Schoolsnet Bulletin Board

Please find attached the latest school briefing, which includes some important changes to DfE guidance which took place over the weekend.

We have been advised that DfE guidance on FSM will not be published until next week.

ThinkuKnow have created packages to help support children and their families over the coming weeks and months and have launched #OnlineSafetyAtHome

Please see attached additional guidance on safe working practices at these times and updates from traded services and HR.

Gloucestershire’s councils and partners have created a community help hub to connect local people who need help, with others who can provide the support they need.

Thank you for your on-going work in supporting children so those critical to our coronavirus response can continue to do what is necessary for the country. It is a constantly changing picture and you are all working incredibly hard to do all that is being asked of you.

RE Today, in partnership with NATRE, have produced a series of free, quality assured online resources to support parents and their children with the provision of RE activities for use during the coronavirus crisis.

The following advice will go a long way to helping you secure yourself online.

Draft SFVS submissions are welcomed at this time while Full Governors sign off is not possible, we will be posting notifications regarding potential extension on deadlines including GBP as soon as we have heard from the ESFA. Thank you for your continued work and support.

The annual Gloucestershire RE conference due to take place on 22 May 2020 at Puckrup Hall Hotel has been postponed.

Some Schools have already reported that parents and carers of children in receipt of free school meals are being targeted by fraudsters.

Many NQTs have expressed concern about whether self isolation, absence or school closure may adversely affect their opportunity to complete their full NQT induction period.  

Further to the Government's announcements this week, the decision has been made to restrict movements and contacts, and as a consequence we are advising that the Primary Headteachers and Chair of Governors Briefings due to take place in April and May have been CANCELLED.

Further to the Government's announcements this week, the decision has been made to restrict movements and contacts, and as a consequence all network and training events have been cancelled or postponed.  Delegates should have been notified directly and via GCC Plus.  This includes Heads and Chair of Governors Briefings.

SkillZONE is currently unable to facilitate education life skills sessions due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Please note the attached instructions for the Schools Emergency Closure website.

Guidance for schools and other educational settings in providing advice about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

The Secretary of State has allowed Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector to temporarily suspend all routine inspections of schools, further education, early years and social care providers.

The Regional Schools Commissioner has approved the Academy Trust that will sponsor the new SEMH special school to open in Gloucestershire in 2022.

The Division of Educational and Child Psychology has produced an advice guide for adults when talking to children about coronavirus.

As part of Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Executive’s on-going commitment to Gloucestershire Schools through traded services, they are pleased to announce briefing dates for the updated 2020 Keeping Children Safe in Education, that is currently under consultation.

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) has published information and guidance to support schools with the administration of the 2020 KS1/KS2 national curriculum tests.

The 2019/20 IFRS 16 Leases Data Collection Return is now on Schoolsnet.

The 2020 Gloucestershire local authority (LA) KS1 and KS2 writing teacher assessment moderation plans, plus the related appeals process, can be accessed now via the Statutory requirements for assessment page on GCC Schoolsnet.  

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) has published an information leaflet for parents/carers about the statutory MTC, taking place in 2020 (Monday 8 – Friday 26 June).

Schools and colleges are being advised against all overseas trips for children under 18 until further notice. This is one of the latest measures announced as part of the Government’s coronavirus response.  More information can be found using this link: Government advises schools and colleges to cancel overseas trips

Provision of Alternative Learning Catalogue 2020.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)  Awareness Day is on 18th March 2020.

GCC Fleet has a vehicle available for transfer.

Please see guidance on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, which includes information about pupil attendance.

Support Services offer buyback packages to support schools that offer food at breakfast and after school clubs.

Support Services offer a buyback package for schools who make their own cleaning and caretaking arrangements or have an individual cleaning contract.

The determined school term dates for academic year 2021-22 are now available on the Gloucestershire County Council website.

For details of your allocation please go to the following link:

Free School Meals Supplementary Grant 2019 / 2020

e-Bug is an exciting, fun and free microbiology, hygiene and health education resource for children and young people from ages 4 – 18.

The new county grounds maintenance contract starts on 1^st April 2020 and has been awarded to Ubico for schools in Cheltenham.

Countrywide for schools in Gloucester, Forest of Dean, Tewkesbury, North Cotswolds, South Cotswolds and Stroud.

Gloucestershire County Council’s fostering service is reminding teachers to notify them of private fostering arrangements.

The House of Commons has issued a Library Briefing Paper which provides an overview of the concerns that increasing numbers of children in England are being 'off-rolled' - being excluded or otherwise leaving school for reasons that do not serve their best interests.

Great Western Railway (GWR) have offered to provide free travel on their network for women reaching refuge (map available under ‘download GWR network map’). This is a really exciting opportunity to meet a need at no cost, and has the potential to be developed with other train companies.

The Government have updated the female genital mutilation (FGM) guidance - case studies and support materials for local authorities, professional services and specialist voluntary organisations.

SafeCall Support Service, provide a national telephone based support service to those in crisis as a result of County Lines. SafeCall support young people, families/carers and professionals and operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days of the year.

As part of Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Executive’s on-going commitment to Gloucestershire Schools, a safeguarding course for administrators is available in September 2020 and May 2021,  that will ensure they have everything they need to know to administrate safeguarding smoothly in your school.

Following the confirmation of two cases of novel coronavirus in Gloucestershire, we know there has been a number of questions and concerns from schools and parents. 

The Department for Education (DfE) is consulting on proposed revisions to the Keeping children safe in education statutory guidance which sets out what schools and colleges should do and the legal duties with which they must comply to keep children safe in England.

Please note that with changes to the Disclosure and Barring Service over the years, the 2010 blanket letter now no longer applies because not all Gloucestershire County Council posts in schools fall under the definition of a Regulated Activity. 

This guidance is for teachers, educators and other professionals working directly with young people in schools and colleges. From teaching and office staff, to leadership, management and governors with safeguarding responsibilities – all adults working and contributing to school and college life have a duty of care to the children and young people they interact with.

Following a review, the cost of the NQT Appropriate Body membership (September 2020 – August 2021) will change from price per setting to price per NQT; however, the price will be capped so that any school / setting, employing more than four NQTs, will pay for the first four only.

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) has published information on how to submit details of pupils who are eligible for KS2 national curriculum tests in 2020.

The Early Years Service Spring Newsletter is now available.

Tim Browne, Director of Education, will shortly be leaving Gloucestershire County Council.