Education Bulletin 3 November 2022

Updated 3 November 2022

Important contact details

Email childrensservicesresponse@plymouth.gov.uk for Children's Service general queries

From Ming Zhang
Service Director of Education, Participation and Skills

Dear colleagues,

In my last bulletin, I would like to share with you the fantastic news that we have more schools that have been judged during the first half-term by Ofsted to be Good. Although schools' hard work is not for Ofsted, the better and improved education provision and outcomes for the children in the city are what we all work toward.

Good schools

Congratulations to Julie Bevan, her teams and the pupils of Sir John Hunt Community Sports College on the "Good" Ofsted inspection outcome. This is a significant improvement from previous' "RI" grade in 2018/19. Fantastic news for the City, students and the local communities.

Amongst the many excellent comments, the report states that "Leaders have high expectations of pupils', and that "Pupils talk positively about their learning".

"Leaders are ambitious and determined that every pupil will follow a broad curriculum" and that "Leaders identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)" are key agendas for our city, and such positive outcomes are the result of the drive and determination of both you and your team to secure the best possible outcomes for your pupils.

It is evident that the combined efforts of all members of the school community are successful in ensuring all pupils at Sir John Hunt Community Sports College enjoy learning and make good progress. With the improvement made in the past years, the proportion of Secondary schools in the city being recognised by Ofsted as Good or better has significantly increased from 44% in 2019/20 to 67%. It is still a long way to go but we are getting there with this impressive momentum.

In the meantime, new Headteachers in the city are doing an excellent job hitting the ground running to build on the strength of previous Heads for their own next steps in providing high quality education. For this positive development, I would like to mention one of them, Donna Wilson whose school Mary Dean's Primary School was praised in their Ofsted report as "a happy, friendly and caring school which pupils enjoy attending." It is also recognised that "Leaders prioritise reading from the start." Congratulations to Donna, staff and pupils for achieving Good in the inspection.

Updated Infection Prevention & Control Winter Readiness Toolkit

In this week's bulletin, I include updated information for schools and settings on Infection Prevention and Control Winter Readiness. There is a Toolkit that focuses on seasonal respiratory and gastrointestinal infections but does cover the whole remit of infections seen in these settings, including links to national guidance.

If you have any feedback on the toolkit, please email directly to: winterreadinesspack@ukhsa.gov.uk Very best wishes

Ming

Education updates

Ofsted's tutoring programme review published

Ofsted has published the first of two independent reviews of the Government's tutoring programme in schools and further education providers. Ofsted was commissioned by the Department for Education to look at the overall quality of tutoring provided, how it was integrated into schools' curriculum planning and delivery, and the likelihood that it will help pupils catch up. The reviews draw evidence from visits to 63 schools and 21 further education and skills providers.

Message from The Box, Plymouth

Inspire your students with dazzling objects, fascinating stories and world class art, with workshops linked directly to the national curriculum here at the Box!

Our schools programme includes 20 workshops, online resources and loan boxes that cover topics across the curriculum, with workshops from Ancient Egypt to World War II, Polar Explorers to Science and Species. We've something for everyone from EYFS to FE and HE visits alongside bespoke artist sessions to workshops for students with Special Education Needs and Disabilities, all guided by our team of expert Learning Facilitators.

Currently at The Box join us for free workshops exploring the inspiring artworks and themes of British Art Show 9. Designed for Key Stage 2-4 students the workshop explores the artworks of British Art Show 9 through the theme of migration, reflecting on artists' ideas through a series of fun and collaborative creative activities.

To view our range of workshops, teacher's online resource sand loan box resource please see the learning section of our website.

Fully Funded 2023 Outward Bound Courses for Young People

The Sir Francis Chichester Trust is once again offering FREE places on Outward Bound courses to young people who live in Devon and who are aged 16-22 (at the time of the course, which will be July/August 2023) and to ask that you give some thought as to whether any of the young people that you are working with might benefit and if so help and encourage them to apply.

The courses are designed to help participants make an effective transition into sixth form, further education or work and is a chance to have a life-shaping adventure with people from all over the world, to know what they are truly capable of achieving and to stand out in a crowded market place. The courses are held at the Outward Bound centres in the Lake District, Wales and Scotland.

The aim of these courses is to allow young people to challenge themselves, demonstrate progress focused on personal development, work outside of their normal friendship group and leave with a breadth of experience that will enrich personal statements and set them aside from other young people. The main benefits for the young people are seen in greatly improved self-confidence and team working abilities, together with raised aspirations.

The Trust looks for candidates that wouldn't normally have a chance to undertake anything of this nature and will be able to enjoy and benefit from the experience. Please note that we cannot support any young people that, at the time of their course, are subject to a youth offending/rehabilitation order and also that if a young person has been supported by the Trust previously, they are unlikely to be funded for a further course.

The Sir Francis Chichester Trust will meet the full course fee (up to £1950/person) for successful applicants and ask that they are responsible for their own transport to/from the Outward Bound centre of their choice. However, if transport costs are prohibitive then we will look at additional support if possible.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 24 January 2023 with interviews for those shortlisted being held 2 and 3 March 2023 in Exeter and young people applying must be available on one or other of these dates. An application form can be downloaded from the Trust Website and further details / video clip about the course is also available. You can also download the Trust's Newsletter from the website and this has some feedback from young people who attended a course in 2022 and were supported by The Sir Francis Chichester Trust.

Here's a short video to give you a taster of what an Outward Bound course is all about! Read about how learning and adventure in the wild improves wellbeing in young people!

Designated Safeguarding Leads Briefings

The new look sessions for school staff involved in safeguarding in schools are returning to face to face.

Save the dates for the first two:

Monday 28^th November and Monday 20^th March

The events run from 3:30pm to 5:00pm at the Guildhall with an outside speaker led session to start, followed by group discussions and feedback. The final half an hour is reserved for any local agency information sharing needed.

More details to follow.

Health and wellbeing updates

Updated Infection Prevention & Control Winter Readiness Toolkit

Please find below the link to the newly updated Infection Prevention & Control and Winter Readiness Toolkit. The updated Toolkit is now hosted by SW Councils for the first time. This will now allow us to keep the documents up to date throughout the year.

UKHSA Infection Prevention and Control and Winter Readiness - South West Councils