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- Message from the Head of Education Excellence
- Assessment
- Attendance
- COVID-19 Public Heath
- Early Years
- Finance
- Free School Meals
- Good News
- Information
- Support Services for schools
- Training and consultation
- DfE daily update
Dear Colleagues,
I wish to bring to your attention the Engagement sessions we have arranged for all schools which will occur next week on Tuesday and Wednesday.
These sessions will be an opportunity for colleagues from Public Health and education to share with you the latest information and advice relating to Covid-19. We will be able to share with you learning from schools responding to staffing capacity, remote learning and business continuity planning.
We are seeing some schools and settings really struggling with staffing capacity at the moment. Please continue to tell us if you feel you need to close.
In the DfE Covid Winter Plan published yesterday there is specific reference to keeping schools and settings open until the end of term. I know that is what you are all aiming for and we are here to support you.
Best wishes,
Phil Leivers
07971639285
Autumn Term phonics screening Check for Year 2
We have received a number of inquiries with regard to the timing of the phonics screening check in the autumn term and offer further clarification in the attached document.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Jo Horlock NQT and Assessment Advisor Tel. 07792 556576 Jo.Horlock@wolverhampton.gov.uk
COVID related Registration Codes
If a pupil has symptoms and is sent home the X code should be used until the result of the test is known.
If the test is negative and the child is well, they should return to school. If the test is positive the code should be changed to I.
if a pupil is unwell for any other reason the code should be I.
If a pupil is sent home as someone they live with has tested positive, or a class bubble is sent home they should be marked X.
If a class/year group is sent home as there are insufficient teachers due to COVID, they should be marked X.
COVID attendance 2020, click here (EY)
School attendance guidance, click here (EY)
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Angela Bailey Attendance Manager Angela.bailey@wolverhampton.gov.uk 01902 550621
Coronavirus information in other languages
The following link provides information on Coronavirus and how to stay safe in a range of different languages. Schools may wish to share this information with parents via their website and other social media channels. Please use the City of Wolverhampton website using the following link: https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information/other-languages
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Howard Jobber Senior Public Health Specialist howard.jobber@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Second frequently asked questions from the Early Years sector
This second FAQ document answers questions from the early years sector on the national lockdown. These answers have been checked with the Department for Education (DfE) and cover:
- Visits
- EYFS disapplications
- Workforce
- Funding and financial support
- Safety measures in settings
- + more
Early Years Q&A November 2020, click here (EY).
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Stacey Henderson Senior Early Years Advisor Stacey.Henderson@Wolverhampton.gov.uk
Deprivation Funding
For those who receive deprivation funding autumn terms funding will appear in your accounts by Monday 30 November. This is clearly marked as deprivation funding so not to cause any confusion with other funding.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Stacey Henderson Senior Early Years Advisor Stacey.Henderson@Wolverhampton.gov.uk
Early Adopter Schools
Early Years Network Meeting
Date: Wednesday 2 December
Time 1:30 – 3pm
During this session we will be providing Early Adopter schools with the opportunity to meet with one another to discuss questions and thoughts that have arisen from the first term of using the new framework.
This is a free event. Please send as many delegates as you feel appropriate.
Click here to access WVES and book the event.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Stacey Henderson Senior Early Years Advisor Stacey.Henderson@Wolverhampton.gov.uk
School Cleaning Charges 16 September – 13 October 2020
The attached (click here EY) schedule shows school cleaning charges for the period 16-09-2020 to 13-10-2020. Should you have any queries, please contact Caroline Holt (Caroline.Holt@wolverhampton.gov.uk) or Lisa Green, Cleaning Manager, on 01902 555202 (Lisa.Green3@wolverhampton.gov.uk).
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Gianina Antoniou Business Support Administrator Gianina.antoniou@wolverhampton.gov.uk 01902 558808
FSM Data
In the lead up to the Christmas holidays schools are reminded of the importance of having as much correct parent data collected, recorded and submitted for eligibility checking.
As you are aware, a significant number of families are becoming eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals (FSM) and timely checks are essential to ensure they can receive the support they need.
Additionally, we remind schools that only claims identified ahead of the January Census will attract Pupil Premium Funding from April 2021.
Those schools who purchase a SLA from Wolverhampton’s FSM Checking Service will have received an email this week with further details.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Free.SchoolMeals@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Please remember to send your good news stories to School.Post@wolverhamtpon.gov.uk and we will include into our bulletin!
Eastfield Primary School
Eastfield Primary School has achieved Anti Bullying Status from Wolverhampton City council!
The school were presented today with a glass plaque and a poster of the Anti-Bullying Charter to display in school.
Mrs Helen Bird, Deputy Headteacher, received the plaque on the school's behalf, saying "We are very happy to be recognised for all the support staff provide pupils and parents in order to identify and tackle bullying appropriately".
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Coronavirus Catch Up Premium – New Guidance 19.11.20
Schools are advised that guidance relating to Coronavirus Catch Up funding has been updated. Read the updated guidance here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/catch-up-premium-coronavirus-covid-19/catch-up-premium#eligibility
Lead person to contact:
Laura Jude Disadvantaged Pupils Advisory Teacher Laura.jude@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Leadership and Management
Presently, leaders in schools and settings are faced with many challenges and the DfE have created a couple of ‘top tip’ references to help navigate the wealth of information that has been generated during this pandemic. Two documents which may prove helpful relate to staff absence (here for EY) and remote learning (here for EY), including hyperlinks to enable quick access to finer detail.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Linda Brown School Improvement Senior Advisor Tel. Mobile: 07812 494965 Linda.brown@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Vodaphone Schools Connected Offer – Free Internet Connectivity for Schools – APPLY NOW!
Vodaphone have launched an emergency connectivity offer to support disadvantaged children struggling to access education due to a lack of internet connectivity.
They will be giving away up to 250,000 data SIMs with 30GB free connectivity for 90 days to primary and secondary school children and young people across the UK this winter.
Schools will be allocated a number of SIMs.
Apply here.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Laura Jude Disadvantaged Pupils Advisory Teacher Laura.jude@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Accessing Microsoft teams
Following feedback, we understand that people have experienced difficulties when accessing Microsoft teams to join online training and update sessions.
The link below is a tutorial video, which will guide you through the process of how to join a meeting if you are an external user.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pauAUOl8v4
Please note that each meeting has a unique link.
Upcoming Engagement Sessions
Tuesday 1 December 9.30 – 11 am Primary including Nursery schools - Click here to join the meeting
Tuesday 1 December 2.00 – 3.30 pm Secondary schools and College - Click here to join the meeting
Wednesday 2 December 1.30 – 3.00 pm Primary including Nursery schools - Click here to join the meeting
Wednesday 2 December 3.30 – 5.00 pm Special schools and PRUs - Click here to join the meeting
Baseline Data - SEND
An online session to support schools who completed the Baseline Data with a focus on SEND. There is no cost for this session. Access to your baseline data and a laptop required on the day. Monday 7 December 1.30pm - 2.45pm. Target audience: SENCOs, Senior Leaders, Assessment Leaders, Subject Leaders.
This workshop will cover:
- The outcomes of the Baseline Data in relation to SEND pupils
- Support schools in how to disaggregate the data for SEND pupils using the LA’s Baseline Data
- Discuss areas of focus for SEND pupils, based on the outcomes of the Baseline Data
If you cannot attend but wish to access a video post training and all resources please enrol.
If you would like to attend, please register on SLA online- www.wves.wolverhampton.gov.uk if you have any difficulties or queries with booking through the system please contact Hardip Jassal on 01902 55 (5930) or Hardip.Jassal3@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Mark Smith Citizenship Language & Learning Senior Advisor Mark.smith2@wolverhampton.gov.uk;
Anna Vrahimi School Improvement SEND Advisor anna.vrahimi@wolverhampton.gov.uk
New development and support network for Pastoral/Wellbeing Leaders:
Wellbeing for Education Return – ADDITIONAL SESSIONS
Using funding from the Wellbeing for Education Return, we have set up free reflective practice sessions for Pastoral/Wellbeing leaders in schools and colleges, which will be run half-termly. The first of these will focus on wellbeing, resilience and share a model that you can use to support both staff and students. We are acutely aware of the pressures on school staff now and so the reflective session will allow you to discuss key issues for your school and share ideas for ways forward.
We are advertising new dates following a really positive uptake and feedback from the first round of sessions delivered.
Thursday 26 November 1.30 – 3pm
Thursday 3 December 3.30 – 5pm
Please note that you only need to book onto 1 session as they will all deliver the same content and have reflective practice sessions. Book through https://wves.wolverhampton.gov.uk/
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Elaine Perry Senior Educational Psychologist Please note my working days are Monday (am), Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Elaine.Perry@wolverhampton.gov.uk
CLL Training : Remote Literacy for Year 5 and 6
Date: Wednesday 25 November
Time: 3:45-5pm
A workshop that provides a remote writing unit for year 5 and 6 that can be used if “bubbles burst” and also, using a writing app, enable teachers to provide instant feedback to students when writing remotely. If you cannot attend but wish to access a video post training and all resources please also enrol on WVES online. Free to all Wolverhampton Schools.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Mark Smith Citizenship Language & Learning Senior Advisor Mark.Smith2@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Subject Leader Network: Assessment network meeting - 27 November 2020
The first Assessment network meeting is being held on 27 November 2020 1 – 3:30pm
The sessions outlined in the agenda (EY's link) will be delivered through teams and participants can book on through WVES.
The new Assessment network meetings focus on assessment systems and processes across core and foundation subjects.
There will be opportunity to review and develop practice in the assessment of all subjects and to develop monitoring and tracking processes in order to support senior and subject leaders.
This will enable leaders to have the opportunity to work together collaboratively on subject specific assessment matters.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Louise Mututa School Improvement Advisor Louise.Mututa@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Mathematics Baseline Training events
These upcoming online sessions are for class teachers and maths leads. They will look closely at the outcomes of the maths baseline tests. Each session will offer teaching guidance in relation to areas of learning which are likely to have the biggest impact on pupil progress. The focus will be on Paper 1 (Arithmetic) using the QLA baseline. The sessions will be recorded if you can’t personally attend but please book online via WVES.
- Y4 Baseline -Friday 4 December 2pm-3.45pm
- Y3 Baseline -Friday 11 December 2pm-3.45pm
- Y2 Baseline -Wed 16 December 2pm-3.45pm
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Sandeep Vashisht Mathematics Advisory Teacher Tel: 07812495069 Sandeep.Vashisht2@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Statutory assessment and moderation
The approaching training opportunities are offered to support statutory assessment and moderation:
- 26/11/2020 at 1:30 – 3:30 pm - Training for all staff new to administering the phonics screening check in autumn term 2020
Also, please note the following training opportunities are offered for NQTs and RQTs:
All participants should be booked onto training via WVES. Please refer to attachment (EY's link) for further dates.
In 2021, Eid is due to begin on the evening of Wednesday 12 May. We understand that, given the significance of Eid, Muslim pupils may be absent from school.
Schools may use timetable variations to reschedule the mathematics test for pupils who will be absent for Eid. If large numbers of pupils are absent, schools may decide it is appropriate to delay the test for the whole cohort. Schools should read the timetable variation guidance, which will be updated in December 2020, before applying. Schools are advised to discuss arrangements for the tests with their pupils’ parents before the test period.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/key-stage-1-and-key-stage-2-test-dates
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Jo Horlock NQT and Assessment Advisor Jo.Horlock@wolverhampton.gov.uk
School Governance Training
Tuesday 1 December Understanding data at 6-8pm
To view training and to book onto courses, please follow the link to WVES website.
Bespoke training to meet the needs of your Governing Board can also be arranged. To discuss your requirements further, please contact Kay Mason.
Lead person(s) to contact in the LA:
Kay Mason School Improvement Advisor Kay.mason@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Sarah McElduff School Governance Co-ordinator Sarah.mcelduff@wolverhampton.gov.uk
23 November – Coronavirus – Daily update to all early years, children’s social care, schools and further education providers - click here or here (EY)
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