Need-to-know updates
National funding formula
According to TES, the DfE has said it will not publish its response to the national funding formula consultation until after the 8 June general election. This is because the pre-election 'purdah' period for the local elections in May has already begun, and will overlap with purdah for the general election in June.
Ofsted launches new good and outstanding logos
On 6 April, Ofsted launched a new logo for use by early years, education and children’s social care providers that have been rated as good, and have also redesigned their ‘Outstanding provider’ logo for use across all the areas inspected by Ofsted. Providers must now use their unique reference number to download the relevant logo which is available in a variety of formats for use on websites, stationary and other materials.
For more details visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofsted-launches-new-good-and-outstanding-logos
School census 2016 to 2017: guide for schools and LAs
Guidance to help schools complete and submit their autumn 2016 to summer 2017 school census data has been published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-census-2016-to-2017-guide-for-schools-and-las#history
National Citizen Service - excellent opportunity for 15-17 yr olds
National Citizen Service (NCS) is a once-in-a life time opportunity for 15-17 year olds. It helps build skills for work and life, while taking on new challenges and meeting new people. The Challenge is the country’s largest provider of NCS which runs during the summer and October half term.
NCS with The Challenge is split into three phases plus four social action days. Teams of diverse young people will partake in confidence-building activities such as rock climbing, abseiling and canoeing in phase one; independent living and professional industry coaching in phase two; whilst phase three culminates in teams creating and delivering social action projects that benefit their local community. This is followed up with a graduation ceremony and a signed letter from the Prime Minister! Participation in NCS can be used to evidence 30 hours work experience.
The programme costs over £1000 per young person, but thanks to government support they only ask for a £50 commitment fee from the young person, with discounts and financial support available and no cost to schools or colleges. There are no hidden costs.
Phil Whittaker is the regional school representative; if you have any further questions relating to the programme, feel free to contact him on: 07392873481 or at
philip.whittaker@the-challenge.org
For further information:
Call to Action: One Britain One Nation
One Britain One Nation (OBON) wants to utilise the strength of all people to build a proud nation where everyone has a strong shared sense of belonging and aspires to play an important role in the life of our nation, the future for our children.
OBON has already tangibly and powerfully demonstrated that Britain is a nation of passionate people and passionate united races. Their previous campaigns have brought tens of thousands of people together and already mobilised mainstream and government organisations, community groups, celebrities, religious leaders, big businesses, children and politicians to take up its vision and strengthen national identity. In October 2016 OBON won The Best Not For Profit Campaign for the North of England at a prestigious Awards Ceremony held in Manchester.
OBON is a Not- For- Profit organisation, free from political or religious affiliations. It is inclusive of all people regardless of their background.
Their Campaign “Count Me In”
OBON now wishes to build on the success that has been generated by reaching out to the children in our schools and all educational establishments and have initiated A Call to Action, asking them to join in celebrations on Friday 23 June 2017.
This day will give schools an opportunity to create a celebration as they see appropriate to demonstrate their patriotism and belief in Britain, express their sense of Britishness and gain a sense of belonging. Its focus will be to create a sense of national unity and pride by strengthening national identity and forging a sense of togetherness, so that every child can be inspired to love their nation.
It will encourage all children to be proud and responsible citizens, bolstered by self-esteem and the knowledge of the role they have to play in the country’s future. It will also allow children to restore, strengthen and promote the Fundamental British Values of tolerance, respect and fair play, a belief in freedom and democracy in accordance with the National Curriculum.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3s62l8ANmUs
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=8ngm90xlXK0
Some ideas
- Organise a face-painter who will give children an OBON flag on their cheek.
- Sign the ‘Count Me In’ charter, if you agree with the principles of unity and inclusion.
- Create a school project that focuses on the different cultures of children in your class.
- Write a poem/song that draws inspiration from OBON's aims.
- Make a video of you, your class, or your community singing the national anthem ahead of June 23 and send it to OBON for their YouTube channel.
- Ask your class to create a piece of artwork that shows people from all backgrounds joining hands.
- Tweet your pictures of the day to @1Britain1Nation using the hashtag #countmein
If you do get involved OBON would love to hear about it! Tweet @1britain1nation or email info@onebritainonenation.com or hmqueen90th@hotmail.com