Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
On 2 December Gloucestershire moved to Tier 2 restrictions for Covid-19. Revised guidance can be found here. Further information is available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
The Department for Education has announced new funding which will be backdated to 1 November and cover the current half term, with detailed guidance due to be published shortly. It is designed for schools and colleges facing significant funding pressure, and will cover the costs of high levels of staff absences over a minimum threshold, to help ensure schools and colleges can remain open. Further details can be found here.
Department for Education guidance continues to advise against all unnecessary visitors to school sites and we are advising that open days should not take place in a physical form. Virtual tours have proved successful for many schools and are a good alternative until the national restrictions are relaxed.
School communities are having to forgo many of their usual ways of celebrating the festive season this year due to the current restrictions and this could include the arrangements for the giving of cards and gifts within schools. Additional information is available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
The government has announced a package of support for students sitting exams and other assessments next summer. The press release can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-measures-to-support-students-ahead-of-next-summers-exams
All Schools
Internal Audit has received intelligence that primary schools may be targeted by threat actors applying pressure to make a payment supposedly against a High Court Writ. Further information is available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
The Oak National Academy continues to update its guidance for schools, including support with planning remote offers, both in mainstream and in specialist/SEND provision, webinars on best practice and case studies from a range of settings. For more information go to Get started: How to use Oak to support your school.
A series of webinars, led by Professor Barry Carpenter CBE, OBE, PhD (Professor of Mental Health in Education, Oxford Brookes University), to support Gloucestershire schools through the process of long term recovery are now available to view via YouTube. Please see the Bulletin Board at the above link for additional information.
Please see the Bulletin Board at the above link for a message from Gloucestershire VCS Alliance, on behalf of health, care, voluntary and community organisations across Gloucestershire.
Sign up here to the 2021 reading for pleasure campaign - READ Gloucestershire!
COVID-impacted schools are eligible for £200+ of free brand new books!
The campaign is delivered by Stroud-based charity Read for Good, in partnership with Gloucestershire Libraries and Information, Library Services for Education
When your school signs up to READ Gloucestershire! you’ll get:
- Access to monthly virtual events with authors, illustrators, and storytellers
- Everything you need to “Drop Everything and Read” with your pupils on the last Friday of each month
- Entry into monthly prize draws for free books, comics, and great reading resources
- Resources to engage and enthuse reluctant and struggling readers
Governance
Clerk vacancies
There are a number of vacancies around the county for clerks to governors. Some schools are looking for temporary clerking cover, other schools are recruiting for a permanent appointment. If you would be interested in finding out more about current vacancies please contact Governor Services: governor.services@gloucestershire.gov.uk
REMINDER - Governor Services Traded Services Packages (LA schools)
This is to remind all schools that have purchased one of our traded services packages that includes a training element, that these need to be used by 31 March 2021. If you are unsure what your school has left to use, please contact Governor Services: governor.services@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Above is the link to our training programme which is continually being updated to reflect demand. To book a place on any training courses, click on the link, ask the school office to book you on or email: governor.services@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Headteacher Performance Management - 11 January 2021 - 7.00-8.30 pm
An additional date for this training has been added to our training programme
New central training course - Governors and Pupil Premium - Wednesday 3 February 2021 - 7.00-8.30 pm
This session will enable governors to understand the aims and intended impact of pupil premium funding, including the latest information about closing the gap in Gloucestershire. Through interactive activities, governors will become familiar with research and good practice about the most effective ways of spending pupil premium funding. The course also focuses on governors' responsibilities in relation to monitoring the impact of the pupil premium and on the role of the pupil premium governor. The course will also cover the governors’ responsibilities in relation to the Covid-19 Catch-up funding for 2020/21.
Reminder - Single Central Record Training for Governors - additional dates
There are still places available on this training.
The aim of these free 1 hour sessions is for you to learn what belongs on your school's single central record (SCR) and your role in monitoring its compliance with safeguarding requirements.
Places are limited to 1 per governing board, for the governor with safeguarding responsibilities (not the headteacher or associate members).
To book a place please click on one of the links below, ask the school office to book you on or email: governor.services@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Thursday 14th January – 9am to 10am
Wednesday 24th February – 2pm to 3pm
Wednesday 17th March – 6pm to 7pm
