HEADS UP

Heads Up 23 June 2023

Securing the Best Start to Life

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Wellbeing for Warwickshire is a single place to go for help with mental health and wellbeing. An introduction to Wellbeing for Warwickshire can be found here.

Wellbeing for Warwickshire aims to support in a way that suits the individual, and can offer:

  • Courses and learning workshops
  • Digital counselling
  • Drop-in hubs
  • Information
  • One-to-one sessions
  • Support at home
  • 24/7 telephone line
Wellbeing for Warwickshire resources and support can be found here: https://wellbeingforwarwickshire.org.uk/
Warwickshire Safeguarding website provides guidance and resources to support all staff in safeguarding adults who they work with.  

Mental Health and Wellbeing / Support for Practitioners

The NDNA is currently offering a free, online course on Supporting Wellbeing in the Early Years Workforce. The course is aimed at practitioners who want to know the basics of mental health and wellbeing. The course will help practitioners to assess their own personal wellbeing with ideas for appropriate steps they can take to improve it.  

Key topics covered include:

  • Different types of wellbeing
  • Tips for improving mental and physical wellbeing
  • Tips for combating stress
A link to find out more about the course and a link to book can be found here. https://ndna.org.uk/.../free-supporting-well-being-in.../

The NDNA also provide some free resources which could support settings when considering supporting practitioners’ wellbeing and mental health. These include:

  • Writing a wellbeing policy
  • Wellbeing factsheets
  • Wellbeing inspiration
A link to these resources can be found here: https://ndna.org.uk/childrens-well-being-and-staff-well.../

Anna Freud has created some resources to support staff’s wellbeing in early years setting.These include posters on:

  • Writing a wellbeing policy
  • Leading a staff meeting on wellbeing
  • Different levels of support you may offer

These resources and some further research around the resources offered can be found here.

Anna Freud have also recorded a webinar on Supporting Staffs Wellbeing in Early Years which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddnz19sC1VA&fbclid=IwAR3Dwi44EOEVDRYRFk-jKEjFyTrmlBAJgz-p1P5s4lZwS1rRMKsqXwjG_28

Speech, Language and Communication Pathway for 0-5s

Time to talk are beginning to lay foundations for a Speech, Language and Communication Pathway for  0-5s in Warwickshire. They are eager to hear from as many people as possible to find out your thoughts, experiences, views, and suggestions for what a strong and effective pathway might look like.

Please could you take a few minutes to complete the consultation questionnaire here: https://forms.office.com/e/mtS9gr1kgr

They are keen for as many people who have, or care for, children aged 0-5. They would also like to hear from as many professionals (paid or voluntary) who provide services for children aged 0-5.

The closing date for responses is Friday 7th July 2023.

Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2023: summary of changes

The Department for Education (DfE) has published an updated version of the statutory safeguarding and child protection guidance for schools in England, Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE).1 This guidance will replace KCSIE 2022 when it comes into force on 1 September 2023.

For more information click here.

Vodcast on EYFS Consultation

In this new Foundation Years vodcast, Ada Simpson (Head of Early Years Quality in Settings) and Daniel Blenkley (Early Years Qualifications Policy) from the Department for Education discuss the current EYFS Consultation, explaining the proposals and answering questions sent in advance by Foundation Years subscribers.

You can watch the vodcast via the link below and download the slides here -https://mcusercontent.com/.../EYFS_Consultation_Vodcast... .

Online event 6 July

Bookings are open for Foundation Years’ next free online event on 6 July 2pm to 4.40pm.

Attendees will have the chance to hear from:

  • Department for Education on the EYFS Consultation
  • Educational Endowment Foundation on the evidence behind approaches to Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
  • Education Development Trust on Early Years Professional Development Programme (EYPDP)
  • Ofsted on their newly launched resources for the sector
These events provide the opportunity for you to engage, connect and share best practice, including through putting questions to these expert speakers.
You can book to attend here.

Ofsted Consultation

This consultation seeks your views on proposals for changes to Ofsted’s post-inspection arrangements, including how they handle complaints about their work. Your feedback will help them refine and improve their proposed approach ahead of implementation.

The closing date for this consultation is Friday 15 September 2023 at 11:59pm.

Have your say here. 

International perspectives on early years

This Ofsted report explores the aims and purposes of early years provision in an international context.

Warwickshire Schools Library Service are delighted to reveal the longlist for the Warwickshire TEEN Book Award 2023

The Warwickshire Teen Book award takes place in the Autumn term is aimed at students in Year 9 and above. All schools are invited to take part.

The team at WSLS, with the expert help from our secondary school librarians, have carefully selected a longlist of 10 books. These are some of the most exciting books published in the past year.

We hope that they will inspire, challenge and leave a lasting impression on your students. For more information or to take part, please fill out the following form https://forms.office.com/e/PBR3aeK0Xi by Monday 14th July or email schoolslibraryservice@warwickshire.gov.uk. 

Supporting Inclusion for SEND and Vulnerable Groups

Professionals' webinar - find out more about the new Community Autism Support Service

Professionals working with neurodivergent individuals in Warwickshire are invited to join a webinar on Wednesday 5 July 2023, to understand the support available through the recently enhanced All-Age Community Autism Support Service (CASS). 

Building on the existing provision, CASS has now been expanded to provide additional support to anyone living in Coventry or Warwickshire who may self-identify as autistic, those awaiting an autism assessment and those with an autism diagnosis.  

Its main aim is to improve people’s understanding of autism and contribute to greater lived experience – helping to support self-esteem, confidence, relationships and to improve emotional wellbeing and mental health. 

The service draws on the collective strengths of local organisations Coventry and Warwickshire Mind and Act for Autism, working in a collaborative partnership with Autism West Midlands. It has been commissioned jointly by Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board.  

Colleagues across the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care System, including those working in education settings, are being invited to attend the webinar to learn about the enhanced service, including the range of support now available and how this can be accessed. Anyone who may be in contact with families or individuals who might benefit from this service are encouraged to attend, to learn more about the service and to be able to make referrals or signpost appropriately. 

The webinar will: 

The webinar will take place on Wednesday 5 July 2023, 1pm- 1.45pm and you can register now through the following link: Introducing CASS Webinar: Registration Link 

For any queries, please contact disabilitiescommissioning@warwickshire.gov.uk. 

You can contact the Community Autism Support Service (CASS) by: 

  • Calling a dedicated local-dial telephone support line (024) 76 012333 – five days a week (Monday–Friday), 8am–8pm
  • Browsing for the dedicated website www.casspartnership.org.uk  – hosting information, guidance and signposting links and online referral.
  • Emailing navigation@casspartnership.org.uk  
  • Updates and service news will be posted on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn – search for @casspartnership

 

Celebrating Warwickshire’s Family of Schools

Education Strategy - Public Survey

Thank you to all Heads who have given feedback on the draft priorities of our developing Education Strategy 2024-2030. In response to your contributions, we have:
  • Updated, specified and defined our principles and priorities.

  • Begun drafting our strategy making connections to the Children and Young People Strategy and its 5 pillars.

You can see more information about these here.

As a next step in our engagement, we are asking, please would you share the link to the: Education Strategy 2024-2030 public survey with your children, young people, staff, parents and carers. This will enable a wider range of stakeholders to contribute to our developing strategy.

For more information please read the release here. 

Leadership NPQs for Primary Schools with Coventry & Central Warwickshire Teaching School Hub

Loudmouth sessions available this term

As you may know, Warwickshire County Council is providing 90% subsidy for schools to have  Helping Hands, our interactive theatre in education programme on staying safe in on and offline relationships. The programme takes, a safe, sensitive and age-appropriate look at issues including domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation, knife crime and county lines.

Sessions must take place before the end of March 2024 so if you haven't already booked your session, do get in touch while the funding's still available! "Professional, friendly, knowledgeable, confident and the best fun! The pupils loved them, I have never seen our children so engaged and enthralled - the sometimes difficult and sensitive messages were delivered with assurance and the greatest care." - Director of Inclusion/Safeguarding

The programme is suitable for Year 4 & 5 OR Year 5 & 6 and consists of a drama performance, character Q&A and discussion workshops. 

If you've already had the programme for some pupils this year, don't worry, we will work with you to select the appropriate year group/s and date for our next visit, to avoid repeat participants.

To book your session or if you have any questions please contact: caroline@loudmouth.co.uk or ring 0121 446 4880.

Secondary Induction/Transition Day postponed due to strike action

Further to the recent confirmation of strike action to be taken by NEU members on Wednesday 5th and Friday 7th July, the Warwickshire Secondary Induction Day (Transition Day) scheduled for Wednesday 5th July is to be postponed until Monday 10th July where necessary.

Strikes will affect some schools more than others, if schools are able to accommodate the original induction day date they may choose to do so. We anticipate that Secondary schools will coordinate with the primary schools local to them as necessary.

September 2023 Teaching School Hub NPQ Offers

If you would like to know more about Teaching School Hub NPQ Offers please download the file: September 2023 Teaching School Hub NPQ Offers

Helping children and young people pursue healthy lifestyles

Children and young people across Warwickshire are being encouraged to embrace healthy habits from an early age that will benefit them throughout their lives. 

Throughout June, Warwickshire County Council is putting a focus on providing support, tips, and resources to help everyone bring healthier choices into their daily routines. Living a healthy and balanced lifestyle improves overall well-being, enhances quality of life and increases life expectancy. 

For good childhood development and wellbeing, healthy eating habits should start from an early age. By fostering a positive relationship with nutritious foods, children can grow up with a solid foundation of healthy eating practices. 

Learning starts from birth so it’s important for families to create a healthy learning environment for a child to grow and develop. Whatever a child learns during the first years of their life will have a lasting effect on them and introducing them to lots of different food and offering a balanced diet of regular meals will give a healthy start in life. A good diet coupled with lots of opportunities to be active as early as possible can keep mind and body working well and reduce the risk of obesity. 

The WCC webpage, www.warwickshire.gov.uk/children-families/healthy-habits offers a comprehensive range of information, including useful tips, and practical advice for incorporating healthy food choices and keeping active into daily routines. 

Within the website's dedicated section on healthy eating, www.warwickshire.gov.uk/healthyeating older children and young people can access resources such as meal planning guides, understanding food labels, and tips for increasing fruit and vegetable intake. By utilising these resources, young people and their families can gain a better understanding of the components of a healthy and balanced diet. 

School aged children are offered nutritious balanced meals at Warwickshire’s schools with lots of choice on offer and dietary requirements catered for. This is a convenient option for parents and is available at no cost for children up to Year 2 and those on lower incomes who may be eligible for free school meals. A healthy and balanced meal plays a crucial role in improving children's concentration at school. People can find out if they can claim free meals for their child at school at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fsm. 

The Family Information Service is available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Residents can phone FIS for free on 0800 408 1558, email fis@warwickshire.gov.uk, get in touch on Facebook or Twitter or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/childrenandfamilies

Information of free Maths CPD for 2023/24

As Warwickshire's designated Maths Hub, Origin is excited to offer the following free Maths CPD for 2023/24:

Secondary Maths CPD 2023/24

  • Secondary Teaching for Mastery Development - comes with £2000 grant to support engagement. The DfE shared in their March announcement that they want 65% of Secondary Schools in England to be engaging with a Teaching for Mastery programme by 2025. See attached for more details on this programme and the link to reserve your school's place. We only have 4 places remaining for 2023. 
  • Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Maths - Secondary Early Career Teachers - Maths subject specific CPD that complements both Teaching for Mastery approaches in maths and the Early Career Framework programme.
  • Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Maths - Secondary Teaching Assistants NEW - Brand new programme for 2023 responding to feedback from Secondary schools nationally, a maths specific CPD programme for Teaching Assistants to build confidence and support them to be better equipped to support the students they work with in maths.
  • Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Maths - Secondary Non-Maths Specialist - Maths CPD for non-specialist QTS teachers or non-QTS non-specialist teachers that are teaching maths in KS3 or KS4. Opportunity to develop colleagues' skills in delivering Teaching for Mastery approaches within maths. 
  • Secondary MAT Maths Leaders Community - Professional development community for teachers that lead maths across multiple schools in a MAT/MAC that has at least one secondary school. 
  • Year 5-8 Continuity Work Group - Cross phase Work Group for colleagues that have responsibility for maths curriculum in years 5-8. The Work Group aims to improve the transition between primary and secondary, where possible we link feeder schools together to joint plan maths curriculums and gain access to high quality PD resources. 

Primary Maths CPD 2023/24

To reserve your schools place on any of these free programmes please contact Origin Maths Hub on Office@originmathshub.tgacademy.org.uk 

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