A message from Councillor Suzy Horton
I would like to say a big well done to everyone for navigating another challenging year.
It has become more obvious that schools continue to play an important role in the lives of children and their families. However, this has extended far beyond the subjects measured in results. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis is particularly hard on the already disadvantaged, and I know you all take on a support role, willingly, while dealing with your own rising costs, needs, and recruitment and retention challenges.
Yet we know that school can be a sanctuary from these outside pressures - a place to achieve and thrive. I am fortunate to meet and speak directly with many of you through the PEP, the 'Big Conversation' on standards, the SEND and Alternative Provision Board, recruitment events, celebrations, Schools Forum, and many other events. There has been a more focused challenge on what more we can do to help children excel, despite the pressures we face.
With the introduction of a new government, I hope the next academic year brings a fresh perspective on education, tackling the big issues of SEND as well as recruitment and retention that we deal with daily.
Thank you, as always, for all the invitations to visit your schools this year and a huge thank you to all of you for what you do every day. I wish you all a well-deserved break, whatever that looks like for you.
Councillor Suzy Horton
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education
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Inclusion
Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) training course 2024/25 |
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The Educational Psychology Team are once again hosting an ELSA training course over six separate days starting in November 2024. The course is primarily for teaching assistants and learning mentors who wish to support children and young people in all aspects of emotional literacy.
Topics covered will be building relationships, social and friendship skills, self-esteem, emotional regulation, anxiety, neurodiversity, loss and bereavement and emotional wellbeing. Trainee ELSAs will also learn specific techniques such as active listening and writing social stories.
The training will be held at The Training & Learning Centre, The Portsmouth Academy, St Marys Road, Portsmouth over six days (all Wednesdays) - 27 November 2024, 15 January 2025, 26 February 2025, 26 March 2025, 30 April 2025 and 25 June 2025.
The cost is £575 per delegate. Please note there is also an ongoing commitment to attend supervision sessions following training to maintain the ELSA status. Details of the ELSA role and upcoming training can be found here.
The course can be booked through the Portsmouth Traded Services website (course code PLG2-1124-T001) or by emailing Philippa Wilson (Philippa.Wilson@portsmouthcc.gov.uk).
Asthma Friendly Schools |
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The Asthma Friendly Schools award is a free initiative open to any school, college or nursery in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It is being delivered by the local Integrated Care Board on behalf of NHS England.
What does gaining the award mean?
- School staff will feel more confident to support children with asthma
- Parents/carers can be reassured that staff have training and processes in place to support their child who has asthma
- Children and young people with asthma will feel empowered to reach their potential in a supportive environment
What do schools have to do?
- Have a school Asthma Champion(s)
- Have a school policy (template available)
- Maintain an asthma register (template available)
- Communicate to parents/carers effectively (templates available)
- Keep and maintain emergency asthma medication (available to purchase at local pharmacies)
- 85% school staff to undertake asthma training (100% PE team) via free eLearning or school nurse team
If you have any questions, please email asthmafriendlyschools@uhs.nhs.uk.
Testlands short breaks programme |
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A new short breaks provision from Testlands will be delivered this summer. There will be sessions for 11-16 year olds and 16-25 year olds with special educational needs (SEN) and social emotional, mental health (SEMH) needs. No EHCP will be required.
There will be four hubs (one north, two central and one south):
- North (Paulsgrove, Cosham, Drayton and Farlington, Hilsea)
- Central (Nelson, Copnor, Charles Dickens, Fratton, Baffins)
- South (St Thomas, Central Southsea, Milton, St Jude, Eastney and Craneswater)
Visit the Testlands website for more details and to book.
SEND&AP Change Programme monthly newsletter |
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In this edition of the SEND&AP Change Programme monthly newsletter you will find updates on the following:
- Transition to post-16
- DfE deep dive into OAP
- Feedback loops
For information on how parents and carers can engage with the SEND&AP Change Programme, click here.
Portsmouth Mental Health Support Team (MHST) education newsletter |
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The latest edition of the MHST newsletter considers how transitions may affect mental health, how we can support families with young people’s mental health over the summer break and how we can celebrate upcoming key dates.
Actions Counters Terrorism (ACT) for Education e-learning |
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Actions Counters Terrorism (ACT) for Education e-learning is bespoke training aimed at all staff working in education settings and will teach learners how to identify security vulnerabilities, suspicious activity and how to respond when there is an incident.
This free course has been developed by the Department for Education in collaboration with the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office using core principles such as Run, Hide, Tell, the HOT Protocol and the Power of Hello.
School improvement
Stubbington Study Centre vacancies |
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Stubbington Study Centre has a number of slots available next year in the autumn and spring terms:
The centre is able to offer a 30% discount on any dates in autumn 1, in recognition of the short lead-in time. If any of these slots are of interest, please do not hesitate in contacting the centre on 01329 662244.
Pompey in the Community summer programme |
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From 25 July - 30 August 2024, Pompey in the Community will be hosting a variety of courses across Portsmouth, Gosport and Chichester:
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Football courses including mixed, girls only and goalkeeping sessions
- Multi-sports disability courses
- Cooking with Pompey cook along
The courses are perfect for all skill levels, from beginners to more advanced players and those who have started cooking or want to learn how. Each day is packed with engaging activities, including skill drills, small-sided games and fun competitions. The team of experienced, qualified and safeguarding trained coaches and tutors are dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for all participants to have fun and grow.
You can register online or call 02392 728899. Spots are limited, so early booking is encouraged to ensure a place.
Eligible for free school meals in Portsmouth City Council area: There are some free places for some of the above courses as part of the Holiday Activities and Food provision. These can be booked here.
Free places with Kelloggs: There are still a limited number of codes left to claim a free day at a football course with an eligible Kelloggs cereal box. All details can be found on the eligible purchased box.
Please share the flyer with your parents and carers.
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Good Ofsted ratings for Court Lane Junior Academy and Manor Infant and Nursery School |
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Congratulations to Court Lane Junior Academy and Manor Infant and Nursery School for achieving 'Good' ratings following recent Ofsted inspections.
In their report for Court Lane Junior Academy, inspectors highlighted:
"Parents describe this school as ‘caring, supportive and nurturing’. This is exemplified at
lunchtimes when older pupils help younger pupils to enjoy an engaging range of outdoor
play and learning opportunities. Playtimes are joyful and harmonious. Behaviour
expectations are high, ensuring that classrooms are purposeful and industrious. The
school fulfils its vision to ‘believe, inspire and achieve’ with strong aspirations for all."
In their report for Manor Infant and Nursery School, inspectors highlighted:
"Pupils get off to a great start in their education here. Strong relationships between adults and children, right from when they join the nursery, means that children settle quickly and learn happily. Adults ensure that they get to know pupils as individuals. Across the school, pupils feel safe, secure and truly cared for. The school aspires for all pupils to achieve their very best."
Hampshire and Wessex annual religious education conference 2024 |
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This cross-phase conference on Thursday 24 October 2024 is for primary, secondary and SEND RE teachers and leaders of RE.
The conference is to support teachers to teach RE well with Living Difference IV, the locally agreed syllabus for RE in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton schools. Delegates will gain confidence in representing what it means to live with a religious orientation on life, in the classroom.
The day will include keynote sessions on raising the profile of RE and practical advice for creating effective learning environments in the classroom, invaluable for all teachers in every phase of education.
Cyber Choices webinars for parents/carers |
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A series of Cyber Choices webinars are being held for parents, looking at how we can help to safeguard young people from committing computer misuse offences, and why this needs to happen.
These sessions last around an hour, are free to attend, and previous webinars have received positive responses. They are aimed at parents/carers of a wide range of children/young people, from KS2 pupils (7-8 year olds) right up to college/university students (18+).
Each webinar covers the same material, so they need only sign up for one of them. Places can be booked via Eventbrite.
Cyber Protect are also running webinars for parents and carers, with a focus on protecting children from online threats. These sessions, also free, can be booked via Eventbrite.
Early years
50 things to do before you're five |
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 With the summer holidays fast approaching, don't forget to promote the fantastic free app and website - 50 things to do before you're five. It's packed full of no cost or low cost activities which support learning. 50 things will help to develop and expand vocabulary, give families a focus for learning and playing together and make taking part in activities around the city fun! It's not just for the under fives - the whole family can get involved!
This summer, why not try #26 'Splish, Splash, Splosh', #30 'Yummy Picnic', #48 'Natural Art', #49 'Grass Gazing' and #50 'Sea and Sand'. These could be focus experiences to share with parents over the summer holidays.
You can download the app and view the website. Please share the 50 things to do before you're five flyer with families.
Keep an eye on the Family Information Service social media and do share their posts with your families! You can follow them on Facebook or on Instagram.
Gemma from the early years team, her daughter Grace and their friends had a fun packed, free day out in our beautiful city enjoying the glorious sunshine. They packed a #30 'Yummy Picnic', enjoyed some live music at Southsea Bandstand with #23 'See it Live!' and cooled down at Southsea Castle Fountains with #26 'Splish, Splash, Splosh'. They even headed into the castle to learn about its fascinating history with #40 'Happy History'. Take a look at their day out here.
Getting ready to start school |
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The following video and top tips poster show some of the key skills we are encouraging children to acquire ahead of starting school.
Please share with your parents of new starters to year R. These have been shared with pre-schools, nurseries and child minders and Family Hubs too.
Visit the Portsmouth City Council website to learn more.
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South East local authorities join forces to recruit more foster carers |
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Portsmouth City Council joined 19 other local authorities earlier this month to launch a new regional fostering recruitment hub. Local Authority Fostering South East is a collaborative partnership of 20 councils from across the region with a shared common goal; to recruit and support more amazing foster carers to provide safe, loving, and local homes for children in our communities.
The hub will not replace Foster Portsmouth, Portsmouth City Council's local fostering service. Instead it will work alongside to complement activity and help grow the network of over 2,800 local authority foster carers across the South East.
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