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Important - please ensure you download a copy any the documents which are attached/ linked to the bulletin and please save a copy to your own computer before editing. This will ensure the original version remains available to other users. Thank you.
- Message from the Head of Education Excellence
- Assessment
- COVID Winter Fund Grant
- COVID-19 Public Health
- Early Years
- Good News
- Important information
- Support Services for schools
- Training and consultation
- DfE daily update
Dear Colleagues,
The DfE have announced this afternoon possible change to arrangements for the 18th Dec to become an INSET day. Please see the DfE announcement for details (which is at the end of the bulletin). I hope that this will help with your planning for the end of term. This is not an additional INSET day. Following a local discussion of Education IMT we would support you if you choose to plan for the 18th as an INSET day. If I get more information about local arrangements I will put them in Thursday’s bulletin.
Attendance up till the end of term, the last teaching day, is still to be encouraged with your parents and carers and Emma has written a letter for parents to this effect. Please can you pass this letter on. Click here or here (EY).
The end of term is in sight. And you are resilient!
Best wishes,
Phil
Phil Leivers
07971639285
Links to newly published guidance documents relating to assessing and reporting the EYFS profile and pupils at the end of KS1 and KS2
The newly published statutory assessment guidance documents can be accessed via the following links:
Guidance for schools and local authorities involved in the administration and moderation of statutory teacher assessment in 2021:
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Jo Horlock
NQT and Assessment Advisor
Jo.Horlock@wolverhampton.gov.uk
07792 556576
Arrangements for submission of phonics screening data for children absent from school
Arrangements and guidance for reporting phonics screening scores for Year 2 children who are currently absent from school and unable to participate in the autumn term check. Click here for information.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Jo Horlock
NQT and Assessment Advisor
Jo.Horlock@wolverhampton.gov.uk
07792 556576
Thank you for your support in sharing information about the application process to families who can apply online and completing the referral template for those who don’t meet the benefit related criteria or cannot apply online (e.g: pre-school age children)
Applications remain open until December 11.
Ecodes will be sent direct to parents/carers for whom we have an email address (at the current time, this is over 95% of parents/carers who have either been pre-approved or have applied). Schools will not be able to print off this information unless you are the nominated email recipient on behalf of the parent/carer.
We know that some schools have offered to receive e-codes on behalf of some families who do not have an email address and/or access to the internet. Thank you for this. If a parent/carer needs a printed copy of their voucher (please print the voucher, not the e-code as the parent will then need internet access and an email account to exchange the code for a voucher) in the event of an early closure due to Coronavirus please contact us and we will ensure that these families receive their vouchers.
If parents do not have internet access they can also call the Stay Safe, Be Kind helpline (01902 290241) for support.
Thank you to all those schools and settings who have submitted their spreadsheets for pre-approved applications. If you are yet to do so please could you return this to freeschoolmeals@wolverhampton.gov.uk by no later than December 11.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Free School Meals
Free.SchoolMeals@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Laura Jude
Disadvantaged Advisory Teacher
Laura.Jude@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Electronic Scales recalibration and NCMP
This is a reminder to schools of an article first published here on 2 November. SECA will be arranging visits to schools to recalibrate the SECA 287 scales located on school sites – a vital piece of maintenance work required for the commencement of the statutory National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). The recalibration visit should take no more than 20 minutes on site, with the engineer working where the scales are located in the school.
We encourage schools to enable access to the SECA engineers in a Covid secure way. Attached is the SECA COVD-19 risk assessment (click here EY) together with a copy of CWC expectations for PPE (click here EY) to be worn by visitors acting on their behalf when visiting schools.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Howard Jobber
Senior Public Health Specialist
howard.jobber@wolverhampton.gov.uk
.Flu vaccination – ‘Mythbusters’
To help maximise uptake of this year’s flu vaccination, we would like to ask schools to promote the attached ‘Flu Jab Mythbusters’ (click here EY) to parents on their website and via their social media channels. The ‘mythbusters’ are also available at the Flu Fighters website, using this link: https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/health-and-wellbeing/flu-vaccines
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Howard Jobber
Senior Public Health Specialist
howard.jobber@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Slides from last week’s engagement sessions with Education and Public Health
For information – please find attached the slides (click here EY) that were used by the Public Health team at last week’s online engagement sessions with schools.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Neeraj Malhotra
Consultant in Public Health
Neeraj.malhotra@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Letter from Vicky Ford MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families
Changes to the DfE weekly Early years collection
The DfE have been collecting local authority data on Early Years childcare provision since April and we have greatly valued your participation in our weekly survey. The DfE have reviewed the need for this collection and, acting on feedback from the sector, they have decided we can now move to a fortnightly collection from 7 January 2021 to reduce some of the time and resource pressures on local authorities and providers. However, it remains crucial that the Department continues to have accurate data to ensure there are enough childcare places. Vicky Ford MP states that her teams use this data as the basis of conversations with local authorities about the childcare market in their area. These conversations about local delivery issues help to shape the future of the childcare market.
Please see the attached letter for further information. (Schools click here)
Please continue to complete the weekly survey as data is required on Thursday 10 and 17 December. The survey will change in January to reflect a fortnightly collection.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Stacey Henderson
Senior Early Years Advisor
Stacey.Henderson@Wolverhampton.gov.uk
Reception baseline assessment window for early adopter schools closing soon:
Please note, the assessment window for schools participating in the reception baseline assessment early adopter year, closes on Friday 18 December. After this date, schools will not be able to administer the assessment with their pupils.
All assessment materials must remain confidential and be kept securely for use when the assessment becomes statutory in autumn 2021.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Jo Horlock
NQT and Assessment Advisor
Jo.Horlock@wolverhampton.gov.uk
07792 556576
or
Stacey Henderson
Senior Early Years Advisor
Stacey.Henderson@Wolverhampton.gov.uk
Assessment and Reporting Arrangements document published for schools who will be assessing against the old framework in summer term 2021
Please find link for statutory guidance for the newly published assessment and reporting arrangements for schools who will be completing early years foundation stage (EYFS) profile, on the old framework.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Jo Horlock
NQT and Assessment Advisor
Jo.Horlock@wolverhampton.gov.uk
07792 556576
or
Stacey Henderson
Senior Early Years Advisor
Stacey.Henderson@Wolverhampton.gov.uk
Exceptional Costs for Covid-19 March to July 2020
The DfE has published the second claim form for schools and academies to claim eligible exceptional costs relating to COVID-19 for the period March to July 2020. The form can be found at https://form.education.gov.uk/service/coronavirus-schools-fund-claim.
The second claims window will run to 22 December and will be the final opportunity to submit a claim for the period March to July 2020.
Please read the guidance and instructions before completing the form:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-exceptional-costs-associated-with-coronavirus-covid-19
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Terry Shaw
Finance Manager
Terry.Shaw@wolverhampton.gov.uk
01902 557975
Mr Mayor, Teacher of Art at Smestow School, has kindly donated one of his beautiful paintings as a prize to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support. Every pound you donate is one ticket in the prize draw on December 18th. Please donate by following the link to JustGiving and leave your name to be entered. Anonymous donations welcome but cannot be contacted. The painting is 100cm x 75cm. Please support Smestow and MacMillan by donating. The winner will be announced on Smestow FB, Twitter and Instagram. Many thanks.
Please remember to send your good news stories to School.Post@wolverhampton.gov.uk and we will include into our bulletin!
NQT Autumn term assessment forms due
Please note that the NQT Autumn term assessment forms are due on December 14 2020. Please email them to jo.horlock@wolverhampton.gov.uk
A blank form is attached click here (EY) for your convenience. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Jo Horlock.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Jo Horlock
NQT and Assessment Advisor
Jo.Horlock@wolverhampton.gov.uk
07792 556576
Safer recruitment - changes to checks for EU sanctions on EEA teachers from 1 January 2021
From 1 January 2021 the Teaching Regulation Agency will no longer maintain a list of EEA teachers with sanctions. Schools must continue to carry out safer recruitment checks on all applicants.
For applicants that have lived or worked outside of the UK, schools must make any further checks they think appropriate so that relevant events that occurred outside the UK can be considered, including obtaining an enhanced DBS certificate with barred list information (even if the teacher has never been to the UK).
Teachers will be requested to provide proof of their past conduct as a teacher. This should be a letter of professional standing issued by the professional regulating authority in the country in which they worked. Such evidence can be considered alongside other information obtained through other pre-appointment checks to help assess their suitability.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/changes-to-checks-for-eu-sanctions-on-eea-teachers-from-1-january-2021
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Denise Mooney
School Safeguarding Officer
Denise.Mooney@wolverhampton.gov.uk
01902 551411 or 07469410516
Educational Psychology support for Senior Leaders in schools
The Educational Psychology Service are offering support through a coaching session to Headteachers, and members of Senior Leadership Teams, throughout the spring term. The purpose of this session is to enable you to have space to reflect about challenges in your role and enable you to find ways of moving forward with any ideas or issues you might be having. These sessions are completely confidential and make use of a structured conversation approach to help support you through these challenging times.
The session can be offered via MS Teams or an alternative method if preferred.
Click here to access the coaching poster or here for EY.
Lead Person to contact in the LA:
Dr. Eleanor Tomlinson
Educational Psychologist
01902 555934
Eleanor.tomlinson@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Cycle Training Programme in Wolverhampton
An exciting programme of cycle training is to be rolled out in the City, initially through a pilot scheme in the East Park area of the city.
Schools in the area will be contacted directly to discuss the proposals.
Matt Blythe – Go-Ride Community Coach representing the West Midlands Combined Authority says:
‘British Cycling passionately believes in the development of strong and coherent exit routes to support all of it targeted activities and events, this not only supports lasting behaviour change but critically maximises the positive impact felt within the local community.
In light of this, an initial focus around East Park for Go Ride Coaching for schools has been proposed to both support the development of young people within the area, through comprehensive cycling sessions, and the development of community cycling activities. Pupils and parents who are inspired by the introduction of the Go Ride Coaching sessions within the school environment, will have a unique opportunity within Wolverhampton to continue their cycling journey in their immediate community through either the newly formed East Park Community Cycling Club or the existing East Park Wolves Cycle Speedway Club. While we understand there is appetite across Wolverhampton for increased cycling activity, we hope using these existing links within the East Park community will be build a strong foundation to develop cycling activities across the borough in the future.’
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Bill Hague
Head of School Business and Support
Bill.hague@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Tel: 01902 558000
 Funded PD Opportunities
SHaW Maths Hub provide highly regarded, free Maths professional development for teachers from EY to Post-16 to support ALL schools.
Please speak to your Maths Lead(s):
EAL and Primary Maths (for Maths Leads and/or EAL Leads) – last few places
Bar Modelling and Multiplicative Reasoning (Years 5-8)
Secondary
Mathematical Thinking
Challenging Topics at GCSE
Developing Pedagogy in A Level Maths
Primary – Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Maths (SKTM)
New and Aspiring Maths Leads – SKTM
Early Years – Number Pattern and Structures SKTM
Early Years – Pattern, Shape, Space and Measures SKTM
Website: www.shawmathshub.co.uk
Twitter: @shawmathshub
Register here to receive email updates
Lead person to contact:
Graham Charles
SHaW Maths Hub Strategic Lead
graham.charles@shawmathshub.co.uk
01743 284002 / 07764 613651
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.
- 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
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.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Jo Horlock
NQT and Assessment Advisor
Jo.Horlock@wolverhampton.gov.uk
School Governance Training
Tuesday 12 January 2021 Risk Management at 10am - 12pm
Tuesday 19 January 2021 Pupil Premium: Monitoring progress and outcomes for disadvantaged pupils at 6-8pm
Tuesday 26 January 2021 The responsibility of Governors in managing Safeguarding at 10am - 12pm
Tuesday 9 February 2021 Stakeholder engagement at 6-8pm
Tuesday 23 February 2021 Effective Governor Visits at 10am - 12pm
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
4 December – Coronavirus – Daily update to all early years, children’s social care, schools and further education providers - click here or here (EY).
8 December – 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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