Noticeboard: 1 July 2021

This week's Noticeboard includes information about Schools Carry Forward Balances and training opportunities.

Included in this update:

2020/21 Schools Carry Forward Balances

School Carry Forward Balances up to 31st March 2021 have been calculated and are available at this link 

The following points should be noted: Schools are required to complete the Surplus Balance Analysis and present this information for discussion at the next available Governing Body meeting, Schools in deficit should contact Lana Forrester (Head of School Financial services) to discuss the matter and agree a plan to address the deficit. If funding queries should be sent to the fairfunding mailbox:- fairfunding@birmingham.gov.uk - https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20124/working_in_schools/788/budgets_for_schools_in_birmingham/7

Phonics for Reading and Writing - Wednesday 7th July 2021

For phonics teaching to be highly effective, teachers must have secure subject knowledge and a clear understanding of progression. This webinar will cover the relevant subject knowledge and progression for teaching phonics to assist children as they begin to learn how sounds are represented and start their journey in using this understanding in their reading and writing. The session will provide ideas for games and activities to teach and practise concepts, as well as ideas for the application of phonics within discrete lessons and across the curriculum.

We will, review progression in phonics through the phases, with the related subject knowledge and language - Delve into games and activities to teach and practice phonics concepts at each stage and think about the application of phonics, both within discrete phonics sessions and across other curriculum areas. https://www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/our-offer/phonics-reading-and-writing/

Safeguarding and Child Protection for Designated Safeguarding Leads (Two Day Course)

This course will equip senior staff with the information, knowledge and understanding to undertake the responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) role. During the course, participants will gain: A better understanding of the responsibilities of the DSL, The Head Teacher/Principal and the Governing Body - Knowledge of national and local documentation, Procedures and requirements for record keeping - Knowledge of multi-agency working including Early Help and Child Protection situations and processes - Knowledge of procedures for dealing with allegations against staff and good practice in reducing the risk of such allegations - Up to date information on issues of current concern, including recommendations from serious case reviews. Birmingham Local Authority have determined that that best practice for our city would be - Initially for new DSLs or deputy DSLs – Attendance on 2 day DSL training course.

2 years later – attendance on a ½ day update - 2 years later – attendance on a ½ day update - 2 years later – attendance on a 2 day DSL training course (unless DSL or deputy DSL is confident that they are up-to-date). In schools in which staff are accessing training, briefings and network meetings regularly and using the procedures in practice on a regular basis the DSL trained staff should continue to attend an update every two years unless they recognise for themselves a need to start again by attending the two day training. https://www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/our-offer/safeguarding-and-child-protection-for-designated-safeguarding-leads-two-day-course-2/

Online Safeguarding and Child Protection for Designated Safeguarding Leads (Two Day Course)

This course will equip senior staff with the information, knowledge and understanding to undertake the responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) role.
During the course, participants will gain:  A better understanding of the responsibilities of the DSL, the Head Teacher/Principal and the Governing Body - Knowledge of national and local documentation, procedures and requirements for record keeping - Knowledge of multi-agency working including Early Help and Child Protection situations and processes - Knowledge of procedures for dealing with allegations against staff and good practice in reducing the risk of such allegations - Up to date information on issues of current concern, including recommendations from serious case reviews: Birmingham Local Authority have determined that that best practice for our city would be - Initially for new DSLs or deputy DSLs – Attendance on 2 day DSL training course.

2 years later – attendance on a ½ day update - 2 years later – attendance on a ½ day update - 2 years later – attendance on a 2 day DSL training course (unless DSL or deputy DSL is confident that they are up-to-date). In schools in which staff are accessing training, briefings and network meetings regularly and using the procedures in practice on a regular basis the DSL trained staff should continue to attend an update every two years unless they recognise for themselves a need to start again by attending the two day training. https://www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/our-offer/online-safeguarding-and-child-protection-for-designated-safeguarding-leads-two-day-course/

Supporting children with down syndrome in early years settings October 2021

Date: 5th October 2021 9.30am-12.30pm -Venue:  Microsoft Teams - Cost:  £80.00 per delegate - Schools must book online – Website:  https://www.birminghameducationsupportservices.co.uk/Event/145453 -Email philip.connor-bell@birmingham.gov.uk

Supporting children with down syndrome in junior and infant schools (2 days) October/November 2021

Date: 19th October and 2nd November 2021 10-11.30am - Venue:  Microsoft Teams - Cost:  £80.00 per delegate - Schools must book online – Website:  https://www.birminghameducationsupportservices.co.uk/Event/145452 - Email philip.connor-bell@birmingham.gov.uk

Anti-racism teaching pack (KS3 & KS4)

Equalities charity brap are pleased to offer a free teaching resource that introduces young people to the idea of anti-racism and how they might go about creating an anti-racist future. The teaching pack, for key stages 3 and 4, covers three sessions that explore: what racism is and where it shows up in communities; what young people would want an anti-racist future to look like; and what we should be doing to create an anti-racist future. The pack contains slides, a facilitator outline, discussion topics, video links, homework ideas, and easy-to-understand definitions of terms like ‘privilege’, ‘discrimination’, and ‘colonisation’. Download the free pack here: www.antiracistfutures.org/resources

Restorative Justice and Schools Webinar Invitation

Remedi is a non-profit, voluntary organisation funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver restorative justice across the West Midlands, covering cases referred by the police, probation, schools, victim services and public transport since. Remedi is keen to foster a partnership with schools, colleges and universities to put in place Restorative Justice, and have set up an opportunity to meet the team and hear about their work.The briefing will be held over Microsoft Teams on Thursday 8thJuly from 10:00 am to 11:00am. If you would like to attend please contact georgia.snelling@remediuk.org, and an invitation will be sent to you directly.

All are welcome to attend, including head teachers, governors, police school link officers, and safeguarding leads. If you would like to know more about the organisation before joining the briefing, please access the link:-Restorative Justice | Remedi (remediuk.org)

Subsidised THRIVE training for Birmingham schools – available for a limited time.

Thrive is a therapeutic approach to help support children with their emotional and social development. It is a whole school approach based around, current studies of effective learning and current models of child development – in order to help the school to understand the needs being signalled by children’s behaviour. Key staff trained as Licensed THRIVE Practitioners within schools can carry out assessments of identified children’s social, emotional and behavioural needs which help us to build an Action Plan of targeted strategies and activities to help children re-engage with learning and life.

The Thrive Approach is ideal for professionals working in education - individual schools, multi-academy trusts (MATs) and local authorities - social care and the health care sectors, those supporting families in the community, and also for parents and carers.
James Brindley Academy’s Licensed THRIVE Trainers will will be running 3 x Adolescent Practitioner Courses and 3 x Childhood Practitioner Courses next academic year. All course places are generously subsidised by Birmingham City Council but are limited in numbers, therefore we advise that you secure a place as soon as possible. For course costs, dates, delivery method, booking form and further information on the training being delivered by James Brindley Academy please visit our training page here: THRIVE Training at JBA

You can access more information regarding the content of THRIVE Licensed Practitioner Courses via the following links. Childhood Licensed Practitioner Course  - https://www.thriveapproach.com/courses/practitioners/253/
Adolescent Licensed Practitioner course https://www.thriveapproach.com/courses/practitioners/237/

Soaring with Clipped Wings

A wonderful creative writing group, made up of people seeking asylum, or with refugee status living in Birmingham, has published a beautiful book of poetry entitled: “Soaring with Clipped Wings.” All Birmingham schools should have copies of this book. It can be used as a learning resource for creative writing, for learning about international affairs, asylum and refugee issues, and it contains poems about Birmingham which make it of local interest. All proceeds go to Stories of Hope and Home, which is based at Carrs Lane Church.

Stories of Hope and Home is a story-telling project offering asylum seekers and refugees a space to share their stories and others a space to hear them. The aim is to empower those who have been forced to flee and seek refuge to recognise the value of the stories of their humanity, and to create spaces of powerful personal encounter in order to challenge and change perceptions around these issues. As an official City of Sanctuary, all of our public and statutory services should support our  City of Sanctuary policy statement. By stocking this book in our school libraries, it is evidence of commitment to the policy, fulfilling many objectives by supporting a refugee led group, and sharing lived experience. This book of poetry has been created by Birmingham residents and thus is of extra value and interest for its local significance.  To hear some of the participants reciting a poem click here

The coordinator of the group is Stephanie Neville and to make an enquiry about purchasing the book please contact her on:
info@storiesofhome.org.uk

This entry was posted by Laura Hendry on 01/07/2021.