Celebrating Warwickshire’s Family of Schools
Statutory Summer School Census
The final statutory school census return of the 2020/21 academic year will take place on Thursday 20th May. Deadline for submission to the Local Authority (LA) is Friday 21st May.
Early Years
On 18 March the DFE announced that they are temporarily varying their approach to funding local authorities for the early years entitlements this financial year to give LAs and providers more certainty over their funding income. For maintained settings, they intend to use the termly data from the 2021 summer term (and the 2021 autumn term) school census to determine the early years block funding allocation for three and four year olds in school nurseries, maintained nursery schools and academies.
It is vitally important that you are satisfied with the accuracy of your schools’ return before uploading it to the LA, and that it is returned by the prescribed deadline.
Prior to each census, the ICT Development Service (MIDAS) up-load census documentation to the Warwickshire Learning Platform (WeLearn365) which can be found at: http://bit.ly/midaspages and on the download site http://wsd.we-learn.com/downloads. These will assist you in preparing and running your census returns.
If you have any technical queries regarding the SIMS system and generating the return, please contact the ICT Development Service Desk on 01926 414100.
If you have any other questions about this data collection, please contact Michelle Ali, Business Intelligence on 01926 742169 or by e-mail businessintelligence@warwickshire.gov.uk
New look HS2 online educational resources focus on STEM stars of the future
The dedicated education pages on the HS2 website have undergone a major redesign, with a collection of new resources to help teachers bring a careers context to curriculum learning with the aim of inspiring young people to take an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects and careers.
Teachers are able to find relevant resources much more easily through the introduction of a filter function, there are new resources available with supporting videos and also a workshop delivery guide with activities tailored to pupils ranging from the ages of 5 all the way up to 18.
View the new look educational resources pages - download guides, lesson plans, videos and worksheets
The fresh look of the educational resources follows on from the introduction earlier this year of a suite of curriculum-linked projects designed to help teachers and parents home schooling during the Covid-19 pandemic when we were unable to deliver our regular programme of STEM workshops and schools were less able to take students 'off-curriculum' for career-themed activities during lockdown.
Created by the HS2 Skills, Employment and Education team, the resource pages include plans for STEM lessons which teachers can use to introduce a careers context to regular curriculum lessons. Activities take around 1-2 hours to complete and include using maths skills to work out how to construct a bridge across a motorway, researching the ecology of great created newts to create new habitats and using archaeological information to interpret the history of a site. Pupils also have the opportunity to design a new product to improve the customer experience when travelling by train and use their science skills to create an environmental improvement plan for their school.
They have also included a delivery guide for teachers who would like to run a STEM inspiration day in their school. This includes videos, teacher notes, presentations and worksheets for activities where students can develop their skills through hands-on and team build challenges to inspire them to become EPIC (Extraordinary People Initiating Change) engineers. Students develop their STEM powers, exploring the essential skills that are needed to be successful in a STEM career. Activities are underpinned by examples from the world of work, with students finding out about careers in transport infrastructure as they take on different roles in the challenges.
Activities include 'Stations of the Future': a team-based design-and-present activity where students compete to design a futuristic train station considering future trends and the needs of all customers and also tunnel building, where students design, construct and test a supporting structure for a cut and cover tunnel.
They have also introduced STEM projects accredited by the British Science Association, which, when completed, can be entered for a CREST Award. These are longer projects aimed at inspiring pupils to become scientists and engineers that encourage students to carry out independent research or investigation. The target age and duration of the projects vary.
Younger students aged between 7-11 can also get involved in shorter activities ranging from making rail tracks from everyday materials, solving puzzles and planning a railway route.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact the HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Avon Valley Student Undertaking Cycling Challenge for Charity
A Year 7 student from The Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College is taking part in a cycling challenge along with members of his family to raise funds for Diabetes UK.
Kiran Mistry, a Garrick House student, has currently cycled over 200 miles and is well on his way to completing the coast-to-coast challenge and has, so far, raised over £200 for Diabetes UK.
During the first lockdown the Mistry family enjoyed going out on bike rides as part of their daily exercise. This led to a discussion about taking in a cycling challenge. Initially Kiran, and his brother Arun who attends St Andrew’s Benn Primary School, were a little hesitant about taking on the distance, but soon decided to take on the challenge for charity.
The family have clocked up the distance by completing a number of cycle rides varying in distance from a few miles, up to outings of above marathon distance. With a recent bike ride to Draycote Water covering just over 27 miles.
Mum, Reena Mistry, said: “Kiran and Arun both enjoy sports and with them not being able to go to school during the lockdowns, or do any after school clubs, this seemed to be a good way to keep their fitness levels up. I am really proud of both of them for show great levels of stamina during our bike rides.”
Alison Davies, Headteacher, said, “This is another brilliant example of one our students using his time and initiative to do something positive during a difficult time. I wish Kiran, and his brother Arun, all the best as they complete the last few miles of their cycling challenge.”
For further information, please contact Fiona Perks, Headteacher’s PA on 01788 542355 or fperks@avonvalleyschool.uk
Post COVID-19 Transition Guidance Information for all phases
Warwickshire County Council has put together some guidance aimed at schools to help with the Post COVID-19 Transition.
Please find the guidance available for download here.
Looking for ideas on how to make the most of nature as lockdown restrictions ease?
The Wildlife Trusts are challenging the country to do one wild thing a day throughout the month of June as part of #30DaysWild, the UK’s biggest nature challenge.
You can find out more about the event, and sign up for a free resource pack for your setting or provision, here: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/30-days-wild-2021-sign-your-pack?fbclid=IwAR1if4yz7W9NlPzSqB41FR6ic67e0CXrUV_3glFhASHO6mXW9fa1VKnfnFQ
WCC and partners are continuing to raise awareness of child exploitation taking place across the county
Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is proud to be launching the second phase of the Something’s Not Right campaign which aims to raises awareness of child exploitation in Warwickshire, in partnership with Warwickshire Police, Barnardo’s and The Police & Crime Commissioner.
The campaign is appearing on buses across Warwickshire and within Rugby Rail Station encouraging young people, parents, carers and the general public to visit www.somethingsnotright.co.uk to understand more about exploitation, how to spot the signs and most importantly how to report it or get support.
The council has also relaunched a multi-channel digital advertising campaign using engaging animation across Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Google, with a particular focus on reaching children and young people across the county so that they know where to go for help if they think they’re being exploited. The campaign is also targeting parents and carers so they know what signs to look out for in their children. We would like to encourage schools to utilise these animations on social media and in newsletters and share them amongst the parents and young people you are in contact with.
The second phase of promotion follows on from the launch of the Something’s Not Right campaign in March 2021 which received over 700,000 impressions (the number of times the advertising was seen by residents in Warwickshire) across digital radio, social media and advertising on takeaway lids in food outlets in Leamington Spa, Rugby and Nuneaton.
Throughout the pandemic, child exploitation has been taking place in many forms and hundreds of children and young people are victims of exploitation every year. Child exploitation is defined as ‘the manipulation and/or coercion of young people under the age of 18’.
It can manifest itself in different forms, including child abuse, sexual exploitation, county lines drug dealing, human trafficking and online grooming. It is a crime that can affect any child anywhere, anytime regardless of their social or ethnic background or whether they are a boy or a girl. Hundreds of children and young people are victims of child exploitation every year in Warwickshire.
The campaign website is packed full of information and resources around child exploitation, including the different types of exploitation, what signs to look for in a child or young person, what support is available and some powerful real-life stories from victims of exploitation.
The website also places a strong emphasis on training and raising awareness in the community, offering targeted training to schools, health organisations and the night-time economy (e.g. taxi drivers and bartenders) and licensed premises such as hotels, pubs and clubs.
There are also downloadable assets available for businesses and professionals to share on their own social media channels and in their premises. Messages are also being shared across WCC’s social media channels and the council is encouraging people to re-share content to raise awareness of the issue using #WarwickshireCE.
We hope this next phase of our campaign builds on the terrific momentum created by the first phase and reminds our people and the wider Warwickshire community that we all have a responsibility to protect children and young people, spot the signs of exploitation and report it. Keeping children safe and well is a priority for Warwickshire County Council and our partner agencies and we hope through the Something’s Not Right campaign that everyone will join us in tackling this issue that is happening in Warwickshire.
It’s also important for parents, carers, friends, professionals and the wider community to know the warning signs such as unexplained gifts, changes in physical appearance, going missing, absences from school to name just a few. We hope the Something’s Not Right campaign will ensure as many people as possible think, spot and speak out about exploitation.
Find out more about child exploitation and the support available by visiting www.somethingsnotright.co.uk.
Let us know if you see the Something’s Not Right campaign on social media or displayed on buses when you’re out and about and repost or share a picture on social media using #WarwickshireCE and tagging Warwickshire County Council on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
Where to go for help and support
- For information on how to spot the signs of child exploitation, visit https://www.somethingsnotright.co.uk/spot-the-signs/
- For information and advice go to www.somethingsnotright.co.uk
- If you are worried about a child or young person, contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, on 01926 414144
- You can also make a report to Warwickshire Police via their website or by calling 101, or you can contact your local Children and Family Centre.
- Contact Crimestoppers confidentially and anonymously on 0800 555 111.
- Talk to trained counsellors on the 24-hour helplines run by ChildLine on 0800 11 11 and the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000
- If someone is in immediate danger, call the police on 999
New Vacancy at Gateway Alliance
Post Title: CPD Programme Manager
Anticipated start date: September 2021 (or as soon as possible)
Salary: £35,000 - £45,000 p.a. FTE (dependent upon skills & experience)
Contract: Permanent - part time (0.8)
Base: Gateway Alliance, Mortimer Road, Kenilworth, CV8 1FS (plus home-working - as required)
Closing date: 5pm - Thursday 20th May 2021
Gateway Alliance is a thriving, school-led company which provides professional development, training and support to more than 200 schools across Warwickshire, Coventry and beyond.
They are excited to be in a phase of growth and are looking for a committed and enthusiastic programme manager to join their team. They are looking to recruit an experienced individual who understands effective professional learning and is committed to creating programmes to support schools to develop and improve.
As a senior member of the Gateway Alliance central team, the CPD Programme Manager will be responsible for the development and delivery of their annual CPD offer for schools across our large and growing network. They will ensure that their provision is of the highest quality, making Gateway Alliance the destination of choice for educational professional learning across the region and beyond.
If you believe you have the skills, experience and expertise to develop and manage our CPD Programme for schools, we would love to hear from you.
For the full job overview and to apply visit: https://gatewayalliance.co.uk/vacancies/
If you would like an informal conversation about the role please contact Helen Martin (Executive Director) on martin.h@welearn365.com to arrange a convenient time to talk.
Warwickshire Safeguarding Week 21 - 25 June 2021
‘A Focus on Exploitation - Bitesize’
Tackling Exploitation of Children and Adults in Warwickshire
Warwickshire Safeguarding invites you to its online bitesize learning events. This year we have a range of leading academics and speakers who will be sharing their knowledge and experience of exploitation on the following topics, as well as providing some local context: There will also be a powerful and thought-provoking theatrical online performance from ‘Loudmouth’ on the topics of CSE and Criminal Exploitation. The learning events aim to raise awareness, understanding and confidence in engaging with the issue of exploitation, in all its different forms.
The bitesize events are designed for professionals working with children, young people and adults from across the Warwickshire Safeguarding partnership i.e. Health Sector, Police, Social Care, Education, Voluntary & Community organisations, Faith Groups, Fire & Rescue Services, Trading Standards etc.
All events are free to attend, to book your place, follow the link to complete the Booking Form: https://forms.office.com/r/JDg3gFkHzn.
For more information about these Events, please contact the Warwickshire Safeguarding Business Team via: wsab@warwickshire.gov.uk.
Download their flyer.
New School Admission Code published by Department for Education
Following national consultation last year, the DfE published a new School Admission Code this week containing a number of changes and clarifications.
The main purpose of these changes is to improve support for the in-year admission of vulnerable children.
The changes include introducing more detail on the process for managing in-year admissions; changes to improve the effectiveness of Fair Access Protocols; giving children adopted from state care outside of England equal admissions priority as children who were previously looked after in England; and clarification of which address to use for the admission of service or crown servant children.
The changes were announced on Thursday 13th May and further detail on the impact to the operational aspects of the admission process in Warwickshire will be sent out to all schools and WCC's admission authorities shortly and will feature in next week's Heads Up.
Children and young people urged to share their hopes for the future in national survey
Children and young people across our county are being urged to have their say on their hopes for the future, in the biggest ever survey of its kind in England.
Warwickshire County Council is calling for children aged between four and 17-years-old to take part in the The Big Ask survey, the results of which will inform a review aimed at tackling “generational problems that have held back too many children for decades”.
The Big Ask has been launched by the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza. In the survey children are being asked how happy they are about aspects of their lives, and what they think stops children achieving their aims and goals when they grow up.
The survey will run until 28 May and asks children across England to set out their priorities for improving childhood post-COVID.
Under the Child Friendly Warwickshire programme the council is committed to working with organisations and business to help make the county the best it can be for children and young people to live, learn and grow.
The results from The Big Ask help inform the Childhood Commission, a once in a generation review of the future of childhood, inspired by the ambition of William Beveridge’s pioneering 1940s report, which laid the foundations of the post-War social security system.
The Childhood Commission will identify the barriers preventing children from reaching their full potential, propose solutions and come up with targets by which improvements can be monitored.
The survey – which has had more than 300,000 responses nationally so far – is completely anonymous and does not ask children to submit any directly identifiable information.
So please encourage pupils take part, and adults can give their views too in the section for over 18s: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/thebigask/
Reformed NPQH Qualifications
National professional qualifications (NPQs) reforms - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Those new to headship or in their second year should particularly note the following:
Additional support offer for the NPQH
In addition to the reformed suite of National Professional Qualifications, the department is introducing an additional support offer for new head teachers from September 2021. This is a targeted support package for teachers new to the role of headship.
You are eligible for this targeted support package if you meet all of the following:
- are in your first 2 years of headship
- have either completed the reformed NPQHbefore taking up your first headship post or are currently taking the NPQH
- have not withdrawn from or failed the same programme previously
- are employed by an eligible school upon starting the training
The same 9 lead training providers who will deliver the reformed suite of NPQs will also deliver this additional support offer.
Origin Maths Hub Leadership and Management roles
Origin Maths Hub Leadership and Management Team Roles (September 2021 - July 2022)
- Assistant Maths Hub Lead (Primary) - 1 day per week; 39 days across the year
- Assistant Maths Hub Lead (Secondary) - 1 day per week; 39 days across the year
- Assistant Maths Hub Lead (Post 16) - 0.5 days per week; 19.5 days across the year
To find out more and apply, please use this link:
https://originmathshub.tgacademy.org.uk/opportunities/maths-hub-leadership-and-management-team-roles/
The deadline for applications to these roles is 9am on Friday 28th May.
Origin Maths Hub Professional Development Lead Opporunities
Origin Maths Hub Professional Development Lead Opportunities
We are looking for new leaders of mathematics professional development opportunities, from EYFS to post 16, including those who might be able to share their experiences of working on mathematics with students with SEND.
As part of this, we are also currently recruiting for fully funded places on these mathematics teacher professional development programmes:
- Primary Teaching Maths for Mastery Specialist Programme – find out more here
- Secondary Teaching Maths for Mastery Specialist Programme – find out more here
- Professional Development Lead Accreditation Programme – find out more here
A summary of these is collated here https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?e=[UNIQID]&u=cecc067594dcdc533aa8b6929&id=87aaf0b939
The deadline for applications to these programmes is 9am on Friday 28th May. You can also get in touch with us for more information on the range of opportunities available (office@originmathshub.tgacademy.org.uk).
Origin Maths Hub Teaching Maths for Mastery Programme
Origin Maths Hub Teaching Maths for Mastery Programme -
Applications open for primary and secondary schools to take part next year
These free and fully funded Work Groups support schools to develop strong curriculum, teaching and professional development practices that reflect a teaching maths for mastery approach. They are for schools who have not previously engaged in any Teaching for Mastery Work Groups with Maths Hubs.
The deadline for applications to these Work Groups is Monday 7th June.