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.
Secondary open evenings autumn 2022
The dates for open evenings in the autumn term 2022 have been confirmed:
- Admiral Lord Nelson School: Thursday 29 September 2022
- Castle View Academy: Tuesday 4 October 2022
- Charter Academy: Monday 26 September 2022
- Mayfield School: Wednesday 5 October 2022
- Miltoncross Academy: Thursday 6 October 2022
- Priory School: Thursday 22 September 2022
- Springfield School: Thursday 22 September 2022
- St Edmund's Catholic School: Saturday 1 October 2022
- The Portsmouth Academy: Tuesday 27 September 2022
- Trafalgar School: Thursday 13 October 2022
- UTC Portsmouth: Wednesday 28 September 2022
National Coding Week 2022 |
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National Coding Week starts Monday 19 September 2022 and offers an opportunity for pupils to demonstrate their digital skills. In answer to this year's theme, 'How will learning new digital skills help you, help others or help society?', pupils are invited to create and submit an original 30-second video.
Please send submissions to Anna Potter (anna.potter@portsmouthcc.gov.uk) by Wednesday 14 September 2022.
There are other opportunities for schools to get involved during National Coding Week:
- Hold a training event for different members of the school community - teachers, non-teaching staff, parents, governors
- Teachers can run a coding challenge for their pupils
- Pupils can create a 30-second video in answer to this year's theme. The submissions will be showcased during National Coding Week by Portsmouth City Council.
PEP Teaching and Learning Conference |
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Portsmouth Education Partnership is delighted to announce that we are planning a PEP Teaching and Learning Conference for Wednesday 8 March 2023 and would like colleagues to save the date. The focus will be 'Portsmouth Reads'. |
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The conference aims to inspire senior leaders, heads of department, English leads, reading specialists and teachers from early years to post-16, with keynote speakers and a range of workshops. More information and details to follow.
Last minute availability for this term: Free preventative county lines, gangs and knife crime sessions for year 6 and 7 - book now |
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St Giles Trust is offering schools up to four free preventative county lines, gangs and knife crime sessions for year 6 and 7. Each session is up to one hour long and would take place in one day.
These sessions are led by those with lived experience, putting them at the heart of the solution. Having once been involved in gangs, crime and street life themselves, they are imbued with a passion and collective desire to ensure the young people they work with do not make the same mistakes they once did. Furthermore, students (and staff) find them extremely interesting.
To book your sessions, please contact Freya.Brocchini@StGilesTrust.org.uk.
SEMH guidance for children and young people |
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Updated mental health guidance for children and young people has been launched which offers parents, carers and professionals clear and simple advice on the support available.
The guidance includes quick guides for easy reference, links to useful resources and information on where, how and when a child can access support if they are experiencing a mental health issue. There is also advice for parents and carers on managing their own mental health whilst parenting.
Letters for primary and secondary schools have been drafted, which we hope schools can send to parents and carers, and we have also included text below which you are welcome to add to your website:
"New mental health guidance has been created for children and young people which offers clear and simple advice on accessing the right support at the right time.
You can find quick guides for easy reference and information on where, how and when your child can access support if they are experiencing a mental health issue, such as anxiety, depression or eating difficulties.
Visit www.portsmouth.gov.uk/SEMHguidance for more information."
Schools keeping an eye out for their service pupils |
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450 service pupils across 16 Portsmouth schools recently took part in a project funded by an Armed Forces Covenant ESF submitted by Charlotte Mason at Miltoncross Academy. Alongside her HOD MFL duties, Charlotte is a service pupil support advocate linked closely with her life as a Royal Naval spouse and mum to three young service children.
Pupils decorated pebbles with an eye to link to the project's slogan of 'schools keeping an eye out for their service pupils.' The pebbles are now starting to be displayed across the city in various contexts ranging from military locations, Royal Navy ships, classrooms, head teacher desks, St Anne's chapel in the dockyard and more. In addition, local Portsmouth artist My Dog Sighs has donated a signed print to be raffled off to raise money for SSAFA (the armed forces charity). Tickets are currently being sold at Miltoncross Academy and the winning ticket will be drawn on Monday 18 July 2022.
The final phase of the project will conclude in September when service pupil representatives will be invited from every Portsmouth school to attend a service pupil CPD hosted by Charlotte Mason and Pompey Military Kids club at Miltoncross Academy. The primary aim of the CPD is to share good practice, evolve the service pupil community across the city and ensure schools have a secure understanding of the life of a service pupil in the current global context.
It is important to note that even though the funding from the Armed Forces Covenant ESF will cease in September, it is Charlotte's objective to continue working across the city to promote the support of service pupils in every school in Portsmouth. Further funding avenue suggestions are welcomed so that the project and community connections may continue. Charlotte can be contacted at charlotte.mason@miltoncross-tkat.org.
Naval Families Federation newsletter |
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The June edition of the Naval Families Federation newsletter is available to read here. It contains the latest news and updates for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines serving community.
Presentation: Keeping yourself safe this summer |
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A short presentation designed for secondary school and post-16 students that contains some basic tips and advice on how to keep safe this summer is now available on the Safe4Me website. The presentation includes information on the following areas:
- Prom
- Festivals, including your festival essential kit list
- Drugs and alcohol safety, with a specific focus on drink spiking
£500 grants for outdoor learning |
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The Ernest Cook Trust are giving out grants of £500 to facilitate outdoor learning in schools. The grants can be used either to buy outdoor clothing ("wellies and waterproofs") or to create areas where children can connect with nature.
It is a simple application form which asks you to confirm you are an Ofsted registered school and say a bit about your commitment to outdoor learning and what you would hope to achieve with the funding. There is no deadline, but the window will close when around 200 applications have been received.
Westover Primary School and The Portsmouth Academy rated 'good' by Ofsted |
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Congratulations to both Westover Primary School and The Portsmouth Academy on receiving 'good' ratings following recent Ofsted school inspections. The inspections noted:
"Pupils enjoy coming to this friendly, welcoming and caring school. They are happy and they feel safe and well cared for. Staff and pupils treat each other with respect. There is a strong sense of teamwork all round."
Read the full report for Westover Primary School here.
"Relationships between teachers and pupils are particularly strong. Teachers are knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects, which engages and motivates pupils. The school’s curriculum is broad and balanced. New courses have been introduced to broaden the curriculum offer."
Read the full report for The Portsmouth Academy here.
Outdoor learning update from Hampshire Outdoors |
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The second summer 2022 edition of the Hampshire Outdoors newsletter is now available. As usual, it is packed with ideas and resources to support outdoor learning and PE. The theme for this edition is the ‘sun and light’.
The newsletter features an article from Kevin Neil, HCC County Inspector/Advisor for Science, on developing disciplinary science knowledge through outdoor activities. PE manager Jodie Bascombe considers the recent Ofsted research review into PE.
Share your outdoor learning photos, resources and experiences Please send pictures of your outdoor learning or settings where learning takes place, or resources that you would like to share. It would also be great to share your outdoor learning experiences with other schools, especially those that are just beginning their outdoor learning journey. Send your items to Claire Westlake outdoor.education@hants.gov.uk so they can be included in future newsletters.
Portsmouth professionals answer call to support pupils in classrooms |
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50 people from across Portsmouth attended an information event at Central Library on Tuesday 5 July that promoted teaching assistant vacancies and apprenticeships in the sector. Teach Portsmouth invited three local experts, Darren Colwell, assistant head teacher at Copnor Primary School, Emily Farrugia, teaching assistant at Copnor Primary School and Cheryl Head, programme lead at The Learning Place to talk about becoming a teaching assistant in the city.
Cheryl Head, programme lead for apprenticeships and community learning at Portsmouth City Council said: "Supporting pupils in Portsmouth's schools is a unique and rewarding experience for those wanting to progress in education. If you've had time away from work, looking to change careers or trying to find a role that offers more flexibility, an apprenticeship is a good option that enables you to earn while you learn."
While dates for future information events are yet to be set, the Teach Portsmouth team are encouraging people to sign up to their newsletter to be the first to hear about them.
Vigilance needed on anti-choice RSE funded from the US |
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It has been identified that US anti-choice campaigners have provided funding to an anti-choice organisation providing ‘RSE’ in the UK. For those who aren’t aware, here’s a quick reminder of what the RSHE statutory guidance requires. Any teaching should provide medically and legally accurate, impartial information on all options, including keeping the baby, adoption, abortion and where to get further help.
To help schools fulfil this statutory duty, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists published an abortion care factsheet providing up to date medical and legal information about abortion care.
Free RSE courses from Brook |
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Brook aims to equip teachers with everything needed to provide exceptional PSHE, RSE and wellbeing support for young people, from planning and policy to delivery and resources. Two free courses are now available:
Introduction to RSE: If you’re looking to prepare yourself or your staff to deliver this statutory content and improve your approach across the whole school, this free self-directed e-learning course introduces core content and explores how to consult young people. Enrol now
Abortion: The recent news from the US about abortion rights and Roe vs Wade has brought this important RSE topic into focus. The free self-directed e-learning course on abortion contains key learning and teaching resources for you to use in the classroom. Enrol now
Gabrieli Roar at Portsmouth Cathedral |
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A fantastic opportunity for secondary school music departments across Portsmouth to collaborate with top rate professional musicians on exciting and colourful music for Christmas by Michael Praetorious. There will be collaborative opportunities to work together developing singing techniques and learning the music together in the run up to the performance day. The performance day will involve a 3-hour workshop with all the participating schools and the Gabrieli Consort in Portsmouth Cathedral followed by a public performance that evening on Tuesday 29 November 2022, 7.15pm or 7.30pm start.
The project will be led in partnership with Portsmouth Grammar School and Portsmouth Cathedral and any support and assistance required in terms of learning the music, vocal coaching etc. will be provided at no cost to the schools. The material will be flexible to allow for all levels of vocal experience. The aim is to create a choir of up to 400 singers in year 7 and above.
Please contact Gareth Hemmings at g.hemmings@pgs.org.uk for further details and to sign up as soon as possible.
Primary Council of Portsmouth Students |
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The Primary Council of Portsmouth Students (Primary CoPS) is the city-wide voice of young people in primary schools, bringing together representatives from a wide range of school councils. It is a programme that empowers and excites the imagination of the youngest leaders in our city, whilst helping schools to share best practice, learn from each other and feel part of a city-wide student voice ecosystem.
As we rebuild from the pandemic, we want to make Primary CoPS even more accessible and inclusive, enabling every primary school in the city to take part, by making it completely free for all primary schools to take part thanks to corporate sponsorship we've secured, focusing the programme around two key events, and enabling schools to bring more students to take part.
All primary schools are urged to sign up using the online form by Friday 29 July 2022.
Summer bookings now live for the HAF Fun Pompey programme
We would be grateful for your help in spreading the word about the programme and have produced two posters (version 1 and version 2) for display and distribution to families. All FSM families can be booked on directly with the provider. Details on booking with each provider are found under the 'how to book' section of each advert listing. To find activities:
- Check out the HAF activities calendar (filter by date, location and age range)
- Use the interactive maps on each page for ages 5-11, ages 11-16 and family fun
- View the 'What’s On' listings on each page
As professional leads you are able to refer non FSM families. The referral form is required if you have a non FSM family who are deemed vulnerable and would benefit from a funded space. There are a limited number of non-FSM spaces that can be allocated but will endeavour to match you referral to some funded provision. Please complete the referral form and send it to haf@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for approval.
If you have any queries please contact haf@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. Thank you in advance for your support.
Stomp for Stamps
Back for 2022, our popular summer treasure hunt returns from 23 July! Stomp for Stamps is great fun for children and families, keeping young minds and bodies active while they search for the Pompey Monsters and their friends, hidden in four of Portsmouth's open spaces.
To get started, families can pick up a map book from any local library from Saturday 23 July 2022. Children must walk, cycle or scoot to complete at least three of the routes, each led by a different Pompey Monster. Along each route children will stop to capture a monster and its three animal or insect friends by taking a rubbing and returning their completed sheet to a library, in exchange for a sticker. |
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Once children have at least three stickers in their book, they can collect a Pompey Monster prize from the library. This year there's a choice of great prizes including a new cotton drawstring bag.
Making best use of teaching assistants partnership programme
The recruitment of teaching assistants is becoming increasingly more difficult. It is therefore vital that schools make the most effective use of the valuable resource that they do have. This partnership training programme between HISP Research School and Portsmouth Inclusion Outreach Service aims to:
- Enable schools to review and reform the deployment and preparation of teaching assistants, based on the most recent research evidence
- Support schools in the opportunity to re-think/consider and address securing the best value from teaching assistants helping make sure they can make a meaningful contribution to teaching and learning
- Support schools to plan and deliver high quality training for teachers and TAs
- Model how the use of evidence can have a positive impact on leading change and school improvement through a process of effective implementation executed in stages
Science specific CPD for 2022/23 with Hampshire and Dorset Science Learning Partnership
Primary science:
- Primary science leaders’ network
- Developing your primary science curriculum
- Working scientifically and practical work at KS1 and KS2
- Effective transition between year 6 and year 7 in science
- Subject knowledge enhancement
Secondary science:
- Secondary science leaders’ network
- Developing your secondary science curriculum
- Working scientifically and practical work at KS3 and KS4
- Effective transition between year 6 and year 7 in science
- Supporting pupils with SEN in science
- KS4 biology / chemistry / physics subject knowledge enhancement
- Biology / chemistry / physics triple science subject knowledge enhancement
Post-16: A level biology / chemistry / physics subject knowledge enhancement
Technicians: Secondary and post-16 technician networking conference
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