5th July 2021

Dear Colleagues,

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

Prepping for Mandatory RSE for Teachers - Online Training - 14 July 3.30-5pm

With compulsory RSE introduced in schools in England in September 2020 but delayed to summer 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is vital that educators get the support they need to implement successful relationships and sex education. The training aims to discuss how to approach sensitive issues such as STIs and contraception, consent, and sexual identity. We also hold a Q&A session for participants to ask questions relating to this topic. 

This training is aimed at teachers or professionals delivering relationships and sex education to young people.  Bookings to attend this course are to be made via learning Zone.

We ask that you do not forward this link to colleagues, as all bookings should be made via Learning Zone.Click here to access the Learning Zone to book onto the course.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Changes to faith school admissions arrangements

New guidance has been released by the government on changes to faith oversubscription criteria in faith school admission arrangements which have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there have been periods when the opening of places of worship (especially for public or communal worship) have been restricted and as a result many parents and their children have not been able to attend as normal. This has meant that schools designated as having a religious character, with admission arrangements that prioritise applicants based on regular attendance at a place of worship and/or at public or communal worship, may find their admission arrangements do not work as originally intended for September 2022.  As a result, schools with religious affiliations may need to seek a variation to their admission arrangements to ensure parents are clear on what they need to do to meet the relevant criteria. Schools will need to ensure that more detailed advice on the variation process is published within their arrangements.

Whilst it would be helpful to parents if varied arrangements were in place by the deadline for publication, this may not always be possible. It is essential that parents have adequate time to consider any varied admission arrangements sufficiently in advance of the closing date for applications (15 January 2022 for primary schools and 31 October 2021 for secondary schools), so that parents can begin to consider their options on the basis of up to date information. Due to the time it might take to process numerous variations, the DfE have asked that variation requests are submitted as early as possible but, at the latest, by the following dates:

• primary schools - November 2021
• secondary schools - September 2021

For further guidance on applying for a variation to your admissions arrangements, please review this document to better understand what this means for your school and the requirements.

If your school will be applying for a variation, please let the School Placement and Admissions team know by emailing admissions@hillingdon.gov.uk.

FFT announce that the end of Key Stage Assessment Service is now live

We received the following information from FFT on 30th June 2021:

We are pleased to announce that the FFT 2021 End of Key Stage Assessment Serviceis now live. The service allows schools to upload their 2021 end of key stage EYFS, KS1 and KS2 teacher assessments to Aspire. Participating schools will receive a full analysis of their TAs, including 2021 FFT national attainment and progress comparisons before the end of term. Most importantly, the TAs will also be used to provide schools with future estimates for next year's Year 1 and Year 3 pupils.

Important notes:

• This service is free to all Aspire schools
• Schools that installed Aspire Data Exchange before June 24 can upload their TAs from today until the service closes on July 28
• Schools that install Aspire Data Exchange between June 24 and July 9 can upload their TAs from July 12

Playday 2021

We are happy to announce that this year's Playday event on the 4th August will be going ahead.  Events will take place at various venues across the Borough.  There will be a range of free activities available for families to book.  Groups will be small so as to maintain social distancing.  Please see   this flyer [436KB]  for schools to distribute to parents electronically.  All booking details can be found at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/playday

SEND Advisory Service- Non-Statutory Funding Update

Following the recent Early Support Funding (ESF) review, we developed a working party and have made many changes, as presented at the recent SENCO forums. A huge thank you to all of you who took the time to contribute to this review. It is paramount that we work in collaboration with all invested parties to ensure we have an effective process in place.

Most of your suggestions have been implemented. Here is a quick summary:

• Exceptional funding and ESF separated with specific criteria/guidance for each strand
• Simplified application process for Exceptional funding (SENDEX)
• Applications processed at SEND panel in line with EHCP processes
• Funding is applied using the banded model, in line with EHCPs
• Updated guidance with clear access criteria - Non-Statutory Funding Guidance
• Provision map guidance more detailed
• Exemplars available which show level of information required
• Renewal form created to support succinct summary of impact of previous funding
• The hourly rate for human resources will be reviewed in line with all funding sources in due course.

This process is now live and all applications for 'SENDEX' should be made using the new application form. ESF applications continue to be made through the existing process. All applications must be made in line with the criteria contained in the guidance document. The guidance, supporting documentation and application forms are available here: SEND Local Offer - Information for Professionals

Applications for children starting Reception

Please note that funding applications for children starting Reception in September must be submitted by the primary school in September, once the child is actively enrolled. We will not be accepting applications made by nurseries for children who will be starting compulsory education. However, we do suggest a robust transition plan using a TAC (team around child) process. This will enable the receiving school to gather information/evidence and update any APDR (assess, plan, do, review) which may be relevant for the September application. In order to speed up the process, clear and effective APDR from previous settings will be considered at panel for transitioning children.

London Marathon

The 2021 Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon in schools is back, taking place in September and October this year. Last year, over 100,000 children took part and this year we are looking to make Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon in schools even bigger and better. Once you're signed up, children and young people in your school will need to run, jog, walk or wheel 2.6 miles between Monday 27 September and Friday 22 October. Activity can be adapted for people with additional needs. The first 500,000 children to take part will receive a free commemorative pin badge and there are lots of resources on the website to help make the event a success. Head over to the website to find out more and sign up today: https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/the-event/mini-london-marathon-in-schools

Regards,

Dan Kennedy