southendlearningnetwork
Weekly Newsletter
your interactive guide to the week’s key news and events
Issue 60 - 27 February 2015
Spring Term 2015
Dear Colleagues,
I am delighted that so many of you have already booked your space on the Leadership Conference and look forward to seeing you there.
If you haven’t already booked your space then please do so as there are only 2 overnight rooms left!
There is still time to book onto the SEN Annual Conference “Speech Language and Communication” on Wednesday 4th March. I look
forward to a dynamic and thought-provoking day, and it is encouraging to see that this topic is so relevant to so many of you, with over
70 delegates booked already.
It was a pleasure to work with so many of you this week at the Director’s Briefing and the Chair of Governors’ Briefing. From your
feedback, (which will be published in next week’s newsletter), it is clear that the vibrant discussions and networking that took place is
proving a real benefit to you and your schools. Thank you for all your contributions and especially to Tawanda Madhlangobe, Pat
Barron, Andrew Hampton and all the Facilitators who contributed so much to this event.
Please see the Governor Focus on page 5 for current opportunities for induction for new Governors and training for Chairs. I would
encourage you all to take up these opportunities and to ensure that your Governors are well equipped for their challenging role.
Southend Makes Music is set to be an extravaganza this coming week! With four evenings of music and performance showcasing the
talents of over 800 children and young people from many of our schools. I hope that many of you will be able to support this excellent
event.
Also coming up is the annual Career's Fair at Shoeburyness Youth Centre, with most secondary schools booked in. Secondary heads will
shortly be receiving an invitation to a Southend Business Breakfast, an opportunity to meet local employers and establish links to
support young people from education into employment.
Finally, please click here to download the Annual Education Report 2013-14. I hope that the priorities for the coming year will find their
way as appropriate, into your own school improvement plans.
Kind regards,
JANE THEADOM
Head of Learning - Department for People
6th Mar
Calendar - Events & Deadlines
Domestic Abuse and the Impact on Children and
Young People 
12:30 - 16:00, Tickfield Centre
6 Week Calendar - February, March and April 2015
Mon
23
2
9
16
23
30
Tue
24
3
10
17
24
31
Wed
25
4
11
18
25
1
Thu
26
5
12
19
26
2
Fri
27
6
13
20
27
3
Events 
2nd - 5th
Mar
Southend Makes Music 2015 
3rd Mar
Young Carers MacMillan Group
Sat
28
7
14
21
28
4
7th Mar
Sun
1
8
15
22
29
5
09:00 - 16:30, Tickfield Centre (SLN: GOV15-MAR)
9th Mar
10th Mar
Foundation Stage Training 
School Holidays 
19:00, Palace Theatre (More information coming soon)
09:00 - 12:00, Tickfield Centre
12th Mar
‘Ofsted Changes’ Update Event 
08:30 - 10:00, Tickfield Centre
17th Mar
Young Carers in Schools Standards
12:30 - 16:00, Milton Hall
Annual SEN Conference 'Speech, Language &
Communication' - 2015 
19th & 20th Leadership Conference 2015 
Mar
19th March, 12:30 - 20th March, 13:30, Greenwoods Hotel &
Spa (SLN: LConfMar2015)
LSCB Safeguarding in Schools Forum
Deadlines 
12th Mar
Annual Purchasing Deadline for Services 2015-16
16:30 - 18:30, Civic Centre - Civic Suite (For more details contact
Sharon Langston on [email protected].)
Ordering Deadline on SLN
Reception Baseline Assessment Seminar (FREE) 
09:30 - 12:00 (Morning Session) & 13:30 - 16:00 (Afternoon Session),
Westcliff High School for Girls (SLN: RBAS5MAR)
Issue 60 - 27 February
Connexions Careers Fair 2015 
09:00 - 16:00, Shoeburyness Youth Centre
08:45 - 17:00, Saxon Hall (SLN: SENCON15)
5th Mar
Pupil Premium Network Meeting (SLN: PPN15) 
13:30 - 15:15 (Session 1) and 15:30 - 17:00 (Session 2), Edwards Hall
Primary School (More information on page 3)
Shoeburyness Youth Centre
4th Mar
School Governor Induction Training 
13th Mar
Page: 1
Leadership Conference 2015 
Booking Deadline
www.southendlearningnetwork.co.uk
SLN - Latest News & Documents
News and Documents posted to the SLN between
12th - 26th February 2015
Action

Below are all the documents and news items posted to the Southend
Learning Network between 12th - 26th February 2015. If the item has an
‘action required by’ date, that is included in the column titled ‘Action’.
Please make sure you are checking the SLN regularly so as not to miss out
on the latest news and documents from the Local Authority.
 
Date
Service
Title
26 Feb
Department for People Senior Management Team
An Open Letter from Essex Police regarding the Prevent Strategy

26 Feb
Connexions Service IYSS
Young Carers - Upcoming Events Flyer

26 Feb
Learning & Improvement (4-19)
A Day Exploring the Principles of Non Violent Resistance (NVR) - 6th May

26 Feb
Department for People Senior Management Team
Handouts from Director's Briefing - Primary & Special schools

26 Feb
Department for People Senior Management Team
Handouts from Director's Briefing - Secondary schools

25 Feb
Admissions Team
11+ 2016 Entry - Advance Notification of Earlier Opening and Closing Date for CSSE 11+ SIF
Registration

25 Feb
Cultural & Leisure Services
Berne Symphony Orchestra: Cliffs Pavilion, 12 April - Special Offer

25 Feb
Human Resources Service
Starter Pack (Non Teaching) - Document - LGPS Enclosure Re Death Grant (Feb 2015)

25 Feb
Human Resources Service
Starter Pack (Non Teaching) - Document - LGPS Enclosure Re Previous Service (Feb 2015)

25 Feb
Human Resources Service
Starter Pack (Non Teaching) - Letter - LGPS Local Government Pension Service (Feb 2015)

25 Feb
Human Resources Service
Starter Pack (Teaching) - Letter - Membership of the Teachers Pension Scheme (Feb 2015)

25 Feb
Human Resources Service
Updated! Interactive List of all HR documents (1.7) - February 2015

24 Feb
Human Resources Service
Managing Investigations Course - 4th & 12th March 2015

24 Feb
School Visits Advisory Service
New School Visits Advisor

23 Feb
Finance Service
Dates for Your Diary Summer/Autumn Term 2015

23 Feb
Finance Service
Finance Bulletin 14/11 - Information on paying Individuals

23 Feb
Finance Service
Reminder: School Financial Value Standard (SFVS) for Governors

6 Mar
23 Feb
Healthy Schools
Domestic Abuse and the Impact on Children and Young People - Training Event (6 March)

26 Feb
23 Feb
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
SEN Conference - 4th March 2015 - Please Confirm Your Workshop Choice by
Thursday 26th February

23 Feb
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Southend Nurture and Behaviour Provision Feb 2015

23 Feb
Finance Service
Summer Term Dates for your Diary

19 Feb
Public Health (Including School Nursing)
Guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings

19 Feb
Public Health (Including School Nursing)
MoreLife: 12-Week Programme FREE - Referral Form

18 Feb
Performance Data: Analysis
FFT Aspire Licence 2015/16

17 Feb
Learning & Improvement (4-19)
Training for all Foundation Stage Practitioners (FREE)

13 Feb
Media & Reputation Management Service
Does your school have Media & PR support in place?

13 Feb
Southend Learning Network
Jane Theadom's Weekly Newsletter: Issue 59 - 13 February 2015

13 Feb
Child & Family Early Intervention Service
(incorporating Attendance)
Managing & Improving School Attendance - Conference Presentation

12 Feb
Human Resources Service
HR Schools Update 4th February 2015

12 Feb
Human Resources Service
HR Update Workshop presentation of 4th February 2015

12 Feb
South Essex Teaching School Alliance (SETSA)
Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) Information Evening on Mon 9th March 4.15pm

12 Feb
Learning & Improvement (4-19)
Pupil premium network

12 Feb
Learning & Improvement (4-19)
Update on Ofsted changes

12 Feb
Leadership & Governor Services
Clerk's Briefing (11 Feb) Ofsted: Inspecting safeguarding in maintained schools and academies
(Section 5) - Jan 15

9 Mar
Issue 60 - 27 February
Page: 2
www.southendlearningnetwork.co.uk
Open Letter from Essex Police
Dear all,
Following the three Bethnal Green Academy pupils
that travelled to Syria via Istanbul last week, no
official form of words have been issued by the Government for
release by Police. So in the meantime I wanted to take the
opportunity to underline the importance of the Prevent strategy
within education, and for you to remain vigilant in recognising the
signs of radicalisation and safeguarding vulnerable students.
It is vital that those schools that have not undergone the WRAP3
training in response to the Government’s forthcoming statutory
Security Bill arrange to do so via Essex Police Prevent/ASHE to
help them achieve the statutory obligation. This knowledge will
help provide additional resilience within schools and colleges to
radicalisation and extreme ideologies through existing
safeguarding policies. Please remember that Prevent works in the
pre-criminal space and the strategy is designed to prevent people
from being radicalised and drawn into extreme ideologies.
ITV's Good Morning Britain is asking all
secondary schools to join their exciting
new campaign, called ‘Heels 4 Hearts"
The campaign wants pupils to donate shoes in good re-saleable
condition to be given to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to be
resold to help fund CPR training in every secondary school in
Britain and help create a nation of lifesavers.
From the 23rd to 27th March we are asking everyone to collect
shoes in good re-saleable condition and give them to their local
BHF shop. We have calculated that approximately 200 pairs of
shoes will fund the set– up of a secondary schools CPR training
programme. If schools are making donations of 100 plus pairs,
then they can be collected by a BHF representative.
Please click here for Essex Police Prevent strategy.
Best regards,
Mark Wilson
Ds 2814 Wilson
Special Branch - Prevent
Chelmsford HQ - CT Division
The campaign is a few weeks away, so if your school is
interested in taking part, please email [email protected].
ITV will be looking for several schools to film so please let them
know if your school would be interested in this as well.
Please click here to see the full letter to Heads from Michelle
Porter, Deputy Head of Features - Good Morning Britain
[email protected]
HR INTERACTIVE LIST
For Headteachers and Deputy Heads
LEADERSHIP
Updated - Feb 2015
CONFERENCE 2015
Please click below to download the latest version of the
Interactive List (version 1.7) - Feb 2015
“Towards a Self-Improving School System in Southend”
(SLN: LCON15)
If you have saved a previous version of this document please
make sure you delete it to ensure you are using the most
current information available on the SLN.
Places going fast!! Book yours now.
Thursday 19th & Friday 20th March 2015
Greenwoods Hotel and Spa
The latest version of this document can always be found on the
SLN by using text search “interactivehr”.
Keynote speakers will include Sir John Jones, Andrew Cook
(Ofsted) and Stephen Drew. Further details and full
biographies of the speakers will shortly be available on SLN.
SOUTHEND
1 - Conference with dinner & overnight stay - £325 
only 2 of these places left!
MAKES MUSIC 2015
2 - Conference with dinner but no overnight stay - £227 
Presented by Southend’s Young Musicians
3 - Conference only - £196 
Booking Options
(£307 subsequent bookings)
(£209 subsequent bookings)
(£178 subsequent bookings)
Monday 2nd - Thursday 5th March 2015
Additional Delegate Discount
19:00 - Palace Theatre
Discount A discount of £18 per extra delegate will also be
applied after booking for any additional delegates that a school
books - e.g. second and subsequent bookings
Tickets: £8 / Concessions £6
Available online - www.southendtheatres.org.uk
New this year - discounted family ticket
Bring the whole family! Ask at the Box Office
Download the Leadership Conference 2015 flyer here
For any queries or clarification please contact Lindsey Hamilton
on 01702 212360 or [email protected].
Please click here to see the event flyer.
Issue 60 - 27 February
Page: 3
www.southendlearningnetwork.co.uk
Berne Symphony Orchestra
Pre Show Workshop Special Offer!
Sunday 12 April 2015
11:30 - 13:30, Cliffs Pavilion
The Berne Symphony Orchestra is regarded by many as
Switzerland’s finest orchestra and we are delighted to be offering
a 2 hour workshop before the concert and the opportunity to sit
and have a cold buffet lunch in our beautiful Maritime room
before the concert begins.
Introducing new Southend Youth
Mayor and Deputy
A new Southend Youth Mayor and Deputy have just
stepped into the limelight.
For more information about this offer please click here.
Sarah Jane Glew, 17, has been elected Southend Youth Mayor,
and Bertha Sibanda, 16, as Deputy Youth Mayor, after winning
the hearts, minds and votes of fellow Southend Youth Council
members. They were ceremonially presented with their chains
of office by the Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor
Chris Walker.
Update on ‘Ofsted Changes’ Event
Both will serve in these roles for six months, under the Southend
Youth Council Policy to have two sets of Youth Mayors and
Deputies annually to make it easier for young people to fit Youth
Mayoral duties around school commitments.
SLN: “OFSTEDCHANGES”
This session is for Headteacher and Chairs of Governors and will
cover the changes Ofsted have put in place since December
2014 including a new framework and way of working from
September.
Click here for more information.
Ofsted News

Thursday 12th March 2015
08:30 - 10:00, Tickfield Centre
Barking and Dagenham schools moving in the right direction 19 Feb
The numbers of primary and secondary schools in the area judged good or better by
Ofsted has outpaced the national rate of improvement.
More than 2,500 children in Blackpool get inadequate education
17 Feb
Only half of the secondary schools in Blackpool that have been inspected by Ofsted
are good or better.
Please click here to download more information about the event
or use SLN course code “ofstedchanges” to be taken to the
booking page.
Training for all Foundation Stage
Practitioners
‘Foundation Stage Training’
Our goal is to articulate the progress from Reception to Year 1,
with a specific emphasis on children who have entered Year 1
exceeding all, or some of the Early Learning Goals.
Does your school have Media and PR
support in place?
Tuesday 10th March
How would your school respond to the media in an
emergency, crisis or critical incident?
09:00 - 12:00, Tickfield Centre
Please click here for more information or use SLN Code:
EYFS10Mar to go to the booking page.
Take that worry away with the council’s media relations and
crisis management service. We have senior media and
communications professionals that can provide a reactive
support package to schools in times of crisis and emergency, as
well as pro-active support to maximise promotion of the schools
high level achievements, such as an outstanding Ofsted report.
‘Getting it right for the EYFS Profile’
Aim: To inform delegates of the principles, processes and
procedures of completing the EYFSP.
Thursday 19th and Tuesday 24th March
Our service is about maintaining and enhancing the reputation
of the school and giving you the confidence that you have
professional experts in place to help you at the time of a crisis
and deal with journalists leaving you free to concentrate on
dealing with the problems at hand.
09:00 - 12:30, Tickfield Centre
Delegates must bring their own copies of the 2015 Profile
Handbook and exemplification materials.
For any more information please contact Margaret Murray on
[email protected].
Please call Adam Keating on 01702 215939 or email
[email protected] to discuss available options.
Issue 60 - 27 February
Page: 4
www.southendlearningnetwork.co.uk
DfE News
Governor

Focus
Number of young people NEET falls across the board 26 Feb
No: 17
Young people not in education, employment or training has fallen by almost 150,000
since same period in 2010.
Investigations into abuse in children’s homes and schools 26 Feb
Statement regarding investigations relating to Jimmy Savile and a number of
children’s homes and schools in England.
Assessment without levels commission announced 25 Feb
Induction Training for School Governors
Saturday 7th March or 9th May (09:00 - 16:30) The Tickfield
Centre (each date covers the whole induction programme which
used to be delivered over three evenings.)
Developing your skills as Chair on the governing body
Saturday 25th April (09:00 - 16:30)
Nick Gibb sets out plans for a commission to help improve primary school
assessment and testing.
Please can you ensure that that places are booked as soon as
possible via the Southend Learning Network?
Assessment after levels 25 Feb
Nick Gibb outlines the support given to schools as they move away from level
descriptors.
Winners of the Character Awards announced 25 Feb
Education Secretary Nicky Morgan announces the 27 schools and organisations
winning £15,000 for their work in character education.
New scheme to boost middle management in challenging schools
25 Feb
Excellent school middle leaders will be placed in underperforming schools in a drive
to raise standards.
Second phase of pioneering Shanghai maths teacher exchange
begins 25 Feb
Teachers report Shanghai methods are already raising standards in schools that took
part in the first phase of exchange.
Short breaks damage young people’s futures 22 Feb
If you have a subscription for 2014/15 to the Annual Governor
Services then the course on 7th March will be free. The 2015/16
subscription is currently being finalised so any school that books a
place on the April or May course who subsequently purchases the
2015/16 subscription will incur no charge for these courses. For
non-subscribing schools the cost will be £95 per delegate.
If you wish to be able to directly book training on the SLN for
yourself and other Governors, then please ask your Head to email
[email protected] to authorise this (for audit
purposes) as any cost incurred will be charged to the school. You
would then be given ‘Enhanced Governor Access’ which would
enable you to book all future training.
Research based on pupil absence and exam results data reveals the link between
attendance and achievement.
£1 million from Adoption Support Fund helps over 160 families
20 Feb
Families across the country benefit from essential therapy services that help children
settle into their new homes.
Family Drug and Alcohol Court to extend nationwide 19 Feb
Courts that help families affected by drug and alcohol misuse to open in new areas,
thanks to government backing worth £2.5 million.
Events Reminder
Professor Terri Scott appointed to Ofqual board 18 Feb
Professor Terri Scott has been appointed to serve as the Northern Ireland member of
the Ofqual board for three years.
Young Carers MacMillan
Group
Tuesday 3rd March
Shoeburyness Youth Centre
Government announces £4.36 million for support worker skills in
the NHS 13 Feb
Enterprise Minister announces £4.36 million of joint government and industry
funding to improve skills for the NHS’s 600,000 support workers.
Young Carers in Schools
Standards
Tuesday 17th March
12:30 - 16:00, Milton Hall
Click here to see the Young Carers Events Flyer.
Extra funding to prepare for the early years pupil premium 13 Feb
Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah announces new funding for councils to help them
prepare for the introduction of the early years pupil premium.
Southend Challenge Update - No 20
Crime Prevention Minister announces mandatory reporting of
FGM 12 Feb
Early Years Pupil Premium Update
Crime Prevention Minister Lynne Featherstone today announced front line
professionals will have a mandatory duty to report cases of Female Genital
Mutilation (FGM).
Ofqual has confirmed the assessment arrangements for a number of the remaining
GCSE, AS and A level subjects that will be taught from 2016.
DfE are extending the Pupil Premium to the Early Years age group
from Summer term 2015. The criteria will be in line with the
current criteria for school aged children and is likely to be worth a
maximum of £300 per year per eligible child. We are awaiting
further guidance from DfE so do not yet have the fine detail on
implementation what you will need to do to receive the payment.
£1.6 billion to help ensure every child has a school place 12 Feb
We will keep you in touch as it becomes clearer.
Minister announces £6 million boost for Solent economy 12 Feb
Minister for Portsmouth confirms £2 million funding for Gosport aviation firm.
Ofqual confirms further assessment arrangements for 2016 12 Feb
Details of local funding allocations to support the creation of the new school places
needed by September 2018.
School places 12 Feb
Sources:
The Secretary of State for Education and Schools Minister David Laws announce
capital funding to support the creation of new school places.
Information sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education and the Southend
Learning Network websites. All content is correct at the time of publication.
Feedback:
If you have any enquiries, questions or feedback regarding this newsletter or the
Southend Learning Network please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Contacts:
Adam Casey
Lindsey Hamilton
Alison Gellett
Rachel Marshall
Nicky Morgan speaks at Early Intervention Foundation conference
12 Feb
The Education Secretary announces £8.5 million for innovative new schemes to
provide families with mental health support.
Issue 60 - 27 February
Page: 5
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[email protected]
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www.southendlearningnetwork.co.uk