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Addington Proms 2023

Addington School are excited to be able to run our Proms week once again this year between 3^rd - 7^th July.  Our Proms week is about giving all performers the opportunity to share their music in a supportive environment. We have concerts running throughout the school day and you are invited to bring a group to perform and/ or be part of the audience. We always try to have a mix of visiting groups alongside our own class groups and ensembles and where possible we will assign you a host class for before and after your performance.   

We would love as many visiting groups as possible to join us this year as we all start to find our new normal. No performance is too short, and we welcome all levels of performers.  

Please get in touch if you have any more questions, and if you have a group(s) or soloist(s) that may like to take part.

Sean Trim-Coleman Acting Head of Creative Arts Addington 
seantc@addington.wokingham.sch.uk

Early Career Teacher Statutory Induction Assessment Reforms As part of the DfE continuing reform to ECT provision the Pan- Berkshire Group of Appropriate Bodies are holding briefings on what these reforms mean for the school system at a local level and how things will change from September 2023 and again in September 2024.  Please do send a relevant colleague to this briefing, particularly if you are working with current first year ECTs in your school or will continue to appoint ECTs to your staff from September 2023.

Appropriate Body Reforms Briefing for Schools

The DfE recently published information about changes they are introducing to the Appropriate Body Induction service.  This will involve Teaching School Hubs becoming the main provider of Appropriate Body services, and Local Authorities gradually withdrawing from this service.  This process will begin from September 2023.

TSH Berkshire, and the current LA Appropriate Body providers in Berkshire would like to invite you to a briefing session, where we will outline the main points of the reforms, and how we plan to work together going forward, to minimise the impact on schools, and ensure that current expertise and local relationships are not lost under the new system.

We are holding 2 sessions in the second half of this term:

Monday Feb 27, 2023 16:00-17.00 
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlf-GtrT8sHN2F4JPbbC2U6sSbYJAnKKb_

Monday Mar 6, 2023 09:30-10.30
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEldeygrDMvHNSFQoMCK7eKZBWRzIA03wvO

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Both sessions will cover the same material, so schools only need to sign up for one.  The sessions are aimed at Headteachers, and induction tutors or other senior leaders involved in induction.  ECTs and mentors should not attend.

We look forward to seeing you at one of the sessions.

Gillian Cole - Principal Primary Adviser
Gillian.cole@wokingham.gov.uk

Racial Literacy course 31^st January

There are still a few places available for the Racial Literacy course taking place on Tuesday 31^st January, via zoom, from 9.30 – 12pm. Please email schools.teams@wokingham.gov.uk if you would like to attend.

It is highly recommended that colleagues participate in this course as the foundation for undertaking any racial equity work in school. The course explores the historical and contemporary contexts of racism, and is highly engaging and thought provoking.

Course description:

This introductory session equips participants to engage in the sensitive and complex
issues of ‘race’ and racism by:

• exploring ‘race’ and racism in the historical and contemporary context including an outline of structural/institutional racism, bias and white privilege
• giving an understanding of the experiences of children and young people, both in terms of how they learn 'race' and their racialised experiences
• outlining the key areas that schools and education settings can examine to advance their anti-racist practice.

Suggested attendance: Places can be booked for up to 4 members of staff from one school for each course. Initially, we suggest prioritising a senior leader and BAME members of staff to attend the course.

Emily Waddilove Curriculum Development Advisor
Emily.Waddilove@wokingham.gov.uk  

Recovery from pandemic series of workshops ‘We’ve all been thinking about mental health in recent times. The cumulative impact of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis, concerns about the environment, what the government are doing (or not doing) to help…. will have had an impact on our own mental health, or someone we know. To address some of these concerns, we are running a series of twilight webinars, looking at mental health and wellbeing for staff, students and parents and carers. The sessions will explore how these recent stressors have affected us, with some practical strategies to address the challenges with the aim of improving our own mental health and wellbeing, and promoting the mental health and wellbeing of others. Please see the attached flyer for more details, we look forward to seeing you at the sessions.’ Thus training is free, cross phase and for anyone interested in leading and/or supporting mental health and well-being.

About the Charlie Waller Trust The Charlie Waller Trust has delivered positive, proven and practical mental health training in Schools, Colleges and Universities throughout the United Kingdom, for 25 years. About the Trainer Sarah Ashworth BA (Hons) MSc MBACP (Accred) FHEA Sarah Ashworth has worked in mental health 25 years, including as a therapist for children and young people and as Head of Mental Health at a Russell Group university. Sarah is a Fellow the Higher Education Academy and continues to teach accredited modules at the University of Warwick and the University of Oxford. About the sessions All the sessions are from 4:00pm – 5:15pm, delivered on Teams, and will include evidence based and practical tips and strategies which participants can use in their schools and in their own lives to promote optimal mental health and wellbeing. Staff Wellbeing - 31st January 2022 This session will explore school staff wellbeing post pandemic and beyond and include: An overview of staff wellbeing post pandemic and in the face of current challenges. Evidence-based strategies for promoting individual and collective wellbeing. Pupil and Student Resilience – 8th March 2023 This session will explore the development of pupil and student resilience post pandemic and beyond and include: Why some children and young people may be finding it harder to ‘bounce      back’ Supporting pupils with additional needs. Evidence-based strategies for supporting pupils to develop resilience. Supporting Staff Relationships - 21st March 2023 This session will explore how we can more successfully support staff in schools to develop relationships which are conducive to the mental health and wellbeing of the whole school community: Effective, assertive and compassionate communication. Responding to challenging scenarios whilst managing our own wellbeing. Working Successfully with Parents and Carers - 18th April 2023 This session will explore how we can engage parents and carers more fully and effectively to promote a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing, including: Engaging parents and carers of pupils who may be experiencing mental      health and wellbeing difficulties and/or supporting pupils who are      experiencing difficulties. Parent career peer support programmes and other opportunities. A Whole School Community in Times of Adversity - 21st June 2023 This session will explore how we can develop a whole school approach when faced with multiple challenges including the impact of the pandemic and cost of living crisis, which: Supports wellbeing and resilience for every member of the whole school      community. Promotes compassion and understanding.

Please book onto the Workshops via schools.teams@wokingham.gov.uk to request a place. We look forward to seeing you.

Majid.Ali@wokingham.gov.uk

QR code  - a guide to Staying Safe Online The internet, social media and online gaming are being used to groom and radicalise people and they actively target, exploit and groom children and young people. Please share this QR code to provide quick access to Internet Matters website which provides trusted resources, information and support to keep children and young people safe on-line including:

• Advice on a range of online issues that a child or young person may face to help them enjoy the digital world safely and smartly
• A free online learning platform to teach online safety through interactive lessons and dynamic story telling
• A digital toolkit for families with tailored online safety advice
• Online gaming advice hub to help get to grips with the basics of online gaming and stay safe

The Community Safety Partnership have produced the attached in sticker form and a poster.  Please print and display the poster.  The poster and the sticker image can also be shared with parents and pupils via school newsletters, email, social media etc.

Sheets of stickers will be sent to schools:

2 sheets of 6 stickers to Infant/Junior/Primary schools
6 sheets of 6 stickers to Secondary schools.

If you require more sheets of stickers than this please email rowena.perry@wokingham.gov.uk (Community Safety Business Support) by Wednesday 25th January 2023.

Online Safety Live – Wokingham:

Bringing the latest in Online Safety information to you

The UK Safer Internet Centre are delighted to have teamed up with Wokingham Borough Council Children's Services to deliver a FREE 90-minute virtual Online Safety briefing via Microsoft Teams.

The event next Tuesday is 1 hour 30 minutes and will be taking place using Microsoft Teams Live.  Please ensure you book your mobile eTicket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-safety-live-wokingham-tickets-450454490507   The event is free of charge.

Online Safety is constantly changing and the purpose of these Online Safety Live events is to provide access to up to date information from nationally recognised figures in Online Safety.  Since getting significant time away from work is a challenge, the event is provided as a short briefing session. This event will give you the latest in Online Safety research, legislation, technology, tools and resources along with exclusive access to the presentation and additional resource materials to review at a later date. The team will also be available to answer your Online Safety questions.

The session is open to all professionals who work with children and young people, including Designated Safeguarding Leads/Deputies, School Senior Leadership Teams, those with Safeguarding responsibilities across the wider Children’s workforce including Health, Police and Social Care colleagues, others with an interest in or responsibilities for Online Safety, e.g. School Governors, Subject Leaders, Network Managers/Technicians, etc.

NEXT Tuesday 24^th January 2023, 13:30-15:00

Full details in the attached flyer. 

Any queries, please contact Kathy Smedley or David Congdon

David.congdon@wokingham.gov.uk  Schools IT Commissioning Manager
Kathy.smedley@wokingham.gov.uk  ICT Consultant

New free after-school youth session for mental wellbeing delivered by Sport in Mind

Please see below information on a new free after-school youth session for mental wellbeing delivered by Sport in Mind. Children and young people will be learning lots of ways to take care of themselves physically and mentally and building emotional resilience whilst improving their sporting ability. There will be a maximum of 10-12 children places available per session. 

To book a young person on to the session, please click here, complete the form, and then email the team at youth@sportinmind.org so that it can be actioned immediately. Sessions are free.

Please share to your contacts.

For information on the session contact: Kieran Townsend kieran.townsend@sportinmind.org

Joanne Tombs Senior Public Health Programme Officer UKPHR Practitioner PR0594
Joanne.Tombs@wokingham.gov.uk

Do you know, or think you know, a child living in private foster care? Get in touch.

Private fostering is an arrangement made without the involvement of a Local Authority, when someone who is not a close relative looks after a child under 16 (18 if the child is disabled) for 28 days or more.

By law, the local authority needs to know about children living in private fostering arrangements so they can make sure the child is being properly looked after and their needs are being met and offer support and advice to carers and parents.

We’ve attached a pack that has a poster and more information to help you share amongst your school community.

Why might a child be in foster care?A child might be in private foster care for a number of reasons, for example:

• Living with a friends family due to parents separating or arguments at home
• Birth parents living abroad who have sent their child for education or health care
• If the parent can't look after the child, for example ill health, in hospital or in prison

How might I recognise a child in private foster care?
There are lots of signs that a child might be in private foster care, and you may notice different ones depending on how you know the child. Some examples are:

• Someone new started bringing them to school, play dates, appointments or other activities
• A child not previously known suddenly starts living with a neighbour
• A neighbour has a number of different children staying with them

How should I report this?
For more information, or to notify us about a private fostering arrangement, visit our webpage, call us on 0118 908 8002 or email triage@wokingham.gov.uk

Further Information click here

Debbie Morgan Specialist
Debbie.morgan@wokingham.gov.uk

Swimming Pool Operator Training We would like to ascertain if holding the above training would be practicable this year. Last year, there were insufficient numbers of delegates to make it financially viable.  If you are a school with a swimming pool, and require either full or refresher pool operator training, please email Sarah Isaac at sarah.isaac@wokingham.gov.uk If there is sufficient interest, we will aim to run the course in March if possible.

Educational Visits / Evolve

For information and queries regarding Educational Visits and Evolve please click on the link below

Safeguarding Updates

Please click on this link for the latest edition of the BWSCP Safeguarding Updates 

PRIMARY

Free CPD Golden Threads: Creative Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Calling all aspiring creative primary schools!  

Supported by DfE funding, Artswork is offering a limited number of places on the pilot of this exclusive online professional development opportunity at no cost. The course will enable you to explore the potential of creative approaches to teaching, learning and school development in primary schools through a series of interactive modules on our online Thinkific learning platform between 8 February 2023 – 22 March 2023.  

Arts and culture have a unique ability to impact school improvement priorities and benefit the whole school community. Golden Threads: Creative Approaches to Teaching and Learning will provide insight into current research and practice through real world examples from leading professionals. This will help to inspire change and development in your setting through arts, culture and creativity. 

The course content will enable you to: 

• Understand creativity and what it looks like in primary schools 
• Connect creativity to wellbeing 
• Explore how to link arts and culture to governance and school frameworks 
• Embed creativity for inclusion of all children 
• Empower your pupils and staff  
• Measure the impact of embedding arts, culture and creativity 

To register your interest in taking part in this pilot, please complete the following Expression of Interest form. https://forms.office.com/e/FUtjE1rUFT.  Use this form to express your interest no later than 27^th January 2023.  Successful applicants will be notified via email by Tuesday 31 January 2023. 

We very much look forward to receiving your expression of interest.

Eleanor Markland Education Development Manager 
EleanorMarkland@artswork.org.uk

Bracknell Forest Primary English Subject Leader Network Meeting – Thursday 2^nd March 2023

Wokingham teachers are welcome to attend subject leader meetings led by Bracknell Forest colleagues. Bracknell’s spring term English subject leader meeting takes place on Thursday 2^nd March, 1.30-4pm at the Open Learning Centre.

For more information and to book a place please visit Can-Do: Primary English Subject Leader Network Meeting | Can-Do | Bracknell Forest (bracknell-forest.gov.uk)

For any queries about the booking process, please contact Lyanne Mule – Lyanne.mule@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

COST OF LIVING CRISIS

Help your school community with cost of living Please add the below to your websites or the next time you send an email to all parents. Schools continue to be the best way to communicate with families on the cost of living crisis. Please take this information and share it with parents.

WOKINGHAM BOROUGH LIBRARIES NEWS

Click on picture box above to go to Wokingham Libraries page

TRAINING: COURSES AND CONFERENCES

Please check out the Schools Hub for details of training sessions.

NOTE: Not all training is advertised on the Schools Hub. Some training is always or regularly available on 'My Learning' so we recommend checking it out regularly for training such as;

Asbestos Awaremess Training
Emergency First Aid at Work
Fire Safety
Fire Warden
Managing Health and Safety
Risk Assessor Training
Safer Recruitment

HELP and FAQs

Who do I contact at the council?
Did you know there is a list of useful contacts at WBC on the Schools Hub webpages? Follow the instructions on the page. You will need your school login to access it.

Where can I find training and resources?
Please don’t forget to drop into the Shared Document Store on the Schools Hub for all the resources available from our Roundtable, drop-in and training sessions. You will need your school login to access the store. If you can’t find your login, please email us at schoolsimprovement@wokingham.gov.uk and we can send you a reminder.

How do I book a training course with the council?
Most courses are listed on the Schools Hub Calendar and will make it
clear how to book. You will either need to book using the booking form provided and quoting the course code or you will need to request to book by emailing schools.teams@wokingham.gov.uk

How do I book a course that is on My Learning?
Courses advertised as being on 'My Learning' need to be booked directly, by the delegate, on the My Learning website. My Learning is a personal training tool it requires the individual learner to book using their email address and password which they set up the first time they log in. My Learning will then be able to keep a record of the training that an individual has completed as well as provide a certificate of completion. This is essential with Health and Safety courses. 
How to create a My Learning account

What's the key information I need for emergency planning?
Guidance for schools on emergency planning is available in the Rainbow Plan which is available via a ‘login only’ Shared Documents webpages of the Wokingham Schools Hub (WSH). If you don’t know your WSH login details please contact
SchoolsImprovement@wokingham.gov.uk Please also refer to our full guidance for schools on Winter Weather Planning and the School Closure Protocol via the shared documents webpages. 

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
Children’s Services reception: (0118) 974 6105
Property services: (0118) 974 6789
For Out of Hours Emergencies: 0800 212111

COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT SCHOOL CLOSURES
Confirm decisions to close immediately by email to schools.alert@wokingham.gov.uk to ensure we can provide consistent and accurate details to the public. When replying to a ‘schools.alert’ email, please type OPEN or CLOSED in the message subject
bar, followed by the SCHOOL NAME. Then click REPLY TO ALL. Advise parents that in addition to local radio, information about closures will be posted on the ‘Borough Alert’ on the Council’s website. Borough Alert also provides public information about severe weather and flooding alerts.

Seeing this update for the first time? To sign up for the term-time weekly updates email education.news@wokingham.gov.uk and we'll add you to the list.