Noticeboard - 5 September 2024
Welcome back, we hope you've enjoyed a good summer break. This weeks noticeboard contains a message from Dr Sue Harrison, an Oracle transition for schools update, information on the Equal Pay Programme, guidance on School Attendance and more.
This week's noticeboard includes:
- Message from Dr Sue Harrison, Strategic Director for Children and Families
- Oracle Transition for Schools - latest updates
- Equal Pay Programme – All staff schools webinars 10 and 12 September 2024
- School Attendance
- Online Applications and School Support for Parents: GDPR risk
- Year 7 and 14-19 Admissions - September 2025
- Updated Simplified Loader
- Responding Effectively to Racism and Riots with Returning Pupils
- Impact of National Riots
- National Tutoring Programme year-end statement
- Occupational Health & Safety - Training Courses For Schools and Nursery Staff – September - November 2024
- Birmingham Adult Education Training Courses
- Funded Opportunity for Primary Schools from National Numeracy
- Blue Cross Free Talks on Pet Welfare and Dog Safety to Primary Schools
Message from Dr Sue Harrison, Strategic Director for Children and Families
Dear colleagues
Welcome back! I hope you’ve enjoyed a fabulous summer break and are well rested for the busy Autumn term ahead.
We’ve been working steadily to forward plan and coordinate a detailed calendar of all meetings taking place across our Balanced Education partnership for the academic year 2024/25, and which can now be accessed here: Education Meetings Forward Plan for Schools 2024-25. This will remain a work in progress and will be updated throughout the year. We very much want this to be a collaborative effort, so if you think we’ve missed something or would like to make any suggestions for improvement, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at schoolimprovement@birmingham.gov.uk.
Similarly, you can find our Meet the Team directory here: Children and Families Directorate - Meet the team. Again we remain committed to keeping it regularly updated.
The Oracle transition for schools project has continued at pace over the summer holidays. We are immensely grateful to the School Business Managers who attended the soft market test event to represent schools – thank you! In the coming weeks we will share important updates to keep you well-informed about our communication, engagement, and support plans. This week’s update includes crucial details on the project timeline and key financial information: Oracle transition for schools, updates, questions and answers.
Please take some time to review the contents and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact the team at oracleschoolsrelationship@birmingham.gov.uk. We will continue to provide regular updates via the School Noticeboard, Microsoft Teams drop-in sessions, and I will also be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, 24 September. Full details and the Teams link will be shared in due course. Your continued support during this transition is truly appreciated.
The Council’s Equal Pay Programme aims to achieve equal pay by April 2025. This includes a fair and transparent pay and grading structure for all roles, including those in schools where BCC is the employer. The programme team will hold two online sessions to discuss the details on Tuesday, 10 September, and Thursday, 12 September. Full details and registration links are in the bulletin below and if you have any queries the team are available via a dedicated email: EPPSchools@Birmingham.gov.uk.
I was delighted to receive notification from UNICEF UK that since September 2023 two more schools have registered for the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award; 14 schools have achieved Bronze: Rights committed; 11 schools Silver: Rights aware, and 12 schools have achieved Gold: Rights Respecting. This remarkable accomplishment is testament to the dedication, hard work, and commitment of our schools towards fostering an environment where every child’s rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled. Many congratulations on such a fabulous achievement!
I’m very much looking forward to future visits to schools so please feel free to invite me. In the meantime, thank you for your unwavering dedication to supporting our children, young people, and families. Your efforts are deeply appreciated and genuinely valued.
With my warmest wishes
Sue
Oracle Transition for Schools - Latest Updates
The latest updates can be found here: Oracle transition for schools, updates, questions and answers.
For any queries or further information please contact the team at oracleschoolsrelationship@birmingham.gov.uk
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Equal Pay Programme – All staff schools webinars 10 and 12 September 2024
In October 2023, Birmingham City Council announced plans to deliver a new job evaluation scheme by April 2025 which will support fair pay for all the council's employees. The Equal Pay Programme is undertaking a review of around 2,500 roles and, ensuring we have a new pay and grading structure in place by April 2025. The purpose of the Equal Pay programme is to ensure that we have a fair, transparent and consistent evaluation scheme and pay and grading structure which pay roles of equal value the same.
The Equal Pay Programme review extends to roles within Schools where BCC is the employer, and employees are on Birmingham City Council terms and conditions. This covers employees on NJC terms (sometimes referred to as "Green Book" or “Support Staff” terms) as colleagues are employed on the same terms and conditions as part of Birmingham City Council. Please note this does not impact employees on “teachers” terms and conditions. Please check within your School if you are not sure if this programme applies to your role.
We are holding a webinar to talk around the programme and what it means. In order to attend you need to register for one of the webinars, using the links below. We hope that as many of you as possible will be able to join us and watch this webinar explaining the Equal Pay Programme.
Together with support from our recognised Trade Unions (GMB, Unison and Unite), Birmingham City Council committed through the Equal Pay Programme to undertake a review of our roles. Following this review the programme will then develop a new pay and grading structure and have this in place by April 2025.
Please ensure you register through the links below to be able to attend one of the webinars on MS Teams:-
- Tuesday 10 September at 4.00pm: EPP - All Staff Schools Webinar - 10th September 2024
- Thursday 12 September at 4.00pm: EPP - All Staff Schools Webinar - 12th September 2024
Advance Questions submission:
We understand that not all colleagues are online, so you are able to submit any questions in advance. This proactive approach will help us address any concerns more effectively. Please send your questions to EPPSchools@birmingham.gov.uk in advance of the webinars.
The webinars will be recorded and made available for staff who are unable to attend the live session.
We will follow up with further communications about the process for the benchmarking phase to share the planning so that we all have an overview of timescales and what is planned.
Any queries then you have a dedicated email address EPPSchools@Birmingham.gov.uk
School Attendance
The following information provides updates on attendance procedures, legal process changes, access to webinars, part-time/reduced timetables and deletions and codes guidance for schools. For any queries or further information please don't hesitate to contact the team at attendance@birmingham.gov.uk.
Attendance procedures
To reflect the new statutory guidance ‘Working together to attend school attendance’, which came into force on 19th August 2024, ‘FAST-track to Attendance’ has been replaced with the ‘Support First’ attendance framework, which has been developed with partners from Health, Birmingham Children’s Trust, SEND services and Forward Thinking Birmingham. ‘Support First’ includes;
- national best practice on improving school attendance
- comprehensive guidance on addressing barriers to attendance at an early stage, including areas of concern requested by schools
- new legal procedures including additional mandatory letters and a more formalised attendance contract
The ‘Leave in Term Time (Legal) Process’ has been renamed the ‘Leave of Absence (Legal) Process’ to reflect the language used in ‘Working together to improve school attendance’. There is more guidance for Headteachers in making decisions on authorisation of absence for exceptional circumstances and the letters have been updated.
Schools are advised to discard previous letters and guidance and download the ‘Support First’ framework and the ‘Leave of Absence (Legal) Process’ which can be found via this link: Attendance procedures for schools | School attendance advice for schools and professionals | Birmingham City Council
The updated version of ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ can be found here: Working together to improve school attendance (applies from 19 August 2024) (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Legal process changes
Schools will be aware that the National Framework for Penalty Notices also came into force on 19th August 2024. As a result of this change, and as stated last term, we are unable to accept any referrals for absence that took place last term. This will be for this academic year only. Schools will be able to refer unauthorised leave of absence cases if they have hit the threshold of at least continuous 10 sessions of unauthorised absence (G codes) from this academic year only. As FAST-track to Attendance has now been withdrawn, FAST-track referrals can no longer be accepted.
‘Working together to improve school attendance’ webinars
Links to the recordings of the six webinars which took place last term on the new statutory guidance have now been uploaded, along with the slides from the sessions, which can be found here: School attendance training presentations | School attendance advice for schools and professionals | Birmingham City Council
Due to technical issues, the recordings can only be viewed by those who participated in the sessions, however we are working to make these more widely available and will update colleagues on this as soon as possible.
Part-time/reduced timetables
The part-time/reduced timetable guidance has been updated to reflect the changes detailed in ‘Working together to improve school attendance’. All referrals from last academic year have been closed. Schools must notify the local authority of any child on a part-time/reduced timetable from the start of the academic year and this is now mandatory. Schools must also use registration code C2 to record any sessions a child doesn’t have to attend due to a modified timetable. This does not include Reception children in the first week or so in school if the school is gradually introducing them to school. To view the guidance and send in a notification, schools should follow this link: Part-time or reduced timetables | School attendance advice for schools and professionals | Birmingham City Council
Updated deletion from roll and registration codes guidance
The School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024 have now been enacted which means that accurate registration codes use is now mandatory and the deletion from roll regulations have been updated.
To assist schools with the transition, the registration codes guide has been updated, though schools are advised to refer to Chapter 8 of the updated version of ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ for a detailed explanation as to when each code should be used. You can find the guide here: DfE Registration codes - descriptions and meanings | Birmingham City Council
The Deletion from roll guidance and ‘Myth buster’ have also been updated and are available here: Deletion (removal) from roll | School attendance advice for schools and professionals | Birmingham City Council. Schools are reminded that, except for children removed from roll during standard transition points of year 6 and year 11, the local authority must be notified of all deletions from roll related to Reception children and children of compulsory school age. To notify the local authority of the deletion of a child’s name from the registers, please use the Schools Portal. If you are unsure how to do this, please contact School Admissions who will be able to advise you. Deletions outside of the regulations are an offence and schools are strongly advised to download the guidance as indicated and review Chapter 7 of ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ to avoid ‘off-rolling’.
Schools can continue to contact the Education Legal Intervention Team with any queries related to the new regulations and BCC guidance, or in relation to any cases of concern. Our email address is attendance@birmingham.gov.uk.
Online Applications and School Support for Parents: GDPR Risk
We have become aware that many schools have been assisting parents with the online application process. Thank you for this.
In providing this assistance there is a potential risk for a GDPR data breach. Where a school has linked a school’s email address to a parent/applicant account this would be viewed as entering bad/false data. Please can you ensure you do not add a school’s email to the parent’s application that you are assisting. An email address is not a requirement when completing an application online.
Please note if parent doesn’t have an email address, they will receive updates by post.
Year 7 and 14-19 Admissions - September 2025
Online admissions opened on 1 September 2024 for Year 7 and 14-19 applications.
Parent/carers resident in Birmingham should apply through the Birmingham City Council website https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions up until the deadline of 31 October 2024. Further information as well as the admission arrangements to support parents with making their preferences can be found on our website. Advice and support is also available from Children's Services on 0121 303 1888.
Important - all Birmingham maintained Primary, Junior and All-Through Schools were sent a letter prior to the end of term in July 2024 to distribute to parent/carers with children due to transfer to secondary school next year, and who do not have an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). This letter contains key information, including important guidance for parent/carers with a child born between 01 September 2013 – 31 August 2014 and who had deferred entry agreed at the point they were due to start Reception.
If you need a copy of this letter, or for any queries or further information, please email admissions@birmingham.gov.uk
Updated Simplified Loader
FAO: Headteachers, School Business Managers, Bursars, Finance Staff
For those users that are currently using Simplified Loader, please be aware that the Simplified Loader templates are currently being renewed. The updated template is available for download at www.support.simplifiedloader.com.
Please note that any local copies of the template will stop working from 19th August 2024.
To ensure continuity, please download the new ‘Schools Payable Template’ from www.support.simplifiedloader.com.
If you experience problems using the file once it is downloaded, please follow these instructions:
- Navigate to where you have downloaded the file.
- Highlight the file by clicking on it once (do not open it)
- Right click on the file and select Properties.
- When you see the message below, click in the Unblock box at the bottom:
- Click ‘OK’
If you require any further information please contact Claire Rogers at claire.rogers@birmingham.gov.uk
Responding Effectively to Racism and Riots with Returning Pupils
Invitation to a webinar: Tuesday 17 September 2024 10:00 - 11:30
Education Safeguarding, in partnership with the Prevent Team are offering an opportunity for school staff to join an online discussion with our expert partner, Ray Douglas from Socio Logical.
Birmingham-based teachers, educators, mentors and pastoral Staff are invited to join this online event below, where we will offer a real time response to issues arising in schools as a result of the recent racist riots, and the challenges faced by returning pupils. Please join us for discussions on how to develop responses, implement strategies, or just to share your thoughts. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of the conversation.
To book your place please follow this link: Responding to Racism & Riots with Returning Pupils Effectively Tickets, Tue 17 Sep 2024 at 10:00 | Eventbrite
Impact of National Riots
After the Riots: The Role of Schools in Supporting Children, Young People and Communities
Five weeks have passed since the riots began, and many of us are still grappling with their impact. In response, Birmingham City Council is committed to supporting schools, young people, and the community as they reflect on and process the aftermath of what has become a focus for national discourse.
The tragic murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar, and Bebe King in Southport were exploited by extremists, who used the tragedy to further their own hateful agendas. Misinformation quickly spread, leading to riots where police clashed with mobs outside a mosque following a knife attack that claimed the lives of three children. The situation was further inflamed by false information circulated online, with key instigators using social media and messaging apps to spread hate and organize protests at specific times and locations. The rapid spread of misinformation fuelled a wave of similar content across social networks almost immediately after the attack.
This led to a series of violent flash mobs over several days, driven by racial and religious hatred. Mobs targeted hotels housing migrants, attempted to set buildings on fire, and dragged people from their cars. It has been especially disturbing to see some children and young people involved in the hateful chanting, senseless looting, and violence.
Meanwhile, most others witnessed these horrific scenes on TV and through social media, which may have been traumatizing, triggering, or left them vulnerable to further exploitation. The riots have been widely characterized as "far-right" by public figures, including the prime minister. For many, this suggests that the disorder was somehow organized by specific, formal groups or political parties, and the far-right's history of protest and violence by organizations like the National Front reinforces this perception.
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education statement:
“…The riots that broke out in the aftermath of that attack shook us all. These were shocking and criminal acts of racism and Islamophobia – and the perpetrators are now quite rightly feeling the full force of the law. I know the disorder will have impacted all of you in different and upsetting ways. Your students will have been affected too, especially those from minority communities and of the Muslim faith. It’s important to recognise that many students and staff might be nervous about returning to the classroom.
These events are a deeply powerful reminder of the importance of education – to help people tell truth from lies, encounter and understand those from different backgrounds, and grow strong and inclusive values. We want to continue to work with you to make your schools and colleges positive, safe and welcoming places as students and staff return this month. The department stands ready to support this, with resources and opportunities to share best practise. I know that all of us working in education will go into a new term determined to show that achievement and hope can triumph over violence and hate…” 02/09/2024
Resources to support classroom discussions:
- https://pshe-association.org.uk/resources-landing
- https://www.educateagainsthate.com/category/teachers/classroom-resources/
- https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/children-race-racism-racial-bullying/
- www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
My Tomorrow Create it. Shape it. Embrace it:
My Tomorrow sheds light on the realities of being young today, aiming to challenge stereotypes and showcase the true diversity, strengths, and contributions of young people in the West Midlands. The campaign highlights the opportunities and challenges, often unseen, in young people’s lives, sparking conversations between young people and communities to build understanding that leads to collaborative, positive action.
Supportive reading:
- https://schoolsweek.co.uk/after-the-riots-the-role-of-schools-in-healing-our-communities/
- Reflecting on the UK Riots: The Impact on Arrested Teenagers and the Urgent Need for Change | Youth Endowment Fund
- https://connectfutures.org/resources/a-response-to-the-august-2024-violent-riots-from-connectfutures/
- Home - Groundswell Project
Training offer for schools:
Small Steps “Extreme Right-Wing (ERW) Explained – Birmingham Virtual Session: Wednesday, 2 October 2024
The Extreme Right-Wing (ERW) is growing and taking advantage of people looking for answers to difficult issues in this country. Like all forms of extremism, they offer no answers and yet, are recruiting young and vulnerable people through their bedrooms. Small Steps provides honest information because most of their staff have been there. Their team were once in the extreme right-wing or had a family member involved, so they know what involvement is like and the impact it can have. This training highlights what the ERW says, how involvement damages things like relationships, chances for employment and much more. To find out what involvement is like, signs to look out for, where you can get help and what you can do to reject extremism, attend this training session.
Please register your place here: Small Steps "Extreme Right-Wing (ERW) Explained" Birmingham Virtual Session Tickets, Wed, Oct 2, 2024 at 10:30 AM | Eventbrite
REMINDER: National Tutoring Programme Year-End Statement
This is a reminder for schools to submit their National Tutoring Programme year-end statement by 5pm Thursday 26 September.
You must report all tutoring delivered in the 2023 to 2024 academic year, from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024.
For further details on how to complete the return, View in browser.
The DfE have published guidance on how to submit your year-end statement.
For any other queries, please email the NTP support desk.
Occupational Health & Safety - Training Courses for Schools and Nursery Staff
Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work – 16th 17th & 20th September 2024
Start Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £194.00 per delegate
Venue: Stirchley Baths, Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2JT
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note: Lunch or refreshments will NOT be provided
Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work Refresher – 23rd & 24th September 2024
Start Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £164.00 per delegate
Venue: Stirchley Baths, Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2JT
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note: Lunch or refreshments will NOT be provided
Educational Visits Co-ordinator Revalidation Training OEAP Accredited - 24th September 2024 - Delivered via Microsoft Teams
Start Time: 09:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: £127.60 per delegate
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Paediatric First Aid at Work – 27th & 30th September 2024
Start Time: 9:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m.
Cost: £164.00 per delegate
Venue: Stirchley Baths, Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2JT
Schools must Book Here
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note: Lunch or refreshments will NOT be provided
Educational Visits Co-ordinator Training OEAP Accredited - 4th October 2024
Start Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £191.40 per delegate
Delivered at Washwood Heath Academy Primary School, Burney Lane, Stechford Lane Stetchford, B8 2AS
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note: Only refreshments are provided (No Lunch)
Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work – 7th 8th & 11th October 2024
Start Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £194.00 per delegate
Venue: Stirchley Baths, Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2JT
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note: Lunch or refreshments will NOT be provided
School Site Safety - 16th & 18th October 2024 (Delivered Via Microsoft Teams)
Start Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £166.00 per delegate
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Educational Visits Co-ordinator Training OEAP Accredited - 22nd October 2024
Start Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £191.40 per delegate
Delivered: at Washwood Heath Academy Primary School, Burney Lane, Stechford Lane Stetchford, B8 2AS
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note: Only refreshments are provided (No Lunch)
Educational Visits Co-ordinator Training OEAP Accredited - 15th November 2024
Start Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £191.40 per delegate
Delivered: at Washwood Heath Academy Primary School, Burney Lane, Stechford Lane Stetchford, B8 2AS
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note: Only refreshments are provided (No Lunch)
Educational Visits Co-ordinator Revalidation Training OEAP Accredited - 19th November 2024
Start Time: 12:00 p.m. to 15:30 p.m.
Cost: £127.60 per delegate
Delivered via Microsoft Teams
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
MIDAS Full Course
Cost: £265.00 per delegate
Learner Passes now available for purchasing – Book Theory on BESS (Online Training) - Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
MIDAS Refresher Course
Cost: £171.00 per delegate
Learner Passes now available for purchasing – Book Theory on BESS (Online Training) - Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Birmingham Adult Education Training Courses
FREE DIGITAL and VOCATIONAL COURSES FOR THE UNEMPLOYED OR WORKING and EARNING LESS THAN £32K
Birmingham Adult Education are offering classroom based or self-study courses in the following subjects:
Digital Skills:
- Basic IT Skills from Entry 3 to Level 1 (classroom)
- ICDL Level 2 – includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint (classroom or self-study)
- ICDL Level 3 - includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access (classroom or online with a teacher)
- Microsoft courses at all levels - Introduction, Intermediate and Advanced (self-study)
- Route to Work - CV Writing, Looking for a job (self-study and workshops)
Vocational Skills:
- Teaching Assistants (classroom)
- Classroom Assistants (classroom)
- Counselling, Mentoring (classroom)
- Health Care (classroom)
- Mental Health (classroom or online)
- Accounts & Book-keeping (classroom)
And many more at www.learnbaes.ac.uk
FREE HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE COURSES
Birmingham Adult Education Service are offering online flexible qualifications and courses to study in your own-time:
- Alcohol Awareness - Level 1 Award (NCFE)
- Allergy Awareness in Children - Level 2 Certificate (TQUK)
- Bullying in Children & Young People - Level 2 Certificate
- Information, Advice or Guidance - Level 2 Certificate (NCFE)
- Mental Health Awareness - Level 1 Award (TQUK)
- Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care - Level 2 Certificate (NCFE)
- Special Education Needs & Disabilities - Level 2 Certificate (TQUK)
- Substance Misuse - Level 1 Award (NCFE)
- Understanding Autism - Level 2 Certificate (NCFE)
- Understanding Autism - Level 3 Certificate (NCFE)
- Understanding Children & Young Peoples Mental Health - Level 2 Certificate (TQUK) Understanding Mental Health - Level 3 Certificate (NCFE)
- Understanding Nutrition and Health - Level 2 Certificate (NCFE)
- Working in Mental Health - Level 2 Certificate (NCFE)
- Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities - Level 2 (NCFE)
Continued Professional Development:
- ADHD
- Forced Marriage and Honour-based Violence Awareness
- Keeping Young People Safe Online
- Knife Crime Awareness
- Menopause Awareness
- Role of the Senco
- Safeguarding in Out-of-School Settings
- Spiking Awareness
- Stalking and Harassment Awareness
- Suicide Awareness and Prevention
- Understanding Gender and Identity in Children and Young People
- Understanding the Power of the Influencer
Microsoft courses:
- Excel: Beginners | Improvers | Advanced |
- Excel: PivotTables Excel: VLOOKUP Tables
- Cyber Security Awareness for Businesses: Beginners
- OneDrive: Improvers
- OneNote: Beginners
- Outlook: Beginners | Improvers | Advanced |
- Project Online Essentials: Improvers
- PowerPoint: Beginners | Improvers | Advanced |
- Project Power Users: Advanced
- SharePoint: Beginners | Improvers | Advanced |
- Teams: Beginners | Improvers |
- Word: Beginners | Improvers | Advanced |
- Planner: Improvers
- Power BI: Improvers
ARE YOU LOOKING TO BECOME A TEACHING ASSISTANT OR WORK IN EARLY YEARS SETTINGS?
Birmingham Adult Education Service are offering FREE Supporting Teaching and Learning and Early Year Educator Qualifications
Supporting Teaching and Learning L2 or L3
This qualification in Supporting Teaching and Learning is a one-year course aimed at learners in placements or working in support roles within primary, secondary or special schools, as well as colleges. has been designed to provide learners with an understanding of the knowledge and skills needed when working directly with children and young people in school or college environments. It covers a wide range of areas including children and young people's development, supporting children and young people's positive behaviour and communication and professional relationships.
Early Year Educators Level 2
Level 2 Early Years Educators is for those working in the early year’s workforce in England. It provides candidates with the knowledge and understanding of working with babies and young children from birth to 7 years and supports the development of the practical and technical skills needed to work with children up to the age of 5 years.
Both the above courses require a placement as part of the course.
Please contact Sameena.asmat@birmingham.gov.uk for more information regarding all these opportunities.
Funded Opportunity for Primary Schools from National Numeracy
National Numeracy, the UK’s only independent charity dedicated to everyday maths, has launched the Schools & Families Programme to tackle low number confidence in primary schools.
The programme aims to boost numeracy confidence among adults and children by:
- Increasing pupils’ confidence with numbers, positive feelings about maths, and awareness of its value outside the classroom.
- Enhancing parents’, carers’, and school staff’s confidence in supporting children with maths.
- Establishing lasting approaches and strategies that will continue in schools beyond the end of the programme.
They are recruiting primary schools to participate in this fully-funded programme from January 2025. Schools should apply by Friday, 4th October 2024 here or contact schoolsandfamilies@nationalnumeracy.org.uk with any questions.
Each school will receive a comprehensive support package from January to December 2025, including Numeracy Champions training, Family Maths Toolkit scrapbooks and activities for all pupils, Parental Engagement webinar and much more.
A webinar with more information will run on Wednesday, 18th September at 12:00pm. Those interested can register here.
Free Talks on Pet Welfare and Dog Safety to Primary Schools
Blue Cross charity offers free talks to pupils in KS1 & 2 on all aspects of pet care and dog safety. Ideal for science & safety weeks, and class topics on PHSE, animal care and habitats:
What Pets need – class talk for KS1 & 2
Teaching the 5 welfare needs of animals covering everything we need to keep our pets happy, healthy and well looked-after.
Pets and our Wellbeing – class talk for KS2 only
‘Pets & Our Wellbeing’ teaches 7-11yr olds about the links between pet wellbeing and our own. It is an interactive and mindful reminder of the things humans and animals all need to stay healthy and happy.
Safety Around Dogs - a whole school assembly (Reception – Yr 6)Learn the right way to approach and behave around dogs. Featuring the 3 C's of Canine Choice, this assembly teaches the signals to look out for when a dog needs to be left alone, and how to react with dogs in the home and in public in order to stay safe. Ideal for safety topics, or for those with an issue in their school community.
Visit our website www.bluecross.org.uk/education to book a talk
We also have a number of teaching and learning resources on our website to cater for all ages, including EYFS.
Blue Cross speakers are DBS checked and present a code of conduct prior to your talk. Where we are unable to visit in person we can offer online delivery.
0300 111 8950 - education@bluecross.org.uk