Hello and welcome again to Heads Up. 

I hope you have all settled back into the routine of a new term and that if you made any new year’s resolutions, they included finding time to look after your own wellbeing and perhaps taking some time to learn something new for yourself this year. If so, we’ve got resources and information for you in this week’s edition of Heads Up. This includes an invitation for Warwickshire headteachers to benefit from up to three funded coaching sessions with accredited “Listening Ear” coaches, as well as information on how you can contact Peer Coaches directly through a new Directory.  

You may also want to look at the offer of free courses included in this edition of Heads Up from Origin Maths Hub. The offer is available for teachers in schools and colleges in Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire and is a great opportunity to learn something new.  

The mental health of children and young people has been significantly impacted as a result of Covid-19, and as part of the council's programme of recovery we have made available a grant fund to education settings in the county to help develop mental health initiatives within the curriculum. You may have already seen this being promoted in last week's Heads Up. I also wanted to take the opportunity to highlight this excellent opportunity and to encourage as many applications as possible. It is open to all maintained early years settings, primary and secondary schools, special schools, academies, and colleges. The window for applications closes on Monday 17 January 2022, so don’t delay!  You can read this article for more detail.  

Finally, whilst there are some early signs of hope that Omicron might have reached its peak, things do continue to change, so there are updated template letters and flowcharts relating to Covid-19 on the website, along with updated documents for both Early Years’ settings and statutory education providers.  

Thank you for all you continue to do for our children and young people. 

Best wishes 

Jeff Morgan