Noticeboard

Noticeboard - 3 October 2024

Welcome to this week's Noticeboard including a message from Dr Sue Harrison, the latest Oracle Transition for Schools updates, important information from the Finance Team, FAQs from the recent Equal Pay Programme for Schools webinar and more.

This week's noticeboard includes: 

Message from Dr Sue Harrison, Strategic Director for Children and Families

Dear colleagues

This week’s update on the Oracle Transition for Schools programme is available here: Oracle transition for schools, updates, questions and answers.  The Q&A section of the document has now been updated to include questions received during last week’s webinar together with those submitted subsequently. Not all questions have been answered yet, but please rest assured we’re working hard to do so as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, we’ll continue to communicate regularly with schools through drop-in sessions, webinars and School Noticeboard updates. As always, if you have any further questions, or would like more information, please reach out to the team and they’ll be pleased to assist: oracleschoolsrelationship@birmingham.gov.uk.

Please note that questions submitted prior to the webinar have now been archived, but can still be accessed here: Archived Oracle Transition Q&A.

The Finance team will also be taking the opportunity to provide regular updates for schools via the School Noticeboard so please continue to look out for them. Today’s update includes information on 3-year forecast timelines.

I’m pleased to provide a link to my recent webinar for new headteachers to act as a refresher or for those of you who were unable to attend: New Headteacher Induction Webinar. Again, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the School Improvement Team and they’ll be delighted to support – schoolimprovement@birmingham.gov.uk.

Our first Termly Ofsted School Briefing will take place on 8 October 2024, from 16:00 to 17:30. Hosted by the School Improvement Team, this online session will be delivered by Ann Pritchard, Senior HMI, West Midlands, and aims to provide schools with the latest updates on inspection criteria and processes. This session will specifically focus on changes to ungraded inspections and removing the overall effectiveness judgement.

You can join the session by following this Microsoft Teams link: Ofsted School Briefing - 8 October 2024 16:00-17:30.

The session will be recorded and made available shortly after. If you have any queries in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact the School Improvement Team at schoolimprovement@birmingham.gov.uk

Wishing you all an enjoyable weekend ahead, and heartfelt thanks for everything you do for our children, young people and families.

Sue

Oracle Transition for Schools - Latest Updates 

The latest updates can be found here: Oracle transition for schools, updates, questions and answers.

Archived Q&A can be found here: Archived Oracle Transition Q&A.

For any queries or further information please contact the team at oracleschoolsrelationship@birmingham.gov.uk

Thank you for your ongoing support. 

Finance Updates

Change to 3-year updated forecast deadline

The new Labour government did not give an update on funding over the summer and have proposed that it will be released after the Autumn Budget Statement, on 30 October. As such BCC has decided it would be preferable to do our 3-year financial report in Spring 1.

Doing the 3-year forecast in the spring term should then roll into the forthcoming budget plan. It was a BCC requirement for all schools to submit a 3-year forecast by 31 December, but this has now been changed to 14 February 2025. 

Please send all forecasts to 3yrstrategicfinancialforecasts@birmingham.gov.uk.

Schools’ Cash Sheet – October 2024

The updated cash sheet as a 2 October 2024 can  be found at this link.

We hope schools find this useful in reconciling the monthly instalment as well as grant payments the authority has paid so far this financial year. 

If you have trouble accessing the file, you may need to save the spreadsheet to your personal desktop, then unblock the file by right clicking, properties, and clicking unblock and applying changes. 

Please direct any queries to FairFunding@Birmingham.gov.uk in the first instance and the team will be pleased to assist.

The Equal Pay Programme

The Equal Pay Programme ran two webinars on during September, aimed at providing colleagues with information about the programme and the chance to ask questions - Equal Pay Programme All Staff Schools Webinar September 2024

The questions raised during both webinars have been collated and answers can be found by following this link. 

For any additional questions regarding the programme, please contact EPPSchools@Birmingham.gov.uk.

Ofsted School Briefing - 8 October 2024

The first Termly Ofsted School Briefing will take place on 8 October 2024, from 16:00 to 17:30. Hosted by the School Improvement Team, this online session will be delivered by Ann Pritchard, Senior HMI, West Midlands, and aims to provide schools with the latest updates on inspection criteria and processes. This session will specifically focus on changes to ungraded inspections and removing the overall effectiveness judgement.

You can join the session by following this Microsoft Teams link: Ofsted School Briefing - 8 October 2024 16:00-17:30.

The session will be recorded and made available shortly after. If you have any queries in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact the School Improvement Team at schoolimprovement@birmingham.gov.uk

Perspective Lite – Schools Showcase 

Tuesday 15th October 2024 - 9.30-10.30am and Wednesday 16th October 2024 - 4:00-5:00pm

Perspective Lite is your school’s portal where not only can you access your school performance data but also key documents and now your records of visits – all in one place!

This showcase is to make sure you know how to find what you need, have awareness of all the tools and features you can use and understand how as your LA, we use it to securely communicate with you.  As Headteachers you can give access to all this to key staff in your school and it is important you understand all that Perspective Lite has to offer in the year ahead 2024-25.

Birmingham Children and Families Directorate is partnering with Angel Solutions to show you all the tools and benefits you can expect.

In just 60 minutes, we will demonstrate how schools can quickly:

  • download and respond to visit reports
  • securely send and receive files and documents
  • use interactive data reports and real-time data dashboards, before the DFE statistical first release
  • turn census data into instant shareable infographics, with just one click
  • access all the latest information on Ofsted and its Inspectors
  • how to pick up key announcements, manage users and access the Help Centre

In England there are 20,000 schools benefitting from Perspective Lite and Birmingham schools are part of that community. Online access when and where you need it, Perspective Lite supports you in providing quality information and freeing up your time for what truly matters.

Please ensure you have a working Perspective Lite username and password. New headteachers can request access setup via the Data and Intelligence team at Educationdata@birmingham.gov.uk

Confirm Your Place Here You will receive an email on the morning of the event with a live link to join and a reminder 15 minutes before the start time. Add events@angelsolutions.co.uk to your address book to avoid information getting blocked or put in a spam folder. 

New Headteacher Induction Programme

If you’re a Headteacher new to Birmingham you will have received details on our Headteacher Induction Programme – a series of Microsoft Teams presentations throughout the autumn term. This induction is your gateway to discovering the extensive network of support available from the Council’s key services. It’s also an opportunity for you to connect with fellow Headteachers!

A reminder that the presentations taking place throughout the coming months are:

  • SEND and Inclusion – date tbc
  • Managing Public Finances: Finance Management and Accountability in Schools – Tuesday, 8 October at 10:00-11:00
  • Health and Safety in Schools – Thursday, 10 October at 10:00-11:00
  • Keeping Children Safe from Harm – Tuesday, 15 October 10:00-12:00
  • Schools Admissions and Fair Access – Thursday, 17 October 10:00-11:00
  • An introduction to School Audits and Fraud – Tuesday, 22 October 10:00-11:00
  • School Improvement – Thursday, 24 October 14:00-15:00
  • Education Infrastructure – Thursday, 7 November 10:00-11:00
  • Effective Complaints Management & Supporting Strong Governance – Tuesday, 12 November 10:00-11:30
  • Managing Pupil Attendance – Tuesday, 19 November 10:00-11:00
  • Birmingham Virtual School – Thursday, 21 November 11:15-12:15
  • Occupational Health – Friday, 27 November 10:00-11:00

Teams invites have been forwarded, but if you’ve not received yours, please contact the School Improvement team at schoolimprovement@birmingham.gov.uk and they’ll be please to assist. We look forward to seeing you!  

Please note that this programme may be subject to the occasional change.

Breakfast Clubs Early Adopters Scheme

The government is committed to offering a free breakfast club in every primary school in England

This will build on the national wraparound childcare programme and national school breakfast programme. 

The Department for Education (DfE) will be inviting schools to take part in an early adopter scheme. The scheme will seek to test and learn what works ahead of national rollout. 

The Breakfast clubs early adopters scheme will invite up to 750 state-funded schools in England with primary aged-pupils to work with the DfE.

It will focus on how breakfast clubs can be delivered in a way that:

  • builds on what is already happening in schools
  • meets the needs of parents
  • ensures children start the day ready to learn

The DfE will also work with the sector, including local authorities and childcare providers, businesses and charities to consider the best approaches to delivering breakfast clubs in schools.

Further information on how schools can take part in the scheme, and the model the scheme will follow, will be shared in the second half of the autumn. Early adopter schools will be confirmed by early 2025 and the scheme will launch in the summer term (April 2025).

Schools that wish to find out more about becoming an early adopter can sign up using the early adopter breakfast clubs expression of interest form to be notified as further information becomes available.

Reception and Year 2-3 (Infant to Junior) Admissions – September 2025

Online admissions open on 1 October 2024 for Reception and Year 2-3 (Infant to Junior) admissions in September 2025. 

Applications can be made online through the Birmingham City Council website www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions until the final deadline of 15 January 2025. Offer notifications will be sent on 16 April 2025. Please can you help raise awareness of the process as parents who apply late are less likely to be offered one of their preferred schools. 

All the information parents need to support with making their preferences is available on our website www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions

More advice and support is available from Children’s Services on 0121 303 1888.

Important - Deferred Entry

Updated guidance was issued by the Department for Education last year (April 2023) which reinforces the commitment that “the admission authority of each school must make a decision based on the circumstances of the case and in the child’s best interests. It should be rare for an authority to refuse a parent’s request”. There is a dedicated page for schools and parent/carers on our website below with a link to this guidance regarding the process for those requesting to defer their child’s entry to Reception from September 2025 to September 2026.

Parent/carers are still required to apply online for a place by 15 January 2025 and seek permission from the admission authority for each of their preferences to defer. Please note, we have a Jadu form on the deferred entry section of our website for parent/carers to complete (in addition to their online application) to assist them with their requests. This enables them to attach medical and supporting evidence etc. If they complete and submit our deferred entry form successfully, they will receive a receipt and reference number so we can track their form from the deferred entry mailbox. 

Further details can be found here https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20119/school_admissions/2264/guidance_relating_to_deferred_entry

Early Education Entitlement

Parental Declarations

The EEE Parent Declaration Form has now been updated to reflect the new entitlement offers that are being introduced from April 2024 – September 2025.

Please use the revised form for all funded 2, 3 and 4 year olds accessing a place.

The Parent Declaration Form is used to determine where funding is paid, for example in the case of an EEE audit or when investigating duplicate claims. It is therefore imperative that the form is completed with parents, so they understand what they are agreeing to.

The declarations need to be signed each term (please do not agree to more than one term in advance) and state clearly what term and what hours are being agreed. Incomplete forms can result in loss of or claw-back of funding.

The Parent Declaration Forms can be found on EYMIS: www.ted-birmingham.org.uk

  • Username: PVI2 (please note this is a capital i not the number one)
  • Password: PVI2year (please note this is a capital i not the number one)

If you have any queries, please email earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk

2-Year Old Working Entitlement

If a family is in receipt of government support, the criteria that applies can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds-claim-benefits

Or, if they meet the criteria for working parents, information can be found here: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk  

Working Entitlement Overview:

  • The working eligibility criteria and application process will be the same as the current 30 hours for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds
  • Parents can apply now - applications will need to be made directly to HMRC. Providers can signpost parents to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk where the most up to date information will be made available to support parents.
  • Parents will need to apply for and receive their eligibility code on or before 31st August 2024 to be able to access the 15 working hours entitlement from 1st September 2024. Please encourage parents to apply early in case they need to provide any additional information to HMRC to support their application!
  • An eligible 2 year old can access their place from the term after they turn 2 years old as long as they have their code in time.
  • Providers will be required to check the codes are eligible for the term being applied for, using ECS.
  • Please do not allow children to access their entitlement until you have confirmed that they are eligible to do so.
  • Providers will be required to submit the codes on their census claims.
  • There may be a very small number of families eligible for 2 year funding under the current disadvantaged eligibility criteria who may also be eligible for the 15 hours working entitlement. These parents can only claim 15 hours in total and cannot claim both elements. These parents should be encouraged to remain on the current disadvantaged entitlement until they can apply for 30 hours working entitlement.
  • Parents who have recently reconfirmed their Tax Free Childcare accounts and now wish to apply for the 2 year old working entitlement, may have to wait until their next reconfirmation date to enable them to do this. DFE have recognised that this may cause concern for some parents whose reconfirmation dates are late February / March. If a parents reconfirmation date is on or after 15th February 2024 then they will receive a letter from HMRC with a temporary code to enable them to access a working entitlement place. Parents do not need to contact HMRC – they will automatically receive the letter.

For any queries please contact the EEE team: earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk

Library of Birmingham School Display Board

Would your school like to produce artwork for our Children’s Library display board? It can be any eye-catching theme and will remain on our board for several weeks.

We welcome art from any age group.

Schools can discover more here: Library of Birmingham School Display Board

For any queries or further information please contact the team at childrens.library@birmingham.gov.uk

Religious Education Network Conference - A Feast of Faith

The Religious Education Network is delighted to announce its inaugural conference ‘A Feast of Faith’ taking place on Saturday, 23 November 2024. The agenda is packed with high-profile keynote speakers, led by Sir Anthony Seldon, themed on AI and the future of education, and the place of faith literacy in future schooling.

Join in with your choices from eight interactive workshops on all aspects of RE teaching including the launch of the draft of the new Theology, Philosophy and Religion curriculum, visit displays and enjoy networking and sharing opportunities.

The venue is The Broadway Academy, The Broadway, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B20 3DP. The Broadway Academy is rated ‘good’ in all categories by Ofsted and provides excellent facilities for our conference.

Register your place for the conference here: Religious Education Network Conference Application Form

More information on the Religious Education Network and the conference can be found here: https://renetwork.co.uk

For any queries please contact Dr Simone Whitehouse-James: Simone.whitehouse-james@servicesforeduaction.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you!

Health & Safety - School Caretakers/Site Managers Training Course

Date:  16th & 18th October 2024              
Start Time:  9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost:  £166.10 per delegate
Schools must book on the BESS Website

This course is suitable for School Caretakers/Site Managers and staff with roles which include promoting Health and Safety in the workplace and ensuring schools are safe environments.

Covering the following key areas:

  • Organising for Safety  - An overview of H&S Law, Roles and responsibilities, Safety Management systems
  • Risk Assessment  - HSE 5 steps, different risk assessment techniques
  • The Workplace  - Safe access/egress, slip/trips, temperature, lighting, housekeeping, & welfare facilities
  • Manual Handling  - Manual Handling risk assessment, Human Body
  • Working at Heights  - Hierarchy of control measures, Safe use of ladders, Inspection of equipment
  • COSHH - Data Sheets, COSHH risk assessments
  • Fire Safety Management - Fire Protection measures, Risk assessment, Fire policies & procedures
  • Management of Contractors - Selecting competent contractors, Risk assessments & method statements, Record keeping,  Permit to work systems

For queries or general enquiries please contact the team at: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk

Occupational Health & Safety - Training Courses

Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work – 16th 17th & 20th September 2024
Start Time:  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £194.00 per delegate
Venue:  Stirchley Baths, Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2JT
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note:  Lunch or refreshments will NOT be provided 

Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work Refresher – 23rd & 24th September 2024
Start Time:  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £164.00 per delegate
Venue:  Stirchley Baths, Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2JT
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note:  Lunch or refreshments will NOT be provided 

Educational Visits Co-ordinator Revalidation Training OEAP Accredited - 24th September 2024
Start Time:  09:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: £127.60 per delegate
Delivered via Microsoft Teams
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk

Paediatric First Aid at Work – 27th & 30th September 2024
Start Time:  9:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m.
Cost: £164.00 per delegate
Venue:  Stirchley Baths, Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2JT
Book Here
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note:  Lunch or refreshments will NOT be provided 

Educational Visits Co-ordinator Training OEAP Accredited - 4th October 2024
Start Time:  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £191.40 per delegate
Delivered at Washwood Heath Academy Primary School, Burney Lane, Stechford Lane Stetchford, B8 2AS
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note:  Only refreshments are provided  (No Lunch)

Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work – 7th 8th & 11th October 2024
Start Time:  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £194.00 per delegate
Venue:  Stirchley Baths, Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2JT
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note:  Lunch or refreshments will NOT be provided 

School Site Safety - 16th & 18th October 2024 (Delivered Via Microsoft Teams)
Start Time:  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £166.00 per delegate
Schools must book on BESS Website
(Delivered Via Microsoft Teams)
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk

Educational Visits Co-ordinator Training OEAP Accredited  - 22nd October 2024
Start Time:  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £191.40 per delegate
Delivered at Washwood Heath Academy Primary School, Burney Lane, Stechford Lane Stetchford, B8 2AS
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note:  Only refreshments are provided  (No Lunch)

Educational Visits Co-ordinator Training OEAP Accredited  - 15th November 2024
Start Time:  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: £191.40 per delegate
Delivered at Washwood Heath Academy Primary School, Burney Lane, Stechford Lane Stetchford, B8 2AS
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk
Note:  Only refreshments are provided  (No Lunch)

Educational Visits Co-ordinator Revalidation Training OEAP Accredited - 19th November 202
Start Time:  12:00 p.m. to 15:30 p.m.
Cost: £127.60 per delegate
Delivered via Microsoft Teams
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk

MIDAS Full Course
Cost: £265.00 per delegate
Learner Passes now available for purchasing – Book Theory on BESS  (Online Training)
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk

MIDAS Refresher Course
Cost: £171.00 per delegate
Learner Passes now available for purchasing – Book Theory on BESS (Online Training)
Schools must book on BESS Website
General Enquiries please Email: schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk

 

This entry was posted by Jaspal Shambi on 01/10/2024.

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