If you have information to be included in the next issue of the PEP bulletin, please send your text, image and link by Tuesday at 12pm to pep@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
School improvement |
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Standards & Testing Agency (STA) for primary schools updates
The STA have recently issued the following updates:
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Administering the phonics screening check to year 2 pupils in the 2020 autumn term: it is statutory for schools to administer a past version (2017, 2018 or 2019) of the phonics screening check to year 2 pupils during the second half of the 2020 autumn term.
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The engagement model: sets out statutory requirements for using the engagement model to assess pupils who are working below the standard of the national curriculum assessments and not engaged in subject-specific study at key stage 1 (KS1) and key stage 2 (KS2).
Curriculum and CPD |
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Registration now open for Dance Live! 2021
The Guildhall Trust has opened its formal registration process for Dance Live! 2021, an exciting dance event to be held at Portsmouth Guildhall in March next year. The competition invites young people in junior, secondary schools and colleges to take to the stage and perform creative dance routines that are choreographed to the backdrop of a giant digital screen, embracing the digital world and changing face of modern performance. |
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The 2021 event will proceed adhering to all government guidelines with a range of Covid safety measures in place at the ‘We’re Good to Go’ certified venue including social distancing, limited capacities, sanitisation and enhanced cleaning procedures. Schools will be provided with guidance on how to create a performance adhering to the guidelines.
For further details please visit the website or view the information pack.
NQT mentor training sessions update |
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The decision has been made to move the NQT mentor training sessions scheduled for 23 September to online Zoom meetings. Please sign up as usual for this free event via the Portsmouth Teaching School Alliance website to facilitate the sharing of resources in preparation.
If you have any questions please contact: june.hutchinson@portsmouthtsa.org
Association for Language Learning Portsmouth Primary Hub update
An autumn 2020 Portsmouth primary languages update is now available to read. The update includes:
Financial literacy curriculum for year 6
Quentin Nason, founder of City Pay it Forward, will be hosting a Zoom webinar on Thursday 24 September from 5.00-6.00pm to run through the financial literacy curriculum for year 6 along with a Q&A session. Details of the Zoom call are given below.
Zoom Call: https://tetragoninv.zoom.us/j/4508185893 Meeting ID: 450 818 5893
If you have questions, please contact: quentin@citypayitforward.com.
Courses at The Learning Place Community Learning Services
Two free family learning courses are being delivered at The Learning Place:
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Learn with my child - English (Tuesday afternoon) - this five week course will include looking at how children are learning to read, spell, write and punctuate and how the parent can support their learning.
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Parent power (Wednesday afternoon) - this five week course gives parents the opportunity to share experiences and get some helpful tips to manage difficult situations.
Please call 023 92 621 860 to book a place.
Emotional health and wellbeing |
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Every Mind Matters campaign
Most families have experienced upheaval in their daily lives during the pandemic. The new Public Health England (PHE) Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign provides NHS-endorsed tips and advice to help children and young people’s mental wellbeing, and equip parents and carers with the knowledge to support them.
The advice has been developed in partnership with leading children and young people’s mental health charities, including Young Minds, The Mix, Place2Be and The Anna Freud Centre.
Advice and guidance for educators on how to use the Every Mind Matters resources and other relevant content to support students’ mental wellbeing is available here.
Local emotional health and wellbeing support
Please also refer to the local package of resources which offers schools and education settings guidance and support to manage some of the challenges that staff, pupils and parents may face in terms of emotional health and wellbeing.
Using the right NHS service
While social distancing continues to be managed, the Emergency Department at Queen Alexandra Hospital and local GP practices are very busy.
The following flyers can be used to help the public ensure they are using the correct service:
Please can schools cascade these messages to staff and parents/carers.
NHS clinically approved hand washing book for children
The Handy Hand Washing Handbook is a new hand hygiene book for primary school children featuring a series of fun and quirky rhymes that explain why, when and how to wash your hands. The book has recently received clinical approval from the Infection Prevention Control team at the NHS.
Schools wishing to purchase the book should contact info@seriouscomedy.co.uk or visit the website.
Special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) |
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Improving outcomes for children with SEND
Improving outcomes for children with SEND remains a priority for us in Portsmouth. In particular, we will be building on the work that has taken place already to support schools to improve the educational attainment and progress of pupils on SEN support and narrow the gap.
Linked to this, the EEF have produced a tool which you may find helpful: SEN in mainstream schools - 5 key questions for school leaders to reflect on.
For further information please contact:
Debbie Anderson, Head of School Improvement: Debbie.Anderson@portsmouthcc.gov.uk Julia Katherine, Head of Inclusion: Julia.Katherine@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Portsmouth Inclusion Conference 2020 workshop announcement
The first workshops have been announced for the Portsmouth Inclusion Conference on Thursday 22 October 2020. More to be announced over the next few weeks.
Workshop 1 - Ian Hunkin: Leading in the new normal: our own wellbeing and avoiding the dangers of decision fatigue and analysis paralysis.
In order to be the secure base for our school communities and to make good quality decisions at this extraordinary time we need to take actions for our own wellbeing. In this workshop we will explore the key messages from neuroscience and psychology regarding our own emotional wellbeing as leaders.
Workshop 2 - Janine Jupp: Expanding the window of tolerance: learning from the successes and failures of the Turnaround Project.
Using Trauma Informed Practice as a fundamental basis, the Turnaround Project attempted to engage young people back into mainstream education. This workshop will explore some of their learning using recent case studies, theory and research.
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Support for schools is available from the new Inclusion Outreach Service
Last year, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, we were able to provide support via the new outreach service to 38 primary schools and 8 secondary schools.
We are delighted to be able to let you know that the service, which started in October last year, will be continuing to offer support for schools if you have any concerns about meeting children's additional needs.
nasen widens SEND support with free membership for all
nasen, a charity that supports and champions those working with, and for, children and young people with SEND and learning differences, is offering all individuals across the UK free membership from 4 January 2021.
The new membership will offer a range of benefits including exclusive online access to nasen Connect magazine six times a year and easy-to-access information through nasen’s e-communications, featuring news, practical advice, training and CPDL tips as well as policy and sector updates.
In addition, members will receive free resources, research, “What Works” signposting, CPDL and webinars from the Whole School SEND Consortium, hosted by nasen, alongside access to the SEND gateway.
Post 16 and higher education |
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SUN Parent Hub: virtual higher education day
The Southern Universities Network is holding its first SUN Parent Hub virtual event on Thursday 1 October from 3.00-7.00pm, for the parents of young people aged 16-18.
Featuring a host of 20+ live and pre-recorded sessions, the event is designed to provide parents with everything they need to know to support their young person to make the next steps toward their future in education and work.
The event is free to attend.
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LA updates
With thankful hearts – Portsmouth’s citywide Harvest 2020
This year's Harvest celebrations in Portsmouth will be used to help feed vulnerable people throughout the city.
For two weeks, from September 20 to October 4, churches, schools and community groups will gather donations of tinned food, pasta, rice and other essential items. These donations will then be given to those in the greatest need by agencies who work with those who are homeless, vulnerable families and asylum seekers in Portsmouth.
If your school would like to be part of the campaign and provide a collecting box please contact Canon Bob White (vicar@portseaparish.co.uk) and we will share more information and details of what to do with the items you have collected.
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