CLICK HERE TO PRINT |CLOSE WINDOW E-Bulletin for 5 April 2011 Category: ESSENTIAL INFORMATION : TAKE ACTION NOW Publication of Determined Admissions Arrangements for 2012
You will be aware that any schools which chose to amend their admissions arrangements for 2012 were required to consult on any such change for a period of not less that 8 weeks, and any such consultation had to be concluded by the 1 March 2011. Governors should now have had an opportunity to consider any responses they may have received and determined their final arrangements for 2012. All admission authorities are required to advise the Secretary of State for Education of their determined arrangements by 15 April each year. Historically the LA has done this on behalf of all schools and academies by sending the Department for Education a link to where we host the admissions arrangements for Kent schools on the KCC website. There is also a legal duty for all own admissions authority schools including Academies to provide determined arrangements to the LA by the 30 April so that these can be published on the LA website. If these can be returned before the 15 April the LA will pass details to the Secretary of State on behalf of Kent schools and academies. Below is a link to the determined arrangements received and uploaded to the KCC website as of 1 April 2011. If your school does not have a highlighted link to the arrangements for 2012, can you please ensure these are emailed to kentonlineadmissions@kent.gov.uk at the earliest opportunity.
http://www.kent.gov.uk/education_and_learning/school_education/applying_for_a_school_place.aspx
Please note that even schools that chose not to consult and are retaining their existing admissions arrangements, must still amend their documents to reflect the correct year of entry to which they apply. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Documents: Contacts:
Category: ESSENTIAL INFORMATION : TAKE ACTION NOW Shaping the future; bold steps for education in Kent
Yesterday was the first day of our new Education, Learning and Skills Directorate, and the start of a new phase of the journey we have been undertaking for the last two years. In particular, the last twelve months have seen significant change and no little amount of uncertainty as we adapt to the new financial climate and the changes in policy following the election of the Coalition government. Further change is inevitable, but we have a clear opportunity to shape the future in a way that maintains a prominent and vital role for the County Council at the heart of an education system that supports every child in realising their true potential. Kent has a reputation for innovation and for creativity, and for leading where others subsequently follow. We wish to re-establish that reputation in the world of education. This requires us to shape our own future rather than just respond to a direction set by others. The philosopher John Shaar said; “The future is not the result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present but a place that is created. Created first in mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going but one we are creating. The paths to it are not focused but made and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination”. Yesterday we began that journey, creating a future that will give the Kent education system a national and eventually international reputation, delivering outstanding learning opportunities to the children and young people of the County. In part we will achieve excellence by continuing to do some things well. However, we also need to refocus our activity, to stop doing some things, and to raise our game in other areas of activity. To begin the journey, we have produced a position statement, Bold Steps for Education, along with a plan for the next 100 days - a summary of the workplan (attached below). This includes contact details for the interim directorate management team who will be working closely together to oversee the creation of the new directorate and the delivery of our vision and values. We will welcome your comments on Bold Steps, and your collective engagement in implementing the 100 day plan. Taken together, the vision and the plan will allow us to lay secure foundations for an exciting future. We are grateful to staff across the directorate and colleagues across the education sector for the significant contribution you make to improving outcomes for the children of Kent and we look forward to travelling with you on our journey of innovation and improvement. Documents: Contacts:
Category: ESSENTIAL INFORMATION : TAKE ACTION NOW Sixth Form Funding 2011-12 - Updated Budget Template
An additional budget tool has been provided for schools with 6th Forms to update them on their 6th form funding following the YPLA's notification on 29 March of Final Allocations for 2011-12 (academic year). It provides the calculation of the updated allocation and demonstrates the impact on the funding for the 2011-12 financial year. It should be used to inform any adjustments to budget plans (under I02). This budget tool is available on Kent Trust Web via: 6th Form Funding Template If you have any problems regarding this budget tool or have yet to receive notification of your Final Allocation from the YPLA please contact Darren Honey via email darren.honey@kent.gov.uk or telephone 01622 694949. Documents: Contacts: Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Bring learning to life with Kent Country Parks - Reminder
Our Education Ranger Team can help you to bring learning to life using the fantastic setting of our country parks. We have sites at:
We have programmes for learners from pre-schools, primary and secondary schools. We can also adapt programmes, learning objectives and pupil needs.
We also offer training for teaching staff in a wide range of areas and have spaces on our Introduction to Identification and Lifecycles course on 4 April. Please see our website for more information.
To book places on our courses use Kent CPD online
Alternatively please email us at kentcountryparkslearning@kent.gov.uk Documents: Contacts:
Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan - briefing from Kent Police
Following the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami 400 km north east of Tokyo on Friday 11 March 2011, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have activated their emergency arrangements for British nationals.
Although there are no confirmed missing persons within Kent (as at 22 March 2011), Kent Police have prepared and established family liaison arrangements in the anticipation of deployments being required on behalf of Gwent Police.
To read the briefing in full please visit the Schools Emergency Planning page on Kent Trust Web. Documents: Contacts:
Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Employing Common Sense - Free Resource attached
During the first week of Child Employment Fortnight, staff from the Attendance and Behaviour Service visited employers to offer advice about employing young people of compulsory school age. Several towns and businesses were visited. Many of the employers were unaware that work permits are required for school age staff. Some of the businesses we visited employed children, and some of these children were not registered with KCC. Follow up work can now be done to ensure these young people are being employed legally. Posters and information were displayed across the county in Gateways and KCC buildings. All secondary schools in Kent were contacted with information about the event. Head Teachers were encouraged to invite Child Employment Officers to speak to students about working whilst at school. School talks have taken place during the fortnight and more have been arranged before the end of term. Child Employment Officers are also available for PHSE lessons. Resources will shortly become available to download from the KCC website including the attached chatterbox/snapdragon which you may wish to make available for students - eg on your school’s website. A survey released by Halifax in January of this year found that on average children across the UK work over five hours per week and these children can be as young as 8 years old. This research highlights the importance of raising awareness of the laws that are in place to protect children at work. For further information please contact your Child Employment Officer on 08458 247 247 or go to www.kent.gov.uk/cie Documents: Contacts:
Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Exciting Easter event for 11-19 yr olds
An exciting opportunity for young dancers aged 11-19 years. Event: Day of Dance 2011 Day of Dance 2011 is a project run in collaboration with Northfleet School for Girls and Pro-Excel, offering young people aged 11-19 two days of intensive dance workshops with a West End choreographer, in preparation for a once in a lifetime opportunity to perform in the Half-time show at Twickenham on 23 April 2011 for the Saint George's Day game between Wasps and Bath. The dancers will not only be performing to a huge audience, they will also be taking part in an attempt to break the World Record for the largest backing dancing troupe for pop star Heather Small from M People! Do you want to take part? We are prepared to take 80 dancers to Twickenham to perform on Saturday 23 April. If you are 11-19, an enthusiastic and talented dancer and you want to take part in this amazing opportunity please contact Rachel Sparks on SparksR@northfleetgirls.kent.sch.uk with your name, age, school and contact details. The workshops are taking place on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 April 2011 at Northfleet School for Girls Sports Hall from 09.00 - 16.00 including breaks. Kent County Council and Northfleet School for Girls are supporting this event so the workshop and travel to Twickenham is only £20 per dancer. To find out more about this event go to www.pro-excelblog.com. Contact Rachel Sparks on SparksR@northfleetgirls.kent.sch.uk or 0844 477 2525 (between 08.30-15.45 Mon-Fri) to book a group of students for your school. Documents: Contacts: Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Giant Walking Bus on 15 June 2011: get marching! - Reminder
National road safety charity, Brake was delighted that over 120,000 children from over 800 schools took part in our Giant Walking Bus in 2010! At 10am on Wednesday, 15 June 2011 your school can be one of the thousands taking part to smash the record for the number of kids in a Record Breaking Walking Bus. Last year more than 100,000 kids marched for safety from their school gates. You can help make it 200,000 kids this year! This Walking Bus project will encourage schools to educate children about road safety and your sponsorship will raise funds for families who have been devastated by the death of a child on the road. Attached is our new flyer to promote this year’s event. If you would like to take part please contact the Walking Bus Team on 01484 559909 or email walkingbus@brake.org.uk with your name, school name and phone number so we can call you back. For further information please visist our website www.brake.org.uk/walkingbus.
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Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Go Wild at The North - Easter Holiday Activities
From Monday 11 to Thursday 22 April you can explore the outdoors, visit our farm, climb our wall or do archery.
All the above include a tour around our farm
Also - everyday from 1.00pm - 3.00pm you can do archery for £5.00 and climbing on our wall for £6.00
Please note: there will be no activities on 18 April.
Please visit our website or call 01233 614630 for more information and to book a place. Documents: Contacts:
Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Increasing involvement and participation for disabled young people
NCB’s Research Centre, in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children, Alliance for Inclusive Education and the Children’s Society are running a 3-year project focusing on increasing and improving the participation and involvement of disabled children and young people in the development of services in England. The research team have published a questionnaire to help find out how and whether young disabled people are asked for their views and involved in services e.g. youth clubs, schools and hospitals (both mainstream services and disability specific services). If there are any services you know of or use that you think should fill out the questionnaire, please send them the web link below: http://www.ncb.org.uk/cdc/other_work/participation_research.aspx Documents: Contacts:
Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Kent Healthy Schools Programme - Reminder
We are aware that a number of schools may have recently received emails from the Healthy Schools National Team. We would like to assure schools that although these communications are informing you that the national and regional structure of support for the Healthy Schools Programme is coming to an end this will not affect the Kent programme which will continue in a local context.
The Primary Care Trusts in Kent have continued to commission a Healthy School team in East and West Kent to support schools with ongoing healthy schools developments. This support will continue to be at no cost to Kent schools and will continue to be strategically led and operate locally together with the Extended Learning Team. Please also be aware that the National Healthy Schools website will be taken down on 28 March 2011. Schools are advised now to refer to the Healthy Schools pages on Kent Trust Web for initial advice and support. If you would like to find out more about the support available to your school, please do not hesitate to contact: Jennifer Holland - Health Promotion Lead for Healthy Schools and Young People, NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent; Tel 01304 828749; e-mail Jennifer.Holland@eastcoastkent.nhs.uk Liz McAvan - Healthy School Co-ordinator West Kent; Tel 01622 723832; e-mail elizabeth.mcavan@nhs.net Phil Pittock – Healthy Schools Project Officer, Kent County Council; Tel 01622 694997; e-mail phil.pittock@kent.gov.uk Documents: Contacts:
Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Kent Scheme Newsletter for Schools
The Kent Scheme Newsletter for Schools is attached. This contains details of the Kent Scheme Salaries with effect from 1 June 2011. Voluntary Controlled and Community Schools must apply these salaries as do any other schools who have adopted the Kent Scheme terms and conditions of service. Please make sure that all staff employed on the Kent Scheme are given a copy of this newsletter. For the period 1 April 2011 to 31 May 2011 the salaries set out in the Kent Scheme Newsletter for schools April 2010 will apply. Information about the change from Kent Scheme Pay Scales to the Kent Range was published in the E-Bulletin dated 29 March 2011 and can be found on Kent Trust Web. Documents: Contacts:
Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Kent Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) Annual Lecture
Kent SACRE are pleased to announce that Dr Rebecca Nye (a researcher and consultant in the field of children's spirituality) will deliver this year's annual lecture: "Recognising Children's Spirituality". Dr Nye will illustrate her talk with examples from conversations with school pupils, exploring 'natural' childhood spirituality in a wide sense. This free event will on Wednesday 4 May 2011, at Wrotham School, Borough Green Road, Sevenoaks, TN15 7RD, commencing at 6.30pm. Light refreshments will be available from 6.00pm. Please book a place by e-mail to: tkelvie@wrotham.kent.sch.uk. Documents: Contacts:
Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Latest release in RAISEonline
We would like to make you aware of the following release in RAISEonline. Please be aware that this news item has also been published on the RAISEonline website. Question level analysis (QLA) 2010/2011 tests It is now possible to download test templates and analyse pupil performance/progress for the following 2010/2011 tests.
As these tests are unchanged from 2010 the national comparator data has been rolled forward until the 2011 data is available. These templates are obtained in the usual way by the school administrator using the data management section of RAISEonline. For further enquiries, please contact enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. Documents: Contacts:
Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES New tests for high attaining pupils in Year 6
Optional level 6 tests will soon be available in English reading, English writing and mathematics. The tests, which will be available to download from the NCA tools website in April, will provide the opportunity to stretch high attaining Year 6 pupils and also offer a useful tool for measuring the ability and progression of gifted and talented pupils. As with other optional tests, the Level 6 tests can be administered at any time in the school year. Schools do not need to register their pupils, apply for access arrangements or submit a Headteacher’s declaration form. However schools will need to make their own marking arrangements, as the optional Level 6 tests will not be externally marked. Mark schemes (including general marking guidance) and a guide to administering the tests will also be available from the NCA tools website. As these tests are not statutory, local authorities will not be required to monitor administration of the tests, and test results will not be collected or published. It is important to note that the Key Stage 2 national curriculum tests in English and mathematics remain statutory for all Year 6 pupils, as does the requirement for pupils at selected schools to take part in science sampling tests. Further information, including an overview of each of the optional level 6 tests, is available on the QCDA website. Get more information about optional level 6 tests
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Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Secondary school late application procedure after 4 April 2011
Kent parents who have not already made a secondary school application for year 7 entry in September 2011 can apply using a Late Secondary Application Form. If parents are unhappy with the school their child has been allocated and now wish to apply for a place at another school, they can apply by completing the Late Secondary Application Form. Parents can name up to four schools on this form, and if they wish to remain on the waiting list for schools they originally applied for, they should include these schools as well. The Late Secondary Application Form is available to download from our website or parents can contact the Admissions Team for a copy. The completed form must be returned to Admissions, KCC, County Hall, Maidstone ME14 1XQ. Documents: Contacts:
Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Silver Success!
Pupils at Raynehurst Primary school in Gravesend have become amongst the first in the county to receive silver Learning Destination certificates from the National Children's University. These children have attended over 65 hours of study support by visiting tourist attractions and taking part in school-based out-of-hours clubs. Guy Bartlett, Kent Children's University Manager said, "This is a great achievement. More and more children are enjoying taking part in our scheme. Clearly, these young people have a love of out-of-school-hours learning." Karen Blake-Morris, Deputy headteacher said, "Raynehurst Primary School supports the Learning Destinations Scheme as it is engaging our children and making extra-curricular learning fun." The number of schools joining the scheme is rapidly growing right across the county. Not only that but new tourist attractions are signing up too. Recently Groombridge Place completed the affiliation process and are now the latest attraction to come on board. To find out more please visit our website or email kcu@kent.gov.uk Documents: Contacts:
Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Simon Harrison Centre - Staff Relocation
The Simon Harrison Centre, based on the site of Furness School in Swanely, has ceased operating as an office base for KCC staff. The building has been returned to the school with effect from 1st April 2011. Services previously based there, or contacts working at the site, have now been relocated and new contact details are given below:
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Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES SIMS - Changes to Annual Maintenance Contract from April 2012
The ‘School management information systems and value for money report 2010’ published by Becta in October 2010, highlighted a potential risk of challenge to Kent County Council (KCC) if it continues to receive the annual maintenance contract for SIMS and FMS software from Capita Ltd. KCC considers it had no option but to cancel the annual maintenance service when the current contract ends on 31 March 2012. Neither Capita nor KCC currently plan to terminate the perpetual licence under which schools use the SIMS software, and as long as this licence is in place, your school can continue to use SIMS beyond 1 April 2012 but without the benefit of ongoing bug fixes or statutory update changes. KCC is working with other Local Authorities that are in a similar position and the Schools Funding Forum to explore procurement options over the coming months. Our understanding is that the Department for Education is aware of the issue and working to resolve it. However from 1 April 2012, your school may be responsible for procuring its own Management Information System (MIS) and Financial Management software. The current arrangement whereby KCC top-slices Dedicated Schools Grant to cover SIMS annual maintenance will also end on 31 March 2012 with funding being delegated to Schools unless new arrangements are agreed and in place. If you have any questions, please email to Alan Day. Documents: Contacts:
Category: IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES This week's school staff vacancies at Kent-teach, 5 April 2011
Check out the latest teaching and support staff vacancies from around Kent in this week’s Vacancy Bulletin.
The bulletin is split into 5 sections, to make it easier for you to find vacancies relevant to you:
To advertise your school vacancy all you have to do is upload it to www.kent-teach.com. If you require any assistance in placing an advert please call Niamh Tuft. Documents: Contacts:
Category: TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT Training opportunities offered by other organisations - 5 April 2011
See all the latest courses available which are provided by other organisations both internal and external to KCC:
Schools Personnel Service Update Session (morning) This session is an opportunity for staff involved in personnel administration to update their knowledge. Areas to be covered include:- The Equality Act, Change to the Default Retirement Age, Changes to Paternity, Updates to Support Staff Terms and Conditions. Sickness and Absence Administration (Afternoon) This session will cover all aspects of sickness and absence administration. Delegates can attend either the morning or the afternoon session or the whole day. For further information, please see the SPS Website. Dates are:- For further information, please contact Peta Rogerson/Liz Cherry at the SPS Office at Brook House
An increasingly important area of personnel administration for schools, sessions will cover all aspects of recruitment checks schools are expected to carry out. In particular, we have a guest speaker who will cover Prevention of Illegal Working Checks. He is a frequent speaker at immigration related conferences, previously working as a Chief Immigration Officer for the Home Office. His session will cover:-
Dates are:- For further information, please contact Mel Whittle/Tina Austen at the SPS Office at Brook House.
If you are new to the school and have responsibility for personnel administration or you have just taken on this work at your school, this course will prove extremely useful. It offers an introduction to Terms and Conditions of Employment, CRB, Excepted Items, the SPS Website and SPS forms. Dates are:- For further information, please contact Alex Levitt at the SPS Office at Brook House. Documents: Contacts:
Category: TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT Training opportunities offered by other schools - 05 April 2011
See all the courses available which are offered by other Kent schools:
We have a ‘Food Safety level 2’ course running at Milestone School and it may be something your catering staff or food tech teachers or technicians need to cover. This course is suitable for people who work with food in the classroom, breakfast club staff, lunch club staff, lunchtime supervisors, Governors etc.
It will run from 9.30am to 4.30pm on Friday 8 April at a cost of just £80. If you are interested and would like to book a place for yourself or a colleague, then please get in touch with Laura Whitehead.
On the 27 April 2011 from 9.30am to 3.30pm at Meadowfield School, MIDAS Centre, Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne ME10 4NL £50+ vat per person including lunch and refreshments We are pleased to be able to offer limited places on our Sensory Training Day with Judy Denziloe. Judy is a qualified trainer and author, specialising in play and sensory work with disabled children and young people. Her working life has been devoted to ensuring that disabled children have access to a wide range of play and learning opportunities. This training day will consider how we use commercial sensory play equipment effectively and explore ideas for creating simple, exciting, low cost sensory materials – Bring your camera! Aims of the course To enable participants to: For further information and to book a place please contact Heidi Hardgrave. Documents: Contacts:
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Developed by the Communication & Information Governance Team. Copyright 2008 Kent County Council. Do not reproduce without permission. Thursday, 23 May 2013 |