12 January 2011

Changes to the work of the School Governance Unit

Information on the changes to the work of the School Governance Unit following reductions to staffing and the impact on schools, governing bodies and clerks to governors.

Action required: For information and to discuss with Chair of Governors.

Author: Sue Rumsey

Contact name: Sue Rumsey, manager, School Governance Unit

Contact tel: (020) 8825 6338

Contact email: srumsey@ealing.gov.uk

School health – the change in policy and implications for practice

The new Public Health White paper ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People’ sets out a new way to tackle health inequalities and prevent and promote health across the life course. Within the document it states how it expects schools to become a central component of delivering the aims of the policy.

Action required: For information: a summary of important points for schools within the Public Health White Paper.

Author: Karen Gibson

Contact name: Karen Gibson

Contact tel: (020) 8825 7707

Contact email: karen.gibson@ealing.gov.uk

News update from RAISEonline

An error has been identified with the 2010 stability figures in the context section of the RAISEonline full report; this has now been fixed. The provisional release timetable of 2010 Key Stage 2 validated data is now available.

Action required: For information.

Author: Patsy Prawl

Contact name: Patsy Prawl

Contact tel: (020) 8825 6919

Contact email: pprawl@ealing.gov.uk

14-19 Choice website data quality

Schools need to improve the data quality and accuracy of their 14-19 programme offer for young people, parents and carers to view.

Action required: Pass this information to your Choice website leads. Please ask the person responsible for the maintenance of your school’s information on the 14-19 Choice website to review the quality and accuracy of your programme offer for 2011/12 as soon as possible and update where necessary.

Author: Aqbal Mohindroo

Contact name: Aqbal Mohindroo

Contact tel: (020) 8825 8984

Contact email: amohindroo@ealing.gov.uk

Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) latest news

YPLA latest news (20 December 2010) giving information relating to 16 -19 funding statement and statutory guidance.

Action required: For information.

Author: Aqbal Mohindroo

Contact name: Kevin Oakhill

Contact tel: (020) 8825 8984

Contact email: koakhill@ealing.gov.uk

Census 2011 – a request for your support

The census day takes place on Sunday 27 March 2011. As billions of pounds of public money is distributed using census figures it is vital that every individual is reached and engaged with.

Action required: Please help raise pupil and parent awareness so as many people as possible complete the 2011 census. This is ongoing until census day on Sunday 27 March 2011.

Author: Samantha Stevens and Karen Gibson

Contact name: Samantha Stevens or Karen Gibson

Contact tel: 07801 331429 or (020) 8825 7707

Contact email: H117@census.gov.uk or Karen.gibson@ealing.gov.uk

Recycle for Ealing – recycle your food waste

The waste and recycling team are expanding the food and cardboard recycling service. The service is free and available to primary, secondary, tertiary and special schools (public and private).

Action required: Contact Andrea Vasquez as soon as possible if you would like to increase recycling at your school and be included in the next phase of the roll out.

Author: Andrea Vasquez

Contact name: Andrea Vasquez

Contact tel: (020) 8825 5714

Contact email: vasqueza@ealing.gov.uk

Extra bank holiday for Royal wedding - 29 April 2011

Advice from the DfE regarding the impact of the extra public holiday announced for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on the standard school year for 2010 & 2011.

Action required: To note and to inform staff, parents and pupils.

Author: Sue Rumsey

Contact name: Sue Rumsey, manager of School Governance Unit (SGU)

Contact tel: (020) 8825 6338

Contact email: srumsey@ealing.gov.uk

Free trial of ‘The Key’

The Key, an independent information, guidance and research service that supports school leaders, has offered Ealing schools a free trial until Monday 28 February 2011. This is with a view to the LA entering into a conversation with The Key regarding reduced costs for interested schools.

Action required: Please pass on to chairs of governing bodies and clerks. Contact Therese McNulty tmcnulty@ealing.gov.uk by Tuesday 1 March 2011 if your school is interested in purchasing The Key – this includes schools that have already purchased.

Author: Bob Anderson and Therese McNulty

Contact name: Bob Anderson and Therese McNulty

Contact tel: (020) 8825 8542

Contact email: Bob.Anderson@ealing.gov.uk or tmcnulty@ealing.gov.uk

New EMA co-ordinators / managers induction training part 2: EAL pedagogy into practice: developing and monitoring effective EAL teaching and learning

Taking place on Wednesday 19 January 2011 from 1.30pm & 3.30pm at the EEC using National Strategies EAL programme materials. This course is also suitable for those who did not attend part 1.

Action required: Please pass on to Inclusion and EMA managers and book through the EEC on (020) 8578 6154 by Friday 14 January 2011.

Author: Clare Rees EMA Adviser (cross-phase)

Contact name: Clare Rees

Contact tel: (020) 8825 6641

Contact email: crees@ealing.gov.uk

Ealing annual transition conference 2011: transition partnerships working in a changing landscape

Invitation to the conference for all transition managers.

Action required: Please pass on to transition managers. Please reply by Monday 31 January 2011.

Author: Hilary Belden

Contact name: Hilary Belden

Contact tel: 07946 871095

Contact email: transition@hilarybelden.clara.co.uk

Practical approaches for teaching high quality RE: assessment, pedagogy and enjoyment

Inset opportunity for RE co-ordinators and heads of department.

Action required: Pass to RE co-ordinator or head of department. See attached form for booking details.

Author: Nora Leonard, SACRE consultant

Contact name: Daniel Hugill, Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) lead practitioner

Contact tel: Daniel Hugill: (017) 0825 5478 Nora Leonard: (020) 8825 7329

Contact email: dhu@cooperscoborn.co.uk

Level 3 qualifications for school administrators

Certificate in school administration course (pre- CSBM) taking place in spring 2011.

Action required: Complete and return the reply slip, last few places left on this course – book now. Please pass on to relevant administrators in your school.

Author: Alison Bennett

Contact name: Alison Bennett

Contact tel: (020) 8825 6689

Contact email: abennett@ealing.gov.uk