This week I report on the publication of new non statutory DfE guidance on PE, the governor’s role in cyber security and publication of a range of resources to help promote staff wellbeing and support workload reduction in schools.

New DfE PE guidance for schools
New non statutory guidance explains how schools can meet the ambitions of the PE national curriculum, the aims of the school sport and activity action plan and the Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines. It includes a variety of schools’ approaches to providing a minimum 2 hours of PE per week and equality of access to PE and extra-curricular school sport and competition.

A Governor’s role in cyber security
One third of secondary schools and around 1 in 10 primary schools experienced cyber crime last year. As governors are aware cyber security if the responsibility of the whole Governing body because it’s central to a school’s ability to operate and function. Paragraph 144 of Keeping Children Safe in Education also explains that governors and school leaders are responsible for making sure they have the appropriate level of security protection procedures in place.

It’s good practice to have at least one governor who has completed cyber security training and this is recommended by the DfE in its guidance on meeting digital and technology standards and in the Governance guide for maintained schools (section 7.7.3) and academy trusts (section 7.9.3). Basic cyber security knowledge among staff and governors plays a vital part in promoting a more risk aware school culture.

With that in mind, please use this link to complete the NCSC’s Cyber Security training for school staff – it only takes around 35 minutes to complete.

Publication of resources for improving workload and wellbeing for school staff
The DfE has published a range of resources to help promote staff wellbeing and support workload reduction in school.