• Important Information - Recent Cyber-Attacks in Schools and How to Minimise Data Security Risks
• Bring it on again Brum! For EVERYONE! 
• DfE Statutory School Census - Spring 2023
• Have Your Say on the Strategic Visions for Learning Disabilities and Autism
• Spoken Language, and its Importance within the English Curriculum 
• Supporting Children who have Experienced Trauma
• AET Schools: Leadership, Inclusion and Structural Reasonable Adjustments
• AET Governor's Seminar: Schools Programme for Developing Provision
• AET Early Years: Good Autism Practice

Important Information – Recent Cyber-Attacks in Schools and How to Minimise Data Security Risks

Last autumn’s The Auditor Magazine (Issue 63AF) included an article warning of a recent cyber breach at one of Birmingham’s schools. 

To minimise data security risks, this article recommends that all schools arrange for their IT providers to set up Two Factor Authentication (2FA), (also known as Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) for schools’ email accounts as soon as possible. Once activated, it provides an extra layer of online protection that alerts a member of staff when an attempt is being made to access their account.

Birmingham City Council has recently become aware of schools in Birmingham being increasingly targeted by criminals trying to gain access to personal information and IT systems via ever more sophisticated ‘Phishing’ emails. Although these appear to be genuine emails, they are from criminals who can impersonate other members of staff, a headteacher or a recognised company.

So, as well as having tighter technical controls in place, sensitive information or data may be unintentionally released into the public domain due to human error, or a lack of awareness about the particular risks involved. To help reduce these risks, there are a number of ways to protect school networks and the city council’s IT systems, including:

• never sharing network IDs or passwords either by telephone or email.
• following national advice on strengthening the technical aspects of cyber security as well improving as staff awareness
  • check out the important mail-check service information on the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) website about improving your school’s email security 
  • use the learning resources on the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) website to strengthen staff awareness about Phishing attacks
• For Birmingham maintained schools (not Academies), if a data breach incident leads to an online fraud or theft, it must be reported to Birmingham Audit BirminghamAudit@birmingham.gov.uk in accordance with BCC Financial Regulations.

Bring it on again, Brum! For EVERYONE!

As an extension of our incredibly popular holiday activities and food programme, events in sports centres, youth clubs and community venues across Birmingham, offering 12,000 spaces during February Half Term.

Bring it on Brum activities are aimed at children and young people in Birmingham aged 4-16 who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals, however these February half term events are open to ALL families to try a taste! This includes families with no recourse to public funds, those struggling with the cost-of-living, and those who are new to Bring it on Brum activities.  

The events are running from Saturday 18th to Sunday 26th February. They will feature a HUGE range of activities: including sports and games, arts and crafts, cookery, dance and music, as well as information and advice for the whole family. Programmes will vary depending on the type and location of each local sports venue and club, but every day there will be a nutritious meal served up for FREE!

Find out more at www.BringItOnBrum.co.uk

DfE Statutory School Census – Spring 2023

Census date: Thursday, 19 January| Return date: Monday, 23 February

Schools will have received information regarding the Spring 2023 Census and guidance on how to make submissions.

This is a polite reminder to ask schools to kindly complete the Census, and to thank you in advance for your support and cooperation in doing so.

Should you have any queries regarding the Census, please don’t hesitate to contact schoolcensus@birmingham.gov.uk

Have Your Say on the Strategic Visions for Learning Disabilities and Autism

Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System are looking to create a consistent vision, across health and social care, to help focus on ways to collectively support people with learning disabilities and autism, as well as their families and carers.

They would like to hear your views to help finalise the vision which will then help shape delivery plans.

You can find the survey links and supporting downloadable documents on the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board website, together with options to book onto an engagement event if you would prefer to share your views in person.

Please note that engagement on the draft visions and proposed priorities started on Monday 16 January 2023 and ends on Monday 6 March 2023.

If you require any further information please contact: contactusbsolics@nhs.net

Spoken Language, and its Importance within the English Curriculum

Thursday, 23 March 2023 - 13:00-16:00

This half-day, online course is ideal for English leads and school leaders who wish to further develop their spoken language curriculum to ensure the greatest impact in school. Discussions will include how to implement strategies and schemes, and identify why the development of spoken language deserves to be at the centre of the English curriculum.

Delegates will learn and develop their understanding of:

• The Spoken Language Curriculum – we will identify and discuss what this may look like in practice.
• Spoken language and its relationship with reading and writing, exploring research-based evidence and pedagogy
• Identify opportunities for the development of spoken language through the rest of the curriculum.
• Discuss and identify key strategies and approaches which could be clearly implemented consistently within the school, ensuring maximum impact
• How the development of spoken language supports other agendas within the school such as emotional and mental health, PSHE, emotional development and literacy, social skills and more

To book your place simply follow this link

For queries or further information please contact Emma Mudge, Services for Education: Emma.mudge@servicesforeducation.co.uk

Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma

Tuesday, 28 March 2023 – 09:00-16:00

During this online training, delegates will develop their understanding of the ongoing impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences and the additional support these children will require to achieve their best.

Delegates will gain:

• An understanding of ways in which a child’s brain development is impacted by trauma and adverse childhood experiences
• Confidence in their ability to identify and understand how trauma affects children and adolescents
• A knowledge of the different types of trauma children may have experienced
• An understanding of the impact of secure and insecure attachment on brain development and mental health
• An understanding of the principles of a trauma-informed approach to supporting traumatised children and adolescents
• A range of practical strategies to help regulate distressed children.

Delegates will also have chance to discuss best practice in their own settings and ask questions of other delegates regarding dealing with trauma.

To book your place simply follow this link

For queries or further information please contact Lucie Welch, Services for Education: Lucie.welch@servicesforeducation.co.uk

AET Schools: Leadership, Inclusion and Structural Reasonable Adjustments

Wednesday, 15 February 2023 – 09:00-12.30

This online training module will help leaders to understand what is needed to fully embed an inclusive culture. It looks at education legislation and guidance surrounding inclusion, the steps required to lead culture change and the importance of considering structural reasonable adjustments and AET resources to support leaders with this.

The aim of this module is to enable delegates:

• To look at how inclusive provision and structural reasonable adjustments can help a setting to be outstanding.​
• To consider what is needed to lead culture change in a setting.​
• To know about AET resources and guidance that can support leaders to provide inclusive environments through structural reasonable adjustments.​
• To consider different ways of making structural reasonable adjustments to ensure autistic pupils are fully supported.

To book your place simply follow this link

Please book before Monday, 13 February to guarantee your place. Links are sent to participants via email by kyle.simms@birmingham.gov.uk up to two days before.

AET Governor’s Seminar: Schools Programme for Developing Provision

Friday, 3 March 2023 – 13:00-15:30

The AET programme is funded and approved by the DfE. It offers nationally delivered face-to-face training for staff working with children and young people with autism in mainstream and specialist settings, along with a set of national autism standards and a professional competency framework support the training modules.

The session will consider how educational settings can use the AET programme to:

• Understand the importance of the Good Autism Practice Principles and the Inclusion Promises.
• Consider how your provision can embed the principles and promises to ensure children and young people (CYP) receive a positive education.
• Understand how to embed the AET Frameworks across your provision to improve good autism practice.

To book your place simply follow this link

Please book before Tuesday, 28 February 2023 to guarantee your place. Links are sent to participants via email by kyle.simms@birmingham.gov.uk up to two days before.

AET Early Years: Good Autism Practice

Monday, 13 March 2023 – 09:00-16:00: Thornbury Centre, Thornbury Road, Birchfield, Birmingham, B20 3DE (on road parking only!)

In this module, delegates are taken through some of the distinct learning needs, strengths, and difficulties that autistic children share, whilst helping delegates take note of individual differences. Participants are given the opportunity to start thinking about a particular autistic child and their learning needs, along with ways in which they can adjust and adapt their own practice and the learning environment. 

The aim of ‘Good autism practice in the Early Years’ is to support practitioners who work directly with autistic children to:

• Develop their knowledge and understanding of good autism practice.
• Reflect on and improve their practice in working with autistic children.
• Understand strategies and approaches they can draw upon for autistic children they work with.
• Reflect on the kind of information they need to collect for the one-page profile, the support plan, and the EYFS profile.
• Consider how to involve the autistic child and their family in setting learning goals. 

After completing ‘Good autism practice in the Early Years’, delegates will be able to:

• Develop their knowledge of how the key areas of difference can affect the learning of an autistic child.
• Consider the approaches, strategies, and adaptations they can implement to remove barriers to wellbeing, participation, and learning for autistic children.
• Understand the importance of involving the child and family in planning and setting learning goals.
• Reflect on ways of gathering information from the child, parents/carers, and other professionals.

To book your place simply follow this link

Please book before Tuesday, 7 March to guarantee your place.