Celebrating Warwickshire’s Family of Schools
School Improvement Lead Officer
Dear Colleagues,
An exciting opportunity has arisen in Warwickshire County Council's Education Services School Improvement Team.
We are looking for a School Improvement Lead Officer to join our team. This will be a full time, permanent role.
These are exciting times to be working in a Council. The recent School's White Paper, the SEND green paper, the national focus on attendance and on curriculum, and the challenging financial climate provide opportunities to work with schools including leaders of academies and trusts to influence and enable high quality education across Warwickshire.
You'll be joining a strong and committed team who have played an invaluable role in supporting schools and settings during the pandemic. As part of Education Services and the wider Council you will play an important part in shaping the way the Council works with schools and settings in the future. A core responsibility of the role will be supporting schools to deliver high quality education and to do so in a sustainable way. This will necessarily support and where appropriate challenge schools to achieve strong leadership, management and financial sustainability. A core responsibility of the role will be to work with schools directly, and commission support to them, to deliver high quality education and to do so in a sustainable way
School Improvement Lead Officer
Based in Warwick but countywide remit
Salary Solbury 21 - 26 (to be confirmed)
This is a full time, permanent position.
The School Improvement Team are looking to recruit a School Improvement Lead and Sustainability Commissioner to join the team and focus on supporting and challenging schools and settings to deliver high quality education; to achieve financial sustainability and improve outcomes for children and young people, particularly the vulnerable.
For further information please see the Job Description & Person Specification
Additional Information
For further details about the role please contact Chris Baird, Interim Assistant Director for Education Services (chrisbaird@warwickshire.gov.uk)
Closing date: 21st July 2022
Schools Forum Update
The new Schools Forum met for the first time on Thursday 23 June 2022. The agenda and papers for that meeting can be found here.
New membership is attached.
Schools Forum still has one vacancy for Secondary Academy Headteachers or Representatives. If you are a Headteacher, member of your school Senior Leadership Team or Governor in a Secondary Academy and would like to join Schools Forum please email schoolfunding@warwickshire.gov.uk with your details.
Working together to improve attendance
Guidance to help schools, academy trusts, governing bodies, and local authorities maintain high levels of school attendance including roles and responsibilities
From September 2022, this will replace all previous guidance on school attendance except for statutory guidance for parental responsibility measures. The Secretary of State has committed to it becoming statutory when parliamentary time allows (this will be no sooner than September 2023).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance
Summary of Schools’ Responsibilities
The DfE state that every school should:
- Have a Senior Attendance Champion on the leadership team
- Have a clear school attendance policy published on their website
- Have robust day to day processes for recording, monitoring and following up attendance
- Analyse their data regularly and prioritise families to work with to understand and address the reasons for absence, including any in-school barriers to attendance.
- Work with local partners to remove out of school barriers and act as the lead professional where they are the best placed service
- Work jointly with the local authority on an agreed approach/ plan for every severely absent pupil
- Develop strategies for cohorts of pupils with poorer attendance than their peers (including groups of vulnerability)
- Inform a pupil’s social worker if they have an unexplained absence or leave the school roll
- Work with their LA to formalise support where voluntary help hasn’t been effective, through use of parenting contracts or other forms of legal intervention
- Share data electronically with the department and continue to inform the LA of pupils not attending regularly or being added to or removed from the roll
Data Sharing
The automated attendance data trial through Wonde continues to grow and there will be an expectation that all schools share, no later than September 2023. The DfE have asked that we encourage schools to sign up.
Currently 60% of Warwickshire schools have signed up to share their daily attendance data, which is very positive.
If your school does not use Wonde, please read the how schools share their daily attendance data guidance.
Improving attendance: good practice for schools and multi-academy trusts
To support the transition to the new ways of working, the DfE is holding a series of webinars. These webinars are a good resource with schools sharing how they have improved their attendance.
Details on our upcoming webinars and how to register are below:
Modernising school attendance and admission registers and setting national thresholds for legal intervention
Government consultation - Launch date 17 June 2022, respond by 29 July 2022.
The DfE are seeking views on new regulations for keeping school registers and draft thresholds for legal interventions to improve consistency across England.
The consultation can be found through the following link:
School registers and national thresholds for legal intervention - Department for Education - Citizen Space
If you wish to discuss this further, please feel free to contact the Warwickshire Attendance Service:
was@warwickshire.gov.uk
Coventry and Central Warwickshire Teaching School Hub
As you will know from September 2021 statutory induction for early career changed as part of the early career framework (ECF) reforms. All early career teachers (ECTs) are now entitled to a funded two year induction programme.
Coventry and Central Warwickshire Teaching School Hub are pleased to be working with UCL for the programme, more information is available on our website www.tshub.co.uk
If you would like your ECT to join our programme or if you have questions we can help with, please email us tshub@lawrencesheriffschool.com
Coventry and Central Warwickshire Teaching School Hub Newsletter
Please find below the most recent Coventry and Central Warwickshire Teaching School Hub Newsletter:
Secondary version:
primary version:
DfE Free Schools bidding rounds 2022 - SEND, AP and Wave 15 Mainstream
DfE have announced details of the next bidding rounds for Free Schools for SEND, AP and Mainstream.
The capital costs for Free schools are central government funded and delivered.
Wave 15 mainstream will deliver 15 new free schools and focus on those areas that:
- currently have the lowest educational standards
- where there is also a need for additional school places
The DfE will prioritise proposals located in one of the 55 education investment areas (this does not include Warwickshire).
This also includes the opportunity for trusts to bid to open a new 16 to 19 school, with the inference being that this school would be distinct from existing provision in the local area.
This bidding process is trust led but the DfE expect trusts to talk with the local authority to understand the full and up-to-date picture of the need for additional school places in the area.
Deadline for trusts to register interest is 16 September 2022.
The Special free school wave is inviting local authorities to apply for new special free school projects in their area.
Trusts will then be invited to apply to open special free schools in successful local authority areas early in 2023.
Applications will be prioritised which:
- are in areas where a new school fits with the local authority’s wider SEN and high needs strategy
- make a strong strategic case for why a new special free school is needed, and will better meet the needs and achieve better outcomes for children and young people in the area
- demonstrate that a new special free school will help local authorities reduce their dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficit
- demonstrate that a new school will be financially sustainable and that local authorities will commit to commissioning, funding and supporting places
- will contribute to the wider aims of the SEND green paper
- include details of a viable site which is likely to secure value for money, in a timely manner, and with an acceptable level of risk
The mandatory pre-registration form must be completed by 5pm on Monday 11 July 2022.
The
AP free school wave is inviting
local authorities to partner with a provider to apply for new AP
free school projects in their area.
Applications will be prioritised which:
- are in areas where a new school fits with the local authority’s wider strategy for high needs provision – including where none of the existing AP schools are currently rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, or where no AP schools currently exist
- make a strong strategic case for why a new AP free school is needed and will achieve better outcomes for children and young people in the area
- demonstrate that the new school will support inclusion, including reintegration where appropriate, and by providing expertise to mainstream schools
- demonstrate that a new AP free school will help local authorities reduce their dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficits
- demonstrate that a new school will be financially sustainable and that the local authorities will commit to commissioning, funding and supporting places
- will contribute to the wider aims of the SEND and AP green paper
- include an ambitious, affordable and deliverable curriculum plan, which is consistent with the partnership’s vision, pupil intake and financial plan, and which places preparations for the next stage of pupils’ lives at the centre, so that children who leave AP settings can fulfil their potential as they grow up
- include details of a viable site, which is likely to secure value for money, in a timely manner, and with an acceptable level of risk
The mandatory pre-registration form will need to be completed and will be available between 12 September and 17 October 2022
The DfE will deliver up to a combined total of 60 special and alternative provision free schools.
Flourishing Through Leading: A Two-Year Programme for Middle Leaders
This two-year programme is suitable for anybody with a role as a middle leader for subject development or pastoral care. It includes twelve sessions;
one 1.5-hour session per half term, conducted remotely on Zoom.
The twelve sessions will cover topics such as:
• Knowing Yourself as a Leader
• Learning to Lead
• Managing Change
• Curriculums of Hope
• Wisdom
• Flourishing Through Teacher Development
• Effective Leadership
• Taking Them With You
• Pastoral Care
• Risk-Taking and Ethical Decision-Making
• The Nature of Power
• Engaged Feedback
Read more here.
Warwickshire Safeguarding Partnership: Multi-Agency Training
Warwickshire Safeguarding Partnerships is delighted to announce the launch of its new multi-agency training offer. Our aim is to provide accessible multi-agency training for agencies throughout Warwickshire. The free, virtual training is linked to the learning from CSPR’s, SAR’s, findings from the thematic review and key priorities from subgroups and will cover a range of topics.
The current training available can be booked via the website; with more training being added regularly. Why not bookmark the page so you can quickly check on any updates!
Warwickshire Sings!
Over the past academic year children and their teachers have been working with a vocal specialist provided through a partnership between Warwickshire Music and Warwickshire Choristers.
The programme culminated in two amazing concerts, held at Warwick Arts Centre on 23 and 24 June.
‘Warwickshire Sings!’ is a new initiative organised by the Warwickshire Music Hub. The project has engaged over 1,500 children and teachers from 40 of Warwickshire’s primary and special schools.
The year-long programme of singing and teacher development opportunities is intended to promote the benefits of singing for children following a period of quiet resulting from the Pandemic.
Children involved with the programme have been invited to join free choirs across the county, to enable them to develop their singing beyond the classroom.
Warwickshire Music Hub aims to ensure that children in Warwickshire have the best opportunities to learn how to play an instrument, learn to sing, play together in ensembles and progress their musical abilities.
Singing brings with it a myriad of benefits. Not only is it good for physical and mental health and wellbeing, but research suggests it can also help build your immune system. Furthermore, it teaches communication skills, helps with brain development, and can also lead to improved memory.
Councillor Kam Kaur, Portfolio Holder for Education at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Singing is fundamental to every child’s musical education and wider educational development.
“The pandemic had a devastating impact upon our children’s opportunities for physical and emotional development. Our schools were amazing in providing so much but activities such as singing had to take a back seat. This new programme supports our schools and teachers to enable their pupils to sing once again and so many more pupils will get the chance to find their voice, raise their confidence and aspirations.
“It was simply wonderful to hear and see such large numbers of children singing so well after two years of virtual silence.
“We look forward to even greater numbers of schools and children joining the Warwickshire Sings! programme next year!”
To find out more about Warwickshire Music Hub, visit https://www.warwickshiremusichub.org/
A New National Plan for Music Education – The Power of Music to Change Lives
The long awaited new National Plan for Music Education (NPME) ‘The Power to Change Lives’ was published on 25th June.
The Plan sets out the governments vision for music education and how this can be achieved through partnerships with schools, music hubs, the music and creative sector, and others.
The plan details that:
- Music should be represented in every school’s leadership structure, with a designated music lead or head of department at school and/or academy trust level, for primary and secondary phases
- In partnership with the Music Hub, every school and MAT should have a Music Development Plan that captures its curricular and co-curricular offer and sets out how it will be staffed and funded by 2023.
- A polit Music Progression Fund to support disadvantaged pupils with significant musical potential, enthusiasm and commitment will be delivered through schools and Music Hubs from Autumn 2023, with match-funded government investment over four years
- Building on existing relationships they have with all local schools, Music Hubs will identify and partner with a small number of Lead Schools (including academies) with high-quality music provision to work with the Music Hub on design and delivery of continuing professional development (CPD) and peer-to-peer support for schools on music in their area by Spring 2024
- National Music Hub centres of excellence for inclusion, CPD, music technology and pathways to industry will be establish. The centres will be appointed by Autumn 2024 and based in four Music Hubs, with additional funding to provide specialist support to all Music Hubs across England
- All Music Hubs should develop and publish an inclusion strategy, and all Music Hub lead organisations should have an inclusion lead by 2024
- The new NPME, realised through dynamic partnerships across the country, will ensure all pupils receive a high-quality music education, strengthen the creative pipeline, and help create the musicians and audiences of the future.
Warwickshire Music is the leader of the Music Hub in Warwickshire.
As we move into the autumn term, Richard Hart and his colleagues at Warwickshire Music will be working to provide support for all schools and academies to develop their Music Development Plans.
The Warwickshire Music leadership team will also be developing meeting and workshop opportunities to enable all school and academies to contribute to redefining the scope and make-up of the Music Education Hub to meet the needs of all schools, academies and students across Warwickshire in response the requirements of this new NPME.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about the new NPME, its impact upon your school/academy or students please do contact Richard Hart at Warwickshire Music at: richardhart@warwickshire.gov.uk
Money Advice Market event for schools in the Rugby area
Fit notes update
In a move designed to ease some of the pressure on GPs, the authority to sign statements of fitness for work (usually referred to as “fit notes”) is being extended to a wider range of healthcare professionals. At present, only doctors can provide fit notes. However, from 1 July 2022, the following healthcare professionals will be able to issue and certify fit notes:
- Nurses
- Occupational therapists
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
You may also be aware that, following a change from 6 April 2022, the requirement for a fit note to be signed by the issuer has been removed. This means a fit note can be issued digitally, rather than requiring an ink signature.
What do these changes mean?
Schools will need to review and update their sickness absence procedures and ensure that staff are aware of their obligations when taking time off work due to sickness.
For customers who subscribe to WES HR and Payroll we are currently reviewing the guidance available on the WES Website to reflect these changes and in the meantime if you have any questions, please contact the HR Service Desk
Rugby Urgent Treatment Centre
The Urgent Treatment Centre at the Hospital of St Cross, Rugby, delivers a service through which patients can access some of the urgent care services they may need. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please see below the services that are offered at Rugby Urgent Treatment Centre and also the age range of children they treat (for aged 5+).
Child Friendly Warwickshire Survey
As part of continuing to create a Child Friendly Warwickshire, we are wanting to hear the views of children and young people to help shape the county. Please circulate the below within your school newsletters, to students, and to parents for any young people interested in taking part.
Warwickshire County Council is looking to hear the views of children and young people to continue to help shape the county and create a Child Friendly Warwickshire.
The council has just launched Dialogue, a new online discussion platform, and Child Friendly Warwickshire is the first initiative to use the tool to engage with young people, their families and schools.
At the beginning of the Child Friendly Warwickshire journey, we heard the ideas of young people of all ages from around the county. They told us what child friendly means to them which helped us to develop our five guiding principles, that all children and young people should be heard, safe, healthy, skilled and happy.
A year on, we have 80 businesses and organisations signed up to be a friend, we’ve organised a youth conference, created a climate change competition… but there’s still so much we can do.
This is where you come in.
We want children and young people in Warwickshire to be heard and have a voice to shape where they live. We’ve put together five ideas that relate to the Child Friendly Warwickshire goals and we’d love to hear what you think.
To register, or read through the discussions, and take part visit our Dialogue page.
For more information visit: https://www.childfriendlywarwickshire.co.uk/dialogue
Anyone under 16 will need to get consent from a parent, carer, guardian teacher or trusted adult to register. All comments are moderated and any which are deemed inappropriate, according to the safety policy, will be deleted.
Sensory food course
Family Learning have developed a sensory food course which we are able to deliver for free to families. It based on Sapere, an evidence based education programme from Finland.
This course is unlike other food programmes because it is all about exploration of food which encourages children to try and eat a greater range of food. In Finland it was very successful in preventing obesity in children and was evaluated over time with amazing results.
We have a 4 week course called Food Explorers and have seen families exploring food in a new way and children eating lots of new foods.
If you would be interested in this course for your families please contact Family Learning Warwickshire Adult and Community Learning: janlennon@warwickshire.gov.uk