July 2021
For all Kent and Medway Governors, Trustees, Clerks and School Leaders Dear Governors As we come to the end of another academic year, I did not expect us to still be faced with the restrictions and pressures we all endured over the last academic year and my admiration for all you have done and continue to do remains steadfast. I feel that we have all been on this road to a new normal together and the feedback we have received around our training offer remains positive and the engagement high; we are now at a point where our training attendance has increased this academic year over last year by 127% to date. We still have training sessions planned and with bookings confirmed this could give us an overall increase of 138% over last year. This is fantastic and can only raise the standard of governance in our schools. We have new courses being added to our programme from September and we are also going to be adding some short bitesize downloadable sessions on subjects that either require a little pre-learning or that will be useful for you to have “on tap” and not wait until they come up on the programme; we hope you will find this a useful addition to our offer. The results of the last survey showed an appetite for a blended offer and many of our courses will remain virtual next year. We are currently not able to publish any face to face courses as venues are not taking bookings until the government issues guidance so we have booked dates in virtually and once we are in a position to add some face to face sessions we will do so and advertise these on GovernorHub in the usual way. The annual governor survey will be released at the end of this month with a deadline in mid-September to send in your submissions. Please do provide us with your feedback, as you know, we act on this and have incorporated many of your suggestions this year; the programme has to work for you.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE DfE - RE/R&SE/HE policy and consultation ................................. 2
The Education People Clerking Service has also been the foundation for boards successfully meeting virtually and my personal thanks to our family of clerks who have remained positive, focussed and learnt many new skills over this last year and been so flexible in their approach to both undertaking their role and covering for others who may have suffered at the hands of Covid-19. Thank you!
Ofsted ............................................ 2
The Governor Magazine will be arriving in your inbox during the Autumn term and we will have an article in their from one of the former members of the Kent Governance Association who has been involved in Kent governance for more years than I’m sure he’d like me to reveal! Huge congratulations to Jack Keeler on receiving his MBE for services to governance. Such a huge achievement and honour and highlights the important role you all play in improving the life chances of children and young people not only in Kent but all over the country.
DfE - Pupil Premium ...................... 4
I wish you all a restful, healthy and peaceful summer break and I hope that in the next academic year we can all meet face to face as we learn to live with this virus and think about returning to a new normal.
DfE - Secondary Summer Schools Programme ................................... 5
With my sincere thanks for everything you do and huge thanks to my entire team who have also remained positive, cheerful and supportive in serving you all.
DfE - CPR Kits ................................. 3 DfE - KCSIE ..................................... 3 DfE - Sexual Violence .................. 3 DfE - Primary PE ............................ 3
DfE - Condition Improvement Fund ............................................... 4 DfE - Mental Wellbeing ................ 4 Academies ................................... 4 DfE - SEN ........................................ 5 DfE - Breakfast Clubs .................... 5
Training .......................................... 6 LADO ............................................. 7 Governor and Clerk Toolkits ........ 7 Reconnect .................................... 8 CYPE - EEFective Kent Project .... 9 NGA ............................................... 9
Department for Education Ofsted has published updated education inspection handbooks, clarifying how inspectors will assess how schools and colleges confront sexual harassment, abuse and violence among children and young people: - School inspection handbook
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- Ofsted guidance on inspecting maintained schools and academies in England. Section 8 school inspection
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handbook - Guidance for Ofsted inspectors carrying out school inspections under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. Early years inspection
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handbook - Ofsted guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the education inspection framework. Additional inspections of independent schools - This document provides guidance to help Ofsted inspectors in carrying out additional inspections of independent schools.
Ofsted’s selection of schools for inspection – new schools, including schools that undergo significant change This guidance explains how Ofsted selects new schools for inspection. It covers first inspections of different types of academy schools, including free schools; it also applies to academy converters, which are existing schools that have been approved to voluntarily convert to academies and, therefore, are legally new schools.
RE/R&SE/HE policy and consultation - DfE and Ofsted requirements action required (Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education, and Health Education) Many Primary School Governing Boards will be agreeing their policies at their last meeting of the school year. Prior to making a decision on the inclusion within the policy of the teaching of LGBT relationships (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender), the board needs to understand how the parental body was consulted: - was the inclusion of relationships teaching for LGBT clear - what was the response If a primary school governing board chooses to not include LGBT relationships the evidence of the consultation will need to be kept to present at a Section 5 Ofsted Inspection. Secondary schools are also required to consult the parental before approving these policies, though must teach about LGBT relationships.
Previously in the September 2020 Ofsted framework Paragraph 309. If a primary school does not teach about LGBT relationships, this will not have an impact on the leadership and management judgement as long as the school can satisfy inspectors that it has still fulfilled the requirements of the DfE’s statutory guidance. If it cannot do this, for example if it has failed to consult with parents, inspectors will consider this when making the leadership and management judgement. The school will not ordinarily receive a judgement for this better than requires improvement.
From the September 2021 Ofsted framework Primary Schools From the summer term 2021, if a primary school does not teach about LGBT relationships, this will not have an impact on the leadership and management judgement as long as the school can satisfy inspectors that it has still fulfilled the requirements of the DfE’s statutory guidance. - If it cannot do this, for example if it has failed to consult with parents, inspectors will consider this when making the leadership and management judgement. - For state-funded schools, this only applies to section 5 inspections. For independent schools, this only applies to standard inspections. The school will not ordinarily receive a judgement for this better than requires improvement. Secondary Schools From the summer term 2021, if a secondary school does not teach about LGBT relationships, it will not be meeting the expectations of the DfE’s statutory guidance. - Inspectors will consider this when making the leadership and management judgement. - Similarly, if a secondary school has not fulfilled the requirements of the DfE’s statutory guidance, for example, if it has failed to consult with parents, inspectors will also consider this when making the leadership and management judgement. - For state-funded schools, this only applies to section 5 inspections. For independent schools, this only applies to standard inspections. The school will not ordinarily receive a judgement for this better than requires improvement.
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Department for Education CPR Kits - free for schools with pupils aged 14-16 action required Following events at the Denmark vs Finland Euro 2020 tournament where CPR was successfully administered to a player, we would like to remind you that free CPR kits are available via the British Heart Foundation This resource may also support schools with the delivery of the Secondary Relationships and sex education (RSE) and Health Education (HE) RSE & HE curriculum (see p38). The kit contains amongst other items, a training DVD on how and when to perform CPR on an adult or child; how to put someone in the recovery position; and how to use a public access defibrillator. Is your school eligible for a free CPR Kit? How does this vital teaching and experience fit in with you school’s RSE and HE curriculum?
Keeping Children Safe in Education action required 1 September 2021 sees the implementation of 2021 version of this KCSIE statutory guidance. It sets out the legal duties that must be followed to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18 in schools and colleges. Are all of your board members aware of the responsibilities under section 2, and safer recruitment requirements under section 3? Why not also update yourselves on part 1, refreshing your understanding as to the expectations on staff?
Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges action required Following a public consultation, this updated guidance comes in effect from 01 September 2021; Its focus is child-on-child sexual violence and sexual harassment at schools and colleges. The advice covers children of all ages, from primary through to secondary stage and into colleges and online. Governors should be aware that this advice highlights best practice and crossreferences other advice and statutory guidance, it is not intended to be read in isolation. It is important for schools and colleges to consider other relevant advice and guidance.
Primary - PE and sport next year action required £320 million PE and Sport Premium is to be provided to help schools prioritise physical activity with education, as schools build back better from the pandemic. As a result of the COVID-19, the DfE took steps to relax the ring-fencing arrangements for the PE and sport premium in the 2019 to 2020 academic year to allow any unspent grant to be carried forward into the 2020 to 2021 academic year. The Education Secretary has announced a further relaxation of ring-fencing arrangements for the PE and sport premium. This will allow any unspent grant to be carried forward into the 2021 to 2022 academic year. Any under-spends carried forward from the 2019 to 2020 academic year, and the 2020 to 2021 academic year, will need to be spent in full by 31 July 2022. Governors and trustees should ensure that their schools’ factor this into PE and sport premium spending plans.
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Department for Education Pupil premium: effective use and accountability action required As part of the pupil premium allocations and conditions of grant for 2021 to 2022, schools are now required to: - demonstrate, from the next academic year, how their spending decisions are informed by research evidence (condition 7) - use the strategy statement templates to publish their pupil premium strategy (condition 8) This guidance details how school leaders can manage their pupil premium funding, including reporting procedures and online statements.
Academy Trust handbook 2021 (Academies Finance Handbook) The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has published the 2021 edition of this renamed handbook which comes into effect on 1 September 2021.
Academies - suitability checks for academy trust chairs of trustees Academy trust chairs of trustees must complete a suitability check as soon as they are appointed, this is in addition to any checks arranged locally by the academy trust; the ESFA conducts suitability checks to support the safeguarding requirements set out in legislation. If an existing chair of trustees’ term of office has recently been extended and they did not receive a check when originally appointment they should ensure that they apply for a suitability check now. Academies - model articles of association for academy trusts DfE have update the model articles of association which can be used for single and multiacademy trusts: - local-authority-maintained schools converting to academy status - existing trusts updating their articles of association - proposer groups seeking to set up new trusts and their legal advisers
Academy trusts must comply with this handbook as a condition of their funding agreement. It provides an overarching framework for implementation of effective financial management and control which will help you get best value and be accountable to the public. A summary of changes to the 2021 edition can be found on p9 which includes new information about trusts’ existing obligations in relation to safeguarding, health and safety, and estates management, and the replacement of term Clerk with Governance Professional.
Academies - Budget forecast return (BFR) online The online form for the BFR 2021 is now available to use. The deadline for academy trusts to complete and submit their BFR is close of business 27 July 2021.
Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) Guidance has been published for eligible academies, sixth-form colleges and voluntary aided (VA) schools about the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). - CIF is an annual bidding round for eligible academies, sixth-form colleges and VA schools to apply for capital funding. The priority for the fund is to address significant condition need, keeping education provider buildings safe and in good working order. This includes funding projects to address health and safety issues, building compliance and poor building condition. - CIF also supports a small proportion of expansion projects. These are for academies, sixth-form colleges and VA schools rated good or outstanding by Ofsted that can demonstrate a need to expand. This year’s criteria again favour bids from applicants with strong governance and good financial management.
Education Secretary outlines priorities on improving pupil outcomes Speaking at the Festival of Education 2021 (online, 16-30 June), Gavin Williamson set out his commitment to levelling up opportunities across the country for young people.
Mental health and wellbeing support Taking a coordinated and evidence-informed approach to mental health and wellbeing in schools leads to improved pupil and student emotional health and wellbeing which can help readiness to learn.
- Governors - find out what help your school can get to develop a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
- Headteachers – find out what practical materials for primary and secondary schools to use to train staff about teaching mental wellbeing.
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Department for Education Special Educational Needs in England: January 2021 National information has been published which combines the school, school level annual school, general hospital school and alternative provision censuses on pupils with special educational needs (SEN). This National information publication includes breakdowns by type of SEN provision (either SEN support or EHC plan), type of SEN, age, national curriculum year group, gender, ethnicity, English as a first language and free school meal eligibility. It should be noted that whilst schools were only open for vulnerable children and the children of key workers on census day, schools were asked to record pupils on roll as if in normal circumstances. Additionally, statistics on pupils with SEN, including information on educational attainment, destinations, absence, exclusions, and characteristics is also available.
Teaching a broad and balanced curriculum for education recovery This non-statutory guidance is for teachers and leaders in reception and key stages 1, 2 and 3 who are responsible for the curriculum and its teaching. It offers suggestions to help schools decide how to prioritise elements within their curriculum for education recovery. Governors may find this information helpful when discussing and ensuring that their school continues to teach a broad and balanced curriculum in all subjects, including what pupils learn from wider experiences such as educational visits and visitors to the school.
Breakfast clubs programme 2021-2023 DfE are investing up to £24 million in a new two year contract to continue support for school breakfast provision until July 2023. All participating schools will receive a 100% subsidy for Breakfast Club Provision until 31st March 2022. The subsidy will then be reduced to 75%, allowing schools to contribute 25% from other funding streams. All pupils in participating schools are to be offered breakfast supplies at no cost to them or their parents. Does your school take advantage of this funding and provide free breakfasts for your students?
Rediscover Summer! The Government has launched a campaign encouraging families to Rediscover Summer, promoting leisure activities for children and families this summer.
Secondary – Summer Schools Programme The summer schools programme is open to secondary schools. The aim of the programme is to deliver a short summer school, offering a blend of academic education and enrichment activities. Details are available of the summer schools programme including funding, the requirements for running a summer school and best practice evidence. Is your school involved with the programme? Are your board aware that schools must publish brief details of their summer school on their website by the end of October 2021 (see accountability/online reporting), which should include the amount of funding received and a breakdown of how it was spent.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award £3.4 million to support pupils in deprived schools in England to take part in volunteering and extra-curricular learning. Can this funding assist your school and broaden the opportunities available to your students?
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The Education People Our Training for term 1-4 is now live! All our training sessions from September for terms 1-4 are now available to book on GovernorHub. You can also view the dates for Terms 5 and 6 training sessions to plan all your training for the year ahead.
PROMONTIONAL OFFER – GovernorHub action required We are pleased to bring a special promotional GovernorHub offer for those of you who have yet to try this extremely useful and accessible system specially designed for governing Bodies and trust boards – by governors themselves! - Full access to GovernorHub - starting on 1September for the remainder of the financial year - with no obligation to continue into April 2022 Please contact governorservices@theeducationpeople.org to find out more about the one-off opportunity!
Free GovernorHub Information and demonstration session - 15 September Taking into account the recent and increasing number of cyber-attacks, please join us at this free information session to find out how GovernorHub can support your board on this GDPR compliant, stand-alone platform.
“I deeply value the opportunity to get some targeted training which can undertaken online...it has allowed me to take part without taking time out of my work schedule” Values and Vision
The Education People Prevent Training action required Further to the recent training around PREVENT for Governors we have sought to clarify a couple of queries around training requirements direct from the Prevent Education Officer: - As a minimum, we recommend that all staff and governors should take part in Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent (WRAP) training at least every two years. However, training should reflect emerging local or national risks, it may need to be updated more frequently to reflect changing circumstances.
To support this element of Strategic Governance we would like to remind you that boards can commission their own in-house development session from Governor Services. Please contact your Area Governance Officer (details on page 8)
- Settings should also take account of staff turnover so that new staff, supply staff and trainee teachers fully understand their responsibilities under the Prevent duty. In the Prevent Schools Risk Assessment on the School Evaluation Form (SEF) that the Prevent training touched on training is covered in 2a and 2b as follows: a) A training plan is in place to deliver Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent (WRAP) so that key staff and Governors understand the risk of radicalisation and extremism and know how to recognise and refer children who may be vulnerable. This training is updated regularly to take into account staff turnover and emerging local or national risks. b) Further training on the Prevent agenda is made available to the Strategic Prevent lead, Designated Safeguarding leads and other relevant staff where appropriate. We hope that this follow up information is helpful to your board
Kent Matters - School Improvement, Secondary, Special and PRU/Skills & Employability Service Advanced notice - The School Improvement Team has recently started to produce a termly newsletter ‘Kent Matters’; they are looking to extend their distribution network to include all governors.
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Please keep check your inbox for this useful communication; the next edition of ‘Kent Matters’ will be circulated via GovernorHub
The Education People Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) The county Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) service deals with allegations against staff who work with children either in education or the wider children's workforce. If you need to speak to the LADO Service regarding an allegation against a member of staff please note that updated information and contact details have moved from Kelsi to the Kent Safeguarding Children multi-Agency Partnership website. Governors - please ensure that the correct contact information about this service is held in school.
Efficient, Effective, Economical – Easy! Please see take few moments to review some useful tools that are available to your board; these could save time, be cost effective and improve the proficiency and professionalism of your board:
Governor Induction Toolkit The Governor Induction Toolkit is designed to assist Governing Boards with their induction process for new governors and to prepare those governing for the Accredited Governor Induction course available through Governor Services, including associate members (LA maintained schools operating a committee structure only). The toolkit is suitable for use by both Academy and Local Authority maintained boards; it can also be used as a review mechanism for longer serving governors and also for facilitating 1:1 chair/governor annual conversations.
Clerk’s Performance Management Toolkit Our Clerks’ Performance Management Toolkit is aimed at chair of governors who have the responsibility to performance manage the clerk to the governing board. This detailed toolkit will enable the chair as line manager, to robustly appraise the clerk, recognising the clerk’s role as the Governance Professional to your governing board.
Clerks Mentoring Programme The Governance Professional Induction Mentoring Programme can be accessed via Governor Services, Service Level Agreement. The programme is presented in 3 sessions that can be purchased as a suite of 3 or individually as required: - The role of the clerk – focusing on the core competencies within the clerking competency framework - Agenda preparation and professional minute taking - Minute evaluation, records, retention including Freedom of Information & GDPR Alongside the Clerks Performance Management toolkit, this programme would support the development of new clerks and also provide support for longer servicing clerks who might need or wish to refresh their skills in line with the DfE Clerking Competency Framework. How many vacancies to you have on your board? Does your board have the skill sets that it needs? The Inspiring Governance free online service connects schools and trusts with skilled volunteers in their area who are interested in becoming a school governor or trustee; this free service allows you to: - search for volunteers based on skills, experience and location - contact potential candidates directly - advertise vacancies to registered volunteers in your area
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The Education People Reconnect: Kent Children and Young People Programme Kent County Council would like to introduce the Reconnect Programme, which aims to reconnect children and young people to the things they have missed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This exciting programme aims to support Kent’s children and young people to reconnect to: - Health and happiness - Learning missed - Friends, family, and community - Sports, activities, and the outdoors - Economic wellbeing. The ambitious community programme invites the whole Kent community to join together to provide a range of exciting and supportive opportunities for all the county’s children and young people. Reconnect is a programme for every child and young person in Kent, recognising that some will need more support than others and different types of support will be required by each individual. It will run until 31 August 2022. While it’s being led by KCC, which will fund activities and promote opportunities, the key to the success of Reconnect is to empower others to get involved. Other local authorities and public bodies in Kent, MPs, schools and settings, businesses, community groups, charities and volunteer organisations, clubs and societies, and individuals are being asked to consider whether they could make a contribution.
Children and Young People Involved We have run surveys and focus groups with children, young people, parents, carers, and schools to find out what they want the programme to deliver. We had more than 2,000 responses and the key messages from these are that children and young people: - have missed being with friends, taking part in physical activity and going to clubs, and missed school and having a routine - would like to see activities this summer that help them meet friends and new people, have a wide choice of things to do or get involved in, such as festivals, camping and sailing - but are concerned about having to travel too far, costs, and anxiety of being in big groups or not knowing who else would be at the activities. We are using what we have learned to work with providers to shape the opportunities that will be on offer through the programme. Please follow the link through to a video from our children and young people setting out why this programme is important to them. As requested by the children and young people consulted, the programme will be optimistic and forward-looking, focussing on opportunities for their futures.
Current Progress On 24 June KCC’s Cabinet approved £10m to fund the programme, having previously agreed grants, such as the Holiday Activities and Food Fund (£5.3m) would shelter under the umbrella of Reconnect. Localised co-ordination, commissioning and monitoring will take place via the district based Local Children’s Partnership Groups which are being provided with £2.5m of this funding by the County Council.
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We are currently focused on meeting the immediate needs of children and young people, and planning for summer activities, and will then look at what is needed for the next academic year. Immediate support in the form of services such as counselling and intensive mentoring are helping those most in need of help to reconnect to schooling and friendship groups, additional learning opportunities have been commissioned for the summer, activities such as fun days, holiday clubs, sports and outdoor opportunities are being arranged by a whole host of clubs, organisations and providers. Information about some of these offers will be sent out to schools shortly and on a regular basis going forwards. Cont. page 5
The Education People Getting Involved You can help us with the programme by finding out how your school is engaging with the Reconnect programme, what they can contribute and how information is being communicated with young people and parents and carers. If you think your school premises could be used to support Reconnect activities provided by others, please let us know. You can tell us online through our online form or by submitting a pledge on the Reconnect website, what support you can offer to the programme. You can also help us spread the word about Reconnect and make sure children and young people don’t miss out on the fun and exciting activities that are taking place during the summer holidays. If you haven’t already, follow us on social media (search ‘Kent County Council’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to find us) and share our #ReconnectKent posts to your followers.
Children, Young People and Education A valuable match-funded school improvement opportunity for school leaders and governors The EEFective Kent Project has extended funding applications for Promising Projects and Evidence-based training. These extensions have been put into place to ensure that all schools have the opportunity to access the funding on offer after what has been a very challenging year. Further information about each of these opportunities are detailed below:
- Promising Projects: Funding applications can be made up until 5pm on Wednesday, 28 July 2021 via the EEFective Kent Project webpage. The Promising Project Prospectus has full details about each of the Promising Projects on offer.
- Evidence-based training: There are limited places available on each of the four courses, the evidence-based training guide has full details about each course including training dates. Book places for your school via the booking request form, places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. For further information about these opportunities please contact the EEFective Kent Project team via email (EEFectiveKentProject@kent.gov.uk).
National Governance Association National Leaders of Governance programme (NLGs) NLGs are expert trustees, governors and governance professionals who will deliver targeted DfE funded governance support to help secure effective governance in schools and trusts. The National Governance Association (NGA) is delivering the reformed NLG programme on behalf of DfE: NGA will recruit, train and deploy a high-calibre team to deliver governance support. The high standard of NLGs required is reflected in the eligibility criteria. NLGs will be contracted to the NGA and paid a daily rate of £500. Deployments will be based on a set number of days, depending on board and deployment type. Find out about becoming a NLG and how to apply.
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Governor Services We can support all of your governance needs through our shared values; - Moral purpose - People first - Stronger Together - Excellence - Spirit of Innovation - Integrity
This is why we are “Better Together”
Head of Governor Services: suzanne.mayes@theeducationpeople.org
Governor Services Room G83 Sessions House Maidstone ME14 1XQ Tel: 03000 417979
Area Governance Officers: North Kent & Medway (Dartford, Gravesham, Sevenoaks, Medway): jude.johnson@theeducationpeople.org South Kent (Ashford, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe): tina.gimber@theeducationpeople.org East Kent (Canterbury, Swale, Thanet): lorraine.monkhouse@theeducationpeople.org West & Senior AGO, (Maidstone, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells), Clerking Service Strategic Lead: julia.durcan@theeducationpeople.org Governor Services: governorservices@theeducationpeople.org Clerking Service: clerkingservice@theeducationpeople.org Training Enquiries: governorservicestraining@theeducationpeople.org