Last 7 days archive

School Census Bulletin 2 – Autumn 2020

School Census is on 1 October 2020. This bulletin highlights some known issues for schools to be aware of.

School census bulletin 3 – Autumn 2020

DfE School Census Date: Thurs 1 October 2020   Return Date: Tues 6 October 2020

Information regarding Covid-19 and the school census, Filesets and Patches, Scomis and DfE known issues and a reminder about the COLLECT Funding reports.

Communication and Interaction Training

We offer support, advice and guidance for children and young people where Autism and/or Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) is the primary need.

Below is a list of currently available training:

• AET Leading Good Practice – 10 November 2020
• Autism and Girls – 12 November 2020
• Autism and Pathological Avoidance – 5 November 2020
• LEGO Therapy – 26 January 2021
• SLCN Module 1: Understanding and Identifying SLCN – 1 October 2020
• SLCN Module 2: Universal Provision for SLCN – 12 November 2020
• SLCN Network Meetings – Various dates in October

Ethnic, Minority and Traveller Achievement Training by Babcock LDP

We provide expert advice, guidance and training to help raise attainment and close the performance gap for these children and young people from BME and Traveller groups.

Below is a list of the currently available training:

• Autumn Term Workshops – 4 November 2020
• EMTAS Supporting EAL Writers – 9 December 2020
• Making our Curriculum Anti-Racist in Devon – 5 November 2020

Physical Difficulties and SEND ICT Training by Babcock LDP

Below is a list of currently available training from our Physical Difficulties and SEND ICT team.

• Moving and Handling of Children with Physical Difficulties – Initial – 10 November 2020
• Moving and Handling of Children with Physical Difficulties – Refresher – 12 November 2020

Attachment Based Mentoring Training by Babcock LDP

Below is a list of our currently available Attachment Based Mentoring training:

• Attachment Based Mentoring Programme (4 day programme): Exeter – Multiple sessions starting 16 November 2020
• Attachment Based Mentoring Programme (4 day programme): Mid Devon – Multiple sessions starting 30 November 2020
• Attachment Based Mentoring Programme (4 day programme): South Devon – Multiple sessions starting 12 January 2021

English Training by Babcock LDP

The English team offer up-to-date guidance and support to enable schools to develop and enhance their understanding of how children learn and the most effective ways to support learning.

Below is a list of currently available training:

• Moving on with Vocabulary Teaching – Various dates from October
• Phonics Screening Check Briefing – Various dates in October
• Opening Doors: Building a Rich, Reading Curriculum – 21 January 2021
• Primary English Subject Leader Meetings (Autumn) – Various dates in November
• Re-Think Reading – 18 November 2020
• Teaching Spelling Effectively – 19 October 2020

Music Training by Babcock LDP and Devon Music Education Hub

Devon Music Education Hub works with schools, music educators and a range of local, regional and national partner organisations to create all kinds of opportunities for children and young people in Devon to have an excellent, high quality music education.

Below is a list of currently available training:

• Music Network Teach Meet – Various dates from September
• Music Skills Workshop – Various dates from September
• Torbay and Devon Music Conference: Making Music Happen in the ‘New Normal’ (Morning Session) – 22 October 2020
• Torbay and Devon Music Conference: Making Music Happen in the ‘New Normal’ (Afternoon Session) – 22 October 2020
• Torbay and Devon Music Conference: Making Music Happen in the ‘New Normal’ (All Day) – 22 October 2020

Devon’s EHC Hub

The EHC (Education, Health and Care) Hub should now be used to plan any upcoming EHCP (Education Health and Care Plan) reviews in your setting. We have currently added over 6000 plans to the EHC Hub. We are continuing to add plans daily and hope to have every plan available on the Hub in the upcoming months.

Full Guidance for settings can be viewed and downloaded here.

Before starting your review please download the review from the EHC Hub and contact the SEN 0-25 Team if you have any queries about the plan prior to starting the review.

You may also wish to share the parent/carer guidance or young person guidance with families invited to the meetings. For technical support please contact 01392 380434 or educationsystems@devon.gov.uk

Outdoor Education Training by Babcock LDP

The Dartmoor Centres have many years’ experience designing & providing leadership training, CPD events and First Aid courses.

Below is a list of our currently available training:

• Educational Visits Co-Ordinator (EVC) Briefings (Primary) – 12 November 2020
• Educational Visits Co-Ordinator (EVC) Briefings (Secondary) – 12 November 2020
• Educational Visits Co-Ordinator (EVC) Briefings (Primary + Secondary) – Various dates in November
• Educational Visits Co-Ordinator (EVC) Training – 22 October 2020
• Emergency First Aid for Outdoors (16hrs) – Various dates from November
• First Aid at Work (2 day refresher) – 28 January 2021
• Summer Moorland Camping Leader Training/Assessment – 23 October 2020
• Summer Moorland Walking Leader Assessment – Various dates from November
• Summer Moorland Walking Leader Training – Various dates from October
• Winter Moorland Walking Leader Assessment – 16 January 2021
• Winter Moorland Walking Leader Training – 13 November 2021

New guidance on Collective Worship in Devon schools (2020), entitled: ‘A Time To Breath’.

This document provides schools in Devon with a guide to the current legal expectations for collective worship, including the parental right to withdrawal. It aims to help schools put in place effective practice and reflective experiences for their pupils, encouraging active pupil participation in collective worship. It offers a sample school policy document and sets out some of the rich opportunities that assemblies/collective worship can offer pupils for their spiritual, moral, social, cultural and personal development.

RE Newsletter – Autumn Term 2020

Latest newsletter for information, cpd, resources and guidance.

Compiled by Ed Pawson, RE Adviser to Devon and Torbay SACREs, Adviser to CofE schools, Diocese of Exeter.

South Molton Community Primary School: consultation on proposal to enlarge

Devon County Council is consulting on plans to enlarge South Molton Community Primary School from 240 places to 315 places from September 2021.

Further information is available via: https://www.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/categories/education-and-schools/.

If you would like to comment on the proposal, please email schoolconsultations@devon.gov.uk by the deadline of 21 October 2020.

Building the Foundations of a Quality Curriculum within the Early Years

Consultation: Monkleigh Primary School – proposal to lower age range

Devon County Council is consulting on a proposal to lower the age range of Monkleigh Community Primary School from 4-11 to 2-11 from January 2021. Monkleigh Pre-School, a Governor run Pre-School, is situated on the grounds of Monkleigh Primary School and takes 2, 3 and 4 years olds. This proposal is concerned with the pre-school becoming part of the school rather than operating as an extended service. If the proposal is approved, the main difference is that the pre-school will become a maintained Nursery Class, organised as a Foundation Stage Unit (Nursery and Reception class). Further information is available via: https://www.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/categories/education-and-schools/.

If you would like to comment on the proposal, please email the school admin@monkleigh-primary.devon.sch.uk by the deadline of 21 October 2020 (responses will be shared with DCC).

Consultation: Pathfield and Bidwell Brook Schools

Pathfield School, Barnstaple

Following consultation, Devon County Council has published a Brief Notice and Full Proposal to increase places at Pathfield School from 137 to 186 day places and a change of category to include Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties for boys and girls, aged 3-19, with effect from Mid December 2020.

Bidwell Brook School, Dartington, Totnes

Following consultation, Devon County Council has published a Brief Notice and Full Proposal to increase places at Bidwell Brook School from 110 to 140 day places for boys and girls, aged 3-19 with Severe Learning Difficulties and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties with effect from September 2021.

The ‘full proposal’ for both proposals provides further information on these proposals and can be viewed via https://www.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/categories/education-and-schools/
Please email any representations or comments to schoolconsultations@devon.gov.uk by the deadline date 21 October 2020.

Proposals Implemented: Silverton Primary School, Monkerton Primary School and Roundswell Primary School

Silverton C of E Primary School

The Governing Body of Silverton Primary School approved a proposal to lower the school’s age range to take 2-11 year olds and this has been implemented from the beginning of the Autumn Term 2020.

Monkerton Community Primary School

Monkerton Community Primary School, Exeter opened in September 2020 & is part of the Cornerstone Academy Trust. The school will offer 420 places, and a nursery, accommodating children between the ages of 2 and 11. The first class of children have begun their education in two dedicated classrooms at Westclyst Community Primary School, whilst construction on the new school is completed.

Roundswell Community Primary Academy School

A new Free School at Barnstaple, Roundswell Primary, has now opened (September 2020) in its permanent accommodation at Tews Lane, Barnstaple. The school will offer 420 places and a nursery. The school is part of the Tarka Trust & has opened with nursery pupils and pupils in the Reception class.

Greener Devon Week – Youth Parliament

In recognition of the Climate Emergency, Youth Parliament for Devon are planning a ‘Greener Devon’ week for schools and youth groups from the 19 – 23 October.  Their aim is to educate on the issue and promote some of the amazing climate action that is already taking place in Devon.  They are putting together a menu of resources on a range of Climate-related themes which schools (primary and secondary) and youth groups can use throughout the week. At this stage, they have asked for schools and youth groups to indicate their interest in by filling in this brief sign-up form. Further details will then be sent to all who have expressed an interest.  This should not represent a big time commitment for your school / youth group as Devon Youth Parliament will be sending you everything you need and you can use as much or as little as you like.  If you would like to promote Greener Devon,  the Instagram page is regularly updated: @greenerdevon

Making our Curriculum Anti-Racist in Devon

Thursday 5 November 2020 – Virtually Hosted via Click Meetings – 09:00 – 12:30

As educators we are in the privileged position of having influence and making change happen so that we can help make a better future for all; as Devon is county with predominantly white schools we have an even bigger job in debunking racist myths and ensuring BAME pupils recognise and value themselves within their school environment.

Key reasons to attend:

• Learn about Devon’s slave trade and useful resources to teach local BAME history.
• Develop your school’s anti-racism policy
• Discuss strategies and resources to prevent and respond to racism in your school
• Explore ways of threading anti-racism through the whole curriculum

Head to the Website for more details and Booking information

Let’s Make Music Happen in the ‘New Normal’

Devon and Torbay Music Conference

Thursday 22 October 2020 – Hosted Virtually Via Click Meetings – 09:00 -15:45

How do Adverse Childhood Experiences Affect Children’s Learning?

Thursday 12 November 2020 , Virtual Conference hosted via Click Meetings , 09:00 – 12:15

The effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences are not uncommon and can have a dramatic impact if they are not recognised and responded to. When children are exposed to adverse and stressful experiences, it can have a long-lasting impact on their ability to think, interact with others and on their learning.

Increasing our awareness and understanding of ACEs potentially holds the key to making a real difference to the future life chances of children and young people.

Key reasons to attend:

• Understand what ACEs are and the impact they have
• Learn how to build resilience in children who have experienced adversity in early life
• Hear first hand from professionals in the field how an increased awareness of ACEs is shaping policy and practice

Head to the website for more details and Booking Information

School Leadership Updates – Webinar – 5 October at 4pm

This is a new short and regular slot for headteachers, senior leaders and governors to tap into ‘in the moment’ updates.

Led by the School Effectiveness Team, the first session will explore a suggested approach to school self-evaluation as schools re-open and how this will support the key themes in the new Ofsted visits.

There is no charge to attend.

Attendees will be provided with a self-evaluation form and a range of questions that could help inform the school’s evaluation.

Two appendices will precis the key information on the interim visits being made by Ofsted to some schools this term and DFE guidance for the full return of pupils to schools.

If you would like to join the webinar please email Sally Watts contact below: