I want to take this opportunity to welcome you all back from a well-deserved break and look forward to working with you again this year.
I have lost count of the number of new school years I have experienced in my career, but each is still one of new beginnings, new children, new classes, new schools and new plans and this year is no different.
The Portsmouth Education Partnership (PEP) was an innovation when it began six years ago, a quite unique collaboration; setting aside artificial structural boundaries, it had at its heart a shared enterprise to achieve the best for all Portsmouth children and much has been achieved.
For the PEP this is also a year of new beginnings, a new three-year strategy and the start of the implementation phase of the Priority Education Investment Area (PEIA) plan. As with all new plans there is much to be done but the reward is how much will be achieved.
As Councillor Suzy Horton said in her end of year message, “Portsmouth schools rise to the challenge, work together, are creative, are supportive of each other as well as the children and families that you serve.” I am sure this will continue to be the case in the coming year.
I look forward to meeting many of you at the PEIA conference on Tuesday 19 September and continuing to work together and rising to whatever challenges the next year brings.
Frances Soul
PEP Independent Chair
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PEP/PEIA Conference - 19 September 2023 |
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On Tuesday 19 September 2023, we will be holding our annual PEP conference at the Marriott Hotel which will focus on the four priorities that make up the Priority Education Investment Area (PEIA). There will be workshops across all four priorities, aimed at senior leaders, subject leaders and classroom practitioners who will be participating in the PEIA programmes.
The PEIA priorities are:
- Priority 1: Literacy and digital
- Priority 2: Maths
- Priority 3: Attendance
- Priority 4: Underperforming groups
A draft outline of the day can be found here. There is no charge to attend the conference.
You are invited to register for the conference, attend one or more of the workshops, and stay for lunch.
Inclusion
Domestic abuse training |
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Further dates have been added for the combined domestic abuse training. The 'Responding to domestic abuse' training combines ‘victim’ and ‘perpetrator’ focused training, and aims:
- To define what is domestic abuse
- What does domestic abuse look like for: victims, people using abusive behaviours, children and professionals
- To increase knowledge and challenge stereotypes of victim, people using abusive behaviours, children and professionals
- Types of relationships
- Engaging with your service users
- Understanding and accessing the referral pathway
- Effective safety planning and its application to your practice.
Training dates are available throughout 2023-24. To access training, visit the PSCP website or email Stop Domestic Abuse at portsmouthtraining@stopdomesticabuse.uk.
No Time For Goodbye - practical and activity based support for children and young people |
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Free two-day training course for school professionals, provided by Listening Ear, to increase confidence when supporting children and young people affected by bereavement, suicide, or loss. Training dates are as follows, please click the links for further information and to book a free place:
Please note that tickets are extremely limited - please nominate one representative only to attend from your school. Representatives must be able to attend both days.
Listening Ear offers a specialist counselling service for children and young people bereaved by suicide. Any parent, guardian or professional can make a referral by visiting the Listening Ear website. They also provide the Amparo service which supports adults who have been bereaved by suicide. Both services are commissioned in Portsmouth and across Hampshire.
Neurodiversity in schools project 2023-24 |
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Since 2021, Portsmouth City Council and other agencies have been working with a number of schools to help them improve the way they support pupils with neurodiversity. In developing school practice this has successfully transformed the way their pupils engage with and enjoy school life, improving their overall wellbeing and happiness.
Now there is an opportunity for more Portsmouth schools to work with us in this way, receiving free support, so collectively we can improve outcomes for all children and help them to live their best life.
There are currently fifteen schools taking part in the project, but we want more to sign up in the next year. Click the button below to learn what the project involves, how we can support your school needs, and what schools and parents say about the project.
If you have any questions, please contact the team on 02392 606051 or Neurodiversity0-19Enquiries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
School improvement
Portsmouth governor briefings 2023/24 |
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During the 2023/24 school year we will be running six governor briefings, all on Microsoft Teams. They will open from 4.45pm for a prompt 5pm start and close at 6pm. In order to make these relevant to governors' different responsibilities the sessions will be themed as follows:
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Tuesday 3 October 2023: School improvement, including data, work to support writing, and the Portsmouth Education Improvement Area (PEIA)
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Wednesday 29 November 2023: Safeguarding, including the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
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Thursday 25 January 2024: Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and inclusion
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Tuesday 5 March 2024: Portsmouth strategic update
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Wednesday 8 May 2024: Finance and resources, to include HR and health and safety (LA maintained schools only)
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Thursday 20 June 2024: Narrowing the gap, including work to improve educational outcomes for children in receipt of pupil premium, those with English as an additional language, and children in care.
All Portsmouth governors from LA maintained schools and academies are warmly invited to attend any of the briefings (except the one on finance and resources, which is relevant to LA maintained schools only). We would be grateful for your help in highlighting these to governor colleagues.
Governors wishing to be added to our mailing list to receive information about the governor briefings direct should email schoolgovernor@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Good Ofsted ratings for Gatcombe Park Primary School and Wimborne Primary School |
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Congratulations to Gatcombe Park Primary School and Wimborne Primary School for achieving 'Good' ratings following Ofsted school inspections last term.
In their report for Gatcombe Park Primary School, inspectors highlighted:
"This is a happy and friendly community, where pupils develop confidence and enthusiasm for learning. Pupils consistently demonstrate the school values of ‘aim high, respect and teamwork’. They collaborate with each other and complete activities well. Pupils respond positively to teachers’ high expectations and, consequently, behaviour is calm around school. At breaktimes, pupils happily play across different year groups, sharing the trim trail equipment thoughtfully."
In their report for Wimborne Primary School, inspectors highlighted:
"Leaders encourage all pupils to ‘reach for the stars’ at this welcoming and inclusive school. From day one, pupils learn the school’s ‘star values’ and ‘star powers’ that underpin everything at the school. These include sincerity, teamwork, achievement and respect, while also encouraging pupils to be resilient and creative."
Primary languages in Portsmouth update |
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The autumn update for primary languages in Portsmouth features lots of useful information and resources, including:
- European day of languages
- CPD sessions in October and November
- Primary Languages conference
- French and Spanish YouTube tutorials
- and more...
Primary RE network meeting |
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The next primary RE network meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday 4 October 2023, 4pm - 5pm. These meetings are free for all Portsmouth primary subject leaders and teachers of RE. They cover everything from managing an Ofsted inspection deep dive into RE, to use of the Locally Agreed Syllabus Living Difference IV, curriculum planning and assessment in religious education.
The meeting will be led by Justine Ball, Hampshire Primary RE Advisor.
All welcome. Please email Laura.Browne@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to sign up and receive the Microsoft Teams link.
Remember Together: Nuclear Test Veterans - Live digital event for secondary schools |
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 Tuesday 3 October 2023, attend at either 10am or 2pm
Join schools from across the UK at a special digital event to hear the incredible stories of Nuclear Test Veterans, the people involved in the UK's first nuclear tests in the 1950s and 60s. Aimed at secondary school classes, this event brings this important aspect of post World War Two history into your classroom. Your students will develop historical empathy by responding to eye witness accounts and deepen their understanding of the UK’s place in the world today.
HAF Fun Pompey summer survey |
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 The HAF Fun Pompey team is running a summer survey to gather feedback to help plan the next HAF programme. They are looking for responses from anyone who has:
- Booked onto HAF Fun Pompey activities
- Attended the HAF Fun Pompey activities on offer
- Supported families accessing HAF Fun Pompey activities
- Feedback to share on the HAF Fun Pompey offer
The survey closes at midnight on Sunday 17 September 2023.
 Foster carer Tony is a senior support worker with a children's charity. Along with his past experience as a teaching assistant and climbing instructor, the skills Tony has gained through his career have been invaluable when caring for the children he and his wife Patsy have welcomed into their home.
Those who have worked in education or the care sector - as well as others including the armed forces, health and emergency services - will have also developed vital experience.
Many of our children have had life experiences, learning or physical disabilities, or complex health needs which require the care of those with relevant skills and expertise. These carers receive enhanced local training, additional fees and allowances, our 24/7 support network and respite arrangements.
Tony shared, "We enjoy seeing we're making a difference."
Could you be their champion too?
Place Value of Punctuation and Grammar training course
Date: Wednesday 18 October 2023
Venue: Cottage Grove Primary School, PO5 1HG
Cost: £120 +VAT (group discount available)
This course from Grammarsaurus is designed to give teachers and teaching assistants the subject knowledge to teach the Place Value of Punctutation and Grammar unit. For leaders, it shares how to implement this four-week unit across the primary phase so that it can have a profound effect on pupils. It has seen many schools move from poor and average results to 70-90% expected in writing.
To book your place, please email cpd@grammarsaurus.co.uk.
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