Schoolsnet Bulletin Board

There are specific laws and guidance which enable information to be shared without consent, for example Crime and Disorder Act, Terrorism Act. 

Area Finance Staff Salary Costings Spreadsheets now available on Schoolsnet.

The revised structure chart can be found here

Please note that Teresa Cross is the new Education Lead with responsibility for the Forest of Dean and Tewkesbury areas. 

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) has published access arrangements guidance for the 2019 KS1 and KS2 national curriculum tests.

The Department for Education (DfE) and the Local Government Association (LGA) wish to make building owners aware of a recent building component failure in a property constructed using Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

Week commencing 10^th December 2018, the Professional Advice Line (PAL) will no longer be an operational resource within the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub ( MASH).  

In order to access Pupil Premium Plus for Previously Looked After Children (£2300) by marking them on the January census, schools must first see evidence from parents and guardians of their child’s previously looked after status.

When you have your three yearly whole school training could you please ensure that you include any Peripatetic Music Teachers that undertake work in your schools.

Following national training events for local authorities in autumn 2018, KS1 and KS2 writing training materials are now available on NCA tools (‘Teacher assessment’ section). Schools may use these resources to help prepare for the moderation of teacher assessment.

Every school maintained by the Local Authority should have a whistleblowing procedure. Whistleblowing procedures protect staff members who report colleagues they believe are doing something wrong or illegal, or who are neglecting their duties. 

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) has published statutory guidance for assessing and reporting the EYFS profile and the national curriculum at KS1 and KS2 for the academic year 2018/19.

The Pupil Premium Grant Financial Year 2018-19 calculator is now available.

The DfE has updated the guidance for Ofsted and local authorities regarding unregistered independent schools and out of school settings.

Following the successful pilot project for KS1 literacy last year, we are pleased to offer subject leaders and senior leaders opportunities to work with an Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) Research School on two projects in 2018-19:

• Improving literacy at KS1
• Improving literacy at KS2

 A number of schools have changed email address from the standard "@gloucs.sch.uk". As you will appreciate it is important that the LA has an up-to-date list of the Head Teacher, Chair of Governor and Admin email addresses.

Schools need to be aware of fraudsters attempting to commit fraud by trying to change supplier bank account details.

The DFE has made further changes to KCSiE.  Many schools have reissued part 1 to staff as part of their start-of-term safeguarding update.  The 19th September changes are minor and as far as we can see at this stage, do not require the document to be reissued to staff.

The Local Authority has reviewed the EHC needs assessment process and as a result of this, the decision has been taken to no longer hold Team Around the Child (TAC) meetings towards the end of the process.

The Home Office in co-operation with other Government Departments has issued guidance on the Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults for professionals working in education, health, housing, benefits, law enforcement (police) and related partner organisations.

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) has published guidance for statutory teacher assessment (TA) for the academic year 2018/19.

You will all be aware that children of compulsory school age who are registered at a school are expected, by law, to attend school regularly.

The DfE has updated the keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) guidance to reflect the recently revised working together to safeguard children guidance.

Please find attached a letter from Julian Moss, Assistant Chief Constable, regarding the recruitment of six dedicated ‘Schoolbeat’ officers who are expected to start their roles early in the new academic year.

Following issues raised by school representatives at the recent Single Central Drop-In sessions, the GSCB has put together a briefing sheet to provide references to Keeping Children Safe in Education 2018 (KCSIE).

Stonewall have launched an updated resource Primary Best Practice Guide for primary schools.

Governing bodies and headteachers are reminded to inform the local authority when considering conversion to academy status and joining a multi-academy trust. The local authority is one of the stakeholders and should therefore be included in the consultation process.

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) has published guidance for statutory teacher assessment (TA) for the academic year 2018/19 onwards.

Jo Johnson-Taylor, has been appointed as the Counter Terrorism Security Advisor Supervisor for Avon and Somerset and Gloucestershire.

The pay increases are agreed nationally by the Local Government Association in negotiation with the Trades Unions. We have just received confirmation of a two year pay deal for Green Book employees.

New training course available from June 2018 through the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board that will provide information on safer working practices and Allegations Management.

With effect from 31 March 2018, the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) will cease to function. From 1 April 2018, the Teacher Services Division of the NCTL, which includes the Teacher Qualifications Unit and the Teacher Misconduct Unit will form the Teaching Regulation Agency.

In January 2018 the latest inspection framework was introduced. The Ofsted: Developments in education inspection blog looks at the way Ofsted inspects education, from early years to schools and the further education and skills sector. It provides updates on developments and features current issues.

The DfE has announced that the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) will develop the new Reception Baseline Assessment for introduction in the academic year 2020/21. 

We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect. To help protect a child or young person, look out for changes in their Appearance, Behaviour, Communication (ABC).

Gloucestershire County Council is supporting the ‘Together we can tackle child abuse’ campaign which is led by the Department of Education.

The new statutory guidance for the designated teacher for children in care and previously looked after children has now been published.

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has seen an increase in recent weeks in the volume of what is referred to as CEO Fraud reports whereby schools are the targeted victim. This has resulted in substantial financial losses for several schools that have fallen victim to this type of fraud.

In light of the government’s announcement that the sex and relationships curriculum will be updated for the first time in nearly 20 years, the Sex Education Forum has published what it considers the 12 key principles of effective sex education. 

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) has published guidance for statutory teacher assessment (TA) for the academic year 2018/19.

Important Process Up-dates

Following the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy last year we’ve been working with a range of schools and training providers on their requirements and as a result we’ve up-dated the process for schools, the revised version is attached.

The DfE have launched new advice for governing bodies, proprietors, headteachers, principals, senior leadership teams and designated safeguarding leads: Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges.

The Royal British Legion is at the heart of a national network that supports our Armed Forces community through thick and thin. As you may be aware, the Legion was created as a unifying force for the military charity sector at the end of the First World War, and still remains one of the UK’s largest membership organisations providing a range of support every day in communities like yours, across the UK.

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

Please find attached a poster from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.

The DfE has opened the Strategic School Improvement Fund. Teaching schools, LAs and MATs will be able to submit applications to support eligible schools.

The Restorative Practice Development project is piloting the use of restorative practices in Moat Primary School, Tewkesbury School, in Child Protection conferences and other settings across Gloucestershire.

Samaritans can offer specialist support for school leadership teams after a suspected or attempted suicide in the school community through their Step by Step service. Guidance is also available to help schools plan for such an event.