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 - Young Carers to be included in Spring Census
A final reminder to ask all school leaders and pastoral leads to ensure all known Young Carers in your school are registered as such on your management information system so that the information is pulled across on the census next week (Thursday 18 January).
in 2023 only 500 Young Carers were counted in the census data in Devon, when it is known that there were actually over 2000. 70% of schools nationally said there were no Young Carers in their school - but it is known this is not accurate.
The Young Carers Steering Group would really appreciate it if MIS records were updated in time for the census. Thank you.
The Devon SEND Strategic Partnership Board met on 15 December 2023. You can view the minutes, and the dates of all the 2024 Partnership Boards on the Local Offer website.
Hello from Ceri Morgan - Deputy Director, Education and Learning
This is my first opportunity to say hello to all colleagues in Devon (both within the County Council and beyond).
My name is Ceri Morgan, and I am the new deputy Director, Education and Learning – interim but for an unknown period of time at the moment – and I’m delighted to be here.
My background is pure education – started a career as a teacher of mathematics and eventually taught mathematics at The University of Warwick – training new maths teachers and some statistics. I have worked across all phases of education from Early Years – ages from 5-to undergraduate level and have been a headteacher in several schools (2 substantive and some advisory). I was also one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors for 10 years – including as a member of the Schools Causing Concern team, maths specialist team and some policy work. This led to a secondment to The British Council where I worked internationally for 4 years – including in some post conflict countries. I have also worked in three different deployments with the Department for Education – in the Regional Academies team (in the West Midlands) as a Deputy Director and more recently as an Attendance Adviser. My last full-time post was as Director for Education and Skills for Herefordshire Council and since Easter 2023 in several roles including working for a large and growing academy trust based around several sixth form colleges.
I have started working with Devon already but not quite yet full time – I still have to ease my way out of some previous commitments – but I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can in the near future. My out of work interests include family life, a keen interest in rugby (as a watcher these days) and I am a trustee for two academy trusts alongside volunteer work for two brain tumour charities. If I can I pretend to cook as a hobby also.
So – delighted to be here – I’m still in the process of meeting people for the first time and please do get in touch if you think there is anything I can do.
Kind regards
Ceri Morgan
Police guidance for all schools in relation to education settings emergencies.
Please see the attached guidance from the police for all schools in relation to education settings emergencies.
Major national drive to improve school attendance
Attendance hubs to more than double to support 1,000 more schools and £15 million investment to expand the attendance mentor pilot programme. READ MORE
Pupil attendance in schools
Data on the levels of attendance and overall, authorised and unauthorised absence in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools. READ MORE
Schools causing concern
Updated statutory guidance on local authorities' and regional directors' responsibilities relating to schools and PRUs causing concern.READ MORE
Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework - Updated
The standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5. READ MORE
Sir Martyn Oliver begins term at Ofsted with mental health awareness training for inspectors
The new His Majesty’s Chief Inspector begins with an immediate package of training for inspectors, a response to the Ruth Perry inquest and a Big Listen. READ MORE
School and further education inspections to begin from 22 January
Inspections of schools and further education providers in England will begin from 22 January, following mental health awareness training for all lead inspectors. READ MORE
Minimum service levels (MSLs) in education
The DfE is seeking views on the most appropriate approach for delivering minimum service levels in education services and evidence on the impact of strike action.
The Devon SEND partnership has published their news for January. 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 January edition: Devon SEND Partnership news January 2024
Online Bookingsare also now being taken for the DSLS Spring School Leadership Briefing on Thursday 7 March 2024. Agenda and guest speaker details to follow. Please see the Booking Form for Terms and Conditions.
DSLS Annual School Leadership Conference 10 & 11 October 2024
BOOK ONLINE for the 2024 event, and check the DSLS website for regular news and updates. One booking form per delegate required. Terms and conditions apply, please see the online booking form for further details.
Details of Conference Programme & delegate pricing to follow.
Target audience: primary and secondary school leaders and other members of the school leadership team.
Delegate options:
(Pricing - to follow)
Option A - Two day residential Option B - Two day residential sharing with named colleague Option C - Two day non-residential Option D - Day one only (Thursday 10 October 2024, includes charity dinner) Option E - Day two only (Friday 11 October 2024)
