Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Dear education colleagues,
Following the latest government advice announced on Thursday 12 March regarding coronavirus (Covid-19), we want to ensure education professionals are aware of the new position:
- Schools and colleges are being advised against all overseas trips for children under 18 until further notice. Further DfE information on this can be found here.
- Wider advice for education settings on coronavirus can be found here. There is also the DfE coronavirus helpline 0800 046 8687, which is open Monday to Friday, 8am until 6pm.
- If staff or students are suffering from a high temperature and/or a persistent new cough they should self-isolate for seven days. Anyone presenting with these symptoms should be sent home. The NHS advice page has information about self-isolating at home.
This information replaces previous guidance relating to travel from certain countries and self-isolation for 14 days.
Kind regards,
Mike Stoneman
Deputy Director, Education
Early years |
|
 |
EYFS Workshop for Heads and EYFS Leads
Wednesday 1 April 2020 // 1-4pm // Lord Mayors Banqueting Suite, Guildhall
The session, 'Setting the expectations of the EYFS and the journey towards the ELGs', will be an opportunity to reflect on your current Year R provision, your current cohort and the outcomes you are heading towards at the end of the EYFS.
Facilitator Kym Scott will take us on a virtual learning walk to build understanding of what strong Year R provision looks like at this point in the year, framed in the context of a 4 and 5 year old.
There will be a specific focus on communication, language and literacy, a key priority for early years in the city.
To book your 2 places for Heads and EYFS Leads please email ella.harbut@portsmouthcc.gov.uk by Friday 27 March.
School improvement |
|
 |
Solent Infant School maintains Good Ofsted rating
Congratulations to Solent Infant School on maintaining a Good rating following an Ofsted school inspection on 11-12 February 2020.
"Leaders are keen for all pupils to succeed. Staff know the pupils well and mostly provide
pupils with the right help to flourish academically, socially and emotionally.
Teachers have worked with staff from other trust schools to design a creative and exciting
curriculum in all subjects.
Leaders provide many opportunities for pupils to experience more than academic success.
They want them to become confident and kind young people."
Leadership, recruitment and retention |
|
 |
Teach Portsmouth highlights Teacher Experience Programme at careers fair |
|
 |
The Teach Portsmouth team attended the University of Southampton's careers fair on Tuesday 10 March. Students from all faculty areas attended the event to learn more about job opportunities after higher education.
The team spoke with almost 100 students about teaching in Portsmouth and showcased the Teacher Experience Programme. Many students were curious to learn more about routes into teaching and bursaries that are available. The event was also supported by the Department for Education's 'Get into Teaching' team.
Tes Schools Awards 2020 - now open for entries
The Tes Schools Awards recognise the teachers and teams who are working hard to raise education standards, and making a real difference to the lives of students across the UK.
You can enter as many categories as you like. Simply start your applications, save them, and return to complete them by Friday 27 March.
Entry is free and open to state schools throughout the UK.
For full details of this year's awards and to enter, visit tesawards.co.uk
Teacher Workload and Retention Conference slides now online |
|
|
Slides and speakers notes from the conference are now available to view online. Find them at the bottom of this page.
Curriculum and CPD |
|
 |
Reducing family conflict training sessions - new date
Reducing family conflict training sessions have been cancelled due to the mosaic change over, therefore I have booked another session for modules 2 & 3. You do not need to have completed module 1 to attend these sessions:
Friday 27 March 2020 at Somerstown Family Hub, Omega Street, Portsmouth
- 9am-12.30pm: Module 2
- 1-4.30pm: Module 3
If you would like to attend the training, please let me know so I can book you on the session: toni.nixon@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Please note that training will be cancelled if less than 5 delegates booked on.
A one day train the Trainer workshop will take place on Thursday 19 March, designed to familiarise and upskill local authority's to deliver the reducing family conflict, classroom-based training modules. Find out more here.
Fearless Training for Frontline Practitioners in Portsmouth
Tuesday 24 March // 1 – 2pm // Conference Room B, Portsmouth Civic Offices
A one-hour information session providing an introduction to Crimestoppers and Fearless and the work they deliver, exploring the reasons young people are under reporting crimes. Going through the supporting resources, they will explain how these can be used with young people you will work with.
The session aims to ensure you feel confident explaining to a young person the option that they have to report a crime anonymously and provide tools to initiate these conversations with young people. You will be given to take away with you, including educational resources, a pack of educational playing cards and posters to display in your setting.
For more information and to register for your place (allocated on a first come basis), please email: schoolyouthengagement@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) |
|
 |
 There's still time to complete the 2020 SEND surveys
Portsmouth City Council, in collaboration with Portsmouth Parent Voice and Dynamite youth group, have launched their annual surveys, inviting young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities - and their parents and carers - to give feedback about the services and support available now and to help shape future services.
The SEND surveys are available online until 31 March 2020. Young people aged 13-25 can complete their online survey here, and the parent & carer survey is here.
Please include the text above in your school newsletters and on your website to encourage families to complete the survey. Many thanks.
Drop-in event for Portsmouth Parent Voice, Portsmouth Disability Forum and Dynamite
This will be a networking opportunity and a chance for parents and professionals to find out more about what PDF, PPV, and Dynamite offer.
When? Tuesday 31 March 2020 - 9am until 3pm
Where? Frank Sorrell Centre, Prince Albert Road, Portsmouth, PO4 9HR
Please view the flyer for more information. No booking required.
Post 16 and higher education |
|
 |
SEND Post-16 Employability Conference
The SEND Post-16 Employability Conference took place on the Friday 6 March 2020. The event was attended by 70 delegates from a range of organisations including post-16 providers, social enterprise, employers, Dynamite and Portsmouth Parent Voice.
A range of key actions and development ideas will be taken forward as a result of the event.
If you would be interested in finding out more or joining the Supported Internship and Employability Forum please contact amanda.percy@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
School attendance |
|
 |
First Portsmouth City Council school attendance celebration event takes place
Portsmouth Football Club player Ryan Williams met pupils from schools across the city at Portsmouth City Council's first school attendance celebration event on Thursday 12 March. The event is part of the council's ongoing 'Miss School, Miss Out' campaign aimed at increasing attendance levels in Portsmouth schools, by demonstrating the link between aspirations, hard work and regular attendance in school.
Pupils were put forward by their schools to recognise excellent or significantly improved school attendance and punctuality. They took part in a question and answer session to find out more about Ryan's career, the influence school and learning has had on him and his plans for the future. The club also provided prizes of match tickets and signed t-shirts.
Learn more about the Miss School, Miss Out campaign here.
LA updates
Milk bottle top recycling competition winner announced
Congratulations to Bramble Infant School & Nursery who are the winners of the milk bottle top recycling competition. Head teacher Oli has said that the whole school community got behind the scheme and they are very excited to have won.
Thank you and well done to all the schools that took part - almost 300kg of milk bottle tops were collected during the competition. We will continue to collect milk bottle tops for recycling as long as they are milk bottle tops only and presented in clear bags.
Dates for your diary
23 March 2020
School Data Meeting - Spring 2020
9.30am - 11.30am - Conference Room A, Civic Offices
Book a place via the PLG
25 March 2020
Introduction to Autism & Neurodiversity (ND)
3.45pm - 5.15pm - The Portsmouth Academy Training and Learning Centre
Book a place via the PLG
27 March 2020
School Data Meeting - Spring 2020
13.30pm - 3.30pm - Conference Room A, Civic Offices
Book a place via PLG
30 March 2020
School Data Meeting - Spring 2020
9.30am - 11.30am - Conference Room B, Civic Offices
Book a place via PLG
2 April 2020
Sensory Needs in the Mainstream Context
1.30pm - 3.30pm - The Portsmouth Academy Training and Learning Centre
Book a place via the PLG
22 April 2020
Autism and Neurodiversity (ND) in the Mainstream Setting
3.45pm - 5.15pm - The Portsmouth Academy Training and Learning Centre
Book a place via the PLG
23 April 2020
Portsmouth Education Partnership - our education strategy for the next 3 years
12.00pm - 3.30pm - Village Hotel
23 April 2020
Total Communication, Visual Structure & Support
12.30pm - 3.30pm - The Portsmouth Academy Training and Learning Centre
Book a place via the PLG
|
