Message from the Director of Education re Covid-19 and Other Matters 12/11/20
Dear Headteacher/Principal,
I hope this message finds you well or as well as can be expected in these challenging times. There has been a considerable rise recently in the number of COVID incidents in schools - as I write this there are 60 live cases in 30 schools with 74 schools having had cases since September. With the addition of the COVID regulations relating to CEV staff members, this is causing some considerable staffing issues in some schools in terms of covering classes. One school has had to close due to a lack of staff while others have been sending classes or year groups home. One school has used a rota system due to a lack of teaching staff. If you do have similar issues with staffing you need to discuss, please call myself, Sarah Fryer, Lucy Nutt or the public health team (Dudu or Glenn). The recent news concerning a vaccine is clearly better news so hopefully in the spring we will be able to return some kind of normality.
a) Headteacher briefing - There will be a headteacher briefing on Friday 27th November from 10:30am to 12:00pm which will include an update from public health. The Education Endowment Foundation have been invited and will talk about “Catch Up” and initiatives that schools may wish to be involved in. There will also be an opportunity for up to 20 schools to engage in a project with Marc Rowland (researcher) focusing on strategies to raise achievement for disadvantaged learners – this has come out of the initial meeting of the Enfield Learning Excellence Partnership.
b) Good Practice Application – I have received several applications for funding to share school’s good practice. I have attached the application form again in which you can apply for up to £2.500 to share practice with other schools. The initial deadline for application is 15th November but if this date is problem, please let me know.
c) LA/HT meeting - I have attached the notes of the LA/HT reps meeting last Friday in which a number of important matters were covered such as mask wearing and the possibility of crowd funding to provide resources for schools.
d) Winter funding allocation – Enfield has been awarded £1.1 million pounds to support children and families facing hardship over the winter period until the end of March. We are currently considering the guidance being provided but we are hoping this will enable us to provide food over the Xmas holiday period in a planned way to those in need. There will be further communications about this shortly as schools are likely to play a key role in enabling this to happen in an effective and efficient manner. Thank you in anticipation of your support with this.
e) EPS Support - At the last headteacher briefing before half-term, this was what Heads told us they needed at the Heads meeting just before half term: please see the downloadable image on the right called EPS Support Chart
As a result, we have refreshed the offer of group support (flyer attached) and have set up a telephone support line for Heads and SLT so that they can book telephone calls. Both of these are funded by the Wellbeing for Education Return grant. Please could you include in your next communication to Heads?
Based on the feedback that many of you would value some individualised support, the Educational Psychology Service has created a telephone support line for Heads and Senior Leaders. You can email emma.gore-langton@enfield.gov.uk to book a call.
Many of you said that you would like group support. The EPS has therefore refreshed its group support offer for Heads and Senior leaders. You can email emma.gore-langton@enfield.gov.uk to book onto the weekly session.
f)) Early Help Draft Strategy – I have been asked to circulate this document (attached) for headteachers to review and comment on. If you do have any comments, please could you return them to me to forward on.
g) Dongels – I have attached the latest communication from the DfE regarding Dongels if you have recently received these through the DfE system.
There has been quite a lot of coverage about the possibility of mass COVID testing and it is likely that I will be in communication with you in the next few weeks regarding this. I very much hope that the rest of the week goes well for you and that of course you have a quiet weekend!!! I have actually bought a supply of books to help me through the lockdown period as so much other activity is curtailed!
Best wishes
Peter Nathan
Director of Education
People Department
Enfield Council