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Welcome to the first PEP bulletin of the 2020/21 academic year. On behalf of the Portsmouth Education Partnership the council will continue to issue weekly PEP bulletins during term time, on top of the weekly communications that go directly out to headteachers.
We appreciate how busy everyone will be during this term as we welcome back all year groups to school and college and how important it is to keep the communications relevant, short and useful. We hope you will continue to find the bulletin an essential source of information. If there are any articles you would like to submit which you believe would be of interest to the wider education community then please send to pep@portsmouthcc.gov.uk by Tuesday at 12pm.
In the meantime I hope everything goes well in the first few days and weeks as we welcome back all pupils.
Mike Stoneman
Deputy Director, Education
Portsmouth City Council
Welcome back to school campaign
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This campaign aims to promote a positive and reassuring 'welcome back' message to families in Portsmouth and support understanding of the many benefits of being in school. This activity will support each school's individual back-to-school plans.
Schools have previously been sent information about the campaign and feedback so far has been very positive. This article provides a reminder about what is available. We hope schools will find the information pack helpful to shape your conversations with families as the new school year begins. It contains:
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- example copy for use on your website or in newsletters
- ideas on how to communicate changes and coronavirus safety measures
- top tips for preparing for going back to school
- FAQs that aim to address some of the concerns we know parents and carers have raised
- key messages you can use to communicate the importance of being in school
- links to sources of information, support and advice for schools and families
- welcome back graphics that you can use on your website, in newsletters or on social media.
To request a copy of the graphics, please email mediacom@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Early years |
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Early years support package to help close COVID-19 language gap
The Government has announced an additional element in its catch up support programme, for children in reception. Schools are encouraged to register their interest as places are limited, but priority will be given to schools with high levels of FSM.
The Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme focuses on oral language skills and has been given a high rating by EEF for evidence of impact. It can be delivered to groups of children by any school based adult who completes online training, starting in January 2021.
FAQs to help you understand what is involved in delivering the programme can be found on the EEF website.
To register your interest, complete this form. For further questions please contact: contact.neli@education.gov.uk.
Leadership, recruitment and retention |
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Teach Portsmouth Awards update |
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Long service award category closes on 7 September
Since July, the long service category has invited submissions from across Portsmouth to recognise colleagues who have worked for 20 years or more in the city. As the deadline approaches for submissions on 7 September, Teach Portsmouth is reminding colleagues to get their entries in as soon as possible before the category closes.
Everyone recognised in the category will receive an award. If you know someone who should be recognised for their long service to Portsmouth, please complete the short form on the awards page. If you have 5 or more people you would like to recognise, please email teachportsmouth@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. The team will make alternative arrangements for you to submit entries. A special award giving will be organised in October. Those who submit colleagues in the category will be contacted to confirm their preferred method of award giving with three options in September.
Curriculum and CPD |
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FAQs for induction mentors |
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Schools are facing unprecedented challenges this term and for NQTs these are very uncertain times. Portsmouth Teaching School Alliance has created a set of FAQs and responses aimed at induction mentors who are looking to help settle their NQTs into their new roles.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact: june.hutchinson@portsmouthtsa.org
New PSHE mailbox
Portsmouth City Council has set up a PSHE mailbox so that workforce leads within Portsmouth City Council (including Chantelle Knight) can manage your enquiries around PSHE, including statutory relationship, sex and health education.
The address is: PSHE@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Musical inclusion survey - Portsmouth Music Hub
Portsmouth Music Hub are asking those who work in schools, academies and colleges to complete their musical inclusion survey by 30 September 2020 as part of a city-wide review. The survey looks at the kind of provision, support and opportunities that are needed to benefit children and young people in the future.
We understand how busy everyone is right now but appreciate any responses you could give at this challenging time. The feedback will be used to create a new musical inclusion strategy that meets the needs of children and young people in Portsmouth. Thank you for your time!
Emotional health and wellbeing |
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Walk to School: a song and video from Portsmouth Music Hub
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Portsmouth Music Hub have created a new song and accompanying music video to promote walking to school.
Please feel free to use the video in communications with parents and carers.
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An update from Portsmouth School Pastors
A letter from Portsmouth School Pastors has asked secondary school leaders to consider what help they need from the service. Senior leaders in Portsmouth secondary schools who need support during this challenging time can contact the service for their help.
For more information, view the flyer below.
LA updates
New council intranet
The council intranet has recently changed, and staff working in schools will need to re-register to use the new site. If you use the council intranet to find HR or finance forms, or to access council systems, you will need to sign-up to use the new site. The sign-up process is quick and easy, and you can find a simple guide to register for the intranet here.
The site is being updated ready to meet new accessibility standards that all public sector websites are required to comply with. The intranet has been completely rebuilt on a new content management system (CMS) and underlying platform, as part of a bigger project to also replace the main council website.
In developing the new intranet, we listened to feedback and looked at data on how the old site was used and have made some incremental improvements, including giving the site a fresh new look. However, the structure and content will remain largely the same, so you should find the relevant pages and information for schools staff in familiar places.
If you have any issues with registering to use the new intranet please contact digitalcustomerexperience@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. If you have any feedback on the new site, please use the same email address to get in touch and tell us what you think.
Update for Designated Safeguarding Leads
Sam Nesbit has contacted all DSLs with an update on the support and training available through the Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership (PSCP). This is available here for reference.
Booking is through the usual PSCP booking system.
Information for schools about visitors to school
Over the summer holidays, leaders from Portsmouth Music Service, EMAS, careers advisors, EP team, Vision and Hearing team, Portage and Traded Services Support met to produce a risk assessment process for visiting schools, taking into account national and local guidance. All these services are following the same principles and broadly speaking, very similar practices, but these will vary depending on the nature of the service provided.
We want to assure you that we acknowledge and respect settings that have different requirements depending on your specific context. We will follow individual protocols and systems in place in each setting. While we continue to risk assess our own staff, we hope to visit your setting when you are ready to discuss your school and pupil's circumstances at a time that suits you.
If you have any questions, please direct them to the manager of the team or service concerned. We would ask that you contact your visitor as soon as you know if the visit needs to be cancelled.
Liz Robinson, Principal EP and Education Support Manager
(on behalf of the task and finish group)
Welcome back from the School Library Service
The School Library Service team provides you with unique access to the very latest titles and helps you respond rapidly to the changing needs of your school.
Following public health guidelines around COVID-19, we are happy to welcome one visitor at a time, pre-booked in advance, at our base on Cheltenham Road, Paulsgrove.
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Alternatively, please contact us on school.library@portsmouthcc.gov.uk if you require any books for curriculum subjects or specific books to support returning to school that cover growth mind-set, resilience, feelings and emotions, plus much more.
Look out for our September newsletters with details of our book awards and literature quizzes for the 2020/21 academic year.
Education Information Services: alternative school profile for summer 2020
This is a reminder that Education Information Services are still able to produce an alternative secondary school profile with school's 2020 KS4 results. This is not obligatory, but if you would like to take up this offer, please ensure that you have uploaded your exam board results files to SSE by Tuesday 15 September.
Further information can be found in the emails sent to secondary schools from André Merel on 16 July and from Vicky Sims on 3 September.
Portsmouth FC draft fixture list
The draft Portsmouth FC fixture list for the upcoming season can be found here.
Please note that there is not yet a confirmed date for when spectators can return to the stadium.
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