All Schools
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022 came into force on 1st September 2022. Find out more...
Applications for Holiday Free School Meal Vouchers for the October half term is now open from until midday 11 October 2022. Voucher emails will be sent out on the 19 October. Please see the Bulletin Board at the above link for more information.
Proposals to change school day timings - Impact on Home to School Transport (HTST)
The Home to School Transport Team have been made aware of recent cases where academy trusts and schools have planned a change to the timings of the end of the school day without consulting the LA regarding the impact of the proposed changes, in particular, impacts on home to school transport arrangements and timetables.
Schools are able to review their school day timings, however, schools are asked to ensure the Local Authority is fully consulted on proposals in advance of decisions and the implementation of changes. It may not always be possible to accommodate changes in relation to the timing of home to school transport pick-ups and drop offs which are commissioned through the Integrated Transport Unit (ITU). These services are provided for all eligible students for free home to school transport.
Any changes made by schools without consultation and planning with the Local Authority are likely to result in increased transport costs. The school or academy trust may be required to meet those unplanned additional costs or changes to existing arrangements may not be possible.
It is important therefore that if schools are considering changes to their school day timings, schools are asked to make contact with the ITU at as early a stage as possible to discuss any home to school transport implications.
Please contact Faye Williams in the first instance to discuss any proposals - faye.williams@gloucestershire.gov.uk
As introduced at the Attendance Network Meetings in June this year the DfE have introduced new guidance for maintained schools, academies, independent schools and local authorities. The new guidance sets out clearly the responsibilities for each organisation.
The changes in attendance guidance that are to be implemented from September 2022 will be supported by a change in the way that data is shared with the DfE. Please ensure this information is passed on to your senior leadership member with responsibility for attendance to action.
The following update contains information from Gloucestershire County Council around the new DfE guidance on School suspensions and permanent exclusions which came into effect on 1st September 2022.
GCC guidance and templates have been updated and can be found at: Exclusions - Schoolsnet (gloucestershire.gov.uk)
The OPCC is seeking an overview of providers offering support or focused inputs to schools around topics such as knife crime and gang violence, under the definition of serious youth violence. The OPCC wishes to understand what provision is already available and how widely it is accessed in order to identify any gaps. In addition, the OPCC would also welcome recommendations from school leaders for the targeting of any future funding for prevention and intervention work in schools or for children and young people. The OPCC are therefore conducting a short needs assessment/mapping exercise, which can be accessed via the explanatory letter.
The brand-new £35 million carbon neutral secondary school building in Cheltenham is complete, ready to welcome its first pupils.
As part of the ongoing support provided to educational settings as part of Traded Services by Gloucestershire Safeguarding Education Partnership we will be trialling extended hours for safeguarding support.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced it will undertake school inspections from September 2022. These inspections are aimed at ensuring asbestos is being managed effectively in schools, in line with their duties under Control of Asbestos Regulations to keep children, staff and the wider community safe from asbestos.
Further details can be found in the HSE’s announcement which sets out what they will be looking at and how schools should prepare for a possible inspection.
DfE has published the asbestos management in schools guidance for schools to help them understand and meet their responsibilities in managing asbestos safely, including having an asbestos management plan and register.
Governance
Ofsted Webinars for Schools - Autumn 2022
Free Ofsted webinar for governors - 8 November 2022 - 17.30-18.30
Ofsted will be running a webinar entitled ‘Governance and Inspection’. This will give governors an opportunity to find out about the inspection process and clarify the role of school governors in it. To sign up for this free Ofsted webinar, go to link above.
How schools are inspected - 22 November 2022 - 16.00-17.00
This session will focus on the practicalities of school inspection from the initial notification of inspection right through to the publication of the final report. To register use the link above.
Clerks' Briefings
The aim of these free online one-hour briefings are to share the latest developments in school governance. The briefings will include legislation updates and best practice advice on a wide range of topics. It will also include information on clerking responsibilities and professional development.
Tuesday 15 November 2022
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10.00 – 11.00
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Wednesday 23 November 2022
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19.00 – 20.00
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Places should be booked through GCC Plus. Please ask your school office to book a place for you.
Governor Trainers
Governor Services is seeking to recruit high quality trainers to join the existing team.
Trainers will have the opportunity to train individual governing boards and to lead “central” courses attended by individual governors from a range of schools. Training is offered at both day and evening sessions at venues around the County and virtually online.
Applicants should have current or recent experience of school governance and demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the subject, together with experience of delivering training.
Hours worked by individual trainers are by negotiation, to reflect both individual preference and the needs of the service.
For a brief discussion on current training procedures/delivery please contact Governor Services on 01452 427802 or email: governor.services@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Letter of application including a curriculum vitae should be sent to: Sandra Shepherd, Strategic Lead for Governance, Governor Services. Email: governor.services@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Closing date for application: Friday 14th October 2022.
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