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If you would like your Chair of Governors, SENDCo, DSL or Digital Leads to receive this bulletin, please email Georgia.Smith@wolverhampton.gov.uk with their email address who will add them to the distribution list.
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- Message from Brenda Wile
- COVID-19 Public Health
- Early Years
- Finance
- Information
- Safeguarding
- Support services for schools
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- DfE daily update
Dear Colleagues,
After a great deal of anticipation, we finally have the return to school for all children and young people scheduled for the 8 March following the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday. This date was expected by all, although the return of all phases at the same time was perhaps more of a surprise and planning for this will be a major undertaking.
In the secondary phase, schools have the option to stagger the return over this first week, although all students are expected to return to full-time learning by the 12 March. We do not underestimate the challenges that schools will face in planning and preparing for the teaching and learning, the additional demands of keeping children, young people and staff safe and well whilst numbers of the population affected by the virus remains high, as well as the logistics around testing, etc.
This Friday, 26 February from 9:30 to 10:30am and from 11:00am until 12 noon we will be holding an online engagement session for primary schools and we will have a similar discussion for secondary schools 1:30 to 2:30pm.
We, like you, are working through the implications, issues, risks and indeed the possible impact of the return to school for families and colleagues, as well as how this might best be managed and I would like to reassure you that we will try to provide any additional support that may be requested. At our regular discussion meetings with Public Health colleagues we will be considering how we all, including partners can support you and families in these challenging times and hopefully, by Friday, we will hopefully have some practical offers of support available for you to request.
We’re also awaiting further information from Ofqual, due to be released this Thursday including further detail around formal testing of exam year students and we can also discuss the implications of this when we ‘meet’ on Friday. We will also provide details of support for mental health and emotional well-being for staff that we are able to offer as we continue through this journey.
In the meantime, please accept my genuine gratitude for you and your colleagues’ diligence and selfless endeavours over the last 12 months and we do not underestimate the toll this pandemic has taken on all of you, both personally and professionally. We still have some way to go to reach a more normal existence, and please do not hesitate to contact your local authority contacts, health partners and/or indeed each other so that we can get through this next challenge together.
Brenda Wile
Deputy Director of Education
Engagement sessions
To support our preparations for Friday’s engagement sessions please can you let us know any specific concerns/questions you may have relating to the reopening of schools. Many thanks, Phil.
Please email Georgia Georgia.Smith@wolverhampton.gov.uk by close on Thursday.
Covid-19 Contact Tracing Masterclasses
We are providing an opportunity for anyone involved in contact tracing in educational settings to attend one of two online masterclasses to be held on 3 and 4 March.
The classes will be delivered by Local Authority Senior Public Health Specialists and will provide attendees with a detailed understanding of how to effectively identify and isolate contacts in educational settings, as well as identify if an outbreak has occurred. The training has been designed to help schools confidently and systematically respond to a report of a positive case.
You can register to attend by following this link: https://consultation.wolverhampton.gov.uk/public-health/a0d5e762
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Riva Eardley
Public Health Specialist
riva.eardley@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Electronic Scales recalibration by SECA
This is a reminder to schools of an article first published in HTB before the most recent lockdown. SECA will be recommencing contact with schools to arrange visits to recalibrate the SECA 287 weight and height measurement scales located on school sites. The scales are vital pieces of equipment for the School Nurse team and for future statutory NCMP measurements. 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 (here for EY) together with a copy of CWC expectations for PPE to be worn by visitors acting on their behalf when visiting schools click here (EY).
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Howard Jobber
Senior Public Health Specialist
Howard.Jobber@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Public Health drop-in session 25 February - cancelled
Please note that the Public Health drop-in session scheduled for Thursday 25 February at
10:00 has been cancelled. For this week, Head Teachers are asked to attend one of the engagement sessions that have previously been advertised by the Education team - as members of the Public Health team will be attending these sessions. The engagement sessions will take place on Friday 26 February and commence at 0930 and 1100 for primary phase settings and 1330 for secondary phase settings.
Drop-in sessions will recommence as normal from Thursday 4 March at 1000 until further notice.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Howard Jobber
Senior Public Health Specialist
Howard.Jobber@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Lateral Flow Testing
Updated guidance on Lateral Flow Testing, PCR and Repeat testing can be accessed here or here (EY).
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Louise Sharrod
Principal Public Health Specialist
Louise.Sharrod@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Vaccination Information
We wanted to provide you with a brief update as to the situation regarding occupational vaccinations for employees in schools.
As you might be aware there is no current national offer of a vaccine for anyone based on their occupation type other than for Front Line Social Care Workers at this time. According to the JCVI (Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation) guidance, the objective of occupational immunisation of health and social care staff is to protect workers at high risk of exposure who provide care to vulnerable individuals. Early evidence is emerging that vaccine not only reduces severity of disease but also reduces risk of contracting infection, which consequently will positively impact on reducing transmission of the virus amongst the most vulnerable.
At a local level, we have been getting ourselves ready in the event of an offer of spare vaccination (as an alternative to being left unused) or in a situation where the national guidance on the prioritisation was to change and we would be asked by the CCG to assist in the roll out of this vaccination.
We thank you again for providing this information to us, we appreciate this might have raised hopes but we wanted to be ready just in case. To date and through the Royal Wolverhampton Trust, we have only been able to offer vaccination to some staff in special schools settings who are much more likely to work with vulnerable children.
We will continue to work with colleagues in the NHS to monitor the situation in line with the national guidance and will provide you with any updates as they become available.
We are also continuing to raise with the DFE the feedback we are receiving from you in relation to the matter of vaccination of school employees.
You can find more information about the vaccination offer on the following link: https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information/providing-and-receiving-care/advice-for-those-providing-care
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Marie Marenda
Human Resources Business Partner
Marie.Marenda@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Updated guidance
Actions for early years guidance updated
Main changes to the guidance for early years:
- Face coverings - DfE have clarified the guidance on wearing of face coverings where social distancing between staff in communal areas is not possible.
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Childminders for school-aged children - Childminders can continue to look after all early years children. Until 8 March, childminders should continue to only look after those school-age children (from reception onwards) who are vulnerable or children of critical workers. From 8 March, childminders will be able to look after vulnerable children as normal, and all other children where parents are using the provision to support them to work, seek work, undertake education or training, or attend a medical appointment or address a medical need.
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Testing - DfE have added a section on asymptomatic testing to the guidance confirming that they are now expanding home testing kits to staff in all private, voluntary and independent nurseries, who should start to receive deliveries of Lateral Flow Device (LFD) home testing kits to offer to all their staff for twice weekly testing from next month. This will help to identify positive cases more quickly and break the chains of transmissions. Childminders can continue to access community testing, and the Department continues to work with colleagues across Government to review the testing approach available for childminders.
Mass testing for secondary pupils as all schools and colleges fully reopen from 8 March
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Stacey Henderson
Senior EYFS Advisory Teacher
Stacey.Henderson@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Weekly DfE Survey
As you are aware the DfE survey is due to be completed for your attendance today, Tuesday 23 February. The survey is based on actual attendance on a Tuesday only. Click here to access the survey.
This survey needs to be completed by 9.00am on a Thursday morning each week in readiness for submission to the DfE Thursday afternoon. It is really important that you complete this survey. A huge thank you for your continued support with this.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Stacey Henderson
Senior EYFS Advisory Teacher
Stacey.Henderson@wolverhampton.gov.uk
New draft EYFS framework for comment
The Department for Education (DfE) has published the new draft Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework and draft statutory instrument (SI) for comment by 18 March 2021, in line with legislative consultation requirements under the Childcare Act 2006. This is the revised EYFS that is due to come into force from September 2021.
The draft framework has now been published and will be available for one month from the date of publication for comment (as required by the Childcare Act 2006).
Changes to the current EYFS statutory framework are in red to highlight where DfE are seeking views. The new educational programmes and early learning goals (ELGs) are not in red as these are final government policy as confirmed following the full 12 week public consultation conducted in 2019.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Stacey Henderson
Senior EYFS Advisory Teacher
Stacey.Henderson@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Letter from Gavin Williamson
Letter of thanks from Gavin Williamson for the Early Years Sector along with further information regarding lateral flow devices to break the chains of transmission of coronavirus in education settings
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Stacey Henderson
Senior EYFS Advisory Teacher
Stacey.Henderson@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Schools' Cleaning Charges 09-12-20 to 06-01-21
The attached (here for EY) schedule shows school cleaning charges for the period 09-12-20 to 06-01-21. Should you have any queries, please contact Caroline Holt on 01902 555700 (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:
Caroline Holt
Business Support Administrator
Caroline.Holt@wolverhampton.gov.uk
01902 555700
Energy Efficiency Fund Repayments
A number of schools signed up to loan agreements for Energy Management Schemes where the council provided the “up-front” funding for energy efficiency projects and the school agreed to repay the loan over several years. It is our intention to process the 2020-2021 charges in the near future. A spreadsheet is attached or here (EY) with a schedule of charges for affected schools. If you require any further information, please contact mark.rowe@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Mark Rowe
Finance Officer
Mark.rowe@wolverhampton.gov.uk
01902 554434
Ofsted presentations 5th and 12th February 2021
Just before half term, Ann Pritchard HMI delivered two remote sessions for senior leaders and presented the latest information from Ofsted on Remote Monitoring Inspections. Leaders who were able to attend, found the sessions to be very useful and the powerpoint slides from Ann’s presentation can be found here or here (EY).
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Louise Mututa
School Improvement Advisor
Louise.Mututa@wolverhampton.gov.uk
07970476527
ChatHealth text messaging advice service is here for young people during the lockdown
Our school nurses are keen to stress that, even though pupils may not be in school, they are still here for them through the NHS ChatHealth text message advice service.
Please help encourage your pupils to text a school nurse on 07507 332 631 for confidential advice on a range of health and emotional wellbeing issues. This includes worries about Coronavirus and the lockdown, family or friendship issues, dealing with anxiety, emotions or anger, issues around body image and identity or advice on staying healthy.
Opening times
ChatHealth is available 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). We aim to respond to texts with 24 hours. If a text is received outside of these hours, we will aim to respond on the next working day.
All texts will receive an automatic message explaining where to get help if their question or concern is urgent, and when they can expect a response. If help is needed more urgently, the user will be advised to contact their GP or call 111, or dial 999 if it’s an emergency.
Please promote ChatHealth
Please find attached the following to share with your pupils:
- Article for 11-19 year olds
- Social media images & messages
- Poster
All of these attachments can be found here or here (EY) in this folder.
If you have any questions, or if you would like any information in a different format, please email emily.bloomfield@nhs.net or speak to your school nurse. Find out more at: www.royalwolverhampton.nhs.uk/chathealth
Lead person to contact:
Emily Bloomfield
School Nurse (Children's Services Group)
Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
emily.bloomfield@nhs.net
Updated DfE advice and guidance for parents and carers relating to online safety and abuse and harm
The DfE has updated the information for parents and carers about keeping safe online
For more information visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-keeping-children-safe-online/coronavirus-covid-19-support-for-parents-and-carers-to-keep-children-safe-online
The DfE has produced advice and guidance for parents and carers on keeping children safe from abuse and harm
For more information visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-keeping-children-safe-from-abuse-and-harm/advice-to-parents-and-carers-on-keeping-children-safe-from-abuse-and-harm
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Denise Mooney
Schools Safeguarding Officer
Denise.Mooney@wolverhampton.gov.uk
01902 551411 or 07469410516
Female Genital Mutilation resource pack
The DfE has recently produced a resource pack and information relating to Female Genital Mutilation. This resource pack includes:
- information on legislation and prevalence
- resources and good practice case studies for local authorities, the police, healthcare professionals and schools
- links to support organisations, clinics and helplines which can help people who think they might be at risk
For more information visit: Female genital mutilation: resource pack - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Denise Mooney
Schools Safeguarding Officer
Denise.Mooney@wolverhampton.gov.uk
01902 551411 or 07469410516
Curriculum Opportunity with Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Wolverhampton Art Gallery are seeking school partners to participate in the ‘Knives into Jewels’ project. Students will take part in immersive dramatic performance and jewellery design over 8-12 weeks to reflect on the impact of knife crime in their community. Their work will be displayed in an exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. A pilot of the project, undertaken in a neighbouring authority, demonstrated improved rates of attendance and reduced rates of detentions in the test group of 14 year olds.
Any secondary school that may be interested in the project are asked to contact the learning and engagement officer at Wolverhampton Art Gallery (listed below) for more details.
Lead person to contact on the LA:
Penelope Thomas
Learning and Engagement Officer, Arts and Culture
Tel. Office: 01902552045
Penelope.Thomas@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Upcoming City of Wolverhampton Governor Training
23.2.21 10-12noon Effective Governor visits
2.3.21 6-8pm An introduction to Effective Governance
9.3.21 10-12noon What is being a Governor all about? Taster session for anyone thinking about becoming a new Governor
16.3.21 6-8pm Ofsted: The New EIF and implications for Governors
20.4.21 10-12noon Pupil Premium: Monitoring progress and outcomes for Disadvantaged Pupils
4.5.21 6-8pm Values, Vision & Strategic planning
18.5.21 10-12noon Understanding data
To view training and to book onto courses, please follow the link to the WVES: http://www.wves.wolverhampton.gov.uk/Training
Bespoke training to meet the needs of your Governing Board can also be arranged. To discuss your requirements further, please contact Kay Mason Kay.Mason@wolverhampton.gov.ukTo view training and to book onto courses, please follow the link to the WVES: http://www.wves.wolverhampton.gov.uk/Training
Bespoke training to meet the needs of your Governing Board can also be arranged. To discuss your requirements further, please contact Kay Mason Kay.Mason@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Kay Mason
School Improvement Advisor
Kay.Mason@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Health and Safety training courses for schools Spring Term 2021 Reminder
Due to Covid-19 all training courses for schools will take place on Microsoft Teams and not in the Civic Centre or at the GTG Training Academy.
Before the training courses take place, all attendees will be sent an invite to the training via teams.
Places still available on the following training courses:
Lone Working & Personal Safety – 25.02.21
Provision & Use of Work Equipment (PUWER) – 01.03.21
Fire Risk Assessment – 02.03.21
COSHH Awareness – 05.03.21
Manual Handling – 09.03.21
Working at Heights – 12.03.21
IOSH Managing Safely in Schools – 15.03.21 and 22.03.21
School Playground Inspections (RoSPA) – 18.03.21
Risk Assessment – 26.03.21
Letters for the training courses are now accessible on Cloudw and can also be found on Wolverhampton Education Services.
Places can be reserved on either Cloudw or Wolverhampton Education Services.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Cyndy Morris
Health & Safety Co-ordinator
01902 554209
Training opportunities that are offered for NQTS and RQTs include:
NQT EYFS masterclass 4: focussing on communication language and learning - Thursday 25 Feb 2021 3:45 - 4:45pm
The sessions are free to all NQTs registered on the training package and to any RQTs who were on the training programme last year. Stand alone cost for the session is £80, for any NQTs or RQTs who have not been enrolled on the training programme, either this year or previously.
Moderation opportunities that are offered to support statutory assessment and moderation include:
Moderation of early judgements in KS1 writing (repeated session) - Wednesday 24 Feb 2021 1:30 - 4:00pm
All participants should be booked onto training via WVES.
Lead person to contact in the LA:
Jo Horlock
NQT & Assessment Advisor
jo.horlock@wolverhampton.gov.uk
22 February – Coronavirus – Daily update to all early years, children’s social care, schools and further education providers - click here or here (EY).
Message to education leaders from the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson - click here or here (EY).
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