Spring Term | 4 April 2025
 Happy Easter form the DSLS Team
The DSLS office will close at 3pm Friday 4 April and will reopen on Tuesday 22 April 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.
Please see the working group summary for agenda content, minutes and feedback from groups attended by DSLS representatives.
 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.
 Schools Leadership Update
Update from Jack Newton, Interim Deputy Director, Head of Inclusion and Learning - 2 April 2025.
Key updates include:
- Budget Notification Letter 2025-26
- Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision: Targeted Support Framework new webpage; training workshop
- UPDATED GUIDANCE re data protection in schools to support school aged vaccination programmes
- Holiday Activities & Food Programme 2025
- Educational Psychology Early Intervention Traded Services Availability
Important consultation for school leaders and Designated Safeguarding Leads
Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership (SCP) would like to seek practitioner views from across our partnership in relation to Conflict, Resolution and Challenge processes. We would appreciate completion of the following survey here in order for you to share your experiences and suggestions around questioning, challenging, escalating decision making and dealing with professional differences. The survey will close at the end of 20 April 2025.
Overcoming Anxiety Programme
Currently the Overcoming Anxiety Program is full with a waiting list. Parents on the waiting list are being contacted to access a session in the summer term. If any vacancies become available, schools will be informed.
Additional sessions for academic year 25/26 will be advertised with school’s next term and on the website. Parents can self-refer onto this programme and schools can sign post.
Free School Meal Transitional Protection update
Read updates about the Free School Meal Transitional Protection changes from 1 April 2025.
 £740 million allocated for 10,000 new places for pupils with SEND
New SEND places to create more inclusive classrooms in mainstream schools, delivering on Plan for Change to break down barriers to opportunity. Read more.
National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) framework review
We are seeking recent, relevant and high-quality research that may inform updates to the evidence-base underpinning 3 NPQ frameworks. Read more.
Regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE)
Information about the eligibility criteria for targeted intervention, the national priorities for the universal service, funding, and RISE advisers. Read more.
Pupil Premium
Information on pupil premium funding, how school leaders can use it effectively and pupil premium strategy statements. Read more.
Parents to save thousands through school-based nursery places
Three hundred new school-based nurseries approved in first round of funding, delivering on manifesto pledge with massive boost to early education. Read more.
Service Pupils in Schools: Non-statutory guidance
Information and guidance for state-funded schools and local authorities on how to understand and address the needs of Service pupils. Read more.
Local authorities: pre-16 schools funding
Guidance, allocations and conditions of grant for pre-16 schools funding. Read more.
 
Read important updates including:
 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
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