Autumn Term | 15 December 2023
 The DSLS office will close at 5pm today (Friday 15 December) and will reopen on Wednesday 3 January 2024.
 DSLS Working Group Representatives
To ensure that the voice of schools is heard, Devon school leaders attend numerous statutory boards and working groups across the county.
Each year, representation on these groups is reviewed and the following representatives were agreed for 2023-24: DSLS Working Group Representatives
Additionally, the Schools Executive Committee (SEC) (DSLS SEC Membership 2023-24) acts as a conduit for two-way communication to regularly update schools with key messages and on work being undertaken at local authority groups. See the updates from the various autumn term meetings below.
 Devon Education Forum (DEF)
Read more about the Devon Education Forum (DEF) objectives, terms of reference, minutes and agendas H E R E.
Important - School Funding Arrangements
As part of the recent DCC Consultation on the 2024-25 Revenue Funding Arrangements for Schools, the local authority proposed the transfer of up to 0.5% transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block for one year only, to develop an Early Help (Education) Offer for schools as part of the Safety Valve agreement.
Having carefully considered the original consultation responses from schools, where 61% disagreed with Proposal 4 - the Movement between Blocks, headteacher members of DEF feel they cannot vote on such an important decision without establishing further the views of schools with regard to the Early Help (Education) Offer now being presented by DCC.
Please note this is not a formal consultation. However, we are seeking the views of school leader colleagues now to assist your elected DEF members to make an informed decision on behalf of the phase and school type (academy or maintained) they are representing.
READ MORE
Update
Thank you to those schools who have responded to the survey. To date, we have received just over 90 responses which represents c.25% of Devon Primary and Secondary schools. If you have yet to submit a response, please do so to help inform the vote that your elected members will be taking on your behalf at Devon Education Forum at the 24 January 2024 meeting. Thank you. Closing date for responses is 12 Noon Friday 5 January 2024
 Read more about the Schools Finance Group (SFG) objectives, terms of reference, minutes and agendas H E R E.
 Read more about the Schools Organisation, Capital and Admissions (SOCA) objectives, terms of reference, minutes and agendas H E R E
 Feedback from DSLS Representatives at Meeting on 5 December 2023
There is clear progress being made in some safeguarding areas – more permanent staff recruited and in post, clear understanding of needs and way forward and improved number of initial assessments being undertaken.
There is still a significant gap between number of referrals from different agencies and the percentage that are turned into assessments – the cause is felt to be two-fold – both an in-house issue and lack of clarity/ understanding about what meets threshold.
The new consultation service is seen as positive and new EH/ FIT teams coming in Spring.
South West Regional Director leaves
Hannah Woodhouse, the Department for Education’s Regional Director for the South West, will leave the role early next year after almost seven years in post. The senior civil servant will take up the role of Executive Director of Children and Education at Bristol City Council in February.
Hannah has been Regional Director for the South West since the new Regions Group was created last year and before that, she was the area’s Regional Schools Commissioner since 2019.
No information is available yet as to who will be the next Regional Director for the South West.
Artificial intelligence in schools – everything you need to know
Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay – it’s already having a positive impact across society, including in the education sector. READ MORE
Ofsted Annual Report 2022/23
Ofsted's Annual Report examines the quality of schools, early years, children's social care and further education and skills. READ MORE
Statement from His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman
A statement on the conclusion of the coroner's inquest from Ofsted's Chief Inspector. READ MORE
Ofsted to implement changes to post-inspection process
Ofsted has announced that it will implement all 4 changes proposed in its recent consultation on post-inspection arrangements and complaints handling. READ MORE
 Devon Termly Attendance Update
Please click here to see this term's newsletter from the DCC Attendance Team.
  Devon SEND Partnership news for December
The Devon SEND partnership has published their news for December. Devon County Council are inviting parent-carers with experience of the EHC plan process to take part in the EHC plan process review, Essex County Council is Devon’s improvement partner, the Autism and Us programme’s spring dates are available to book, and more. All available to read in the December edition: Devon SEND Partnership news December 2023
DCC SEND Update
Please click here to see the most recent newsletter from the DCC SEND Team.
 Click here to read the latest news from DiAS
 Devon & Torbay Music Education Hubs
Your latest Hubdate from Devon & Torbay Music Education Hubs READ MORE
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Education Support Newsletter
Click here to view the latest newsletter from Education Support
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DAG Newsletter
Click here to view the latest newsletter from DAG.
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 Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework
The standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5.
Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
From 4 January, 2 revised frameworks will replace the current EYFS framework.
Providers are responsible for ensuring that they follow the current version of the framework for their provider type.
The 2 new frameworks are:
- EYFS statutory framework for childminders
- EYFS statutory framework for group and school-based providers
The EYFS framework also includes Early years qualification requirements and standards
Nursery Admissions Policy Changes
The following documents have been published on the DCC website:
Devon County Council Nursery Admissions Policy January 2024 to August 2025
Nursery Application Form DCAF-0 2024 - 2025 for schools to download, customise and upload onto website.
Nursery Admissions Policy Template January 2024 to August 2025 for schools to download, customise and upload onto website.
Note of Interest for Nursery Admission for schools to download, customise and upload onto website and for parents to complete if their child is too young to start at the nursery.
READ MORE
Grants for Early Years Expansion: Apply now!
Devon Early Years and Childcare Service have been allocated funding from the Department for Education (DfE) for the expansion of places for 2-year-olds and under.
READ MORE
Keep up to date:
Contact: Fran Butler Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency Lead, DCC
E-mail: fran.butler@devon.gov.uk
 DSLS would like to say farewell and best wishes to the following colleagues who who we have been made aware are retiring or moving on to pastures new at the end of this term:
- Kevin Bawn, Principal - Clyst Vale Community College
- Paul Gosling, Headteacher - Exeter Road Community Primary School
- Anne Hawkins, Headteacher - Willand School
- Tim Salvadori, Headteacher - Holsworthy CofE Primary School
- Julia Allen, Headteacher - Devon Hospitals' Short Stay School
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