PEP Priorities
A new document outlining the vision, values, achievements and priorities for the partnership is now available here.
Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI)
Enormous thanks to all of you who have supported the preparation phase of this inspection through completing pupil audits, attending meetings and agreeing to welcome inspectors to your schools.
We are now entering the third and final week of the JTAI inspection. 14 inspectors from four inspectorates arrived in Portsmouth this morning to gather evidence by:
- observing a range of statutory multi-agency meetings (e.g. child protection conferences, LAC reviews etc.)
- meeting with children, parents and carers
- talking to practitioners and/or managers
Each JTAI includes a "deep dive" theme, for us this is children's mental health. Please note that the inspectors do not expect school staff to be able to diagnose mental ill health or to be mental health specialists.
The inspection team are considering our ability to identify when children need help and support with their emotional well-being and know where to access specialist advice and support from. They will be particularly interested in multi-agency working and how joined up and responsive we all are.
Please see the attached One Minute Guide for more information.
If you have any questions please contact:
Julia Katherine Julia.Katherine@portsmouthcc.gov.uk 023 9268 8448 Sarah Christopher Sarah.Christopher@portsmouthcc.gov.uk 023 9268 8940
Preparing for study, work and life |
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SUN Young Researchers survey
The SUN Young Researchers have been working hard over half-term creating a survey that addresses barriers to education opportunities for young people across the SUN region.
All students (including non-NCOP) in Year 7 through to Year 13, are invited to complete the online survey. As an incentive SUN are offering a third-party outreach workshop choice (to the maximum value of £500) to the school with the most survey responses. The survey closes on Saturday 21 December 2019.
The survey can be found here. The SUN Young Researchers have also created a short, informative video explaining the purpose of the survey which can be viewed here.
For further information about the project and survey please contact the Participation People via hello@participationpeople.com.
School improvement |
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Ofsted inspection reports for Ark Dickens Primary Academy and Redwood Park Academy
Congratulations to Redwood Park Academy and Ark Dickens Primary Academy following their Ofsted school inspections that took place last month.
Ark Dickens Primary Academy received a Good rating following an inspection on 12-13 November 2019.
Pupils are positive about their school. They enjoy learning and told inspectors that the school has greatly improved since the new principal arrived. Staff expect pupils to ‘aim high’ in all areas of life. When faced with difficulties, pupils are encouraged to apply ‘grit and resilience’ and to never give up.
The quality of education has been improving rapidly since the appointment of the current principal. As a result, standards have improved and outcomes are improving.
Redwood Park Academy have been rated Outstanding following an inspection on 19-20 November 2019.
Pupils at Redwood Park Academy thrive. They are highly motivated to do their very best. Staff are passionate that pupils become successful, proactive members of the community. Pupils develop their confidence, resilience and self-esteem. They realise what they can achieve, and do so, through hard work and determination.
Leaders ensure that the inclusive, supportive ethos runs through the core of the school. The positive relationships between staff and pupils are palpable.
Leadership, recruitment and retention |
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Curriculum and CPD |
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Ark Curriculum Project in Portsmouth
There is an opportunity to attend a workshop to find out more about taking part in a development project with Ark which will involve using and refining the Ark primary curriculum materials for foundation subjects. Ark have developed a set of materials for foundation subjects that are currently being used successfully at schools across the Ark network, including Ark Dickens Primary Academy, however they are looking for continual feedback and would like to work with other Portsmouth Schools to continue the development using feedback from this project.
To find out more or book, please see Portsmouth Learning Gateway, Course Code SCH/20/13 - Ark Curriculum Project in Portsmouth
Portsmouth Music Hub Wins Global Award
Portsmouth Music Hub has been recognised for its contribution to education at an awards ceremony in London.
Musicians and composers from the Hub, accompanied by teachers and a choir of 30 primary-aged children, took centre stage at The Green Apple Environmental Awards on Tuesday 25 November. The ceremony took place at the Houses of Parliament and the Music Hub was there to be recognised for its One World environmental campaign, which since September 2018, has been harnessing the power of music and the arts to highlight local and global environmental problems and solutions.
Portsmouth Music Hub won two awards, the Green Champion for Innovation in Education and the Champion of Champions Award.
Read the full press release here.
Data update from EMAS
EAL pupils continue to do very well in the city. In general terms, in KS4, the results are excellent once again and above national EAL performance for the majority of measures too, with very positive progress outcomes. There is a more mixed picture in primary again this year, especially when looking at national comparators, but generally, EAL pupils continue to outperform their peers in KS2 and, unusually, even a little in KS1, where new pupils generally haven't had enough time to close the gaps.
In addition, in 2019, community language GCSEs were once again supported by EMAS. 59 pupils were assessed, supported and had their GCSE oral exam carried out by the BLAs last year (for comparison, 48 pupils were supported by their EMTAS team, covering the whole of Hampshire), with some excellent results.
Full details can be found here.
University Visit Day for pupils from Armed Forces Families
Do you work with pupils in year 7-11 who come from an armed forces family? The University of Portsmouth and the Service Children's Progression Alliance South Hub are co-hosting a day at Portsmouth University.
Creative Forces Day University of Portsmouth 10 June 2020
Click here to book your places.
Emotional health and wellbeing |
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Advice to schools following the London Bridge Terror Attack 29th November 2019
Following the recent terror attack in London Bridge, the Department for Education have produced the attached guidance signposting to key resources and existing documents of support.
Anti-bullying cover competition
A reminder that we are running a competition to design a new front and back cover for the Anti-Bullying Guidance and Resource Pack for Schools. This could be a drawing, painting or a digital image / design. Further information is provided in the attached flyer.
Please note the deadline of Friday 20th December 2019. For more information please contact Sarah.Christopher@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Norovirus advice
Norovirus, sometimes called the winter vomiting bug, is circulating at the moment with cases up 28% on last year. Symptoms are diarrhoea and vomiting. It rarely requires medical treatment and most people will recover from it within a few days at home. It is highly contagious so please remind parents that children should be kept off school for at least 48 hours after symptoms pass to avoid spreading it. Teachers and other school staff should follow this same advice. The NHS are asking that those who need help with the norovirus use NHS 111 over the phone or online rather than going to hospital or their GP, where they risk infecting others. NHS 111 is free and open all day, every day.
Practising good hygiene is one of the best ways to protect against norovirus. The NHS have created a video to help children learn how to wash their hands properly.
Further useful resources are available on the NHS site.
Veg Power packs for schools
The Council is working with the ITV supported Veg Power campaign to combat childhood obesity and introduce more vegetables into the diets of children. Veg Power have put together packs for schools so they can get involved and coordinate activities with the national advertising campaign starting after February half term and running until the end of March. The pack includes:
- Rewards charts, sticker packs and wall charts
- Veggie lesson and assembly plans and inspiration packs full of ideas for schools
- A national children's poster competition as well as cash prizes for schools
Packs normally cost £62 + delivery, but we have arranged for schools to receive these free of charge for schools signing up before Christmas. To secure packs for your school please contact Christine Matchett by Wednesday 18th December, stating how many YR, KS1 and KS2 pupils you have in school. Christine.matchett@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) |
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Portsmouth Inclusive Education Quality Mark (PIE QM)
The Portsmouth Inclusive Education Quality Mark (PIE QM) assessment tool is now available. The PIE QM is a self-assessment tool which enables you to identify strengths and areas for development in relation to inclusive education practice.
Full details can be found in the attached letter and the template and standards are available on the PEP website.
Colleagues are also invited to attend a workshop on 21st January 2020 on the use of the tool. The workshop will take place from 10:00 - 11:30am in Conference Room A at the Civic Offices.
School buildings and school places |
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Mainstream Pupil Forecasting
The Primary School Place Strategy, Secondary School Place Strategy and School Organisation Policy have been refreshed and the 2019-2024 versions (and related appendices) are now available here.
These documents explain the current forecasts for pupil numbers and what this means in terms of our future planning for school places. Growth in primary numbers has now tailed off and stabilised, and surplus places will rise over the period 2021-2024. The peak in secondary numbers is expected in 2024/25, after which numbers are expected to reduce. The caveat is that impact of new housing in the city, which is likely to affect the figures as this comes online, but the timings are unclear and confirmed. Housing development is kept under review to ensure we know the latest picture and can plan accordingly. The strategies will be refreshed again in summer 2020.
LA updates
Action: teachers’ pension employer contribution grant (TPECG) supplementary fund claim form now available
Please pass this message on to mainstream schools in your local authority area. The online form for eligible mainstream schools to claim for TPECG supplementary funding is now live, and will be available until Friday 17 January 2020. The window for local authorities to apply for supplementary funding for specialist institutions (for example maintained special schools, pupil referral units, hospital schools) will open in April 2020. Please read the published guidance for more information on eligibility, how to register with DfE Sign-in, and how to complete the claim form.
Stomp for Stamps update
Families who took part in the council's Stomp for Stamps treasure hunt this year will be delighted to know that the Stomper toys are on their way. Stomp for Stamps is a popular challenge which took place in Portsmouth during the summer holidays. Children were asked to walk, scoot or cycle around mapped areas in Portsmouth and collect stamps and stickers to claim their free Stomper toy.
Unfortunately a manufacturing delay meant that we were unable to deliver the Stompers as we had hoped in September, but the good news is that we are expecting them to be with children this week. Can I please ask you to help pass this good news onto parents as we know they have been waiting patiently for the toys to arrive.
Governor training session update
Please note that the session for governors planned for 10 December 2019 on the new Ofsted inspection framework will not now be taking place due to lack of demand for places.
Dates for your diary
10 December 2019 FFT Aspire Training for Primary Schools 2019 10.00 - 12.00 noon - Ground floor meeting room 4, Civic Offices - Book a place via the PLG 1.30 - 3.30 pm - Ground floor meeting room 3, Civic Offices - Book a place via the PLG
20 - 24 January 2020 Aspirations Week
22 January 2020 Year 6 teachers training 1.00 - 4.00 pm - The Marriott Hotel Book a place via the PLG
22 January 2020 Accessing the curriculum for pupils with EAL 3.45 - 5.15 pm Book a place via the PLG or tel 023 9273 3130
23 January 2020 Year 2 teachers training 9.00 - 4.00 pm - The Marriott Hotel Book a place via the PLG
11 February 2020 Teach Portsmouth Recruitment Fair 4.30 - 6.30 pm Charter Academy, Hyde Park Road, Portsmouth, PO5 4HL
12 February 2020 Safeguarding - implications for BME pupils 3.45 - 5.15 pm Book a place via the PLG or tel 023 9273 3130
25 February 2020 Designated teacher training - Virtual school : Session B 1.30 - 3.30 pm Book a place via the PLG or tel 023 9268 8076
5 March 2020 Teacher Workload and Retention Conference
17 March 2020 Working with refugees and asylum seekers in school 3.45 - 5.15 pm Book a place via the PLG or tel 023 9268 8076
29 April 2020 Assessing and tracking the progress of pupils with EAL 3.45 - 5.15 pm Book a place via the PLG or tel 023 9268 8076
22 June 2020 Designated teacher training - Virtual school : Session C 1.30 - 3.30 pm Book a place via the PLG or tel 023 9268 8076
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