Noticeboard: 13 May 2021
This week's Noticeboard includes the vision from Birmingham Children's Partnership, an update regarding the Early Career Framework, the Link2ICT and BCC Transition and more.
Included in this update:
Early Career Framework Conference
In September 2021 NQT induction is changing. Induction will follow the Early Career Framework (ECF) and will become a two-year process. NQTs or Early Career Teachers will still need to be registered with an Appropriate Body. This half-day course will give participants a clearer understanding of the new Early Career Framework (ECF) process of induction, awareness of what is required of schools to ensure they comply with statutory guidance and an introduction to the different programmes available.
The course date has changed due to the DFE Portal deadline. https://www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/our-offer/early-career-framework-conference/
Upcoming Link2ICT & BCC Transition
Birmingham City Council has now transitioned the in-scope services as of from 1st April 2021.
What this means: The applications detailed below are now supported by Birmingham City Council. Please note the new support arrangements for xPorter.
Applications in scope: HR Portal - Voyager Portal - AVCO AnyCommsPlus - Finance Reconciliation Files - xPorter - can be used to run a variety of data collection / sharing jobs for your school. (BCC will provide Advice and Guidance only for the xPorter job that supports the collection of MIS pupil data for the councils Education system). AVCO Anycomms Plus: As a reminder the URL to the Portal: https://anycomms.birmingham.gov.uk. - The user guide is on https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20014/schools_and_learning/2337/school_support_service/2
BCC ServiceNow Schools Portal & Interim Support Arrangements:
As mentioned previously there will be a new BCC ServiceNow Schools Portal available for schools to use to log calls, work is currently underway developing this Portal, which is planned for implementation later in 2021.
As an interim contingency process, Schools will be able to fill out the appropriate support request form from the Birmingham.gov.uk website. You can raise these now on https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/school_support_service
This webpage will provide the ‘FAQ / Advice & Guidance’ you can read before you complete the form. The completed form will be sent to BCC IT&D School Support Service mailbox to manage your request. You will receive an email confirming the form has been received. The Service Desk will send an email to confirm they have logged your call and provide the call reference number. Next steps: For AnyCommsPlus could users please log into the Portal and update your user details. i.e. your name & valid email address. This will enable the self-serve password reset function to work as expected using email notifications. Communication on progress of the new BCC ServiceNow Portal and how schools can access it will be sent nearer the time. All support calls from 1st April 2021, relating to the above applications will need to be logged via BCC IT&D webpage via - https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/school_support_service - BCC Project Transition queries to:
Matthew Ngai - Delivery Manager - BCC Information, Technology and Digital Services - Matthew.Ngai@birmingham.gov.uk - Jane James - Portfolio Manager - BCC Information, Technology and Digital Services - Jane.James@birmingham.gov.uk
Junior Peacemakers Workshops
Over Summer and Autumn 2021, we are offering to deliver Junior Peacemakers workshops in schools. Each workshop explores Peace Within, Peace Between and Peace Throughout, with a particular focus on one or more of these. We also consider how Junior Peacemakers can take action in their school. These peace-themed workshops shine a light on important global issues, whilst making connections to children's everyday lives. They take place in school over a day and are suitable for KS2. Dates are negotiated between the school and us. We are producing a resource which shares the activities from these workshops and more, and we will leave a copy of this at the school.
See attached flier . There is a choice of 4 workshops and more details about each can be found here www.peacemakers.org.uk/events - They are free and we come along to the school for the day. We are asking schools to give a donation if they can, to allow us to reach more children.