17th May 2021

Dear Colleagues,

Please see our weekly   Education Executive Summary [258KB]   round-up of schools' guidance update.

Reception Start Dates Guidance

Following SSPB last week, where we shared the new Reception Start Dates Guidance, we are now sharing this with all schools to be aware of. This  guidance [67KB] has been written to support school leaders when making decisions about transition periods for new Reception classes in September. It is important that leaders are aware of parents' legal rights when starting their children in Reception class and that transition periods should be limited to a short period rather than having extended transition periods before children begin full-time. This document is for school leaders and staff only.

Updated Guidance - Schools coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance

Please see here for the latest guidance for schools. Please note the following regarding use of face masks:

Ensure face coverings are used in recommended circumstances

The reintroduction of face coverings for pupils, students or staff may be advised for a temporary period in response to particular localised outbreaks, including variants of concern. In all cases, any educational drawbacks should be balanced with the benefits of managing transmission.

Hillingdon school term dates amendment 2021-22 

The Council has formally amended Hillingdon's school term dates for the academic year of 2021/22 due to the additional Bank Holiday provided on Friday 3^rd June 2022. This has been amended by reducing the number of teaching days from 190 to 189 (plus 5 inset days), totalling to 194 school days. We have removed one day between 19^th April 2022 to 27^th May 2022. As schools have already scheduled their INSET days, Headteachers can decide which one day they will remove between these dates to fit best with their timetabling. Please see  confirmed term dates [76KB] .

How to improve usage of your 2021 attainment data

Due to the cancellation of all Key Stage examinations in 2021 caused by the Covid pandemic the NCER and FFT have set up systems to help schools measure their Teacher Assessments and predicted outcomes for both Primary and Secondary attainment.

KS2 2021 - FFT   (See section on EYFSP and Key Stage1 & 2 results)

KS4 2021 - FFT  (See section on GCSE and A Level results service)

Attachments:

1.  Slideshow of FFT Key Stage 4 benchmarking scheme [2MB]
2.  2021 KS4 Exam Import [267KB]
3.  2021 Nexus Predicted Outcome Import [106KB]

The NCER have set up a system of spreadsheets which schools can use to upload their pupil assessments and predicted outcomes. These cover EYFSP and Phonics plus Key Stages 1 & 2 for Primary (due in July) and Key Stage 4 for Secondary (due in August). 

Schools that upload these returns will have access to a range of NOVA reports which will also look at their data in comparison to all other schools in the LA and Nationally which submit returns (individual school results will be anonymised). Schools that are interested in using this service should use the attached spreadsheets and guidance.  The spreadsheets should be returned to the Business Performance Team using a secure email system.  The Team will then process them and generate the NOVA reports for participating schools.

FFT - schools that currently subscribe can also upload their results directly from their MIS systems and will then gain access to a range of reports from FFT.

• For Primaries this will cover EYFSP and Key Stages 1 & 2)
• For Secondaries Key Stage 4 FFT are offering a benchmarking facility which allows schools to update returns for between 1 and 49 selected subjects at any time until 16^th June. Secondaries will also be able to upload their GCSE and A Level results in August.

FFT have described the benefits of the benchmarking facility as follows:

"Schools can upload their provisional teacher-assessed grades for analysis, before submitting final grades to the exam boards, in June. The service will support schools to statistically validate and benchmark their grades against a range of FFT models: Compare 2021 TA grades to the school's 2020* and 2019 outcomes. Compare teacher assessed grades against 2020 & 2019 estimates (based on your own school's progress in previous years). Gain an early indication of 2021 subject VA progress scores.   The reports will highlight any unusual subject patterns that may merit further attention or discussion".

Assistance with NCER uploads and further information will be available from the Business Performance Team:

Steve Buckingham  SBuckingham@hillingdon.gov.uk

Sree Reddy             SReddy@hillingdon.gov.uk

If your school does not currently subscribe to FFT but would like to take out new membership, please email Steve Buckingham who will make the appropriate arrangements.

We strongly urge schools to take advantage of either or both of these schemes.

Transition Day

Reminder: The transition day this year will take place on 6^th July.

Changes to UK entry processes, relevant to schools which engage in exchanges with schools in the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

EEA/Swiss nationals can enter the UK for up to six months and visit a school as part of that visit so long as the visit is short and there is no study.

At the moment, such visitors can enter the UK on their ID cards. With effect from 1 October, they will need a passport to enter the UK.

 ID Partner Pack [787KB]

Early Years attendance data

The Early Years attendance data that needs to be returned to the DfE is now being collected fortnightly rather than weekly. The next deadline will be Thursday 27 May. The link (above also) remains the same: Data collection from schools for DfE (office.com)

Make a difference to the lives of local teenagers (Foster for Hillingdon Council)

Hillingdon Council has launched a new fostering campaign during National Foster Care Fortnight (10 to 23 May) to inspire local people to look after teenagers in need of guidance and stability. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a rise in mental health and safeguarding concerns for children in care. There are currently 337 children and young people in the council's care, with two thirds of those over the age of 13. Foster carers are needed now more than ever. Please help us raise awareness about fostering and how this can be a rewarding endeavour.

Children and young people who are unable to live at home with their parents or other family members need the care of foster parents who can offer a safe home where they can thrive and develop.

People from all backgrounds can foster, the minimum age is 25, and a spare bedroom is needed for any child fostered over the age of 2. We support and guide you in the fostering role and you receive a generous allowance, among other benefits.

The link below provides more information about fostering for Hillingdon Council.

Could you foster? - Hillingdon Council

The   Hillingdon New Fostering Campaign [231KB]  article in the current issue of Hillingdon People about one of our foster carers who fosters teenagers.

Please share this information with parents/carers and staff via any means you feel appropriate.

For more information on fostering visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/fostering, or call 0800 783 1298, or email fosteringrecruitment@hillingdon.gov.uk

Foster Care Fortnight is the UK's biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity The Fostering Network. Established in 1997, the campaign showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers. It also supports fostering services to highlight the ne ed for more foster carers. Thousands of new foster families are needed every year to care for children, with the greatest need being for foster carers for older children, sibling groups, disabled children and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Substance Misuse/Use Policy template

The School Placement and Admissions Team would like to share an updated version of the  Substance Misuse/Use Policy [256KB] which has been converted into a word document and it has been developed alongside the programme coordinator within the Adolescent Development Services.

The substance misuse/use policy has been developed to act as a guide for schools when they are writing their own drug and alcohol policy but also allows for considerations to be made when there are incidents involving substance misuse/use and what appropriate interventions that can be sought following these areas of concern. The document has been developed to offer support for children when these incidents have occurred and can form part of a reintegration meeting following fixed period exclusions, due to these specific offenses.

The substance misuse/use intervention is to be piloted in three secondary mainstream schools, but schools are encouraged to make referrals for young people involved in substance use/misuse through the links included in the document.

If there are any questions on the document shared or exclusions and the pilot in general, please contact admissions@hillingdon.gov.uk.

Permanent Exclusion Notification Form

The School Placement and Admissions Team would like to share an updated version of our Permanent Exclusions Notification Form which we have converted into a Microsoft form which will also be uploaded onto LEAP.

Please ensure this is the only form completed to notify the Local Authority of a permanent exclusion moving forward.

The Permanent Exclusions Notification Form has been expanded, to capture more information around young people who are permanently excluded from Hillingdon schools. This will allow information to be shared with our Alternative Provision and the Local Authority. The form allows consideration of early intervention and the ongoing support for young people, following a permanent exclusion.

Any questions on the document shared or exclusions in general, please contact us at admissions@hillingdon.gov.uk / 01895 558670

TfL travel information ahead of further easing of lockdown restrictions and timetable changes

As a result of the further easing of the Government's lockdown restrictions coming into effect on Monday 17 May, TfL are introducing the following changes:

Increase in the capacity of buses

Following a review of the current risk, and after consultation with the Department for Transport, TfL will be doubling the capacity of buses from Monday 17 May, by allowing all forward facing seats to be occupied. This is in line with new arrangements for bus services across the country and increases capacity on the typical double-decker to around 60. Rear-facing seats in bays will continue to be blocked off for the time being.

The increased capacity on the bus network means we will no longer need to designate as many buses for school travel from 17 May and the arrangement to designate every other bus for student travel will end. All school-day-only routes, i.e. those numbered 6XX, will continue to run as normal.  TfL will also continue to provide the 200 additional buses signed as "School Services" for school travel on certain routes until at least the summer half term. TfL are reviewing what provision will be necessary for the second half of the summer term.

The Government's advice is to maintain a social distance where possible and TfL are therefore continuing to encourage customers to maintain a social distance wherever possible within a bus. Face coverings must continue to be worn, covering both the mouth and nose, in stations, on platforms and for the full duration of a journey, unless an exemption applies.

Timetable changes

The introduction of new May rail timetables will also see some changes to train times on some TfL Rail, London Overground and Bakerloo line services, and customers should check before they travel.

Regards,

Dan