Update for schools: 6 January 2021

This includes the announcements made by the Secretary of State this afternoon, an update regarding provision for vulnerable children and those of key workers and information regarding Education Safeguarding during this lockdown period.

Education Secretary statement to Parliament on national lockdown

The Secretary of State’s statement to Parliament can be accessed at this link and a DfE press release at this link.

  • Statutory key stage 1 and key stage 2 tests and teacher assessments planned for summer 2021, including the key stage 2 tests in reading and mathematics, will not take place
  • The Education Secretary expects Ofqual to consider a teacher assessed system as a replacement for GCSEs, AS and A levels. A consultation will be launched next week and conclude swiftly to give certainty to schools, colleges and students, while also giving them the opportunity to have their say
  • The department will publish updated guidance for schools regarding remote education, including increasing the number of hours schools are expected to provide for pupils, building on the legal requirements already in place to ensure young people receive high quality remote education
  • Ofsted can inspect schools – of any grade – where it has significant concerns about safeguarding or the quality of education being provided, including remote education. Parents should raise concerns about remote education with their school, and can report those concerns to Ofsted if the matter is not resolved
  • The rapid testing programme for secondary schools and colleges will continue for those on site, with daily testing of close contacts available to students and staff and weekly testing available for staff. Primary staff will be included later in January as planned, and more detail will be set out in due course about reaching all secondary students as they return to face-to-face education
  • Families entitled to free school meals will also be offered food parcels or vouchers, funded by the government.

We have received a number of enquiries from schools about provision for free school meals in recent days. When more information about the government’s arrangements for free school meals are available, we will ensure this are shared with you.

Provision for the children of critical key workers

Yesterday we shared the DfE’s position that children with at least one parent or carer who is listed as a critical worker are eligible for a school place and it is not necessary for both parents to be critical workers.

We have informed our partner agencies (NHS, Adults and Children’s social care, Police etc) that their critical key worker staff can contact us if they have difficulties in accessing provision to enable them to work by emailing edsi.enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk with ‘Key worker provision’ in the subject box.

If any schools are finding it difficult to cater for large numbers of vulnerable and key worker children attending, please contact edsi.enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk with ‘Key worker provision’ in the subject box.

Template letter from Schools HR

Earlier today we sent headteachers a template letter from BCC Schools HR that can be used to respond to the latest trade union template letter (citing Section 44, Employment Rights Act and their Health and Safety concerns).

Updates regarding CASS/ MASH and Education Safeguarding

  • The CASS and MASH Education Team is still working within the Front Door. This team, as always, is available to support and advise school and education setting staff with referrals, Right Help Right Time thresholds and with anything that they may need in regard to CASS, MASH and EMPOWER U. This team now has a shared inbox, so instead of emailing officers individually, please send any queries or concerns to CASSEducation@birmingham.gov.uk
  • Should you need specific advice, or need to discuss anything, an officer will be in touch to arrange a School Contact Slot via Microsoft Teams.
  • As during the previous lockdown, it is still very much business as usual for CASS and MASH. It is still expected, and just as important as ever that schools are represented in strategy discussions. MASH co-ordinators will still contact schools via telephoning the main school office in the first instance and will also email DSLs direct. Please could we ask that
    • schools remind any office or administration staff of the importance of informing DSLs of any calls from MASH immediately.
    • schools ensure that their DSL / Safeguarding contact information on the website is up to date.
  • Please can schools ensure that, when referring in either by telephone or by completing a Request for Support Form, they include direct contact details (such as alternative mobile telephone number or direct school email address) as well as the main office contact details. This assists CASS and MASH greatly should they have to obtain further information or invite schools to strategy discussions during this lockdown period.
  • For advice and support around wider whole school safeguarding policies or procedures, you can continue to contact EducationSafeguarding@birmingham.gov.uk

About

Recent posts

Archives

Tags


Social Links