| | | |
At the end of a very challenging autumn term, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued hard work and commitment to providing the best educational experience for children and young people.
We wish you all a happy and safe Christmas break and we look forward to working together throughout 2021.
| | | | |
|
|
|
International Day of People with Disabilities"15% of the world's population, or more than 1 billion people, are living with disability.Of this number, it's estimated 450 million are living with a mental or neurological condition and two-thirds of these people will not seek professional medical help, largely due to stigma, discrimination and neglect. 1 in 160 children are identified as on the autism spectrum" https://idpwd.org/
|
| |
|
|
Thursday 3 December 2020 is the annual celebration of people with disabilities. The theme for this year is 'Not all Disabilities are Visible'. The day aims to promote the awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and cognitive dysfunctions, among others. The Autism and CCN, Educational Psychology, Learning Support and Sensory Impairment teams all support children and young people with disabilities and difficulties that are not always visible. The teams help promote awareness, understanding and implement interventions and approaches to support the needs of children and young people with disabilities such as vision and hearing impairments, Specific Learning Difficulties, complex communication needs and mental illness. It's important that non-visible disabilities are detected, recognised and addressed to help remove barriers to learning and improve access to the curriculum for all children and young people. For further information on assessment, intervention, tuition and training available to those who support children and young people with special educational needs in schools, visit the support services pages or contact us to discuss your requirements for support. | | |
|
"I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing PowerPoint and for the time that you plotted to spend some time talking about my hearing and about being deaf itself with others. I really enjoyed and learnt a lot more about being deaf and the types of ways to learn about my ears. Thank you so much it meant a lot."
We received this feedback from a 6th form profoundly deaf pupil after Mel Westwood, Hearing Impairment Teacher with the Sensory Impairment Team delivered 'peer awareness' training with a group of college students. 😊
|
|
|
|
|
|
Staff updatesWelcome Tina Partridge, Group Manager for SEN Support Services. Tina has worked in education for over 17 years as a qualified teacher in secondary mainstreams, SENCo and Teacher of SEND in specialist settings. In school settings she has gained management experience through middle and senior management roles. She has 7 years' experience of working in local authority SEND services in roles such as Advisory Teacher, Specialist Teacher, Lead Professional and has recently joined us following her experience of managing an Autism team in Solihull Inclusion Service. She is looking forward to developing SEND Support in Worcestershire Children First and working with Worcestershire schools, children and families. | | |
|
|
- Welcome Yusuf Hussain who has joined the Education Welfare Service as Education Prosecutions Officer.
- Goodbye and thank you to Linda Webb a teacher with the of the Vision Impairment team
- Kate Breakwell, Medical Education Team Lead will be leaving Worcestershire Children First at the end of term.
- Congratulations Mary Jenkins and Karen Lindley who have both just acquired their Certificate of Psychometric Testing, Assessment and Access Arrangements. This will enable them to become assessors for access arrangements for public exams. At this time of year with deadlines looming in High Schools we are fortunate to have two more members of the team qualified to carry out this work.
| | |
Statutory assessmentHaving a named provider is a statutory requirement. Maintained schools receive this automatically. If you are part of an academy which converted before the 1st September 2020, you will need to nominate a Statutory Assessment provider. WCF on behalf of Worcestershire Local Authority can provide an assessment service. If you have any queries please contact Jane Howard: jhoward@worcschildrenfirst.org.ukKS1 and KS2 moderation trainingWatch out for our suite of training packages for KS1 and KS2 moderation coming soon on CPD online. Training includes 'New to Year 2 and 6', as well as refresher training on EXS and GDS in writing. There will also be training on KS1 reading and maths. A full breakdown of all Statutory Assessment plans, key dates and arrangements for monitoring, will shortly be sent to all Headteachers. Please watch out for the email! Phonics Screening ChecksPhonics Screening Checks for Year 2 can be carried out any time in the 2nd half of the Autumn term and data is due to WCC by 11th Dec. If you are struggling to meet this deadline due to staffing issues, please contact Jane Howard: jhoward@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
|
| |
School admissionsHigh School applicationsThe closing date for High School applications has now passed. School Admissions are currently processing the applications and co-ordinating with other local authorities. Towards the end of November Admissions will be sending all the own admission authority High Schools a ranking list spreadsheet containing all the applications for each school. Your School Admission Officer will be fully aware of the ranking list they receive annually, which they rank into priority order in line with your admission arrangements. As part of that ranking list distances for every applicant can be provided. Although the closing date for First/Primary and Middle schools is not until the 15th January 2021, after that date, we will go through the same process of issuing those schools with a ranking list spreadsheet in February. | | | Distance Measurement serviceYou can purchase measurements provided from 1st September 2020 until the 31st August 2021 as part of the Distance Measuring Service. The measurements provided in that time frame will be for applications received in-year, and applications submitted for places to start at your school in September 2021, your normal intake. For those of you that have already purchased the service on the eStore, your spreadsheet will include distance measurements. For those of you that have not yet done so, and wish to purchase the service, please do so as soon as possible to avoid delay. If you wish to discuss this service with us, please do not hesitate to email us: schooladmissions@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk for further details. If you are a newly converted academy, this may be the first time you have received a ranking list of applicants, please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like any advice or support in relation to admissions. | | | | Primary/First and Middle School Applications – Closing Date for Applications 15th January 2021.
Thank you to all those schools that have been in touch with us so far to check that students due to leave next year, moving on to middle schools, have already made applications. For those of you who have nursery provision, you will already be talking to parents about the importance of making an application for starting school. If you have not already done so, please contact your Area Placement Officer within School Admissions who will be able to identify to you any students who have not yet applied. We are asking all Primary/First and Middle Schools to assist us in emphasising to parents the importance of making an application on time. Could you please ensure that you include in your school communication to parents/carers, a reminder that the closing date for applications is the 15th January 2021 and encourage them to make on-time applications for phased transfer.
Suggested communication to parents/carers:
The importance of making an admissions application on time cannot be stressed enough. A late application can only be considered after applications received on-time. This places late applicants at a disadvantage. In some areas with limited places, families applying late, cannot be accommodated in their local schools, and in some cases, have not been able to attend the same school as their siblings.
Please make your Primary/First and Middle school application by 15th January 2021. | | | Vision Impairment Service Working GroupClaire Bradnock, Senior Qualified Teacher of Children with a Vision Impairment for the Sensory Impairment Team, chaired the first VISWG Meeting (Vision Impairment Service Working Group) on the 25 th November. Talking about the new group Claire said "It is an exciting opportunity I have set up to get everyone who provides a service for children and young people with a vision impairment in Worcestershire together. We will be meeting three times a year and be able to discuss issues and celebrate/ further the outcomes of children within Worcestershire. We had 14 representatives from Health, Education, a parent representative, SENDIASS, RNIB, NATSIP, VIEW, LOOK, RSBC. It will improve communication and develop an ongoing correspondence with multi professional working. It went well and I am hopeful it will be an invaluable link for us all." | | |
|
|
|
Planning and providing effective remote learningThis webinar for KS1-KS4 will consider the latest government guidance (DFE: October/Nov 2020) in developing and supporting effective remote learning. Based on current research from the EEF, we will consider and review key principles for remote learning and review effective strategies and activities that can support, build and sustain the implementation of remote learning.
|
| |
|
|
We will also provide colleagues with an opportunity to review current practice, its effectiveness and consider possible areas for further development. - 08 December 2020, 3.30pm to 5pm, course code: SCH/20/304
- 15 December 2020, 3.30pm to 5pm, course code: SCH/20/305
- 12 January 2021, 3.30pm to 5pm, course code: SCH/20/305
- 18 January 2021, 3.30pm to 5pm, course code: SCH/20/305
Your school CPD leader can book your place via CPD online. | | | Pupil Premium PlusPupil Premium Plus for Previously Looked After Children is available to pupils from reception age to Year 11 in state-funded education in England who: - have been adopted from care in England or Wales
- left care under a Special Guardianship Order (SGO)
- left care under a Child Arrangements Order (formerly known as a Residence Order)
Pupil premium plus is currently £2,345 per child per year. For schools to access the funding, parents and guardians must declare their child's adoptive, SGO or CAO status directly to the school before the school completes the January census Parents and guardians must provide evidence, for example, a copy of the legal order, or a confirmation letter from the local authority which placed their child. Parents should not need to declare their child's status again until the child changes school. Schools should ensure parents and guardians are aware of this funding available to support attainment and wider needs. Now is an ideal opportunity to highlight this, via your school newsletter or school website before the January census. Should you need further support with this or any query regarding Previously Looked After Children, please contact: Jade Busby 01905 846125 jbusby@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk | | | Ready Steady WorcestershireThe Government have awarded funding to local authorities to continue the provision of Free School Meals over forthcoming holidays. In response Worcestershire Children First have launched ' Ready Steady Worcestershire' a webpage providing information about food, activities and support available to families during the school holidays. Information about schools' responsibilities around free school meals during the coronavirus outbreak can be found on the Gov.uk website. Note to schools - parents whose child/ren are already in receipt of FSM do not need to reapply. | | |
|
|
|
Early years in schools- Early years webinars
- Effective learning throughout continuous provision
- EYFS briefings for schools
- Early years Pupil Premium
- EYFS reforms
| | |
|
|
Early years webinarsA range of webinars have been uploaded to the Worcestershire Children First Early Years You Tube channel to support early years practitioner learning in a range of subjects. They include: - Introduction to the Pre-School Forum
- The Graduated Response in Early Years Provision
- Local Inclusion Fund
- Special Education Needs and Disabilities Information Advice Service
- Supporting children who have vision impairments
Further webinars are in development and will be uploaded by the end of the term in the following subjects: - Supporting children with physical disabilities in early years settings
- Education Health Care Plans in the Early Years Parental Engagement and Support – SEND
| | | Effective learning throughout continuous provisionIf a child is curious about something they've just seen or heard, how can you encourage them to find out more and still be an independent learner?Continuous provision describes the exciting learning that is available in the environment every day to the children, both inside and outside. During 'The importance of the characteristics of effective learning throughout continuous provision' course we will explore part of your essential role as an adult in the early years' environment - observing how the children are learning, in other words, the characteristics of effective learning. Where do you see children 'having a go' at a new learning opportunity and how do you encourage them to continue? 10 February 2021, 1pm to 3pm, course code: SCH/20/31611 February 2021, 1.15pm to 3.15pm, course code: *SOLD OUT* 24 February 2021, 1pm to 3pm, course code: SCH/20/317 | | | EYFS briefings for schoolsOur free virtual early years briefing sessions for Worcestershire schools will provide local and national EYFS updates and new documentation along with key dates in the early years' world. If you have any specific questions/ topics that you would like addressed or discussed at these briefings, please email: gdeakin@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk. Dates for the Spring term 2021• Wychavon: 19 January 2021, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, course code: SCH/20/277 • Malvern: 20 January 2021, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, course code: SCH/20/278 • Bromsgrove and Redditch: 25 January 2021, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, course code: SCH/20/279 • Worcester: 26 January 2021, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, course code: SCH/20/280 • Wyre Forest: 28 January 2021, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, course code: SCH/20/281 Dates for the Summer term 2021• Wychavon: 21 April 2021, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, course code: SCH/20/283 • Malvern: 22 April 2021, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, course code: SCH/20/284 • Bromsgrove and Redditch: 27 April 2021, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, course code: SCH/20/285 • Worcester: 28 April 2021, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, course code: SCH/20/286 • Wyre Forest: 29 April 2021, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, course code: SCH/20/287 Please ask your school CPD leader to book your place via CPD online. | | | Early Years Pupil PremiumDo you have any children who are 3 or 4 years old and are looked after (children in the care of Worcestershire Children First) or have been looked after in the past (now have an Adoption Order or a Special Guardianship Order or a Child Arrangement Order)? Do you know that you can claim the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) for those children?The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) is an extra payment of £302 from the Government given to you for the universal 15 hours only (not for 30 hours or for 2-year olds). This additional funding will help you to provide additional interventions to raise the attainment and accelerate the progress for individual children in order to help them reach their full potential alongside narrowing the gap in learning for vulnerable children and their peers. To claim EYPP for a CLA or PLAC just complete the relevant section on your provider funding portal. If you need any further assistance regarding claiming the EYPP funding contact: NEF@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk or telephone 01905 844 441. For any further assistance regarding preschool aged Children Looked After or Previously Looked After Children please contact Sara Haigh (Early Years Area Learning Advocate): shaigh@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk or telephone 01905 843 797. | | | EYFS reformsOn 1 July, the government published its response to the consultation on the EYFS reforms. Amongst the objectives of their proposed reforms are to improve outcomes for all children at age 5 and to reduce workload so that the early years practitioners and teachers can spend more time supporting children in rich daily activities. September 2020 saw some schools choosing to participate in the EYFS early adopter year ahead of the statutory rollout in 2021/2022. There are 20 early adopter schools in Worcestershire. These schools are currently delivering the new learning and development requirements to all early year's classes. Read more about the early years' reforms, adopter schools, development matters and EYFS curriculum training. | | |
|
Follow our education services social media |
|
|
Attendance codesWe have been asked by the DfE to advise schools to check they are using the correct attendance codes. Before the summer holidays, different MI systems took slightly different approaches to recording attendance, especially around Covid-19 reporting such as the number system used by SIMs and the use of the Y code. The DfE issued updated guidance in August 2020 for recording school attendance and have now advised that they expect all MI systems to be able to record attendance as per the guidance. If you are concerned that your MI system is not recording attendance properly, we would advise you to contact the support team for your MI system as soon as possible, as otherwise there may be issues for the Census etc. Please note for most schools the MI system is likely to be up to date regarding attendance codes. This message is for those schools who have not had an update to their MI system since before the start of term and are using codes that do not match the current guidance. | | |
DSL Network Conference Thank you to all that attended the DSL Network Conference. The virtual conference was attended and enjoyed by over 210 delegates. Feedback has been amazing with delegates saying they found the content helpful and inspiring. "Informative, thought- provoking, relevant to my role, well planned "
"Very engaging speakers and informative information given. Feel totally prepared to support when needed."
"Informative, current and well-paced information shared well."
|
|
|
|
Watch the Headteacher briefingDue to technology issues we were unable to broadcast a live headteacher briefing on Monday 30th November. We have, however, recorded the briefing, which is now available to view on our You Tube channel. | | |
|
|
- Sarah Wilkins, Director of Education & Early Help, WCF - Welcome, Impact of Covid-19 on Worcestershire schools and settings, Ready Steady Worcestershire, Free School Meals Vouchers
- Dr Kathryn Cobain, Director of Public Health, WCC - Public Health Update
- School Improvement Team, WCF - Sharing Best Practice:
- remote learning
- catch-up funding
- practical ideas to support monitoring
- resources to support teachers
- Jane Spilsbury, HMI, Ofsted - Ofsted Update
| | |
Virtual course joining instructionsJoining instructions for our virtual training and events should arrive with delegates at least a week before the event or will be included with your booking if booked within days of the event. If you do not receive your joining instructions with a week to go then please contact the training team, call: 01905 844 420 or email: workforcesupport@worcschildren.org.uk. Requests to reissue joining instructions and provide support may take up to 72 hours to process. |
Please continue to check junk mailWe've received concerns that there may still be an issue with WCF emails being delivered to junk mail. Please continue to check your junk mailbox and alert us if the problem persists. Please add WCF emails to your safe senders list. | | | |
