Director's Message - 5th October 2020

Dear Colleagues,

After we mark one month with all pupils back in school, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Headteachers and staff, on behalf of the Council, for maintaining education whilst keeping schools safe during this challenging time.

Please continue to access our full update on Covid-19 guidance, including how schools should continue to ensure protective measures via our FAQs on LEAP. This week's key updates are:

Ofsted visits guidance

Updated guidance from Ofsted confirms that as part of their phased return to routine inspection, Ofsted is carrying out interim visits to schools this term. The visits are designed to support schools in their important work to welcome all pupils back full-time. The interim visits will take place at the discretion of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, using her powers under section 8(2) of the Education Act 2005. Please note that the Inspectors' legal rights of entry and rights to consider and copy information under section 10 of that Act will apply.

Below is feedback from schools that have already been visited under the pilot scheme by HMIs in other boroughs:

Headteachers reported that it was collaborative and informal - HMIs stuck to what Ofsted has outlined in their visit guidance
HMIs x2 carried out each visit with a day's notice
HMIs talked with the school leaders mainly on the following topics (one hour each):
- school context and the barriers faced
- how the school manages Covid education return and how they re-establish the expected routines
- attendance and behaviour, SEND and Wellbeing
- curriculum and how the school manages remote learning, how leaders ensure learners access learning in schools and in self isolation
- safeguarding procedures including single central record
It takes around 1 hour for each topic and HMIs mostly kept to the 10:00am - 3:00pm time scale
Conversations were only with school leaders and not governors
No visit to classes, no interaction with staff or parents, (one Headteacher reported that HMIs did walk around the school when visited)
No schools visited have received the "one page letter"
Overwhelmingly, Headteachers felt it was a positive experience and HMIs were supportive

Provision of Remote Education Temporary Continuity Direction (The Coronavirus Act 2020)

From 22nd October, schools are expected to provide immediate access to remote education, where a class, group of pupils, or individual pupils need to self-isolate, or there are local or national restrictions requiring pupils to remain at home. The expectations on the quality of remote education expected of schools remain those set out in the guidance for full opening published in July 2020.

Governors Termly Session reminder

Please remind your governors that they are invited to attend the virtual Local Authority Governors' Termly Session this week. The meeting details are:

Wednesday 7^th October 2020
18.00 - 19.30
Virtual Meeting - Click here to join the meeting

Governors will hear Local Authority updates from the Corporate Director, SEND, School Improvement, Admissions, Health and Safety, Finance and Safeguarding services - please see the attached agenda for more details.

Local Authority Governors' Termly Agenda - 07.10.20 [32KB]

School Leaders' Briefing (SLB)

This fortnight's SLB articles are:

Early Years data collection
FREE Webinars - Creative Education
New Remote CPD courses for teachers
FREE Webinar - Evolve Advice Trips Update
Join the Music Advisory Group
Metropolitan Police Service Christmas Tree Campaign 2020
National Hate Crime Week 10th - 17th October

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

Regards,

Dan