Noticeboard: 4 March 2021

This week's noticeboard includes finance information ahead of Closedown, school organisation proposals regarding Skilts and St Benedict's Primary School, the NQT Pool 2021, plus much more.

Included in this update:

Schools Finance: 2020-21 Year End Accruals Template Training & Cheque Book End of Year Workbook Training

In preparation for year end, there will be an Accruals Template Training Session followed by Cheque Book Schools End of Year Workbook Training Session. The training details are as follows: Date:  Friday 26th February 2021, Time: 13:15 -15:45 Venue: Microsoft Teams Meeting.  School Business Managers are advised to attend this training session. If you wish to attend please email SchoolsYEAccountsClosedown@birmingham.gov.uk and a link will be sent to you to join this meeting. A recording of the training session will be sent out afterwards should you not be able to attend.

School Financial Services Budget & Strategic Forecast Template

Schools Financial Services Budget & Stategic Planning Template is available for maintained Primary, Secondary and Special school to purchase. We have structured the spreadsheet to allow direct input of schools own funding calculations enabling assumptions to be changed and motified as and when announcements and guidance on future years funding are released from the Dfe (updating subject to date limit). The budget and strategic Template will calculate estimated outturns and key KPI's when information on anticipated income, expenditure and funding has been input by the school.

Please note that the report and and documentation will be sent as an encrypted email, and the price is £140. The Key benefits to your school are to, Enable an assessment of effective and efficent use of resources, be responsive to fluctuations in pupil numbers and funding, Support the requirements of the school Financial Value Standard, Comply with Ofsted and Audit recommendations, and allow modelling of different funding scenarios. From 2021 to 2022 funding year, it is now a Dfe requirement that each school must submit a 3-year budget forecast each year, therefore this template will ensure that school are compliant with this new requirement. SFS can support schools in completing the budget & Strategic Planning Template if required: the price would be £47 per hour - Elaine.A.Leith@birmingham.gov.uk 

Schools Closedown Process 2020/21 – Frequently Asked Questions

Please note as part of the Year End Closedown Process 2020/21 a Frequently Asked Questions information sheet has been posted for your reference.
This has been posted under Year End Procedures - https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20124/working_in_schools/788/budgets_for_schools_in_birmingham/4 -  If you have any further questions please email - SchoolsYEAccountsClosedown@birmingham.gov.uk

Notification of School Organisation Proposals - Skilts School and St Benedict's Primary School

Skilts School
Proposal by the Interim Executive Board
Alteration to the Age Range from 5 - 11 to 5 - 14 years with effect from 19th April 2021 until 31st August 2022.
A previous proposal was approved by the IEB for the alteration of the age range to come into effect from 1st September 2021, this proposal is for temporary change to be implemented from 19th April 2021(the start of the summer term)  until  31st August 2022.

Anybody wishing to comment can do so by emailing edsi.enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk. Please include Skilts in the title. Comments to be received by Friday 5th March 2021

St Benedict's Primary School
Alteration to the Lower Age Range from 3 -11 years to 4 -11 years to close the nursery provision. The pre-publication consultation commenced on 22nd February 2021 and will run until Friday 19th March 2021. Anybody wishing to comment can do so by emailing edsi.enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk . Please include St Benedict's in the title.

NQT Pool 2021

Will you be looking for NQTs to start in September 2021? The Birmingham NQT Pool opens to schools on 8th March 2021. HR Services for Schools hold a register of NQTs actively seeking their first teaching appointment in Birmingham for September 2021.

Schools using the pool will save precious time and money by avoiding advertising, responding to enquiries, and chasing references. NQTs will be selected by area and phase, with their details provided via a secure email containing application forms and references. The team communicate regularly with teachers to ensure the information available is as up to date as possible and can also assist with calls to shortlisted candidates. The charge for the service is £310. To request details or to find out more, please complete the Newly Qualified Teachers Search Form. If you require further information please email nqt@birmingham.gov.uk.

Keeping Pupils Safe on the return journey to School

TfWM have developed a Back to School Toolkit complete with posters, leaflets and ticketing information, designed to help you communicate the changes to your school community.

They have also created some online resources to help you speak to students about journey planning. More information is available at this link.

Virtual Careers Event for Y11 2021 leavers

Birmingham Careers Service is offering a free virtual careers event for your Y11 2021 leavers and their parents / carers on Wednesday 3rd March 2021. The event will run twice during the day ( 10 am -12 noon then repeated from 1pm - 3pm).
The event workshops will cover the range of post 16 options - including college courses, traineeships and apprenticeships, as well as a session on employability skills. Each event will be followed by an optional market place activity - featuring a number of stalls covering a range of opportunities and support from 12 noon - 1pm and 3 pm- 4pm.

For Parents and carers, there will be a webinar session from 5pm - 6pm. Young people attending can enter our free prize draw to win a tablet or Amazon voucher.
For further information - and to book tickets, please visit  - https://www.birminghamcareersservice.co.uk/my-choices-careers-event/

The Auditor Spring 2021 Issue 58

The latest termly Newsletter from Birmingham Audit - Spring 2021 Issue 58.

AET Early Years: Leading Good Autism Practice Training

The training will, Enhance staff knowledge and understanding of good autism practice,  Help staff question, evaluate and develop practice within their setting and  Provide staff with the tools to evaluate their own knowledge of autism, to audit staff training needs and to gain an overview of whole setting practice using the AET early years autism standards and autism competency framework Day 1: 26th April 2021, Day 2: 27th April 2021, 9.00 am – 12.30 pm, To secure your place, please booking online via:
http://accesstoeducation.birmingham.gov.uk

Leading Good Autism Practice Training

The training will,  Enhance delegate’s knowledge and understanding of good autism practice,  Help delegates to question, evaluate and develop autism practice within their setting,  Provide delegates with the tools to audit staff skills and identify training needs
Develop skills and knowledge so that delegates can support their organisation to meet/exceed the requirements of external reviewers such as Ofsted and be compliant with legislative requirements Day 1: 11th May 2021, Day 2: 12th May 2021, 9.00 am – 12.30 pm. To secure your place, please booking online via: http://accesstoeducation.birmingham.gov.uk

Good Autism Practice Training

The session will focus on gaining practical knowledge, tools and strategies to support pupils with Autism In setting. To develop knowledge and understanding of good autism practice. To reflect on and improve personal practice through guidelines and activities. To learn how to use the schools Autism competency framework to evaluate and develop personal practice. Day 1: 5th May 2021, Day 2: 7th May 2021, 9.00 am – 12.30 pm - To secure your place, please booking online via http://accesstoeducation.birmingham.gov.uk

Services for Education new Safeguarding Subscription

From January 2021 Services For Education is providing a new way to access your school’s safeguarding training through a digital subscription service. All schools and settings can use this to develop, support and enhance your own safeguarding expertise and practice, in a flexible and accessible way.  We have worked with colleagues in BCC and within schools to tailor the support so that you can have access to, recorded webinars on the key topics in KCSIE, and wider safeguarding issues and areas of concern e.g. Domestic Abuse; FGM including webinars on how to include these within the curriculum.  Recorded webinars to cover safeguarding training requirements and responsibilities of all staff, governors and a new one specifically for school office staff. A series of short, practical ‘how to’ video guides aimed at new DSLs that will address a range of practice-based issues, for example, aspects of safer working practice, inform action sharing and safeguarding, working with your SG Governor.

Schools will be able to buy a 12-month subscription which will provide licence holders with unlimited access to the training and resources for the year. For further information and to purchase please visit  https://bit.ly/3ilZgTA

Safer Recruitment – Online Delivery

This full-day course will assist schools to meet statutory requirements and to improve processes that help deter, reject or identify people who might abuse children or who are otherwise unsuited to working with them. During this course, participants will improve their:  Awareness of the scale of abuse and the need to create and maintain a safer culture within the school or service -  Understanding of offender behaviour, characteristics of abusers and of how child sex abusers typically operate within organisations -  An understanding of safer recruitment procedures including conducting structured interviews - https://www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/our-offer/safer-recruitment-2020-21/

Teaching and Leading MFL in Primary Schools

With the renewed Ofsted focus on middle leaders in schools, this course aims to give Modern Foreign Language subject leaders an understanding of second language acquisition and teaching foreign languages, whilst offering solutions to build teachers’ subject knowledge and ensure progression across year groups. https://www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/our-offer/teaching-and-leading-mfl-2021/ - Natasha Lawson-Hollingsworth -hello@servicesforeducation.co.uk

EYFS Profile Standardisation and Moderation Training 2021 (Non Early Adopters)

These sessions are delivered by experienced Profile moderators and will develop participants understanding of the purpose, principles and processes of the EYFS Profile assessment. This course will reassure practitioners that their judgements are accurate, valid and consistent with the national standards as set out in the EYFS framework 2017 by carrying out standardisation (agreement trailing) and moderation activities. Even though completion of the profile since January 15th 2021 became non-statutory, DfE are strongly emphasising how the EYFSP is a valued assessment and a crucial tool in supporting children’s learning and development for transition from reception to year 1. The DfE are asking schools to make ‘best endeavours’ to still complete children’s profile assessments in the summer term so that they can inform parents and Year 1 teachers about pupils attainment at the end of the Foundation Stage. The Early Learning Goals focus for 2020/21 are Personal, Social and Emotional development and Mathematics. https://www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/our-offer/eyfs-profile-standardisation-and-moderation-training-2021/

Precious Lives School Workshops for Primary Y6 and Secondary Schools

As knife crime levels across the country rise, so too does the fear of it. That is why it is more important than ever to have serious conversations with young people in schools, colleges, and other youth provision to educate them on the risks and how to stay safe. Precious Lives is a fully funded offer for young people from Year 6 of primary school to 18 years of age and is available to all West Midlands schools, colleges, and other youth provision. The project is delivered through a team of 10 trainers, who have real-life experience of knife crime either as a victim, offender, or professional, who speak to young people to help them understand the consequences of carrying or using a knife. 

The trainers share their experiences and pass on the lessons they’ve learned. The sessions are designed to be hard-hitting and impactful with an emphasis placed on connecting with the young people and delivering a message. Workshops can last between 45min to 1 hour.  We use a PowerPoint presentation and a video to deliver, so access to IT and audio will be needed.  It can be delivered as a large assembly style presentation or a small classroom size workshop for more interaction. To book or for further information, please contact: Natalie Cox, 07827252943 or by email, n.cox@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk

An Opportununity for Young People With Learning Disabilities

Are you a young person with a learning disability and/or autism, living in Birmingham, who loves theatre and performing? If so, we want to work with you! We're looking for young people from ages 5-25, to join new physical theatre groups for our new project 'Unbounded'. To join, you just need to have an interest in theatre, and to live in one of these areas: Edgbaston, Northfield, Erdington, Selly Oak, Hodgehill

Unbounded will begin with weekly zoom sessions for members of the group to come together and explore theatre games and activities. The groups will work towards a sharing of the work they have created together, in their local communities, once lockdown restrictions have eased.  All sessions are free, you just need to commit to attending the sessions once a week. To sign up for one of the groups, or to find out more, please email: info@opentheatre.co.uk

The PIPA Trial – exploring the effectiveness of an online parenting resource

The PIPA Trial is exploring the effectiveness of an online resource for parents/carers to help prevent depression and anxiety in young people. The trial is coordinated by the University of Warwick. We will be recruiting families of young people aged 11-15 years from Birmingham, Coventry and surrounding areas and are collaborating with secondary schools to promote the trial and engage with families. Involvement for schools is very easy and minimal – we will work with a key contact in your school (mental health/safeguarding lead or similar) to sign a letter agreement and send out invitations to families (we will provide all necessary documents).

The PIPA Trial is free of cost to families and schools and is conducted completely online. Parents/carers and young people who are eligible to take part will be asked to complete some questionnaires and will receive access to a range of online parenting resources. This is a great opportunity for schools to get involved in the drive to improve youth mental health and support students and families, particularly during these unprecedented times.  If your school is interested in getting involved and would like more information, please contact the trial team:  Email: PIPA@warwick.ac.uk  Phone: 02476574316 or 02476575078  Website: www.warwick.ac.uk/pipa

IT and Business Training Available

Get All Your Staff Digitally Skilled with a FREE Online E3, L1 or L2 Qualification. E3 is basic and its mainly about navigating your way around Windows 10. Touches on all Microsoft office applications explaining what they are used for (can be achieved within 8 hours). L1 is the basics for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook - how to open, close, format, cut, copy, paste creating simple spreadsheets using formulas and PowerPoint to create slides (can be achieved within 15 hours).

L2 is advanced. Word for mail merge etc. Excel for pivot tables, macros etc. Powerpoint for advanced slide creation, as well as TEAMS and Outlook (can be achieved within 20 hours – this will involve a writeup too). The above courses are online which includes a multiple-choice exam. Course/s must be completed before 31st of July 2021. Why not enrol today? All you need to do is email sameena.asmat@birmingham.gov.uk for an application form - www.trainbaes.co.uk

FREE dog safety sessions for primary schools

There have been two serious dog attack incidents in Birmingham this month, one involving two young children. With dog ownership levels increasing substantially during lockdowns, and with Covid restrictions dominating many puppy's early experiences, experts predict a significant rise in dog bite incidents throughout 2021.

Wood Green, The Animals Charity are passionate about teaching dog safety and empowering young people to stay safe. It's a key topic in their free education workshops and they are encouraging all Birmingham Primary Schools to get involved, at a time when it can really make a difference.

Their 'Woody's Dog Safety Workshops' take children through what dogs like and don't like, when it's best to leave a dog alone and how to deal with unwanted attention from a dog in the park or street - all through fun activities. Workshops can be presented live digitally through your whiteboard or downloaded and delivered at a time to suit you. Either way, don't expect to be sitting down for long as all workshops are interactive with plenty to get involved with. Let's get your whole school talking about dog safety!

To book a free workshop email community@woodgreen.org.uk or for more information visit https://woodgreen.org.uk/educational-resources/virtual-workshops

This entry was posted by on 04/03/2021.