Summer term | 23 July 2020 | Issue 5
Headteacher Email Updates
To ensure that school leaders are well informed and kept up to date with important information from the Local Authority and the DfE, regular headteacher updates are being emailed directly to you via Dawn Stabb, Head of Education & Learning.
If you are not receiving these on a regular basis or if your email address has recently changed please let us know via email and we'll make sure you are added to the distribution list.
DCC Devon Schools Key Information Website
Visit the private Education (staff only) website which hosts all the key information and guidance in one place so it can easily be referred to by Headteachers and other senior staff. Here is the link to the website - schools are to log in via their usual DCC account.
Reminder (Action) | Vulnerable pupils
One of the concerns over the summer period is for the safety of vulnerable pupils, including those who have been attending school, who do not have a social worker. Schools are to notify the schools priority mailbox educate.schoolspriorityalerts-mailbox@devon.gov.uk of any students where they feel the family may struggle significantly to safeguard children over the summer period. Arrangements will then be made for someone to contact the school or the family to try and put in place support/ summer provision.
 Coronavirus (COVID-19) catch-up premium
Information for schools on the universal catch-up premium for 2020 to 2021 and the National Tutoring Programme. It includes how much funding schools will get and how it should be spent.
 Summary of DAPH and DASH AGM/ EGM | 8 July 2020
This year's AGM formalities formed part of an overall review of work undertaken by DAPH & DASH during 2019/20 and included the legacy of DAPH & DASH Phase Associations and the transition to Devon Schools Leadership Services CIO.
Following the AGMs, an EGM was held to consider the proposal from the respective Executive Committees to dissolve DAPH and DASH as unincorporated associations and to transfer their functions and respective membership benefits to the charitable organisation Devon Schools Leadership Services (Devon SLS) CIO. The vote for dissolution was unanimous at both meetings and the existing Chairs thanked the current and former committee members for their hard work, time and commitment.
Note that this will be the last DAPH & DASH Updates newsletter that you will receive; your online subscription to the Devon SLS newsletter is automatic and therefore you will continue to receive important key messages and updates via the rebranded newsletter in the autumn term.
|
 N E W aHead Service
To coincide with the launch of the new charitable organisation, we are in the process of relaunching the former DAPH School Leadership Support Service (SLSS) which will be branded as ‘aHead’.
This redesigned service will comprise of 4 strands:
-
aHeadStart – an induction and support programme for recently appointed school leaders
-
aHeadSpace – a proactive contact programme for more experienced school leaders
-
aHeadStrong – a rolling programme of CPD and annual wellbeing conference
-
aHelpline – a dedicated, confidential professional or personal helpline following self-referral
The aHead service will form part of the Core Membership Offer under Devon School Leadership Services (DSLS) CIO and is available to all Devon primary and secondary school leaders (L/A and Academy) under DSLS. Look out for further details at the beginning of the autumn term.
 Commercial Guidance on Sourcing PPE and Cleaning Products (for LAs & sector settings)
The DfE has developed extensive guidance for all settings across the education, childcare and children’s social care sectors on how to respond to coronavirus (Covid-19). This includes guidance on the use of and access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and cleaning products as part of a system of controls for preventing the spread of the virus.
This document provides information to support settings with their responsibility to source their own PPE and cleaning products.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Suppliers
Schools are to note that the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) will no longer be providing schools with any PPE/ sanitiser supplies free of charge; a list of PPE suppliers for schools to purchase from is available here (link to SharePoint). It has been collated by the LRF on the basis of suppliers contacting the LRF to confirm that they have relevant PPE supplies available for purchase.
The DFE have also produced the guidance above regarding sourcing PPE, which might be of further use.
 Collection | Ofsted’s autumn 2020 plans
Find out about Ofsted's plans for visiting schools, further education and skills, early years and children's social care providers this autumn and includes Guidance for education providers about Ofsted’s phased return to inspection.
HMCI commentary: the future of area special educational needs and disabilities inspections
Ofsted's Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, discusses the challenges facing the SEND system, along with Ofsted and CQC’s role going forward. Read the article here.
 Group Representation on Local Authority Working Groups
The scope and role of Primary Representation and Secondary Representation within the local context is illustrated in the Working Groups Representation Chart effective for the current academic year.
Group representation will be reviewed early in the autumn term under the new DSLS CIO.
 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 17 June 2020 HERE
- Date of the next DEF meeting is 18 November 2020
The outcome of the DEF elections for membership from 1 September 2020 will be confirmed at the start of next term.
Contact the Forum: E schools.forum@devon.gov.uk T 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
- Minutes of the last SFG meeting held on 15 July 2020 will be advertised HERE
- Date of next SFG meeting is 9 September 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
- Date of the next SOCA meeting is 22 September 2020
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
|
Kooth | Free, safe and anonymous support
Transitioning support and resources for years 6-7
A reminder that Kooth.com is available in Devon for young people aged between 11 – 25 years to access over the summer. Kooth is a web based confidential support service available to young people and provides a safe and secure means of accessing mental health and wellbeing support either by speaking to one of their online counsellors and/or engaging in the Kooth community online with the range of therapeutic online support tools.
For students transitioning from Year 6-7, a short presentation video is available and explains the Kooth service in a little more detail. Watch the video here (select the Transition Video 'Carina' MP4). Also see additional resources:
|
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.
Babcock Safeguarding Update | July 2020
Read the latest Babcock Safeguarding Update which is the last edition for the summer term 2020.
|
 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.
- Information about Devon’s SEND inspection and Written Statement of Action
Keep up to date with the latest news - subscribe to the newsletter HERE or view recent SEND news and updates on the SEND website.
Read the July edition of the SEND Improvement Board Newsletter which includes an update from Preparing for Adulthood, Pubic Health Nursing and the additional work School Nurses have done during Covid - 19.
Autism and SLCN – Useful advice and resources (Babcock LDP)
The communication and interaction team at Babcock LDP, have been compiling a collection of resources and helpful advice for students with Autism and Speech, Language and Communication Needs. This advice covers a variety of themes from communication tips to support anxiety to supporting back to school transition.
|
What settings need to consider in September 2020
This guide aims to support schools / colleges in the planning for SEND learners as they transition back into school / college following the COVID 19 pandemic
 Early Years Admissions - Summary Document
The Early Years and Childcare Team at DCC have produced a very useful document which considers scenario planning for Early Years options and includes detailed Early Years Funding Information.
The document provides detail around the offer available to parents who have been offered a place for their child in a Reception Class for September 2020 and covers the following possibilities:
- Staggered starts
- Deferred admissions
- Delayed admissions
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.
Admission Arrangements and School / Academy Trust Websites
A reminder that all schools must publish determined admissions policies and proposed policies on their school / Academy Trust website during the consultation period.
Visit this page to SUBSCRIBE to the Early Years and Childcare Service newsletter, a weekly email digest of new updates (sent every Friday morning).
Babcock LDP - Procurement letter to schools and settings
As discussed at the COVID 19 response meeting on 1 July 2020, Babcock LDP have sent a letter to all schools giving their position as a supplier during the three months lock down period in line with the Government procurement note PPN 02/20. This covers any SLA’s or ASLA’s that have not been delivered as a result of COVID-19.
Please read the letter for further details and contact Wendy Newton (Traded Services Manager) at Babcock if you would like to discuss further.
e Wendy.Newton@babcockinternational.com
|
Report looking at how hateful extremists have been exploiting the current pandemic
The Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) has published a report on 9 July 2020 which looks at the way in which extremists have sought to exploit the current pandemic.
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 189 (20/07/20) 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
Subscribe to DAG | if you would like to join the Devon Association of Governance (DAG), gain access to the members only content and receive the DAG e-newsletter by email, please complete the F O R M on the DAG website.
|
 Farewell and best wishes to the following colleagues who are retiring or leaving post this term:
-
Tania Beard - Headteacher, St Martin's C of E Primary, Exeter
-
Caren Brooks - Bowhill Primary School, Exeter Learning Academy Trust
-
Phil Harvey - Headteacher, St Andrew's C of E (Aided) Primary School
-
Sue Jezard - Executive Headteacher, South Hams Federation
-
Sharon Marshall - Headteacher, Ilfracombe Academy
-
Judy Martyn - Headteacher, Highweek Community Primary and Nursery School
-
Julie Phelan - Headteacher, Cullompton Community College
-
Sandra Tibbles - Headteacher, Swimbridge C of E Primary School
-
Helen Tipping - Headteacher, Sherford Vale School, Westcountry Schools Trust
Enjoy the summer break
Please note that the DAPH & DASH office will be closed from Monday 27 July to Thursday 3 September 2020. Wishing you all a restful summer break and we look forward to working with you in the autumn term.
Subscribe Primary | Subscribe Secondary
Manage your subscription
Devon SLS Office
Venture House One Capital Court Bittern Road
Sowton Industrial Estate Exeter EX2 7FW
Contact us: 01392 380518 | daph@devon.gov.uk | daph.org.uk
|
