Education Bulletin 20 October 2022

Updated 20 October 2022

From Ming Zhang
Service Director of Education, Participation and Skills

Dear colleagues,

You may have already heard the report that the Government are planning to drop the Schools Bills after some hurdles through the Parliaments. Whatever the decision, it has been confirmed that the DfE are continuing to work on the policy and implementations, as set out in the Schools White Paper.

You may be interested to know that the title of the DfE programme is "Operation Plymouth", due to the innovative ideas deriving from our successful education partnership that we have developed and evolving in the City over the past two years.

One Plan

While we are still exploring the local priorities in line with the White Paper, as a city, the Place-based Partnership provides a space for the DfE, the City Council and the school leaders to work together in charting our roadmap for continuous education improvement through our partnership. One of the key priorities that we want to achieve this term is to have one single improvement plan for all education phases, from early years to post-16. Anna Mills, our new implementation lead for the Place- based programme has already hit the ground running, engaging the system leaders through the phase partnership forums.

IDSR Update

The DfE have updated the inspection data summary report (IDSR). The update is now live and can be accessed via Ofsted | Inspection Data Summary Report

For all schools, this update includes 2020/21 exclusions data and contextual information, based on January 2022 census data.

The IDSR now shows phonics screening test data for 2022, Key stage 1 & 2 attainment data for 2022, and Key Stage 2 progress data for 2022.

At this time, the DfE have not updated stability data & disadvantaged pupil group data nor added new multiplication table check data. We will include these in a future update, as soon as we are able to.

Have a good half-term break when it arrives.

Ming

Education updates

Government policy, legislative announcements and news

Joint targeted area inspections to focus on early help for children and families

Ofsted, CQC and HMICFRS have published guidance for the thematic focus on early help for families, as part of their programme of joint targeted area inspections (JTAIs).

Local areas' multi-agency arrangements for helping children and families early will be the focus of upcoming thematic JTAIs carried out by Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), starting in November 2022.

These JTAIs will consider how different agencies across children's social care, education, health, and the police, work together to reduce risks to children and families, and meet their needs early.

MASH Contact (referral to Children's Social Care)

It has come to our attention that some schools/settings are still using out-dated referral forms. Please can we remind you to use the updated Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Contact (referral) form. This is available on the Plymouth Safeguarding Children's Partnership (PSCP) website http://www.plymouthscb.co.uk/making-a-referral/

Please note: If an old form is used it will not be accepted by Gateway which will result in delays and added work.

Commitment to Plymouth Inclusion Charter

As part of the Plymouth Inclusion Charter, Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Parent Carer Voice have recorded an information session about the launch of the Commitment to the Plymouth Inclusion Charter for schools. This video gives further details about the charter and how schools can sign up to the commitment. The framework provides schools with an opportunity to consider the meaning of inclusion in its widest sense structured through a whole school approach and we are keen for all schools to sign up over the course of the year.

Please follow the link to the Local Offer where you will find more details.

Plymouth Inclusion Charter - Plymouth Online Directory

PTSA English Open Hub Meeting - Primary Schools Supporting Parental Literacy

Friday 11th November, 1.30-3.30pm at Salisbury Road Primary School Audience: English leads and school PSAs

We already have many schools signed up for this, so if you have not yet responded and would like to be part of the conversation, don't delay!

Plymouth local authority are working with PTSA to support this Plymouth Child Poverty Action Group initiative. This hub meeting will focus on the goal of schools supporting parental literacy, particularly for EAL or socially disadvantaged parents, as a means to closing the attainment gap for children. We will hear presentations from schools working positively to engage parents and improve parental literacy, and there will be opportunities for discussion between schools to share ideas and plan future initiatives.

For many schools in the city, creating extended opportunities to develop communities is key to raising aspirations and opportunities for children. With this in mind, we look forward to welcoming you to this event.

To book your place please email info@ptsa.uk