Message from Director of Education - 11/03/21

Dear Headteacher/Principal,

I hope you are well and this first week back of full schooling has gone well too. The feedback I have had so far is that the children are really happy to be back again and enjoying seeing their teachers, support staff and of course their friends which I hope is your experience too. Secondary school testing also seems to be going relatively smoothly although it has been reported that the IT system for registering test results has been crashing.

Up to now, relatively few schools have reported COVID cases but of course it is still early days while the LFT tests are showing a less than 0.1% infection rate. The latest local COVID data (attached) continues to show a downward trend in cases, hospital admissions and other data with the vaccination continuing strongly.

a) 23rd March – this is the anniversary of the first lockdown and it is likely that there will be a national recognition of this event. This may include a silent period (one minute or more) and a recognition of NHS staff and key workers as well as a remembrance of those who have lost their lives. You may wish to consider your own event.

b) OFSTED – I have received a communication from Ofsted indicating that they will start inspecting schools from next term although there is no exact date as yet. Initial indications suggest they will focus on RI schools for monitoring visits and inspection although of course they have their own risk assessment system.

c) COVID school workforce funding  - the DfE have published guidance on schools accessing funding for additional costs schools have had regarding workforce costs - https://form.education.gov.uk/service/workforce-fund-claim  . I have looked at this and the conditions for accessing funding do mean that very very few schools will be able to receive this.

d) Health & Safety Executive visits to schools  - the HSE is to continue its spot checks on schools which some experienced last year with a focus on COVID safety. It is important therefore to keep your risk assessments under review and ensure that all staff are aware of health and safety process and protocols. The visits last year to schools were very positive indicating that Enfield schools have strong health and safety provision.

e) School Visits from local authority staff  - SEYIS and other Enfield Education Service staff will be looking to restart visiting schools (some services have been doing this for some time as you know. I have my first school visit in two weeks for example. We will of course work with your own school visit protocols. I am very keen to visit schools particularly those that I wasn’t able to visit prior to March last year. Lucy Nutt as Head of SEYIS also is very keen to get to know headteachers and schools. Please contact either of us to arrange for a school visit.

f) Enfield Learning Excellence Partnership  - Please find attached the terms of reference and targets set for the partnership which cover a range of educational outcomes most to be achieved by 2025. Headteachers are well represented on the board with 6 primary, 5 secondary and 2 special school headteachers as well as diocesan representatives. These will also be shared at the Headteacher’s briefing tomorrow (Friday) for discussion.

g) Headteacher Briefing Friday 12th March – 1:30 to 3:00  - The meeting tomorrow will include an update on the local COVID situation include local testing and vaccinations – some technical issues have arisen and public health will be present to answer these. The agenda will also cover HEARD, Nurture groups and the partnership board targets attached.

I very much look forward to seeing you tomorrow unless of course you were blown off your feet last night by the gales! I have already booked two tennis matches and sessions at my local gym ( which will be painful but I really need to do this) and I am guessing you have done the same?

Best wishes

Peter Nathan

Director of Education

People Department

Enfield Council