December 2014 - My Christmas Blog

The Primary Schools Christmas concert

Once again this annual event was a great success. Our children and young people did us proud and sang a range of Christmas songs to a high standard. Particular thanks go to Peter Chivers and our Music and Arts Service for their leadership of the event and the support they provided to schools. I was particularly delighted to hear the fabulous input from our special schools this year and the introduction of makaton alongside the music and singing.




The Primary Schools Christmas Concert

Adoption Support

It was a pleasure to chair this month’s steering group joined by adopters, headteachers and professionals across all agencies to develop our Brighton and Hove Adoption Passport. The passport will clearly outline the services available for our adopted children and signpost parents and professionals appropriately. We are challenging all services to review their processes and practice to become‘adoption competent’ and we hope to go live with this new passport in April.

Children's Services Partnership Forum

I joined partners at the Brighthelm Centre for our second Children's Services Partnership Forum to discuss young people and mental health. Richard Chamberlain (Deputy Headteacher, Student Development) from Blatchington Mill School provided us with an open and honest account of the mental health issues faced by young people in school. Partners were able to hear about our developing approach to adolescents. The table top discussions have left us with lots of suggested 'quick wins' and longer term ideas to explore.

Ofsted

Ofsted published their annual reports on 10/12/14; a strong message from Sir Michael Wilshaw that standards in secondary schools nationally had ‘stalled’ and need to improve. More needs to be done to narrow the gap in achievement between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. Although the quality of teaching in the further education sector was highlighted as an area of improvement, it is not always equipping learners with the skills they need to succeed in work. Locally in Brighton and Hove we still have a way to go to close the gap and to achieve all good and outstanding schools across the city. HMCI concluded that the essential ingredients of success are: strong leadership, a positive learning culture, good teaching, robust accountability and a determination to improve the lot of every child, regardless of background or ability.

Congratulations to Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School for their Ofsted judgement of good. It was good to see the emphasis in the report on strength of leadership. This was clearly evident on my visit to the school this month as was the focus on teaching and learning, and continual improvement.

Safeguarding in schools

At this month’s LSCB I presented on safeguarding in schools. The report was well received, with the chair of the board commenting on the thorough nature and detail covered in the audits. It was fedback how positive it is that all schools are completing the self-evaluation and finding it a helpful process to quality assure regarding appropriate safeguarding practice. It was also agreed that in delivering the audit going forward a greater emphasis on child sexual expoitation would  be welcomed.


Secondary and continuing education partnership meeting

We had the opportunity to look in more detail at our secondary standards and the gaps in achievement for some of our vulnerable groups. Lesley Falmer our regional HMI link also attended to share some of the changes in the ofsted framework. Discussion took place on the initial findings from the SEND/Behaviour reviews. The next meeting is on 9/2/15 and our focus will be child sexual exploitation, radicalisation and our wider equalities work.

Hove Junior School opening event

It was an absolute pleasure to attend the official opening of the Holland road site for Hove Junior School. We were joined by Parents/Carers and friends of the school for some amazing Christmas singing from the children.



Children at Hove Junior School

Cambridge Primary Review Trust

Hilary Ferries (Head of Standards and Achievement), invited all headteachers to the The Cambridge Primary Review Trust event ‘please tell us what the next government should do – or not do – in order to help schools provide the best possible primary education for all the nation’s children’. Marcelo Staricoff (Headteacher, Balfour Primary School) and some of the children from Balfour met with other south region members to discuss this and their ideas have been passed on to Robin Alexander (Chair of the Cambridge Review Primary Trust), to put to the different political parties to try and influence policy.

Brighton Museum Project

One example of providing excellent opportunities for children was the recent project by Brighton Museum where children from some of our primary schools studied the work of Magnus Volks, including the ‘Daddy Long Legs’. Following a day looking at his work which included a ride on the Volks Railway and speaking with local engineers, the children then designed their own craft to take people on the journey from Brighton to Rottingean. Classes have worked with The Toy and Model Museum, Volk Electric Railway, The Keep, Royal Pavilion & Museums and STEM. Some of the models were displayed at the museum for thepublic and are pictured here.

 

Models designed by primary school children

Goodbye

Mandy Miller, School Partnership Adviser, will be leaving our team in the LA at the end of term. Mandy has worked with us for a long time and made such a positive difference to many schools across the city. Liz Owen, PSHE Adviser, is also leaving the Council after 14 years at the end of term. 

 

Mandy Miller (left) and Liz Owen

We wish both of them well and thank them for their commitment to schools and children and young people in the city.

Sparkle disco

This wouldn't be a Christmas blog without a mention of some festive fun. I had the pleasure of joining my five year old at her primary school for the early evening sparkle disco. The children had an amazing time and I don't think I've seen so much sparkle in one room!

Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank everyone for your work over the last year to contribute to continued improvement for our schools and children and young people. My best wishes to you all for the festive season.

Keep in touch and follow me on Twitter (@JoMLyons)

Jo

November 2014

Looking back over November

School visits

It’s been a privilege to visit a number of schools again this month and to see and share the good and outstanding practice. On my visit to Carlton Hill Primary it was wonderful to hear about their Eco work. The Farm at the school is a central part of their playground so children can see what's growing throughout the year. It was good to be able to see the jams, pickles, sauces the children had made and know that the money raised is invested back into The Farm. I was not surprised to hear that the school have the Eco green flag award and in the last two years have come first and second in the ‘Brighton in Bloom’ competition for their school grounds.

Jams, pickles and sauces made by
children at Carlton Hill Primary School

The Farm at Carlton Hill Primary School



 

 

 

 

 

 

Ofsted

 

I am delighted that Hillside School received an outstanding judgment from Ofsted. The report, which came out this month, highlighted the exceptional practice in the school to educate and meet the needs of some of our most vulnerable children and young people with complex needs. Congratulations to the staff, pupils and parents at the school. Congratulations also to Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School and Downs Park Special School who have both maintained their judgment of good.
 

Being Taken Over on the 21^st November

‘Take Over Day’ - an initiative lead by the Children’s Commissioners' office gives young people from the city the opportunity to take over someone’s role for the day. My team were joined by a Year 10 student, Issy Khayal from Patcham High, who reviewed the council's approach to supporting anti-bullying work in schools.  It was enlightening to be ‘Taken Over’ by Issy; as she skilfully interviewed me and quickly showed she understood the agenda and my role here in the council. Issy was positive about the work we do and in particular was impressed by the data we have in the Safe and Well at School Survey reports. Thank you Issy.



Children's Take Over Day

Reading Strategy

This month our work has begun to develop a new strategy for reading. We are aware how essential it is for daily life including to access education and employment. There is much to celebrate about reading across the city but equally more that we can do to allow everyone to benefit from the rewards of reading.  We must provide the support needed for those children and adults who struggle with reading and ensure all our young people leave school at a good reading standard. I joined Sally Mcmahon (Head of Library Service) and other colleagues at the inspiring Jubilee Library to review our previous strategy and plan ahead. We hope to be able to involve you all in these developments in the new year leading to a launch later in the spring.

 

 

 

Our focus for anti-bullying week this year was Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). Some great materials were developed by Personal Social Health and Economic Education (PSHE) lead teachers and PSHE co-ordinators. Dorothy Stringer used these materials in assemblies and PSHE lessons. Hertford Junior School discussed disability and how the differences that may be caused by a disability should not be a reason for unkindness. Moulsecoomb Primary focused on race equality messages and produced posters with support from Show Racism the Red Card. Blatchington Mill produced a powerful display featuring positive images of disabled staff and students with a clear message of 'see the person, not the disability'. Thanks to schools for your continued commitment to anti-bullying work and to participating in the Safe and Well at School Survey.



Display at Blatchington Mill

Gold Star Awards

I thoroughly enjoyed joining children and young people, their parents and carers at the annual awards for our Children in Care. I was proud to hear the great achievements and see some fabulous performances. The star guests ‘Only One Direction’ were a particular favourite and brought great excitement to the room. Thank you to the Virtual School team for all their hard work to make this event such fun and a real success!



Gold Star Awards ceremony
at the Hilton Metropole

 

  

More awards!

I’m delighted to announce that this month SoundCity, Brighton and Hove Music Education Hub, has won national acclaim for its work inspiring children and young people into music. The National Music Council, which promotes the cultural and educational benefits of music, has awarded Brighton and Hove  City Council’s Music & Arts service-led SoundCity the Diploma of Merit.  The work of Soundcity continues to inspire the city’s young people with the power of music. This national award affirms the leadership we provide with our work with other key organisations in the pursuit of music making in our city.

 

The importance of the role of Designated Teacher for Children in Care

Over 25 staff attended the networks for primary and secondary designated teachers this month.  The focus of this meeting was on using the pupil premium effectively; personal education plans and pupil premium for children who have previously been in care.  These meetings will now take place termly and aim to support schools and share best practice on delivering the very best education to Children in Care and those who have previously been in care.

 

Personal Education Plans

Thanks to all those who took place in the consultation on the new Personal Education Plan (PEP) for Children in Care.  We had very valuable feedback from a range of schools, young people, carers and social workers.  We are now finalising the documentation and plan to launch in the Spring term.

Race Equality in schools

The Changing Ethnic Demographic in Brighton & Hove – How prepared are Brighton & Hove Schools? (Global HPO, February 2014). This report identified areas causing concern including the recruitment and retention of black and minority ethnic (BME) people on school staff and governing bodies, the underachievement of some groups of BME students, and challenges about whole school approaches to race equality. Work on our three year action plan to address these issues is moving forward and im pleased we are seeing some improvements in the achievement data for some target BME groups and school governors committed to increasing representation on governing bodies. However, there is much more that we can all do. It is vital that we engage and communicate this via our clusters of schools and ensure race and equality items are intrinsic to all your agendas so that we can work together to address all the issues raised.

Keep in touch on twitter or email me.

 

Best wishes

Jo

 

 

 

 

 

October 2014

I hope you all had a lovely half term and well deserved break. It's been a very busy and productive month of October for all of us with much to report and celebrate.

Equality and diversity in our schools

I was delighted to join John Lynch (Chair of the BME Needs Assessment Group ) and Sarah Berliner Ethnic Minority Achievement Service (EMAS) Team Leader to speak at this month’s Governance, Strategy and Partnership Meeting to highlight the need to promote equality and tackle racism in our schools. The event was attended by 80 governors. A stimulating debate was had and governors went away with new information to share and challenge their governing bodies with including the changing demographics in the city, the unacceptable gaps in achievement for some of our BME groups, and the need to improve our approaches to recruitment so we have a more representative school workforce. I am looking forward to further debate with school leaders on this topic and to start to see positive impact as our strategy is implemented.

Inclusion in our primary schools

I had the opportunity to open this term’s primary phase meeting with a focus on inclusion. I was able to congratulate our primary heads for another year of successful primary results but at the same time provide some challenges to them around our high numbers of fixed term exclusions. Headteachers worked together in clusters to look at collaborative solutions and heard first-hand from Haydn Stride (Headteacher, Longhill) about the approach Longhill has taken to inclusion.

A collaborative approach to recruitment

Earlier in the month I joined Hilary and three of our experienced Headteachers, Ged Cotton, Anne Cox and Trevor Cristin to interview for new School Partnership Advisers. I'm pleased that we were able to appoint Lisa Evans, currently a Headteacher in Kent, she will be joining the team in April 2015, and Hugh Baldry who will be carrying on with us for at least the next two terms. These posts will fill capacity in the team to deliver our statutory school improvement role and to support and challenge schools.

Aiming high for our children in care

I’m delighted to tell you that on the 10 October, 11 Children in Care went on a trip to Cambridge University organised by the Virtual School. On the day young people aged between 14 and 18 got the opportunity to learn about student life at Cambridge; how to apply for university and what courses and opportunities were available to them. A great day was had by all and all reported it was a motivating and useful day wherever they decided to go to university. One young person commented: “Today has made me think about working harder, because I want the best GCSE’s and A-Levels to get into the best uni”.

The sun shone all day and the students all were fortunate enough to round off the day with a chauffeur driven punt down the river.

Secondary school standards

Our work in this area has continued at a pace this month. We have now received the national GCSE data that we have been waiting for. It has been a complex year with big drops nationally linked to the new exam reforms. We are obviously all disappointed that we have some poor data for Brighton and Hove compared with national averages. However, visits have taken place to all secondary schools across the city to discuss the complexities of each school’s results and to support them in planning intervention going forward . We have also met with Janet Felkin the chair of the Secondary Schools’ Partnership (SSP) to discuss our strategy and what SSP will be doing collaboratively to support improvement. A productive evening session with our secondary chairs of governors has also given us the opportunity to look at their response to the results and the role of governors in school improvement going forward.

The children's services roadshows

We have been busy this month delivering our children's services roadshows across the City. We had the opportunity to have a dialogue with our staff across the whole of children's services. We shared our successes and priorities as well as delivering a challenging message about the council budget going forward. With £100 million savings to be made across the council over 4 years we challenged staff to join us in thinking about what we would need to Stop, Start, Change. I encourage you all to continue thinking about this and share your ideas #BHbudget Stop, Start, Change.

Adoption reform

Two of my Wednesdays this month have been spent sitting on the Brighton and Hove Adoption Panel as the education representative. It was a pleasure to join my committed colleagues from across the council and our independent members to carry out our responsibility to oversee the Local Authority adoption function and approve and match a number of adopters. I am always impressed with the excellent work the council team do to prepare the adopters and the changes the adopters have made on their journey to becoming parents.

Ofsted visits our city’s schools

Our vision is for all children and young people to be able to attend a school judged to be good or outstanding so I was delighted to hear that so far this term, Mile Oak has travelled that 'journey to good' and that Brackenbury Primary maintained its good judgement. Congratulations to staff, pupils and parents at the schools, this is a positive achievement with the challenges the new framework brings.

Collaborative work with the Diocese

It was a pleasure to have my first meeting with Dr Ann Holt, OBE and Lay Canon of Bristol Cathedral, who is the newly appointed Director of Education for the Diocese of Chichester. It was opportunity to discuss their education strategy and work across the region and how we can work together. It was also good to hear such complimentary feedback from the Diocese regarding our strong partnership of Brighton and Hove schools and the work we are doing collaboratively to raise standards.

Working together as a Learning Partnership

Successful meetings have taken place this month with the Aldridge Foundation our academy sponsors for PACA and BACA, and also with City College regarding Whitehawk City Academy. We were able to discuss and develop our work with the three schools and hear about their positive contribution to education in the city.

Headteachers who chair the cluster partnerships are now meeting once a term to share updates and best practice across the city and to develop a self improving school led system with the support and facilitation of Hilary Ferries and Rose Wisdom. We look forward to seeing the impact this has on school improvement.

Developments in our music service

I am delighted that SoundCity has been awarded a Diploma of Merit by the National Music Council - recognition of the excellent work that takes place every day with our children and young people across our SoundCity partnership.

The music service also launched ‘Encore’ which offers people who have been part of Brighton Youth Orchestra’s past to stay involved and help shape its future. I’m looking forward to being part of the first annual encore event featuring current and ex orchestra members starting in Spring 2015.

City sports and physical activity awards

I was so proud that Goldstone Primary School was honoured at the 2014 City Sports and Physical Activity Awards, they won the award for Sports School of the Year. Congratulations to Chris and his team and the children and families at Goldstone.

Tweeting on Twitter!

Some of you will already know I am now signed up on twitter @JoMLyons and I’m followed by a number of you! I am finding the experience a positive opportunity to communicate more effectively with the partnership also great opportunity to join debates about learning. I look forward to catching up on your positive news particularly that which relates to innovative practice and students achievements.

 

 

Best wishes,

Jo

September 2014

Hello everybody and welcome to the first edition of my blog. September has been a busy month for us all and a productive start to the academic year. The wonderful sunshine I know has been a help in keeping us all smiling and optimistic.

School standards 

Just as for the many children and young people in Brighton and Hove, August is such an important month for us all, as the hard work of the pupils, teachers and everyone who has supported our family of schools, eagerly await their respective exam results. Further to the 'big day' itself,  September is a time for me to work with the team collating and analysing our citywide data and liaising with colleagues in other authorities, making comparisons and looking at trends. This work is essential for us to know our schools well, support our categorisation process and do the ongoing work with you to improve standards.

I am delighted with the improved standards compared with national averages at early years, primary and A/AS level. Congratulations to you all for the positive impact you have made on improving outcomes for the children and young people of the city.

Although this year at GCSE there has been some success at individual school level and for young people the exam reforms has made this year particularly challenging with concerning drops in the headline reported measure of 5A*-C grades with English and Maths. We are working closely with individual schools and the Secondary Schools Partnership (SSP) to analyse the data carefully and put in place action to secure improvement going forward. It’s essential we are not complacent, we have much more to do to raise standards and address the areas where we are underperforming



Maisie and Holly with their results at Patcham High

Workshops for councillors

In early September Hilary Ferries (Head of Standards and Achievement) and I have led a serious of workshops with our lead councillors helping them to better understand this year’s results and recognise our strengths and areas for development.

Ofsted and the DfE

Our HMI regional lead Alan Taylor-Bennett joined me and the team to discuss changes to the Ofsted framework and learn about our closing the gap work. Representatives from the DfE have also visited to update us on the numerous changes in the department and in particular the new role of Regional School Commissioners (RSCs), and ask about any planned intervention for schools causing concern.

New headteachers

I was delighted to meet our 13 new headteachers at our induction event, a larger group than in previous years. Rachel Burstow (Headteacher) at Hillside Special School  kindly hosted the event which gave heads the opportunity to network, learn about the council and wider children's services, look at the city priorities and begin to consider the contributions they will make.

New term new school site

Hove Junior School with its new solar panelled extension

 Our new Hove Junior School classrooms opened successfully at the Holland Road site. The press coverage was extremely positive and you only have to listen to the children in the clip to see the positive impact it has already had.

http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/search/?q=Hove+Police+Station

Thank you to Janis Taylor (Headteacher) and her team for their excellent work getting the children in and focus on learning on this new site.

 St Andrews Primary School and celebrating diversity

St Andrews Primary School entrance corridor

I have spent considerable time with Michael Nix (Head of Education Planning and Contracts) and Tony Foulger (our colleague architect from property and design) at St. Andrews Primary School together with Trevor Cristin (Headteacher) and his governors, debating with parents on the issues of school places and explaining the detail of the proposed expansion. It's been a pleasure to work with such a group of supportive and intelligent staff and governors who have worked hard to listen to all the issues facing the city and their community and also respond to parental issues and concerns. We are delighted that at the children’s committee the proposal was given unanimous support to go to the next stage, which is to publish a statutory notice. This is the final consultation stage and we will then take another report to the committee in November when a final decision will be made.

Whilst at the school it was a delight to see the amazing work that had been done at the start of the term to recognise and celebrate diversity. The entrance to the school and central corridor is evidence to this with its sea of colourful stars where all the children have recorded their individual differences to share and for all to see.

Challenge leadership

It was a pleasure to open this year’s school and college leaders’ conference at the Amex. This year’s theme was 'challenge leadership' and an opportunity for us all to look at how we can improve our resilience as leaders using more robust challenge. We were all inspired by the key note speakers and their experiences, particularly Steve Mumby who gave an honest account of his own leadership development and his reflections on courageous leadership. I'm looking forward to seeing us all modelling our learning and 'walking into the wind'.

The Learning Partnership

I joined LA colleagues, school cluster reps, university leads, adult learning partners and governor leads for our first learning partnership meeting of the year. We had a robust discussion regarding this year’s standards, SEN and Disability and our developing 14-19 and employment and skills agenda. It is so positive to see leadership from all phases of education working collaboratively and making a contribution to the development of learning in the city.

The changing primary curriculum

It is good to see the positive materials to support the introduction of the new primary curriculum on the teaching school website http://www.thelifecloud.net/schools/wtsa. Thanks to the creative work of Mandy Miller (Schools Partnership Adviser) and primary colleagues.

Saying goodbye and welcoming new people

Maggie Baker, Partnership Adviser – Access to Education

As many of you know Maggie Baker (Partnership Adviser – Access to Education) is leaving us this month after 28 years of fabulous service to schools. I want to personally thank Maggie for her commitment to schools and children and young people in the city.

At the same time I am delighted to welcome two new members to my Education and Inclusion leadership team Mark Storey (Headteacher of the Virtual School) and Roger Snell (Schools Traded Services Manager). They are looking forward to working with you all.

                                                                



Mark Storey, Headteacher of the

Virtual School

Roger Snell, Schools Traded Services Manager  

 

Success for our Virtual School

We had our first steering group for the Virtual School attended by councillors, foster carers, school and children services professionals. As chair I was delighted that we were able to share with the group the significant improvements we have made in results at key stage 2 and GCSE. The group provided robust challenge to the school to build on this and will be expecting continued improvement and further closing of the gap for this year’s cohort. I was particularly delighted that two young people known to the school this year had done so well they are going to further their studies at university.

 Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) up and running

MASH, Woodingdean Business Park

I enjoyed attending the successful opening of MASH, it was so positive to hear and see first-hand the benefits of having the different agencies on site together and the way in which they were able to work effectively in collaboration to act quickly to address safeguarding concerns. I am keen to take some headteachers to see MASH in action and hear about how this new way of working fits alongside our new Early Help Hub.

Joint work across the council to support schools

Derek Lynch, School Crossing Patrol Officer

Last week I visited Davigdor Infants with my Assistant Director colleague Mark Prior from environment to look at how we can all work in partnership to positively managing the traffic and people flow at the start of the school day in and around the school. I was delighted to meet Derek Lynch (School Crossing Patrol Officer) who was doing an amazing job getting the children and their families safely across the road into school. It was also positive to hear first-hand from Ged Cotton (Headteacher) and Mala Kothari (vice chair of governors) the planned work they are doing with other schools in the area on their travel plan.

Starting out as new teachers in the city

I enjoyed the opportunity to open this year’s NQT event which enabled me to positively reflect back to 1988 when I started my first teaching job! I was so proud to see that this year 130 NQTs had chosen to live and work in Brighton and Hove. I do believe it is still one of the best careers to embark on. It was an opportunity to let them know what’s available to support them and for them to learn a little more about the wider children's partnership they have joined. They were keen and enthusiastic and welcomed our aspiration for all our schools to be good and outstanding.

School meals 

Lunchtime at Balfour Primary (KS2 dining room)

The implementation of Universal Infant Free School Meals from September 2014 has got off to a good start. Collaboration between schools and Eden Foodservice Ltd, led by Susie Haworth (School Meals Team Manager) ensured that all schools were ready to implement the government’s policy from day one and provide a hot meal for all pupils requiring one. There are still a number of challenges ahead, however, take up is high and we are looking forward to seeing positive impact on learning for our children.  

Best wishes,

Jo