Schoolsnet Bulletin Board

During the holidays the Schools Emergency Response Team received a high number of calls from the Fire Service regarding school alarms being activated, which highlighted the fact that many schools have not updated their emergency contact details for some time. We would be grateful if you could let us have your updated information.

Thursday 23rd November 2017, 09.30 – 15:30 at Marling School, Cainscross Rd, Stroud, GL5 4HE

LSE Members: £100

2^nd delegate: £80

Non-Members: £125

2^nd delegate: £100

(Refreshments and lunch included)

10% EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ON ALL BOOKINGS RECEIVED BY 29^TH SEPTEMBER!

Following a recent Coroners court hearing, the Coroner has asked the South West Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST) guidance on calling 999 for an ambulance be shared with all educational establishments across the South West.

Schools are reminded that the autumn census takes place on Thursday October 5th 2017, with a deadline for making a return of Thursday October 12th 2017. This deadline applies to maintained schools only.

On Friday 15 September from 12-2pm Lisa from the School Admissions team will be answering questions about transferring to secondary school live on Twitter.

Please retweet #AskGlosCC to let parents know about the event.

Public Health would like schools to help promote a survey to shape school nursing and health visiting services.

The team structure and important contact details are attached.

Education Performance and Inclusion

Schools are required to ensure that they are supporting children with medical needs to the best of their ability and have a policy and processes in place to ensure this happens.

Following the success of last year's CPD programme we will be running a similar programme this year, built around the Teachers' Standards, supporting NQTs in their induction year.  This flyer provides further details of the programme.  To book a space please use this form.

In the majority of cases of working with children and families, their consent is needed to share information with other professionals and to ensure timely access to the right services and support.

Gloucester and Forest Alternative Provision are offering all schools access to new outreach services from September 2017. The services are aimed at re-engaging learners and creating professional partnerships with schools to reduce exclusions.

Whole class instrumental & iPad tuition, primary music networking, opportunities for your students and more are available at Make Music Gloucestershire.

The aims of the meeting are to explore the statutory guidance on the Induction for NQTs, to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the Induction Tutors and to share good practice.  The meetings are ideal for recently appointed NQT Induction Tutors and other Induction Tutors who would welcome a refresher.  Should you wish to book a place and have not yet done so, please complete and return this  booking form to: NQTs@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board (GSCB) has launched a child neglect toolkit to help all agencies, including schools in Gloucestershire to identify and assess signs of neglect in children and young people at the earliest possible stage.

Information regarding the registration of new NQTs and also the timetable for the return of the NQT assessment paperwork to the LA can  be accessed here. If you have any queries, please contact Anne Lloyd or Carol Holt on 01452 427804 or email NQTs@gloucestershire.gov.uk

The first meetings are in November and December 2017. Each subject package of 3 meetings is only £230.00 per delegate which includes the venue and catering costs.

An opportunity for primary, secondary and special school leaders to work with James Richardson (Head of Research Schools at the Education Endowment Foundation) on how to evaluate the impact of approaches used to raise the achievement of disadvantaged pupils.   

The next Traveller Education Network meeting is planned for Thursday 28^th September, 9am-12.30pm, at The Pavilion in Cheltenham.

In 2016-17 Cheltenham Festivals launched ‘Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils’ in Gloucestershire. There are 3 groups of teachers (Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud) who meet 5 times a year to discuss 5 different texts provided free for teachers.

Amanda Spielman emphasises that ‘All children should study a broad and rich curriculum.

SEND are looking for mainstream school representatives (Headteachers and SENCOs) to attend the weekly SEND Resource Panel.

Inspired Forest School Training, based at Churchdown Village Junior School, have courses which are accredited by the Open College Network and are an excellent way to train staff in all areas of Forest School learning. They offer Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications – all at very competitive prices.

The Children’s Commissioner for England has launched a campaign aimed at parents and carers to help them to encourage their children to enjoy the online world without being totally consumed by it.

RM SecureNet

You should already be aware that RM SecureNet was withdrawn by RM at the end of August due to the product becoming non compliant and therefore obsolete.

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) visited Gloucestershire local authority (LA) in June 2016 (KS2) and June 2017 (KS1) as part of its statutory duty to ensure consistency and accuracy with national standards

The DfE has published procedures for the KS2 data checking exercise. 

In accordance with the School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009, we would like to remind the governing boards of all maintained schools to notify the authority in writing “of any vacancy for the headteacher and any post for a deputy headteacher which it has identified as one to be filled”.

Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) form Year 2017-18 is now available.

The Pavilion, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, Glos GL51 6PN

Primary: Tuesday 3^rd October 2017. 9:15am-12:15pm.

Secondary: Wednesday 11th October 2017. 9:15am-12:15pm.

Refreshments available from 8:45am

The Write-Off Form, Guidance and Options for Salary Overpayment have been updated with new information August 2017.

The Consistent Financial Reporting figures have been successfully uploaded and approved on Collect. You may now go ahead and do a final close of your accounts.

Under the Education (School Teachers’ Appraisal) (England) Regulations 2012, Governing Bodies in maintained schools have a statutory duty to appoint an external adviser for advice and support on the headteacher’s appraisal. 

The Pupil Premium Grant Financial Year 2017-18 calculator is now available.

All suppliers have now confirmed their new payment details and are updated on the council payment system. Any issues with Water Plus can be resolved.

The Autumn Term Early Years Training Directory is now available.

Schools are requested to submit their GCSE results as soon as possible using the pro-forma attached.

Key Stage 4 results proforma 2017

Please find attached information regarding the changes to the free school meals application process.

Free School Meals

For those schools that buy HR services and are part of the council’s levy, the apprenticeship page on Schoolsnet has been updated. 

The Summer edition of the Closing the Gap newsletter is now available.

Gloucestershire Care Services would like to promote Flu Immunisation that has been commissioned for all Primary Schools for September 2017.

Primary, Special and Alternative Provision Schools - The Final 16/17 Academic Year Universal Infant Free School Meal Grant and the Provisional 17/18 Academic Year Universal Infant Free School Meal Grant will be made in July 2017.

A summary of all the health and wellbeing information available.

The 2016-17 primary and secondary resources for the three meetings across the year are available, this includes the latest summer meetings held in June and July 2017.

All Academies have until 31^st July 2017 to buy back their school support services from GCCPLUS  if they would like to be invoiced monthly rather than in one go in September.

As you may already know Water Plus has recently changed account details.

From September 2017, children in reception class and school years 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be offered a flu vaccination at schools in Gloucestershire.

The report from the meeting held on 21 June 2017 is attached.

Gloucestershire Schools Forum Outcome Report

Presentations and resources from the Closing the Gap Conference on 27^th June are available to download from Schoolsnet

There have been several recent changes in Children’s Services. Linda Uren has decided to retire at the end of August. Alison Williams, currently Director of Young People and Families at Prospects, has taken over as the Interim Director of Children’s Services (DCS). Whilst Alison will hold the full statutory DCS responsibility, Linda Uren will provide leadership for Commissioning and Education until her retirement.

New guidance came into force in April 2017 regarding identity verification for new Chairs of Trustees.