It's a busy month with lots to look forward to! |
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Education Services
monthly newsletter |
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Discount on services ending soonThe 'early bird' discount for maintained school ends on 31st March 2021. To save on the cost of education services you usually purchase make sure to order before this date. Non-maintained schools have until 31st July 2021, to purchase and save on the full cost of services. View a list of traded services for schools in the 2021-2022 Education Services directory. If you wish to discuss your support requirements or do not see a service to meet your needs within the directory, then please contact the Traded Services team: Schoolservices@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk 01905 844300 | | |
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Virtual training to continueFollowing on from the government's announcement on 22nd February, outlining the roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions, we have made the decision to deliver all training virtually until at least the end of May 2021. Courses currently scheduled to be delivered face to face will be moved to virtual delivery or will be moved to a later date in the summer term. Details will be confirmed with delegates via CPD online. Throughout the pandemic we have continued to deliver high-quality training, across virtual platforms, as expressed by our delegates: "Considering this ended up being 'virtual' I think that Helen did an amazing job at still engaging us all." SENDCO and Pastoral Lead | | | Autism awareness intervention to help a pupil back into schoolThe Autism and CCN team were asked to deliver an autism awareness intervention to a Year 8 pupil who had not been attending school for a few months due to high levels of anxiety.The pupil had been becoming increasingly unable to attend school and was only attending school for short periods of time, prior to lockdown. The Specialist Practitioner worked with the pupil remotely, using word-based activities via email, to help him engage and feel happy about returning to school. SENCo feedback -Dec 2020: "[the pupil], is now attending school each day, after not being in school from March 2020 onwards.
The support [the pupil] has received from CCN has been instrumental in enabling him to return.
Thank you for the excellent support." | | |
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Become an Autism ChampionChange the daily lives of children with autism by becoming a champion for autism in your school. The Autism team have developed a new training programme to upskill a member of staff with a higher level of knowledge of autism. Once the member of staff has completed an appropriate level of training about autism, the champion will be able to offer support and be the agent for improving autism provision within the school. Who would make a good Autism Champion?Aside from a superhero cape 😊, the ideal person would have a keen interest in autism and a desire to improve their knowledge and practice. Find out how to become an Autism Champion | | |
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Become an Autism Awareness MentorAn Autism Awareness mentor is someone who has been trained to deliver one to one autism awareness to pupils, which helps them to understand their diagnosis and explain what it will mean to them. The mentor will help the child/ young person to communicate any issues and reflect on any stress or anxiety relating to their diagnosis. What our current mentors have said"A lovely aspect of this is that it has helped build the relationship with the pupil"
"having your expert knowledge and understanding of the pitfalls – I value all of it."
"I was really anxious about this, but it has been informative and delivered really well.
It was delivered in a way that I understand and know what I have to do. Thank you, I have loved it."Find out more about becoming an Autism Awareness Mentor | | |
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After 13 years on the Inclusion team, Michelle Tideswell (Early Years Inclusion, SENCo Support Advisor) has now left the company to work within the NHS as a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Practitioner.
Michelle has supported a large number of children with additional needs and disabilities, and many SENCo practitioners within Worcestershire will know her well. She will be greatly missed by the team and we wish her every success in her new role.
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Internal assessmentAlthough the DFE have announced that KS1 and KS2 SATs, along with statutory moderation, will not go ahead this year, we are aware that many schools would like an opportunity to revisit assessment, moderation and standardisation. To support this, we have created a range of CPD which will support teachers when making accurate end of year assessments. | | |
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The sessions will be practical and include resources which will support the development and assessment of writing, upon the return to school. Visit CPD online to view a range of professional development opportunities to support and further develop your internal assessment processes.Bespoke SLA training - for individual schools or small clusters. - Moderation and standardisation of writing in Year 1,3,4 and 5.
This training supports staff in knowing the expectations for their year band and how to assess against those expectations, in order to make secure assessments. - Moderation for Year 2 and Year 6.
Modelled on the STA official process this training is ideal for those schools who would like some external verification of their writing assessment in Year 2 and or Year 6. The process will be similar to an 'official' moderation visit and will support the school in achieving accurate end of KS1 and KS2 assessments. Please contact Jane Howard, Moderation Manager, to discuss your individual school training needs: jhoward@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk | | |
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Help us to support you: responding to bereavementWorcestershire Children First are working collaboratively with St Richards Hospice, KEMP Hospice and Primrose Hospice to create training for educational and childcare providers. The general focus is on supporting professionals within education settings in responding to bereavement, specifically in the immediate days and months following a significant death in the school community. We are keen to tailor the training to the needs of educational and childcare providers in Worcestershire. | | |
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SEND resourcesSEND team leaders and specialist advisers have collaboratively produced a suite of presentations focussing on key aspects of SEND and inclusion. These materials have been specifically designed as part of the SEND Improvement Strategy to support school leaders in developing the knowledge, skills, understanding and confidence of their workforce to effectively meet the needs of pupils with SEND and strengthen the school's capacity to deliver high quality SEND provision. | | |
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Please use the presentations in your school/setting as appropriate, to share key messages, reflect on current practices and identify areas for focused improvement. It is intended that these presentations will support schools in strengthening their inclusive practice and subsequently improve the consistency of high-quality SEND provision across Worcestershire schools and settings.
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| Below are the actions one SENCo plans to undertake following the Autumn 2020 programme: | | |
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SENCo Leadership Development ProgrammeThe popular and effective leadership development course for 'old and new' SENCOs is taking bookings for the summer cohort, due to start in April 2021. "I have thoroughly enjoyed this course and would recommend it to all SENCOs (old and new)."Across the 6-session programme SENCos and Inclusion Leads will explore the following key aspects: - Role of the SENCo - Leadership vs Management
- Statutory duties and processes re SEND
- Robust self-evaluation and action planning
- Implementing the Graduated Response, Assess-Plan-Do-Review
- Approaches to monitoring and evaluation
- Effective governance
- SEND funding and financial management
- Time management
- Reflection to identify next steps in your own setting
The course aims to provide participants with skills to develop a strategic approach to leading SEND and enable SENCos to reflect on current practices and identify approaches and ways to influence the quality of provision and further develop a wholly inclusive culture. Programme facilitator Helen Pretty, is a former SENCo and Senior Leader which gives her a clear insight into the day to day challenges faced when leading SEND and inclusion in schools. What SENCos found useful about the course:"Very good resources to support the practical role of the SENCo and the characteristics/profile session of SEN across the school" | | |
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"Loved meeting other SENDCOs, chances to network and hear what works well for other schools"
"Up to date SEND key messages and paperwork"
"Being able to ask specific questions about difficulties in our own settings"Full course details | | | The past year has been particularly challenging for many pupils. With remote learning, there is an even greater need to help struggling pupils make progress and close the gap. The Learning Support Team provides support to meet the needs of pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties (SPLD) and those struggling to engage or unmotivated to learn. A bespoke service is available virtually to offer pupil assessment and tuition, recommend effective strategies, inclusive practice and targeted interventions to improve access to the curriculum, accelerate progress and remove barriers to learning. Contact Helen Davies to discuss supporting your pupils' needs: Hdavies@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk | | |
The next WCF Headteacher Briefing is virtual and will take place on:
Tuesday 30 March at 10.00am - 12.00pm
The March briefing will include input from Sarah Wilkins, Director of Early Help and Education, the School Improvement Team and Tim Hill, Senior HMI Ofsted |
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Hearing Impairment case study: speech and language of two deaf young childrenThis is a case study of two deaf young children and how their journey as profoundly deaf siblings has progressed so far. Having gained little benefit from hearing aids both children received bilateral Cochlear Implants. One at eleven months old and the other at eight months old. The huge benefits of being implanted at an early age mean that both children have made exceptional progress with language development - language that is now age appropriate. "Hearing our young deaf daughters having a conversation with each other is truly unbelievable! I'm hearing but I have cochlear implants to thank for my favourite sound; their voices."Both siblings received regular visits from a Teacher of the Deaf from the Hearing Impairment team. | | |
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School inspectionsAll planned school inspection activity will be carried out remotely until 8 March at the earliest, however, Ofsted will continue to undertake on-site inspections if there are immediate concerns, for example, about safeguarding, the leadership of a school or a failure to provide education to children. If you're concerned that your school is not fulfilling the Ofsted framework, do something different. Why not see how our School Improvement team could help? Contact the School Improvement team: schoolImprovement@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk | | |
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Training team operating hours will change from April 2021. The training team phoneline: 01905 844420, will be manned on Tuesday and Wednesday 8.30am to 4pm and Thursday 8.30am to 2pm. Any calls received outside of these times will be returned during operating hours. If your query is not urgent (does not relate to a course in the next 24 hour period) please instead email your enquiry to: workforcesupport@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk, and we aim to respond as soon as possible. Full details of revised operating hours |
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Support to help pupils back to schoolLatest attendance guidance for schools:Schools coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidanceAs schools plan for the expansion of the number of pupils on site it is worth revisiting your school attendance action plan to ensure it is in line with current guidance and is robust in highlighting any attendance issues. All schools will need to proactively plan resources to support attendance and staff will need to have a shared understanding and responsibility of how to deal with any attendance matters as they arise. | | |
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The action plan should include - How you will effectively communicate the school's expectations and procedures around attendance to all pupils, parents and carers
- How you will proactively encourage pupils to return to school and reassure parents
- Identifying pupils and families who may need any extra support returning to school and what resources you will put in place to assist this
- Clear procedures to ensure your school is continuing to safeguard and support your most vulnerable/hard to reach pupils
The Education Welfare Service (EWS) is available to provide schools with specialist, practical support in all attendance related matters and can be tailored to your school's bespoke requirements. As EWS are able to provide an additional resource to schools, our qualified officers regularly undertake home visits, provide early help support and assessments and use their professional knowledge and experience to find creative ways to re-engage learners and reassure parents. If you would like to explore how an Education Welfare Officer may be able to support your school in ensuring your action plan and attendance practices meet the current legislation and DfE guidance please do contact us: EdWelfareCME@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk or call Michelle Fowler on 01905 844667. Further information on Education Welfare services can be found on pages 34-39 of the new WCF Education-services-directory-2021-2022 | | | Meeting agenda- Safeguarding updates - Denise Hannibal (Education Safeguarding Adviser) will provide updates on:
- KCSIE 2021
- early years
- Operation Encompass
- safeguarding subscription SLA 2021-2022
- MARAC process - Hayley Doyle (Area Safeguarding Officer)
- Early Help - Rachel Watkins (Early Help Partnership Development Officer)
- Get Safe – Emma Porter (Team Manager, FFD and Assessments)
Teams invites have been sent out to all DSLs if you would like to book on please email: hdawson@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk | | |
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Learn to support young people's mental healthRecord levels of young people are struggling. The pandemic and the resulting situation have contributed to an epidemic of poor mental health for many children and young people. As part of our Safeguarding offer, we deliver the Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Champion course for staff who support children and young people. | | |
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The one-day Youth MHFA course gives you an understanding of common mental health issues and how they can affect young people. The course also aims to prepare you with the skills and confidence to spot the signs of poor mental health in children and young people and guide them towards the support they need. The accredited one-day course qualifies you as a Youth MHFA Champion. The MHFA value the course at £200 but if you have purchased the Safeguarding subscription the cost is only £80+VAT. For non-subscribers the course cost is £160+VAT. The next scheduled Youth MHFA Champion course will take place virtually on: Tuesday 16 March 2021, 9am to 4.30pm, course code: SCH/20/175 A face to face course is scheduled for: Monday 12 July 2021, 9am to 4.30pm, Worcester, course code: SCH/20/380 Visit CPD online to book | | | Early Help case studiesWhat is Early Help? Early Help means providing support as soon as a problem appears, to stop it from getting worse. This could be at any point in a child's life, from birth to the teenage years. What is an Early Help Assessment (EHA)?The Early Help Assessment is a tool to assist any professional who is working with children, young people and families. It should be used where there are emerging welfare or well-being concerns. This is NOT a referral form but gives a framework to consider whilst working with a child or family. The safeguarding subscription offers schools an enhanced focus om safeguarding, including support for the correct application of safeguarding and Early Help referral pathways, along with resources to develop an Early Help model policy. The following Early Help case studies were presented at the Quality Assurance Group QAG for Worcestershire Children First on Friday 5th February. - Cookley Seabright Primary School Early Help
- St Bede's Early Help
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| If you have a question regarding support services or need help using eStore please contact:
Email: schoolservices@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
Telephone: 01905 844300 | | |
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