Action for all settings: Sign up for the Secretary of State’s January start-of-term broadcast
Join the Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan for a live start-of-term broadcast on 16 January 2024 at 4:00pm.
The session will be a chance for you to hear about the department's focus for the coming term and for you to tell us about your priorities. Register for the session.
The session will also provide the opportunity for you to ask the Secretary of State questions. You can use this form to pre-submit questions, and a selection will be answered during the broadcast.
Action for schools: Register for a webinar to share your views on workload reduction in marking, planning, and data management
This article will be of interest to teaching staff
Sign up to our webinar on workload reduction recommendations on 23 January 2024 at 4:00pm.
The session will aim to provide classroom-based teachers an opportunity to provide feedback on the findings, practical implementation and continued relevance of the 2016 and 2018 independent workload review groups’ reports on marking, planning and data management.
To ensure interactivity attendee numbers will be limited, we encourage those wanting to participate to sign up as soon as possible and ask schools to limit sign-ups to one representative per school.
Action for schools: Participate in Office for National Statistics (ONS) public sector time-use study
The ONS are undertaking a pilot study exploring the different activities public sector workers spend time on.
Participants will fill in an online diary detailing their activities over two working days of their choice during the first two weeks of February. This will provide valuable insights into the daily activities of the school workforce and support action to improve workload which is a high priority for the government.
We would like to invite staff from across school sector to join the study, so would be grateful for this message to be shared with all staff who can sign up here, using the code 50005. The link will be live from 9 January 2024 and the deadline to express interest is 15 January 2024. ONS will then select a small sample to participate who they will contact shortly after this deadline.
As a thank you for volunteering for this important study participants who are selected will receive a voucher.
Action for local authorities: Join a webinar on Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools
This article will be of interest to Directors of Children’s Services and SENCOs
Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) is a new offer for local authorities to support children with neurodiversity.
This project is a partnership between the Department for Education, the Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England. It provides funding to integrated care boards to develop innovative ways to support the education and health needs of neurodiverse children.
For more information, we invite Directors of Children’s Services and those in local authorities responsible for this area of work to join a webinar on 16 January 2024 from 10:00am to 11:00am.
News and developments
Information for all settings: StayWise – A Blue light initiative to save lives through education
StayWise is a library of educational resources created by emergency services and their partners to embed safety messaging into everyday learning, and to support teachers, organisations and families in delivering consistent national guidance. The range of resources covers multiple key stages, subjects and languages, including SEND provision.
Find out how to register to StayWise free of charge. Visit the StayWise website to find lesson plans, activities and more.
Information for early years settings: Changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory frameworks
Help for Early Years Providers have published new information and guidance on the changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory frameworks which came into effect on 4 January 2024.
We encourage you to share the new frameworks within your networks, to ensure that all early years providers, practitioners and stakeholders feel confident and informed of the changes.
Information for schools, further education settings and local authorities: ‘It all starts with skills’ campaign and resources
We have launched a new campaign to encourage and motivate young people, adults and businesses to find out more about government skills and technical education offers.
The multi-channel campaign highlights priority skills routes and encourages people to search ‘Skills for Life’ or visit Skills for Careers, a new website where they can explore information about skills training options and careers.
Find out more in our ‘It all starts with skills’ campaign toolkit.
Information for schools: Results of the consultation on formulae and equation sheets for GCSE exams in 2024
Ofqual have published the consultation results on formulae and equation sheets for GCSE exams in 2024.
Exam boards will provide enhanced formulae and equation sheets for GCSE mathematics, physics and combined sciences in 2024. The requirement for memorising them was removed under the government’s commitment to education recovery. 2024 will be the final year enhanced formulae and equation sheets will be provided, with normal exam arrangements returning in 2025.
Information for schools: British Sign Language GCSE subject content published
On 21 December 2023, the final British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE subject content was published, following a 12-week public consultation.
The BSL GCSE will teach students to effectively communicate with other signers in work, social and academic settings. It will also provide pupils with an important life skill and advance inclusivity within education.
Our aim is that exam board specifications will be available in time for schools to begin teaching the new GCSE from September 2025.
Information for schools: Record young carers in the 2024 school census
Young carers’ responsibilities at home can often impact their education and so we are asking schools to ensure they are identified and supported. All schools (except nursery) are asked to record their young carers in the Spring 2024 census. This now includes independent schools in the school-level annual school census.
The Spring 2024 census and school-level annual school census both open on 18 January 2024.
Further information can be found on the Young Carers in Schools website.
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