1

School Noticeboard

Edition 9: Thursday 10 November 2016

Inside this issue (click on links below):

From the Director 2 School closures in the event of severe weather 3 Secondary Education Sufficiency Requirements 2016-2020 3 Annual Anti-Bullying Week Event 2016: Friday 18 November 4 DfE Attendance Advice / Illness absence 4 Changes to the school audit visit programme 5 Mandatory Annual Return Form: Statutory Testing of Plant & Equipment 2016-17 5 EYSFF Autumn Term 2016 Data Collection: Reminder 6 Education Support Services Online: Coming Soon! 6 Invitation to join the Services For Education Moderation Teams 2017: EYFS, KS1 & KS2 7 Assessment briefings for Senior Leaders 7 Invitation to Schools/Youth Groups to perform at Library of Birmingham during Advent 8 Link2ICT School News - November 2016 8 Apple MAC: Active Directory Open Directory Integration: 8 December 2016 9 Funded aspirant leadership programme for Birmingham Early Years and Primary teachers 9 Senior Leaders Research Interest Group 10 Aston University Higher Education Advice Evening 10 Developing your TAs skills to raise standards in maths, reading or writing 11 Birmingham Grid - A SMSC Audit tool for any school 11

2

From the Director Dear colleagues, We start with Remembrance Day this week. During half-term I visited the site of the Battle of the Somme and the cemeteries looked after so immaculately by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. A keen student of history, I had read much about WW1 and taught it to generations of pupils in London. But this really brought home the horror and sadness of war. Let us all remember on Friday that “all gave some and some gave all”. We have had high quality conferences this week. At Primary Leaders, many delegates were moved to tears by Sir John Jones’ inspirational talk all about the influence of teachers on young people’s lives. Lots of primary schools use this conference as a unique opportunity for the whole SLT to take some time away from school to learn and reflect. It has a special place in the calendar. Hope that next year there is synchronisation between S4E and BEP on conference planning so heads don’t have to make a very difficult choice about which one to attend. The SENCO conference, organised by PSS/A2E, was very well received and good to see former PSS staff working at a national level with NASEN. Next week is Anti-Bullying Week which will culminate in an event at the Council House on Friday 18 November. This will be a great event showing everything happening in Birmingham to prevent and tackle bullying. Places can be booked online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/annual-brag-anti-bullying-week-event-2016-tickets-27994748045. Good to see lots of heads at the Headteacher Briefing this week and a full house signed up for next week at the MAC. We have a very full agenda ranging from dealing with white, green and other types of paper from DfE through to one young person’s journey from non-attendance to full engagement at one of our special schools. Out and about recently, a flying visit to St Mary’s CoE Handsworth and just caught the tail end of the joint Eid and Diwali assembly. Always good to visit this school which is outstanding in so many ways and a beacon in the city. It’s one of the schools whose pupils’ writing is a benchmark for me. This week, first visit to Paganel to meet new Headteacher Bethan Gingell. Great to see so many improvements underway on the journey back to “good”. And some high quality, imaginative work to include children with serious challenges in their lives. Then to Merritts Brook, an E-ACT Academy, to meet Headteacher Jo Hall and E-ACT regional colleagues. Merritts Brook is a strong success story and its corridors radiate the power of learning (always a good indicator). I am pleased that E-ACT is now really getting its act together after a messy crash and burn episode when it lost a number of its academies. And another quick visit to see more learning at Mayfield – always good value. Best wishes Colin

@anfieldexile

3

School Safeguarding Information Current safeguarding information relevant to schools can be found online at https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/schoolsafeguarding. This includes details of safeguarding briefings; Designated Safeguarding Lead training; Right Service Right Time and much more relevant information. The team can be contacted at any time using the details below. CONTACT: Jon Needham EMAIL: SSI@birmingham.gov.uk or jon.j.needham@birmingham.gov.uk

School closures in the event of severe weather A letter was sent by email on Tuesday 8 November to the Headteachers of maintained schools confirming Birmingham City Council’s (BCC) recommended arrangements for closing its maintained schools in the event of severe weather. The letter has been copied to Academy Principals. The decision to close a maintained school due to severe weather lies with the Headteacher in consultation with the Chair of the Governing Board). In extreme circumstances such as heavy snowfall, the Executive Director for Education in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Schools, may decide to close all schools and centres that are maintained by BCC. The timing of the decision will be informed by an assessment of the conditions and forecast. It will also seek to prevent people making unnecessary journeys. Whilst there is no arrangement in place which would result in all academies in Birmingham closing automatically once BCC decides to close all of its maintained schools, we anticipate that academies will wish to co-ordinate their decision making and take the same approach as BCC. Academies are requested to share their severe weather arrangements with School and Governor Support via school.support@birmingham.gov.uk as soon as possible and no later than Friday 25th November. CONTACT: Jenny Ramoul and Marie Reece, School and Governor Support EMAIL: school.support@birmingham.gov.uk TEL: 0121 303 2541 and 0121 303 4692

Secondary Education Sufficiency Requirements 2016-2020 (In the context of declining birth rate and increasing cohort growth) Please find attached at the end of this Noticeboard an invitation letter FAO all secondary stakeholders to attend an Education Sufficiency Workshop where we will be outlining secondary education sufficiency requirements 2016-2020. CONTACT: Education and Skills Infrastructure TEL: 0121 675 1458

4

Annual Anti-Bullying Week Event 2016: Friday 18 November Bullying Reduction Action Group invite you to use your #PowerForGood Come and see what is happening in Birmingham to prevent and tackle bullying & celebrate equalities in our diverse city

• A packed programme of presentations & workshops to challenge & inspire your anti-bullying work.

• A range of Market Stalls to provide new resources & information

• A FREE event including lunch & refreshments And why not complete your day with a trip to the German Market? Click to book your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/annual-brag-anti-bullying-week-event-2016-tickets-27994748045

DfE Attendance Advice / Illness absence The Department for Education have updated their document ‘School attendance - Guidance for maintained schools, academies, independent schools and local authorities’. This document can be accessed via https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-attendance Contrary to popular belief, illness is the largest cause of pupil absence in England and how schools work with parents regarding this is crucial to raising overall attendance and reducing persistent absence. Extreme measures demanding parents send in medical evidence for every illness absence is not recommended or necessary. However, where a child has extreme levels of absence from school (usually in the form of many odd days off) and there is no confirmed serious medical condition, medical evidence may become necessary in order to authorise further illness absence Public Health England has produced guidance for schools, and a poster indicating the amount of absence required for common childhood illnesses. The guidance is available at http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/guidance-infection-control-schools-and-other-childcare-settings-0 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infection-control-in-schools-poster These are only guides and some children will require more time off than indicated if they have an extreme form of a common illness, but they are helpful in challenging some parent’s perceptions of the amount of time their child needs to be away from school. CONTACT: Edwina Langley, Lead Attendance Officer EMAIL: Edwina.j.langley@birmingham.gov.uk TEL: 0121 464 8979

5

Changes to the school audit visit programme In the last edition of ‘the Auditor’ (issue 45) we informed schools that the scope of our audit visits was being reviewed as part of a continuous assessment process that ensures it remains relevant in supporting the Education Plan and the current risks and challenges facing schools and the Local Authority. This work is now completed and the revised work programme will commence from 1 November 2016. The work programme has a reduced focus on governance, with more emphasis placed on financial systems and controls. There will continue to be work on aspects of attendance and safeguarding. For further details, please see the briefing note attached at the end of this Noticeboard or the Birmingham Audit web page: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20128/traded_services/796/birmingham_audit_education The audit visit will still include a three-day site visit along with Governor and Senior leadership surveys that will require completion prior to the visit. We also request a meeting with the Chair of Governors/Chair of Finance Committee that should take no longer than an hour. In moving forward, we will also offer self-assessment tools for income, EPA/chequebook accounting and purchase card as these key areas not included in our review. If you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Karen Smith, via telephone, 0121 675 0249 or email Karen.P.Smith@birmingham.gov.uk.

Mandatory Annual Return Form: Statutory Testing of Plant & Equipment 2016-17 We would appreciate if all Local Authority Maintained schools (Community, Voluntary-Controlled, Voluntary-Aided and Foundation) and children’s centres could please complete the 2016-17 Statutory Testing Mandatory Annual Return form and email it to edsi.enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk by 16 December 2016. Please note that this year we are providing the information in two separate Annual Statutory Testing… files: Part 1 – Return Forms includes two forms for you to please complete and submit: 1. A mandatory Declaration of Compliance, asking you to confirm that:

• all testing of equipment and plant has been carried out for 2015-16,

• arrangements have been made for these tests to be carried out in 2016-17,

• recommended remedial works have been completed and

• your Asbestos Management Plan is up to date. To be signed by both the Head Teacher/Centre Manager and (for schools) the Chair of Governors and emailed to EdSI in PDF format.

2. An Outstanding Issues Report (where applicable). Please email to EdSI in Excel format. Part 2 – Guidance and Checklist includes guidance notes and the statutory testing checklist for you to complete and retain for your records and future audit by the LA.

6

Both files can be downloaded from www.birmingham.gov.uk/educationassetmanagement or www.educationassetmanagement.co.uk. Further information on the testing requirements can be found in the Property Logbook. For additional advice or guidance, please contact your Education Asset Management Officer on 0121 303 8847 or email edsi.enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk.

EYSFF Autumn Term 2016 Data Collection: Reminder This is a reminder to schools that the deadline for the EYSFF Autumn Term 2016 data collection was Friday 21 October 2016. Any school who has not yet submitted their data need to do so urgently. The deadline has been extended until 17 November 2016. Any failure to supply this data will impact upon a school’s funding as the LA will only fund data supplied within the timescales given. It is the school’s responsibility, and it is in the school’s own interests to adhere to the deadlines set. Schools may access the return from the following link: Autumn Term EYSFF Data Collection Template WEB LINK: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/file/1578/early_years_single_funding_formula_data_collection_schedule_october_2016_census CONTACT: Martyn Scott, Finance EMAIL: fairfunding@birmingham.gov.uk TEL: 0121 675 9302

Education Support Services Online: Coming Soon! A number of key services have been working to develop online support for Birmingham schools and other educational establishments. This aims to provide easy access to key information, guidance and training in a number of critical service areas, such as Health and Safety, Education Infrastructure Asset Management and Occupational Health and Wellbeing. All schools, academies, nurseries and children centres will have access to the basic information on the new website. The level of support, guidance and access will depend on the traded service subscription to the individual service areas. The following are a few of the key features of the new online Birmingham Education Support Services (BESS):

• Easy access to policies, guidance, documents, templates and latest news and alerts • Simple online shopping basket ordering system for annual Traded Service Subscriptions

and SLA’s as well as other ad-hoc services • Easy access to mandatory and recommended training • Numerous, simple to use reports • Automated alerts and notifications • Improved communication with our schools and partners.

7

You will be able to purchase annual subscriptions and other ad-hoc offerings and book training on the website. The system works the same way as online shopping; users browse and buy services by putting them in the shopping basket and only those authorised such as the Head Teacher, Bursar or Business Manager can authorise those items for purchase at the checkout. We will create accounts for the Head Teachers and email the login details over the next few weeks. As primary registered users, Head Teachers can decide who within their school has access to the system and to what level. The email will detail a range of options as to how key school staff members /other users can be registered. We will issue an easy to follow user guide to assist you with getting the most from the new Birmingham Education Support Services Online. If you require any further information, please email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk or edsi.enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk. You can also call 0121 303 2420 or 0121 303 8847

Invitation to join the Services For Education Moderation Teams 2017: EYFS, KS1 & KS2

Please find attached at the end of this Noticeboard a letter inviting formal applications to become a Services for Education Teacher Moderator for EYFS profile statutory assessments, Key Stage 1 statutory teacher assessments, and Key Stage 2 statutory assessments in 2017. If you have any questions or queries regarding EYFS Moderation please contact Kathryn Pritchard by e-mail: kathryn.pritchard@servicesforeducation.co.uk. For any questions or queries regarding KS1 or KS2 Moderation please contact Denise Harris by e-mail: denise.harris@servicesforeducation.co.uk or telephone 0121 366 9921.

Assessment briefings for Senior Leaders These briefings provide senior leaders for EYFS, KS1 and KS2 with essential information, guidance and updates regarding Statutory Assessments, and key assessment issues at both local and national levels. The briefings also give senior leaders an opportunity to consider the management of Statutory Assessment duty, the accountabilities and important information on security and integrity of the processes, as well as details of the cycle of moderation and monitoring in Birmingham Schools. By the end of the course participants will have gained an understanding of the requirements for statutory assessment across the primary age range Places still available on the following sessions (Click on required date to make a booking) November 16th, 8-10am, Beeches Management Centre November 16th , 3-5pm, The Pavilion November 17th, 3-5pm, Birmingham City Football Ground Charge £85 per delegate per session For more information, please contact Denise Harris (denise.harris@servicesforeducation.co.uk)

8

Invitation to Schools/Youth Groups to perform at Children’s Library, Library of Birmingham during Advent

The Children’s Library invites schools/groups (up to 30) to perform on our Story Steps in the Children’s library during Advent. (1-24th December 2016). [Not Sundays] Participants can sing, read, act or perform music for up to 20 minutes from 11.30am. There will also be room for schools/groups to eat their packed lunch afterwards and take part in a Christmas Design activity to do in the library (or at school before or after the visit) that will be part of our Christmas Display. We have a wide selection of percussion instruments that can be borrowed on the day for the event. Contact the Children’s Library by email if you are interested; also please give us a preference of hree dates. There will also be Christmas Trails and a School Competition to take part in. We look forward to seeing lots of children liven up the Children’s Library for Christmas. **Free Dates at present –6th 12th/13th,14th & 16th, 19th,20th,21st,22nd,23rd December**** WEB LINK: www.libraryofbirmingham.com/schools CONTACT: Children’s Library/Library of Birmingham EMAIL: childrens.library@birmingham.gov.uk

Link2ICT School News - November 2016 Here is your latest issue of the Link2ICT School Newsletter. In this edition, we announce this year’s winner of the Paul Shoesmith Award, look at BGfL365 Top Tips, focus the spotlight on Hilbre High School who are safeguarding the school community with MyConcern, bring you an exclusive discount deal on education books, invite you to the Technology Conference on 9 November, highlight the professional development opportunities for using the iPad in your teaching and learning and our courses to support the computing curriculum and much more, not forgetting those all-important dates for your diary. We hope you find this newsletter of interest. If you do, pass it on to your colleagues in school. Our aim is to keep you up to date with new developments and to help you get the most from the services we provide. WEB LINK: http://www.link2ict.org/schoolnews CONTACT: Link2ICT EMAIL: info@link2ict.org TEL: 0121 303 5100

9

Apple MAC: Active Directory Open Directory Integration: 8 December 2016 This two day training course, offers plenty of hands on experience. Delegates will learn how to:

• Integrate the Client into several Directories services • Gain an overview and understanding of Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) • Configure Active Directory • Extend Active Directory Schema • Troubleshooting login issues

Brief course outline:

• Local Directory: Understanding the Local Directory and what is required by the system for the user accounts. How the local Directory interacts with the processes.

• Open Directory Server: Configure Client to Access an Open Directory system, troubleshooting login and binding issues.

• Accessing Third Party Servers: Understanding LDAP, Configuring OS X Client computer to login using a standard LDAP server.

• Configure Open Directory: Configuring Master and Replicas and configure Clients to use both.

• Active Directory: Deploying OS X in an Active Directory environment. Configure Active Directory and then bind the clients to it.

• Directory Solutions: Look into different options eg implementing the Golden Triangle, substitutions and repurposing.

• Modifying Schema: Extending Active Directory Schema, use tools such as Microsoft’s Active Directory Schema Analyser and Workgroup Manager.

Prerequisites: There are prerequisites attached to attending this course, please contact Link2ICT for more information or visit our website for full details. Cost: *£750 per person (subscriber rate) *£810 per person (non-subscriber rate) WEB LINK: http://www.link2ict.org/12-products-services/481-mac-active-directory-open-directory-integration-training CONTACT: Link2ICT EMAIL: info@link2ict.org TEL: 0121 303 5100

Funded aspirant leadership programme for Birmingham Early Years and Primary teachers Please find attached at the end of this Noticeboard a flyer for an accredited (Masters level) leadership course for Early Years and Primary teachers who wish to move into leadership roles. The course is open to Early Years and Primary Teachers working in and around Birmingham and is either part or fully subsidised depending on whether you meet certain criteria (Fully funded

10

places are supported by DfE funding to encourage more BME and male candidates to apply for leadership roles in Early Years and Primary). The course is aimed at raising the skill levels and confidence of those teachers who are considering applying for leadership roles in the not-too-distant future and combines taught inputs from current school leaders and academics along with work-based experience and support. For more details, please contact Sean Delaney on 0121 464 0024 or s.delaney@crec.co.uk

Senior Leaders Research Interest Group If evidence-informed teaching is to become a reality, we need to create time and space to engage with the research evidence. But, more than that, we need to be able to discuss the research collaboratively and especially, discuss how to translate research findings into practice in the classroom. The Health Education Service, in collaboration with Birmingham City University (BCU), has created a forum for SLT members to meet to discuss research topics – akin to a book club. We (the group) will choose a research topic, BCU will supply key background information on the research topic and we can come together to discuss the implications of the research, its strengths and limitations, and the practicalities of implementing in the classroom (or not). The sessions are free to attend. The fifth meeting of the SLT Research Interest Group will be on 24th November 2016, and the focus is Does pupil voice have any impact on teaching and learning? Venue: Health Education Service Training Centre, Midland Croft, B33 0AW Time: 4.15-6.00pm If you would like to join the group please email Sandra.passmore@servicesforeducation.co.uk

Aston University Higher Education Advice Evening

Wednesday 23rd November 2016, 5.00pm. Aston University Campus An event for parents of Year 11 & Year 12 students to receive up-to-date knowledge and guidance and ensure that they have accurate information when advising their son or daughter through the application to University process. Receive information on:

• UCAS, Student Finance and employment opportunities after graduation

• How to prepare for the transition to University

• Tour of campus by current students If you would like to attend this event, please complete our online booking form.

11

Developing your TAs skills to raise standards in maths, reading or writing Services For Education are delighted to be able to continue to offer you the opportunity, through either in-school or centre-based professional development, to meet the challenge faced by children who are falling behind and not on track to meet the expected standards in mathematics, reading or writing. Whilst pupils continue to take part in class lessons, Every Child Counts (ECC) small group, time-limited interventions delivered by trained Teaching Assistants will help schools to help targeted pupils to get back on track and catch up with their peers so that they can go on succeeding in class lessons afterwards. As a cost effective alternative to sending staff on centre-based training, we can deliver in-house versions of the session to TA teams of four or more. A trained team of Teaching Assistants working across your alliance or trust would be a great resource for all your schools and academies, and could really maximize the potential of these highly regarded programmes, benefiting your whole school/academy community. Every Child Counts has 4 ‘families’ of literacy and mathematics intervention programmes, each meeting the needs of targeted groups of pupils. All come with extensive, attractive ready–to–use resources, written guidance manuals and the highest quality face-to-face training. Every Child Counts (ECC) interventions provide not just training but high quality professional development for teachers and teaching assistants to:

• manage and deliver the intervention

• review and share experiences

• develop subject knowledge

• liaise with colleagues and parents

• evaluate impact In-school or centre-based PD days are designed so participants can put their learning straight into practice and then reflect on its delivery during the next PD day Please contact Denise Harris on denise.harris@servicesforeducation.co.uk to discuss in-school or centre-based options further.

Birmingham Grid: A SMSC Audit tool for any school The Birmingham Grid is an everyday application that lets you capture SMSC in any lesson or activity in less than 60 seconds. It allows teachers to capture evidence of the breadth and depth of the curriculum and opportunities to promote SMSC, PSHE, Fundamental British values. To see how easy it is use the link to the parent site: http://smsc.opeus.org/smsc-grid/how-does-it-work. The grid can be customised with your own values and can easily identify strengths, weaknesses and gaps in your provision. The features can help you publish an online map of your broad and balanced curriculum, create reports for self-evaluation (SEF), planning and CPD.

12

For further information, please click here. For a month’s free trial, contact niall.crawford@servicesforeducation.co.uk. Those schools which subscribe to the Health Education Service will receive a discount when they purchase a 12 month licence.

Education & Skills Infrastructure

Postal Address: Education and Skills Infrastructure, PO Box 15843, Birmingham B2 2RT

e-mail: edsi.enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk | Call: 0121 303 8847

10th November 2016 FAO: Secondary Headteachers / Chairs of Governors / Business Managers and Stakeholders Dear Colleague Secondary Education Sufficiency Requirements 2016-2020 (The right number of school places in the right place at the right time)

Birmingham City Council’s Education Infrastructure Team is hosting workshops to share information on the current and projected need for secondary school places in Birmingham. The workshops will enable you to:

• Understand Birmingham’s demographics and trends.

• Learn more about BCC’s strategy to meet need for school places (Basic Need).

• Help us to work together to ensure we have the right number of school places where they are needed.

• Sustain quality of sufficiency places.

• Understand options for expansion in line with DfE strategy for Free Schools.

• Understand the management of fair access protocol.

• View current and previous capital schemes. Target audience:

• All mainstream secondary schools.

• School Leadership, including Headteachers, Chairs of Governors and Business Managers

• All schools that are interested in offering additional places.

(A separate document will be prepared for Early Years and SEN requirements and we will be contacting partners to share this picture in due course). Workshop Details

Date Time Venue Booking Link*

Friday 02-12-2016

10:00 – 11.30 Presentation 11.30 – 12.00 Networking

The Pines School Marsh Hill Birmingham B23 7EY

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/secondary-sufficiency-workshops-december-2016-tickets-29145475903

Tuesday 06-12-2016

09.30 – 11.00 Presentation 11.00 – 11.30 Networking

Starbank All-through School Hob Moor Road Birmingham B10 9BT

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/secondary-sufficiency-workshops-december-2016-tickets-29111075009

*Please book your places using the unique event URL address indicating the number of places required.

We very much hope you will be able to join us and look forward to meeting you at one of the above events. Yours sincerely

Jaswinder Didially Head of Education Infrastructure

Birmingham Audit

Briefing Note to Schools

Changes to the school audit visit programme from 1 November 2016

In the last edition of ‘the Auditor’ (issue 45) we informed schools that the audit visit work

programme was under review as part of a continuous assessment process that ensures it remains

relevant in supporting the Education Plan and the current risks and challenges facing schools and

the Local Authority. The review has now been completed and agreed by Craig Price, Assistant

Director Audit & Risk Management and Colin Diamond, Executive Director for Education. We will

begin using the new work programme from 1 November 2016.

The work programme will have a reduced focus on governance, with more emphasis placed on

financial systems and controls. There will continue to be work on aspects of attendance and

safeguarding.

The audit visit will still include a three-day site visit along with Governor and Senior leadership

surveys that will require completion prior to the visit. We also request a meeting with the Chair of

Governors/Chair of Finance Committee that should take no longer than an hour. In moving

forward, we will also offer self-assessment tools for income, EPA/chequebook accounting and

purchase card as these key areas not included in our review.

The control areas included in our visit are;

• The Governing Body and Senior Leadership have confidence in the way the school is run;

• Financial Governance;

• Budget planning and management;

• Purchasing processes;

• Financial Delegation framework;

• Aspects of attendance; and

• Aspects of Safeguarding.

The new areas that to be reviewed are summarised as follows;

Financial Governance

• The Governing Body and Senior Leadership have confidence in their ability to manage the

schools finances and are able to confirm the current financial position.

• There should be sufficient financial challenge by the Governing Body regarding the

expenditure and the management of the schools finances. The Governing Body should

have the skills and financial acumen to provide sufficient challenge.

Financial Control

• Mitigation plans are developed to address predicted deficits including notifying the Local

Authority Schools Financial Services Team.

• The school has a gifts and hospitality policy along with supporting gift and hospitality

register, which is presented to Governors on a termly basis.

• Schools that do not buy in Schools Financial Services have provided compliance returns to

the Local Authority in January and September each year.

• Advice has been sought from the Local Authority’s HR team of any proposed staffing re-

structure and approval from the Local Authority is provided prior to the re-structure going

ahead.

• There are effective systems and control in place with regard to the purchase order process.

Attendance

• There is oversight of the use of alternative provision to ensure appropriateness, quality and

support for pupils.

Safeguarding

• New governors have had DBS clearance within 5 weeks of appointment. Visitors

(professionals) accessing the school 3 times in 30 days are recorded on the school single

central register.

We hope that the audits continue to be a valuable experience for schools and provide

support as they face the new challenges ahead.

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Karen Smith on 0121

675 0249 or Karen.P.Smith@birmingham.gov.uk.

Registered in England and Wales: 07739831; Registered Charity: 1148848

Warwick House 10 Edward Street

Birmingham B1 2RX

T: 0121 366 9950 F: 0121 366 9957

www.servicesforeducation.co.uk

November 2017 Invitation to join the Services For Education Moderation Teams 2017 – EYFS, KS1 & KS2 This letter is to invite formal applications to become a Services for Education Teacher Moderator for EYFS profile statutory assessments, Key Stage 1 statutory teacher assessments, and Key Stage 2 statutory assessments in 2017. Context: The Learning and Assessment Service work on behalf of Birmingham Local Authority to organise and manage statutory assessment duty for EYFS profile, KS1 and KS2. The local authority has a responsibility to conduct moderation of teacher judgements in 25% of its schools and settings each year and in those academies and free schools that choose Birmingham as their moderation provider. Moderation in Birmingham EYFS: For us in Birmingham this usually means a half day moderation visit to approximately 80 schools and settings each year. In 2017, the visits must take place in the summer term and be completed by mid-June 2017, when profile data is submitted to the LA Intelligence and Analysis Team.

KS1: For us in Birmingham this usually means a half day visit to moderate reading, writing and mathematics in approximately 80 schools each year. In 2017, the visits will take place from Monday 5 June and be completed by Thursday 29 June 2017, when data must be submitted to the LA Intelligence and Analysis Team.

KS2: For us in Birmingham this usually means a half day visit to moderate a sample of teacher assessments for writing in approximately 80 schools each year. In 2017, the visits will take place from Monday 5 June and be completed by Thursday 29 June 2017, when data must be submitted to NCA tools.

All of our moderation teams are composed of practitioners and advisers, and we anticipate recruiting a number of additional teacher moderators to join the team for 2017. Each moderator will be asked to visit between 6 and 8 schools. However the number of schools can be negotiated with you and your Head Teacher to ensure we do not ask you to be out of school too much at this important time of year. For most teacher moderators time out of school will be approximately 5-6 days including attending training and review meetings.

Standards and Testing Agency (STA) have determined that we ensure our quality assurance processes are rigorous and robust, and to that end each moderator will be required to successfully complete a standardisation exercise as well as an interview conducted by a panel which includes a serving Head teacher and the moderation manager.

Registered in England and Wales: 07739831; Registered Charity: 1148848

Warwick House 10 Edward Street

Birmingham B1 2RX

T: 0121 366 9950 F: 0121 366 9957

www.servicesforeducation.co.uk

What will being a moderator entail?

Seeking the approval of your head teacher who must provide a separate short statement in support of your application, agreeing to your application and giving evidence of your suitability and relevant experience.

Submitting an application by 1.00pm on Tuesday 29th November 2016 – please remember to specify whether this is for EYFS, KS1 or KS2. All applications to be e-mailed to projects@servicesforeducation.co.uk

Successful completion of a standardisation exercise (subject to release by STA of necessary materials) and interviews to be held on: EYFS – Tuesday 6th December, KS1 – Monday 5th December 2016, KS2 - Friday 9th December 2016.

Attending moderator training day run by the Learning and Assessment Service – for EYFS this will be on Tuesday 7th February, for KS1 this will be on Thursday 23rd March, and for KS2 this will be on Wednesday 29th March 2017. EYFS, KS1 and KS2 moderators should also attend, free of charge, a Services For Education standardisation and moderation training day for their respective key stage.

Contacting allocated schools within the agreed timeframe to inform the Head Teacher of the visit, and the nature of the moderation process

Sending written confirmation of the same

Conducting the moderation visit in line with the agreed process and principles

Completing a record of moderation for each visit, and giving clear feedback to the Head Teacher of the school and the teachers/ practitioners

Attending a half day review/feedback meeting towards the end of the moderation process – dates to be agreed with the relevant moderation teams

Reporting back to the Local Authority Assessment Manager any concerns / issues that arise. In return Learning and Assessment Service will:

Ensure training is supportive, and productive with skilled facilitators

Ensure you always have a point of contact

Reimburse your school for your time @ £275 per day (which will include all expenses such a mileage, phone calls etc)

Negotiate the time out of school with you and your Head Teacher

Involve you in planning for future years so that you can influence and contribute to the city’s approach to moderation

Provide written evidence of your involvement and contribution to the city wide moderation process

Keep you informed about other opportunities to work with other schools in a lead practitioner role such as the centrally held moderation meetings or CPD for newly qualified teachers.

Your application for the role should be no more than 2 sides of A4 and address the following:

Recent and relevant experience of EYFS profile assessments, KS1 or KS2 teacher assessment and internal or external moderation

Your understanding of the key principles of effective moderation and standardisation

Experience of working with other schools

Registered in England and Wales: 07739831; Registered Charity: 1148848

Warwick House 10 Edward Street

Birmingham B1 2RX

T: 0121 366 9950 F: 0121 366 9957

www.servicesforeducation.co.uk

Interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work with other schools

Skills and confidence to give accurate and clear feedback to Head Teachers, senior leaders and practitioners

Skills and experience in influencing, supporting and challenging colleagues

If you or your Head Teacher have any questions or queries regarding EYFS Moderation please contact Kathryn Pritchard by e-mail: kathryn.pritchard@servicesforeducation.co.uk. For any questions or queries regarding KS1 or KS2 Moderation please contact Denise Harris by e-mail: denise.harris@servicesforeducation.co.uk or telephone 0121 366 9921. Alternatively you may choose to register at www.servicesforeducation.co.uk for attendance at our briefing on 22nd November 2016 from 2.30 – 3.30 pm to find out more about the demands and expectations of the moderator role or to ask any questions.

WHO SHOULD APPLY? Any teacher working in a Nursery School or Primary School who is either considering moving into a

leadership position, or has some experience of leadership already but is looking to take on greater

responsibility. N.B. Funded places are only available to teachers who identify as BME or male and will be

prioritised for those working in the Early Years.

Teachers Leadership Development Programme starting Jan 2017: funded places available

The Birmingham Nursery Schools Teaching School, working in conjunction with the Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC), is offering a postgraduate leadership programme for ambitious teachers who wish to develop their leadership skills and confidence in order to gain promotion.

The programme aims to provide participants with a variety of tools, theories, knowledge, skills and confidence. The facilitated approach will encourage participant involvement and will aim to embed new ideas through promoting experiential and reflective learning.

Although leadership of practice excellence is central, there will also be a strong focus on developing par-ticipant confidence in order that they have the personal capacity and capability, to become the next gen-eration of leaders.

The DfE has provided funding to support 10 BME and/or male teachers in order to develop and diversify the leadership profile across the sector to better reflect the local and national context.

Successful completion will gain you 60 PG credits (1/3 of masters degree) and a stepping stone towards your next leadership role.

WHAT WILL YOU DO? 4 Face to face days and 2 twilight sessions, with reflective and practice based gap tasks between

each session 2 days spent working in a different school in a different context to give a broader understanding and

experience of how different schools operate 2 days spent shadowing a Headteacher to better understand the role

Post Grad academic accreditation (60 credits) on completion of leadership focussed assignments

CONTACT If you are interested in joining this cohort please

send an email to Jackie White (Adderley Children’s

Centre & Nursery School)

jackie@addleyn.bham.sch.uk with your details,

setting out your current role and why you would

like to undertake the course.

Applications should be received no later than 9am

on Monday 5th December 2016

COST & COURSE DATES Teachers who do not meet the funding criteria

may join the course for a fee of £950 which

includes academic accreditation (60 PG credits).

Day 1: Monday 16th January Day 2: Monday 30th January Twilight: Wednesday 8th February Day 3: Monday 27th February Day 4: Tuesday 5th April Twilight: Tuesday 2nd May