Dear Headteachers,

I hope the start to the new term has gone well for you all in what is a very busy time of year in preparing for exams and transitioning. 

In the SEND world, following on from my post last week about Young People Voice we will be inviting representatives from IMPACT to sit on the SEND Change Board and any other related boards where parents/carers also sit and contribute. This will strengthen the voice of young people with decision makers and ensure that they are heard, as well as contributing their own ideas and solutions to the system. 

We have been planning various initiatives regarding SEND and I will write more about this in the future, but it includes areas such as SEND training and legal guidance and advice. We are trying to work out the best way to get this communication across to schools, be it on the form of webinars or CPD events. 

This brings me onto my next area of priority, which is communication. In a county as large as ours, with over 250 schools and wide and varied geographical coverage, this presents obvious challenges. We have an Education Challenge Board, around 13 consortia primary areas and secondary heads associations in each district. This leaves me wondering how effective communication is between us as partners, and how any consistent messages are received or perceived. In addition, each district has its own unique context. I understand schools can be overwhelmed with the amount of information they receive from various sources and on different issues. 

I would like to undertake a review of communication and would welcome any thoughts or feedback from heads as to what is working well and what could be improved. Perhaps even starting with this weekly circular. 

Have a great weekend. 

Johnny Kyriacou,

Assistant Director for Education Services.