Noticeboard - 6 February 2025

This week's Noticeboard contains a message from Dr Sue Harrison, the latest Oracle Transition for Schools Update, a request to complete and return Schools Contract Data for Lease Accounting, training opportunities, webinars and more.

This week's noticeboard includes: 

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

Dear colleagues

Working together is such a key part of our leadership roles, as we strive to make sense of our local and national systems, united by our desire to improve outcomes for our children. I'm truly gratified to see our schools and partners generously giving their valuable time and showing such keen interest in supporting our work across the Children’s local partnership. Your commitment to co-producing important programmes and leading cutting edge initiatives is truly inspiring. Through true collaboration you’re not only enhancing the quality of our joint working, but also fostering a sense of shared purpose. Your knowledge, skills and enthusiasm are invaluable, and we’re incredibly grateful for your support. I’m delighted to share a couple of such key initiatives today.  

We know how important the key transition from primary to secondary school is for every child. If we can support a smooth journey from one key stage to another we know children will benefit through better attendance and achievement. The implementation of the ‘Every Child Deserves a Good Start’ Transition Form, which headteachers across Birmingham schools have agreed to adopt, takes effect immediately. This form is designed to ensure a smooth and effective transition for every Year 6 pupil by sharing essential information related to safeguarding, attainment, SEND, and additional support services. By using this form, we aim to promote seamless communication between schools, parents, and carers, ultimately supporting each child's learning and development as they move to their new educational setting. Please familiarise yourself with the Transition Form documentation:

Thank you to our schools for their cooperation and commitment to making this transition process as supportive and comprehensive as possible. Special thanks to Paul Butler, Trust Partnership Lead at Washwood Heath Multi-Academy Trust and DLP Coordinator for the East Secondary Network, for assisting in producing and implementing this initiative.

Should you have any queries around this, please contact Lisa Smith directly at lisa.smith@birmingham.gov.uk and Lisa will be pleased to assist.

The Special Educational Needs and Assessment Review Service (SENAR), in collaboration with partner agencies, settings, and the Parent Carer Forum, has launched an essential Communication Pledge. This pledge is based on the principles of the Working Together and Co-production Framework, setting clear expectations for respectful and positive interactions between SENAR and all stakeholders. It also includes response timelines, so everyone knows when to expect a reply to their correspondence.

As part of this initiative, we have created a helpful Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page and a dedicated Comments and Compliments page on the Local Offer. The FAQ page is designed to help young people and parent carers find answers to common queries, often without needing to contact their Case Officer. To further support this, the FAQ page will be linked in SENAR’s automatic email acknowledgments, confirming receipt of emails and providing information on expected response times. The compliments and comments page is also directly linked to the Communication Pledge, offering an additional way to share feedback.

This Communication Pledge aims to create a shared understanding that benefits everyone, strengthening our partnerships and fostering even better collaboration. Please share the link with families and colleagues to help spread the word.

We’ll continue to use the School Noticeboard to announce any new initiatives we’re undertaking. This will help keep everyone informed and engaged. Do keep an eye out for these opportunities, as your input is invaluable.

As we near the end of another busy week in schools, I hope you’re all looking forward to a well-deserved weekend. Whatever you have planned, enjoy it to the fullest!

With my heartfelt thanks and best wishes

Sue

Oracle Transition for Schools Update

The latest updates can be found here: Oracle transition for schools, updates, questions and answers.

Archived Q&A can be found here: Archived Oracle Transition Q&A.

For any queries or further information please contact the team at oracleschoolsrelationship@birmingham.gov.uk and they will be pleased to assist.

Thank you for your ongoing support. 

Schools Contracts Data Collection for Lease Accounting (IFRS 16)

To prepare the 2024/25 Final Accounts in line with required accounting policies, we need to review all asset contracts including vehicle leases in order to assess them under IFRS 16. Please could schools submit the 2024/25 Final Accounts Return providing details of all lease arrangements, vehicles owned and any other contract arrangements. Please provide sufficient detail in the description field to determine if the contract includes physical assets and whether the assets identified are leased by the school.

As previously advised, the general position is that schools are only permitted to borrow with the written consent of the Secretary of State. The taking on of liabilities under a lease is deemed to be borrowing, and up until 31 March 2024 the framework applied the finance/operating lease distinction. The Department for Education guidance can be found at this link. The items covered include such things as IT, telephony, catering equipment and vehicles. The consent is backdated to cover leases entered into before 1 April 2024.

Please note specific written consent will be required for any lease requiring the recognition of liabilities that involves items not covered by the Schedule, whenever they might have been entered into.

Please note: A nil Lease/ Contract return is required

Thank you to those schools who have already actioned this request. Those schools who are yet to submit the information, please kindly do so as soon as possible and no later than Monday, 17 February by emailing Kiran Gill at harkiran.gill@birmingham.gov.uk. Any queries should also be directed to Kiran please.

Schools Cash Sheet Update 2024/25 

The updated cash sheet for 1 February 2025 can be found at this link.

We hope you find this useful in reconciling the monthly instalment as well as grant payments the authority has paid so far this financial year. 

 Included in the link are the February adjustments made where income and expenditure has been received or incurred by BCC.  This is provided under the relevant CFR codes at summary level.  Should you need further information and backup for these transactions, please contact schoolsfinance@birmingham.gov.uk. 

 If you have trouble accessing the file, you may need to save the spreadsheet to your personal desktop, then unblock the file by right clicking, properties, and clicking unblock and applying changes. 

Please direct any queries to the SchoolsFinance@Birmingham.gov.uk mailbox in the first instance.

‘Every Child Deserves a Good Start’ Transition Form

At this year's Birmingham Primary and Secondary Headteacher Forums, headteachers agreed to adopt the new ‘Every Child Deserves a Good Start’ Transition Form.

We are pleased to announce the implementation of this Transition Form across all Primary and Secondary schools in Birmingham with immediate effect.

This form is designed to ensure a smooth and effective transition for every Year 6 pupil by sharing essential information related to safeguarding, attainment, SEND, and additional support services. By using this form, we aim to promote seamless communication between schools, parents, and carers, ultimately supporting each child's learning and development as they move to their new educational setting.

The Guidance and the Transition Form are available at the following links. Please note that the guidance has been minimally amended based on feedback received since sending the documentation to Headteachers on Friday, 31 January. If you have downloaded the previous version, please ensure it is now replaced.

This guidance has been reviewed and approved by the council's Data Protection Team and is accurate for current use. There is no requirement to gain consent to share when using this Transition Form.

We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to making this transition process as supportive and comprehensive as possible.

Should you have any queries or require further clarification on any points, please contact Lisa Smith, School Improvement – Strategic Development at lisa.smith@birmingham.gov.uk

Birmingham SENCo Noticeboard

The next half termly update for all SENCos and SEND leads across the sector has been issued today, sharing messages and information around SEND as part of our improved SEND communication framework SENCO noticeboard. Previous issues of the SENCO Noticeboard can also be found at this link.

If your SENCo/SEND lead has not received an email alert from the Local Offer taking them to the SENCo Noticeboard, then please get in touch with Heather Wood at heather.wood@birmingham.gov.uk to make sure they are added to the circulation list.

Birmingham Education Curriculum Group Meetings

Established by Senior Education Adviser, Ayisha Ali, within Thriving Children and Families, these Curriculum Group Meetings aim to foster collaboration among schools across Birmingham. The primary goal is to create sustainable networking opportunities for sharing effective classroom practices and addressing curriculum challenges identified in the Section 175 Safeguarding Audit. Additionally, these meetings aim to navigate complex global issues and their impact on young people.

These themed groups empower teachers to enhance their confidence in teaching, learning, and assessment, particularly in the essential areas of Keeping Children Safe in Education. This ensures that key safeguarding principles are integrated into curriculum resources.

Details on the content for each session are available on the Birmingham Education Support Services (BESS). If you are interested in attending, please book via the BESS system to secure your place.

To register your place, simply select the appropriate link below:

Rubery Swop Shop

Schools may be aware of the Rubery Swop Shop – a community initiative dedicated to providing free preloved school uniforms to families in Birmingham and beyond. This service helps reduce waste and supports families by offering essential clothing items such as coats, shoes, and jumpers. Absolutely anyone is welcome to use and donate preloved clothing. For more information, you can contact them at 07736 958249 or via email at ruberyswopshop@outlook.com. Please help spread the word to any families who might benefit from this support. 

Violence Reduction Partnership – My Tomorrow Change Makers

An exciting new programme in schools aims to help pupils develop resilience, resolve conflicts, and stay safe.

Change Makers Sessions:

  • Target Audience: Students in Year 6 and above.
  • Co-designed by young people as part of the youth-led My Tomorrow campaign.
  • Focus: Teaching young people to be upstanders.

Programme Details:

  • Fully funded by the Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP).
  • Delivered to school staff through a "train the trainer" model.
  • Training Duration: Approximately two hours.
  • Format: Available for small groups or whole school staff, online or in person.
  • Schools receive an online resource pack to get started.

How to Arrange a Training Session:

Additional Resources:

Helping Young People at Risk of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM is on 6 February, raising awareness and action against this harmful practice affecting millions of women and girls globally.

What is FGM? FGM involves the deliberate cutting, altering, or removal of female genitals for non-medical reasons. It has severe lifelong physical, psychological, and social consequences. FGM is illegal and considered child abuse.

Signs FGM Might Happen:

  • A relative or 'cutter' visiting from abroad
  • Discussions about a girl 'becoming a woman'
  • Female relatives who have undergone FGM
  • Long holidays overseas, especially during summer
  • Unexpected or long absences from school
  • A girl running away or planning to run away

Signs FGM Might Have Taken Place:

  • Difficulty walking, sitting, or frequent urinary/menstrual problems
  • Sudden behavioural changes, such as quietness, anxiety, or depression
  • Acting differently after an absence from school
  • Reluctance to visit doctors or have medical exams
  • Asking for help, though they might not be explicit

Mandatory Reporting: In England and Wales, health and social care professionals and teachers must report to the police if:

  • A child under 18 informs them they have undergone FGM
  • They observe physical signs of FGM on a child under 18 (Section 74 Serious Crime Act 2015)

For more information on mandatory reporting, visit Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation: procedural information - GOV.UK

Contact Details:

  • Police: Dial 101 or 999 if someone is in immediate danger
  • Crimestoppers: Report anonymously – Crimestoppers
  • NSPCC: Visit their website for more advice – NSPCC

Stay vigilant and report any concerns to protect young people from FGM.

Healthy Schools Lunch & Learn

Air Quality Monitors, free for every school, see one in action!

The Birmingham Healthy Schools Lunch & Learn series are online information/training sessions, around 20 minutes long, aimed at school staff.

The next session is about Air Quality Monitors, free for every school, see one in action! on Tuesday 11 February at 4pm. The session is for all staff, and is particularly relevant for headteachers, facilities staff, governors and sustainability leads.

Join the session to:

  • See a live demo of an air quality monitor
  • Hear what air quality means, why it matters, and what we can do to improve it
  • Understand the impact of air quality on health (with poor air quality the biggest environmental risk to public health, particularly for children)
  • Hear how schools can make a difference with a free air quality monitor and resources.

This session will be delivered by Sally James and Owen Gardner. Sally is Birmingham City Council’s Air Quality Policy Manager in the Clean Air Zone, with responsibility for developing the next Brum Breathes’ Clean Air Strategy. Owen leads operations at EarthSense, our supplier of monitors that provide air quality measurements and help identify pollution hotspots.

To register for this webinar, follow this link: Air Quality Monitors, free for every school, see one in action!

Birmingham Community Healthcare Plus School Nursing Service

Do you need additional School Nursing input? If so Birmingham Community NHS Foundation Trust can help.

Through its BCHC Plus (Traded Services) School Nursing service it can provide additional education focused services that supplement the NHS ‘core’ school nurse service.

The link between educational attainment and positive health is well documented; however sometimes schools find that incidence of health-related needs amongst their pupils requires more clinical support. We offer schools the opportunity to buy additional dedicated school nurse time to address health needs that lie beyond the scope of the core service.

School health topics that we provide support for include:

  • Curriculum input focused on health and wellbeing.
  • Issues arising in school that may have a link to health.
  • Dedicated support addressing a school’s wider health related challenges.
  • Liaison with GP’s Health Visitors and other professionals.
  • Health education and promotion activities.

To find out more about how BCHC Plus (Traded Services) can benefit your school; pupils; families and staff; please contact our BCHC Plus team on 0121 4666266 or e-mail bchc.bchcplus@nhs.net We will then arrange a Teams meeting to discuss our services and your requirements in more detail.

Free Access to YogaBugs' Online Yoga and Mindfulness Platform!

If mental health is a priority at your school, don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity! YogaBugs is offering FREE access to their online yoga and mindfulness platform for 10 weeks to the first 100 schools that sign up.

Why YogaBugs? YogaBugs is the largest children's yoga company in the UK, dedicated to supporting schools with mental health and well-being. Their programmes help improve children's concentration, behaviour, emotional regulation, and readiness to learn.

What You Get:

  • Access to over 120 YogaBugs sessions for Nursery to KS2
  • Classroom yoga sessions
  • Bugs brain breaks
  • Mindfulness activities

How to Sign Up:

This offer is limited to the first 100 schools, so make sure to sign up quickly.

For more information about YogaBugs, visit their website at www.yogabugs.com or get in touch at 0121 777 7792 or zoe@thebugsgroup.com.

Reflections Training Academy Open Day

  • Date: Thursday, 20 February 2025
  • Time: 13:00
  • Location: Reflections Training Academy, 2 Commercial Street B1 1RS

If any school leavers are considering a career in hairdressing, barbering, or business, the Reflections Training Academy Open Day is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the training and apprenticeship programmes on offer.

What to Expect:

  • Meet experienced tutors and current apprentices
  • Tour the training facilities and see programmes in action
  • Learn about the flexible training options
  • Get expert advice on starting a career through an apprenticeship
  • Watch live demonstrations showcasing professional skills

Spaces are limited, so please register your interest today by calling 0121 643 2147 or booking online at this link.

Beezee Families – Free 'Portion Size' Webinar

FAO: All Staff – Please Share with Parents

Beezee by Maximus is dedicated to helping people of all ages develop lasting healthy habits. They are pleased to announce an upcoming webinar focused on portion sizes and healthy eating, specifically designed for parents and carers.

Do you want to make healthier choices for you and your family? Do you have a child or look after a child aged 5-12?

Join Beezee by Maximus on Monday, 10 February from 18:00 to 19:00 and learn more about making healthy food choices for your child.

This free online session will cover:

  • What is the Eatwell Guide?
  • Energy balance and why it is important
  • How portion sizes can help your child grow up strong and energized

Whether you're looking for practical tips or a deeper understanding of nutrition, this session will provide the tools you need to confidently support your child’s health.

To register for this webinar, please follow this link: Beezee Families – Portion Size Webinar

Kabaddi World Cup 2025

On Thursday 20 March, Nechells Wellbeing Centre will be hosting selected men’s and women’s group matches of the Kabaddi World Cup.

Kabaddi is a fast-paced sport from South Asia which features teams of raiders and blockers where points are scored by entering the opposition team’s territory, tagging an opposition member and returning to their half of the matt without being tackled.

This tournament is the World Cup’s first edition outside of Asia and tickets start from £5 with group bookings available from the box office.  

Across two sessions, spectators can watch a mixture of men’s and women’s teams from Egypt, Germany, Hong Kong China, India, Italy, Kenya, Pakistan, Scotland, Sri Lanka, the USA and Tanzania, compete to secure the best group placement ahead of the finals on the 23 March.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit www.kabaddiworldcup2025.com.

 

This entry was posted by Jaspal Shambi on 31/01/2025.