Schoolsnet Bulletin Board

Following recent changes to Government guidance from the start of the new term, please find attached an updated South West Consensus letter. 

Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning has some free courses in January and February 2022. Take a look at the training pages to find out more.

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

Following the request for nominations for a Primary (Maintained) School Governor representative (one vacancy), one nomination was received.  The nominee is therefore elected to the Forum unopposed.   

“Progressive Sports for Parents” Vendor no. 187648 - should be used for HAF funded payments that are only received about every 6 months.

“Progressive Sports for Schools” Vendor no. 194374 – should be used for Term Time work with Primary Schools.

Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are attached (updated from 20.12.21).

Following the closure of The Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Alternative Provision School (CTAPS) and enlargement of The Stroud and Cotswold Alternative Provision School (SCAPS), a single Pupil Referral Unit has been formed. The Management Committee has selected a new name: Severn Valley School.

From 17 December, National Government has introduced a temporary measure that allows employees to self-certify their absence for 28 days without having to provide a fit note from their doctor. The measure has been introduced to alleviate pressures on GP surgeries.

The recording from the NTP webinar for Gloucestershire schools on 13^th December can be accessed here.

The Council is moving from banking with HSBC Bank to Lloyds Bank.  New Head Office Collection Account (HOCA) paying in books have been ordered and will be arriving over the coming weeks.  When you receive your new book please could you start to use it immediately and destroy any old books that you might have.

The South West Directors of Public Health, UK Health Security Agency and Regional Schools Commissioner have issued an updated consensus statement for schools in light of the continuing circulation of Covid-19 in the South West and emergence of the new more transmissible variant, Omicron.

In response to recent guidance changes and rising Omicron cases,  the following is intended to clarify the current situation.

Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are attached (updated from 06.12.21).

The National Network of Mental Health Leads are leading a national consortium to support local delivery of Department for Education (DfE) funded Designated Mental Health Lead training and have applied for DfE approval for these courses to be funded by the Mental Health Lead training grant.

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

The Virtual School is delighted to have secured a new E-PEP and has arranged training during January 2022.

Please complete the Traded Services Survey here.

The survey is a platform to provide open and honest feedback.

Many schools will receive visitors from Gloucestershire County Council’s services such as ICT.

The Extended Virtual School Support for children with Social Worker form has been designed to gather education provider/school level information for students who are on a Child Protection or Child in Need plan.

As the designated safeguarding lead (DSL), or a deputy, you must complete training that provides you with the knowledge and skills to perform the role which is updated every 2 years.

End of KS1 and KS2 Assessment and Moderation CPD (2021/22) enables Y2 and Y6 teachers to undertake end of key stage statutory assessments. The full day event takes place at The Pavilion, Cheltenham (£90 per delegate).

On 30 September 2021, the Government announced that a new Household Support Fund (HSF) would be made available to Local Authorities to support those most in need during the winter. The Household Support Fund is available until the 31 March 2022.

Gas - Automatic meter devices are being upgraded to the latest version by Energy Assets Ltd.

Oil – Changes to rebated fuel (Red Diesel or Gas Oil) from 1st April 2022 should not affect state schools.

Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are attached (updated from 29.11.21).

If you have appointed an Early Career Teacher (ECT)  or have an existing Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) joining your school during the spring 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.

Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are attached (updated from 22.11.21).

The national charity 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. To provide information another virtual CEIAG event is being held for all schools in the county on Wednesday 8 December at 3.30pm.  

Applications for Holiday Free School Meal Vouchers for the December holiday period is open from Tuesday 30 November until midday Monday 13 December. Voucher emails will be sent out between 13 and 15 December. If parents apply after the deadline, we cannot guarantee delivery of vouchers before 25 Decembers.

Please find attached the updated South West Consensus Letter. 

A vacancy has arisen within the Gloucestershire Schools Forum membership for a Primary (Maintained) Governor member, and nominations are currently being sought for this seat.

The South West Directors of Public Health, UK Health Security Agency and Regional Schools Commissioner has once again reviewed the recommendations made in the consensus letter first circulated on 21 October, and agreed that due to the high case rates which are likely to persist into winter, being seen particularly in school age children, we recommend that measures are maintained until the end of term.  An updated letter will be shared shortly.

Asset Management & Property Services (AMPS) have asked Richard Pitts to undertake this years school estate valuations for inclusion in the county council’s accounts. As part of his instruction Richard will need to inspect all non academy school sites including diocese schools, special schools and alternative provision schools in the county.

Details and links to the key communications from the Department for Education are attached (updated from 15.11.21).

Please view the Schools Forum Outcome Report from the meeting held on 11 November 2021.

GCC is temporarily allowing Headteachers and managers the discretion to approve up to 10 days paid leave in a 6 month period for the purpose of providing care to a dependent child (or a severely disabled young adult) where normal care arrangements have been disrupted due to the Covid-19 emergency situation

As pressures continue to rise on statutory services and in particular the SEND service, GCC is making a number of interim structural changes to rebalance responsibilities across the directorate. 

Thursday 25 November marks the beginning of 16 days of action against domestic violence. To mark the 16 days of action, Gloucestershire’s domestic abuse partnership board and launching Gloucestershire new strategy which outlines how organisations will work together to tackle domestic abuse in the county. You can read the full strategy here.

As part of a regular review of services and subscriptions the Council manages directly and/or on behalf of schools, we are reviewing our approach to the FFT system.

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.