Director's Message - 15th June 2020

Dear Colleagues,  

Today many of our Secondary Schools opened up to more students in Year 10 and Year 12 (and Year 10 and Year 11 for our Alternative Provision). I hope this week goes smoothly for you. Nursery, Infant, Junior and Primary Schools are all open and continue to take more priority and key transition group children in for the third week. 

This week's DfE updates are available via our FAQs, with the key areas highlighted below:   

• The DfE's updated guidance with flexibility for Primary Schools has just been released.
• Responding to a case of Covid-19 in school guidance.
• DfE settings status form - this has been revised with fewer requests on absence, extra guidance on completion, new data for secondary schools. It is important that these are completed daily to ensure your school status is recorded accurately. Some schools are officially marked as closed and we are aware that they are open. 
• Schools to start reporting any deaths of colleagues to the DfE.
• Pupil data support is provided by the LA's Business Performance Team and an article has been shared below.
• Critical / key workers - please keep up to date with the changes in which families can access school provision. 
• Study into the prevalence of Covid-19 in schools - a national study will commence with 100 schools. If you are invited to participate (voluntary) please let us know. 

This fortnight's School Leaders' Briefings articles are:  

• Follow up to Alternative Data Collation System - Cancellation of Statutory Assessments 2020
• NGA Governance Development for Chairs, Clerks and Boards
• Local Authority DBS checks - letter of confirmation for Schools
• Resources for RSE Day 2020

Vikram Hansrani, Assistant Director of SEND, has shared the attached SEND Risk Assessment update that was issued to all SENCOs on Friday. 

For any queries or support, please continue to email education@hillingdon.gov.uk.

Regards

Dan