The End of another Academic Year

For those who work in schools and colleges we are coming to the end of another productive academic year, and for many of us across education & skills we are looking forward to taking a summer break. As always the year has been ‘full on’ with many challenges to face but also so much success to celebrate. Before you rush off to find that sun I'd like to thank you all for your positive contribution to meeting the needs of our children, young people and their families across the City.

Things haven’t slowed down in July, check out some of the fabulous things that have been going on this month.

Poverty Proofing the School Day

I’m delighted our two year project 'poverty proofing the school day' has started very well. A team of 15 researchers made up of staff from across the city have now been trained, the first audits have been carried out and the feedback has been positive, particularly the opportunity to hear from every child / young person in the school. If you would like this at your school, please contact Hilary Ferries (hilary.ferries@brighton-hove.gov.uk). Take a look at the moving and powerful two minute video ' The life of Kieran aged 8' https://vimeo.com/215649190 . Other information and resources are available here: www.povertyproofing.co.uk

Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month

June was national Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) History Month.  This was a chance for schools to celebrate the culture of GRT people and the important contribution that GRT people make to our lives. It was also a time to challenge stereotypes and myths about GRT people, which can lead to racism and bullying.
The theme this year was ‘Friendship across cultures’. This was a very timely theme as it has allowed many links to be made about diversity in general, that diversity is to be respected and celebrated in our city.  

There have been many excellent events around our schools. 3,861 children from infants to secondary aged pupils have had an assembly on the topic provided by Maxine Lambert of our Traveller Education Service. 370 children also had art lessons based on the work of significant Gypsy artists.  There were an estimated 500 entries into GRT History Month competition this year.

Thanks go to all of the schools who took part in Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month this year.

A Westdene Primary pupil draws a trailer with the i360 with the message: Travellers are part of our community

Brighton & Hove Education Partnership

The Strategic Board of the Brighton & Hove Education Partnership met for the second time in July. The terms of reference and the strategic priorities for the next year have now been agreed. This was a positive meeting, bringing all the education family in Brighton & Hove together to work in collaboration to address priorities, such as meeting the needs of the most vulnerable, attendance, equity and recruitment and retention of staff. There was positive and collective agreement across the group to work together to ensure no school or provision and no child or young person is left behind. The two Teaching Schools, Pavilion and Downs Alliance and the Sussex Coast Teaching School Alliance updated the board on their plans. This is a real opportunity to bring resources into the city and develop further our successful model of school to school support, CPD, leadership, research and development and initial teacher training.

Brighton & Hove Governance Conference

Estelle Morris

I was really pleased to be able to introduce the Rt Hon Estelle Morris at our annual Governance Conference at the University of Sussex earlier this month.  It was fascinating to learn from Estelle’s wide-ranging experiences in education throughout her life, from being a teacher in an inner-city multi-racial comprehensive school for 18 years to becoming the Secretary of State for education & skills in 2001. We explored how freedom and constraints have changed over the years – back in the 1980s schools had limited freedom in relation to resources, as budgets were still LA controlled, yet there was more freedom with the curriculum and assessment. This has evolved over the years to quite the opposite now of course! Estelle also explained how schools supporting schools have developed, as we have a collective responsibility for all children in the city. She was pleased to hear about our Brighton & Hove Education Partnership and all the collaborative work going on in the City and the impact this was having.

Local Leaders of Governance (LLGs)

Estelle Morris presenting certificates to governors

This term, our Governor Support Team has offered the ‘Local Leaders of Governance’ programme, run by one of our National Leaders of Governance, Jenny Barnard-Langston. We recognise the importance of top quality governance of schools and of the need to strengthen partnerships and collaboration to drive school improvement. I am delighted that eight of our experienced governors have taken part in this programme and will now be able to support other governing bodies where needed.  Congratulations to Christine Bartley, Stephen Berry, Gordon MacRae, Faith Mair, Amanda Mortensen, Joe Paxton, Karen Preston and Allistare Smedley. Six of these governors attended our Governance Conference and were fortunate enough to be presented with their certificates by Estelle Morris.

Estelle Morris presenting certificates to governors

Congratulations to Coombe Road who have been graded as Good in their recent Ofsted inspection. This has been a challenging journey for the school so congratulations to Vicky Phillips, all staff and governors and all those who have been involved in supporting and challenging the school. 

Mayor’s Parlour with Coombe Road pupils, the headteacher, governors, Nicki O’Neill, Ellen Mulvihill and the Mayor of B&H Cllr Mo Marsh

Mayor Mo Marsh held a reception in the Parlour to celebrate this Ofsted success. The pupils, nominated by their teachers for the visit, got up close with the mayor’s 130-year-old mace and tried on the original 24-carat Hove mayoral chains before enjoying sweets, chocolate and drinks in the mayor’s parlour.

Cllr Marsh said: ‘I am delighted to be here today to congratulate Coombe Road School and everybody in the community for a really hard effort. Now the school is officially a good school as rated by Ofsted, and as a long term governor of the school it is my pleasure to host this reception as mayor. I wish them every success, they have really deserved their summer holiday.’

Coombe Road pupil holding the Mayor’s mace

Varndean Secondary School had a one day Section 8 inspection in June. The result has not yet been announced but I look forward to sharing this with you in my September blog.

We end the year in Brighton & Hove in an extremely positive position, 93% of our schools have been rated good or outstanding.

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, gave a speech at the recent Association of Directors of Children's Services conference I attended, which included some positive words about Ofsted’s direction of travel. Take a look: 
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/amanda-spielmans-speech-at-the-association-of-directors-of-childrens-services-conference

This year’s Primary School Results

Children across Brighton & Hove are leaving primary school with above average reading, writing and maths skills, according to the latest national figures. Newly published provisional Key Stage 2 results show that across the city as a whole 63% of pupils reached the expected combined standard in the three subjects, compared to 61% nationally. Last year’s figures were 58% for the city and 53% nationally.

The percentage of local children meeting the national higher target across the three subjects is also up from 7% last year to 9%. I’m delighted with this year’s results and that we have been ahead of the game nationally at primary level for a number of years now. I’d like to congratulate all our schools for their hard work and commitment to achieve this success and to our education and skills team for the effective challenge and support they provide in partnership with our schools. 

30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds for working parents
The Early Years team have been working with early years providers to prepare for the extension to 30 hours of childcare for 3 and 4 year olds from September. A range of business planning workshops have been held this term and we are very happy that to date 131 providers have signed up to offer 30 hours from September. Congratulations to the team for their hard work and success. More information about 30 hours and other funding for childcare is available here: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/childcarefunding . Parents need to get their eligibility code from HMRC’s Childcare Service and take it to their childcare provider well before 31 August for their child to have the extended hours in the autumn term.

The Early Years team also held a citywide network meeting for early years providers in July focussing on disadvantaged children and the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP).  The morning included:

• a presentation from the Ethnic Minority Achievement Service on the changing ethnic profile of Brighton & Hove’s population
• examples of effective EYPP spending from four local Outstanding settings
• workshop on refugee children and families, Secure Base and Attachment Aware practice and Word Play.

For more information and advice about the Early Years Pupil Premium follow this link: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/children-and-education/working-childcare/early-years-pupil-premium 

Providing Access to Childcare and Employment (PACE) Project

Colleagues and EU project partners visited the Brighton Pavilion

We hosted an event for the European Union funded PACE project. Our project partners from Belgium, Holland, France and the UK spent the two days in the city sharing information and further developing the project. PACE aims to support families to access good quality early education and childcare to improve outcomes, enhance participation in society and reduce child poverty. We are focussing the PACE project on low income families with two year olds, helping parents to access free childcare and providing additional support to find training, work experience and employment opportunities. For more information about PACE contact Fiona Ricci at the Family Information Service Fiona.Ricci@brighton-hove.gcsx.gov.uk 

Women in Education

Claire Jarman introducing speaker Alison Peacock at our WomenEd event

This month Claire Jarman organised and hosted at Cardinal Newman, our first Brighton WomenEd event. I attended alongside other education leaders across the city for an inspiring and uplifting event. It was particularly impressive to hear from a number of women leaders about their challenges and success. We are all looking forward to the next one. See @womenEdSE and @JarmanClaire 

Apprenticeship Event

It’s been a long time since we’ve had queues around the block to enter Hove Town Hall, but the 'Bust the Myth’s' apprenticeship event held on 4 July attracted hundreds of student and parents/carers keen to find out more about apprenticeships from employers, colleges, universities and training providers. The event was arranged by the Skills and Employment Team in conjunction with Apprenticeships in Sussex to provide up to date information on reforms to apprenticeships. There was a real buzz in the building and lots of interest in higher and degree apprenticeships which is great. It was really encouraging to hear from our young people about their ambitions for the future. 

Carla Butler, Council Apprenticeships Programme Officer, and the Apprenticeship team

Goodbye and Thank You  

Thank you to Tracey Grennan for her leadership at Downs Infants since the previous head left and for leading the school so well through a time of change.

Thank you to Ashley Seymour Williams for doing an amazing job at Patcham Juniors, his determination and perseverance took the school from notice to improve to good, a testament of his leadership skills.

Thank you to Mike Jee for the many years of service to the pupils, families and staff at Aldrington CE Primary. His unique and positive leadership style has enabled so many pupils to succeed over the years. 

Sincere thanks and gratitude go to Liz McCullough at the PRU for her work with and for the vulnerable children and young people in the city with social, emotional and mental health issues. Her leadership over 31 years has enabled some of our most vulnerable pupils to succeed. 

Thank you to Lalli Howell for all her leadership and hard work over the years in the different roles she has had in the city. A particular thank you for everything she has done for the children and young people at the Cedar Centre. 

Ellen Mulvilhill, our Head of Standards & Achievement, will be moving on in August for her new role for the Pavilion and Downs Teaching Schools Alliance (PADTSA). She has been a fabulous member of our education & skills team here in Families, Children and Learning. I’d like to thank her for her commitment and dedication to improvement in all our schools and to education within the city. We are looking forward to continued work with her in her new role. 

I would also like to say thank you and goodbye to Dion Page-Hammond, Education Safeguarding Officer as he leaves the council this summer. Dion has made a massive contribution to Schools Safeguarding in this City and really shaped what was a new role in the authority. Dion has been successful in obtaining a new position as Support and Intervention Manager (Safeguarding) at East Sussex County Council, a significant promotion.

We wish them all well in their future careers and the next chapters in their lives. 

Best wishes,

Jo

Keep in touch and follow me on Twitter @JoMLyons
Find details here Twitter accounts across all council services.

Eid Mubarak 

It has been good to see and hear about the Eid celebrations across our city earlier this week. I hope that all our children, young people and their families had a fabulous time celebrating together. It was positive for me to see some of the work our schools have been doing during Eid.

Carden Primary Year 6 visit Al Medinah Mosque

Year 6 at Carden Primary visited three local religious buildings learning about the many similarities and shared history that exists between the three Abrahamic religions. Learning to accept and respect other people's faith is a British Value and pupils from Carden certainly represented the school excellently by listening carefully and asking thoughtful and respectful questions. They also visited Holland Road Baptist Church, Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue and Al Medinah Mosque where they explored the buildings and listened to talks lead by members of each faith.

A Family Picnic and Eid Celebration was also held and Year 6 shared their work from these visits at the picnic. A parent commented that this was a great status booster for her kids to see the school celebrating a festival that her child ordinarily celebrates with very few people; as they ‘don't have any family here it's wonderful to get a sense of how Eid is celebrated in a large community’.

Sam Beal, Gavin Thomas and Shiromi Cabraal from our Education & Skills team joined John McKee, headteacher from Patcham High, for an Iftar Meal (the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast) organised by the Dialogue Society. It was a lovely event that focused on the importance of interfaith dialogue and working together. More about the Dialogue Society can be found out on this link http://www.dialoguesociety.org/ or by following on Twitter @DialogueSociety

Congratulations to our schools

Peter Gladwin Primary School held an art exhibition and the theme this year was the Rights of the Child, which was to help inform our families and the community about the school’s journey to becoming a Level 1 Rights Respecting School. Each year group chose a different right to represent through art.

Year 6 art representing every child’s right to a safe place to live

They received some fabulous feedback:

‘Absolutely Brilliant! Fantastic for the whole school to join together for an event like this. Really beautiful artworks. Well done!’

‘A truly amazing display at Peter Gladwin. A real show of talent. Thank you for being open to us to share in this wonderful artwork!’

Parents enjoying the art exhibition

Peter Gladwin School was also featured in the June issue of Sussex Life magazine. The article was about the children’s love of reading and about their very special Reading / Therapy dogs, who visit the school weekly to support many of the children’s enjoyment of reading. Charlotte Barnes, Taboo’s owner and handler, has been coming to the school for a number of years and has helped many of our children learn to read with confidence.

Leon and Archie reading the Taboo the Reading Therapy dog

Leon and Archie were great ambassadors for the school. They were both interviewed by the magazine’s editor and both boys explained how they enjoyed reading to Taboo and how reading to him takes away many of the stresses of reading to an adult. (Leon pointed out Taboo just listens and doesn’t interrupt!) They both said how their reading had improved and about their favourite books.

  

The dogs are very much part of the Health and Wellbeing programme at the school and are having a huge impact on children’s confidence and reading progress. Well done Peter Gladwin.

We were delighted that Balfour Primary also had an article published in the TES on the 7th of June about their mock election. The experience helped the children to learn all about democracy and decision making. Please click on the following link for more information: http://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/election-countdown-how-our-school-election-persuaded-me-voting-age

I was excited when I personally had the opportunity to be involved by sending in my postal vote.

Election countdown: 'How our school election persuaded me the voting age should be reduced to four'

www.tes.com 'The process let us build our philosophy for every child, family, and goat': One headteacher reflects on a mock election.

Balfour Primary voting

Virtual School Conference

I was privileged to join colleagues from across Families, Children and Learning, and our schools alongside foster carers and young people for the Virtual School summer conference at the AMEX Community Stadium.

Lonny & Jo presenting Varndean's Attachment Aware approach

This year’s theme was ‘Education & Corporate Parenting’ and we were excited to have the inspirational Luke Rodgers as the keynote speaker, talking about his experience as a care leaver and the importance of positiveness and resilience. @Luke_Rodgers  www.fosterfocus.co.uk

Please click on this video link below:  

Luke Rodgers

In addition, we had presentations on attachment aware schools, the inclusive behaviour policy, information on providing education for asylum seeking young people, young people and foster family testimonies, Brighton & Hove’s official Corporate Parenting Strategy and an update from Virtual School headteacher Mark Storey and Assistant Director Helen Gulvin.

I was impressed with how our work to meet the needs of our children in care and those adopted has progressed across the city over the past two years with Brighton & Hove leading the way with its best practice.

  

Primary Moderation

Moderation at Westdene

Across the city over the last few weeks, most Primary, Infant and Nursery schools have worked with the Local Authority moderation teams for EYFS, Phonics Screening, Y2 Reading, Writing and Maths and Y6 writing monitoring visits. We were also externally moderated by the Standards and Testing Agency for KS1 Moderation.

We are a small team, enhanced and enriched by the expertise and experience of school staff who commit to become part of the moderation team supporting class teachers as statutory markers of teacher assessment judgements. The skill of the teacher team in working with colleagues through this rigorous and intense process is to be commended. We endeavour to ensure the process is supportive with teachers given time to share their evidence for teacher assessment. The moderation process also provides opportunity to consider strengths in current teaching and learning in relation to national curriculum goals and areas that all school staff may need to revisit or develop. Thank you to all staff and schools for engaging positively and professionally in this statutory process.

Coombe Road have recently had an inspection and I look forward to reporting back on this in my next blog once the report is out. I’m delighted to report that Rudyard Kipling have once again been graded as Good. Well done to Joanne and her team for all their hard work.

Amanda Spielman gave a speech at the Festival of Education, ‘Enriching the fabric of education’. She talked about a review of the curriculum and the importance of recognising leadership challenges and valuing management. Amanda also discussed the future being about inspecting on the things that really matter for good education, which is music to our ears! Take a look:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/amanda-spielmans-speech-at-the-festival-of-education

Celebration at Roundabout Children’s Centre

10 Volunteers from Roundabout and the Deans Children’s Centre came to a thank you lunch as part of the Nationwide Volunteers Celebrations month.

Helen Cowling Children’s Centre Service Manager presented all of the volunteers with their Certificates of Achievement. Our Volunteers are an asset to the centres and we appreciate all of their time they give to us volunteering in groups, attending advisory meetings and much more.  

Equality and Diversity in schools

I joined headteachers and college principals across all phases of education this month to challenge ourselves and our approaches to meeting the needs of our BME students across the city. Thank you to Ashley Harold (headteacher of Blatchington Mill) for opening the event with some open and honest reflections on the need to tackle discrimination.

Ashley Harold HT Blatchington Mill opening event on BME

We were able to explore how educational settings are developing in response to the changing ethnic demographic. We looked at how we can build on good practice to further develop evidence based practice to ensure positive outcomes for all our students.

The speakers were thought provoking and we all appreciated the personal stories from schools and community members on the challenges of inclusion.

Take a look here on BEEM here  http://beem.org.uk/P2396 for the presentation and resources that were shared.

Abha Aggarwal from RISC (Reading International Solidarity Centre) on colourblindness

Our Future City

Joining my colleagues and partners on Our Future City Board last week, I was able to hear about the positive outcome of our ‘#Be Well Programme’. Over 350 children from nursery and primary schools in the city have been taking part in creative projects, designed around identified wellbeing needs. The programme brought together colleagues working in education and across the arts and cultural sector to co-design innovative creative experiences which utilised music, dance, animation, puppet making, story-telling and sculpture to explore themes that included belonging, resilience and identity. The programme has been very successful and I would like to thank all schools that participated.

School children visiting the Booth Museum

An evaluation report and film have been created, including ten case studies which outline the approaches used and the impact on wellbeing, with all ten schools reporting an uplift in feelings of wellbeing from participating children. The film, report and associated resources will be available from the Our Future City website from mid July: http://www.ourfuturecity.org.uk/ Please do take a look.

Poverty Proofing

This month we began our work to implement the ‘Poverty Proofing School Day Programme’. It involves using an audit tool that helps schools review their practice through the lens of poverty, to remove barriers to learning and improve outcomes. A team of trained researchers (all staff from local schools or Local Authority) will be going into schools and listening to all the students over a period of days. There is also an online survey for parents, staff and governors. They then write a report, which will identify areas to celebrate and areas to consider.

The best practice will be shared across the city and school leaders will decide how to act on the areas for consideration.

Researchers are completing their training by shadowing the lead from Children North East in Woodingdean and BACA and then will start the audits this term with Patcham Junior and Moulsecoomb Primary. 35% of schools have expressed an interest so far. If you would like to know more, please contact Hilary Ferries (hilary.ferries@brighton-hove.gov.uk).

Iceland Nursery Visitors

A Talk about EYFS in the Royal Spa Nursery Gardens

13 students from Iceland visited Tarner and Roundabout Children's Centres, Royal Spa and Tarnerland Nursery School, Roundabout Nursery and Queen's Park Primary school to learn about our methods of supporting our youngest children and their families in the city. They were very impressed with the two day programme that the Early Years Team arranged for them, which involved looking at how Children's Centres deliver interventions in the home and in groups to support families, how the nurseries deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, and how early education is organised and funded in the UK. They have already booked another visit for next year!

Welcome to new members of the team

Alia in the Post and Print Team

We are delighted to welcome Alia Hassan, who has started a Business Admin Apprenticeship working in the Post and Print team at Hove Town Hall. This was arranged by Carla Butler, the council’s Apprenticeship Programme Officer. Brighton Metropolitan College are offering additional learning support.

Carla originally found Alia some work experience with the council’s Transport Department which was very successful and led to Alia being offered her Apprenticeship.

Alia says ‘I think this is a really good opportunity and I am enjoying my job. I am learning lots about using the printers, franking and enveloping machines. I am also doing some work in the Post Room - it is quite busy in there!’

Karina Davis

Welcome also to Karina Davis, a new member to Carla Butler's Apprenticeship Team, employed as a Business Support Officer. Karina will be supporting the administration of the Apprenticeship Levy, recruitment and apprenticeship activities.

Karina says ‘I am astonished by the sheer range of apprenticeships available and really looking forward to working in the Apprenticeship Team and meeting new and existing apprentices.’

We all look forward to working closely with her.

Please take a look at the apprenticeship videos on the Brighton & Hove Council YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg6-4QRIpCdEm8E3IJ7nRmQ

Albion in the Community will be delivering the Premier League Primary Stars programme over the next academic year in schools, which will see the charity use the appeal of the Premier League to inspire children to learn, be active and develop important life skills. 

Albion in the Community  are holding an information event about the programme at the American Express Community Stadium on Thursday 6 July and would like all of the primary schools to be involved.

Read more: tinyurl.com/yd6oyzdk

Official website: www.albioninthecommunity.org.uk

Twitter: @albioninthecomm

Facebook: albioninthecommunity14  

Best wishes,

Jo

Keep in touch and follow me on Twitter @JoMLyons
Find details here Twitter accounts across all council services.

May - Festival Time!

The Children’s Parade

May, the month when the festival begins, is one of my favourite times of the year. It is a reminder to me what an amazing place the City is to live and work and for our children and young people to grow up in.

The festival began as usual with the children's parade, a magnificent display of creativity and talent from our schools showing the coming together of the Brighton & Hove Education Partnership at its very best. Our headteachers showed an amazing display of visible leadership, dressed in an array of colourful costumes alongside teachers, parents and families.

Solidarity with Manchester

We have all been shocked and appalled by the terrorist attack in Manchester this week. Our deepest sympathy goes to all affected by this horrendous attack, and in particularly the families and friends of those that have died or been injured. I am sure colleagues are already making appropriate responses to support pupils and students. Just a quick reminder that on this page of Pier2Peer you will find a range of resources for schools, parents and carers related to supporting those worried about terrorism: school portal link.

In the case of any racist or religiously motivated incidents reported inside or outside school, contact the Community Safety Casework Team on 01273 292735 or by e-mail at communitysafety.casework@brighton-hove.gov.uk A duty officer is available Mon to Fri 09:00 – 17:00 to provide advice and guidance. The Police can be called on 101 or 999 if a hate crime has been committed.

Partnership Events

This month a range of partners came together for a number of important strategic discussions and planning for further improvement across the city. At Primary heads we looked carefully at school organisation and place numbers in our primary schools now and into the future. Looking together at how we can ensure ‘no school is left behind’ to face challenges alone. 
Our Special schools heads met and debated the next steps in the SEND review with Regan Delf, Assistant Director - Health SEN & Disabilities, and the model of school improvement and school to school support for SEND going forward.

The B&H Education Board met for the first time with representatives from all phases of education, our universities and both dioceses. There was a real commitment to work together across the city partnership and lead education in a time of much national change. As a group we began to identify the priorities for our city that would become the focus of our collaborative work into the future.

Our Children's Services Forum met and was attended by a wide range of partners from across the city. Young people were at the centre of the event passionately sharing their views about what a 'Child Friendly City' means to them. The event was opened by two fantastic musicians, Alfie Jukes and George Cooper from Hove Park Secondary school with their band Homebound. Before leaving everyone pledged something they would do to contribute to creating a truly ‘child friendly city’ for all.   

Safe and Well at School Survey

Thanks to all schools who participated in the Safe and Well at School Survey. There has been a significant fall in reported bullying with six primary schools now having data showing less than 10% of pupils reporting bullying. It is also positive that there has been a 13% decrease in lesbian, gay and bisexual students reporting they have been bullied in the secondary school data. However, pupils reporting they get extra help, young carers and those who are adopted or in care report higher levels of bullying. We look forward to working closely with you to begin to address this.

Our Equalities Work

Schools are reminded of the Disability Equality - Training of the Trainers on Thursday 15 June. For further information and to sign up go to BEEM.  

Additionally, the Anti-Bullying Alliance is launching an online programme called All Together, aimed at reducing the bullying of disabled pupils. Further information is on their website. 

Schools of Sanctuary - congratulations to Coldean Primary, Fairlight Primary, St John the Baptist Primary, Benfield Primary and Patcham Junior for receiving certificates over the last year for making their schools places of welcome. The case studies for the work that has taken place at these schools can be found on Pier2Peer.

Take a look at a write-up on one of the projects undertaken at Fairlight Primary: The World at Fairlight Blog.

Fairlight Primary pupils at Brighton Museum

I am looking forward to hearing about how we can build on this good practice at the Schools of Sanctuary and Eid Celebration event on Thursday 29 June. Sign up on BEEM. 

I was interested to read the recent NUT and Runnymede Trust report Barriers report: the impact of racism on BMEteachers. Developing city wide approaches to increasing the numbers of BME staff in schools and colleges will be one of the agenda items discussed at the School and College Business Leaders meeting on Friday 16 June. Sign up for this event on BEEM.

Best practice in our schools

This picture embodies the Year 4 work over the term, as we moved it from the classroom into the hall

I'm always blown away by the amazing practice we have in our schools. This month I had the pleasure to visit Hove Juniors (the Portland Road site) to meet with their leadership team and go on a learning walk across the school. It was so good to see the progression evident in the displays, the consistent high standards and the vibrant and creative learning environment. Great also to hear the head and senior leadership team’s passion to look outside their school to continue to improve and make a difference.

Examinations and SATs

It's the examinations and SATs season and our children and young people have been, and for many will continue to be, sitting tests. It's a time for us all to give them maximum support and encouragement. It's also important to appreciate the pressures this can bring for pupils and the need to build resilience and support their positive wellbeing.

We wish all the children and young people the very best and look forward to hearing about their achievements and progress they have made.

Rudyard Kipling had a one-day inspection this month. I look forward to reporting back on this in my next blog once the report is out. The Ofsted report for Moulsecoomb Primary School was released and although the overall judgement was Requires Improvement, we are absolutely delighted that Leadership and Management were rightly graded as Good and that the Lead Inspector recognised that the school is ‘rapidly improving’. Well done to Adam and his team in continuing to improve outcomes for children and their families in a vulnerable area of the city.

Daily Mile

1,984 children took part in the Daily Mile (DM) Brighton Pilot. DM is a great way to help children meet the recommended 60 minutes of sport and physical activity a day. No training or equipment is required, there are proven benefits for children and schools, pupils and parents love it and it helps with concentration and behaviour. It can be done in 10-15 minutes within lesson time or breaks. Cottesmore St Mary's, Elm Grove, Hertford Junior, Peter Gladwin, City Academy Whitehawk, Coombe Road, Stanford Junior and Balfour all took part, and many of the schools made the DM part of their school day. Well done to all.

See the this link for more information.

Balfour Primary children running as part of Daily Mile

Events Coming Up

Developing Reading Communities Conference, 3 July 2017, Sussex University. Come and discover new and relevant approaches for developing positive and current reading strategies, creating a reading community for all. The event is for primary and secondary heads, English leads, teachers, librarians and students. Our keynote speakers are Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell and Pie Corbett. There will be workshops with Nick Sharratt, Dan Freeman, Abie Longstaff, Prue Goodwin, Professor Jane Oakhill plus other key practitioners

Please book via BEEM. Code: ECaR-0717-T002 or email: louise.zahra@brighton-hove.gov.uk 

Welcome and Goodbye

We are delighted to welcome a number of new headteachers this term and look forward to working with them and supporting them in their new and substantive roles. Although they will face challenges ahead, they have one of the best and most rewarding jobs anyone could have. 

             Katie Blood                              Jim Roberts                      Alex Wingham             Vicky Philips                             St. Bartholomew’s                       Hove Park                          St. Martin’s                  Coombe Road

We are saying goodbye this month to Lucy Roberts (Primary School Teaching and Learning Assessment Consultant), who has provided clarity and stability in primary assessment and moderation processes across the city. Lucy is well known in Education and Skills for her professionalism and her credibility and respect with schools. She has had a significant impact on the quality of teaching in the city. In her new role as Inclusion Coordinator at Elm Grove Primary, Lucy will continue to drive to improve standards for our children. We look forward to continued collaborative work with her.

We also said goodbye to Clare Johansen, our Education & Skills Office Manager. This is an opportunity to thank her for all the hard work she has put in to setting up our systems and getting us settled into Hove Town Hall. We wish her well in her new role closer to home.

Best wishes,

Jo

Keep in touch and follow me on Twitter @JoMLyons
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