I would like to wish a very happy new year to everyone celebrating the Chinese new year across Brighton and Hove! Tuesday 1st February marks the start of the year of the Tiger, the third of twelve signs in the Chinese zodiac. I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing about all the fabulous ways in which our schools and education providers are celebrating this year.
The Power of Reading
National Apprenticeship Week 2022
National Apprenticeship Week 22 takes place from 7th to 13th February this year. This is the 15th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships taking place across England and will showcase the positive effects apprenticeships can have on communities, local businesses and regional economies and how they all benefit from the impact of apprenticeships. A series of events will be taking place across the week for apprentices and also staff who are interested in finding out more. These include briefing sessions, training events and meeting your director events. To find out more about apprenticeships and NAW22 please contact apprenticeships@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Youth Employment Hub
The Youth Employment Hub has been very busy supporting the Kickstart scheme in helping to bring employers and young people together in six month, paid placements since opening in June last year. The team have recently had the opportunity to offer their own Kickstart placement. Elena Watkiss started working alongside the Coordinator at the Hub last month to ensure services run smoothly. She will be a welcoming face on the Hub’s reception desk for the next six months. Welcome Elena!
STEM Youth Competition
I was delighted to hear that schools across the city have been invited to work with the British International Education Association on their annual STEM Youth Competition focusing on Greening Cities, Sustaining Life. Students will be considering ways humans of the future can live in harmony with the planet. To register your interest or to find out more visit the BIEA’s website here.
Staff Wellbeing Innovation Fund
I was pleased to hear that the Public Health Schools Programme has secured funding as a direct response from the School Staff Survey conducted in January 2021. This provides an opportunity for schools to try out small initiatives that aim to improve physical and mental wellbeing for staff and hopes to provide a small morale boost for staff after such a difficult year. The amount you can apply for ranges from £200 to £500, dependent of the number of pupils enrolled at your school.
So far, over £16,200 of a variety of small initiatives have been funded revamping the staff room, yoga/physical activity session, one off events at the end of term, even part funding for a new therapy dog. I strongly encourage schools to apply as there is enough funding for all schools. Please email ph.schools@brighton-hove.gov.uk to request the short application form.
Virtual School Holiday Art Club
The Virtual School continues to offer a free holiday art club for children in care and children previously in care aged 5-13. The February art club will coincide with Valentine’s Day this year with the theme being ‘all things lovely’. There are two courses on offer- one will take place every morning of half term (14th – 18th February) at the St Nicholas Parish Centre, and an equivalent course run each afternoon online. Each child that attends has the opportunity to be enrolled in the Arts Award which enables them to work towards the Bronze level award (Y6-Y8), equivalent to a GCSE grade 1-3. If you’d like to sign up an eligible child, please contact the Virtual School by Tuesday 1st February.
Self-Harm Learning Network
The Self-Harm Learning Network, facilitated by West Sussex Mind, YMCA Downslink Group and supported by Allsorts Youth Project will be taking place over the spring and summer terms. This will provide parents and carers across Brighton & Hove with an opportunity to network and get updates on the latest initiatives, research, resources and policies. If you are interested in attending the 1.5-hour long session, make sure you book your place in advance. Please refer to the Public Health Schools team for the full lists of dates and times at ph.schools@brighton-hove.gov.uk.
The inspection reports for Aldrington CE Primary School, St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, the Bilingual Primary School and Portslade Aldridge Community Academy have all been published in January. Congratulations to all the schools for retaining their good grading in their latest Ofsted inspections.
The inspector stated that at Aldrington CE Primary School “Pupils respond positively to the high expectations of behaviour and learning set by leaders”.
The St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary inspection report says: “Expectations are high and pupils rise to these. They take pride in their work and wider achievements”.
At the Bilingual School the inspector highlighted that: “Pupils at this school feel safe, happy and well cared for”.
PACA’s Ofsted report noted that “High aspirations for every pupil are at the heart of the school’s ambitious curriculum… The school’s personal development offer is a particular strength of the school”.
Hove Park Secondary School and Homewood College have also received Ofsted inspections in December and we are awaiting the published reports. We are aware that a couple of schools have had to defer their inspections due to COVID numbers at school and are expecting more Ofsted inspections to take place soon.
Welcome and Thank You
I am very pleased to welcome Russell Brentnall as Acting Headteacher at West Blatchington Primary School. Russell is stepping up from his Assistant Headteacher role until the recruitment for a permanent headteacher is made. We look forward to working with Russell in his new position.
I am also delighted to welcome Susan Thompson into her new role as Head at Brunswick Primary School. We look forward to working with Susan closely over the coming months.
Welcome also to Brendan Murphy, the new communications manager for FCL. Brendan has previously worked with a number of large local authorities, as well as the NSPCC and Shelter and is a former national and local newspaper journalist, ex-primary school teacher and a governor at a Hove secondary school. We look forward to welcoming Brendan and working with him in his new role.
Finally, we say goodbye and thank you this month to Peter Freeman who is stepping down as Chair of the Schools Forum. Peter has held the role of Chair for almost 20 years and has led the Forum through some complex and challenging issues during this time. Peter has always had the highest respect from colleagues across the city and will be much missed as Chair of the Forum. I would like to thank Peter for all of his hard work and dedication and his expert leadership. I am very pleased that he will continue to be involved in our city’s schools in his role as Chair of Governors at Coombe Road Primary School and look forward to continuing to work with him in this capacity.
Best wishes,
Jo
Keep in touch and follow me on Twitter @JoMLyons
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