What does the Timpson Review on school exclusions mean for your school?
The Timpson Review on school exclusions has been published, with 30 recommendations for change. Recommendations include making settings more accountable for school exclusions in an “effective and fair way†and offering more guidance and tools to teachers, writes QA Education editor Victoria Galligan. A £10million crackdown on poor behaviour also formed part of the key measures which are being taken by the Government in a bid to reduce exclusions. The review, carried out by Edward Timpson CBE, highlighted the fact that 78% of permanent exclusions concerned vulnerable groups – children with SEN, classified as in need or receiving free school meals. Mr Timpson said: “No parent sends their child off to school believing they will end up being excluded but when this does happen we all need to be confident we have a well-functioning system that makes sure no child slips through the net. Exclusion from school should never mean exclusion from education. “Throughout this review I have found too much variation in the use of exclusions and too many missed opportunities for children to remain in the education that best suits their needs. Although I did see examples of schools using exclusions appropriately and effectively, there is clear room for improvement and everyone – from teachers and parents, the Department for Education and Ofsted, to local authorities and children’s services – has their part to play. “We expect school leaders to make sure all children are getting a good education, but we must equip them with the skills and capacity to do so. We need to reward schools who are doing this well and hold to account those who are not. Most importantly there must be safeguards in place for when things go wrong so that we can keep children on the path towards the successful future they all deserve.†The publication of the review came after Education Secretary Damian Hinds made a Call for Evidence on SEND provision, last week. Welcome change on school exclusions Achievement for All – a not-for-profit organisation that works with schools and settings to improve outcomes for all young people vulnerable to underachievement – welcomed the review. Its CEO, Professor Sonia Blandford, said: “We welcome this important and vital review into exclusions. Too many children and young people are excluded, slip through the net and fail to receive the education they deserve. “With an inclusive and whole-school approach to education, permanent and fixed period exclusions can be reduced and futures transformed. Through our work with over 3.86 million beneficiaries including pupils, teachers, parents and carers, we know that many schools don’t feel well supported or equipped in this area. “We need to ensure they have access to a framework that focuses on quality teaching and learning, use appropriate interventions and engage parents and carers effectively. “Parent and carer engagement must be viewed as an integral part of school engagement – not an add on. We developed our Achieving Schools programme to meet these needs. In 2018, we reduced school exclusions in the settings we worked with by 70%. As the Timpson Review of School Exclusions states, a well-functioning system is needed to support all children and young people. “Exclusion from education must be avoided and we look forward to working with the government and other organisations in this area to ensure every child, irrespective of their background challenge or need, can achieve.†What does the review on school exclusions mean for teachers? Guidance for teachers will be updated, which will mean training and materials being made available for school leaders. The Government says Mr Timpson’s proposed reforms will support schools to intervene early before exclusion is necessary, improve alternative provision, as well as reducing incentives for schools to off-roll pupils (take children off the register and therefore out of the education system, without a formal permanent exclusion). And the new Ofsted framework will also require inspectors to question schools where there are signs of off-rolling, and instruct them to report where pupils are taken off-roll for the benefit of the school rather than the in the interests of the pupil. The report also encourages multi-agency working, saying “it cannot be the job of schools alone to take action to understand and address the complex underlying needs that children may have”. The Government should also clarify the role of local authorities to advocate for children with additional needs and those at risk of moving out of school through exclusion or otherwise, and require them to convene local forums in which schools participate, says the review. It also recommended that the Government extends its funding to equality and diversity hubs beyond 2020, to help increase the diversity of senior leadership teams in schools.
New Glasdon Nexus® Evolution is step forward in Waste Management
The latest addition to the Glasdon range is changing the face of how we recycle. Entirely customisable; from aperture colour to waste type; the Nexus® Evolution is a stylish, robust and versatile multi-stream recycling unit. Choose from a multitude of colours, sizes, configurations and over 50 apertures, including cup recycling and even confidential waste to fit your exact waste management requirements. A narrow footprint makes Nexus Evolution the perfect fit for a wide variety of environments; such as primary school corridors, secondary school campuses and all other pastoral spaces; where floor space is at a premium. Its contemporary, symmetrical design also allows it to be approached from both sides in more open spaces. Graphics are easily applied onto either of the Nexus Evolution’s large sides for added personalisation. Further flexibility is added with an extensive list of optional extra features; from wheels and lock kits to sign kits and aperture connector kits. Neil Gilkes, Sales Manager for Glasdon UK Limited said: “We’re very excited about the launch of Nexus Evolution. It’s set to become one of the most versatile recycling solutions on the market. With so many flexible options, our customers can choose their own configuration, colours and graphics to best fit their needs. What we have found is that our customers recycling needs are evolving and this product allows our customers to adapt to those needs.†Website: https://uk.glasdon.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlasdonUK You tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GlasdonUK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlasdonUK email: enquiries@glasdon-uk.co.uk
A Five-Star Day Of Forest Fun At Greenwood
A FIVE-STAR DAY OF FOREST FUN & OUTDOOR DISCOVERY AT GREENWOOD Nestled amongst a forest clearing at the foothills of Snowdonia’s National Park, lies GreenWood; an eco-friendly inviting land which promises the ultimate trip full of outdoor adventure, learning and discovery. Studies have shown that children learn best through real world experiences and so, the activities at GreenWood have been designed to offer an unrivalled sensory stimulus, educational environment and calming classroom to be enjoyed by all in the great outdoors – and in the company of the local wildlife. With so much to discover about the world and each other, children from the ages of 3-13 years old can bond as they build dens in the Wild Wood, get close to nature as they take on the Barefoot Trail, become the modern-day Robin Hoodand shoot longbow, navigate enchanted river boats through the forest and explore the magic of people power behind all the park’s main attractions and rides! Each group visit is developed by our team to enhance the benefits in learning outside the classroom and can be individually catered to meet your schools educational and curriculum needs. Your carefully curated and quality assured programme will encourage and reward self-confidence, problem solving, resilience, self-reliance, adaptability and team-work; all deemed essential life skills in today’s world. GreenWood is a great and affordable treat for your group to enjoy. Plus, you can take advantage of the multiple benefits available to group bookings (minimum of 15), with free coach parking, complimentary driver admission and a £5 food voucher and one adult will go free per 10 paying children. To find out more information or to make your group booking, please call reservations on 01248 671493 or email info@greenwoodfamilypark.co.uk Find out more
The next generation of school apps
92% of UK adults aged 25-44 own a smartphone and are used to having information at their fingertips. Schools that embrace this trend have engaged parents and higher performing students, but there is a huge difference between an app and a good app. The new generation of school apps truly are school gateways, ready to deal with the challenges schools face. Schools have adopted several systems to communicate a range of information with parents. Parents love having the information, but soon become frustrated and confused about which gateway to use, pushing schools to provide everything in one place. New generation gateways focus on all-in-one solutions and are ever evolving. For example, Schoolcomms offers text and email communication, but also offer reporting, achievement and behaviours, attendance management, payments and an online facility for booking and managing clubs – to mention a few key areas. We spoke to Mark Haddleton, ICT Coordinator and Support Manager at St Thomas à Becket: “The all-in-one School Gateway app eliminates the need for separate systems for parents to have to remember passwords for; every bit of the information they need is there on their phone in one place.†Most schools have a text and email service and many already have online payments. What most solutions are lacking, is the ability to engage parents in their child’s learning. A system that caters for that, undoubtedly caters for everything else. Packages that allow you to add functionality as your current contracts expire help bring everything into one school gateway, bit by bit, without the stress associated with consolidation. A gateway is an investment that pays dividends in pupil performance and long-term savings as Mark Haddleton found: “I have started to think of Schoolcomms as free, because as well as saving on costly text messaging to parents, we also managed to identify many extra Pupil Premium qualifying families through parents taking the in-app test, which has brought quite a sum of money into school†By investing in technology, you are giving parents the tools to be fully engaged in their child’s learning. Simply having an app is not enough. The new generation of school gateways are here, with more functionality for staff and parents. And if knowledge is power a good school gateway doesn’t just engage parents, it empowers them. To find out more about Schoolcomms call 0333 332 7147 or visit www.schoolcomms.com
Education secretary praises Oak View Academy
Cabinet minister Damian Hinds heaped praise on the ‘inspirational leadership’ at Oak View Academy after a visit to see the school’s stunning turnaround. The Secretary of State for Education described the Winsford primary as a ‘success story’ after witnessing its ‘truly dramatic’ progress since being ranked second-worst in the country five years ago. At its lowest ebb in 2014, the Whitby’s Lane school was taken on by North West Academies Trust (NWAT) and relaunched as Oak View. Now Mr Hinds has run the rule over a school which boasts a ‘good’ Ofsted rating and year-on-year improvements in pupil progress. He said: “What a great school with very inspiring and amazingly committed leadership from the head and the academy trust. It has been great to meet some of the absolutely delightful kids and see some of the huge variety of what they are doing. It has been an amazing turnaround, a success story, and I think that is of credit to the school leadership, all the teachers and the whole school community. The turnaround in attainment has been truly dramatic and it is great to see there are so many out of school extra-curricular activities.†The school has made huge strides under NWAT after being rated second-worst in the national primary school league tables, based on exam results. Executive Headteacher Fiona Whittaker said it is down to hard work and determination. She said: “It is fantastic that the school is getting this recognition. We work really hard to improve standards. Two years ago, we were in the top 2% of schools nationally for progress, which is an achievement we are very proud of. This year we are second in Cheshire for progress in writing. We continue working really hard to help our children make the best progress they can. We are consistent in our approach from early years and the additional support we put in place through specialist support staff, including a full-time speech and language therapist and a school counsellor, has really helped our children.To further this, we now welcome children from age two and we have a longer school day, from 8.30am to 3.15pm, which gives us the extra time we need to concentrate on the core subjects whilst also offering a wide-range of additional activities.†A bursary from the Alex Timpson Foundation has also enabled youngsters to enjoy a number of trips – including to the Titanic Museum in Belfast, Houses of Parliament in London and Scotland’s capital city Edinburgh. For more information about Oak View Academy, email: Fiona or tel: 01606 288188.
Shaun Masters OT to deliver first ever educational seminar
Shaun Masters, Occupational Therapist and Trusted Assessor, in association with Theraposture, will be delivering a seminar at Kidz to Adultz South entitled: ‘Becoming confident in prescribing cot beds for better sleep hygiene, client care and moving and handling.’ Thursday 16th May 2019, 9.30am – 4.30pm, Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, Farnborough, GU14 6FD. Free entry and parking. Stand F1: FREE PROFESSIONAL THERAPOSTURE TAPE MEASURE FOR ALL VISITING THERAPISTS. The Kidz exhibitions organised by Disabled Living provide a unique opportunity to see the latest products and services for disabled children and young adults. The showcase includes a series of CPD accredited seminars for professionals and families which cover a range of issues relevant to independent and assisted living. By attending these sessions, healthcare professionals can gain valuable hours to their CPD portfolio and discover the latest educational material that assists their clients. At Kidz South, Shaun Masters, OT, will be presenting: Seminar: Becoming confident in prescribing cot beds for better sleep hygiene, client care and moving and handling Shaun Masters, Occupational Therapist, BSc Hons 21st March, 10:30am, Seminar Room 2 Synopsis: The seminar will explore the difficulties faced with prescribing paediatric sleeping solutions. It will explore the wider implications on health and day-to-day function whilst examining our nature to care for others. Topics will also highlight future proofing for a child’s needs as they progress, become older, heavier and stronger and how this has an impact on the parents/carers abilities. Parents still want to hold, lift and nurture their child, but is this sustainable when looking at safe moving and handling? Learning outcomes: Have a greater understanding of the wider implication on achieving good sleep hygiene Prescribe the most appropriate cot bed for your client About the speaker: Shaun Masters is a registered OT with over 15 years of public sector experience. He specialises in community-based re-enablement and has particular expertise in moving and handling – both in adult and paediatric sectors. Shaun will be available throughout the exhibition on the Theraposture stand, F1, for further questions and to discuss client cot needs on a one-to-one basis. For more information about the Shaun Masters Seminar please visit http://www.theraposture.co.uk
Building strong relationships within a multi-academy trust
How can a multi-academy trust (MAT) engage its schools during times of change? Leora Cruddas, CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts, shares some top tips from trust leaders… Working together in a trust provides schools with the benefits of mutual support and collaboration – but it can also mean changes in a school’s way of working. So how can trusts build strong links with schools and get them on board with their overarching vision? 1. Communicate, communicate, communicate Good communication is fundamental to engaging schools in your trust’s direction of travel. While many trusts share major developments in MAT policy with their schools, the everyday news can make all the difference in your communications. Daniel Moore, finance director at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust says, “We now have fortnightly head teacher briefings, news bulletins and promote all our good news and success stories.†2. Tap in to your local knowledge hubs Never underestimate the importance of local level knowledge to your trust. School business managers have a wealth of experience, and each school has its own strengths, skills and values to share with its central trust team. As Sarah Appleby, finance director of the River Learning Trust explains, “We blend the local knowledge that the school has, which is invaluable, with the technical and accounting knowledge of the central school business partner.†3. Promote the wellbeing of school staff Staff wellbeing is key to building strong, sustainable relationships with schools. By centralising some systems and processes, a trust can have a positive impact on school staff by freeing them from back-office tasks to spend more time on their core roles. “If we can save them 10 minutes in the day – every day – by centralising a process so they no longer have to do it, that means they have got a slightly better work/life balance.†says Sarah Appleby. 4. Share your trust’s vision Make sure your schools see the big picture for the trust. Schools will be more positive about changes to their processes if they have a clear view of the trust’s goals and achievements. Daniel Moore recommends showing schools the impact of trust-wide initiatives. “Whenever something works, like when we make a saving through pooling our purchasing, we make sure everyone knows about it.†By building relationships and forming stronger bonds with schools, a trust can work more effectively towards improving outcomes for its pupils. The views in this article are explored in greater depth in a PS Financials white paper, Checks and Balance which is available for download at www.psfinancials.com/checksandbalance/
Open University secures £50M investment in social learning platform FutureLearn
Open University secures £50M investment in social learning platform FutureLearn SEEK Group investment takes FutureLearn from start-up to a £100m value company in just six years SEEK Group (ASX: SEK) will invest £50m to become a joint, 50% owner of The Open University’s FutureLearn social learning platform, it was announced today in a deal thought to be the largest ever private-sector EdTech investment in Europe. The Open University launched FutureLearn, which is based in London, in December 2012 with a dozen UK university partners to test opportunities offered by digital learning and massive open online courses (known as MOOCs). Rapid growth means that FutureLearn now has over nine million learners. The platform offers short online courses right through to postgraduate diplomas and certificates and fully online degrees, all designed around social learning. FutureLearn partners with over a quarter of the world’s top universities, as well as organisations such as Accenture, the British Council, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Raspberry Pi and Health Education England (NHS). Welcoming the announcement, The Open University’s Vice Chancellor Mary Kellett said: “Our new partnership is a fantastic opportunity to change more lives around the globe through flexible lifelong learning. The Open University is rightly known for pioneering new approaches to education and for our academic excellence. Today’s announcement shows this is as true today as when we started fifty years ago. It represents one of the most exciting educational prospects in modern times. “Our partnership with SEEK and the investment in FutureLearn will take our unique mission to make education open for all into new parts of the world. Education improves lives, communities and economies and is a truly global product, with no tariffs on ideas.†The new partnership with SEEK will have contractual arrangements in place to protect the University’s academic independence, teaching methods and curriculum. The SEEK Group is a market leader in the creation and management of online education and employment businesses. SEEK are well-established across Australia, New Zealand, China, South East Asia, Brazil and Mexico. Commenting on the investment, SEEK Co-Founder and CEO Andrew Bassat said: “This investment follows the same logic applied to IDP and Online Education Services ‘OES’ in that we like to invest in disruptive business models that provide world class student education outcomes. “Technology is increasing the accessibility of quality education and can help millions of people up-skill and re-skill to adapt to rapidly changing labour markets. We see FutureLearn as a key enabler for education at scale. “FutureLearn’s reputation is strong and it has attracted leading education providers onto its platform. We are excited to come on as a partner with The Open University.†FutureLearn is involved in UK government-backed initiatives to address skills gaps including The Institute of Coding and the National Centre for Computing Education. It currently has six university partners offering full, online degrees on the platform, and has most recently launched Unlimited, a new business model allowing learners access to most courses for a one-off annual payment. Commenting on the investment FutureLearn CEO Simon Nelson said: “The Open University’s vision and investment, the hard work of our staff and support of our partners, has seen FutureLearn grow rapidly in the past six years. The investment announced today will enable us to unlock FutureLearn’s true potential and extend our global reach and impact. “This investment allows us to focus on developing more great courses and qualifications that both learners and employers will value. This includes building a portfolio of micro-credentials and broadening our range of flexible, fully online degrees and being able to enhance support for our growing number of international partners to empower them to build credible digital strategies, and in doing so, transform access to education.” FutureLearn has been advised by IBIS Capital, a specialist investment and corporate finance advisory group focused on the global media, education and health sectors, and Kemp Little, a leading technology focused law firm. The Open University was advised by Farrer & Co, the London-based independent law firm. SEEK Group was advised by O’Melveny & Myers, an international law firm.
New grading framework to be launched to independent schools
The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) has announced plans to launch its new Pitch Grading Framework to independent schools. This will allow a new way for schools to showcase quality sports turf facilities and recognise the skills and expertise of its grounds teams while adding a new dimension to attract potential students and their parents. A nationwide pilot scheme is planned with a selection of independent schools set to take part. The involvement of these schools will help inform the Pitch Grading Framework from a schools’ perspective before the scheme is rolled out. The concept has been supported by all National Governing Bodies of sport and aims to boost industry standards for grounds facilities, improve the knowledge within the sector and set benchmarks for playing surfaces. The framework will not only highlight the level of an individual playing surface quality but also the appropriate training and education, and the recommended levels of qualifications, needed by the ground’s management team who maintain it. Natural turf sports pitches standards will be graded from levels 0 to 5, with 5 being ‘elite’ status. Within this Framework, grounds teams are advised to have a certain level of qualifications to obtain certification for each grade. Each level is complemented by a training and qualification recommendation framework that features specific and accurately blended learning, delivered both online and in the traditional format. Geoff Webb, CEO of the IOG, commented: “The Pitch Grading Framework delivers a much-needed requirement in the industry. It creates a standard for facilities to be compared against, which will be of huge benefit to schools when attracting new students and providing the students with sports pitches to excel on. In a similar style to OFSTED, schools will be able to promote their rating and highlight the standards of its sports and green-space facilities, as well as the knowledge and expertise among its team.†The IOG Pitch Grading Framework will help to progress standards and provides an outline for how schools can take their facilities to the next level. To aid this, the IOG offer Site Audits and Training Needs Analysis services, as well as a vast array of online and on-site training courses and qualifications to support the professional development of grounds staff. To take advantage of significant training and service discounts, schools must be member of IOG. Independent school membership costs just £300 per year, which provides access to benefits for the entire grounds management team. This gives access to leading experts; resources; the latest industry science and knowledge; as well as discounted fees on training and qualifications – to enable schools to create thriving sports turf surfaces that benefit their students and in turn help to promote and showcase the schools’ facilities. For further information please visit www.iog.org. or call 01908 312 511.