Dear Colleagues,

We recognise that it has been a week of difficult decisions for many this week, for individuals and for those managing our schools and settings as we saw the start of planned Industrial Action.  Thank you to those of you who let us know about whole school and part closures through our school closure process.  This is important for us and our wider community, including Emergency Planning colleagues to understand the impact across Warwickshire.  As a reminder, if your school is closing in full or in part, please follow this process to inform us and continue to do this during the next phase of industrial action. 

We were pleased to see our new Head Teachers conclude the last of their 8 Head Teacher Induction sessions this week, helping them to feel part of the Warwickshire family of schools.  Colleagues received a wealth of information from different teams, settings and partners from across Warwickshire and I hear that colleagues found the sessions useful and have established a good network.

We welcomed Sharon Kindred to our team on Monday, who has joined us as Lead Commissioner for School Improvement and Early Years.  Sharon joined us from headship and will be leading the Early Years Quality and Safeguarding Team.

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you that have shared your feedback on our proposed changes to SEND support services in Warwickshire so far, and to those helping to facilitate discussions with children and young people as part of these consultations. There is still time to respond if you haven't already, which you can do on behalf of your setting or individually, by visiting www.ask.warwickshire.gov.uk.

Best wishes 

Darren Barrow, 

School Improvement Lead and Sustainability Commissioner.