Scene! 6th September 2016

Welcome back to the start of the new school year. We hope you had an enjoyable Summer break and are looking forward to another exciting year.

Congratulations on your achievements over the past year – whether they have been seen with your Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 or 2, GCSE or A Level pass rates, improved attendance or behaviour and attitude to learning. It is your commitment and hard work that ensures so many of our city pupils and students are well prepared for the next stage in their lives. Thank you on behalf of the City Council.

Whilst we are encouraged by many of the outcomes we are seeing in city schools and academies this year we know school improvement will remain high on the agenda over the coming year and as such remain committed to developing activities that impact on all city children and students in the most efficient and strategic way possible.

We have been greatly encouraged by your collective response to a range of activities over the last year including;

• the work of the EIB-transition, mathematics, workload
• the termly DSL network meetings
• engagement with the ongoing AP programme
• data sharing / the introduction of personalised scorecards  / complementary Question Level Analyses; designed to aid transparency and minimise duplication of resources 

We recognise that we are all under significant pressure to perform in a particularly challenging financial climate and for the City Council Education Department our focus is currently on balancing statutory and discretionary education-related functions. Consequently we have reluctantly had to reduce our School Improvement Advisory commitment for the coming year. We will keep you updated of any further change as the year progresses.

We know schools and academies are responsible for their own improvement journeys and firmly believe they are best placed to decide how to tackle issues of leadership, governance, attainment and the quality of teaching and learning.  The Council’s role will be to continue to act as champion for children, young people and their parents.  By this we mean that we will continue to track and monitor the progress of schools, challenging and supporting where appropriate.

Again, thank you for continuing to commit significant time, effort and energy to improve the life chances of our city pupils, students and families.

We look forward to seeing you at the forthcoming EIB conference on Friday 16th September 8.30am-1.30pm at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel (http://nottinghamschools.org.uk/events/education-improvement-board-eib-conference/) to listen to Sean Harford’s thoughts and reflections regarding the teacher workload agenda. Sean is the National Director, Education, Ofsted.

If you have any questions or comments on any of the above please drop us a line. In the meantime we wish you a great start to a successful new academic year!

Pat and Sarah Fielding

Urgent and important stories...!

Early years foundation stage profile will remain statutory for the 2016 to 2017 academic year - The early years foundation stage profile (EYFSP) was due to become non-statutory from September 2016. Having carefully looked at the particular issues regarding the EYFSP and also in the context of the overall changes to primary assessment, the EYFSP will now remain statutory for the 2016 to 2017 academic year. For more information please visit: http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/2016/08/the-early-years-foundation-stage-profile-retained-for-201617/

New series of joint inspections to focus on domestic abuse -
Ofsted, Care Quality Commission, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and HM Inspectorate of Probation, first published: 10 August 2016. New inspections to examine partnership working with a focus on domestic abuse.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-series-of-joint-inspections-to-focus-on-domestic-abuse 

This includes all professionals who work with children in schools (Professionals: This means social workers, family/social work support workers, Cafcass practitioners, police officers and support staff, health professionals and support staff, personnel in the National Probation Service and community rehabilitation company, youth offending team staff, teachers and school staff).

Greenfields Community School awarded for their healthy food achievements - Greenfields Community School has been awarded the prestigious Food for Life Gold award for its healthy and climate-friendly food culture. This makes it one of only eighteen schools across the country to have been awarded the Gold Award. For the full release please visit: http://www.nottinghamschools.org.uk/6423

DfE Guidance: Joint inspections of arrangements and services for children in need of help and protection - Framework and guidance for joint targeted area inspections of local area services. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/joint-inspections-of-arrangements-and-services-for-children-in-need-of-help-and-protection

Education Improvement Board - The EIB invites all city headteachers to the launch of its charter to reduce teacher workload in city schools. Friday 16th September 2016 08:45am. For further details of the event please visit:
http://nottinghamschools.org.uk/events/education-improvement-board-eib-conference/

Supporting Refugee Children - Does your school/academy have a policy on supporting refugee children in acquiring school clothing? If so, we would like to hear from you. Please email eduserve@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

National Statistics: National curriculum assessments: key stage 2, 2016 (provisional) - Provisional 2016 key stage 2 results for pupils in schools in England at national, regional and local authority level. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-curriculum-assessments-key-stage-2-2016-provisional

DfE Guidance: Childhood obesity: a plan for action and Nottingham Response to Childhood Obesity Strategy - The government's plan for action to significantly reduce childhood obesity by supporting healthier choices. The Strategy was launched in August, much of which focused on the roles that schools, especially Primary schools, can play in supporting the strategy. For more information about the Strategy please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childhood-obesity-a-plan-for-action  For a summary of the Strategy or for some of the key statements outlined please visit: https://www.character-uk.org/government-childhood-obesity-strategy-summary/. Information can be found on the Scene News Articles for September page item number 4: http://www.nottinghamschools.org.uk/scene/september-2016-scene-articles/

DfE Guidance: Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education skills (updated 23rd August) - Guidance for Ofsted inspectors to use when inspecting safeguarding under the common inspection framework. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspecting-safeguarding-in-early-years-education-and-skills-from-september-2015

Schools Funding Summer Term Adjustments - Funding allocations and adjustments made in the summer term. Adjustments have been made to the following funding streams: Early Years, High Level Needs, Pupil Premium Plus (LAC), Finalised Pupil Premium, Special Resource Units, Universal Infant Free School Meals, PE & Sports Grant and Special Schools. For more information on the funding please visit: http://www.nottinghamschools.org.uk/business-management-support/schools-funding/summer-term-adjustments/

DfE Guidance: School inspection handbook: Updated 23rd August 2016 - Guidance for inspecting schools under the common inspection framework, with a mythbuster document on common misconceptions. For more information please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-inspection-handbook-from-september-2015

DfE Guidance: Handbook for short, monitoring and unannounced behaviour school inspections: Updated 23rd August - Guidance for Ofsted inspectors carrying out inspections under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/handbook-for-short-monitoring-and-unannounced-behaviour-school-inspections

Statutory guidance: Keeping children safe in education - Statutory guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding children and safer recruitment. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2

Important but not urgent stories...!

Free Education event for teachers at the Galleries of Justice Museum this September: In February 2017, the Galleries of Justice Museum is being relaunched and we want to share our plans with you and hear your feedback
Our education opening evening provides an opportunity to:
•  Network with other professionals and meet new people
•  Share ideas and feedback
•  Find out about exciting changes at the museum and new activities on offer for schools and groups
To RSVP please email Eleanor.Bond@nccl.org.uk Find out more: http://www.nccl.org.uk/2016/06/education-open-evening-in-nottingham/

Assembly Offer for Year 7 - The Community Public Nursing Service (formally School Health) are able to come to your school  assemblies to talk to your students about what the service does for them. This is to encourage them to use the drop in service and familiarise themselves with 1 or 2 of the members of staff who may be at that drop in service. We want to ensure all your students are aware of the Community Public Nursing Service and what it provides for them. We are happy to come to you maybe once a term or when you feel is most appropriate. The first term is perhaps the most important so new students know the service from the start. To discuss this offer further or book an assembly please contact Vanessa McFarlane (Health Improvement Coordinator) on 0115 8834246 or email Vanessa.mcfarlane@nottinghamcitycare.nhs.uk

The Early Years Team are pleased to bring you the 2016–17 CPD Teaching and Learning brochure! - You will find this years’ brochure packed full of learning opportunities addressing the prime and specific areas of learning. We also have an exciting project lead by Early Years Consultant Alice Sharp and news of our Annual Conference 2017, book soon to avoid disappointment! For the full list of opportunities available please visit: http://www.nottinghamschools.org.uk/media/442248/early-years-teaching-and-learning-cpd-brochure-2016-17.pdf

DfE Guidance - Teacher misconduct: regulating the teaching profession - Find out how misconduct in the teaching profession is regulated, investigated and managed. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teacher-misconduct-regulating-the-teaching-profession

DfE Guidance - Teacher misconduct: information for teachers - Guidance for teachers who may be subject to the teacher disciplinary procedures. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-misconduct-information-for-teachers

Space to Earth Challenge: Your Invitation - Your school is invited to take part in the FREE Space to Earth Mini Triathlon on Tuesday 11th October 2016. This exciting event is supported by the UK Space Agency and British Astronaut Tim Peake, who is challenging school children to swim, bike and run the 400km distance from Earth to the International Space Station and train with him while he is in space. For more information or to book a place please visit: www.triathlontrust.org/events alternatively please contact elizabethmullins@triathlontrust.org.uk / 07885 555 2140

DfE Guidance: School teacher's pay and conditions 2016 - Statutory guidance on pay and conditions for teachers in England and Wales. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-teachers-pay-and-conditions-2016

DfE Guidance: School teachers' pay and conditions: guidance -  Guidance to help schools and governing bodies develop their approach to teachers' and school leaders' pay. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reviewing-and-revising-school-teachers-pay

Open consultation: Early years funding: changes to funding for 3 and 4-year olds - We seek views on changes to how we fund free childcare and early education for 3 and 4-year olds, including a new national funding formula. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/early-years-funding-changes-to-funding-for-3-and-4-year-olds

Open consultation: Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect -  This consultation seeks views on the possible introduction of mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect or a duty to act in relation to child abuse or neglect. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reporting-and-acting-on-child-abuse-and-neglect

Every Colleague Matters Event 10th to 14th October 2016 - "Mental Health and Wellbeing in Nottingham: Working together to make a difference". This week long event offers a range of awareness raising and skills development sessions open to everyone who works within the Children’s and Adults Workforce in the City of Nottingham (including Local Authority, Health service, Police, Voluntary, Private and independent Sector Organisations). For more information please visit: http://www.nottinghamschools.org.uk/news/every-colleague-matters-event-10th-to-14th-october-2016/

Exciting new safeguarding competition launches - On 5th September Nottingham City Council launches a new safeguarding competition for primary and secondary schools.  The competition, which is being run in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire County Council and U-Create, involves pupils in years 6, 7 and 8 creating powerful radio commercials around online safety and sharing of images online.  This project will support pupils’ learning around online safety and Sex and Relationships Education. For more information please visit: http://www.nottinghamschools.org.uk/scene/september-2016-scene-articles/

ONLINE SAFETY for Primary Schools – Train the Trainers Course - This is aimed at teachers and teaching assistants who have responsibility for online safety in their schools.
The course gives an over-view of online safety and social media. For more information or for details on how to book please visit: https://www.character-uk.org/shop/product/online-safety-primary-schools-train-trainers-course/

Stories you might find interesting...!

Read the latest from Small Steps Big Changes - the new programme of activities for 0-3 year olds. Find out how this important programme is working to improve parenting skills and boost Early Years outcomes. Their latest newsletter is here http://bit.ly/2b2G3aD or sign up to receive the newsletter directly by emailing ssbc@nottinghamcitycare.nhs.uk

National Foundation for Educational Research (Research in schools) - Improving performance, engagement and achievement with teaching and learning. For more information please visit: http://www.nfer.ac.uk/schools/research-in-schools/

Want expert advice on what apprenticeship reforms mean for your organisation? - Futures Advice, Skills and Employments are a social enterprise who are jointly owned by Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council. As part of their commitment to advancing Apprenticeship Delivery they are offering advice, information and support to local organisations including schools to develop their Apprenticeship strategy in line with the government reforms. Their specialist team can provide support in a number of areas including understanding the Apprenticeship Levy, recruiting apprentices and finding the right Apprenticeship provider. Futures are supporting local employers to successfully navigate reforms so that the maximum number of Apprenticeship places can be offered to young people, enabling them to #getingeton in the East Midlands. For an informal conversation you can contact Claire Penny Consultant for Skills Development, at claire.penny@futuresadvice.co.uk.

UK School Suppliers - We need your full address and postcode for delivery - We need your full address and postcode for delivery please. We promised every school a complimentary hi vis vest for use in the school, either for, Staff - A Playground Buddy - Volunteer - Fire Marshal - First Aider, the vests are also ideal to use on the school trip. So to which postal address can we send the vest, and should we make it for the attention of any person in particular. Thanks for your help. UK School Suppliers www.ukschoolsuppliers.co.uk/ office@ukschoolsuppliers.co.uk 01254 200300/ 01254 202806

The Road Safety Team at Nottingham City Council invites all primary/academy schools in the city to take part in our fun and healthy walking initiatives "Footprints" - It will run from Monday 26th September - Friday 16th December 2016. Road Safety will provide all the resources needed and will award a collectable metal pin badge prize to those who complete the walks. For more information please visit: http://www.nottinghamschools.org.uk/scene/september-2016-scene-articles/