This week I highlight a couple of DfE consultations – one on proposed reforms of school attendance registers and national thresholds for legal intervention to reduce school absences and the other on changes to the statutory guidance for schools on providing access to education and training providers. As well as a webinar for School Business Professionals on the RPA and saving schools some money.

Consultation on school registers and national thresholds for legal intervention
The DfE has launched a new consultation on its proposed reforms of school attendance registers in the next step of the government’s plans to reduce school absences. The consultation closes on 29 July 2022. The draft School Attendance Regulations and Guidance on working together to improve school attendance have also been published.

The DfE has also shared some good practice webinars from schools across the sector as well as a training session outlining what the new attendance guidance means.

Consultation on the statutory guidance for schools on access to education and training providers
The DfE is seeking views on proposed changes to the statutory guidance for schools on access to education and training providers. The consultation closes on 25 July 2022.

DfE Schools Commercial RPA Information Session – 29 June and 13 July 2022
The DfE is hosting webinars on 29 June and 13 July on the risk protection arrangement (RPA) for School Business Professionals, providing information on how schools can save up to £10k per annum.

This week I highlight a DfE consultation on timescales for reviewing EHCPs, the publication of the draft School Admission Appeals Code, which following Parliamentary approval will come into effect from 1 October and the updated DfE School Resource Management strategy which confirms there will be some training in financial oversight for governors/trustees.

DfE consultation on timescales for reviewing EHCPs
The DfE is consulting on whether LAs should have an additional four weeks after review meetings to finalise any changes they propose to an EHC plan, and if they should have to circulate material for a review meeting a week earlier than is currently required. The deadline to respond is 10 August 2022.

Draft School Admission Appeals Code
Following a consultation which took place from February to April this year the DfE has now published its draft School admission appeals code 2022.  The code is set to come into effect from 1 October, subject to parliamentary approval.

The Code enables some of the flexibilities that were introduced through temporary regulations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to continue (with suitable adaptations) permanently. However it will not allow a panel of two to decide appeals in circumstances where the third member has to withdraw. 

Updated School Resource Management strategy
This new updated strategy features plans to save money, including support to help reduce energy and water usage, cyber-attack insurance, and investing in financial training for school leaders, school business professionals and governors/trustees.

This week I highlight the opening of a consultation on implementing the national Funding Formula and the publication of a report outlining a research project into future opportunities for education technology in England.

Consultation on implementing the NFF
The DfE is seeking views on its approach to implementing the direct national funding formula (NFF) for mainstream schools. Find out more about the consultation here and note the consultation will close on 9 September 2022.

Future opportunities for education technology in England
In December 2021, the DfE appointed Ecorys UK to undertake a research project: Future opportunities for education technology in England. The project aimed to provide insights to the future of the EdTech market in England, considering likely developments in digital technology and education policy.

The report presents the triangulated findings from work carried out over four months,
from December 2021 to March 2022, comprising of a rapid review of the literature,
telephone interviews with policy and industry key stakeholders, workshops with teachers
and EdTech sector representatives, and a survey administered with a nationally
representative sample of teachers through the Teacher Tapp app.

This week I highlight the publication of the new KCSIE for implementation on 1^st September, new DfE guidance on its aim for all schools to be in a MAT or with plans to join or form one by 2030 and confirmation of the continuation of free NPQs and additional qualifications in Early Years Leadership and Leading Literacy.

KCSIE for September 2022
The DfE has published its new version of Keeping Children Safe in Education which will come into force on 1 September, at the start of the new academic year. 

A change of particular note is that governors and trustees should receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection (including online) training at induction. The guidance states that this training should equip them with the knowledge to provide strategic challenge to test and assure themselves that the safeguarding policies and procedures in place in their school are effective and support the delivery of a robust whole school approach to safeguarding. It also states that governor training should be regularly updated.

At the start of each academic year we have been recommending that all governors complete the LA’s online training and we will need to make sure that it is still fit for purpose.  I will as part of the new governor induction process provide a link to the online training and make clear the expectation that it must be completed within the first few weeks of becoming a governor.

DfE publishes plans outlining next steps following the Schools White Paper
On Wednesday the DfE published its next steps as part of its aim for all schools to be in a MAT, or with plans to join or form one by 2030, in its guidance ‘Implementing school system reform in 2022 to 2023’. 

The Schools White Paper also set out the DfE’s intent to allow LAs to establish new MATs in areas lacking strong trusts. The DfE has now published guidance for LAs on the government’s plans for a “test and learn exercise for 2022 to 2023” and how LAs can submit a registration of interest to test the concept of an LA-established MAT.

Given the discussions we have had in our governing body meetings this half term the documents are helpful to aid governors understanding in this area.

Teacher training qualifications to continue to be free for the next 2 years
National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) – will continue to be free for teachers to take for the next two academic years (2022/23 and 2023/24) and additional payments to small schools are being introduced. The Targeted Support Fund will give a grant payment of £200 per participant to schools with 1-600 pupils, for every teacher or leader they employ who participates in an NPQ.

The availability of NPQs is also being extended, with two new NPQs set to be introduced in Early Years Leadership – to support school leaders in their work to ensure every child gets the best start in life – and Leading Literacy, to develop school leaders’ expertise in the teaching of reading and writing.

This week I highlight a new EEF report on the impact of Covid on Reception pupils, the publication of the DfE’s response to the consultation on RPA proposed car insurance and a cyber-security audit for schools to complete from the National Cyber Security Centre and the London Grid for Learning.

Research finds Reception pupils are falling behind after the pandemic
A new report from the Education Endowment Foundation has found that four and five year olds were less likely to meet the expected levels of development in 2021 than they were before the pandemic.

Using a sample of early years foundation stage data, the researchers looked at the impact of the pandemic on the development of children who were in Reception class for the 2020/21 school year, which began six months after the first Covid lockdown. The findings showed the proportion of children in their sample reaching the expected levels in all areas – communication and language; physical development; literacy; maths; and personal, social and emotional development – was 59% in 2021, compared with 72% for the 2019 cohort. This difference is equivalent to three more children in every classroom not reaching the expected levels by the end of the school year.

RPA consultation proposal published
The DfE has published the response to its consultation on Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) proposed motor vehicle cover rather than schools using commercial insurance and you can read the outcome in full here.

Schools prompted to complete a cyber-security audit
Schools are being prompted to complete the cyber-security schools audit 2022. The audit has been launched by The National Cyber Security Centre and the London Grid for Learning to assess the risks to schools in the light of increasing numbers of cyber-attacks and the rapid expansion of school IT networks to cope with the demand for remote learning while responding to COVID-19. Schools are being asked to complete the survey to ensure the DfE has the data it needs to support schools and the deadline for completion is Tuesday 31 May 2022.

This week I highlight free cyber security sessions for school staff and governors, the announcement of additional funding to train senior mental health leads in schools, the publication of new non-statutory attendance guidance and the Schools Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech.

Free cyber security training
London Grid for Learning and the National Cybersecurity Centre (part of GCHQ) are offering a free cyber security training session to raise awareness and help school staff manage some of the key cyber threats facing schools.  The free course, aimed at senior staff and governors, runs on 6 and 22 June from 4-5pm and on 6 July from 9-10am and you can book a place on one of the sessions here.

Additional funding to train senior mental health leads in schools and colleges
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, the DfE this week announced a further £7 million for schools and colleges to train a senior mental health lead, bringing the total amount of funding for 2022/23 to £10 million.

Senior Mental Health Leads will play an important role in helping schools and colleges embed a culture of openness when it comes to mental health, whilst also forging stronger links with local health services to ensure young people can access the right level of support.  More information can be found using this link to the DfE’s website.

DfE releases new school attendance guidance
The DfE has published new non-statutory guidance to help schools, governing boards and LAs maintain high levels of school attendance. The guidance, in effect from September 2022, summarises the various roles and responsibilities of parents and those involved in education, the legal interventions available to schools and LAs, and what schools are required to record in their attendance and admission registers.

Schools Bill announced in Queen’s Speech
The government’s Schools Bill was announced this week as part of the Queen’s speech . The government has committed to providing all children with equal opportunities and the plan for more schools to become academies. The DfE has published policy statements providing a description of each measure which sets out what the government aims to achieve, why the legislation is needed, the effects of the legislation and how the legislation will work in practice. To review all of the documents please use this link.

This week I highlight a free webinar on the Schools White Paper and what it means for governance, the DfE’s request to schools to complete an energy price survey, publication of school data on the National Tutoring Programme expected in the Autumn, a commemorative Platinum Jubilee book for all primary school children and publication of a summary of the SEND Green paper for parents/carers, children and young people to explain what the SEND review means for them.

Free webinar on the what the Schools White Paper means for governance
Governors for Schools in conjunction with Better Governor is providing a free webinar on the Schools White Paper and what it means for governance on Thursday 12 May from 8-9 am.

The webinar will explore the content of the white paper from a strategic governance perspective, considering the medium to long-term implications for schools and governing bodies.  Please use this link to register via the Governors for Schools website.

DfE invites schools to complete energy price survey
Yesterday, the DfE emailed all headteachers asking them to submit information regarding their school’s gas and electricity tariffs for a survey. With concerns that rapidly rising energy bills could lead to job cuts, the DfE is considering what “additional support” it can provide.

Publication of school data on the National Tutoring Programme in the Autumn
Yesterday the Education Secretary announced that data of each school’s involvement in the National Tutoring Programme will be published this Autumn. The data will also be shared with Ofsted; the DfE says it will be working with the inspectorate over the coming months to determine the best use of that data.

Platinum Jubilee commemorative book for all primary school children
Primary school children across the UK will begin to receive a free copy of the commemorative book ‘Queen Elizabeth: A Platinum Jubilee Celebration’ this month.  It features a tale helping children learn about historical events across the UK and Commonwealth, as well as inspirational figures, and a timeline of Queen Elizabeth II’s life. The book goes on private sale on 23 June and more information about the book can be found here.

Document explaining the proposals set out in the SEND and Alternative Provision Green Paper
The DfE has published materials summarising the SEND and AP Green Paper for parents/carers, children and young people to explain what the review means for them.  It is also helpful for governors and you can access a copy here.

This week I highlight the publication of DfE guidance for governors on education recovery, the launch of the DfE’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy and its implications for schools and free cyber security checks for schools provided by the National Cyber Security Centre.

Education recovery guidance
During the Easter holidays the DfE published guidance for school governors and academy trustees about the programmes and activities it is funding to support education recovery and children and young people’s wellbeing. 

The guidance is intended to support governors and trustees to have effective discussions about education recovery plans within their school or trust. It offers some suggested questions that governors and trustees may wish to ask school and trust leaders and gives an overview of the support available to schools.

DfE Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy
Last week the DfE launched its Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy which includes the launch of a new natural History GCSE.   The strategy sets out DfE actions for this calendar year including:

• covering climate change and sustainability in science teachers’ continuing professional development
• delivering pilots through the National Education Nature Park, which will test an approach for sharing university climate expertise and learning opportunities with colleges, schools and nurseries
• sharing best practice in early years settings, schools, colleges and universities, so teachers and leaders can consider how best to integrate within their own settings
• considering where further steps could be taken to support the teaching of sustainability in relevant subjects

By 2023 the DfE will:

• develop a Primary Science Model Curriculum to include an emphasis on nature to ensure all children understand the world around them
• support the National Climate Education Action Plan in setting up an independent expert body for the validation and creation of climate education resources that support the delivery of the national curriculum
• provide free access to high-quality curriculum resources through the National Education Nature Park online hub
• provide the opportunity for all staff (teaching, leadership and support) to build their understanding of climate change and sustainability by receiving shared carbon literacy training through their sustainability leads within their setting

NCSC offers free cyber-security checks to schools
The National Cyber Security Centre has invited all schools to register for two of their free services to protect against cyber-attacks:

• Web check – to find and fix common security vulnerabilities within their website
• Mail check – to assess email security compliance and adopt secure email standards

Both services are part of the NCSC’s active cyber defence program. To access the services schools will need to register for an NCSC account.

This week I report on Ofsted’s latest briefing on education recovery and publication of updated guidance from the NGA on what governing bodies and school leaders should expect from each other.

Ofsted briefing on education recovery
Ofsted’s latest briefing on education recovery highlights overall clear signs of improvements but casts concern on the impact of high levels of absence on pupil mental health and behaviour. Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman said she was “particularly worried about younger children’s development”. The report emphasises the continuing impact on communication and language development as well as the negative implications for children’s personal, social and emotional development.

Updated guidance for governing bodies and school leaders
The 6th edition of the guidance (jointly produced by NGA and the national professional organisations) on what governing bodies and school leaders should expect from each other has been published.

There are now two separate versions: one for governing bodies and headteachers in single schools and federations and another for multi academy trust boards and CEOs. Both versions are focused on ensuring relationships between school leaders and governing boards are as effective as possible, and improve outcomes for children and young people, through:

• Respecting respective roles
• Working together to set a strategy
• Stakeholder engagement
• Ensuring your school/trust is a great place to work
• Making governance effective
• Ways of working

This week I highlight the publication of the Schools White Paper, the SEND and Alternative Provision green paper and the launch of the NGA’s updated governing body self-evaluation questions.

Publication of the Schools White Paper: Opportunity for all
On Monday the White Paper was published setting out the DfE’s policy plans over a period of several years and a summary of the key points is detailed below:

• New attainment targets – by 2030 at Primary level 90% of pupils will achieve the expected standard in reading, writing and maths by the time they leave primary school and at Secondary level the national GCSE average grade in both English language and maths will increase from 4.5 in 2019 to 5.  A ‘sample’ of year 9 pupils will also complete an online literacy and numeracy test to ‘estimate performance at a national level’.
• Attainment interventions – ‘Parent pledge’ requirements: schools will be required to inform parents if their child is falling behind in English and maths and detail the progress they’re making. Pupil premium spending: the DfE is developing a menu of approaches for PP spending, designed to help schools make decisions about how best to support pupils, especially with numeracy and literacy skills. Tutoring: schools will be expected to use tutoring as a ‘staple offer’ for intervention and are expected to make tutoring available to every pupil who needs it. New curriculum resources: a new ‘arms-length’ curriculum body will be established and schools will be able to access a digital curriculum and online resources for every subject.
• Ofsted inspections – all schools will receive a full inspection under the 2019 Ofsted inspection framework by the end of the summer term 2015.
• New expectations on attendance – schools (apart from Special schools, PRUs and alternative provision) will be expected to provide a 32.5 hour school week.  It’s likely this is a requirement for hours on the school site rather than learning hours, and therefore time can be spent in break/form time or on extra-curricular activities, although this won’t include after-hours activities. In addition new legislation to establish statutory expectations for Local authority attendance services is set to be announced.
• Changes to behaviour guidance – there will be revisions to the Behaviour in Schools and Suspension and Permanent Exclusion guidance.  A new national behaviour survey for staff, pupils and parents will be launched.
• CPD and leadership opportunities – new national professional qualifications will be introduced for leading literacy, early year leadership, behaviour and culture, SENCOs.  Teachers and leaders in state schools will be able to apply for a funded scholarship to pursue these.
• Plans for an academy-led system – by 2030 all schools will be part of a multi-academy trust (MAT) or will have plans to join or form one.  Local authorities will have the power to launch a new MAT, but this will be limited to areas with a shortage of existing trusts. Local authorities will have the power to ‘request’ that a school joins a trust.
• Academy governance changes – all trusts should have local governance arrangements but there are no details on how this will be implemented, a new statutory framework will change the academy admissions system and trusts will have a statutory obligation to follow the School Admissions Code.  Local authorities will have ultimate responsibility in making sure every child is allocated an appropriate school place, including all in-year admissions.

Also the DfE has opened a consultation on a new intervention measure that would apply from September 2022 to all schools (including special schools and PRUs) with two or more consecutive Ofsted ratings below ‘good’ to join an academy trust or change trusts. These powers would initially focus on the DfE’s Education Investment Areas (EIAs) and Regional Directors (the new name for Regional School Commissioners) might also consider taking intervention action in some schools struggling to make necessary improvements outside of EIAs. In those cases, Regional Directors would be expected to prioritise schools that have spent the longest time being judged as less than Good by Ofsted.  The consultation closes on 23 May and the DfE intends to publish the results and its response within 12 weeks.

Publication of the DfE’s SEND and Alternative Provision green paper:
On Tuesday the Government’s long awaited SEND and alternative provision green paper was published which sets out its vision for a single, national SEND and alternative provision system that will introduce new standards in the quality of support given to children across education, health and care.  Backed by £70 million of new funding, the green paper sets out proposals which include:

• setting new national standards across education, health and care
• a simplified Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) through digitising plans
• a new legal requirement for councils to introduce ‘local inclusion plans’
• the publication of new ‘local inclusion dashboards’ to make roles and responsibilities of all partners within the system clearer for parents and young people
• a new national framework for councils for banding and tariffs of High Needs, to match the national standards
• changing the culture and practice in mainstream education through earlier intervention and improved targeted support
• introducing a new SENCo NPQ for school SENCos and increasing the number of staff with an accredited level 3 qualification in early years settings
• a reformed and integrated role for alternative provision, with a new delivery model in every local area focused on early intervention.

Updated NGA Governing body self-evaluation questions
To support governing bodies evaluate and improve their practice, the National Governance Association has updated the long standing governing body self-evaluation questions.

The 20 questions for single school governing boards, 21 questions for multi academy trust boards, and 16 questions for academy committees (local governing bodies) have been updated following consultation with governors, trustees and governance professionals.

The revised and restructured questions now include a greater emphasis on board dynamics, culture and behaviours and have replaced multi-layered questions with shorter, focused statements for reflection. The NGA has also published new guidance to support governing bodies to make the most of the self-evaluation questions.