Noticeboard - 26 October 2023

This week's noticeboard contains important information on further school support for the Israel-Gaza conflict, severe weather closure arrangements, a measles (MMR) vaccine reminder for parents/carers, and more!

Included this week:

IMPORTANT: Israel-Gaza Conflict – Information ‘Drop-In’ Sessions – Monday, 6 November 2023

We recently provided information and resources to support schools on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

For schools who require additional support, we’re offering a series of ‘Drop-in' Sessions with Razia Butt – Director, Thriving Children and Families, and Ayisha Ali –  Prevent Education Officer, on Monday, 6 November 2023.

Sessions will be offered every 30 minutes from 10:00-12:00 and then again from 13:00-15:30.

To book a place at one of these sessions, please get in touch with Harinder Kaila at Harinder.Kaila@birmingham.gov.uk. Once you’re booked onto a session, a Teams invite will be forwarded directly to you.

These sessions are an opportunity to ask any questions you may have, but please ensure you’ve reviewed the previous correspondence prior to the session.

We look forward to seeing you!

School Closure Arrangements in Case of Severe Weather

Headteachers will have received a recent communication from Sue Harrison, Director for Children and Family Services confirming the council’s recommended arrangements for closing its maintained schools in the event of severe weather. If schools have any queries regarding these arrangements please don’t hesitate to contact the School and Governor Support team at school.support@birmingham.gov.uk

Measles (MMR) Vaccine Reminder for Parents/Carers

As half term approaches, this is an ideal time to get up to date with the measles (MMR) vaccination. There has been a recent rise in measles cases across the country, and Birmingham and Solihull have low MMR vaccination rates so there is a risk of a measles outbreak this winter.

Schools will have received a letter from Public Health encouraging the uptake of the MMR vaccine and which can be forwarded to Parents/Carers to provide important information and act as a reminder.

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact the Health Protection team at HPteam@birmingham.gov.uk, or for more information visit Measles - NHS

BCC/BEP Briefing – Friday, 10 November 2023: 11:00-12:00

Don’t forget to book your place at the next BCC/BEP Headteacher briefing. This is your opportunity to hear the latest updates from Sue Harrison, Strategic Director for Children and Families, and Juliet Silverton, BEP.

To find out more and book your place simply follow this link - BCC/BEP Briefing on Birmingham Education Hub (eduhub.org.uk)

Learning to Shape Birmingham 2023 Conference

Tuesday, 14 and Wednesday, 15 November 2023 – The National Conference Centre B92 0EJ

Book your place at the 2023 Learning to Shape Birmingham Conference! This year’s conference aims to uphold innovation in the face of adversity, to envision intelligent and positive ways of leading education through these challenging times. Colleagues will hear from forward thinking experts as well as gaining practical input through a choice of workshops. You can check out the Conference Agenda here and book tickets simply by following this link.

Don’t forget to book separately for the Conference Fringe Event - A conversation with Sue Harrison, taking place immediately after day 1 of the conference between 17:15-19:00. This event will consist of a series of short updates, a meal and a conversation about how we can best improve joint working across the city.

We very much look forward to seeing you, and if you have any queries in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at events@bep.education

Spring 2024 Compliance Return

The compliance return for non-buying schools will be available shortly and will be sent directly to schools. As part of the Local Authority’s statutory monitoring role, the form has been revised to capture further key information. In addition to this we have standardised the information we require by bringing it into line with the ESFA reporting framework.

The deadline for submissions is 26th January 2024.

If you have any queries, please contact Husham Khan at Husham.Khan@birmingham.gov.uk

Safer, Cleaner and Healthier Autumn Travel Updates

Would your school like to become a Car Free School Street?

Three more schools have been added to Birmingham's Car Free School Streets programme. Brookvale Primary School, New Hall Primary School, and Penns Primary School joined the programme in September, making a total of 20 schools across the city.

By closing streets to motor traffic at the start and end of the school day, congestion is reduced, air quality is improved, and walking, scooting and cycling to school is made safer.

We are now inviting expressions of interest from any schools who would like to join the next phase of the Car Free School Streets programme in September 2024.

Road Safety Week – Sunday 19 to Saturday 25 November 2023

Road Safety Week provides the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of safe driving, to protect all road users. 

Take part in Road Safety Week 2023 and do something amazing to raise awareness of the dangers of excess or inappropriate speed. Why not host an assembly at school, or organise some road safety based activities in class? There are plenty of resources for schools on the Brake website. This will help children, young people and parents learn why road safety matters, and enable them to speak up for safe and healthy journeys.

Bikeability sessions this half term!

The Active Wellbeing Society will be offering FREE sessions over half term at Calthorpe Park, Handsworth Park and Kings Heath Park. These sessions will be running from Monday 30 October to Friday 3 November in the mornings and afternoons. Spaces are limited and booking is required.

Contact bikeability@theaws.org to book onto a session near you.

Have you ever thought about becoming a Bikeability instructor? If you live in Castle Vale and would like to give back to the area, Bikeability are offering free training to become an instructor, find out more on the Active Wellbeing Society’s website.

Bus service updates

  • As of Sunday 22nd October, the following timetables have changed: 71, X1, X2 & X14. We've also introduced two new services 71A & 96.
  • From Sunday 29th October there will be timetable changes to selected services during the October half term holidays.
  • From Sunday 5th November, there will be changes to some services and timetables. The following services will be affected: 2, 3, 4/4H/4M, 5, 6, 7, 8/X8, 9, 12/12A, 13/13A, 27, 54/54A, 74, 80, 89, 126, X12, X13 & X10.
  • Further updates can be found at National Express West Midlands Service Updates

Dates for the diary

For any queries, please contact the Birmingham Connected Team at connected@birmingham.gov.uk

Solar Power for Schools

Using solar power from the roof of your school can decrease your electricity bills. Solar for Schools is a national Community Benefit Society which puts solar panels on schools and then sells the electricity back to the school at a cheaper rate than normal grid supplies.  Solar for Schools pays for the solar panels and their installation. 

They also provide education resources in energy and sustainability for the lifetime of the system.

There is more information on the Solar for Schools website: https://www.solarforschools.co.uk/

This is a fantastic opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint of your school and reduce your energy bills too.

Solar for Schools have recently been awarded £500,000 to support schools in deprived areas with their solar projects.  If your school has 30% or more pupils on Free School Meals, please contact Danielle for more information.

Disclosure and Barring Service Free Online Workshops

The Disclosure and Barring Service is running a series of workshops suitable for those who are dealing with safeguarding, welfare, disciplinary, and HR. 

To find out more and to book your place simply click on the appropriate link below:

National Childhood Measurement Programme Screening

All mainstream primary schools will soon be receiving information regarding booking screening as part of the national childhood measurement programme (NCMP). As we work towards being a paper-lite, schools will be given the option to access a virtual parental opt out letter rather than printed versions. These can be distributed to parents using electronic means. Schools will continue to be able to access paper versions via Birmingham School Health Support Service if required. Your school’s allocated school health assistant will be in contact with you in coming weeks to book your screening. Please let them know if you prefer printed copies.

If you would like to discuss further, please contact your schools allocated school health assistant or Frances Smith (NCMP lead) on 0121 245 5750.

Dingley’s Promise Early Years & SEND Training Courses

Have you signed up for your FREE Dingley’s Promise Early Years Inclusion Training Programme?

Dingley’s Promise Early Years Inclusion Programme is offering a range of free courses and learning options to support all Birmingham early years and childcare settings, including nurseries, childminders, out-of-school settings, holiday playschemes, maintained nursey schools and early years registered school settings in their inclusive practice for children with special educational needs (SEND) 

The training includes the following courses:

  • Introduction to Early Years Inclusive Practice
  • Behaviours That Challenge
  • Level 3 Certificate in Early Years Inclusive Practice
  • Early Years SEND Transitions
  • Having Difficult Conversations with Families
  • The Voice of The Child

All courses are a combination of workbooks, videos, and activities and a further four courses will be developed based on the needs of the city.  This means the training can be completed at your own pace offering learners flexibility. Learning assessed through learners' experiences rather than a formal assessment.  The free training is available to all practitioners in each setting to support a whole setting approach.  All of these courses are available to parents/carers, children’s centre staff and foster carers currently supporting or are likely to support children with emerging or identified SEND.  The training can also be accessed by partner professionals from health or the local authority working with early years children and their families.  Early years settings that complete the training will be awarded an ‘Inclusion Friendly’ Dingley’s Promise kitemark (subject to meeting the criteria attached).  We want as many people as possible to access the training and there is no limit on how many people from a setting or service can access it.

To access the training and for more information simply follow this link and complete the registration form : Early Years Inclusion Programme - Dingley's Promise or you can email training@dingley.org.uk

Dingley’s Promise Parent/Carer Representatives

Dingley’s Promise is a registered charity and is delivering a five-year programme of free training courses funded by Comic Relief, to support the improvement of outcomes of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to early years and childcare settings.

We are inviting Birmingham parents/carers of children aged 0-5 years old to support the delivery of this inclusion project by becoming a Parent/Carer Rep for the project. This is a rewarding role and will also be a great opportunity for parents/carers to access training that will support their knowledge and understanding around SEND and inclusion.  The project will ensure co-production with families and a local stakeholder group with parent representation as part of a National Parent Board to help oversee the project.

If you are interested in becoming a parent/carer rep, please email your full name and contact number to eyduty@birmingham.gov.uk, (please put Dingley’s Parent Rep in the subject line of your email)

To access the training and for more information simply follow this link: Dingley’s Promise Early Years Inclusion Programme

Dingley’s Promise - Shaping the national picture for children in the Early Years with SEND

Dingley’s Promise are passionate about change, and we know you are too.  There are shared concerns that our young children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are not always as welcomed and supported as they could and should be in early years settings and Dingley’s Promise want to document and quantify the reasons why. Dingley’s Promise, Chief Executive Catherine McLeod has been working hard to form partnerships and build a national picture. This work is particularly pertinent as the new entitlements’ rollout over the next few years and the attainment and access gap is at risk of widening.

To that effect Dingley’s have created the online surveys below and are keen for them to be distributed far and wide. Please complete the setting survey and distribute the family surveys to your parent/carers and through your local networks. If possible, please complete the short survey by 17th November 2023

Survey for Families - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/M8KCPGK

My Birmingham Rewards

Are you a community or voluntary controlled school?

If so, then you have free access to My Birmingham Rewards, Birmingham City Council’s employee benefits platform.

On the My Birmingham Rewards platform you’ll find:

  • Discounts and savings at 850+ retailers including at well-known supermarkets (Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsburys +more), high street shopping, utility providers, staycation & holidays, days out, cinema tickets, dining out and much more.
  • A variety of fantastic benefit schemes, provided by nationally recognised suppliers including:
    • Financial wellbeing providers Salary Finance, CitySave and HSBC
    • Physical health & wellbeing providers such as CSSC Sports & Leisure membership, BCC’s Employee Assistance Programme and BHSF Health cash plan
    • Salary Sacrifice Schemes such as Cycle2Work from Halfords and Tusker car benefit scheme.

(Tusker is only available to support staff on the NJC T&C’s)

Please click here to register: My Birmingham Rewards

If you have any questions or queries, or you would like to book us to attend a virtual introductory session, free of change for your school, please email MyRewards@birmingham.gov.uk

The Auditor Magazine Autumn 2023 Issue 66

The Autumn edition of the Auditor Magazine is now available on the City Councils Website. You can view a copy by following this link: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/download/914/the-auditor

Occupational Health & Safety - Training Courses For Schools and Nursery Staff – November - December 2023

FREE WEBINAR: Stress Awareness

Date: Tuesday 7th November 2023 – Start Time:  15:45 - 16:45

Cost: FREE 

Venue: Online

Please book online by following this link

(MIDAS) Minibus Driving (Refresher)

Date: Wednesday 8th November 2023 – Start Time:  09:30 - 13:00

Cost: £171.00 per delegate

Venue: Driver Training Centre, Atlas Works, Kings Road, (entrance opposite James Road), Birmingham B11 2AS

Please book online by following this link

Paediatric First Aid Training 

Date: Monday 20th & Tuesday 21st November 2023 – Start Time:  09:00 - 16:00

Cost: £164.00 per delegate  

Venue: Stirchley Baths, Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2JT

Please book online by following this link

EVC Revalidation Training 

Date: Thursday 23rd November 2023 – Start Time:  09:00 - 12:30

Cost: £116.00 per delegate

Venue: Online Training Course

Please book online by following this link

EVC Co-ordinator Training

Date: Tuesday 28th & Thursday 30th November 2023 – Start Time:  09:00 -12:30

Cost: £174.00 per delegate

Venue:  Online Training Course

Pleas book online by following this link

(MIDAS) Minibus Driving (Refresher)

Date: Thursday 7th December 2023 – Start Time:  09:30 - 13:00

Cost: £171.00 per delegate

Venue:  Driver Training Centre, Atlas Works, Kings Road, (entrance opposite James Road), Birmingham B11 2AS

Please book online by following this link

Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work

Date: Monday 4th, Tuesday 5th & Friday 8th December 2023 – Start Time:  09:00 - 16:00

Cost: £194.00 per delegate  

Venue: Stirchley Baths, Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2JT

Please book online by following this link

Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (Requalification) 

Date: Monday 11th & Tuesday 12th December 2023 - Start Time:  09:00 - 16:00

Cost: £194.00 per delegate  

Venue: Stirchley Baths, Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2JT

Please book online by following this link

Please note that lunch or refreshments will not be provided for any in person training courses.

If you have any queries or would like further information please don’t hesitate to contact the OHS&W team at schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk

Services For Education Online Conference and Training Course

Full Day Online Conference - Thursday, 9 November 2023

Services for Education (SFE) are pleased to present a full-day online conference covering all aspects of reading!  

SFE have the pleasure of sharing presentations from some of the very best national experts from universities and organisations around the country. They will be covering such intrinsic elements of our practice as: Building a Reading Culture, How to Teach Reading Fluency, Phonics Teaching, Developing Comprehension, and more! Simply follow this link for more information and to book your place

Primary English Leaders: Updates and Professional Development – Thursday 16th November 2023: 13.00 – 16.00

This online course is designed specifically for leaders of reading, writing or English across the setting. An important part of leadership in a core subject is keeping abreast of new research, expectations and methodology whilst allowing ourselves to learn from others. Book here

 

 

This entry was posted by Jaspal Shambi on 23/10/2023.