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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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