Summer Term | 10 July 2024
 2024/2025 Academic year staff leadership changes
Please could you or your HR/Admin Teams continue to keep us updated of any leadership changes happening in your MAT or school. This is especially important for those appointments which are new to school leadership positions. This will ensure they are then invited to the DCC/DSLS induction day in the autumn term and are appointed a dedicated Professional Partner for support under the aHead Service.
The DCC/DSLS induction day will be taking place on Wednesday 25 September 2024 at the Future Skills Centre nr Exeter Airport. This is an all day event, with the morning dedicated to hearing key messages from teams at the local authority supporting key services e.g. SEND, safeguarding, governance and school effectiveness. The afternoon session will cover the DSLS aHeadStart 2 year induction programme with the opportunity to meet your Professional Partner.
If you are aware of any new starters, please could you ensure this date is in their diary and invitations will follow shortly.
Vacancy for DSLS Administrator
We are readvertising for this position. Should you be aware of any potential and suitable candidates from a school or trust, we would be really grateful if this could be brought to their attention.
"We are looking to recruit a highly organised, self-motivated person with excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail. The ideal candidate will have a strong administrative background. Experience of minute taking and meeting organisation will be essential, along with a sound knowledge of the Microsoft suite of applications. Experience of working in the education and schools’ sector would be desirable."
More information and to apply
Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Monday 22 July 2024
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education
Newly appointed Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson has written a letter to the education forces to make clear the valuable role they will play in the governments agenda for change. Read more ...
 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.
 Read more about the Devon Education Forum (DEF) objectives, terms of reference, minutes and agendas HERE.
 Read more about the Schools Finance Group (SFG) objectives, terms of reference, minutes and agendas HERE.
 Read more about the Schools Organisation, Capital and Admissions (SOCA) objectives, terms of reference, minutes and agendas HERE.
 Read more about the DCC SEND Strategic Partnership Board objectives, terms of reference, minutes and agendas HERE.
 Wraparound Childcare - Devon application process for schools and early years settings has gone 'Live'
DCC is welcoming applications from schools and providers for funding to start wraparound provisions from 8am - 6pm from September 2024. More information and guidance ....
If you have any other questions or would like more information, please contact wraparound@devon.gov.uk
Updates from Public Health Devon
Flu vaccination guidance
UKHSA have updated the guidance on flu vaccination in schools and the adolescent vaccination programme in secondary schools for the 2024/2025 flu season. For further details and to ensure your school is up to date see National College School Vaccinations Resource Pack.
Whooping cough guidance
UKHSA has recently updated the wording for whooping cough (also known as pertussis) advice in its health protection guidance. This is due to a change of vaccine in July 2024 for pregnant women.
The National College have an up-to-speed article, are offering courses, and have an Infection Control Resource Pack that can help schools ensure the proper procedures are in place to protect staff and pupils from infection.
 Academies accounts return submission deadline announced
The ESFA has announced that the return for the 2023/2024 academic year will go live by 5 November 2024, with a submission deadline of 28 January 2025.
Guidance on PE and sport premium grant funding released
The ESFA has released guidance on how to complete the PE and sport premium grant funding assurance form for the 2023/2024 academic year. The National College are offering webinars for primary and secondary schools provide an expert overview of the latest PE and sport guidance from the DfE, led by PE advisor Caroline Holder. Together with strategy impact reporting template that can be used to ensure that schools are meeting the statutory reporting requirements for the PE and sports premium.
The DfE wants your views on proposed changes to the statutory guidance on teaching:
- relationships education
- relationships and sex education
- health education
These subjects are collectively known as RSHE.
Your views are important to help ensure that this guidance supports schools to provide high-quality RSHE which meets the needs of children and young people.
Consultation closes 11 July 2024
 
Framework to promote consistent Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision (OAIP)
Devon County Council has been working closely with parents, children, young people and schools to develop a framework to promote consistent Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision (OAIP) across all primary and secondary schools in Devon.
The framework is now live on the website and can be viewed here.
We are encouraging leaders from all schools and settings to find out more about how to use the framework to support, develop and communicate your inclusive practice by attending an online information session on 11 July, 16 July or 18 July. If you haven’t already booked onto a session, please do so here.
Further support and information will be available in the Autumn term to support with the implementation of this framework across Devon schools and settings.
SEND Support Consultations for Autumn Term 2024
Following the success of the SEND support consultations during this term, we are increasing the frequency of these to two afternoons per week, starting in the autumn term.
Tuesday afternoons will be mainly for Early Years and Primary settings and Wednesday afternoons will be predominantly for Secondary and Post 16 settings.
If your working hours or schedule does not suit these timings, you are welcome to book onto the alternative day.
SEND advisory teams, Education Psychologists and the SEND Statutory team will continue to be part of the consultations and, in addition, other teams will be joining sessions, including Early Help, Inclusion, Education Well-being and Early Years advisors.
Book here for the autumn term appointments.
Where possible, please try to not book more than two consultations per half term. It may also be more helpful and supportive to come along and discuss a wider concern, rather than multiple individual cases.
Education Psychology team update: Research invitation
Are you a secondary teacher interested in enhancing student socio-emotional outcomes through teaching? If yes, you may wish to participate in a University of Exeter study that explores teacher knowledge and readiness to implement Social, Emotional Learning (SEL) in their practice. More information and to apply.
 Click here to read the latest news from DiAS
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Children transitioning to secondary school
Devon & Cornwall Police have highlighted concerns around year 6 students transitioning to secondary school and how potential anxiety may put them at risk, particularly online. More information about the concerns and support links can be found here.
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HAF Funding Schools Transition Projects this summer holiday
A reminder that the deadline to apply for HAF (Holiday Activities & Food Programme)funding is Friday 12 July.
The funding can provide support for FSM children to access activities and trips during the summer holidays for up to 5 days and must include a nutritious meal, the funding award is up to £35 per child per day. It can support a child’s transition from Early Years to Primary or Primary to Secondary.
The application form can be found here.
Any queries should be directed to childsc.holidayactivitiesfoodprogramme-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
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Children's Front Door Update
Request for support form is now live. All referrals for children and families of Devon need to progressed via this form.
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What parents and educators need to know about gambling
A 2023 report from the Gambling Commission found that 40% of 11- to 17-year-olds had some experience of gambling in the preceding 12 months. That’s a significant number of children and young people involved in an over 18s activity. It is crucial we are all aware of the risks and know how to protect and support our children. The National College have a free guide offering insight into the risks posed to children and young people by gambling and advises you on how to safeguard them effectively.
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Music Development Plans and MEG funding for schools
One of the key recommendations of the revised National Plan for Music Education is that all schools should have a Music Development Plan on their website by 1 September 2024. Education Hub has produced a Music Development Plan template to meet DfE requirements Read more...
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Keep up to date:
Contact: Fran Butler Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency Lead, DCC
E-mail: fran.butler@devon.gov.uk
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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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DSLS Autumn Leadership Briefing
Online Bookings are now open for the DSLS Autumn School Leadership Briefing on Thursday 14 November 2024 at Sandy Park Conference Centre.
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13 March 2025 DSLS Spring School leadership Briefing, venue TBC
26 June 2025 DSLS Summer School leadership Briefing, venue TBC
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