Key national updates
Ofsted launches consultation on changes to inspecting Initial Teacher Education (ITE)
Earlier this week Ofsted published a consultaton on their new approach to inspecting initial teacher education. Ofsted is seeking views from a wide range of respondents on the draft framework and inspection handbook, including trainee and newly qualified teachers, ITE partnerships, headteachers and other employers. The consultation is open for 10 weeks and will close on 3 April 2020.
Read the press release here
View the draft handbook and respond to the consultation here
DfE announces replacement for P scales 1-4
A new 'engagement model' has been announced by the DfE to assess pupils working below the standard of the national curriculum tests and not engaged in subject-specific study. The new model, which replaces P scales 1-4, will assess pupils across five key areas - exploration, realisation, anticipation, persistence and initiation - and subject to consultation and a final decision by ministers will become statutory from September 2020.
Read the draft guidance and view the engagement model information video here.
Period product scheme for schools and colleges in England
The DfE has introduced a new scheme to provide free period products for all learners who attend state-maintained schools or who are in 16-19 education in England.
Education providers will be able to order a range of products including tampons and sanitary pads at any point during the year through the contracted supplier, Personnel Hygiene Services (phs), which are then delivered free of charge.
Providers have an allocated amount that they can spend on products between January 2020 and December 2020 that has been calculated based on numbers of students whose legal gender is female and who, based on age, are likely to have started their periods.
You can find out more about the scheme on the DfE website here.
Government proposals to increase teacher starting salaries from September 2020
The DfE has announced proposals to introduce salary rises of 6.7% for early-career teachers and 2.5% for experienced teachers and school leaders in England.
Changes would only apply to teachers employed under the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) and would come into force from September 2020. The government says that schools will receive additional funding to help them cover the costs of the pay awards however the amount is yet to be confirmed.
See more detail on the proposals here.