Director's Message - 8th September 2020

Dear Colleagues,

I hope that you, your staff and pupils have all settled into the new academic year well.

This week's DfE key points are highlighted below. The full update on guidance can be accessed via our FAQs on LEAP.  

Confirmed case of Covid-19 actions

Schools are reminded to use the following steps when they have a confirmed case of Covid-19. Specific actions will be decided based on the individual case needs. Advice, guidance and communication templates will be provided by the LCRC / PHE contract has been triggered. 

The school should contact the following 3 teams when they have a confirmed case - in this order:

1. PHE LCRC (0300 303 0450)
2. LBH Public Health Team (01895 250095)
3. School Improvement Service (education@hillingdon.gov.uk)

Testing kits are in demand and we are aware that families are waiting longer than expected to be tested. Schools should continue to encourage staff / parents / carers / pupils to contact Testing in Hillingdon and keep checking back for availability.

All regional testing and mobile testing sites are booked through a national portal. There have been national issues with laboratory capacity to process tests and in response to this the national booking portal is being controlled to prioritise areas which have higher rates of infection. As Hillingdon is comparatively low in infection rates, our portal is being limited so that there is a reduced pressure on the laboratories. Unfortunately Hillingdon Council has no control over this national decision. Central government has asked users to periodically check back on the booking portal as they reopen bookings to the local sites as laboratory capacity increases. We understand that this delay will impact pupils face-to-face learning and have raised this urgent delay issue with the DfE.

Wellbeing for Education Return - school lead contact details required by Wednesday 09.09.2020

The DfE has launched a wellbeing for education return project to provide additional support to schools and colleges. This will enable education staff to promote and support the wellbeing and mental health of pupils and students as they return to full-time education this autumn. In order to start this off in Hillingdon, please complete this wellbeing form link to provide the contact details of the appropriate school lead to receive training. This is usually your SENCO, Senior Lead for Mental Health, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Pastoral, PSHE Lead or Senior Leadership Team Member.  Please see attached information sheet for more information. 

Laptops and tablets for pupils who cannot attend school due to Covid-19 - school ICT lead contact details required by Wednesday 09.09.2020 (maintained schools only)  

The DfE is providing laptops and tablets for disadvantaged children in certain year groups who are affected by the disruption to face-to-face education. Schools are able to order their own devices but first need to complete this ICT form link. This is to provide contact details of your school's ICT lead (the responsible staff member for ordering and setting the devices up). 

Letter from Vicky Ford, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families

The attached letter provides advice and guidance on several issues, including behaviour, risk assessments, face coverings, specialist and visiting practitioners, mental health and wellbeing, aerosol generating procedures and hospital schools, as well as linking to some of the support available to help.    

The School Information (England) Regulations 2020

In 2019 the DfE ran a consultation on 'Financial transparency of local authority maintained schools and academy trusts' and has begun implementing the proposals as per the government response here. 

The School Information (England) Regulations 2020 take effect from 1 January 2021 and there will be a requirement for maintained schools to publish on their website the number of school employees (if any) whose gross annual salary is £100,000 or more in £10,000 bands. 

School Leaders' Briefing (SLB)

This fortnight's SLB articles are:  

• #backtoschoolsafely campaign
• Kooth - Supporting YPs Wellbeing for Education Return
• School Workforce Census Update  
• 2020 Examinations process for Secondary Schools Update   
• FfT Key Stage 4 Update  
• Updates from the STA
• Safeguarding Children Partnership 
• Exclusions Guidance
• Mayor's Summer Art Competition 
• Together we can do Music         

Please continue to email the Education Team via education@hilingdon.gov.uk for any support.

Regards,

Dan