• School Attendance - Registration Codes for Strike Action
• Statutory Compliance Return 2023
• 2023 Data Collections for EYFSP, Phonics, KS1 and KS2
• Nexus Training Programme Now Available for Schools
• Button Batteries - Safety Alert
• FREE Microsoft Courses through Birmingham Adult Education Service
• Teacher Training Information Event
• Peer Mediation Plus 

School Attendance – Registration Codes for Strike Action

We have received a number of queries relating to the correct registration code to use for children unable to attend school due to the bus strikes.

Where children cannot attend due to national or local transport emergencies, the correct code to use would be code Y. This would also be the case if teachers are unable to get into work impacting a particular class or year group.

In situations where children usually walk to school, and where their teachers are in school, children should be expected to attend school as normal. In cases of absence, the usual absence codes would apply.

Schools offering remote learning in this circumstance can continue to use code Y but are reminded that code B must not be used for online work completed at home.

We will continue to monitor the situation and further advice will be issued if required.

Please direct any queries to: attendance@birmingham.gov.uk

Statutory Compliance Return 2023

The Annual Statutory Compliance Return is now live, and the date for completion is Wednesday, 29 March 2023.

Once the deadline for returns has passed, a sample of schools will be selected for an audit of their compliance which will be undertaken by Schools Safety Services.

Please note that any school failing to submit a return will be first on the list to be audited.

Should you have any queries please contact: edsi.enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk

2023 Data Collections for EYFSP, Phonics, KS1 and KS2

The Primary Data website has been updated with the necessary documentation regarding the 2023 statutory collections, this includes Early Years Foundation Stage guidance, and updates to Key stage 2 guidance.

Deadlines have been revised due to the additional bank holiday, and further updates will be added over the coming months. Please visit Deadlines Poster 2023 for the deadlines for each key stage assessment return (updated in March).

Please note that ALL schools are required to submit final returns by the stated deadlines.

Should you have any queries or require further information, please contact the Data and Intelligence team at educationdata@birmingham.gov.uk

Nexus Training Programme Now Available for Schools

This training is designed to help schools understand how to use the system, including its various functionalities. While elements may already be familiar, it is highly recommended that schools sign up for the training to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest features.

Please note that not all the functionality will be live in the first release, but it is coming in a future release. This future release will allow you to raise referrals and manage the paperwork for Annual Reviews. However, signing up for the training now will allow you to see the data that we hold and give you a better understanding of the system and which will be beneficial for you when the additional functionalities are released.

The training will start next term, but there are a few dates available beforehand if they are more beneficial to you. We encourage you to sign up as soon as possible to secure your spot as seats are limited.

The training has been split up into two cohorts to allow everyone book onto an overlapping sessions. If your preferred time slot is sold out, please check cohort 2 for additional times.  To sign up for the training, please  sign up to ONE session and ONE cohort via the following links:

• Portal Training Cohort 1
• Portal Training Cohort 2

An email with joining instructions will be sent out nearer the time.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Laura Beaumont: Laura.beaumont@birmingham.gov.uk

Button Batteries - Safety Alert

Are you working with children under the age of 5 or those with a vulnerability? Are you aware of the serious health risks posed by button batteries?

Many toys and gadgets used in homes and educational settings are operated by button batteries. This includes electronic games, remote controls, key fobs and calculators. Children diagnosed with a hearing loss will have these batteries inside their hearing aids or cochlear implant processors too unless they have been fitted with a rechargeable model.

Button batteries are small and lightweight and if not handled with care, these can fast become a serious health hazard to young or vulnerable children who may put them in their mouth.

Parents/carers of children who use hearing aids, are advised to replace the button batteries at home once a week. Occasionally, professionals and staff working with the children may need to replace the batteries in their educational setting too.

If you need to replace a button battery, please check and ensure that:

• You store any spare batteries securely – out of all children’s reach
• You replace the batteries carefully in a designated area
• You dispose of the old battery immediately using battery recycling bins where provided – or a bin away from children.

Hearing aids of children under the age of 5, or of those with vulnerability, should have tamper-proof battery locks fitted. Parents/carers will show you how to open these with a special tool if needed.

If you suspect a battery has been swallowed, seek medical help immediately and follow your setting’s emergency procedures.

Remember that the symptoms may not be obvious. The child might be coughing, gagging or drooling, or pointing to their throat or tummy.

• trust your instincts and act fast, even if there are no symptoms
• don’t let the child eat or drink
• don’t make the child be sick

For more information, including safety posters, please visit: www.Child Accident Prevention Trust - button battery safety

FREE Microsoft Courses through Birmingham Adult Education Service

• Word: Beginners | Improvers | Advanced
• Excel: Beginners | Improvers | Advanced
• PowerPoint: Beginners | Improvers | Advanced
• Outlook: Beginners | Improvers | Advanced
• Teams: Beginners | Improvers
• SharePoint: Beginners | Improvers | Advanced
• OneNote 
• Cyber Security Awareness for Businesses 
• Power BI

For more information on these courses please contact Sameena Asmat:  sameena.asmat@birmingham.gov.uk

www.trainbaes.co.uk / www.learnbaes.ac.uk

Teacher Training Information Event

Thursday, 20 April 2023: 18:00-19:00 (online)

Do you have a member of staff that would like to train to be a teacher?

Join Services for Education at their virtual SCITT information sessions, where you will have the opportunity to meet some past trainees, speak to experienced staff and find out what the course entails.

Services for Education are also looking for schools that can offer a trainee a work placement, For more information please contact Lucie Welch at lucie.welch@servicesforeducation.co.uk 

Places for the information sessions can be booked by simply following this link: Teacher Training Information Event

Peer Mediation Plus

Funding is available for schools in the West Midlands to help set up a Peer Mediation scheme and train staff to get the most out of the scheme in the Spring or Summer terms 2023.

Peer mediation involves children being trained to mediate their peers’ conflicts at school. It is underpinned by the same values that inform adult mediation. It is voluntary, inclusive and leads those people who find themselves in a dispute, to find their own solution to their problem, rather than being told what to do.  It is conflict resolution for young people, by young people. 

What’s included:

• Pupil workshop
• 3 days mediation training - with up to 24 selected peer mediators
• Staff CPD (3 twilights or one-half day and one twilight)
• Lunchtime Supervisor Training (a 90-minute session)
• Invitation to a WM Peer Mediation Leads Network
• Evaluation including a follow up visit to the school once the scheme is established

Schools are asked to commit to all aspects of the offer and to make a financial contribution towards the costs. The total cost to deliver this work is £2,984 per school, but each school will be asked to contribute just £500.00.

For further information please contact Libbs Packer at Peacemakers:  Libbs@peacemakers.org.uk or telephone 0121 236 4796