|
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.
Inclusion
Final PEIA offer - Fully funded online inclusion and wellbeing platform membership |
|
 |
Do you want the analytical advantage when it comes to inclusion in your school? Want to delve into the data and then demonstrate how you have an evidence-led approach to diversity and inclusion? The GEC Platform is the only online solution and is a world-first award winning solution for schools.
Portsmouth have commissioned the GEC (Global Equality Collective) with PEIA funding to create a citywide offer to help us all with all things inclusion and wellbeing. With over a third of PEP schools who have now signed up to the GEC Platform to better understand their school culture, we want you all to take advantage of this before it is too late!
“The judges said this is a much needed tool in developing awareness of diversity and inclusiveness in schools and education! The testimonials from schools were strong with substantial evidence on the implementation of the tool and the platform seems to be gaining traction. Diversity, inclusivity and equity in EdTech is such an important topic and GEC is clearly doing this in a big and powerful way.”
BETT Awards, Highly Commended, Transformational Impact 2024 category
How can I access this?
PEP schools or colleges can sign up to this offer for free until the end of March 2024. You will get access as a PEP school or trust until March 2025 (this means you can get two years of benchmarking when you sign up now).
If you are interested in finding out more, please email Gemma (Head of Operations) at office@thegec.education or simply sign up online by Friday 29 March 2024.
My Happy Mind programme update |
|
|
Health and Care Portsmouth are pleased to confirm that funding for the My Happy Mind programme is set to continue for a further year. We are really pleased with how well the programme has been received and utilised and it's lovely when we receive videos from schools describing the ways in which it has supported children's positive mental health, resilience and self-esteem. The qualitative and quantitative feedback we receive is always very positive and encouraging.
The funding arrangement will remain the same. The school will be expected to contribute £2 per child per year and Health and Care Portsmouth will fund the remainder. We need you to confirm whether you wish to continue with this arrangement for the next academic year.
If you decide not to continue with the programme, we'd be interested to know why and would appreciate your feedback. We'd also be interested in any general feedback on your experience of using the programme.
Please confirm that you would like to continue by contacting Stuart McDowell at Stuart.McDowell@portsmouthcc.gov.uk by Friday 22 March 2024.
We've also been able to secure a small amount of additional funds to extend the programme to more primary schools. The funding arrangement will remain the same as above. If you would like to know more about the programme, please contact Katie Ingham at katie.ingham@myhappymind.org or 07760 887664. You can also book an information session with Katie.
If any additional schools would like to use the programme, please contact Stuart McDowell at Stuart.McDowell@portsmouthcc.gov.uk by Friday 22 March 2024. Please be aware this is just an expression of interest at this stage, and we'll respond to you in April.
Forty 4 Frankie – 40 more defibrillators for Portsmouth |
|
|
Would your school be interested in hosting one?
Lynn Timms is leading on a project to raise £80,000 to fund 40 more defibrillators for Portsmouth residents and visitors. The Forty 4 Frankie crowdfunder campaign is set up to commemorate 40 years since her mother, Frances, died after a cardiac arrest aged 46.
These machines are integral to first aid management when someone has a cardiac arrest and early use of a defibrillator improves survival. It is recommended that defibrillator machines are 24-hour accessible and within 300 metres of a cardiac incident to allow collection and use within six minutes of the person collapsing for maximum effect.
Of the current 221 defibrillators in Portsmouth only 62.4% are public access defibrillators available 24 hours a day. The project aims to raise funds to:
- increase the number of available defibrillators where there is an identified need closer to people’s homes
- raise the awareness of where this equipment is located
- increase confidence in administering first aid and the use of a defibrillator.
If your school would be interested in accommodating one of these important pieces of equipment or if you would like more information, please contact Lynn Timms at 07851 069146 or timmslynn@yahoo.co.uk.
Updates from the neurodiversity team |
|
 |
Summer term 2024 training programme
Click here for details of the neurodiversity team's training offer for the summer term.
Drop-in clinics
The neurodiversity team are now offering drop-in sessions for families at family hubs monthly (please download the poster for information regarding dates and times). Please email or call the team to book an appointment time - 02392 606051 or Neurodiversity0-19Enquiries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
ND Portal on Insight Hub
During the summer term we will be launching the ND portal on the Insight Hub. The ND portal allows you to complete the ND profile directly onto the portal and have an overview of the children that have an ND profile. Parents will also be able to view the profile on the platform. More information regarding the launch will be shared early in the summer term.
Family support workers now allocated to localities
Our family support workers are now working in localities and will be working closely with schools and settings to develop relationships and liaise regarding support that is required. We are always happy to discuss training and support requirements with settings.
- North locality - Anne McGovern and Shanaz Jannat
- Central locality - Emily Payne
- South locality - Sophie Brock-Hollinshead and Kate Fisher
Triple P discussion groups |
|
|
Details of the Triple P discussion groups for the summer term (April - July) can be found here. All sessions offer basic strategies and ideas for anyone who wants to help their child be the best they can be.
Parents can book their place by calling the Family Hub number on the poster.
School improvement
The Crockodogopig |
|
|
Musician, poet and beatboxer Ricky Tart is excited to introduce the Crockodogopig project. This exciting opportunity is dedicated to inspiring children to express themselves through poetry and songwriting while promoting positive mental health choices. Led by Ricky, the project will be visiting three local schools each week.
Each Friday morning, all three schools will come together for a special performance of "The Crockodogopig" show, where students will share their creative works inspired by the theme of mental wellness.
If your school is interested in taking part, please contact crockshow@trickyart.co.uk directly for more information.
|
The Jerusalem Trust's Small Grants to Schools Scheme |
|
|
The Jerusalem Trust’s Small Grants to Schools Scheme supports the teaching of Christianity within religious education. The scheme operates by providing schools with grants of up to £600 to purchase resources for use in RE lessons.
The scheme is open to state funded schools in England and Wales, with 40% awarded to secondary schools and 60% to primary schools. Grant availability during the school term, for both sectors, is notified on the Jerusalem Trust website.
Digital city inclusion project opportunity |
|
|
Following work with Google, the PEP has been given the opportunity for an inclusion project to showcase the need for consistency when supporting children with SEND and ensuring that all children have fair and equitable access to technology.
To facilitate this, we are looking for three primary/junior schools and three secondary schools to become part of a working party who will play a valuable role in undergoing the research and sharing the impact to help other schools make informed decisions on the use of technology in the future. It doesn’t matter if you are Google/Microsoft or use Chromebooks already: the project is about showing how a consistent approach can be effective in the long term.
As part of this project, each school will be provided with access to:
- A Chromebook for five children from year 5/year 8 (2023/2024 cohorts)
- Relevant software
- Ongoing training and support for pupils, staff, IT teams and parents/carers
In order to be considered for this project, you will need to meet the following criteria:
- High level of SEND, EAL or deprivation for the year 5/year 8 2023/2024 cohort
- Have a nominated Digital Champion to lead on the project
- Have worked with the Head of Digital and have commitment from teachers to ongoing digital CPD this academic year
- Relevant infrastructure and IT support in place to support
- Have expressed interest for a Digital SLA for 2024/2025
- Be part of the Clicker/Docs Plus digital literacy group
If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, please email Gemma Gwilliam at ggwilliam@copnorprimary.co.uk by 9am on Monday 25 March 2024.
Updates from Teach Portsmouth |
|
|
Be quick! Get your long service to education submission in
Have you put forward your staff for a long service to education award yet? You don’t have long left! Submissions close on Thursday 28 March 2024.
If you have staff who have worked for 20 years or more in Portsmouth, we want to hear from you. We are holding a special long service to education event at Portsmouth Guildhall on Wednesday 26 June 2024 from 4pm – 6pm.
If you have more than four staff members, we can add additional staff to the waiting list. We would recommend schools use their four tickets as soon as possible. We’d like to thank everyone who has put forward their colleagues for the long service to education event so far. Visit the Teach Portsmouth website to submit up to four staff members. Submissions are done on a first come, first served basis.
Only two places left! Exhibit at the Support and Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair
If you have vacancies, volunteering and apprenticeship opportunities coming up in your school, exhibit at the Teach Portsmouth Support and Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair at Central Library on Tuesday 23 April 2024 across two sessions (1.30pm – 6pm).
Our last event welcomed over 110 people. We’ve also broadened the type of roles on offer to include administrative and site management vacancies. Applications for exhibitors close on Thursday 28 March 2024. If you are interested in exhibiting, please email teachportsmouth@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
|
Tax Facts – free resources for teachers and parents |
|
 |
Tax Facts is HM Revenue and Customs’ free tax education programme for primary and secondary school students. It has resources to help children and young people learn about the UK tax system, from lesson plans to videos. Each set of resources includes:
- a lesson plan
- classroom presentation
- activity sheets
- delivery guide
An HMRC member of staff could come into school as a Tax Facts ambassador to lead a 45-minute lesson and give pupils the opportunity to ask any questions. A school visit can also support you to achieve the Gatsby Benchmarks. For more information on how to request a school visit, please email hmrc.taxeducation@hmrc.gov.uk.
Participation and progression
Verizon Leadership Academy |
|
|
The Verizon Leadership Academy is an exciting opportunity at Unloc, funded by Verizon, to give young people aged 11 - 19 the chance to explore leadership and create a social action project aimed at improving Portsmouth.
What does it involve?
The programme consists of six sessions which will develop team working, communication, public speaking and project planning skills to help them become a passionate young leader! Through these interactive workshops, participants will plan a social action project to tackle issues they have seen in their schools, colleges or communities. The young people can join on their own or with friends, as the programme will also give them the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends outside of the school setting.
What are the dates?
- Monday 8 April 2024, 11am - 4pm
- Monday 15 April 2024, 4.30pm - 6pm
- Monday 22 April 2024, 4.30pm - 6pm
- Monday 29 April 2024, 4.30pm - 6pm
- Monday 6 May 2024, 4.30pm - 6pm
- Monday 13 May 2024, 4.30pm - 6pm
How to get in touch?
A limited number of spaces are available, so if you are interested in promoting this opportunity please reach out as soon as possible. A poster to display in your school/college is available to download here.
Please contact Faith at faith@unloc.org.uk to hear more about the programme.
|
HAF Fun Pompey - Easter programme |
|
|
The HAF Fun Pompey Easter programme is now live, and activities can be booked directly for children who are eligible for free school meals using the online booking system. As ever we would be grateful for colleagues' support in highlighting these opportunities to eligible families.
Some schools and providers have focused on encouraging children with erratic school attendance to participate in the HAF programme, and in some cases seen an improvement in school attendance afterwards.
For any queries, please contact the Holiday Activities and Food team at HAF@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
|
Outstanding foster carer support from social workers recognised |
|
|
Portsmouth City Council and Foster Portsmouth recognised our dedicated social workers this World Social Work Day. The event on 19 March celebrated the social work profession and its contribution across the world.
Foster carer Sandy confirmed: “My social worker is so in tune with our needs and is always aware of the training and support I need to fulfil my role.”
We know that support is vital and we’re proud to offer our foster carers an extensive range. This is available at every stage of the process, including through an assessing social worker during the application process and then, in addition to the child’s social worker, carers will have a dedicated supervising social worker providing them with support, advice and encouragement throughout their fostering journey.
Learn more about how the council is marking World Social Work Day.
|
|
