Before we pack our buckets and spades for the summer break remember the new Inspection Framework, Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance and revised Parent View questions come into effect in September; also this week a consultation opened on applying some of the financial measures used in academies to local authority run schools and a new School Sport and Activity Action Plan was launched.

Looking ahead to the Autumn term
In September, new versions of Ofsted’s inspection framework and the DfE’s Keeping children safe in education will be coming into effect.

Despite Ofsted’s plans to replace Parent View, the web service will remain in place for the new academic year with revised questions which will also come into effect in September.

The new questions have been included following requests from parents. They will ask whether parents believe the school has high expectations, whether children can take part in clubs and activities, and whether schools support children’s wider development. Parents of children with SEND will be asked whether the school supports their child to succeed.

Consultation on improving transparency around local authority run schools
As part of a drive to make financial reporting across all types of schools more consistent, the DfE has invited views from across the education system on applying some of the financial measures used in academies to local authority run schools.

Academy trusts already have clear financial reporting measures in place, including requirements to publish their annual accounts, declare or seek approval for related party transactions and report on high pay for executive staff. The consultation sets out proposals for these arrangements to be adopted by local authority maintained schools to help strengthen their transparency and financial health, bringing them in-line with the requirements and high standards that academy trusts already have to meet.

As part of the consultation, the DfE will also consider how any new arrangements may create additional burdens, and so the benefits of any new changes introduced for transparency measures will need to outweigh any burdens on local authorities and schools.

Children to have greater opportunities to access 60 minutes of physical activity daily
Children will have a greater opportunity to access 60 minutes of daily sport and physical activity, whether that be in school, after school or during weekends and holidays, under new Government plans revealed this week.

The School Sport and Activity Action Plan, outlined by Education Secretary Damian Hinds, Sport Minister Mims Davies and Minister for Public Health, Seema Kennedy, sets out a range of new measures to strengthen the role of sport within a young person’s daily routine, explain how teachers and parents can play their part, and promotes a joined-up approach to physical activity and mental wellbeing.

As part of the plan, the Government has committed to launch a series of regional pilots to trial innovative approaches to getting more young people active, particularly less active groups such as girls and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The pilots will be joint-funded by the DfE and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport through Sport England, and are expected to run from September 2020.

This week I report on the publication of the KS2 SATs results, the launch of a national mental health programme between schools and the NHS, new workshops for Years 12 and 13 to prepare them for independent living and the launch of a new Healthy schools rating scheme.

Key Stage 2 SATs results 2019
65% of pupils achieved the Government’s “expected standard” in reading, writing and maths in this year’s Key Stage 2 SATs, up from 64% last year, according to interim results published by the Government this week.

In reading, 73% achieved the standard, down from 75% last year, while 79% met the standard in maths, up from 76%. In spelling, punctuation and grammar tests, 78% of pupils met the expected standard, the same as in 2018, and the proportion meeting the standard in writing was 78%, also unchanged from 2018.

However, officials warned, changes to assessment frameworks for writing two years ago mean that neither the overall results for reading, writing and maths, nor the results specifically for writing, are comparable to those from 2017 or before.

DfE announces national mental health programme between schools and NHS
Today the Education Secretary set out the Government’s next steps in bringing together services for young people in need of mental health support. Every school, college and alternative provision will be offered training through a series of workshops as part of the Link Programme, with the most appropriate member of staff from each put forward to take part alongside mental health specialists. This is designed to improve partnerships with professional NHS mental health services, raise awareness of mental health concerns and improve referrals to specialist help when needed.

The four-year scheme will be led by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families and starting in September, the training will be rolled out to schools and colleges in phases over four years. The programme will deliver just under 1,000 training sessions across England involving two whole-day workshops for up to 20 schools at a time to cover all 22,000 schools.

The Government also announced that 124 new Mental Health Support Teams will be created in 48 areas across the country.

New masterclass to prepare students for independent living
New workshops will be available from September to support schools and colleges teach young people about living independently. The Leapskills workshops, developed by student accommodation provider Unite Students, will offer schools and colleges resources to teach Year 12 and 13 pupils about independent living, managing money and dealing with conflict.

Unite Students will offer schools and colleges free resources for teachers to deliver the workshops, which use video content and a digital game to present a number of student life scenarios that simulate shared living, problem solving and conflict resolution.

Healthy schools rating scheme
The healthy schools rating scheme has been designed to recognise and encourage schools’ contributions to pupils’ health and wellbeing. It celebrates the positive actions that schools are delivering in terms of healthy eating and physical activity and aims to help schools identify useful next steps in their provision.

This voluntary scheme is available for both primary and secondary schools. Schools will
complete a self-assessment and then receive a rating based on their responses around
food education, compliance with the school food standards, time spent on physical
education and the promotion of active travel.

Each participating school will receive a report based on their survey answers, and those
achieving Gold, Silver or Bronze awards will receive a certificate and information on how they might improve their healthy living policies.

This week I highlight a free webinar for governors on the new Ofsted Framework and a  national campaign to boost early literacy and communication.

Free Ofsted/NGA webinar for governors on the new Ofsted Framework
Ofsted and the NGA are offering governors and trustees a free webinar on Wednesday 17 July at 6.30 p.m. to find out more about the new education inspection framework that comes into operation in September 2019. Join the webinar to hear from Matthew Purves (deputy director, Ofsted), and Emma Knights (chief executive, NGA).

This is open to NGA members and non-members and provides an opportunity to join the discussion and hear first-hand about:

• the recent consultation and the findings;
• the changes Ofsted are making and why;
• what the changes mean for schools.

Register for the free webinar at http://bit.ly/GovernorsWebinar

New national campaign to boost early literacy and communication
On Tuesday the Education Secretary launched a new national campaign with ideas to support children’s learning at home, or as part of everyday activities like catching the bus or doing the shopping.

• the new three year ‘Hungry Little Minds’ campaign will give parents access to video tips, advice and suggested games to help with early learning;
• up to 1,800 new school-based nursery places will be created in disadvantaged areas so more children can access high-quality early education, backed by a £22 million investment;
• the criteria for high quality educational apps that parents can use with their children, including promoting interactive learning and play was set out.

It builds on work by the DfE and the National Literacy Trust to bring together a coalition of businesses and organisations, including the LEGO Group, Penguin Random House, Arriva and the Greggs Foundation, who are supporting parents to play a bigger role in their child’s early education.