Noticeboard: 16 June 2022

This week's Noticeboard includes an update on Oracle Cloud, FAQs from the recent School Admissions webinar, information about special school and resource base budgets and much more.

Included in this update:

Oracle Cloud Weekly Update from 1B team

Thank you for your continued patience as we implement this new system. 

  • June Payroll submission is now closed. Moving forward all schools are expected to enter additional hours on Oracle Time and Labour.
  • We recently removed access to view invoices within Oracle. You will now receive a daily update on unsuccessful invoices as a spreadsheet. Accounts Payable will review these invoices in order of submission. Thank you for your continued patience as we work through this backlog, please do not contact the school's payments team except in an emergency or after 30 days of submitting your invoice.
  • Work continues to identify the correct approvers of internal charging, until this issue has been rectified BCC colleagues have been requested to pause processing internal charging through Oracle.
  • All schools should now have received their May Payslips and P60s. Contact schoolspayroll@birmingham.gov.uk if your school has not received this.
  • Work is ongoing on BCC reporting functionality from Oracle, we hope our HR, Finance and Payroll colleagues will begin to have access to reports by end of June.
  • We continue to investigate the remittance batch creation issue. Continue to bank your income with your cash collection service and do not enter onto Oracle, keeping a record. Further instructions will be given once the issue is resolved.  

The majority of users are accessing Oracle and Simplified Loader without issues. However, if you are experiencing any access issues please follow the below:

Special School and Resource Base Budget 2022-23

Birmingham City Council has updated the indicative budget for 2022-23 for Special Schools & Resource Based establishments at this link. 

All budget queries should be sent by email to: fairfunding@birmingham.gov.uk and further information can be found here. 

Schools Carry Forward balance as at 31 March 2022

The 2021-22 Year end carry forward balance will be available on 17 June.

We sincerely apologise for the delay and the difficulties it will have caused.

If when undertaking a review of the carry forward balance you have any concerns, please email the Fairfunding mailbox by Tuesday, 21 June 2022: FairFunding@birmingham.gov.uk. 

Any outstanding issues will be dealt with in the 22/23 financial year.

Further information can be found by following this link. 

REMINDER: 2022 Data Collections for EYFSP, Phonics, Key stage 1 and Key stage 2

The website Primary data has now been updated with all the necessary documentation regarding the statutory collections including how to submit the returns and online confirmation forms, which need to be completed once CTF has been sent to the LA for EYFSP, Key stage 1 and Phonics.

Please see link 'Deadlines Poster 2022’ for deadlines of each key stage assessment return. Please note, ALL schools are required to submit final returns by the stated deadlines.

Any files received after the deadlines may not be validated before being submitted to the DfE and schools may not receive reports in a timely manner.

All schools will submit their CTF containing the assessments to the LA using Anycomms+

If you have forgotten your password please try ‘Forgot password’ option on the login page, if you are unsuccessful please complete the following service request form.

Please note Key stage 2 assessment will need to be submitted to STA via Primary Assessment Gateway.

Any queries should be directed to the Data Intelligence team: educationdata@birmingham.gov.uk

Summer Holiday Activities Programme

The Holiday Activities Programme will be running again over the summer holidays targeted at children eligible for Free School Meals.

  • Codes for eligible children will be sent to all schools week commencing Monday 20th June 2022
  • The Bring It On Brum website will be live for parents to book from Friday 1st July

Any queries should be directed to educationdata@birmingham.gov.uk

School Admissions for Pupils from Overseas Including Ukraine - FAQs

Following the webinar that took place in May on School Admissions for pupils from overseas, an FAQ document has been published that can be accessed with the presentation and the recording at this link. 

Supporting Refugees in Schools: Advice from Educational Psychology

Birmingham schools have been welcoming refugees and asylum seekers for many years and are experienced in supporting children who may have been through trauma and have English as an additional language. In response to the devastating war in the Ukraine and the likelihood that we will see an increase in children and young people who are refugees entering our schools, the Educational Psychology Service has put together a brief summary of how you can support them.

This information is taken from the ‘First steps for supporting refugees in your school’ webinar, produced by Birmingham Educational Psychology Service and is available on our Birmingham Educational Support Services website at this link, along with some supporting resources. 

​The webinar is 30 minutes long, ideal for staff meetings, and considers the risk and protective factors that refugee children may experience and what the research, and refugees themselves, identify as important in supporting them.

Induction

  • Provide literature in home language​
  • Use photos​, induction booklets, labels in home language
  • Opportunities to visit/phased induction​
  • Shared decision making​ with family
  • General information for family​ about local services/area
  • Provide opportunity for families to meet others​
  • Provision of uniform and financial support for trips etc​
  • Prepare the environment (signs in home language)​
  • Prepare pupils in classes/school who will be receiving the refugees​; topics of conversation, games they can share

Creating a safe environment

  • Key adult to develop a secure relationship with (daily meet and greet)
  • Safe space for withdrawal and calm​
  • Access to regulating activities​; play, being outside, art, music, those chosen by the pupil
  • Focus on wellbeing over academic progress​; routine is important, but it is more important to be responsive to the child’s needs
  • Structure and predictability​, preparation for change
  • Accessible curriculum; translate where possible, but also build in ​‘language light’ activities such as craft, play during initial weeks

(draw on your experience of supporting children who have been through trauma. Use your TIAAS training or speak to your EP about accessing this)

Developing friendships and a sense of belonging

  • Buddy/partner system​ is a good start but research highlights the need for ‘meaningful social opportunities and networks’
  • Recognition of and valuing culture​, safe opportunities to share eg games, food, celebrations
  • Shared interests ​
  • Additional and supported play opportunities: clubs, after school provisions​
  • Observe existing skills set/interests and build on these 

Supporting families

  • Translated documents and information​
  • Support to access local services and knowledge​
  • Shared decision making​
  • Opportunities to build community with other parents​; coffee mornings, cooking clubs

Support with parenting/how to help their children following the trauma of leaving their home: psychoeducation​. Research shows parenting styles change and children’s behaviour can be more challenging following traumatic experiences, such as war. Parents benefit from being able to talk about what they are finding difficult or changes in their child’s behaviour and receive support on how to respond.

Please see our website: http://www.birminghameducationsupportservices.co.uk/EdPsychService or speak to your school’s visiting EP if you would like further information and support.  

Commonwealth Games tickets for schools, clubs and groups

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (28 July – 8 August) will be the biggest multi-sport event to be staged in the UK for a decade. The Games will create a fantastic legacy, especially for the next generation, and we want as many people as possible to experience the Games.

The Birmingham 2022 Group Ticketing Programme provides an opportunity for schools, clubs and community groups to attend the Games together. The programme is available for a number of selected sessions across nine different sports:

  • Athletics and Para Athletics
  • Badminton
  • Beach Volleyball
  • Boxing
  • Cricket T20
  • Hockey
  • Netball
  • Rugby Sevens
  • Table tennis and Para table tennis

To enquire about a group booking, submit an expression of interest form at this link https://www.birmingham2022.com/tickets/schools-groups

Once submitted, the request will be reviewed by Birmingham 2022 and you will be notified on the status of your request no later than Thursday 30 June. For a group booking, a minimum of 11 tickets can be purchased for a session.

Wellbeing Census for Teachers Now Live!

In addition to the Pupils 2022 Wellbeing Census, schools can now also collect wellbeing data for their school staff by simply following the Staff Wellbeing Survey Instructions at this link.

Schools can collect data from teachers and staff even if they are not taking part in the Pupil Wellbeing Census this year, but it’s important to bear in mind that collecting both pupil and teacher data will give a whole school measurement and result in a more complete dashboard for your school.  

There are less than six weeks to go until the census closes on 21 July so please register your interest by completing the form here.

More details can be found on the Wellbeing Census page at this link.

Never Ever Shake a Baby Campaign

On Thursday, 9 June 2022, the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership, in collaboration with Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (BSolCCG) and Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, launched the new ‘Never Ever Shake a Baby’ campaign to coincide with Child Safety Week. 

The campaign has been developed to raise public awareness of the risks of shaking babies and has been endorsed by the national ICON programme as well as a host of local safeguarding partners.

The core campaign material consists of two short films depicting scenarios in which babies are at risk of being shaken. Both films can be viewed here.

Drawing Skills Workshop - 12 July 2022

To kick off the 2022/23 Primary Art and Design CPD training programme, Birmingham Education Partnership and Arden Primary School are pleased to be offering an afternoon skills workshop in drawing with Birmingham based artist Anne Brierley. This training has been commissioned specifically to support Art Subject Leads and will focus solely on developing confidence in leading drawing lessons that follow the expectations of the Primary skills progression in drawing and mark-making.

Throughout the afternoon with Anne, teachers will learn how to break down the barriers in approaching drawing and develop confidence in using a range of media such as pencils, pastels, inks, pens and chalk, and be guided through the core principles of drawing including modelling and form, observing detail, shading, light and dark, tone, perspective and 3D. 

This is a chance for Art Subject Leads from across the city to meet and work alongside their peers and gain new insight into lead high quality drawing lessons for children, but also to support in house CPD with their teaching colleagues in school. Attendees will also receive a PDF guide from Andrew Fox to support the development of an art history knowledge map in drawing for each stage of primary drawing.

Event Details:

  • What:  Drawing CPD covering the techniques, skills and approaches to support the Primary art curriculum
  • Who: Birmingham Primary Art Subject Leads
  • When: Tuesday 12th July 2022, 13.30 -17.00hrs
  • Where: Arden Primary School, Baker Street, Sparkhill, Birmingham B11 4SF
  • Cost:  £65.00  

Places are limited to 30 and can be booked by following this link or emailing events@bep.education

Clean Air Day, the UK's largest campaign on air pollution is today, Thursday 16 June 2022

Air pollution affects everyone in Birmingham, but especially children. The good news is that small changes can make a big difference – and we can all play our part!

For Clean Air Day pupils are invited to get creative and come up with their own Clean Air Superhero. 

As entries may be posted on social media please ask children NOT to write their full name on the front of their entry. If you have any ‘real life’ superhero photos, please provide parent/guardian permission for their image to be used on social media.

For further resources to support your activities please visit https://www.brumbreathes.co.uk and Clean Air Day | Schools resources (actionforcleanair.org.uk)

Please note entries should be submitted by Friday 24 June latest! 

Free Sustainable Travel webinars: Summer and Autumn Term 

  • Wednesday 22nd June 2022 - 3.45pm-4.30pm: Transition travel to secondary school
  • Thursday 7th July 2022 - 3.45pm-4.30pm: Getting accredited with Modeshift STARS 
  • Wednesday 15th September 2022 - 3.45pm-4.30pm: Getting started with Modeshift STARS
  • Wednesday 19th October 2022 - 3.45pm-4.30pm: Road STARS
  • Wednesday 16th November 2022 - 3.45pm-4.30pm: Getting accredited with Modeshift STARS 

Sustainable travel topics are:

  • Road safety and signposting you to resources to enable you to keep your pupils safe. 
  • Providing sessions about Modeshift STARS the national award scheme which offers support and rewards to schools for taking steps to promote safer, greener, healthier travel.  To enable you to get started and accredited and what FREE support and funding available to support this messaging.
  • Transition for pupils moving from primary to secondary school and discussing what tools they will need to do this in sustainable way, for example public transport, cycling, walking. 

To register for these sessions please email connected@birmingham.gov.uk

Introduction to the Early Career Framework Programme with Best Practice Network 

Services for Education is working in partnership with Best Practice Network to deliver the Early Career Framework for Early Career Teachers (ECTs) in the first two years of their profession. This DfE funded programme is open to all schools. The programme will be delivered in Central Birmingham and online by the Services for Education team.

This 45 minute free briefing taking place on Thursday 23rd June 2022 3.30pm-4.15pm will introduce you to the programme, the registration process and the Appropriate Body service.

You can register for the briefing using this link and if you require any further details, please contact ectinduction@servicesforeducation.co.uk

Tax-Free Childcare Parent and Provider Surveys May/June 2022

The Early Years and Childcare Service is undertaking parent and childcare provider surveys to support and inform the local authority and National Strategies to encourage increased participation in the Tax Free Childcare scheme that was rolled out by HMRC in 2017.

The latest data confirms that participation in the scheme is a lot lower than anticipated and that many families are not taking advantage of the scheme to receive a contribution to their childcare costs which in turn could have financial benefits for childcare providers across the sector. The surveys went live on BEHEARD on Friday 19th May 2022 and will close on Friday 24th June 2022.

Can you please complete the childcare provider survey and encourage as many parents and carers as possible to engage in the survey as the results will be used to inform strategies to increase participation across all sectors moving forward. In addition, awareness of the survey may prompt parents and providers alike to participate in the scheme. 

The surveys will take no more than 10 minutes to complete from a phone, tablet or computer, and can be accessed via the following links: 

Tax Free Childcare Survey for Parents May 2022 

In addition, please use the poster to promote the parent survey. The poster can be found on EYMIS in the Tax Free Childcare Folder – Please use Username: PVI2 and Password: PVI2year.

Tax Free Childcare Survey for Childcare Providers May 2022

Thank you in advance for your participation.

This entry was posted by Laura Hendry on 10/06/2022.