This week I highlight three free webinars from Governors for Schools and the lifting of the Covid Plan B restrictions.

Upcoming webinars from Governors for Schools
Three free webinars are being offered this half term as follows:

• On 27 January from 8-9 am – How do we govern the school curriculum?
With Ofsted having resumed inspections, Governors for Schools in conjunction with Better Governor are focusing this webinar on what governors need to know (and what they do not) to provide strong strategic oversight of their school’s curriculum offer. The session will clarify the statutory elements of the curriculum and suggest questions governors can ask to provide constructive challenge.

• On 1 February – How governors can ensure a skills-based education prepares pupils for the world of work (Primary focus) from 12.30-1 pm and (Secondary focus) from 1.30-2 pm
Both seminars will look at what schools should be offering in terms of careers and work readiness education and how governors can ensure that skills are being developed across the curriculum that will support pupils in the future world of work.

If you would like to take part please use this link to go to the Governors for Schools website to register.

COVID-19 Plan B restrictions lifted
The Prime Minister announced this week that Plan B measures will be removed in England and lifted its recommendation that masks be worn in secondary classrooms, with rules requiring coverings to be worn in indoor communal areas no longer applying from Thursday 27 January.

This week I highlight the consultation on the 2022 version of Keeping children safe in education and the publication of DfE research on how schools have coped with the impact of Covid-19.

Consultation on the 2022 version of KCSIE
On Tuesday the DfE opened its consultation on the 2022 update of Keeping children safe in education. The statutory guidance sets out the duties and responsibilities of schools and governing bodies in relation to safeguarding. Amongst the range of updates, it is proposed that:

• Schools conduct an online search (including social media) of would-be employees as part of their shortlisting process. This might help the school to explore any incidents or issues publicly available online with the applicant at interview.
• Ensure all governors receive safeguarding and child protection training at induction and that this training should be regularly updated.
• Update the phrase ‘peer on peer abuse’ with ‘child on child abuse’ and use the terms ‘victims’ and ‘perpetrators’.
• The existing Child on child abuse guidance is incorporated throughout this statutory document rather than as a separate standalone document.

The consultation closes on 8 March and the updated document will come into force in September 2022 for the start of the new academic year.

New DfE research published on how schools have coped with the impact of Covid-19
You might be interested in comparing your school’s ongoing response to the academic and pastoral challenges presented by Covid-19, with the key findings of the DfE’s recently published research report, aiming to understand how schools in England have responded to the impacts of the pandemic, and what further support they need.

It found that schools responded to the challenge of increased disparities in pupils’ social, emotional and academic progress and restricted access to equipment, by altering their curriculum based on pupil needs and school context. Respondents also stated that their focus for this academic year was returning to ‘normality’ on a responsive approach based on identifying needs, including reading recovery, mental health and wellbeing interventions, quality first teaching and extra staffing provision.

In our first week back I report on the latest Government changes to its guidance on managing Covid-19 in schools.

Face coverings
It is recommended that face coverings are now worn in classrooms in secondary schools, as well as communal areas and when moving around the premises. Schools should ensure they have a small contingency stock of face coverings; in case anyone has forgotten or damaged their own.

The DfE has said it would not ordinarily expect teachers to wear a face covering in the classroom if they are at the front of the class. This is to support education delivery, but settings should be sensitive to the needs of individual teachers.

Definition of vulnerable children expanded
Should schools have to partially close, the definition of the children that should be prioritised for education has been expanded to include those who have been known to children’s social care services in the past, and those whose circumstances might be particularly challenging because of “domestic abuse, parental offending, adult mental health issues, and drug and alcohol addiction”. However, the DfE has said the list is not intended to be exhaustive, and that local assessment would be based on knowledge of the family and community risk.

Lateral flow testing
After asking secondary schools to test returning pupils on site this week, the DfE has said it is working closely with the UK Health Security Agency to ensure schools receive adequate supplies of coronavirus lateral flow test kits.

The DfE also confirmed that the updated rules on self-isolation apply to both adults and children who are testing. The change means that, rather than self-isolating for 10 days, people who receive a positive PCR test result can leave self-isolation after 7 days if they receive negative lateral flow test results on days 6 and 7 of their self-isolation period, provided they do not have a high temperature.

From 11 January the UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that temporarily confirmatory PCR tests will not be required in England for people without symptoms who get a positive lateral flow test.

Air cleaning units
A further 7,000 air cleaning units will be provided to eligible schools in England and a guide has now been published on how to apply for the units. To qualify, schools must have sustained readings of 1,500 CO2 particles per million (ppm) or higher for at least one week while the room is occupied.

Vaccinations
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recently recommended that children aged 5 to 11 in a clinical risk group, or who live with an immunosuppressed person, should be offered two 10-microgram doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The JCVI has also recommended that a Pfizer booster be offered to clinically vulnerable children aged 12 to 15, as well as all 16- and 17-year-olds.

The DfE has informed schools that the NHS is working on updated guidance on how both decisions will be put into effect, which will be released shortly.

Managing staff shortages
The DfE has advised headteachers that given high rates of coronavirus-related absence may cause difficulties in schools, they can use existing teaching, temporary and support staff more flexibly where required, to ensure their school remains open, whilst ensuring that they continue to have appropriate support in place for pupils with SEND.

Headteachers could consider combining classes and providing hybrid lessons (defined by a government case study as teaching simultaneously to the classroom and to those accessing remotely) as a possible way to manage staff shortages. Where this is required, the DfE has stated that livestreaming lessons to pupils learning from home is the preferred method of remote education delivery.

In the final update of this term I report on the review and update of the 20 questions for governing body self-review, the DfE looking to fill staffing shortages with former teachers and confirmation that 12 to 15 year olds will receive their second vaccination in the Spring term.

Review and updating of the 20 questions for governing body self-review
The NGA is asking for feedback on the long-standing 20 questions for governing body self-review. The consultation will run until Monday 7 March 2022 at 9am and the NGA is interested in how governing bodies have used the questions in the past, how the questions have helped to shape and improve practice and any areas of self-review that are not currently covered.

Governors, trustees, governance professionals, executive leaders, and individuals and organisations that support governance are encouraged to respond and you can do so by completing the short survey on the NGA’s website. The updated questions will be published at the end of March 2022.

DfE looking to former teachers to fill staffing shortages
The DfE is looking to former teachers to help fill Covid staffing shortages, with new guidance planned to boost supply staff numbers. With new reported Covid cases hitting a record high on Wednesday fears are growing over schools’ ability to cope when term resumes in January. The Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, has written to school leaders setting out how they can help “manage the virus”, including urging them to reach out to former colleagues.

Second dose of vaccine for 12 to 15 year olds
At the start of the Autumn term, the government announced that all children aged 12 to 15 were going to be offered a first dose of the vaccine as part of the school-based coronavirus vaccination programme. The NHS has now confirmed that children will be able to receive their second doses in their school from the Spring term, or through vaccination centres out of school. In schools, vaccinations will begin from 10 January 2022 and all schools should have received at least one visit from the School Immunisation Service team before the February half-term.

This week I highlight updated operational guidance to schools following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 8 December enacting Plan B of the autumn and winter plan 2021, the launch of the new attendance alliance hosted by the Education Secretary and the publication of Ofsted’s annual report for 2020/21.

Updated Covid-19 operational guidance for schools
As previously reported, on 27 November the Prime Minister announced the temporary introduction of new measures as a result of the Omicron variant and on 8 December announced that Plan B, as set out in the Government’s autumn and winter plan 2021, was being enacted. As a result the operational guidance for schools has been updated and changes include:

• updated advice on tracing close contacts and isolation to reflect the forthcoming change to isolation rules
• an updated control measures section to reflect developments on ventilation
• an updated asymptomatic testing section reflecting that schools should encourage visitors to test before coming into their buildings
• an updated other considerations section to reflect the latest language on children who were previously considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable and to reflect the policy on mandatory certification
• an updated workforce section to reflect the latest language on adults who were previously considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable and to reflect the Government recommendation to work from home if they can

Launch of new attendance alliance
Yesterday the Education Secretary hosted the first meeting of leading experts working with children to improve school attendance. All members of the new attendance alliance pledged to engage with their members, stakeholders and the professionals they represent to make sure they are following best practice in improving attendance within their day-to-day work.

Although recent trends in attendance levels have been largely driven by covid, which is outside the scope of the work of the alliance, the Government is determined to address the wider underlying causes of children not being in school, as it is the best place for their development and wellbeing.

Findings from Ofsted’s Annual Report 2020/21
Ofsted’s Annual Report provides a state of the nation view of education and children’s social care over the last academic year. During this period, much of Ofsted’s routine inspection work was suspended. However, regulatory work continued, and the inspectorate undertook monitoring and research visits to see first-hand how schools, colleges, nurseries, and social care providers were reacting and responding to the shifting situation brought about by the pandemic. The report describes how:

• The loss of education, disrupted routine, and lack of activities led some children to develop physical and mental health problems.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities had additional barriers to overcome as many were unable to access the support they rely on.
• Vulnerable children, at risk of harm or neglect, disappeared from teachers’ line of sight, resulting in significantly lower levels of referrals to social care.
• Some children in care felt less safe due to lockdown restrictions and broken relationships with staff.
• Long-standing pressures on care placements grew, with long waiting lists and children being placed far from their families, or in unregistered homes.
• Some children attending alternative provision became involved in criminal activity, including gang violence, and were at risk of child sexual exploitation.
• The development and progress of many of the youngest children were hampered, with some even regressing in basic language and social skills.

The Annual Report noted that, from education inspections carried out so far this term, Ofsted is beginning to see that schools and colleges with a well-planned and well-implemented curriculum are best placed to get children to where they need to be. But for children to really regain a sense of normality in their lives and their education, it’s important the focus is not solely on bridging gaps in academic learning. Schools must offer children a rounded experience, including a rich curriculum, sport and physical activity, and extra-curricular opportunities that broaden their horizons.

This week I report on updated operational guidance to schools in relation to the Omicron variant, the ten youth violence hotspots receiving £30 million funding to keep pupils in school and preventing crime and the appointment of a new shadow Education Secretary.

Updated operational guidance to schools
The Prime Minister announced on 27 November the temporary introduction of new
measures as a result of the Omicron variant. The measures are precautionary, while
the variant is tracked and assessed. As a result, the DfE has updated its operational guidance for schools to reflect these measures, most directly a temporary recommendation on the wearing of face coverings in schools and changes to isolation requirements for confirmed and suspected cases of the Omicron variant and their contacts. The advice remains subject to change as the situation develops. Changes to the guidance since its 27 September 2021 publication include:

• updated advice on tracing close contacts and isolation to reflect the change in measures for close contacts of suspected or confirmed Omicron cases
• updated advice on face coverings to reflect the change in measures – they are now recommended in communal areas in all schools for adults and for pupils from year 7 onwards
• replacement of references to Public Health England with references to the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
• updated information in the other considerations section on vaccination of under 18 year olds
• an updated travel and quarantine section to reflect that pupils arriving from abroad will need to isolate and test on arrival
• an updated educational visits section to advise you consider whether to go ahead with any planned international educational visits

Schools in youth violence ‘hotspots’ to lead £30m taskforces scheme
Schools in ten youth violence “hotspots” will lead new taskforces backed by £30 million in funding aimed at keeping pupils in school and preventing crime. The DfE has named the ten areas that will get new “SAFE” (Support, Attend, Fulfil, Exceed) taskforces run by mainstream schools. They will be led by local schools, which have not been named yet. The DfE said it would be up to each taskforce to decide how the money will be allocated.

The government has also named 22 alternative provision schools that will benefit from specialist taskforces under a scheme backed by £15 million. Ministers announced in September that it would create the two initiatives, which are aimed at keeping young people in school to prevent them from turning to crime and helping them move on to further education, employment or training.

New Shadow Education Secretary in Labour Cabinet reshuffle
Bridget Phillipson has been appointed shadow Education Secretary after Kate Green was moved from the role. This is Ms Phillipson’s second shadow ministerial brief as Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer promoted her as shadow Chief Secretary to the treasury in April 2020.

This week I highlight a free governor webinar on climate change, the appointment of DfE Attendance Advisers and the publication of new literacy guidance for KS2 from the EEF.

Webinar on the governance of climate change: 2 December from 8-9am
Governors for Schools in conjunction with Better Governor are holding a free webinar: Beyond COP26 – the governance of climate change on Thursday next week. The webinar will explore the contribution school governance can make to ensuring children and young people are engaged in the post-COP26 debate. It will consider how young people can be empowered to engage in actions designed to reduce the causes of climate change and their impact on the planet. Participants will reflect on what the national curriculum currently requires pupils to learn, explore available resources and look at the actions schools are already taking.

If you would like to take part please use this link to go to the Governors for Schools website to register.

DfE appointment of Attendance Advisers
The DfE has announced its employing Attendance Advisers to send into local authorities and schools with high rates of persistent absence. Up to seven former headteachers and some local authority chief advisers will start their new roles from next week. The move comes as schools report increasing Covid-related absence as case numbers soar in some areas.

The DfE has said it will write to local authorities with the highest levels of persistent absence offering support and it will be up to them to accept it. The Attendance Advisers will not work directly with schools but instead will work with local authorities and school trusts, sharing best practice from areas that have been most successful in reducing absence rates.

Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) new guidance report on improving literacy
EEF has published the second edition of their popular guidance report, Improving Literacy in KS2. The report offers seven practical and evidence-based recommendations  to support literacy development in pupils aged 7 to 11. The guidance is relevant to all pupils but is particularly focused on those struggling to read and write well and those whose learning has been most affected by the pandemic.

This week I highlight new statutory guidance on the cost of school uniform, NGA guidance on Ofsted inspections and additional DfE funding to tackle bullying.

Statutory guidance on the cost of school uniform
Today the DfE published statutory guidance to ensure the cost of school uniforms is reasonable and secures the best value for money. The guidance outlines the cost considerations which schools should consider when developing and implementing their uniform policies and managing their uniform supplier arrangements. It also covers the provision of second-hand uniform, other support with the cost of school uniforms and the information schools should provide to parents regarding their uniform requirements.

All schools should review their current uniform policy to determine if any changes are required and Governing bodies should be compliant with much of this guidance by September 2022. The exceptions to this would be where this would breach a pre-existing contract or informal agreement with a uniform supplier (particularly when the supplier may already have stock) or a school would need to run a competitive tender to set up a new contract for their uniform. All schools should be fully compliant with the guidance by summer 2023.

New NGA guidance on Ofsted inspections
NGA’s newly published Ofsted guidance, ‘Ofsted inspection: a guide for governing boards’ has been developed to help governing bodies know what to expect from an Ofsted inspection, understand what inspectors consider and the evidence they consult.

Full Ofsted inspections have resumed since the start of the academic year and many unions and organisations have raised concerns due to the implications that inspections may have on teachers and school leaders, while still recovering from the pandemic.

The guidance comes as the government announced £23.85million funding for Ofsted over the course of three years to accelerate the number of inspections on schools to ensure all schools are inspected by 2025. The push for increased inspection activity follows the recognition that parents and learners need up-to-date information about the quality of education within the school.

Extra support to tackle bullying
The DfE has confirmed over £1 million of funding for five leading organisations to provide anti-bullying support to schools and colleges. The extra funding will go towards projects targeted against LGBT, SEND and hate-related bullying. This builds upon the £3.5 million already delivered to charities and organisations supporting schools to combat bullying, promote diversity, and improve wellbeing for staff.

This week I report on contingency plans for this year’s GCSEs, AS and A levels examinations series, the downgrading of ‘outstanding’ schools in the first round of published inspection reports and the appointment of a steering group to help push through the Government’s delayed SEND review.

Contingency plans confirmed for GCSEs, AS and A levels
Yesterday the DfE and Ofqual confirmed contingency plans to support students if exams in England can’t go ahead safely or fairly next year due to the pandemic.  Students would receive Teacher Assessed Grades based on a range of their work, similar to this summer.

Guidance has been published for teachers on how they should collect evidence of students’ work during this academic year. Exams are planned with adaptations next summer these include a choice of topics in some GCSE exams and advance information on the focus of other exams to help students’ revision.  Exam boards are also publishing formulae and equation sheets to help students in GCSE maths and some GCSE science exams, giving students time to familiarise themselves with them before they sit their exams.  Advance information for next summer’s exams will be given in early February to help students focus their revision over the final months. The timing will be kept under review, subject to the course of the pandemic.

‘Outstanding’ schools not inspected for 15 years downgraded in first Ofsted reports
Almost three in four schools previously exempt from Ofsted inspections have been stripped of their ‘outstanding’ status in the first round of published reports.  Twenty three reports were published yesterday and of those 19 were of schools that had received a Section 5 inspection and four the shorter Section 8 inspections. Seventeen of the schools lost their ‘outstanding’ status, 12 dropped to ‘good’ and five were rated ‘requires improvement’.  Of the 17 downgraded schools, all but one was a primary and all but one were standalone schools (LA maintained or voluntary-aided). 

All ‘outstanding’ schools last visited before 2015 will get a full inspection, while those awarded the top grade since then will face short inspections.  Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, suggested earlier this week the number of top-rated schools would halve after visits under the new framework. She said one in 10 schools achieving the top grade “might be a more realistic starting point for the system”. Prior to yesterday’s reports, one in five English schools (4,133) were ‘outstanding’.

All five schools downgraded two grades were ‘requires improvement’ in the ‘quality of education’ section. This is a limiting judgment, meaning schools cannot then gain a higher judgment for overall effectiveness.

SEND review ‘steering group’ appointed to push through reforms
The Government has named 23 members of a steering group set up to help push through its delayed SEND review that was first promised in September 2019. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said last week that he was hoping to have it out “in the first quarter of next year” so it can “dovetail” with a planned schools white paper.

In an open letter to parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities, the Children’s Minister, Will Quince pointed to several issues that needed addressing for example offering a way forward to reducing local variation, improving early intervention, making clearer the support and services everyone should be able to expect and having funding and accountability systems in place which supported this.  Quince added that any proposed changes should be supported and understood across health and care services, as well as education providers.

This week I highlight the latest DfE School Governance update and the launch of the Sustainability and Climate Change strategy detailing a new model science curriculum, a virtual National Education Nature Park and a Climate Leaders Award.

DfE School Governance update
Today the DfE published its November school governance update with a welcome message from Baroness Barran.  The document contained:

• Information on the updating of the Understanding your data guide – all sections updated to reflect changes in policy, new subsections on cyber security, additional support for pupils with special educational needs or disabilities and governing body composition and included links to additional sources of information, such as the ‘View my financial insights’ (VMFI) tool.
• Updated information on the designation of 60 new National Leaders of Governance (NLGs) – who provide fully funded governance support to eligible trusts and schools and all of the NLGs meet the new NLG Standards.
• Promoting the Inspiring Governance and Academy Ambassadors services which help schools and trusts to source new governors and trustees.
• Promoting a webinar on implementing flexible working measures in schools.
• Advising Academy Trusts that VMFI has been updated with their latest data.
• Reminding schools and trusts that Get Information About Schools should be kept updated with governors details.

Launch of the Sustainability and Climate Change draft strategy
Today at COP26 the Education Secretary will be announcing a range of measures setting out his vision for all children to be taught about the importance of conserving and protecting the planet.

A draft Sustainability and Climate Change strategy to 2030 has been published and will be under review from November 2021 until March 2022, with a final strategy published in April 2022.  The range of measures includes:

• A new model science curriculum, which will be in place by 2023, to teach children about nature and their impact on the world around them.
• Pupils will be encouraged to get involved in the natural world by increasing biodiversity in the grounds of their school and will be able to upload their data onto a new virtual National Education Nature Park – which will allow them to track their progress against other schools in the country, increase their knowledge of different species and develop skills in biodiversity mapping.
• Children and young people will be able to undertake a new Climate Leaders Award to help develop their skills and knowledge in biodiversity and sustainability and celebrate and recognise their work in protecting the local environment. Pupils and students will be able to progress through different levels of the award, ‘bronze’, ‘silver’ and ‘gold’, in a similar way to the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.