Southwark schools bulletin
December 2024
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Hello everyone,
It was great to see so many schools represented at the Head Teachers’ Breakfast Briefing in November, including from all parts of our family of schools: nursery, primary and secondary schools, academy/free, community and voluntary aided. I hope that heads found it useful to have the opportunity to communicate directly with the Cabinet Member responsible for education and with the Director of Children’s Services, as well as to collaborate with each other in considering some of the challenges and opportunities we face.
A key element of the session was a discussion on collaboration and partnership working within and between schools and Southwark Council. Some really useful insights were captured which will inform our work going forward. Of the many benefits highlighted opportunities to share best practice and develop the workforce were uppermost, but many interesting suggestions were discussed including the potential for more formal ways to share resources.
Of course, improvements to the way the council and schools work together currently were identified along with the possible pitfalls of closer working relationships. SEND, better integration to meets the needs of vulnerable children and young people, working with parents, funding, capacity, attendance and admissions were all cited, as well as prioritising partnership and transparency. You can read the full feedback from the discussion on our website.
One of the challenges facing many of us continues to be the impact of falling numbers of children. The council is currently consulting on reducing the Published Admissions Number at three local primary schools. You can read more about this and respond on our website.
A potential opportunity to utilise spare capacity in some schools is offered through the Government’s School-Based Nurseries programme, with the Department for Education (DfE) inviting bids for 2024 to 2025 capital grants to develop or expand provision. We held a briefing for schools in November on this programme. The event was recorded so if you missed it and would like to know more please contact Georgia.Pritchard@southwark.gov.uk.
Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Neil Gordon-Orr
Assistant Director, Education Access
What's on
>> Update from the Head Teachers' Breakfast Forum
Thank you to the more than 50 head teachers from all phases of education in Southwark who attended our Head Teachers' Breakfast Forum in November. Councillor Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Refugees, and Alasdair Smith, Director of Children's Services, opened an engaging morning of presentations and discussions about strategy and partnership working. We also heard from John Kelly, interim Regional Director for Ofsted, who gave an update on changes to inspection judgments and new priorities, and shared Ofsted’s new recordings of inspector training materials.
>> Attendance and inclusion support
Thank you for your collaborative and ongoing efforts to support student attendance and engagement in education.
DfE statutory guidance on 'Working Together to Improve School Attendance' came into effect on 19 August this year.
As we all strive to enhance attendance rates and support our students' education, it is crucial that we understand and implement the guidelines effectively. Children's Services have shared resources on our schools' website to support you in managing attendance and sharing your attendance data.
>> Air Quality Monitoring Project (Year 6 and above)
We are excited to announce the launch of the Asthma – Air Quality Monitoring and Engagement Project, a new initiative aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of students, particularly those with asthma. This project focuses on monitoring air quality, raising awareness, and encouraging behavioural changes to reduce exposure to air pollution using air quality sensors to gather real-time data on pollution levels. Register to find out more.
>> The Laurel Trust – improving life chances research funding
The Laurel Trust is offering funding for innovative school-based projects run by collaborations of schools in all phases, including special schools. Proposed research must focus on improving the life chances for children and young people from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Deadline for applications is 28 February.
>> Financial audits – reminders for governors and governance professionals
Financial audits play a vital role in monitoring the framework of internal control within a school. As well as assuring themselves that the school operates effectively and in line with agreed financial controls, governors and governance professionals can support the audit process by making sure:
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their school’s register of business interests remains up to date
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there is a declaration of interest on every agenda (committees and full governing body)
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financial procedures are agreed, and this is documented annually in a quorate FGB
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financial procedures agreed match the practice that is taking place in school
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the Instrument of Government correctly reflects the constitution of your board.
If you have questions, please email Donna-Marie.Muir@southwark.gov.uk.
>> DfE Filtering and Monitoring Standards updated
The Department for Education’s (DfE) Filtering and Monitoring Standards for Schools and Colleges has recently been updated, introducing changes designed to address evolving digital risks and strengthen safeguarding measures. These updates ensure that schools provide a secure online environment, staying compliant with safeguarding obligations outlined in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. The South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) has published a breakdown of the most significant updates.
>> Managing asbestos in your school – governors' duties
The DfE has published guidance to support governors' understanding of their role in managing asbestos in their school. Please add it to your next agenda to ensure all governors are aware.
>> Southwark School Governance Awards – deadline for nominations
Submit your nomination by 19 December. You can choose to nominate in just one category.
>> Apply for a DfE senior mental health lead training grant
The DfE is offering a grant of £1,200 for eligible state-funded schools and colleges in England to train a senior mental health lead. You can also apply if you have previously claimed a grant but your trained lead has left your school or college.
>> Resources
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Free PSHE Association lesson packs for Southwark schools
Claim membership before accessing: -
National Crime Agency’s CEOP Education ‘Connect’ online safety lesson pack (ages 9 to 12)
What's on
>> School Governance Award Event – 13 February – 6pm
We will be holding our first award event on 13 February to coincide with National School Governors Awareness Day. More details to follow nearer the date.
>> Keeping Children in Education event planned for March
Following positive feedback from the attendees of this term's ‘Keeping Children in Education’ event, we are excited to announce plans for another in March. Confirmed details will be shared soon and we encourage all schools to participate.
>> Governor Training 2024/25
New training dates for 2024/25 are now available. Governors with access to GovernorHub (GH) should book courses directly on the hub. If you have a query please contact Selina.McClure@southwark.gov.uk.
>> Governors' Forum dates for 2024/25
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20 January – 6pm, via Zoom Please register in advance for this meeting.
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7 May – 6pm – Tooley Street
>> DfE Prevent in Education Training for School Governors and Trustees
This training package has been designed by DfE for school governors to understand their responsibilities and the importance of the Prevent duty.
>> Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course
This free, two-day MHFA course is open to education staff in state funded Southwark schools.
>> RE Coordinators Subject Network Meeting
Designed to ensure that school and curriculum leaders are up to date Religious Education guidance this session will provide an opportunity to collaborate, network and share best practice. There will also be practical help and support.
>> Southwark’s Winter of Food and Fun Holiday programme 2024
This winter, Southwark Council’s DfE funded Food and Fun holiday programme continues to help local families who are in need of additional support during the school holidays. An email has been sent to head teachers with more information including a letter inviting the parents and carers of eligible children to book places.
>> Family Learning activities for the Spring Term
The Thomas Calton Centre in Peckham offers a wide variety of free, fun and relaxing activities for families with school aged children to learn a new skill or enjoy being creative together. Please share details with your families.
>> ‘Just Be You’ dance sessions at Canada Water Theatre
The Movement Factory are running dance classes for local 8 to16 year olds at both Theatre Peckham and Canada Water Theatre from February to July.
In advance of the programme starting, they would like schools in Rotherhithe, Surrey Quays, and Canada Water to offer taster sessions to their children and young people. If your school would like to be involved please email Sharlene@themovementfactory.uk.com before Christmas.
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. You can email your stories to southwarkeducationcommunications@southwark.gov.uk.