Welcome

Welcome to this week’s Heads Up.

Warwickshire has, as I am sure you will all know, been in the news this week around the All About Me programme which has received significant coverage, all of which has been based on misrepresentation of the programme. The feedback on the PHSE Programme has been consistently positive over the seven years it has been running.

While it has caused considerable frustration, it has also seen Warwickshire’s education family pull together. We have presented a clear and united front in our efforts to reassure parents, governors and all involved with our children’s education that the All About Me programme is a thoroughly researched, evidence-based resource. It is not, as suggested by many of the stories intended to be seen by the children; it is to be used by our teachers to equip them with the expertise that will help them to help our children stay safe. So thanks to everybody for the measured approach that I have seen throughout the week.

As mentioned in an earlier September edition, we are busy planning for the Headteachers Conference on 22 October at Stoneleigh Park which I hope many of you have registered to attend already. If you haven’t done so yet, then I would encourage you to do so as it promises to be a really engaging event. You can find registration details here.

We’ll be joined by Ivan Humble whose fascinating story shows how restorative narratives have the power to transform lives. During the afternoon session (1.15pm to 3.30pm) the Children & Families team will be launching WCC’s renewed approach to Early Help. They will be sharing information about changes that will be made to help strengthen locality networks for practitioners and how family support will be made more easily accessible. There will be lots of take-aways include practical advice and sharing of excellent family support practice.

There has been lots of other activity in our offices since last week, including a visit from Hampshire County Council colleagues to exchange ideas on school improvement and support. It was a great opportunity to reflect on Warwickshire's improvement journey, make new connections and identify areas of practice we want to develop further together. 

We also welcomed colleagues from across the country as part of our peer review, looking at our Special Education Needs and Disability provision. It was an incredibly useful and insightful exercise that not only gave us a clear steer on areas for improvement, but also highlighted lots of good practice and support for the direction of travel within Warwickshire towards an inclusive approach to SEND.

It is an interesting time in the political arena, to say the least!  With Brexit looming, WCC is focusing on three key areas: supporting communities; supporting business, and our own business continuity. The Council’s work is supported by links to a national local authority network and central government to ensure consistency of messages to the community. Advice for schools in the event of a no deal EU exit can be found here.  

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With best wishes

Ian Budd

Assistant Director for Education Services