Every Child a Reader (ECaR)

Vicky Conry, Every Child a Reader teacher, reading with a pupil

This month I would like to celebrate our Every Child a Reader (also known as ECaR) programme across the city. Nearly 3,000 children in Brighton & Hove who have struggled with learning to read have benefited from one-to-one support through our specialist reading scheme. ECaR currently operates in 14 local schools. It’s aimed at younger children who are below their expected reading level for their age. Each child gets an intensive programme of 1-1 support from specially trained teachers and teaching assistants. This has contributed to our reading success, with recently published national figures showing the city as a whole to be performing considerably above the national average in reading. Watch our video to find out more http://ow.ly/PjUn30nX9TG

Poverty Proofing the School Day

Children, Young People and Skills Committee

Our Poverty Proofing the school day project is now coming to an end. Since June 2017, we have heard the voices of 27,628 children and young people across the city. This month peer researchers from Longhill High School went to the Children, Young People and Skills Committee and the Neighbourhoods, Inclusion, Communities and Equalities Committee. They reported on the project and their role as peer researchers.

We are setting up a dedicated page on BEEM http://www.beem.org.uk/Services/5103 , open to all where we are gathering together all the outcomes from the project. This will include the volumes of best practice documents, the lesson plans about poverty, ‘How to poverty proof your school trip’ and an audit tool. In addition, we hope that there will continue to be ‘champions’ of poverty proofing who will encourage us all to look through activities in school life through the eyes of families who may be struggling with money.

St Mark's Primary library launch

This month in time for World Book Day, St Mark’s CE Primary launched their new library. Mayor Dee Simson cut the ribbon and declared the Secret Garden Library open. Headteacher Jane Fendley said ‘This warm, comfortable library stacked with lovely books is an amazing chance for us to show the children the pleasures of reading a good book.’

The garden at St Mark’s Library

Children in Care Council

Geoff Raw with the Children in Care Council

This month Geoff Raw, Chief Executive for Brighton & Hove City Council, met with 8 young people from the Children in Care Council (CiCC). The CiCC gives young people with experience of being in care the opportunity to meet and give their views on their experience of services including social workers, foster care and the leaving care team. The CiCC is also consulted about new developments and shares its ideas and views with the Corporate Parenting Board. The meeting was a great experience for Geoff and the young people, who asked some really interesting questions, such as ‘what keeps you up at night about your job’. I’m looking forward to hearing more from them and supporting them further with their important work.

Celebrating Rainbow Flag awards

Work from BACA allies - student event

The Rainbow Flag Award is a national quality assurance framework for all schools and colleges, focusing on LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, plus other related identities), inclusion and visibility. The Rainbow Flag Award encourages a whole organisation approach to LGBT and inclusion, as well as developing strategies to combat LGBT-phobic bullying. In Brighton & Hove, the Allsorts Youth Project have been delivering this programme, supported by the council. BACA, Patcham High, Blatchington Mill and Hertford Infant Schools have all achieved the Rainbow Flag Award and were presented with their certificates by Reuben Davidson from Allsorts and Anna Spragg (Equalities Manager, Communities Equality & Third Sector) and Georgina ClarkeGreen (Assistant Director - Health SEN & Disabilities) from the council. Well done to these schools who have worked hard to develop their LGBT inclusive practice.

Rainbow Flag Award Winners - BACA

Apprenticeship week

Our apprenticeship team had an exciting week and ran a number of different activities to highlight apprenticeships, and what they bring to the council, our communities, and the individuals taking them up. For the past year, the Families, Children & Learning (FCL) Policy & Business Support Team have been joined by David, a Digital Marketing Apprentice. David has been heavily involved in content creation for different FCL communication briefs, including the annual reports. If you would like to find out more about taking up an apprenticeship or hiring an apprentice, contact the team by emailing apprenticeships@brighton-hove.gov.uk

From left to right: Sarah Sawyer & Vanessa Potter Sussex, Council of Training Providers, Carla Butler (Council Apprenticeships Programme Manager) and Elizabeth Flegg, Chair of South East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network

This month during National Apprenticeship Week, I had great pleasure in attending the Apprenticeship Graduation. The event was opened with a live performance from alternative pop band ‘Wavve’ who are students at BIMM (British & Irish Modern Music Institute) Brighton. Apprentices from across the City received a rapturous welcome from family, friends, apprenticeship providers and ambassadors of apprenticeships. Thanks to the staff and apprentices from FCL who attended and made the evening so special and congratulations to all of the graduates.

The Apprenticeships Graduates and Mayor Dee Simson 

First Post Graduate Teacher Apprentice (PGTA) - Downs View School

The advert has gone live for four PGTAs at Downs View School. The PGTA is an exciting opportunity for gifted and talented graduates to follow an alternative route. Working on the PGTA will lead to QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) and gaining a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education).

Headteacher Adrian Carver and Deputy Head Teacher Rachel McDonald-Taylor said:

‘This isn’t just a fantastic offer for people wanting a career in special needs education. It’s also an exciting leap forward for us. By opening our apprenticeships up to people across the city, we’re hoping to tap into a huge, exciting pool of talent.’

The PGTA is a 14 month apprenticeship working within the school with blended learning delivered through the University of Brighton.

To find out more about the Post Graduate Teacher Apprenticeship and Grants available up to £12,500, contact Gavin Graham - apprenticeships@brighton-hove.gov.uk . For more information on the vacancy please go to Downs View website; http://www.downsview.brighton-hove.sch.uk/about-us/vacancies/

Local Authority Challenge award

The Local Authority Challenge team, from left to right: Wes Emond, Liz Brand, Mia Brown, Emma Sheridan, Ruth Bradley and Giles Hippisley

Brighton & Hove City Council entered two teams into the South East Local Authority Challenge, with 14 teams tasked with running a fictional council for the day, in competition with each other. The Challenge is aimed at giving participants an insight into the world of executive leadership, including strategic oversight and imagination, decision making under pressure, and working as a team.

One of our teams included colleagues Mia Brown (Service Manager Directorate Policy & Business Support) and Giles Hippisley (Integrated Team for Families Locality Manager). Brighton & Hove did incredibly well in the challenge, having won 3 of the 6 Awards and been nominated in all categories. Mia and Giles’ team brought home the Best Partnership and Best Overall Team awards, and were runners up in the Best CEO and Most Valuable Player awards. Well done everyone!

Congratulations to Hove Park School

Hove Park’s Assistant Head of Year Rosie Scott was part of the BBC Radio Sussex and Make Good Trouble Productions live round table discussion between parents, experts and teachers on raising teenagers. The programme was about bringing parents and carers of teenagers together to support and better understand their children and explore issues that may be affecting them including mental health. The show aired on the 4th of March at 9pm and is part of The Big Take Over with presenter Kathy Caton. You can listen to it by following the link below. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p070mvpf . Well done to Rosie and Hove Park School.



It continues to be a busy Ofsted time for us all. Peter Gladwin Primary, Hertford Infant and Nursery School, St Andrew’s CE Primary School and Hill Park Special School were all inspected last month. Congratulations to Peter Gladwin, Hertford and St Andrew’s for their Good judgements from Ofsted, and to Hill Park for retaining their Outstanding.

Peter Gladwin Primary: ‘Pupils have positive attitudes towards learning. They say that school is fun. They particularly enjoy the creative curriculum, mathematics and writing.’

Hertford Infant and Nursery School: ‘Leaders ensure that pupils with SEND are cared for and this area of the school’s work is led exceptionally well. The school is highly inclusive, with a growing reputation locally for its skilled work in this area.’

St Andrew’s CE Primary School: ‘Leaders and governors have risen proudly to the challenge of leading a large and inclusive primary school. You [Sophie Thomas, new Headteacher] joined the school in January 2019 bringing renewed energy and direction to improve the school still further.’

Hill Park Special School: ‘You [Rachel Burstow, Executive Headteacher] have established a calm and purposeful school that reflects your commitment to providing the best for all pupils. You and your leadership team are ambitious for pupils and determined to provide the opportunities that they need to succeed.’

Tudor House (residential children's home for children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities) received its annual Ofsted inspection. They were rated outstanding in all three areas. This is the tenth consecutive year that Tudor House has been rated outstanding, by nine different Ofsted inspectors. Clare Brunt, Practice Manager said, ‘I am immensely proud of my team and everyone’s contribution to making the service outstanding and also to sustaining this achievement year after year’.

The inspector said: ‘Young people feel very safe and supported in the home. Parents reflected extremely positively on how much they trust the staff to care for their individual child’s needs.’

Stephen Long speaking to Headteachers and Local Authority Colleagues

We also had a visit from Stephen Long, Assistant Regional Director Ofsted, South East. Stephen spoke to Headteachers and the LA about the proposed Ofsted Framework changes and consultation. This was a fascinating morning and provided a useful platform for heads to share their thoughts. You have until the 5th of April to send a consultation response into Ofsted so please follow the link for more details: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/education-inspection-framework-2019-inspecting-the-substance-of-education

Welcomes and Goodbyes

Rachel Carter

Rachel Carter finishes in her role with the council this week, having established and led the Skills & Employment Team in the Education & Skills branch. We gathered together this week with council colleagues and wider partners to say a huge thankyou and goodbye. The Team continue to support those furthest from the labour market, into work and training and leads on the city’s priorities as identified in the City Employment & Skills Plan. Through partnership working with schools and colleges, the team is well placed to support the progression of young people into employment, and to ensure people of all ages have access to training and progression.

I’m delighted to inform you that as Rachel departs, Carla Butler will be acting up into the role. Carla has built the Apprenticeship Team across the council and has been responsible for the roll out of the apprenticeship programme across schools and council departments. She has shown her absolute commitment to supporting disadvantaged residents and is highly valued and respected in her current role. She is looking forward to working with you all.

Annual Conference for School and College Leaders - Hold the date!

Viv Grant

Our conference this year will be on October 4th and the theme is around wellbeing. Speaker Viv Grant will be addressing the title: ‘Daring Greatly: How successful school leaders rise above the challenges of their roles and stay connected to their vision, passion and purpose’. Please hold the date in your diary.


Best wishes,

Jo

Keep in touch and follow me on Twitter @JoMLyons

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