn term | 18 December 2019 | Issue 6
 DAPH & DASH Spring Briefing
11 February 2020 at the Best Western Tiverton Hotel, Tiverton | BOOK NOW
Join colleagues for this all-day event to hear topical updates from Lucy Gordon, Deputy Director, Regional Schools Commissioner SW and Karl Sampson HMI, Assistant Regional Director, Ofsted plus DAPH & DASH key messages, PSHE Association, Teaching Schools Hub 'Test and Learn' pilot, Adolescent Safety Framework and the Education Endowment Foundation.
One free place per Devon primary/secondary school as part of their membership of DAPH/DASH. Terms and conditions apply - please see booking form for further details.
DAPH & DASH Summer Briefing
6 May 2020 at Exeter Racecourse | BOOK NOW
Check the current Summer DELEGATE LIST
One free place per Devon primary/secondary school as members of their membership DAPH/DASH. Terms and conditions apply - please see booking form for further details.
 Learner Services Engagement Survey (School Leadership)
Responses required by noon on Friday 17 January 2020
In 2012 Devon County Council took the decision to commission out its learner support services including school improvement and governor support. The delivery model chosen at the time was for a joint venture with a private sector partner. Babcock was successful in this and a new company, Babcock LDP, in which Devon County Council retained 20% ownership, was created.
The service level contract which was put into place with Babcock LDP will expire on 31 March 2022. To provide the opportunity for schools to express views and provide feedback on services they would like to see in any new service delivery model, schools are invited to complete the Learner Services Engagement Survey (School Leadership) by noon Friday 17 January 2020.
For more information, read the communication from Dawn Stabb, Head of Education and Learning, Devon County Council which was distributed via Headteacher Update email on 13 December 2019 | READ MORE
Headteachers Survey on Staggered Entry to Reception Classes 2020
Devon County Council wants to know more about schools’ understanding and practice around options for children starting in the Reception intake: full-time, part-time and deferred admission.
Last year the Early Years and Admissions teams took several calls from parents who had not been given an option of starting full time on the first day of term. A similar survey to this one will be sent to parents in June to gauge their understanding of what they can request and asking them about the options they were given by schools.
Visit this L I N K to the survey which is aimed at Headteachers of infant and primary schools.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Survey
Closing date for completion – 31 January 2020
These surveys are relevant for professionals and parents/carers of children & young people with complex communication needs who use a range of techniques to support or replace spoken communication.
The survey is aimed at those who find communication difficult for a number of different reasons:
- may have difficulty understanding what other people say
- may have difficulty expressing themselves
- may not be able to use speech as their main means of communication
Visit the links below for more information and to access the surveys:
iTrent Letter to schools (10 December 2019)
DCC wrote to Maintained and Academy schools last week to advise on recent iTrent issues raised by schools which included the removal of access to iTrent Manager, issues with the Financial Management System (FMS), claim notifications, claim types and December pay date and payslips. If your school has not had sight of this letter, please contact itrentsystemsteam-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
Guidance | iTrent HR and payroll self-service
Need help with iTrent? Check out the frequently asked questions section but if you need more help please contact the iTrent systems team:
Tel: 01392 383000 (ask for payroll) Email: itrentsystemsteam-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
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 Ofsted Blog | Latest statistics: a first look at the Education Inspection Framework
Sean Harford HMI, National Director for Education, talks about the first inspections under the EIF and the trends being seen so far | READ MORE
 DAPH and DASH Group Representation on Local Authority Working Groups
The scope and role of DAPH (Primary Representation) and DASH (Secondary Representation) within the local context is illustrated in the Working Groups Representation Chart effective for the current academic year.
 When attending meetings of Devon Education Forum (DEF), its sub-groups and other statutory or working groups, DAPH & DASH Representatives provide a summary of key messages and issues affecting schools.
- Details of Membership on DEF, agendas and full minutes of previous meetings and other information about DEF are advertised on the DEF website
- Read the minutes from the last DEF meeting held on 20 November 2019 HERE
- Date of the next DEF meeting is 22 January 2020
To contact the Forum: schools.forum@devon.gov.uk Tel: 01392 382305
 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.
- Read the minutes of the last SFG meeting held on 6 November 2019 HERE
- Date of next SFG meeting is 8 January 2020
 To view the objectives, Terms of Reference and minutes of meetings for School Organisation, Capital and Admissions Group (SOCA), which is a sub-group of Devon Education Forum, visit the SOCA website.
- Read the minutes of the last SOCA meeting held on 3 December 2019 HERE
- Date of next SOCA meeting is 2 March 2020
DAPH feedback from SOCA meeting 3 December 2019
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Fair Access Protocol (FAP) – Primary 118 places offered though FAP this term.
DAPH and DASH representatives will be attending a working party to assist revising Devon’s FAP. Part of the need to revise is due to giving inclusion a higher priority.
- All schools need to ensure their admissions information and polices are on their websites (three years' worth) current, next year and proposed/draft. Good practice says should be on each school and not just on MATs/Federations.
- Reminder to all Admission Authorities - arrangements must be determined by their arrangements by 29 February and published by 15 March 2020. See more details below within the 'Admissions' section of the newsletter (Important: Guidance for schools).
- Schools are requested to make contact with Andrew Brent, Policy & Strategy Officer, School Admissions Team (andrew.brent@devon.gov.uk) if they are approached informally by parents, foster carers or social workers regarding the admission of a Child in Care.
- Schools with Early Years provision to check if they are registered for Tax Free Childcare. If not, consider registering as from this month the process has been made easier. Register HERE.
- Water quality, legionella - contract for Devon Maintenance Partnership is being revised and re-tendered. Revised Asbestos register with 30% larger picture – pictures need checking and management plan and processes updated.
- A new system of prioritising capital projects has been used this year, 28 projects scheduled.
Devon Children and Families Partnership
Read the latest DCFP news HERE | dcfp.org.uk
The advice to anyone in Devon who may have suspicions of child abuse or neglect is to contact Devon’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
Children & Young People's Plan 2019-2023 can be viewed HERE
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FREE TRAINING to primary/secondary transitions school staff with a responsibility for delivering PSHE and RSE
Following the success of PSHE training in 2018/19 to secondary schools, and ahead of mandatory elements of PSHE being introduced in 2020, a set of courses are now available to primary and secondary schools for staff working with students in transition years 6-7.
Promoting Resilience & how to have Difficult Conversations with Young People
8 January 2020 Exeter - BOOK ONLINE
Healthy Relationships
23 January 2020 Exeter - BOOK ONLINE
4 February 2020 Tiverton - BOOK ONLINE
Protecting Young People against Exploitation
3 March 2020 Exeter - BOOK ONLINE
Educating Young People on the Law & Making Safe Choices
14 January 2020 Tiverton - BOOK ONLINE
12 February 2020 Exeter - BOOK ONLINE
Guidance | Babcock One Minute Guides
The Babcock One Minute Guidance documents are just a few of the essential resources available to Designated Safeguarding Leads, Headteachers and Governors. As well as quick reference guides they can be used to cascade information to staff, Governors and volunteers as part of their regular safeguarding training. READ MORE on the Babcock LDP website.
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R E M I N D E R | Guidance for Elective Home Education (EHE)
Advice for school leaders regarding the process and responsibilities for schools in relation to EHE was circulated in November by DCC:
BEFORE the pupil is removed from roll, the Designated Safeguarding Lead should:
- Depending on the age of the child, speak to them alone about how they feel about being educated at home and whether they have any concerns.
- Complete the EHE Safeguarding Pupil form and return it to the EHE Service (this includes gathering the views of the child independent of parents).
- Send a copy of the letter / email from parent stating their decision to Electively Home Educate to the EHE Service.
Visit this L I N K to above referenced resources which are advertised on the Babcock LDP EHE website.
If you have any safeguarding concerns you should:
- Complete a MASH enquiry stating the concerns and of the decision to home-educate.
- Send a copy of the MASH enquiry to the EHE service.
See Babcock One Minute Guide on Elective Home Education | DOWNLOAD
 Devon SEND Local Offer and Strategy
Statutory Guidance SEND Code of Practice: 0-25 years defines that the Local Offer has two key purposes:
- To provide clear, comprehensive, accessible and up-to-date information about the available provision and how to access it.
- To make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations by directly involving disabled children and those with SEND and their parents, and disabled young people and those with SEND, and service providers in its development and review.
For more information visit the Devon SEND Local Offer website.
Subscribe to the newsletter and view recent SEND news and updates H E R E.
Get involved | Short Breaks Co-Design 2019 and Engagement Events
Devon County Council is inviting your feedback to co-design services and support that really works for disabled children, young people and their families.
We want to hear your views so we can shape Devon County Council Short Breaks offer together - for details on how to submit feedback and a list of Engagement Events (workshops) throughout January 2020 | READ MORE
 Is your school information accurate?
A reminder to all schools to check / update information held within the DCC Admissions Directory or use the Update Form via this LINK
Important: Guidance for schools
Following the recent School Organisation, Capital and Admissions meeting on 03/12/19, important Admissions updates were discussed including:
- key dates for publishing policies
- In-Year admissions and GDPR
- Fair Access Protocol
- Delayed Admission
- Nursery Admission information on school websites
Contact: Andrew Brent, Admissions Policy and Strategy Officer, DCC Admissions
e: schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
 Do you receive the latest news and updates from the Early Years and Childcare Service?
Visit this page to SUBSCRIBE to the Early Years and Childcare Service newsletter, a weekly email digest of new updates (sent every Friday morning).
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
Contact SLSS: t 01392 380518 or 07970 905511 e slss-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
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 Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Update
Subscribe to receive a weekly round-up of information and actions for Education and Skills Funding Agency funded organisations.
To find out more about the Education and Skills Funding Agency | READ MORE
Read the latest DAG newsletter Issue 165 (12/12/19) HERE
Most of the web pages and documents on the DAG website are restricted to DAG members - if you are a DAG member please log in
To register, contact DAG HERE
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South West Governance Conference | Supporting Effective Governance in a Complex Governance World
Saturday 29 February 2020 at Sandy Park, Exeter - view the F L Y E R
This conference will offer thought provoking input on various aspects of effective governance. Hear from renowned keynote speakers, focus on a practical approach to effective governance through expert workshops and network with governance colleagues across the South West.
With keynote speakers:
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Professor Mick Waters, Honorary Fellow of the College of Teachers, patron of the Children’s University and former Director of Curriculum at QCA.
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Professor Jonathan Sharples, Senior Researcher at the Education Endowment Foundation.
For pricing, booking information and more details | READ MORE
 DAPH would like to say farewell and best wishes to the following colleagues who are retiring at the end of this term:
Gail Morris - Headteacher at West Croft School
Alison Sparks – Headteacher at Woodbury CofE Primary School
On behalf of the DAPH & DASH Executive Committees and Office team, we would like to thank you for your continued support during 2019 and wish you all a very happy and restful Christmas break.
Note that the DAPH Office closes on Thursday 19 December 2019, re-opening on Monday 6 January 2020.
Devon Association of Primary Headteachers (DAPH) &
Devon Association of Secondary Headteachers (DASH)
Contact us: 01392 380518 | daph@devon.gov.uk | daph.org.uk
DAPH Office
Venture House, One Capital Court
Bittern Road, Sowton Industrial Estate
Exeter EX2 7FW
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