Southwark schools bulletin

October 2024

Dear education leaders,

As ever, the term has been very busy with Ofsted inspections back in recent weeks working within the new framework – we’ll feed back on these once the reports are published.

We would like to take this opportunity to flag up that John Kennedy, HMI, Assistant Regional Director at Ofsted is attending the face to face Headteachers Breakfast Forum (HTBF) on the 20^th November 2024, 0830-1100 at Tooley Street. This will be a chance to raise questions and receive responses first hand from Ofsted.

Cllr. Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Refugees, will also be attending this meeting to discuss education matters impacting Southwark and its education settings.

There will be feedback from the ISOS partnership on the current position, and a chance to learn how to be involved with the next steps regarding the future education partnership development in Southwark.

We have evaluated the format of the HTBF in light of feedback received from you, and our aim will be to provide greater opportunities to network and receive information first hand from significant stakeholders at these in person meetings. We also want to add items to the agenda from you so that the meeting is of even greater value. The alternate online meeting will be more of an opportunity for the LA to provide updates and key information.

Please look out for the invitation that will arrive from Alasdair Smith, Director of Children’s Services, by email, we look forward to seeing you at the forum.

As we approach half term we hope that you plan in downtime and take time to re-charge your batteries.

Thank you and your teams for your much valued work this term.

Richard Hunter, Nikki Tilson
Principal Education Advisors

Key updates

>> Southwark Council has a new website

Southwark Council has updated its website for residents. Please share and check here for relevant information and updates on a range of borough issues and news, and for education and training information, from term dates to extra-curricular activities for children and young people. Please continue to use the Southwark schools website for CPD, and Learning and Achievement resources and support.

>> Black History Month in Southwark

As we approach the end of Black History Month, we hope you have enjoyed the many activities commissioned and supported by the Council and held throughout the borough. The activities this year give an opportunity to reflect on how we weave diverse stories into our curriculum throughout the year, with performances of Shakespeare, art exhibitions, craft workshops and music among others.

There is still time to catch one of the Young, Gifted and Black performances at Theatre Peckham, or to travel back in time to Tudor London with your family. 

Please continue to share your resources and diverse curricula for publication on our Southwark Stands Together webpage by emailing SST.Education@southwark.gov.uk

>> School term and holiday dates 2025-26

These are confirmed as the 2025-26 school term dates for community schools  (Academy schools and VA schools are not set by Council). They mirror those of Lambeth and Lewisham.

Please see confirmed dates here

>> National School Governors Awareness Day - School Governance Awards - NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN!!!

Nominations are open for the Southwark School Governance Awards. Please submit your nominations by the 19th of December. Click here to submit your nomination. You don’t have to fill in the whole form - you can nominate in just one category.

We will be holding our first award event on 13th February, 2025, at 6pm in Tooley Street. More details to follow nearer the date.

>> October is Cyber Security month/ LGfL Cyber Security Toolkit for Schools.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM). This is an annual campaign held in October that focuses on raising awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. 

Cyber security is the responsibility of the whole board.  This is because it’s central to your school’s ability to operate and function.  Please do ensure that you understand your role and that Cyber security is on your agenda.

 LGfL has developed the Elevate Cyber Security Toolkit for Schools. The Elevate Cyber Security Toolkit is a collection of key documents that schools can use to elevate their cyber security. It has been designed to meet both the DfE's Cyber Security Standards for Schools Colleges and guidance the  National Cyber Security centre.

>> New NGA Ofsted guidance

The NGA have released new Ofsted guidance. This guide has been developed to help governing boards know what to expect from an Ofsted inspection; understand what inspectors look at and some of the evidence they consult; take steps following inspection to support school improvement. The guide also explains some of the changes made to Ofsted inspection from September 2024 as part of plans for reform following the Big Listen consultation. You can find a copy here.

>> Free training and resources to help children develop strong money habits

Just Finance Foundation (JFF) has developed the LifeSavers programme. They offer free training, curriculum-linked resources, and practical tools to help children develop strong money habits early on.

As a charity created by the CofE, JFF tackles financial exclusion and boosts financial literacy for children across the UK, thanks to our generous funders.

The LifeSavers resource span from EYFS - KS2s are curriculum linked, easy to integrate and aim to help children manage money wisely through values like wisdom, generosity, thankfulness, and justice. You can view our resources here: LifeSavers.

LifeSavers can also assist schools in setting up a Savings Club for practical money management experience and offers home resources designed to empower families.

 >> Collaboration opportunity with Tate Modern for local schools

Find out more about the Tate's exciting programme of free events, throughout the academic year here.

Autumn Teachers' Study Day 

11 November 2024  

10.00–16.00  

Tate Britain 

Free 

Get to know the Tate collection to discover ways of supporting your students’ learning with art. 

Book your place here. 

Teacher’s Private View: The 80s and Alvaro Barrington, Grace 

9 December 2024  

18.30–20.30  

Tate Britain 

Free 

Celebrate teaching and learning with free entry to The 80s: Photographing Britain exhibition at this after-hours event. 

Find out more here. 

What's on

>> Governor Training 2024-25

The training programme is available to view here. Training and development programme 2024 - 2025 | Southwark Schools

Governors with access to GovernorHub (GH) should book courses they wish to attend directly on the GH website. Any queries, please contact: Selina.mcclure@southwark.gov.uk

>> Governors' Forum dates for 2024-2025

The dates for the Governors forum are as follows:

• 20^th January 2025,  6pm, via Zoom - Register in advance for this meeting
• 7^th May 2025, 6pm – Tooley Street

>> November Moderation Cluster Meetings

Our fantastic assessment champions are once again offering moderation cluster meetings for our maintained schools for Y2, Y4 and Y6.

Please check which cluster your school is in. Email contacts are given below.

The Bridges, Friars and Michael Faraday cluster: Alfred Salter, Beormond, Brunswick Park, Cathedral CE, Charlotte Sharman, Comber Grove, Crampton, Crawford, English Martyrs R.C., Evelina Hospital School, Friars, Grange, Ilderton, John Ruskin, Michael Faraday, Oliver Goldsmith, Peter Hills CE, Phoenix, Robert Browning, Snowsfields, Southwark Park, St. George's RC, St. Joseph's Bor RC, St. Joseph's Camberwell RC, St. Jude's CE, St. Peter's CE, Tower Bridge, Victory

Hollydale and Rye Oak cluster: Albion, Bellenden, Bird-in-Bush, Bessemer Grange, Boutcher CE, Dulwich Wood, DVI (Y2), Goodrich, Heber, Hollydale, Ivydale, Keyworth, Pilgrims Way, Riverside, Rye Oak, St. Francis RC, St. George's CE, St James CE, St. Anthony's RC, St. James the Great RC, St. John's RC, St. John's & St. Clements, St. Joseph's Gomm Road, St. Mary Magdalenes CE

Moderation Clusters - Autumn term 2024

>> Professional Development, 2024-25

The full calendar of upcoming professional development opportunities is available here. Please book onto our courses via the Southwark Schools website, and if you are experiencing any difficulty, please contact cpdenquiry@southwark.gov.uk 

>> Lastly, we want to help celebrate the amazing work of our schools…Share your stories with us, tell us about the excellent work you and your pupils are doing and help us to promote awareness and share best practice across our schools and the wider borough…. Email us at southwarkeducationcommunications@southwark.gov.uk