Welcome back colleagues after the Jubilee.
A busy period in the summer, an enjoyable one too I hope and the first time for a significant period for children to take part in exams and all that goes with it for staff and families. Best wishes to all involved and it's a reminder of the pandemic that those taking exams in Year 13 will not have taken the exams scheduled for them in Year 11.
DfE published a couple of papers following on from the Schools White Paper just before the half term and we are currently working through their implications. More to follow on this but the feedback session in the headteacher conference regarding the formation of a LA MAT provided us with some very useful opinions and points to consider as part of this. We are shortly going to have an initial discussion with the DfE on their view of Warwickshire in relation to this. The underlying principle at the moment seems to be that they are focused on Education Investment Areas, or areas where there is not a strong "market" of available trusts. But more anon.
Here is the link to the papers if you are interested:
Also, as you might know by now, there will be a significant change to the way attendance is addressed nationally. We are at an early stage of planning a new attendance model and we plan to provide regular updates as developments progress. Keep checking for our updates weekly.
Few words about Education Challenge Board
This week saw the launch of the revised membership to the Education Challenge Board. The Board has been reconstituted to be more representative of the Warwickshire Family Schools. There are now representatives from Nursery, Primary, Special and Secondary Head Teachers, as well as from the Diocese, Multi-Academy Trusts and a nominated representative from the Teaching School Hubs.
The first agenda was full, and the Board were pleased to welcome Councillor Kam Kaur, who is the new portfolio holder for this area. In the agenda there were two “big ticket” items; updates on the White Paper and developing a Warwickshire wide strategy for disadvantaged learners. This provided much discussion and a more joined up approach was promoted. A further working group will be developed moving forward.
The Board also had overviews on the wider school improvement work that takes place, along with updates on OFSTED and Maintained Schools and Academies sit within Warwickshire. It was an excellent opportunity to stimulate discussion and ask questions about the issues really pertinent to all of Warwickshire’s children.
This is how the Board sits with the other meeting structures. Children and Young People are at the very centre.
And in other news, Darren Barrow, School Sustainability and School Improvement is off to pastures new in September. The lure of working directly in a school's environment has proved too strong to stay in local government! We wish him well and know he has been valued colleague in the time he has worked directly for Warwickshire County Council. We are going to replace the role and this will be out for advert shortly.
Best wishes and thanks
Chris Baird
Interim Assistant Director for Education Services.