Information items
Safeguarding
Peer-on peer abuse can take various forms and include serious bullying, relationship abuse, domestic violence, child sexual exploitation, harmful sexual behaviour, and/or gender based violence. As part of the on-going work being undertaken by the Peer-on-Peer Working Party with representation from GAPH, GASH, GASSH and FE, the group has produced an information leaflet for staff, which is available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
Covid-19 Information for Schools
Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
In advance of the start of term, a pack of documents have been produced that may be useful for preparation and continuing to manage Covid cases within your setting. These documents are available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
All Schools
Please see the Bulletin Board at the above link for an update containing information from Gloucestershire County Council around changes to Department for Education (DfE) exclusion terminology from September 2021 and reminder of statutory duties in relation to reporting exclusions.
Ahead of our response to the Department for Education consultation, we wanted to provide an opportunity for schools to review and contribute to the local authority response. During the session we will review the purpose of the consultation and the long-term aim of moving to a hard national Funding Formula. We will also share our proposed response to the questions raised in the consultation, providing an opportunity for comments and feedback from schools to be included before submission. Additional information is available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
A University of Oxford report has recommended a ‘multi-agency working’ approach to support children and schools, similar to that of Gloucestershire County Council’s TALC programme. A report investigates the potential new and heightened risks for school exclusions following the Covid-19 pandemic. Link to newsletter: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKGLOUCESTERSHIRE/bulletins/2e7730a
The LA is pleased to be hosting a webinar for Gloucestershire schools on Wednesday 15 September with guest speaker Paul Williams, who is a senior HMI. The webinar will provide school leaders with a refresher and the latest updates on the Education Inspection Framework (EIF) including information on Section 5 and 8 inspections. Interwoven into the session will be specific references to the curriculum. Further information is available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
At the start of the new academic year, governing boards will be making arrangements to undertake their headteachers’ appraisal. The information here has details about the process, how to secure an external adviser to support the process, and how to book governor training.
Internal Audit’s activity within schools is prioritised based on risk and as such a sample of schools were audited during 2020/21. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic a remote auditing approach was taken. Individual reports were issued to each school and a number of recommendations were made. As these findings could apply to other schools, the information is being shared with all schools. A list of common findings and risks from 2020/21 school audits is available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
A revised Education Outcomes and Intervention (EOI) Structure Chart with new Head of School Improvement, Clare Dudman is available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
As the new academic year starts, the primary aged pupils registered with GFAPS and who attend the Joys Green Centre in Lydbrook move in to their new classrooms at Olympus Park in Quedgeley. Please see the Bulletin Board at the above link for additional information.
Thank you to all those who provided their views on this proposal in the summer. The Council has now published a statutory notice of its intention to close The Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Alternative Provision School (CTAPS) and enlarge The Stroud and Cotswold Alternative Provision School (SCAPS), creating a single Pupil Referral Unit. Further information is available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
Please see the Bulletin Board at the above link for message from Nicola Hopper, Education Advisor, Previously Looked After Children, Gloucestershire County Council.
On 6 August the government announced that over 120 UK universities, as well as schools and further education colleges, will be awarded grants from the £110 million Turing Scheme. Under the new scheme, which has replaced the UK’s participation in Erasmus+, UK students will be funded to take up work and study placements at over 150 international destinations including Canada, Japan, the United States, Germany and France. Further information is available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
The Spring Bank Holiday in 2022 will be moved to Thursday 2 June and an additional Bank Holiday on Friday 3 June will see a four-day weekend to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The government has laid regulations to reduce the minimum number of sessions schools are required to meet in the academic year 2021 to 2022. Further details are available on the Bulletin Board at the above link.
The theme of Road Safety Week 2021 is Road Safety Heroes, celebrating the heroic work of the emergency services and road safety professionals across the UK, and explaining how we can all play a part in making journeys safer for everyone. Road Safety Week is delivered by Brake, the road safety charity.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can lead to educational problems for pupils in later life. But, Gloucestershire County Council’s trauma informed approach to dealing with ACEs can help to support pupils with additional needs.
Primary
The Bulletin Board at the above link has information regarding Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) training for reception in maths, writing and language & vocabulary delivered by independent specialists, Julie Sargent and Nathan Crook.
Please see the Bulletin Board at the above link for information on an introductory session to Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in reception for teachers who are new to teaching EYFS. This includes newly qualified teachers, teachers who have been teaching later year groups, and those who are returning to EYFS.
From financial year 2021-22 the GCC waste contract recharges will no longer be charged to GL code 25030 (Refuse collection and pest collection) and instead will be charged to a new GL code 73636 (Waste internal recharge (county waste contract). Please see the Bulletin Board at the above link for additional information.
Secondary
Vacancies have arisen within the Gloucestershire Schools Forum membership and nominations are currently being sought for the two secondary school vacant seats. If you wish to put your name forward for one of the vacant seats, please see the Bulletin Board at the above link for further information.
Governance
Important news and communications from the Department for Education (DfE) relating to governance in maintained schools and academy trusts in England.
A list of governor training opportunities for September 2021 - March 2022 is available on the Governor Services webpage (link above).
All our training is being delivered virtually until further notice. Places on any of these courses must be booked through GCC Plus. Your school or clerk will be able to book on your behalf.
There are still places available on these upcoming courses:
Single Central Record Training – 22.09.21 – 17.30-18.30
Headteacher Performance Management – 30.09.21 – 09.30-11.00
Training for New Governors (2 parts) – 06.10.21 & 13.10.21 – 19.00-21.00
Headteacher Performance Management – 11.10.21 – 19.00-20.30
Budgeting & Finance – 12.10.21 – 19.00-21.00
The Revised EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) – 13.10.21 – 09.30-11.30
Health & Safety in Schools – 13.10.21 – 18.30-20.00
Training for New Governors (2 parts) - 14.10.21 & 21.10.21 – 19.00-21.00
New & Aspiring Chairs (2 parts) – 18.10.21 & 21.10.21 – 19.00-20.30
The Revised EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) – 18.10.21 – 19.00-21.00
An Introduction to External Performance Data – 19.10.21 – 19.00-20.30
Safeguarding Children – 20.10.21 – 19.00-20.30
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