Categories
Governance

Primary assessment consultation – deadline 22 June

In March, the Department for Education launched a public consultation exercise (external link) about the future of the primary assessment system in England. Details are included in a statement (external link) made to Parliament on 30 March by Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening.

The consultation sets out wide-ranging proposals for improving the primary assessment system. These include consideration of the best starting point from which to measure pupils' progress, how to ensure the assessment system is proportionate, and how to improve end of key stage assessments.

A parallel consultation, launched at the same time asks for views on the recommendations of the independent Rochford Review. The recommendations focus on the future of statutory assessment arrangements for pupils working below the standard of national curriculum tests at the end of key stages 1 and 2.

You have until 5.00pm on Thursday 22 June to respond to the consultations. All those with an interest in primary education are encouraged to share their opinions and insights.

If you have any questions please contact the assessment policy team at: PrimaryAssessment.CONSULTATION@education.gov.uk or Rochford.Review@education.gov.uk

Categories
Consultation

Primary assessment consultation – suggested responses

Haringey has drafted some suggested responses to the primary assessment consultation:

Haringey’s draft response to the primary assessment consultation 19 06 2017

 

Many thanks to Dawn Ferdinand, Mary Gardiner and Will Wawn for their contributions to this. The aim is to provide some pre-prepared responses to the consultation questions that schools can adapt as they see fit. See the online form (external link) where you can paste the responses below into each relevant section.

 

The deadline for responses is 5pm on Thursday 22 June.

 

There may of course be some differences of opinion. Q5 in particular is likely to lead to different views (whether progress at KS2 should be measured from a baseline assessment in reception or from EYFSP at end of reception).

 

Schools are encouraged to respond as actions emerging from the consultation will impact on school accountability measures.

 

Primary assessment in England

 

 

Categories
Schools

Disposal of old Moselle school site

Haringey Education Services recently contacted Head Teachers and Chairs of Governors at schools in the local area of the former Moselle school site to let them know about this consultation, which is running between 12 June and Wednesday 26 July.

If you are a Head Teacher or Chair of Governors at a nearby school it is important that you complete this online survey (external link). It will take less than 5 minutes.

Background to the consultation and current status:

  • The site in question is the former Moselle Lower school, Adams Road, Tottenham, London N17 6HW.
  • The school closed in 2011 when Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils relocated to become part of the Brook at the Broadwaters Inclusive Learning Community (BWF ILC) and Key Stage 3 and 4 relocated to Riverside.  
  • The building has remained closed since the school vacated and is currently occupied by live in guardians to secure and protect it.
  • The local authority is planning to use the site for alternative, non educational use and needs to declassify the land via the DfE.
  • The site has not previously provided recreational space for any other schools.
Categories
Governance

Ofsted clarifies complaints guidance

Ofsted has amended its guidance about raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted (external link).

The guidance applies to the handling of complaints about Ofsted’s work, including the inspection and regulation of maintained schools including academies.

Reference in the guidance is also made to concerns organisations may have about an Ofsted inspection or inspector. More guidance on submitting a complaint about an Ofsted inspection report can be found here (external link).

Categories
Consultation Governance

Ofsted launch consultation on short inspections

Ofsted has opened a consultation on proposed changes to the process for short inspections of ‘good’ schools. These one-day inspections were introduced in September 2015 in part to reduce the burden of inspection for schools that are performing well.

A short inspection can convert to a full two-day inspection if there is not enough evidence that the school remains ‘good’ or if inspectors think it might be ‘outstanding’. The consultation proposes extending the period in which a converted inspection will be completed from 48 hours to 15 working days. This is for ease of scheduling and to reduce the burden on schools.

The consultation also proposes that schools “in complex circumstances” will automatically receive a full inspection. These will be identified through Ofsted’s standard risk assessment process.

Full details of the proposals are available on Ofsted's website (external link).

Categories
Governance

Governance survey

The National Governors Association (NGA) has again joined forces with the Times Educational Supplement (TES) to conduct a school governance survey. The survey is open to all governors, trustees, and academy committee members, including headteachers.

The survey aims to build a picture of who is governing our schools, of governance practice, and to understand the impact of government policies on schools. This includes key issues, such as the current crisis in school funding.

You can access the survey here (external link) until Monday 17 July.

Categories
Smarter Travel

Secondary school transition – win a bike competition

Every year we offer the Moving Up Magazine for year 6 pupils who will be transitioning to secondary school. The magazine includes a competition to win a bike. If you did not receive enough copies of the magazine, please contact the Haringey Smarter Travel team to obtain some more.

Eleven-year-olds are the most vulnerable age group at risk of road traffic accidents. Some will be travelling to school on their own for the first time. They are entitled to a TfL Zip Oyster card for free bus travel in London. The Moving Up Competition is aimed at encouraging students to think about their journey, planning a route using public transport. Please encourage your students to do this, it could be a very valuable lesson and with just over 3000 pupils transitioning to secondary school in Haringey, there is a good chance of winning a bike.

We are happy to accept entries from your pupils using your school name as the contact rather than their home address. Please send your entries to: Smarter Travel Team, Haringey Council, 5th Floor, Alexandra House, 10 Station Road, Wood Green, N22 7TR.

Moving Up Competition for year 6 pupils 2017

Categories
Schools

School swimming and water safety service

To book swimming lessons for pupils at your school, you must first obtain a quotation from Haringey's School Swimming and Water Safety Service. Although the cost of this service will remain the same as it was previously, we have made this change to the booking process to make it more straightforward. When you wish to request a quote, the swimming team will need to know:

  • Which year group will be coming to swimming lessons?
  • How many pupils will be attending?
  • Which terms or half-terms do you require the service?

The swimming team will then calculate and give you the cost, which will enable you to proceed with booking your swimming and water safety lessons.

For further information please contact Michael Welton on 020 8489 2441, email michael.welton@haringey.gov   

Categories
Smarter Travel

School Travel Plan – deadline 28 June

To be accredited you must complete your 'hands up' survey and fulfil the criteria on the STARS website (external link).  There is still time you will have to contact us as soon as possible to book a slot to complete this years’ achievements.

 

 

Categories
Health and Safety

Introducing the Child Accident Prevention Trust

The Child Accident Prevention Trust (external link)  is the UK’s leading charity working to reduce the number of children and young people killed, disabled or seriously injured in accidents. The Trust gives free advice on child safety to parents and carers, supports professionals working with children and families, supports senior professionals and policymakers and advises the government and other organisations on child safety. The Trust is a useful resource for schools and  it would be helpful to signpost it to parents and carers in our collective endeavours to keep all of our children safe.