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School Noticeboard
Edition 9: Thursday 10 November 2016
Inside this issue (click on links below):
From the Director
School closures in the event of severe weather
Secondary Education Sufficiency Requirements 2016-2020
Annual Anti-Bullying Week Event 2016: Friday 18 November
DfE Attendance Advice / Illness absence
Changes to the school audit visit programme
Mandatory Annual Return Form: Statutory Testing of Plant & Equipment 2016-17
EYSFF Autumn Term 2016 Data Collection: Reminder
Education Support Services Online: Coming Soon!
Invitation to join the Services For Education Moderation Teams 2017: EYFS,
KS1 & KS2
Assessment briefings for Senior Leaders
Invitation to Schools/Youth Groups to perform at Library of Birmingham during Advent
Link2ICT School News - November 2016
Apple MAC: Active Directory Open Directory Integration: 8 December 2016
Funded aspirant leadership programme for Birmingham Early Years and Primary
teachers
Senior Leaders Research Interest Group
Aston University Higher Education Advice Evening
Developing your TAs skills to raise standards in maths, reading or writing
Birmingham Grid - A SMSC Audit tool for any school
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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-braganti-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
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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:
[email protected] or [email protected]
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 [email protected] as soon as possible and no later than Friday 25th
November.
CONTACT: Jenny Ramoul and Marie Reece, School and Governor Support
EMAIL:
[email protected]
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
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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
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A packed programme of presentations & workshops to challenge & inspire your antibullying 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/schoolattendance
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-otherchildcare-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 protected]
EMAIL:
TEL:
0121 464 8979
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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 [email protected].
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
[email protected] 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.
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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 [email protected].
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_for
mula_data_collection_schedule_october_2016_census
CONTACT: Martyn Scott, Finance
EMAIL:
[email protected]
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.
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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: [email protected] or [email protected].
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: [email protected].
For any questions or queries regarding KS1 or KS2 Moderation please contact Denise Harris by email: [email protected] 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 ([email protected])
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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:
[email protected]
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:
CONTACT:
EMAIL:
TEL:
http://www.link2ict.org/schoolnews
Link2ICT
[email protected]
0121 303 5100
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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-opendirectory-integration-training
CONTACT: Link2ICT
EMAIL:
[email protected]
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
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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 [email protected]
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
[email protected]
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:
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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.
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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, timelimited 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 [email protected] to discuss inschool 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-itwork.
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.
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For further information, please click here.
For a month’s free trial, contact [email protected]. Those schools which
subscribe to the Health Education Service will receive a discount when they purchase a 12 month
licence.
Education & Skills Infrastructure
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
Friday
02-12-2016
Time
10:00 – 11.30 Presentation
11.30 – 12.00 Networking
Tuesday
06-12-2016
09.30 – 11.00 Presentation
11.00 – 11.30 Networking
Venue
The Pines School
Marsh Hill
Birmingham
B23 7EY
Starbank Allthrough School
Hob Moor Road
Birmingham
B10 9BT
Booking Link*
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seconda
ry-sufficiency-workshops-december2016-tickets-29145475903
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seconda
ry-sufficiency-workshops-december2016-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
Postal Address: Education and Skills Infrastructure, PO Box 15843, Birmingham B2 2RT
e-mail: [email protected] | Call: 0121 303 8847
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;
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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.
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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 restructure 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 [email protected].
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?
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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
[email protected]
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:
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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
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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: [email protected]. For any questions or queries
regarding
KS1
or
KS2
Moderation
please
contact
Denise
Harris
by
e-mail:
[email protected] 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.
Registered in England and Wales: 07739831; Registered Charity: 1148848
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 participant confidence in order that they have the personal capacity and capability, to become the next generation 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?
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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
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.
COST & COURSE DATES
CONTACT
Teachers who do not meet the funding criteria
may join the course for a fee of £950 which
includes academic accreditation (60 PG credits).
If you are interested in joining this cohort please
send an email to Jackie White (Adderley Children’s
Centre & Nursery School)
[email protected] with your details,
setting out your current role and why you would
like to undertake the course.
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
Applications should be received no later than 9am
on Monday 5th December 2016