As the end of term is now in sight, I know that many of you will soon be finishing for the summer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for everything you have achieved in this most difficult of years, going above and beyond for the children and young people of Brighton and Hove, despite the many personal and professional challenges you have faced over recent months.
I would like to wish you all a happy and safe summer. I hope you are all able to take a well-earned break and can find some time to rest and recuperate and I hope there will be an opportunity for a relaxing summer holiday for all. I look forward to once again working with you all.
New Youth Employment Hub
The new Youth Employment Hub has been open for a month and I have been so pleased to hear that Youth Employability, Supported Employment and DWP clients are already benefiting from this well-resourced safe space for young people needing support in our city.
A YES client was introduced to a DWP work coach and together they worked on a Kickstart application, with Youth Employability providing careers support and interview practice. This client has now started work and has told her YES adviser she’s the happiest she’s been since Lockdown began. A fantastic start to a new joined up working approach, which will benefit young adults across the city when they need the support the most. If you’d like further information about the Youth Employment Hub please contact Elle at Eleanor.Dyson@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Online Careers Events
Hello Future online careers events for 11-24 year olds have been taking place this week. These events have also included sessions for parents and carers. Many participating students have said they enjoyed asking questions on-line on the chat function and it was much easier than to ask in person! Sessions on Friday 16th July include:-
Hello Resilience - Overcoming challenges, aiming high and staying positive. For more details please see here.
Inspectors Praise Brighton & Hove’s ‘Outstanding’ Youth Offending Service
I was delighted to hear that an inspection of Brighton & Hove’s youth offending service (YOS) has been rated outstanding by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation. The Inspection which took place in April 2021 looked at 12 aspects of the YOS’s work and awarded ‘Outstanding’ ratings in every category – a rare achievement.
The council’s youth offending team works with children aged 10 to 17 who are serving court sentences or who have come to the attention of the police because of their offending behaviour but have not been charged – instead, they are supervised out of court.
The Inspection found that “the service is led in such a positive way that it impacts every aspect of their work, from resourcing, to organisation, to their contact with each child under their supervision.” Congratulations to everyone involved for their hard work to achieve this excellent result.
Skills & Employment Team Visit – One Garden Stanmer
I was really pleased to hear that the Skills & Employment Team made a team visit to One Garden in Stanmer. A great opportunity to meet in person, after so long! The £5.1 million project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Community Fund, Brighton & Hove City Council, Plumpton College and South Downs National Park Authority. Everyone was really impressed with the project and the collaboration between Plumpton College and the local authority. It’s an amazing place not just for visitors but also for students to learn in.
The team’s work covers a wide span of employment and skills for over 16s, those at risk of becoming NEET and adult learners, we look forward to opportunities for some joint work in the future. The pandemic has seen a growth in horticulture and a range of career pathways and Plumpton College is keen to work with local schools. There is a classroom available for school or community use. For more information for anything college/horticulture/secondary school related contact schoolsliaison@plumpton.ac.uk or for community groups, one.events@onegardenbrighton.com
Teacher Trainer Wins Tutor of the Year
Well done to Lis Bundock, Senior Lecturer for Teaching at University of Brighton for winning the Brighton and Hove Graduation Tutor of the Year award. All the nominations were outstanding, written with passion and included a real appreciation from the apprentices. It proved a very difficult task to judge as all of the entries were outstanding but Lis Bundock really stood out. Lis received several nominations, each with a story to tell about how she had gone the extra mile to support them to achieve outstanding results and create a strong foundation to build their career on in the most difficult of times. Congratulations to Lis on a very well deserved award!
Congratulations also to Cameron Beattie, Data Analyst Level 4 Apprentice, at Longhill High School for completing and passing his apprenticeship. Cameron has secured a new role within the NHS service. Good luck Cameron!
Ofsted have confirmed that monitoring visits may take place in Requires Improvement or Inadequate schools during the summer term. We also know that full inspection will not return until the Autumn term. Please see the link for more details - Education inspections in the summer term.
Goodbyes
We would like to wish Jonathan Cooper, Headteacher of St Luke’s Community Primary a fond farewell. Jonathan is retiring from a very successful headship at St Luke’s, where he has been Headteacher since St Luke’s Infant and Junior schools merged in 2009. He has led the outstanding primary school with innovation and creative flair, always encouraging the staff and pupils to challenge themselves to do their absolute best and to try out new ideas. Through Jonathan’s additional roles as National Leader of Education and Chair of the Partnership in Leading and Learning, he has supported many colleagues with their own development and challenges and has shared his expertise to improve practice across the city.
Kay Watson, Deputy Head at St Luke’s will be stepping into the role of Acting Headteacher from September until a new appointment is made. Thank you Jonathan - enjoy your retirement from the school.
We also say goodbye to Linda McMillan who will be retiring this year. She has worked with the local authority for many years - she was a headteacher at St Martin’s CE Primary School, seconded as an adviser and become a school improvement partner and subsequently school partnership adviser supporting numerous schools in the city over the last 12 years. She has been instrumental in developing training for governors and a constant supporter of school improvement within the city. We wish her a very happy retirement.
Best wishes,
Jo
Keep in touch and follow me on Twitter @JoMLyons
Find details here Twitter accounts across all council services.
