Spring Term | 28 February 2025
 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 2024-25: DSLS Working Group Representatives.
Additionally, the Schools Leadership Group (SLG) (formally Schools Executive Committee) (DSLS SLG Membership 2024-25) 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/spring 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.
 Transfer of 0.5% from Schools Block to High Needs Block 2025-26 Update
Please find an important update regarding the School Budget Share for 2025-26, recently published via the School Leadership Update, read more.
Schools Leadership Update
Update from Jack Newton, Interim Deputy Director, Head of Inclusion and Learning - 14 February 2025.
Key updates include:
- Transfer of 0.5% from Schools Block to High Needs Block 2025-26
- Uniform Intelligence Hub
- Concerns about the reduction in entries for Religious Studies at GCSE and A level
- Change to Engineering Inspection Contract
 Testing our proposals to improve education inspections
Earlier this month, a public consultation was launched on the new approach to inspecting education providers. This includes new toolkits for how we will inspect, and the introduction of report cards.
Ofsted want to hear from parents, carers, learners and professionals to make sure their views are understood. Read more.
 Keeping children safe in education settings: everything you need to know
Schools should be safe places where children can focus on learning and staff can focus on delivering a great education. In light of recent events, such as the tragic death of a boy after a stabbing at a Sheffield school, it is important that school staff, pupils and parents feel reassured about school safety.
Schools have a duty to ensure staff and pupil safety, and the Department for Education provides guidance so leaders can put in place measures that work for their individual setting. Read more.
 Help shape the future of Devon Family Hubs
DCC are thrilled to announce the ongoing development of Family Hubs in Devon, designed to provide enhanced support for families. These hubs will bring together partners in health, education, and children's and adult services to offer early intervention and direct families to the right services at the right time.
Your expertise are required to ensure these Family Hubs meet the needs of our communities, families, and supporting organisations. This is your chance to make a difference and help shape the future of Devon Family Hubs.
Please take a few moments to complete the poll here.
Devon Education Services Safeguarding newsletter - February 2025
Read important safeguarding updates including:
  Devon Specialist Outreach Service Development - Update
Read here Kellie Knotts communication dated 26 February 2025, regarding the development of an innovative partnership commissioned by Devon County Council.
Devon Special Education Needs and Disabilities newsletter:
Every young person in Devon should flourish at every stage of their life, as part of the new Local Area SEND Strategy, a commitment was made to provide support, alongside information and advice, so that young people can prepare and make informed decisions about their next steps.
The first online support sessions for young people moving into adulthood take place on Tuesday 11 February, with further dates in 2025. Read more.
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Your final opportunity to sign up to the annual Make your Mark youth ballot!
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Democracy week is 10-16 March. This countywide issue-based ballot for 11-19 year olds provides a perfect opportunity to give a practical and meaningful expression to the theory of democracy, which I am sure you will agree is more important now than ever. The ballot runs throughout March.
A big thank you to the following schools for already signing up to Make Your Mark 2025:
- St James School, Ted Wragg Trust
- Sidmouth college, Ted Wragg Trust
- Petroc
- Bideford College, Athena Learning Trust
- Atlantic Academy, Athena Learning Trust
- Pilton Community College, Ventrus MAT
- South Molton Community College
- Dawlish College, Ivy Education Trust
- River Dart Academy (PRU), Wave Multi Academy Trust
If you are a member of staff in any other secondary school or college, please take 1 minute (literally!) to sign up here and the Youth Participation team at DCC will send you all the information you need. This will include useful resources on the topic of democracy and the support from Participation team members to facilitate the vote in your setting if required. There are approximately 90,000 11-19 year olds in Devon - let’s try to get at least 10% voting for the top issues they face in Devon during the month of March! You can find more information on Make your Mark here.
 A focus on inclusion and SEND in the EYFS
SEND Support Consultations offer an online multi-professional, solution focused conversation around any concerns related to SEND or Inclusion.
They provide a reflective space and offers schools and settings advice, support and signposting. They can be used to consider ordinarily available whole school and targeted provision as part of your Graduated Approach. Read more.
Spring wrapround childcare programme updates
In January the Department for Education announced the extension of the wraparound childcare funding to March 2026. This means any school or private provider who opens a new childcare provision before March 2026, could receive at least one year’s funding.
If you are already running childcare, but may not be offering the core offer, you can apply for funding to support the expansion of hours, for example if you already have a breakfast club, you could apply to open an after school provision, extend hours to meet full core offer, or expand the number of childcare places you can take. Read more.
Do you receive the latest news and updates from the Early Years and Childcare Service?
Keep up to date:
Contact: Fran Butler Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency Lead, DCC. E-mail: fran.butler@devon.gov.uk
 Click here to read the latest news from DiAS
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DAG Newsletter
Click here to view the latest newsletter from DAG.
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Click here to read the latest Education Support - February 2025 newsletter. |
 Professional Development Programmes
SWIFT Teaching School Hubs in partnership with Leading Schools South West are inviting applications for the following NPQs for the Spring 2025 cohort:
- Teach First Programmes 2024 – 2025
- NIoT Programmes 2024 – 2025
For more information and to apply click here.
 Call for secondary school teachers: Research about behaviour and student relationships.
This study conducted by Holly James, a Masters student at the University of Exeter, aims to explore behaviour approaches and relationships with students among UK Secondary School teachers. Link to the survey, responses are anonymous.
Mapping strategies to support young people’s social, emotional and mental health (SEMH)
The University of Exeter is mapping support, tools and strategies currently being used in schools and colleges across the region which help teachers and staff support students with SEMH needs for the new Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Education Alliance. The survey asks questions about SEMH provision in your school or college. We therefore suggest that a member of staff familiar with this provision complete this survey for each school. Link to survey.
DSLS Summer Leadership Briefing
Book your place now for the DSLS Summer School Leadership Briefing on Thursday 19 June 2025 at Exeter Racecourse.
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