Autumn term | 30 September 2022
 Dear DSLS Members
Yesterday, the Schools Executive Committee (SEC) met for the first time this academic year and we would like to share with you some key updates and messages, including some changes to the SEC membership.
As you will no doubt be aware, Rachel Shaw has been appointed as Interim Head of Education (Delivery) with DCC and it was agreed by the Committee that she would step down from DSLS to put some separation between the two roles during this secondment.
On behalf of DSLS, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Rachel who, as SEC Chair for the last two years, has done a tremendous job in establishing and raising the profile of DSLS as the representative voice of school leaders, following the merger of the former DAPH and DASH.
DSLS is looking forward to working with Rachel and Matthew Shanks in their interim roles as we collectively endeavour to secure the very best outcomes for children and young people in Devon.
Following Rachel’s resignation, we are pleased to announce that Paul Walker, current SEC member and CEO at First Federation has been elected as Chair and Phil Randall, Headteacher at St Peter’s CofE (Aided) School, Exeter will continue in the role as Vice Chair.
We would also like to thank Lorraine Heath and Andrew Davis who stepped down from DSLS at the end of last term. Both Lorraine and Andrew were experienced, long-serving members on DSLS, its predecessor DASH and on several local authority working groups such as Devon Education Forum and Schools Finance Group. We are extremely grateful for the time and commitment they invested on behalf of schools.
We are also delighted to welcome some new members to the SEC, not only to replace the current vacancies arising but to increase capacity and the knowledge base across the group.
For secondary, Fay Bowler, Principal at Braunton Academy and Alan Blackburn, Headteacher at Uffculme School have been elected as members of SEC and Rob Gammon co-opted as an Associate. For Primary, David Perkins, Principal at Littletown Primary and Katie Gray have been co-opted as SEC Associate members. Details of the full SEC membership are available on the DSLS website.
As a committee, we are looking forward the coming academic year and representing the voice of Devon schools. There are many challenges in Devon at present and we all have a joint responsibility to support the improvements that are necessary.
We hope that you will have seen the invitation to the Schools’ Funding Consultation briefing sessions to be held virtually next Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th October, we would strongly encourage you and a representative of your Governing Board to attend these events but, more importantly, to share your views by responding to the consultation which opens tomorrow and closes on 16th October 2022. You can book online here: Consultations - Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk) and the consultation documents will be available from tomorrow via the same link.
We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the DSLS Annual School Leadership Conference at Saunton Sands in less than a fortnight which is a sell out in terms of accommodation, although we do still have availability for both days as a day delegate. Please contact the office if you are interested in attending or book online here: Annual School Leadership Conference 2022 - DSLS (devonsls.co.uk)
Finally, another date for your diary is the DSLS School Leadership Briefing on Thursday 10 November at Sandy Park Conference Centre. We are busy planning the agenda but we are delighted to share with you that we have Diane Rochford, author of The Rochford Review - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) booked as a speaker. More information will follow but in the meantime you can book your place to attend to attend the Briefing here DSLS Autumn School Leadership Briefing | 10 November 2022 - DSLS (devonsls.co.uk).
Sent on behalf of DSLS Schools Executive Committee
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