Action for all settings: Read updated guidance on the Public Sector Equality Duty
On 18 December 2023, the Minister for Women and Equalities, Kemi Badenoch, wrote to public authorities to make them aware of updated non-statutory guidance on the Public Sector Equality Duty (the Duty), published by the Equality Hub (EH).
You can read the letter here. The Minister makes clear that at this moment in time, given the recent increase in hostility towards the Jewish community and rise of anti-Muslim hatred, it is particularly important that public authorities take their obligations seriously. The Minister also reiterates the importance of public authorities providing leadership in reducing prejudice and increasing understanding between different groups of people.
The Duty applies to public authorities, including maintained nurseries and schools, academies, and state-funded further education settings. It requires these bodies to have due regard to certain equality considerations when exercising their functions.
The guidance is also available here, which replaces existing guidance from the EH and is intended to help decision-makers comply with the Duty.
Action for all settings: Request a free portrait of His Majesty the King Charles III
This is a reminder for all eligible settings to request their free portrait of His Majesty the King Charles III.
Earlier this year the government launched a voluntary scheme inviting all state-funded schools, colleges and maintained nursery schools in the UK to receive one free portrait of His Majesty the King to celebrate his reign.
Eligible settings can now request their free portrait. The deadline for requests is 2 February 2024.
Trusts can order portraits on behalf of their schools. Please refer to the FAQs for details or any specific questions about the portrait and the scheme itself.
Any queries relating to His Majesty the King’s portrait scheme should be directed to hmkportraitscheme@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
Action for all settings: Apply to sit as a member representative on the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Pension Board
The Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan, is seeking to appoint a dynamic and inspirational individual to join the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Pension Board as a member representative.
The role is being advertised on the Teachers’ Pension website and will go live at midday on 27 November 2023 until midnight on 5 January 2024. The appointment will begin in February 2024, initially for a period of up to three years.
Action for early years settings: Apply for the National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership
The National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) is free, flexible, and designed by sector experts to help leaders and aspiring leaders across the early years sector develop their skills. It trains leaders to support children impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as helping them to lead effectively through:
- creating and implementing a vision and policies
- improving staff recruitment, development, management and appraisal
- working in partnership with parents and carers
Read this blog to learn about the experiences of an NPQEYL facilitator and how they feel the course could benefit you.
The application window for the February 2024 cohort is open. Apply today at GOV.UK.
News and developments
Information for early years settings and local authorities: Publication of local authority allocations of £100 million capital funding for childcare entitlements
On 30 November 2023 we published local authority allocations of the £100 million capital funding for the 2023 to 2024 financial year. This funding is to support the expansion of childcare places for eligible working parents, and to increase the supply of wraparound care for primary aged children.
Local authorities should use this funding to increase the physical capacity of early years and wraparound provision in areas where demand is likely to exceed existing supply.
Information for schools and further education settings: End-of-term message from the Secretary of State
The Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan, emailed all schools, colleges and those who subscribe to her directly with a final update at the end of term to thank you for your hard work and wish you all a relaxing break over the festive period.
Read the Secretary of State's email.
Information for schools: Guidance on using the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) to support pupils with SEND
This article will be of interest to SENCOs, senior leaders and school business professionals
Over 4.93 million courses have been started through the NTP since November 2020, including 345,606 this academic year (up to 5 October 2023).
Schools can use the NTP grant to pay for 50% of tuition costs. This can include evidence-underpinned interventions for pupils with SEND, to support development in:
- communication (including speech and language therapy)
Non-mainstream schools receive a higher rate of funding.
Read the guidance on using NTP to support pupils with SEND.
Information for schools: Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 national report for England
The latest PISA results published on 5 December 2023 show that England is among the highest performing European and Western countries for education.
England has significantly outperformed the international average and risen to 11th for maths, from 17th in 2018.
England also ranked 13th for both reading and science, having been 14th and 13th respectively in 2018.
These strong results demonstrate that the government has made real progress in driving up standards.
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