Schoolsnet Bulletin Board

End of KS1 and KS2 Assessment and Moderation CPD enables Y2/Y6 teachers to undertake end of KS1/KS2 statutory assessments.

The FAQ section of the schools noticeboard has been updated included a set of FAQs on CO2 monitors which can be found here.

As part of Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnerships on-going commitment to supporting schools, the Safeguarding in Education Team will be running training for staff who have the administrative day-to-day responsibility for the Single Central Record.

Training for teachers in Reception who are new to Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and an opportunity to explore practice and provision.

Regarding the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) information, a reminder that the NEW SFVS form must be completed and returned to Gloucestershire County Council by 31 March 2022 via Perspective Lite.

Ofsted are pleased to announce that they have released the 2021 inspection data summary report (IDSR) to allow schools and inspectors access to the latest available data. You can access your IDSR directly through our Ofsted IDSR service or as a link through the DfE’s Analyse School Performance (ASP). Both are located on DfE Sign-in of which you will need an account to access and associated permissions for the school/s.

On 21 October a consensus letter to all schools and colleges from the South West Directors of Public Health, UK Health Security Agency and Regional Schools Commissioner was circulated. 

Registration for Make Your Mark is now open and is open until 10^th December. Don’t miss out for an opportunity for your students to take part in Europe’s largest consultation of 11-18 year olds.

There is a 25-day-long competition for all staff and parents this December, but it is not about who can ride the most miles, it’s simply about taking part. Winter Wheelers concludes with one rider receiving a message on Christmas Day telling them they’ve won a bike worth £1,500!  So get involved! I f you haven't signed up for Love to Ride do so and join the fun. It's free and open to all cyclists whether you are a novice or more experienced rider

If your school hasn’t joined the survey in the past or you missed the 2020 survey – please consider joining this survey.

As we continue to work through the difficulties coronavirus has brought it is vital we hear as many voices of our children and young people as possible so we can support all of them to thrive and look forward to positive futures.

Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are attached (updated from 01.11.21).

This continues to be a challenging time for educationalists and young people. The Shaw Trust through the Youth Support Team, are able to assist schools in their obligation to provide IAG services through specialist practitioners, with additionality brought by a wider network of supportive programmes provided in Gloucestershire.

The Education Outcomes and Intervention team will be hosting a 1½ hour briefing for headteachers and chair of governors via Webex at 1.30pm on Thursday 25 November.

Free access to the Employee Assistance Programme for all schools in Gloucestershire is making a real difference supporting school staff. Figures received from Health Assured, which provides the assistance programme on behalf of the county council, show that 20 per cent of school staff who are out of work at the start of counselling therapy are back in work at the end of the course.

Professor Sarah Scott, Executive Director of Public Health has produced a video for parents detailing the importance of the 12-15 vaccination programme.  This has been posted on our social media channels which you can share or post directly on to your own platforms.

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) is publishing guidance to support schools’ understanding of primary assessment and reporting requirements for 2021/22.

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) has published guidance for the administration and moderation of statutory end of KS1 and KS2 teacher assessment in 2022.

Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are attached (updated from 25.10.21).

Gloucestershire County Council has received unprecedented increases in EHCP assessment requests. This is impacting on our ability to progress EHCP requests in the statutory timeframe. We are working to maximise capacity and progress work in a timely way as possible. Caseworkers will communicate progression with parents and schools on a fortnightly basis.

Now the colder weather is here, the following advice will help you to prepare for the weather.

Further local and national guidance is available to support school leaders in developing effective pupil premium strategy statements in line with updated Department for Education requirements.

Asset Management & Property Services will be running Water Hygiene Training Courses at Shire Hall on 16 and 17 November.  This course is available to all GCC schools; except for Academies that don’t buy back Property Care.

If you have appointed an ECT or have an existing NQT joining your school part-way through this term, the LA is able to provide your Appropriate Body service. This includes all of the administrative requirements, alongside in-school support for your ECF induction processes and bespoke visits where needed.

In advance of the start of term, we have updated and reissued our Covid information, in line with the latest guidance, including the FAQs. These are now available on Schoolsnet on the noticeboard. Guidance continues to be updated at a fast pace and we recommend that schools routinely access the documents from the noticeboard to ensure that the most up to date version is being used.

Applications for the 2022/23 Farmington Scholarships are now open. These are Scholarships available to teachers of religious education and associated subjects in UK secondary, primary, and special needs schools. Head teachers who wish to undertake research into either religious education or values education are also eligible to apply.

The Section 175/157 Safeguarding Audit for Schools and FE is now LIVE until 8^th December 2021.

Please find attached a co-signed letter from the South West Regional Schools Commissioner, South West UK Health Security Agency (formerly PHE) and the South West Directors of Public Health.

Please find a set of FAQs below in response to the South West regional statement that was issued last night.

In partnership with Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum (GPCF), Gloucestershire County Council and the Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group have coproduced a newsletter for parents and carers.

We look forward to welcoming you to the first Attendance Network Meeting for this academic year and would ideally like to meet the attendance officer and the member of SLT with responsibility for attendance in your school.

Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are attached (updated from 11.10.21).

Following the resolution of the UKHSA investigation last week, the necessary retesting advice has been issued and the previously issued statement by the UKHSA can now be rescinded.

Gloucestershire County Council’s Fostering Service has been working in partnership with thirty other local authorities to produce a film aimed at encouraging more local people to come forward to foster children and young people in care. It is well known, both nationally and locally, that there is a shortage of foster carers for children and young people who need them.

The NHS Test and Trace Service has suspended testing operations provided by Immensa Health Clinic Ltd at its laboratory in Wolverhampton, following an investigation into reports of people receiving negative PCR test results after they have previously tested positive on a Lateral Flow Device.

Please see below a statement from the UK Health Security Agency.

RE Today Services/NATRE  have developed two CPD options to assist delivery of RE in the classroom.

Please find attached a flyer with details of two virtual training opportunities for those leading in school on supporting Children in Care and Previously Children in Care.

Please find attached a Previously Children in Care (PCiC) newsletter produced by The Virtual School, which shares good practice, training and news regarding supporting previously children in care.

Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are attached (updated from 04.10.21).

Please see below message from Rebecca Shute, Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust with an update on the Covid-19 vaccine roll out.

Congestion on streets around schools is not getting any better but there are ways you can tackle this whilst encouraging more healthy and sustainable ways to travel. Check out what’s coming up including Mental Health Week and check the GCC Thinktravel blog for all the events to help your school promote cleaner air and healthier children.

Many schools have raised concerns regarding LFD and PCR test results. These are being investigated at a national level by the UKHSA. While we wait for the outcome of this investigation, we would like to clarify the current guidance.

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) has published statutory guidance for assessing and reporting the national curriculum at KS1 and KS2 in the 2021/22 academic year.

The Mangotsfield English Hub is offering a range of support for the coming term. Please find attached details of their CPD offer, showcase events and a reading for pleasure flyer. This year’s self-referral form is also attached for any new schools looking to engage with the English Hub in this academic year.

Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are attached (updated from 27.09.21).

The Gloucestershire Safeguarding in Education Team (GSEP) will be rolling out training to Headteachers in relation to the Single Central Record. The aim of these free one hour sessions is to update knowledge on what belongs on your school's single central record (SCR).

Gloucestershire local authority (LA) wishes to appoint new external moderators to complete statutory end of KS1 and KS2 writing moderation in June 2022. 

We all recognise the growing problem with congestion outside the school gate. Let’s face it, it’s not going to get better unless we take action and here’s how you can make changes and help promote cleaner air for your children.

Traded Services are pleased to announce the launch of their new Traded Services Survey.   It has been a number of years since they have reached out to customers in this way. The survey is a platform for schools to provide open and honest feedback on the full range of services they offer. 

Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are attached (updated from 27.09.21).