This week I highlight the latest Governance update from the DfE, information from Ofsted on minor changes to Section 5 and 8 handbooks, publication of a non-statutory Character Education Framework and new School Security guidance to help schools to produce a security policy and plan.

Latest DfE Governance update
In September the DfE launched its new monthly Governance update designed to support those involved in the work of governing schools. The November edition has been published this week and provides information on:

• A new DfE Governance research project – the National Foundation for Educational Research has been commissioned to conduct a research project to look in greater depth at governance practice and the challenges faced in the governance sector.
• A funding fact sheet for governors/trustees – funding for each local authority will be updated in December with the latest pupil numbers. Pupil premium guidance has been updated and new templates provided to help schools plan how best to use it to support the children who most need it.
• Financial planning training – a fully funded short course on integrated curriculum and financial planning (ICFP) available for all school business professionals and school leaders, including governors.
• Teacher retention and retention strategy – the workload reduction toolkit has been updated with a section specifically for governors, a video on recruitment and retention, and flexible working resources, including case studies.
• Career guidance for young people – the Careers and Guidance Company’s Guide for Governors provides information for governing bodies on their responsibility to provide clear advice and guidance to help schools meet their statutory requirements on providing career guidance.

Ofsted Inspection update
The November edition from Ofsted is the first since the roll out of the Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and focuses on minor changes to Section 5 and 8 handbooks following the first two months under the EIF. Changes of particular note include:

Section 8 Handbook
*Para 24 – the clerk of governors or their delegate may also attend final feedback meetings for maintained schools to take notes.
*Para 53 – inspectors will always carry out a deep dive in reading; they may choose to carry out a deep dive in mathematics, but this is at the lead inspector’s discretion.’
*Para 79 – the school will now receive a report not a letter setting out what the school is doing well and what it needs to improve.
*Para 122 – removal of a potential section 5 re-inspection within 30 months after the publication of the previous section 5 report.

Publication of Character Education Framework
New non statutory guidance for school leaders and teachers considering the rationale for character education and personal development, and the practicalities of provision and delivery. The guidance will support schools as they consider:

• the 2019 Ofsted inspection framework
• the social, moral, cultural and spiritual development of pupils
• preparations for the introduction of ‘Relationships education’ and ‘Health education’ in primary schools, and ‘Relationships, sex and health education’ in secondary schools

The guidance provides schools with 6 benchmarking questions to support reflection and the self-evaluation of current provision.

School Security draft guidance
In November 2018 the DfE published a consultation on proposed new School security guidance for educational establishments in England. This week the DfE published its response to the consultation and new guidance which aims to provide schools with access to a range of information sources and tools that will help them to develop sensible and proportionate policies and plans to meet their security needs.

This week I report on the Government’s consultation on proposed reforms to the Early Years Foundation Stage, publication of the Education Committee’s SEND Report and the DfE’s updated guidance on food allergies in relation to school meals.

Consultation on Early Years Foundation Stage reforms
Yesterday the Government launched a consultation on proposed changes to the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This includes proposed reforms to the learning and development and early years foundation stage profile (EYFSP) assessment
requirements, as set out in the EYFS framework. In addition, it seeks views on an
amendment to the safeguarding and welfare section of the framework to promote good oral health. The consultation closes on 31 January 2020 if you would like to submit a response.

• Give the ombudsman more power over schools – legislate to allow the local government and social care ombudsman to “consider what takes place within a school”.
• Let schools report non-compliant councils to the Government – where LAs appear not to be complying with the law, parents and schools should be able to report them directly to the DfE. The DfE should also implement an annual scorecard for LAs and health bodies “to measure their success against the SEND reforms”.
• Make Ofsted issue a separate judgement for SEND provision – Ofsted “must deliver a clear judgement, and through this assurance to parents, that schools are delivering for individual children with SEND”. This should either be done through the current programme of inspections, or alternatively Ofsted develop “a separate type of specialised inspection focusing on SEND, with a particular focus on the school’s responsibility to deliver for pupils on SEN Support and that inclusive schools get the recognition that they deserve”.
• Look into the cost of forcing all schools to have a SENCO – special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) are sometimes part-time and can be “diverted from their SEND responsibilities by other duties, taking them away from supporting teachers and pupils”. The Government was urged to appoint an independent reviewer to “examine the cost implications of requiring all schools and colleges to have a full-time dedicated SENCO”.
• Appoint a neutral SEND ‘co-ordinator’ – concerns raised about “conflicts of interest, or challenges” that stemmed from councils holding both an assessor and commissioner role when it comes to SEND provision. The DfE is recommended to explore the potential for a neutral role, someone who would be allocated to every parent or carer with a child going through an assessment.
• Let LAs open new special schools – under current rules, councils’ ability to open new special schools is heavily restricted. DfE should, in the absence of “other plausible solutions”, enable councils to create new maintained specialist schools, including specialist post-16 provision “outside of the constraints of the free school programme”.

School Food Standards – updated guidance on food allergies
At the end of last week the DfE added guidance for schools on food allergies, particularly if schools were substituting items from their usual menus if certain items were in short supply. The guide lists practical advice and resources to help schools manage allergy risks.

This week I report on a free governor webinar on effective safeguarding, publication of the results of the Early Years Foundation Stage profile and provisional KS4 data for 2018/19.

Free Governors for Schools webinar on effective safeguarding on 24/10/19
Statutory safeguarding guidance for schools has recently been updated. This webinar provided by Governors for Schools on Thursday 24 October 2019 from 8 to 9 a.m. will set out what has changed, and how governors can make sure their school remains compliant.  It will also explore emerging themes and challenges in safeguarding and consider how governors can gain assurance that their school is addressing these.

The webinar will be facilitated by governance experts Steve Barker and Linda Waghorn of Better Governor. It will include live opinion polls and the opportunity to ask questions.  Please use this link to register.

EYFS profile for 2018/19
Yesterday the Government published the Early Years Foundation Stage profile results for 2018/19.  The information details the:

• percentage of children achieving each assessment rating in the early learning goals
• percentage of children achieving at least the expected level in the prime areas of learning and in the specific areas of literacy and mathematics (a good level of development)
• average total points score across all the early learning goals (the supporting measure)
• percentage of children achieving at least the expected level within the communication and language, and literacy areas of learning

Provisional KS4 data for 2018/19
The Government released provisional Key Stage 4 data yesterday that reveals how schools have fared in headline accountability measures. The data includes figures on progress and attainment 8 measures, and also provides an update on EBacc figures.

This week I highlight DfE confirmation of changes to statutory policies for schools, information on the new T Level study programmes being introduced from September next year and publication of a guide for primary headteachers on relationships education.

Confirmation of changes to statutory policies for schools
As you are aware a couple of weeks ago, the DfE updated its ‘Statutory policies for schools and academy trusts’ guidance to introduce new statutory policies, remove the statutory status of some policies, make some existing policies statutory for academies, and outline recommended review cycles.

Policies that are now statutory
The following policies have been added to the list of documents schools must have:

• Protection of biometric information of children in schools and colleges
• NQT
• Children with health needs who cannot attend school
• Designated teacher for LAC and previously LAC – only a requirement for maintained schools
• School exclusion
• First aid in schools

The DfE recommends that the policies are reviewed annually and has confirmed that schools should exercise their professional judgement in determining which policies are standalone and which can be combined within existing policies and documents.

Policies that are now also statutory for academies
The following policies are now statutory for academies as well as maintained schools:

• Capability of staff
• Register of business interests of headteachers and governors

Policies that are no longer statutory

• Home-school agreement – this requirement was removed in January 2016.
• Teacher appraisal – while the requirement to have a separate teacher appraisal policy has been removed, schools are still required to have a capability of staff policy.
• Freedom of information – while it’s no longer statutory to have a freedom of information policy, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, all schools must have a publication scheme.

Recommended review cycles
In the 2014 guidance, the review cycles of some policies were listed as ‘for the governing board or headteacher to determine’. While this is still the case, the DfE has clarified that they recommend an annual review cycle. This applies to the following policies and documents:

• Charging and remissions
• School complaints
• Capability of staff
• Staff discipline, conduct and grievance
• Allegations of abuse against staff
• Supporting pupils with medical conditions
• Sex and relationships education
• Behaviour in schools
• Behaviour principles written statement
• Premises management documents
• Governors’ allowances
• Instrument of government
• Register of business interests

Updated information on the introduction of new T Level study programmes
This week the DfE updated information about the new T Level study programmes that will be introduced from September 2020.  It sets out:

• what T Levels are
• how and when they will be introduced
• what they will cover
• how qualifications will be awarded
• how education providers can get involved in delivery

The information on the website was updated following the publication of the T Levels action plan 2019 and the launch of the new T Levels campaign.

Engaging parents with relationships education policy
From September 2020, relationships education will be compulsory for primary schools. The DfE had produced guidance for primary headteachers on engaging parents on this subject. It offers advice, tips and case studies on how to carry out effective parental engagement including where to go for help and the role governors and trustees can play in the engagement process.

This week I highlight publication of a report from Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman regarding the increase in complaints about SEND provision, the Government’s pledge to open a maths free school in all regions in England and Ofsted facing accusations it breached equality laws after failing to consult special needs organisations on its new framework.

SEND system ‘in crisis’ as complaints to Local Government Ombudsman soar
There has been a 45% rise in complaints to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman about SEND provision, in the last two years, a new report has stated. In addition to the surge in complaints, 9 out of 10 were upheld, according to the report ‘Not going to plan‘.

The complaints included long periods of delay, missed reviews, poor communication, and a lack oversight. The Ombudsman warned that this meant some of the most vulnerable children were not getting the support they needed, with a significant impact on their attainment.

Government pledge to open a maths free school “in every region” of England
At this week’s Conservative Party conference Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, pledged that there would be a maths free school in all regions of England. Currently there are only two maths schools in operation – King’s Maths School in London and Exeter Maths School. Maths schools are 16 to 19 institutions which combine maths A-levels with similar subjects such as physics and computing.

Projects are currently in the pipeline in Cambridge, Lancaster, Liverpool and Surrey, and the Education Secretary announced that the Government was working with higher and further education leaders to open a maths school in Durham.

Ofsted accused of legal breach over lack of SEND consultations
Ofsted is facing accusations it breached equality laws after failing to consult any special needs organisations on its new framework before its finalised plans went out to public consultation. The inspectorate also neglected to include any SEND-specific research in the 321 sources of analysis to help shape the framework according to Schools Week.

The inspectorate has now pledged to conduct a large scale research project into SEND after concerns about the level of research were raised during consultation.

This week I report on the key points the Shadow Education Secretary announced at the Labour Party Conference, the publication of the Early years foundation stage profile results for 2017/18 and the publication of provisional Phonics screening check and KS1 assessments in England for 2019.

Shadow Education Secretary’s key points from the Labour Party conference
In a short speech in Brighton last week, Ms Rayner announced a number of policies that her party would enact if it wins power in a forthcoming general election as follows:

Publication of Early years foundation stage profile results for 2017 to 2018
The information provides details on the percentage of children achieving each assessment rating in the early learning goals; the percentage of children achieving at least the expected level in the prime areas of learning and in the specific areas of literacy and mathematics (a good level of development); the average total points score across all the early learning goals (the supporting measure) and the percentage of children achieving at least the expected level within the communication and language, and literacy areas of learning.

Additional tables provide national and local-authority-level information on EYFSP attainment by pupil characteristics.

Publication of provisional Phonics screening check and key stage 1 assessments in England
The statistics show provisional 2019 phonics and key stage 1 (KS1) results for pupils in schools in England at different levels, including:

• national
• regional
• local authority
• local authority district

The results are grouped by pupil characteristics and the publication includes phonics results in year 1 and by the end of year 2, and KS1 teacher assessment for reading, writing, maths and science. Please note that 2019 KS1 results in reading, maths and science are not comparable to 2018 due to changes to the teacher assessment frameworks. Results in writing are only comparable to 2018 and not previous years.

This week I report on the launch of new DfE web pages on school governance, the impact of changes in the format of inspection reports and the uncertain future of the national computing SCITT.

New web pages on school governance published
On Tuesday the DfE launched three new GOV.UK pages, in response to feedback from governors, trustees, chairs and clerks. The pages are designed to help those working in school governance to more easily navigate its governance content online. There are two collections of guidance, one relevant to maintained school governance and the other relevant to academy trust governance.

The list of statutory policies for schools has also been updated to create a more accessible, web page for governors, trustees and school leaders. There were no new requirements or policies announced in the update.

Changes to the Ofsted inspection report
The format of the inspection report is changing considerably and as this was not included in last year’s consultation on the framework there has been little discussion by the sector. Over the summer, Sean Harford, Ofsted’s national director of education, wrote in a blog that reports “will be briefer, clearer, and better focused on the users of those being inspected”.

The NGA’s Chief Executive, having seen the new format, which is substantially different, is concerned that governing bodies have been overlooked. There will no longer be a separate section on each of the four judgements; that also means there will no longer be the paragraph on the effectiveness of governance.

The NGA has been in discussions with Ofsted to ensure that governing bodies get the information from the inspection that they need to oversee the education being provided at the school and that any relevant actions are taken. In practice this means that the final feedback meeting, to which all governors are invited, will become even more important in making sure that this happens.

Future of national computing SCITT now uncertain
Schools Week has today reported that plans for a national computing SCITT have crashed after the Government failed to attract any “suitable bids” to run it. The DfE was seeking organisations with “national reach” to run the computing school-centred initial teacher training programme. The SCITT was expected to develop a national network of eight hubs by the end of summer next year and suggested an annual recruitment target of 40.

The contract was due to begin today with recruitment set to start this autumn. But the DfE has confirmed its procurement process “didn’t result in any suitable bids” and that it was now “considering next steps”. It would not say how many bids were received.

This week I highlight a free webinar on how Governors can monitor the quality of education judgement under the new inspection framework, information on how the DfE is now measuring primary school accountability, a consultation on possibly extending academies insurance arrangements to maintained schools and confirmation of DfE ministerial portfolios.

Free Governors webinar: Monitoring the Quality of Education
On Thursday 26 September 2019 from 8-9 a.m. Governors for Schools will be hosting a webinar looking at how governors can provide effective and targeted oversight in light of Ofsted’s key judgement on the quality of education under the new inspection framework.

They will consider the main areas of focus under this new judgement, and the questions governors should be asking to assure themselves of the school’s readiness for inspection under the new, broader criteria. If you would like to sign up for the webinar please use this link to register.

Primary School Accountability in 2019
The DfE is changing the way it measures primary school accountability from September this year. The latest technical guide outlines some significant changes, starting with the removal of the floor and coasting standards and a new support offer for schools that were identified as ‘requires improvement’ in their latest Ofsted report.

It has also outlined the headline measures, which will be published in the performance tables in December 2019, include attainment and progress measures. These are:

• The percentage of pupils achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of KS2.
• The pupils’ average scaled score in reading and in maths at the end of KS2.
• The percentage of pupils who achieve at a higher standard in reading, writing and maths.
• The pupils’ average progress in reading, writing and maths.

The progress measure is a school-level accountability measure, meaning that individual pupils’ progress is only calculated to determine the school’s overall progress score, separate progress scores are calculated for reading, writing and maths.

A school’s progress score for a subject is the mean average of its pupils’ progress scores in that subject and these are allocated for reading, writing and maths.

Extending the RPA to Local Authority Maintained Schools
The DfE is seeking views on extending the self-insure arrangement currently operational for academy trusts to the local authority sector so that the sector can benefit from the financial savings academy trusts have attained through membership of the Risk Protection Arrangements (RPA).

The consultation ends in early November and the findings will then be considered with a view to rolling out the RPA to all LA maintained schools in England if there is a valid basis for doing so.

Ministerial portfolios confirmed at the DfE
On Wednesday the Government confirmed Michelle Donelan as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, as Chris Skidmore returns as joint Minister of State for the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

This week I highlight the NGA’s revised Code of Conduct and Skills Audit and Matrix, confirmation of school spending over the next 3 years and a series of DfE announcements including the removal of Outstanding schools from Ofsted inspections; the publication of the latest version of Keeping Children Safe in Education and guides on what parents and schools can expect from new inspections.

Revised NGA Skills Audit and Code of Conduct
Today the National Governance Association published its updated skills audit and matrix and revised model Code of Conduct. I will compare our current Code of Conduct with this revised model and bring any proposed changes to Governing body meetings this term.

The skills audit remains structured around the DfE’s six features of effective governance, as referred to in the Competency Framework for Governance. However, it now includes an additional section titled “positive contribution”, which covers the experience and skills that characterise an effective and experienced governing team with capacity to develop and improve further. At the same time the skills audit has been streamlined with fewer questions to make it more manageable.

Announcement on school spending
On Wednesday the Chancellor of the Exchequer used his autumn statement to officially announce that school spending will rise by £7.1bn over the next three years. Secondary schools will be given a minimum of £5,000 per pupil by 2020-21, while primary schools will receive £4,000 per pupil by 2021-22.

The Government also plans to raise the starting salary for teachers to £30,000 within three years whilst the budget for supporting children and young people with special educational needs will rise by £700m compared to 2019-20 funding levels. A further £400m was pledged to boost further education for 16-19 year olds.

Recent DfE announcements
Improving school standards – the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson has revealed a number of new measures designed to improve school standards. One of these measures includes schools judged as ‘outstanding’ no longer being exempt from Ofsted inspections. The new measures are intended to ensure that parents have up to date information regarding the quality of education being provided as well as ensuring that school standards remain high.

Safeguarding guidance – the latest edition of the Government’s safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019, was released this week with minor revisions. Governors must ensure that they are compliant with the document and are aware of their responsibilities as a board.

Guides on inspections – Ofsted has confirmed that the primary audience for inspection reports will be parents and has released guides on what parents and schools can expect from new inspections. It details what schools can expect before, during and after inspection and how parents and schools can share their views with the inspectorate.

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.