Leadership, recruitment and retention |
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Teach Portsmouth Recruitment Fair |
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The Teach Portsmouth Recruitment Fair will take place on Tuesday 11th February 2020 (please note this has changed from the date previously advised). We have listened to your feedback and moved the event to a twilight session, rather than a Saturday, and we hope this change will enable more schools, especially primary schools, to come.
The venue is Charter Academy, Hyde Park Road, Portsmouth, PO5 4HL, from 4.30pm - 6.30pm. The fair will be open to primary, secondary and special schools and post-16 institutions. Your support over the years has made these into very successful and memorable events and I hope you would be willing to do the same again in 2020.
We now require schools, colleges and MATs to confirm their attendance, and a booking form and more information is being sent out this week. We would be grateful if you could respond by Monday 18th November 2019. If you need any further information regarding this event then please contact teachportsmouth@portsmouthcc.gov.uk and we will be happy to answer any queries you might have.
Teacher Workload and Retention Conference - February/March 2020
The PEP Teacher Training, Recruitment and Retention group is at the early stages of planning a half day conference for school leaders to take place in the second half of the Spring Term 2020 looking at the issues of teacher workload and retention. Janine Ashman, a Deputy Head at a large primary school in Somerset, who was on the DFE working group on workload and has spoken at a number of national events on the theme of Making Assessment Work has agreed to speak at our event. We're keen though to have a number of perspectives from within and outside Portsmouth. Is there someone who you have heard or heard of who you think would be a really good speaker on this theme? Or have you, or one of your colleagues, introduced changes in your school with the aim of reducing workload and improving well-being and retention? If so please email alison.critchley@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
We expect to confirm the date for the event by mid-December - watch this space!
Governor safeguarding training - new date!
The governor training on safeguarding children will now take place on Wednesday 6 November from 4.30-6.00. Places are still available and can be booked via the traded services website, here.
Make your nomination for next year's Inspirational Women Awards
Nominations for the second annual Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards are now open (poster attached). The Awards Ceremony, founded by Pamodzi Creatives to mark International Women's Day, will be held on Friday 6 March 2020. Visit www.pamodzicreatives.org.uk for more information and to nominate any individual identifying as a woman/girl you consider inspirational because she has made a positive impact to her community. Award categories include community, business, education, health and sports - have a think about #whoinspiresyou and get nominating!
Curriculum and CPD |
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Portsmouth Primary RE network 2019 - 2020
These sessions are designed to enable RE leads to explore, share and develop good practice in RE in your schools. The focus is the RE agreed syllabus Living Difference III, helping other staff to understand the cycle of enquiry, creating and amending planning for RE and understanding progression and assessment across the school.
Please see the attached flyer for full details. If you have any RE-related queries about these networks, please email Justine.ball@hants.gov.uk.
Applications for 2020/21 Farmington Scholarships now open
These Scholarships are available to teachers of religious education and associated subjects in UK secondary, primary, and special needs schools. Head teachers who wish to undertake research into either religious education or values education are also eligible to apply.
Scholarships cover the cost of tuition, essential local travel and, by negotiation with the school, the salary of a replacement teacher up to point 6 of the main pay scale. Scholarships last for a maximum of 30 days and can either be taken at a local university or can be home-based with a local tutor.
Further information and an application form can be found on the website.
Portsmouth Arts Network - 12th November 16:00 - 17:30
You are warmly invited to the cross-phase Portsmouth Arts Network meeting on 12th November 16:00 - 17:30 at the Training and Learning Centre. As this is our first meeting, we will be reflecting on the success of our city-wide initiative bringing Art alive in our event ‘Are you Listening?’ and looking ahead to planning the next exciting event for 2020. We will also be discussing ways to build successful artist-school collaborations and exploring possible funding streams for arts-based projects and also examining what challenges we may face in the coming year, especially considering the new Ofsted framework and emphasis on the wide-reaching curriculum.
Women's Community Activism Project - Review and Goodbye
The Women's Community Activism Project is ending in November 2019 having interviewed more than 50 women with a connection to the City of Portsmouth. To celebrate the project, a free review evening is being held at Southsea Library, Thursday 7th November 2019, 5.30-8.30pm, where some of the interviewees will give talks and there will be a screening of videos recorded during the project.
More information about the project can be found on the website, including a learning pack designed for use as a teaching aid for the 14-18 age group.
Workshop: Diversity in Infant Junior and Primary School
This free workshop, organised by the Diversity in Education Network, is designed to enable practitioners to consider how they can develop their diversity provision across the whole primary curriculum.
Examples of local and national initiatives alongside practical ideas will be shared to inspire attendees to develop provision suitable for their own setting.
Wednesday 27th November 2.30-5.00pm, booking via the Portsmouth Learning Gateway Course Code SCH/19/41
Emotional health and wellbeing |
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Anti-bullying Week 2019
Anti-bullying Week 2019 (ABW2019) runs from 11th to 15th November and has the theme "Change Starts with Us".
Tools and resources for the week are available from The Anti Bullying Alliance https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week/school-tools
There are packs available to download for both primary and secondary schools and these include films, posters, an assembly PowerPoint and a lesson PowerPoint.
We know that there is a lot of excellent ongoing work in Portsmouth to prevent and respond to bullying. We are keen to highlight as much of this as possible during Anti-bullying Week. Please let us know of any events or activities that are taking place in you school. If possible we would like to try and visit you to capture and share what is taking place. Please contact Sarah.Christopher@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to let us know what your plans are.
We are starting to update the Portsmouth Anti-Bullying Guidance and Resource Pack for Schools (current version attached for information). The update will ensure it reflects current legislation, the new OFSTED framework and up to date links to resources and service. The update will also include guidance for colleges.
We are keen to add new case studies, photos and examples of pupils' work. As part of this we are launching a competition to design a new front and back cover. This could be a drawing, painting or a digital image / design. The winning images will receive a prize and appear on the covers of the new document. You may wish to encourage students to enter this competition as part of your ABW activities. Entries will be accepted until Friday 20th December 2019 and the winners will be announced in the New Year. For more information please contact Sarah.Christopher@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
New teaching resources on sleep
Public Health England have created new free teaching resources for ages 10-16 on sleep and wellbeing. These are the first in a series of mental health content for young people. Students are able to explore the physical and mental benefits of sleep through a variety of fun, informative exercises including action-plan worksheets, group activities and videos co-created by young people. PHE are also offering schools the chance to win a wellness workshop in January 2020. This prize offers a primary and secondary school a fun, informative session to kick-start the year with a positive mental health message. Schools simply need to sign up to the School Zone newsletter to enter.
Looking after your mental wellbeing
It’s no secret that life as a teacher can be demanding so it’s important that you look after your mental wellbeing. Every Mind Matters, is a new mental health campaign offering a free, NHS approved self-care tool that provides simple steps that we can all take to care for our mental health; helping to deal with stress and anxiety, boost mood, improve sleep quality and take control of our wellbeing. Find out more: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
Seminar on education, mental health and wellbeing
There's a new seminar series being run at the University of Southampton on education, mental health and wellbeing. The goal of the seminars are to generate new research ideas and build relationships between professionals to help find potential areas for collaboration. Find out more: https://sites.google.com/view/emhwsoton
ELSA Training 2020
ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) Training 2020 is now live and available to book on the Portsmouth Learning Gateway, course code SCH/20/16. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Prejudicial language and behaviour in schools
John Webster and Karen Thomas have been working with representatives of Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Councils to produce a small 'Prejudicial Language and Behaviour Toolkit' for schools. This pan-Hampshire resource can be used when monitoring and reporting prejudicial comments and/or incidents, as well as to support school self-evaluation in this area. It is comprised of:
- a reporting tool to record bullying and prejudiced-based incidents concerning all of the protected characteristics, with appendices of useful definitions and links to supportive organisation
- three pupil surveys for Key Stages 1, 2 and 3-4 for schools to use when thinking about pupil voice in the equalities agenda
- a short guide for parents/carers about the importance of this area of work for your school
All the resources are housed on the PEP website.
Effective children's mental health and wellbeing approaches
Public Health England (PHE) has published a series of reports that summarise the evidence for the effectiveness of universal approaches to improving children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The documents are intended for strategic and operational leads, working on children and young people’s mental health. This includes leads in educational settings.
DASS (drug & alcohol support service) now accepting referrals
DASS (drug & alcohol support service) is now accepting referrals for any young person 19yrs and under who live in Portsmouth city. They do not need to have another professional involved with them. We can take referrals from parents/carers/professionals as long as the young person consents. Or a young person can contact us directly via text/call or email - details on the attached leaflet. We aim to contact within 3 days and assess within 10 days.
DASS can help young people who are looking to make changes to their substance use (incl. alcohol), it is a confidential service, and can remain so if they are aged over 13 and are fraser competent which we will assess. Unless there is a risk of significant harm in which case we would follow safeguarding policies and will always aim to talk to the young person about this.
DASS is also starting a drop in service for parents of young people aged 19yrs and under who are worried their child is or may be using substances and would like some guidance. It is free to access with no referral needed. The attached poster gives details of where and when they are taking place across the city.
If you have any questions about the service please do not hesitate to contact us on the secure email DASS@secure.portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Preparing for study, work and life |
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School visits to the Ferry Port and to Portico
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The Port is owned by the City Council and is the second busiest cross channel ferry port in the UK. The City Council also owns and operates the next door business (Portico) where many different things are imported, including over 30 million bananas a week.
If your school would be interested in going on a trip to the Port, please contact Mike Sellers, the Ports Director, on port.communications@portsmouth-port.co.uk. Please note that school trips will be available on a first come, first served basis.
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Portsmouth Ice Skating – School Group Offers
We are excited to confirm that Portsmouth Ice Skating is coming to the Guildhall this winter. To help spread some festive cheer, the Portsmouth Ice Skating team is offering a group booking discount for school groups of over 15 – the perfect end-of-term treat! Open from Saturday 23 November 2019 through to Sunday 5 January 2020, the skate sessions are one hour long and start at 10am with last skate at 8pm (or 9:15pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays).
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New for this year, the ice rink includes a canopy to ensure skating sessions go ahead whatever the weather and in addition to being wheelchair accessible at all times, the team has scheduled dedicated SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) sessions. Skate aids are also available to hire for those wanting to build confidence on the ice.
To book your school group session, and to receive the school booking discount, please call 0845 299 7991.
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) |
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SEND Local Area Inspection: high praise from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families
The full letter from Michelle Donelan MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, in response to the recent SEND inspection, can be read here.
School buildings and school places |
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Condition Improvement Fund – bids invited
The DFE has launched their latest round of Condition Improvement Fund for Academies, details of which can be found on the DFE website. New applicants must register on the DFE portal by midday on Friday 29 November, and the deadline for completed bids is midday on Friday 13 December.
School attendance |
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Infection Control, Advice and Winter Readiness Packs
Schools offer the perfect breeding ground for many common winter infections. These infections often spread rapidly, causing disruption to pupils, staff and parents. There are simple actions that you can take to minimise this disruption and help keep your pupils and staff healthy.
Public Health England (PHE) has practical advice on preventing and responding to cases of common infectious diseases in schools. You can also call your local Health Protection Team who can give tailored advice and support to schools who suspect they may have an outbreak (i.e. 2 or more cases of the same infection or illness). Their contact details are on the PHE website.
You are also encouraged to share this letter with parents via your communication channels to help reduce the misuse of antibiotics, which can lead to bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics. It's World Antibiotic Awareness Week from the 18th - 24th November when you may be interested in using PHE's e-Bug programme. This has a wealth of free resources linked to the national curriculum and can be used to support education on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance.
PHE South East winter readiness (infection prevention) packs for schools and nurseries for 2019/20 are available here. These combine PHE SE advice with national PHE/NHS posters and leaflets on preventing the spread of infections that are common in the winter months, including influenza and norovirus.
PHE has published a series of promotional resources for nursery settings, primary and secondary schools. Aimed at parents and carers to remind them to check that their child is up to date with their vaccinations, the resources feature the MMR vaccine and the pre-school booster.
LA updates
DfE School Workforce Census Autumn 2019
The census date for this year's School Workforce Census (SWC) is Thursday 7th November 2019.
Please make sure that your data are entered into your Management Information System in time for the census date. DfE have made some changes to the SWC and you may need to update your information accordingly. Do contact your MIS support team for systems support, to ensure that you are prepared as soon as possible.
I would like to remind you that your staff (especially new colleagues) should have received a copy of the Privacy Notice regarding the use of their data. Schools subscribing to the Education Information Services SLA will have received an updated template via SSE.
As ever, Education Information Services will assist schools that purchase their SLA, with guidance and support for the DfE's rules and the COLLECT website.
If you have any questions about this, please contact education.informationservices@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Early Help and Prevention Service - consent from families to share information
Message from Mike Stoneman, Deputy Director, Education and Early Help | Children, Families & Education
Following a number of queries and concerns, and following advice taken from Corporate Governance, I am writing to you to provide reassurance about sharing information with the Early Help & Prevention Service in respect of children and their families and to confirm that appropriate consent has been given.
Please see the attached letter and a copy of the consent form that Early Help uses.
Prepare your school for Brexit
The government has updated its guidance to highlight actions that schools need to take to prepare for Brexit. Read the full guidance document here.
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