Noticeboard

Noticeboard - 26 September 2024

Welcome to this week's Noticeboard including a message from Dr Sue Harrison, the latest updates on the Oracle Transition for Schools programme, important information on Pensions, Equal Pay and more.

This week's noticeboard includes: 

Message from Dr Sue Harrison, Strategic Director for Children and Families

Dear colleagues  

Thank you to everyone who attended the Oracle Transition for Schools Project Update webinar on Tuesday, and for your incredible patience and unwavering dedication over the past few months. We understand this has been a time of uncertainty, and we truly appreciate your active participation in our webinars, Q&A sessions, and drop-in meetings. 

Amidst the ongoing changes at Birmingham City Council, your commitment to delivering for the children in your schools has been nothing short of inspiring. We promised to be transparent with you, and our recent webinar was an effort to keep you informed about the business case before any decisions are made. 

You can find the recording and slides from the webinar here and full details are also provided in this week’s update – Oracle transition for schools, updates, questions and answers. In next week’s update, we’ll be sharing a new Q&A document that compiles all the questions asked during the webinar, as well as those submitted afterwards. Thank you once again for your continued support and engagement. 

It was a pleasure to meet so many of our new headteachers yesterday. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to join my webinar. I hope you’re looking forward to the upcoming sessions in the New Headteacher Induction programme. If you have any questions about the programme, please don’t hesitate to contact the School Improvement team at schoolimprovement@birmingham.gov.uk and they will be pleased to assist you. We will also share a link to a recording of the session and slides with you shortly. 

The final phase of the Libraries consultation was launched on 23 August, and seeks feedback on the future of Community Library Services in Birmingham. This phase includes a summary of feedback from the first phase and presents the proposed options and a map of the future library provision. As someone who works in Birmingham, your input is crucial in shaping the future of our libraries, and there’s still time to share your thoughts in an online survey which closes tomorrow, Friday, 27 September: Libraries Consultation- Final Phase 2024. 

To gather feedback on current and future needs for Wraparound Childcare, the Early Years and Childcare team is running a Parent Survey until Sunday, 20 October 2024. Input from the survey will help shape the programme in Birmingham to ensure it meets the needs of children, parents and carers. If you could kindly share this survey with as many parents and carers of primary school children that would be greatly appreciated. It’s important we reach as many families as possible as their voice matters!  

In July 2024, the Department of Education (DfE) announced a 5.5% pay rise for teachers and leaders starting September 2024. To fund this, £1.1 billion will be allocated through the Core Schools Budget Grant (CSBG) for the 2024/25 financial year. This funding will be distributed among mainstream schools, special schools, alternative provision (AP), and Local Authority (LA) centrally employed teachers (CETs) based on pupil numbers and core funding amounts. 

The CSBG covers the period from September 2024 to March 2025, addressing the first seven months of the pay rise cost. The DfE has provided a calculator to help schools estimate their funding based on the published methodology. Schools should use this calculator for forecasting and include the 5.5% salary increase in their budgets.  Please don’t hesitate to contact Sue Sehangera, Finance Manager – Schools & CSSB if you have any queries – Sue.Sehangera@birmingham.gov.uk 

As we approach the end of another busy week, I’m sure you’ll be looking forward to a well-deserved weekend. Thank you for everything you do for our children, young people, and families. Your dedication is deeply appreciated. 

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. 

Core Schools Budget Grant (CSBG) Methodology: September 2024 to March 2025

In July 2024, the Department for Education (DfE) has announced that teachers and leaders will receive a 5.5 per cent pay rise from September 2024 Government confirms above inflation pay award for teachers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).  A further announcement has been made that £1.1 billion will fund this cost increase through the Core schools budget grant (CSBG) to support schools with their overall costs in the 2024/25 financial year.   This funding is being split between mainstream schools, special schools and alternative provision (AP) and Local Authority (LA) centrally employed teachers (CETs). The split reflects relative pupil and place numbers, and core funding amounts, across these different types of provision. 

The guide Core schools budget grant (CSBG) methodology: September 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)  explains how the grant will be allocated for mainstream schools (for the 5 to 16-year-old age range), and for special and AP schools, in 2024 to 2025. This funding will be allocated through the CSBG.  In 2024/25, funding through the CSBG covers the 7-month period from September 2024 to March 2025. The impact of the teacher pay award spans across financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26 and the grant funding that has been announced for the 2024/25 financial year therefore only covers the first seven twelfths of the full year cost of the award. 

The DfE have designed a calculator to give schools a close estimation of the funding they will receive through the 2024/25 CSBG and is based on the published methodology.  Schools are advised to use the calculator when forecasting the CSBG for the next 12 months from September 2024. Schools are also advised to ensure the spend forecast include a 5.5% salary increase for teachers and leaders from September 2024 compared to September 2023.

The DfE calculator can be found at this link: Core Schools Budget Grant - DfE school calculator

For any queries please contact Sue Sehangera, Finance Manager – Schools & CSSB at Sue.Sehangera@birmingham.gov.uk

Important information if you’re not in a Pension Scheme

If you’re not currently in a pension scheme, you could be affected by auto re-enrolment in November 2024.

Although auto-enrolment came into force for the council back in November 2012, we are required to carry out a re-enrolment exercise every three years for employees who are not in a pension scheme.

Auto-enrolment affects you if you:

  • earn more than £192 per week (or £833 per month)
  • are aged 22 or over
  • are under the state pension age.

You don’t have to be in a pension scheme: you can choose to opt out. If auto-enrolment affects you, you will receive a letter about it. You will pay contributions in November 2024, but if you don’t want to be auto-enrolled, please respond to the letter promptly – or it may be too late to stop deductions in December.

Employees currently paying into the ‘50/50’ scheme

If you are in the 50/50 section of the Local Government Pension Scheme, which allows you to pay half of the contributions and receive half of the benefit, a similar process to pension auto-enrolment applies. You’ll get a letter saying you are automatically being moved back to an ordinary Local Government Scheme pension. You can stay in the 50/50 scheme – but you must reply to the letter. You will pay full contributions in December 2024, but, again, if you don’t reply quickly enough, full contributions will also be taken in January.

The Equal Pay Programme Review

‘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.

We held webinars w/c 9 September to give information to schools colleagues about the programme and also the chance to ask questions. Please see the link to the accessible recording available now of the Equal Pay Webinar for Schools on 12 September 2024 (approx 20 mins).

The questions asked from both webinars have been answered in a separate document.

For any queries regarding the programme please contact the team at EPPSchools@Birmingham.gov.uk’ 

In-Year Admissions Process

The School Admissions Code requires that schools provide relevant information relating to the in-year admissions process to the Local Authority on a regular basis.

To outline the information that schools need to provide to the Local Authority and to identify how the Schools’ Portal supports the collection of this information, the School Admissions team hosted a webinar.

A recording of the webinar along with the presentation is available to view here: In-Year admissions Processes Webinar

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at inyearadmissions@birmingham.gov.uk

'Support First' Attendance Framework and the updated 'Leave of Absence (Legal) Process

Schools are now able to book a place on the webinars below which focus on the new 'Support First' attendance framework and the updated 'Leave of Absence (Legal) Process'. To book a place, please click on the links below.  You will require a BESS account. If you don't have an account, please follow the instructions on their website.

Support First – ‘Listen, understand and facilitate support’.  A guide to early help approaches related to ongoing poor attendance – 2nd October 2024 10:00-12:00

This webinar, which will be recorded, will provide schools with training on the Early Help element of the Support First framework, the attendance process which replaced Fast-track to Attendance from September 2024.  The webinar is aimed at SLT attendance leads and other attendance staff. https://birminghameducationsupportservices.co.uk/Event/248588

Support First – ‘Formalise Support’ and ‘Enforce’.  More formal and legal approaches to ongoing poor attendance when all else has failed – 9th October 2024 10:00-11:30

This webinar, which will be recorded, will provide schools with training on the legal stages of the Support First framework, the attendance process which replaced Fast-track to Attendance from September 2024.  The webinar is aimed at SLT attendance leads and other attendance staff. https://birminghameducationsupportservices.co.uk/Event/248594

Leave of Absence (Legal) Process.  A guide to leave of absence, including authorisation for exceptional circumstances and subsequent legal approaches for unauthorised leave – 10th October 10:00-11.30

This webinar, which will be recorded, will provide schools with training on the Leave of Absence (Legal) process, previously known as the Leave in Term Time (Legal) process.  The webinar is aimed at SLT attendance leads and other attendance staff. https://birminghameducationsupportservices.co.uk/Event/248607

Annual Tracking Cycle - Stage 3 Annex Returns

The deadline for submitting your Annexes A, B, C, and E has elapsed, and we still require your return.

The Annual Participation Survey allows us to assess the engagement of young individuals aged 16-19 in educational and training programs, as well as to identify those who may have disengaged from such activities. Our objective is to ensure that these young individuals receive the necessary support and assistance to re-engage in a timely manner.

It's important we adhere to the statutory return deadline established by the Department for Education, and would greatly appreciate your immediate attention to returning the Annexes as a matter of urgency.

If you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact a member of the team: 

Rabiah Chohan
Education & Employment Partnership Manager - Tracking & Sufficiency
Contact number: 0121 675 7668
Email: Rabiah.chohan@birmingham.gov.uk

Dee Jolly
Partnership Manager – Stakeholder Engagement
Mobile: 07880180267
Email: Deano.jolly@birmingham.gov.uk  

Hannah Redfern
Acting Head of 14-19 Full Participation and Skills Team
Email: hannah.redfern@birmingham.gov.uk
Mobile: 07742 405 315

Applications for Growth Funding or Falling Pupils Funding (2024/25)

Birmingham City Council retains funding to support primary and secondary schools (including academies and free schools) with significant in-year growth in pupil numbers (Growth Fund) or falling rolls (Falling Pupils Fund).

The criteria for Growth and Falling Pupil funding for 2024/25 was approved at Schools Forum in December 2023. Reports can be found here, see item 8:  https://birmingham.cmis.uk.com/birmingham/Meetings/tabid/70/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/397/Meeting/13576/Committee/423/SelectedTab/Documents/Default.aspx

The application round is now open for schools to submit business cases for funding. The deadline is 31st October 2024. Please use census figures as submitted for October 2024 census in your application.

Please submit your applications by the completing the online form

Notes:

  • Funding is limited and will be allocated on an eligibility basis.
  • From September 2024, payments for both Growth Funding and Falling Rolls will be pro-rated and included in the monthly instalments, in line with BCC receiving funding from the DfE.
  • There will be no route of appeal if your application is declined.
  • Schools who have been commissioned by the LA to create additional places during 2024/25 will automatically have their places funded and therefore do not need to apply.

Please contact the team if you have any queries: ediplaceplanning@birmingham.gov.uk

Keeping School Information Updated on GIAS

Did you know that all schools are responsible for keeping their information up to date on the DfE’s GIAS (Get Information About Schools) website?

Information can be found at this link: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/

The information requiring updating includes any changes to Headteacher name, Preferred job title, Telephone number and School website URL.

The council use this information to ensure our records are up to date and for our Schools Directory.

However, if you wish to change any of the following, please contact the Property Management Team at: ediproperty@birmingham.gov.uk who can assist.

  • School enquiry email address
  • Information changes which require School Organisation. This relates to changes to a Phase (as a result of Amalgamations /Mergers / Age Range), School Type, SEN Provision, Capacity, Gender, Faith and Selective designation as these types of change are likely to require a formal consultation and decision via the DfE's School Organisation processes before the changes can be made to the public information
  • Any other changes or queries relating to schools information on the website (including changes to a school name or address)

REMINDER: DfE Statutory School Census – Autumn 2024

Every school in England has a statutory duty to submit School Census, each term, under Section 537A of the Education Act 1996.

Last week a letter was sent to all schools (available on Perspective and email) with important information about the upcoming school census, please review and action.

Key dates:

  • Census date: Thursday 3rd October 2024
  • Initial Return date: Monday 7th October 2024
  • Final submission date: Wednesday 30th October 2024

Please ensure this information is shared with school staff who will be completing the School Census return.

Schools must ensure data submitted to DfE COLLECT is accurate and valid, after the final submission date no amendments are accepted by the DfE, incorrect or invalid data will impact your school's funding. Read section 2.6 of the letter regarding duplicate pupils, DfE will not authorise your schools return if schools have not resolved duplicate pupil queries.

For any queries please contact the Data and Intelligence team at SchoolCensus@birmingham.gov.uk

EYSFF Returns for Autumn Term 2024

For schools with Early Years provision for 2, 3 and 4 year olds

Each term you are required to submit and return an on-line EYSFF submission to provide us with your numbers of eligible 2 year olds, EYPP and FSM take up so that we can reconcile your early years funding. It is the schools responsibility to ensure that the form is completed within the time frame - failure to do so will result in incorrect budget allocations.

The link to the form will be emailed to schools during Census week and you will be required to complete the form between 3rd and 10th October 2024. The email is sent to your enquiry@ email address so please ensure that the person responsible for this mailbox knows who to forward the link to within your school. We do not have the facility to use individual email addresses.

Please only include your Early Years Children on this form - do not include children in your Reception classes.

Remember that all 2 year olds that you claim for and all 3 and 4 year olds that you are claiming EYPP and FSM for must have an eligible code that you must keep a note of on the children's records for the purpose of EEE audit. If the system does not confirm eligibility you can contact earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk for support.

Please note there is no facility to receive a copy of your on-line submission -  however you should have the details of numbers of eligible children on your records in line with the terms and conditions of EEE funding.

The EEE Provider Agreement detailing the terms and conditions of delivering Early Education Entitlement can be found on EYMIS: http://www.ted-birmingham.org.uk

To access EYMIS please use Username: PVI2 Password PVI2year

If you have any queries regarding the on-line form or the eligibility of children please email earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk FAO Mrs Dee Sterling-Miller

If you have any queries regarding your funding allocation please email fairfunding@birmingham.gov.uk   

Perspective Lite – Schools Showcase 

Tuesday 15th October 2024 - 9.30-10.30am and Wednesday 16th October 2024 - 4:00-5:00pm

Perspective Lite is your school’s portal where not only can you access your school performance data but also key documents and now your records of visits – all in one place!

This showcase is to make sure you know how to find what you need, have awareness of all the tools and features you can use and understand how as your LA, we use it to securely communicate with you.  As Headteachers you can give access to all this to key staff in your school and it is important you understand all that Perspective Lite has to offer in the year ahead 2024-25.

Birmingham Children and Families Directorate is partnering with Angel Solutions to show you all the tools and benefits you can expect.

In just 60 minutes, we will demonstrate how schools can quickly:

  • download and respond to visit reports
  • securely send and receive files and documents
  • use interactive data reports and real-time data dashboards, before the DFE statistical first release
  • turn census data into instant shareable infographics, with just one click
  • access all the latest information on Ofsted and its Inspectors
  • how to pick up key announcements, manage users and access the Help Centre

In England there are 20,000 schools benefitting from Perspective Lite and Birmingham schools are part of that community. Online access when and where you need it, Perspective Lite supports you in providing quality information and freeing up your time for what truly matters.

Please ensure you have a working Perspective Lite username and password. New headteachers can request access setup via the Data and Intelligence team at Educationdata@birmingham.gov.uk

Confirm Your Place Here You will receive an email on the morning of the event with a live link to join and a reminder 15 minutes before the start time. Add events@angelsolutions.co.uk to your address book to avoid information getting blocked or put in a spam folder. 

Air Quality Monitors – Healthy Schools Lunch & Learn

FAO: Headteachers, facilities staff, governors, sustainability leads

As part of the Birmingham Healthy Schools Approach, we are launching a series of webinars, aimed at school staff, that will be approximately 20 minutes long.

The first webinar is on Wednesday 9th October at 4pm and is about Air Quality Monitors. All staff with an interest in the health and well-being of their children are invited, in particular Headteachers, Facilities Staff, Governors and Sustainability Leads. 

  • Hear about what air quality means, why it matters, and what we can do to improve it. 
  • Understand the impact of air quality on physical and mental health, with poor air quality being the single biggest environmental risk to public health, particularly for children.
  • Hear about how schools can make a difference by accepting the offer of a free air quality monitor and resources, linking insight from real-time data to curricula and wider sustainability work around physical activity, healthy eating, active travel, road safety, climate change and Modeshift Stars accreditation.

This session will be delivered by Sally James, Air Quality Policy Manager.

To be added to the distribution list for future lunch and learns, please email healthyschools@birmingham.gov.uk.

To register for this webinar, please follow this link: Air Quality Monitors Registration

This entry was posted by Jaspal Shambi on 24/09/2024.

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