15.10.21 Message from the Director of Education re COVID19 and other matters
FAO: All Headteachers
THIS EMAIL HAS BEEN SENT TO HEADTEACHERS IN ALL SCHOOLS. PLEASE FORWARD ONTO YOUR CHAIR OF GOVERNORS.
Dear Headteacher/Principal,
I hope you are well and I do mean that as so many people are catching the cold virus which is circulating. This of course adds to school staff and pupil sickness levels which is impacting with COVID19 on some schools. COVID19 infection levels are rising slowly and are having a differential impact between schools and in schools. Many schools as I have said previously are bringing in additional cautionary measures but fortunately only a few classes have been sent home for remote learning. There is a change to the guidance which I have added below.
i) The Self-Isolation Hub - Guidance about the self-isolation hub has been updated and states that schools do not need to routinely contact the self-isolation hub. (we had advised schools not to do this anyway!).
However, the only staff members who may need to access Test and Trace support payments would be supply staff, since all others would be paid (under current regs) to self-isolate. Therefore, we would suggest that the only reason to contact the hub would be if it were a supply member of staff who has indicated that they aren’t exempt from self-isolation and who might need to claim because they can’t work.
ii) NPQs now free to all - (From Gil Bal) I am delighted to let you know that the DfE have decided to fund all of the NPQs for teachers and leaders in all state schools. This means that all of the NPQs are now free to as many of your teachers and leaders as you wish. I honestly can’t see this offer being made by the DfE again so please do make the most of this opportunity and get your staff signed onto the NPQs. In light of this announcement by the DfE, the deadline for onboarding is being extended to the 21st October 2021. Participants should register by the 17th October 2021. For already registered participants, no action is needed, they will be updated automatically to inform them that they are now eligible and qualification is being funded by the DfE.
The best way to apply is by using this link. The link to find out more about NPQs is here. We look forward to receiving the applications.
Gill Bal - CEO Wembley Multi-Academy Trust.
iii) Headteacher Briefing – Friday November 5th – A reminder that this is scheduled for this date from 1:30pm to 3:00pm. I will send an agenda out prior to the meeting.
iv) Climate Change event - The next online schools climate action network meeting is at 3.30 – 5pm on Tuesday 16th November, the week after COP26. You may wish to send a senior member of staff to this event. The themes for the session will be energy and carbon and COP26. We are in the process of arranging speakers and format, but plan to include a presentation on solar energy on school sites, possibly presentation from Energetik, and a presentation from The Green Project.
V) Education Excellence event - 7th December – We are very much hoping to hold an early evening conference event for headteachers at a local secondary school (dinner provided) with an achieving excellence focus which we hope you will be able to attend. Further details are to follow shortly so this information is more to ask you to hold the date if possible.
vi) Independent Review of Social Care - thank you to those who volunteered to be engaged with this and to those who actually met with this team. From an education perspective, we emphasised the importance of the early years and the need for school readiness. The importance of Children’s Centres was emphasised and the whole family support that they can provide.
vii) Inspection update - congratulations to Jonquil and her staff at Forty Hill Primary School who achieved a good outcome in their recent inspection – the school had been previously judged as outstanding but that was 15 years ago under a very different framework! Also congratulations to Jonquil on being appointed permanent headteacher.
I hope you have a good weekend when it comes. For me apart from playing hockey, I have a lot of pumpkin soup to make from the 6 large ones I have left over – other recipes are welcome!
Best wishes
Peter Nathan
Director of Education
People Department
Enfield Council