Important information from the Department for Education

We would encourage all schools to read this important update from the DfE which includes:

• information about current consultations on restraint and transport
• equipment and guidance to help schools respond in emergency medical situations
• guidance for contingency planning in relation to medicines and medical supplies in the case of a no deal Brexit

Government consultations on restraint and school transport

Please encourage people to respond to the two consultations below, this will help to ensure that the decisions to be taken by Ministers are informed by consideration of the full implications for pupils with special educational needs, disabilities and/or medical conditions.

1. Consultation on restraint 

Focus: To gather views on whether there is a need for guidance on reducing restraint and restrictive interventions for mainstream schools, mainstream post-16 settings and Alternative Provision; and whether guidance should apply to a wider cohort of children and young people with SEND.  

Closing date: 17 October 2019.

>>>FIND OUT MORE AND RESPOND<<<

2. Consultation on school transport for pupils aged under 16

Focus: Updating the statutory guidance for local authorities on home to school travel and transport (for pupils aged under 16). Specific issues touched on in the guidance and the consultation document include travel training, behaviour during travel and support during travel for pupils with medical conditions.

Closing date: 31 October 2019.

>>>FIND OUT MORE AND RESPOND<<<

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Support for medical conditions

1. A potential No Deal Brexit – contingency planning over medicines and medical supplies

The advice to schools is to continue with their normal arrangements for medicines and medical supplies to support pupils with health conditions. The government is working closely with the NHS and its suppliers to help ensure that supplies of medicines and medical devices can continue to flow into the UK without significant delays if the UK were to leave the EU without a deal. 

If schools have any concerns about being able to meet statutory duties relating to SEND, health and safety, or safeguarding, they should work with their local authority or academy trust to ensure there are robust contingency plans in place.

>>>CLICK FOR FURTHER GUIDANCE - BREXIT: INFORMATION FOR THE HEALTH AND CARE SECTOR<<<

The following arrangements can help schools respond in medical emergencies.

2. Medical supplies/medicines available to schools

a) Anaphylaxis: Adrenaline Auto-Injector devices

Since autumn 2017 schools in England have been able to buy adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) devices from a pharmacist without a prescription for emergency use on children who are at risk of anaphylaxis but whose own device is not available or not working. 

Government guidance advises schools on the supply, storage, care and disposal of AAIs, including ensuring on a monthly basis that AAIs are present and in date, and that replacement AAIs are obtained when expiry dates approach.

>>>VIEW THE GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF ADRENALINE AUTO-INJECTORS IN SCHOOLS<<<

b) Defibrillators

Schools and other education settings are encouraged to purchase a defibrillator as part of their first-aid equipment and can access a deal with the NHS Supply Chain to buy defibrillators at a reduced cost.

>>>VIEW THE GUIDANCE ON AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (AEDS) IN SCHOOLS<<< 

c) Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine programme for boys

As of 1 September the HPV vaccine is now being offered to boys (as well as girls), as part of the routine schools based schedule.

A Vaccine Update special on HPV was published in July 2019. Further information for parents of year 8 children and the children themselves can be found at the links below:

>>>HPV UNIVERSAL VACCINATION LEAFLET<<<
>>>VIDEO: WHAT IS THE YEAR 8 HPV VACCINE?<<<
 

For further information about any of the above, please email the Department for Education’s SEND Team on SEN.IMPLEMENTATION@education.gov.uk.
 

Did you have a dip in your reading results last year?

Warwickshire's results for reading in Key Stage 2 this year are above national, with 74% at the expected level compared with 73% nationally. However, we know that many schools were disappointed with their reading results in the 2019 SATs tests, and in comparison to the previous year this year's results represent a 4% drop in Warwickshire and a 3% drop nationally.

Whether you had a dip in results, or not, you may wish to read this interesting blog post from Herts For Learning, before abandoning any new approaches that you may have introduced in your school.

It gives a two-part analysis of the last KS2 SATs reading test, compared with the test in previous years. It is worth noting that the points raised in the blog may not apply to every school however we think it's definitely worth a read.

Blog - Part 1: https://www.hertsforlearning.co.uk/blog/reflections-analysis-2019-ks2-reading-sats-part-1

Blog - Part 2: https://www.hertsforlearning.co.uk/blog/reflections-analysis-2019-ks2-reading-sats-part-2

Annual training for designated teachers of CLA and CPLA

Don't forget to book your place on the Virtual School 2019 training for designated teachers of Children Looked After (CLA) and Children Previously Looked After (CPLA) starting in a few weeks.

If you would like to attend please contact the Virtual School as soon as possible or complete the booking form previously emailed to schools. Email: virtualschool@warwickshire.gov.uk or phone 01926 742018.

Anyone who has already confirmed their place will shortly receive a reminder email. 

Training date availability

Wednesday 9 October, Bulkington  - limited spaces

Thursday 17 October, Rugby College - limited spaces

Wednesday 23 October, Bulkington - spaces available

Thursday 7 November, Pound Lane - spaces available

Warwickshire Assessment training plan 2019/20

Please find below the link to the WCC Assessment Team Training plan for academic year 2019/20.

The courses in this booklet focus entirely on the specific teaching required to meet the standards set by the Standards and Testing Agency (STA), and therefore focus on improving pupil outcomes.  

It is a requirement of STA that we offer these courses but at the discretion of the school whether or not to attend them.

However, since all of the teaching is based upon a rich and exciting curriculum and the courses are full of practical ways for teachers to use the key knowledge we are giving them, we expect the courses to fill up quickly…so book early!

To book a place please click on the link provided within the booklet and complete the booking form.  

Please note: AGREEMENT TRIALLING MEETINGS will be advertised in the Autumn Term 2 – please look out for the ATM booklet via email.    

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS WCC ASSESSMENT TEAM TRAINING 2019/20

Attachment Aware and Trauma Informed School (AAS) Project

A new project to increase the understanding of attachment and trauma and ways to address this in education is already having a positive impact in Warwickshire schools.

The Attachment Aware and Trauma Informed School Project (AAS) is coordinated by the Warwickshire Virtual School and supported by the Educational Psychology Service. 

The focus of the project is on whole school training (this includes teaching, non-teaching and all allied support staff, including office staff, caretakers, school governors etc).

The key aims of the project are:

• Raising awareness and increasing understanding of the role of attachment and trauma in children’s education and strategies to better address their needs;
• Developing staff confidence and skills to address the needs of children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences/trauma and attachment difficulties;
• Promoting the development of relationships in school between adults and children/young people, with the emphasis on building positive relationships;
• Reducing exclusions from school and improving attendance;
• Improving educational progress and wellbeing of children.

Nine schools took part in the AAS Year 2 project and a further 14 schools are involved in the Year 3 project. The hope is that there will be a recruitment round for Year 4 towards the end of the Autumn term, so look out for further information in Heads Up. 

The Rees Centre, Oxford University has been undertaking an evaluation of the project, taking into account impact measures, and feedback from the Year 2 project has been very positive. There have been a range of significant changes noted in schools, helping to strengthen inclusive and nurturing practice, including

• whole school policy change
• small and large scale organisational change as a result of action research projects
• in one school, the development of safe spaces in all classrooms

The core training provided by the Educational Psychology Service covers an understanding of attachment theory and the evidence base to support it, the impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences on the developing brain and the ways in which children may communicate, via their behaviour, how they are feeling.  Other training opportunities included emotion coaching, developing resilience and reviewing Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) policies, in conjunction with a range of more bespoke inputs.

Here are some of the reflections from headteachers involved in the project: 

“Massive improvements in staff….especially NQT and new staff.”

“Reductions in serious behaviour incidents” (but also coincided with nurture provision)

“Feels like [staff have] more time for children.” 

“Understanding of how a child feels rather than [the focus being on what they] do.”

“Children on the cusp of exclusion ….being viewed differently.”

“Quieter classrooms”

“Makes things easier for all.”

“The environment is notably calmer.”

“Increased tolerance towards each other.”

“Explosions are managed in a different way.”

“Staff are more likely to theorise and experiment in their thinking about underlying triggers.”

“Children not in corridors”

“Changes in relationships with children…..staff relationship turned around.”

For more information about the project please contact virtualschool@warwickshire.gov.uk

National School Sport and Activity Action Plan

The School Sport and Activity Action Plan was released at the end of July and is a cross-government plan to raise the physical activity levels of children and young people both within and outside of school.

A key driver is that all children and young people have access to at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. The Department for Education, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Health and Social Care have committed to collaborate on the outlined plan.  

Key ambitions are:

1. All children and young people take part in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

2. Children and young people have the opportunity to realise developmental, character-building experiences through sport, competition and active pursuits.

3. All sport and physical activity provision for children and young people is designed around the principles of physical literacy, focuses on fun and enjoyment and aims to reach the least active.

There will be a greater emphasis on being active and providing more opportunities, for organisations to offer activities and for young people to experience these activities.

The plan references current programmes, some of which are delivered by Think Active (previously CSW Sport), including School Games, training for PE teachers and Primary PE and School Sport Premium and Satellite Clubs. There will also be opportunities for new programmes and regional pilots, including trialling new innovative joined up approaches between schools and local providers, utilising teaching schools to help improve the delivery and coordination of PE. 

A total of £6 million is also earmarked to support schools to deliver the new health and relationships curriculum. Further information about the details of the plan will be published by the government later this year.

If you would like further information on any of the programmes identified please contact Emma.sadula@coventry.gov.uk