Noticeboard 8 December 2022

Welcome to this week's noticeboard which contains information on additional capital funding to improve energy efficiency, proposals to reduce PAN for 2023 entry, change in contact details for the newly rebranded Early Education Team, and much more!

Additional Capital Funding for Schools to Improve Energy Efficiency in 2022-23

Please be advised that eligible schools and sixth-form colleges will receive an allocation from an additional £447 million in capital funding in 2022-23 for capital improvements to buildings and facilities, prioritising works to improve energy efficiency. This is part of an additional £500 million in capital funding for schools and further education institutions in England.

The funding will be made available to institutions already eligible for Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) allocations in the financial year 2022-23. This includes eligible maintained nursery, primary, secondary, and special schools, academies and free schools, pupil referral units, non-maintained special schools, sixth form colleges and specialist post-16 institutions with eligible students.

Schools can decide how best to invest the capital funding on energy efficiency measures. Where they judge this is not appropriate based on local circumstances, they have discretion to spend this on other capital projects.

The department has published guidance on sensible steps for reducing energy use and works to improve energy efficiency of your buildings. Details are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-efficiency-guidance-for-the-school-and-fe-college-estate.

Schools are expected to spend the funding in the financial year 2022 to 2023. However, normal terms of DFC apply. These terms are set out in the condition grants spend guidance.

Further details and the allocations for individual schools are available here: School capital funding - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Any queries should be directed using the enquiry form: Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) enquiry form - Customer type - DFE Online Forms.

Pupil Place Planning - Proposals to Reduce PAN for 2023 Entry

In order to address the sustained impact of surplus Primary places and lower intakes in schools, we are proposing a variation to admissions arrangements for a number of schools to enable a reduction to PAN for 2023 entry. The business case will be evaluated and decided upon by the School Adjudicator in due course, and the outcome of the decisions published.

We are currently seeking a proposed PAN reduction at the following maintained school:

  • The Meadows Primary School - reducing from 90 to 60 for Reception 2023

We are also now discussing reductions in PANs for Reception 2024 entry. Community and VC school PANs will be consulted as part of the 6-week consultation this December 2022 with a decision due in Spring 2022.

If you are an academy and would also like to discuss proposals for Reception 2024, please do get in touch.

For further information and any queries, please contact Education Infrastructure: ediplaceplanning@birmingham.gov.uk

Early Education Entitlement - Change of Contact Details

Breaking News! The NEF Team has rebranded and we’ll now be referred to as the Early Education Team.

To reflect the rebrand, and with immediate effect, our email address will change to earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk

We’d be really grateful if you could ensure your records are updated accordingly.

Please rest assured the NEF mailbox will continue to be monitored, and if you accidently send an email to the old address, you’ll receive an automated message reminding you of the change.

The team remains the same and we’re very much looking forward to supporting you with any enquiries regarding early education funding from you as providers and from parents.

With very best wishes

The Early Education Team

earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk

Early Years Autumn WellComm Data Return

For the attention of Primary Schools and Nursery Schools

Thank you for using the WellComm Toolkit to improve Speech, Language and Communication (SLC) outcomes in your school. 

Last term's WellComm data collection return demonstrated that targeted interventions offered by early years providers improved children's level of SLC development by an incredible 25%. The data also indicated that Birmingham still has approximately 50% of children under five not reaching the expected level of development, demonstrating that citywide targeted interventions are vital to support children's educational outcomes. 

We therefore kindly request, that every early year's provider returns their WellComm screening data by the 31 December 2022. This vital data collection process will be used to shape the SLC support available across Birmingham.

To complete the survey simply follow this link

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch:  EYDuty@birmingham.gov.uk

Reception and Year 2-3 Admissions - September 2023

The final closing date for Reception and Year 2-3 admissions for entry in September 2023 is 11.59 pm on Sunday, 15 January 2023.

Applications can be made online through the Birmingham City Council website www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions

Please can you help raise awareness of the process as parents who apply late are less likely to be offered one of their preferred schools.  All the information parents need to support with making their preferences is available on our website www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions 

More advice and support is also available from Children’s Services on 0121 303 1888.

Finally, please note that primary national offer day will fall on Monday, 17 April 2023.

Change of School Purchase Card Holders

Please be reminded that when there are staff changes to purchase card holders, schools should kindly contact one of the following emails to advise of the change:

PurchaseCards@birmingham.gov.uk or Elaine A Smith Elaine.A.Smith@birmingham.gov.uk

This is in relation to any movement in staff or if a cancellation is needed.    

Change of authorising manager:

  • Head Teacher’s Card – Chair of Governor
  • Cardholders – HT or Business Managers

Card to be cancelled when:

  • Leaving School
  • Retired

Please be mindful that cards cannot be retained for use at another school.

With many thanks for your assistance in this matter.

Schools Financial Value Standard 2022/23 Submission

The updated checklist for the 2022/23 submission of the Schools Financial Value Standard can be found by visiting https://www.birminghameducationsupportservices.co.uk/Article/94456

Please note the submission date for the return is 31 March 2023, including the submission of the related party transactions declaration. If there are no related party transactions, a ‘nil-return’ will need to be submitted.

Noted changes within the 2022/23 checklist are in relation to section E on value for money.

All submissions should be returned to schoolsfinassess@birmingham.gov.uk

Thank you!

Calling all Secondary Schools and FE Colleges!

Join Refugee Education UK, STAR and Universities of Sanctuary for the launch event of the Displaced Student Opportunities UK portal on the 12 December at 2pm. You will learn more about the vision for the portal, the process of uploading opportunities and have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have.

Students from forced migration backgrounds continue to face various barriers to accessing higher education - come along to this event to look at various opportunities to support access, including (but not limited to) scholarships and access courses specifically aimed at students seeking sanctuary.

Please share with career advisors, learning mentors, students seeking sanctuary and other people for whom this might be relevant.

You can register for this event by simply following this link

If you have any queries or require further information please contact: accesstouni@star-network.org.uk

West Midlands Safeguarding Children Development Day

Thursday, 15 December 2022: 10:00-15:30 - The Studio, 7 Cannon Street, Birmingham B2 5EP

Facilitated by Dez Holmes from Research in Practice and Peter Sidebotham from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, this session will focus on the Six Key Practice Themes identified in the National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s Annual Report 2020. 

These Six Key Practice Themes are seen as the key issues that can make a real difference in reducing serious harm and preventing child deaths caused by abuse and neglect:

  • Understanding what the child’s daily life is like
  • Working with families where engagement is reluctant and sporadic
  • Critical thinking and challenge
  • Responding to changing risk and need
  • Sharing information in a timely and appropriate way
  • Organisational leadership and culture for good outcomes

To join colleagues from across the region to share experiences and initiatives, please book your place now by simply following this link

The Student Voice: Free Safeguarding Seminar with Helena Wykes-Dart

Monday, 9 January 2023: 16:30

Your webinar hosts will be Jason Tait, Director of Pastoral Care and DSL at a leading all-through and co-educational boarding school in the UK, and Helena Wykes-Dart, a Specialist Adolescent Social Worker and Director of the Adolescent Safeguarding Consultancy Ltd.

Designed for safeguarding professionals, it will introduce and define extra familial harm, contextual safeguarding and outline the importance of pupil voice in empowering students.

Book now by simply following this link to hear from both Helena Wykes-Dart, and the excellent team at The Student Voice

AC Education: Emotionally Based School Avoidance Webinar

19 January 2023 – 15:30-17:00

‘Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) is used to describe children & young people who have severe difficulty attending school due to emotional factors and negative feelings, resulting in prolonged absences.

In this webinar Dr Jerricah Holder (Child and Educational Psychologist) will provide an introduction to Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and key psychological models essential to understanding the needs of children who experience anxiety around attending school.

Moving away from the language of school refusal and with increased emphasis on a more compassionate and child-centred approach, Dr Jerricah Holder will share her ‘Integrated Model of EBSA’ enabling school staff to better understand the complex and often multi-faceted aspects of school avoidance behaviours.

  • An introduction to key psychological models of Emotionally Based School Avoidance
  • Exploration of terminology and why we are no longer using the term ‘school refusal’
  • Presentation of an alternative model, the ‘Integrated Model of EBSA’
  • Increased understanding of the complex and often multi-faceted nature of school avoidance behaviours

The cost of this is £7.99 per person but if you book before 31 December, you will receive an early bird price £5.99. You can book your place by simply following this link

Birmingham’s guidance on Emotionally Based School Avoidance for schools, other professionals, parents and children, #you’vebeenmissed can be accessed here:https://bwc.nhs.uk/youve-been-missed

Leading Primary Science

Thursday, 12 January & Thursday, 27 April 2023

Day 1 – Leading Primary Science

The focus of the course will look at how to develop the Primary Science across a school to ensure that intent, implementation and impact is evident throughout the school. The day will incorporate how to plan meaningful investigations to cover all aspects of Working Scientifically and delegates will leave with an essential Toolkit of how to be an effective Science Leader with the aim of raising the profile of Science at your setting.

Day 2 – Science is Everywhere

The second day focuses on how to maximise Science opportunities through Cross Curricular and Thematic planning and how to make the most of Wow Days, Outdoor Education and Science in the Community. The days will also focus on how to run Science clubs and how playtimes can showcase Scientific investigations.

To book your place simply follow this link

For any queries or further information, please contact: hello@servicesforeducation.co.uk, or telephone 0121 366 9950

Unpicking the KS1 Writing Standards

Tuesday, 24 January 2023

This half day training will make use of the STA national moderator training materials. It will provide an opportunity to explore and clarify the demands of the national standards for writing at end of KS1.

Participation in this training will provide an opportunity for the standardisation of nationally agreed materials.

It will ensure that teachers are equipped to confidently understand and moderate against the national expectations of the pupil can statements set out within the standards of the teacher assessment frameworks.

To book your place simply follow this link

For queries or further information please contact: Denise.harris@servicesforeducation.co.uk or telephone 0121 366 9950

Birmingham Community Healthcare - New Website Launch!

The Neurodevelopmental Pathway (NDP) launched its new website for BCHC Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Services on 1 December 2022!

The NDP Vision is:

To provide high quality neurodevelopmental assessment services to children, young people and families that are accessible, adaptable, inclusive of diversity and provide quality outcomes that ensure children and young people's needs are recognised

To find out more about NDP and the services provided, please visit the website here: Neurodevelopmental Pathway: ADHD & ASD

 

This entry was posted by Dawn Evans on 08/12/2022.