Eid Mubarak

Eid al-Fitr took place from 25-27 May this year.  I understand that this year’s Eid was a very different experience for Muslims, who could not be with family and friends to end the Ramadan fast because of COVID-19.  Muslims celebrated in their own households, but not being able to share the festivities together was a great loss.  It was lovely to hear how different schools celebrated virtually with their communities though and I would like to wish everyone who marked it ‘Eid Mubarak’. 

Young City Reads

Children across the city have been reading Malamander by Thomas Taylor as part of the Young City Reads BIG READ for school children across Sussex, promoting the joy of reading for pleasure and developing literacy. It has been great to hear that this has continued during distance learning and schools and pupils have been accessing the weekly resources on their website.  Thursday 21 May would have seen the celebration event at the Theatre Royal where pupils would have the chance to meet the author and have their questions answered. Thanks to technology, the event was still able to take place online with Thomas answering questions as they were tweeted and questions that were sent in by pupils. If you missed the event, you can still access it on the Collected Works website.

Keeping in Touch

Once again, it has been wonderful to see and hear about the different ways our schools are keeping in touch with their children at the moment.   I look forward to hearing more about how school communities are coming together at this time.  These are just a few examples of some of the great things which have been happening:-

The following video was created by Cardinal Newman Catholic High School to help their students feel Brave…. https://www.cncs.co.uk/from-all-of-us-to-all-of-you/

Benfield Primary School have created this video of their staff reading “Who Will Comfort Toffle” by Tove Jansson  https://benfield-brighton-hove.secure-dbprimary.com/brighton-hove/primary/benfield/site/pages/learning/homelearning/whowillcomforttoffle

And finally, City Academy Whitehawk have curated family and individual activity packs for their pupils and school community.  These have created a great buzz and the staff were thrilled to see so many families and pupils collecting packs.

Hospital Teaching Service – Access to Education

Year 6 pupil Henry, celebrating VE Day with the Winston Churchill ‘V’ for Victory sign

It’s good to hear that the Hospital Teaching Service at The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital has continued to function during the Covid-19 lockdown.  Families have been very grateful for a visit from the Hospital Teacher, who has been able to provide activities to aid recovery, make their stay more enjoyable and to help with ‘Home Schooling’ tasks.  

To mark VE Day earlier this month, the teacher, nurses and patients had a lot of fun making bunting to hang up around the hospital and in-patient rooms.  One patient, Henry, was an in-patient for over a week earlier this month.   He hung the VE Day bunting above his bed, but he had to replace it with birthday bunting three days later to celebrate his 11th birthday.

Adult Learning Courses  

I’m pleased to say that house our adult and community learning offer will be brought in house as of 1 August 2020.  Brighton & Hove Council is committed to ensuring inclusive and high quality learning is available for all adults in the city.  We will focus on supporting those with few or no qualifications, people on low incomes and unemployed or low or semi skilled people to develop the confidence, skills and qualifications to progress.  If you would like to know more about this big change in our service delivery, please see the Council’s website here.

The Youth Employability Service has quickly moved to adapt their working practices to deal with the challenges of lockdown. They are now providing video, telephone and messenger career appointments, alongside offering AQA Unit Awards so young people can gain accredited certificates whilst they are at home. This has proved popular and course offers have included gardening, safeguarding, youth work, well-being and more! The Service’s Facebook Fanpage has seen a huge increase in traffic and a named adviser takes over the page each weekday, with clients tuning in to watch their live videos and posts.

Every Friday the service has a live Employability Drop In hosted by two advisers and Elle’s most recent publication The Youth Employability Service Lockdown Guide to Life has been seen by over 11,000 people and has kept children and young people entertained during Lockdown.

Brighton & Hove City Council are currently reviewing youth services for young people in the city and are working closely with youth organisations across the city to make sure as many young people as possible participate and give their views.  We are very keen for to hear from young people living in Brighton & Hove aged 11 to 19, or up to 25 years with special educational needs via an on line survey. Please do encourage any young people you know to complete the survey. The survey only takes about 10 minutes to complete and ends on 28 June. The link to the survey is here To give your views via the survey please visit brighton-hove.gov.uk/youth-survey. The feedback from the survey will inform recommendations for future services.

The Virtual School

The Virtual School is continuing to offer a range of services to support children in care & previously in care and really appreciate all the support being provided to them by our colleagues in schools.  This support is so vital during this unsettling time and especially for our children who have already experienced such great challenges in their lives.   In this context, the Virtual School are prioritising supporting the statutory PEP process for children in care and also promote the provision of PEPs for children and young people previously in care.  They have shared widely a School Transitions resource to assist school staff with examples and ideas for transition planning, delivery and review and have a range of other useful resources on their website for school staff, parents and carers.

Staying Active at Home

I was delighted to hear that so many students and families have taken part in the Specsavers Virtual School Games.  A big well done to Blatchington Mill and Saltdean for topping the Brighton & Hove participation leader boards for three weeks in a row!   There is still time to get involved -  head to www.sussexschoolgames.co.uk to learn more.

National School Sport Week at Home 2020 takes place from 20 - 26 June. Register through the following link to gain access to resources to use https://www.youthsporttrust.org/national-school-sport-week-home.  Finally, a YouTube channel has been set up by the Healthy Lifestyles Team to help the whole family to keep healthy during this time.  Please see https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3UDPP981RoXR5_EUUhmSRQ
for more information.

Supported Employment Team

There is some excellent work being undertaken by the Supported Employment Team who support residents of Brighton & Hove over the age of 18 with disabilities into work.   One of the SET Officers, Iain, worked with Evan to identify his goals and preferences, evaluate his skills and explore possible roles that would match his experience.  Following a successful meeting with Sue Weight at Design Print & Sign (DP&S), a trial was arranged.  Iain worked closely with Evan to prepare him.  With the support of Sue, and the DP&S Team’s mentoring and guidance, Evan has grown in confidence and developed new skills, now undertaking most aspects of the role of Design Print & Sign Technician.

Evan says, “I have worked for two different teams within BHCC and have very much enjoyed my three years or so at both teams and feel proud to work for the Council where I have grown up. Iain has been incredible in supporting me in many different ways”.

If you would like to learn more about the service contact SET@brighton-hove.gov.uk

The Ofsted inspections are now on hold due to Covid 19 (official link to information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ofsted-coronavirus-covid-19-rolling-update).  Although all routine inspections are suspended at this time, the inspection reports for Downs View and the Jeanne Saunders Centre have now been published. 

Huge congratulations to Downs View on retaining their Outstanding Ofsted grading.  The inspector said:  “The curriculum starts highly effectively in the early years, where pupils begin to learn essential life skills. This exemplary start continues through all other key stages of the school.  Pupils are exceptionally well prepared for their next stage of education, employment or training” and …“pupils are incredibly well supported by highly skilled and knowledgeable staff.”  Congratulations to the school leaders, staff, pupils and governors.

Congratulations also go to the Jeanne Saunders Centre who have received an Outstanding Ofsted grading.  This exceptionally positive Ofsted report describes the leadership and staff as “inspirational” and as going “above and beyond for all children and families”.   The report continues that staff “use their wealth of knowledge to provide a meticulously organised curriculum, where every child thrives”.   Very well done to all of the staff and everyone involved in achieving this result.

Goodbyes

We said goodbye this month to Pinaki Ghoshal, Interim Executive Director for Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities and substantive post holder as Executive Director for Families, Children & Learning.  Pinaki is moving on to Lewisham Council where he is due to take up the position of Director for Children and Young People.  We would like to thank Pinaki for all his hard work and commitment during his time with us and wish him the best of luck in his new post.

Pinaki Ghoshal

Best wishes,

Jo

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



Thank you

I would like to say an enormous thank you to all school, college and early years leaders, teachers and staff for their amazing work since the lockdown began. I have been very impressed with the way solutions have been found to provide childcare, home learning and support for the children of key workers and the most vulnerable in our city.  The challenges are continuing and I applaud you all for the work that you are doing.  I would also like to thank the parents, children and young people of Brighton & Hove who have managed a massive change in their lives so positively. It’s great to see the creative ways they are learning and playing across the city.

Although this year’s Children’s Parade is sadly unable to go ahead as usual, organisers Brighton Festival and Same Sky are inviting everyone to come together this year in a different way to celebrate children, their creativity and incredible imaginations by holding mini parades at home. 

The 2020 Children’s Parade will take place virtually on Saturday 2 May at 10.30am for five minutes.  To help with this, Same Sky artists have created free and easy tutorials to make something fun from recycled materials found around the house such as a broom puppet, trumpets, masks and hats. Follow this link https://brightonfestival.org/childrens_parade_at_home_-_artist_tutorials/ for more information.

2019 Children’s Parade. Photo Xavier Clarke

Ramadan has started.  It will be a very different sort of Ramadan for those marking it. Mosques are closed and gatherings not permitted, but I would like to wish Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Kareem to those who are fasting. I recognise and understand that the marking of Ramadan may also mean changes in routine and create more challenges with home working and home schooling and hope this goes as smoothly as it can.  Here is the link to the Muslim Council of Britain’s guide on celebrating Ramadan at home http://ow.ly/ZCzw50zlrbu



Just a reminder of life in school before lockdown, in March schools in Brighton and Hove celebrated World Book Day. Activities included dressing up as a favourite book character, sharing a much loved book and more.  Here are what two of our Reading Recovery schools got up to. 

At Middle Street Primary School, activities were based around Julia Donaldson's 'Charlie Cook's Favourite Book' with staff dressing up as characters from the book.  This was followed by making their own whole school book about favourite books and a free book giveaway of some second-hand books.

Staff at Middle Street Primary School

Woodingdean Primary School pupils enjoyed the theme of ‘Sharing Our Own Stories’ and all children made a book of their complete autobiography or an autobiographical story to enter into a writing competition. Money was raised for Dementia Awareness in a pre-loved book sale and characters were put into their correct settings with use of a green screen.

Woodingdean Primary School pupils using the green screen

March also saw the launch of Young City Reads Annual Big Read.  I hope that you all had a great day enjoying a book or two.  So many more amazing things went on across the city for World Book Day, thank you to everyone for your contributions.  Happy reading!

I would like to thank those schools who are supporting their apprentices to continue learning.   In particular this support means that those following the Post Graduate Teacher Apprenticeship route will be able to complete their apprenticeship and gain their PGCE and QTS. 

The recruitment for next year’s teaching apprenticeships is continuing.  Thank you to schools who are participating and also the University of Brighton for looking at alternative ways of interviewing applicants.  BHCC is still recruiting apprenticeships across services and there are currently vacancies for 10 Apprentice Plumbers in the new Housing Repairs Service.

The Apprenticeship Team has produced a video including interviews with current apprentices, post graduate teachers, senior leaders and customer service apprentices.  Please follow this link to see what they have to say: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEnB_ZrwiXQ

For information regarding Apprenticeships please contact Gavin Graham in the Apprenticeship team 01273 293320 or apprenticeships@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Keeping in touch

It has been wonderful to see how our schools are keeping in touch with their children at this time.  I have really enjoyed seeing these videos and I look forward to hearing more about the different ways school communities are coming together at this time. 

These are just a few examples of some of the great things which have been happening:-

Benfield Primary School produced the following Moana mash-up which they sent to all families in the school.  https://benfield-brighton-hove.secure-dbprimary.com/brighton-hove/primary/benfield/site/pages/learning/homelearning/moanadance%21

Coldean Primary School put together this video to bring some cheer to the Coldean community https://youtu.be/HdCWXO1w30k

And Middle Street Primary School created the following video with inspirational messages for their pupils https://www.middlestreet.brighton-hove.sch.uk/for-parents/general-news

I’m not going to let a global pandemic stop me!



Wren with an example of his work

Wren, a young trans person who also has autism, is continuing to work on his Silver Arts Award - a national Level 2 qualification - despite the Coronavirus pandemic.  With his GCSE exams cancelled, completing the Award is particularly important to him.  The council’s Youth Participation Team has been working with Wren remotely via phone calls, emails and social media to complete the parts that are still unfinished.

“I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to do my arts leadership at all,” said Wren.  “But my organisational skills have actually improved, because I had to write a plan and refer to it in the sessions. Finding a balance between having fun and being professional is not always easy!”

For further information about the support available to young people in the city during the Coronavirus restrictions please see Facebook: brightonandhoveyouth or www.bhyap.org.uk (and click on the contact tab).

New ways of supporting learning in lockdown 

I am delighted that Brighton & Hove has been chosen as a pilot city for a new programme which is now supporting schools’ efforts to provide continuity of learning in these times.

The Cities of Learning programme, led by the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) and funded by Cities & Guilds Group and Ufi Charitable Trust, uses digital innovation to widen access to meaningful, connected learning.  By focusing on learning outside the classroom and employability/life skills, Cities of Learning bridges achievement and skills gaps to improve social mobility, working with young people, aged 14-24 as part of the funded pilot.

Brighton delivery partners are Future Creators and have been working with local learning providers including Varndean Secondary School and Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC), and employers to create a range of badges that can be issued to Year 11 students to recognise their work as they continue their studies independently from home. Patcham High School, and Blatchington Mill School are now on board, considering ways to recognise efforts of their young people in these challenging times.

For more information on the Cities of Learning programme, please contact Rachel Carter, who is the city lead Rachel.carter@brightondome.org or see https://www.youracclaim.com/organizations/our-future-city/badges



Lockdown food deliveries

The BACA and the Bevy team

It was so positive to hear that staff from the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) and the Bevy community pub have been preparing hundreds of meals a week to feed some of the most vulnerable children and families in the community while the school is closed during lockdown.

BACA’s kitchen is used to prepare the meals from food delivered via the Bevy from FareShare Sussex, Brighton Food Factory and other local organisations.  The team then run a contact free delivery service of meals, tinned food and other essentials to families in need.

Bob Speight, Principal of BACA said: “There are many unknowns in the coming weeks and months but we are keen to do everything we can to support this project and help the community get through this challenging period.”

Well done to everyone involved on this fantastic scheme.  This is just one example of the great community work that schools are doing to support the most vulnerable during this challenging time.

 

Sussex Virtual School Games

On Monday 27 April, the ‘Virtual’ Opening Ceremony took place for the Specsavers ‘Virtual’ Sussex School Games, kicking off a term of sporting challenges giving children the chance to represent their schools and compete to be Sussex champions.

Medals will be awarded to the best scoring schools in each sport, with separate Primary and Secondary competitions. There will also be an Active Adults category so parents, teachers and carers can get involved and represent the school too.  Overall Sussex Champions will be crowned at the end of the summer term.

Every week a different sport will take place, made up of four personal sporting challenges which can be completed from home or at school.  Anybody can take part, and participants simply need to upload their training videos and pictures to the social media links below, including the hashtag #SussexSchGames. 

Twitter: @SussexSchGames
Facebook: Specsavers Sussex School Games
Instagram: @SussexSchGames
TikTok: @SussexSchGames
 
For more information, please contact Emma Greenough at Emma.Greenough@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Tarner Children’s Centre Food Bank

Higgidy pies ready for distribution

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, Children’s Centres set up a no contact Food Bank and emergency supplies delivery service for families with children aged under five operating from Tarner Children’s Centre in central Brighton.  The service is part of a city wide BHCC Covid -19 response for our most vulnerable residents. Children’s Centres are taking referrals from the main BHCC Food Hub, as well as from Health Visiting, Social Work, ITF and parenting, Family Information Service, and our council nurseries.

Food is being supplied by Fareshare and The Brighton and Hove Food Partnership alongside donations of food from Higgidy pies, the Salvation Army and Muirs fruit and veg.  400 food parcels have been delivered this month to families in need by the City Parks team, a volunteer from the Transport team, and Children’s Centre staff and managers. Housing, the Welfare Rights team and the Discretionary Support Fund team are also providing financial advice to these families if this needed.

This really has been a fantastic effort by everyone involved and from so many teams across the council. The staff have gone above and beyond to get food and emergency supplies to families who are self isolating, in financial crisis or unable to leave the home due to other health reasons.

Wellbeing during this time

The PSHE Service is working hard this term to continue to develop relevant and safe to use resources for this term and when schools reopen.  The following link provides a range of resources that schools can use with pupils and students in school and send home to families including weekly wellbeing materials http://www.beem.org.uk/Page/16930.  For more information, please email pshe@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Unfortunately families in our school communities will be experiencing bereavements as a result of COVID-19. An example bereavement policy is available on the BEEM page here http://www.beem.org.uk/Page/16160 along with template letters that can be sent home. For support in dealing with bereavement issues please contact BHISS.

The Ofsted inspections are now on hold due to Covid 19 (official link to information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ofsted-coronavirus-covid-19-rolling-update)

All routine inspections are suspended at this time and reports will not be published until schools are back properly.  This means that results for Hertford Junior School and Downs View Special School may take some time to be published.

Prior to the lockdown the following schools did receive their inspection reports in March and the beginning of April.

Congratulations to Hove Junior School on retention of their Good Ofsted judgement. The inspection report said: “Staff are utterly committed to the school and its pupils.”

Also congratulations to St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School who have also retained their Good Ofsted judgement. The inspection report said: “This is a school where every child is nurtured and cherished.”

Moulsecoomb Primary School had a successful monitoring visit and the inspector reported that the school are taking effective action to improve the quality of education at the school and that the plans and support in place are appropriate.

Balfour Primary School had an inspection and has been graded Requires Improvement. There were many positives to the report including this from the inspector: “Pupils enjoy coming to this school, where they are well cared for” and “children get off to a good start to their education in the early years.” 

Welcomes and Goodbyes

Mark Church, Headteacher at City Academy Whitehawk is moving into a different role with the Aurora Trust and we would like to thank him for all his work at the school and in partnership across the city.  Thomas McMorrin, the Deputy Head has been appointed as the new Headteacher.  Many people will have met Thomas at Headteacher meetings in the past and I am sure everyone will welcome him in his new role.

Mark Church

Thomas McMorrin

John Maxwell has started in his new role as Head of Saltdean Primary. I hope that we will all be able to meet John in person soon, but in the meantime please do say hello.  Our thanks go to Wendy King for her leadership as Interim Head of Saltdean.

John Maxwell

Wendy King



Best wishes,
Jo

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

World Book Day 2020

Another exciting World Book Day takes place on Thursday 5 March.  Last year, many fun filled activities took place across Brighton and Hove to emphasise the importance of reading.  Research has shown that children who participate in World Book Day activities are more engaged in reading and books than those who don’t participate.   We are looking forward to hearing all about this year’s events across the city.

Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network

Thomas Bald at the House of Commons

Lisa Mitchell (Project Officer, Employment and Skills) and Thomas Bald (Transport Accessibility Officer Apprentice) attended the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network third anniversary reception at the House of Commons during National Apprenticeship Week in February.

The Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network was launched to support the delivery of the Government target to increase representation in apprenticeships by 20% for individuals who are Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic (BAME), and from individuals who have learning difficulties and disabilities by 2020. The Network has grown significantly to over 85 members recruiting more passionate champions to promote and enhance social mobility through apprenticeships.

Thomas said “Being invited to the House of Commons to attend the Apprenticeship Diversity Champion Network to represent Brighton and Hove City Council was a great experience for me, it opened my eyes to the lives and experiences of not only other apprentices, but also all sorts of different authorities and businesses that are using apprentices as part of their work force."

"There were some motivational and interesting speeches including from Cumbria County Council, and individual apprentices talking about their own experiences, how such networks really do make a difference in helping all types of people get into work.”

Apprenticeship Away Day

Andrea Weller and John Young

The Apprenticeship Team recently put on an away day supported by local news presenter John Young to support our apprentices in gaining skills needed in the world of work and preparation for their end point assessment. 

The day was a fun, interactive event, not relying on PowerPoint charts and graphs, just how learning should be done!  The apprentices gained confidence in brisk decision making, resilience, speaking up in a meeting, communication, holding your own, listening to others, collaboration and writing clearly.

Here’s what our apprentices had to say:

"I will put myself into the ring even when I feel very scared. I will do more public speaking."

"I'll communicate and take a shot, prepare myself more before doing important things."

"I'll speak up! And have the courage to take the shot."

"I'll write more concise emails where face-to-face on phone conversations aren't possible."

"I'll take more time out to help motivate and encourage staff to challenge themselves. I'll trust myself to just do it, stand up and be strong."

"I'll have more confidence to do my EPA."

For more information on John Young’s workshops, please see www.johnyoungmedia.co.uk

Apprentices at the away day

Dorothy Stringer School Successes

Congratulations must go to several students at Dorothy Stringer School who have recently achieved some amazing sporting accolades.

Dylan Hicks in Year 11 has been selected to join the Great Britain Cycling Team as an apprentice for the 2020 season.  As one of 15 youth riders to be selected from across the UK for the road and track endurance programme, Dylan has set himself a goal to win a national title in 2020 and to continue to develop his cycling with the aim of maintaining his place within the GB Cycling Team environment in 2021.

Dan Thomson in Year 10 is a competitive table tennis player. He has recently been accepted onto the national Futures programme with the British Para Table Tennis Association.

Meanwhile, Noah Hoffmann in Year 8 has been signed for Charlton Athletic Academy Under 13 Team after being scouted by Charlton while playing for Russell Martin Academy. He was signed after impressing the coaches in a three month trial. He will be very busy with Charlton Athletic attending three afterschool sessions plus Saturday training and playing a match on Sundays.

 

Well done to Dylan and Dan and Noah on these fantastic accomplishments.  We look forward to hearing all about your future sporting successes!

Dan Thomson (photograph by © Michael Loveder)

Noah Hoffmann

PACE (Providing Access to Childcare and Employment) Project

Congratulations to Janet Cupidi, PACE keyworker at Roundabout Children’s Centre, who has recently received some very positive feedback from a family who have been helped back into employment by the PACE project.

PACE (Providing Access to Childcare and Employment) is a European funded project, assisting parents to return to work, training or volunteering by offering support for childcare needs throughout the journey.

The family said of Janet and the PACE project:-

“They covered everything and there is nothing else they could have helped with”

“My truly fabulous keyworker Janet Cupidi has been more than a keyworker to me. More a mentor and an amazing support”

“The support I have received throughout my journey has been outstanding”

“If anything everything has got better thanks to the continuous support of Janet and PACE”

“My PACE experience has made a tremendous difference to me and my family. It has not been an easy journey for many reasons but thanks to Janet and the team being there every step of the way.”

For more information about PACE please follow this link https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/children-and-education/childcare-and-family-support/take-first-step-work-training-or

National Careers Week

National Careers Week (NCW) is a celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK.  The week, which runs from 2nd to 7th March 2020, aims to provide a focus for careers guidance activity at an important stage in the academic calendar to help support young people leaving education.

We look forward to hearing more about activities across schools and colleges during the week.

For more information and resources please see the National Careers Week website www.nationalcareersweek.com where you can also view the official NCW2020 film, HOPE.

The Local Employment Scheme

Balfour Beatty is a major player in the construction industry and is currently building student accommodation on the University of Sussex campus.

Balfour has been extremely proactive in promoting careers in the industry, offering site visits and work experience opportunities to BACA, GBMET and Brighton University students.  In collaboration with the Local Employment Scheme, they have provided a number of in-depth site tours which have involved a pre-tour talk by the project director and then a walk through the project where they are shown methods used for modern construction, explanations about the various roles and equipment used on site as well as the potential career paths in the industry.

Balfour run a regular webinar (Construction Live Broadcast) and their Community and Education Liaison Manager, Fiona Gush has sent through a link to a webinar to be run on:

Tuesday 3 March at 10.30am from Embrook School in Wokingham.

Schools will need to register on: https://learnliveuk.com/construction-live-5/#teamscape

The broadcast will provide valuable information on the construction industry and the exciting career opportunities available and will be a timely opportunity during Careers Week.  The Balfour Beatty also contains information on apprenticeships with a section where interested students can apply www.balfourbeatty.com

Things have been busy in the city this month with inspections at Moulsecoomb Primary School, Hove Junior School, Balfour Primary School and Downs View Special School.  We are looking forward to all of these reports being finalised.

The Homewood College report has now been released and it is an RI judgement.  However, the improvements in the school are clearly recognised in the report.

BHCC’s Adult and Community Learning inspection has taken place this month and we have had our local authority focused Ofsted visit on children in need and those subject to a child protection plan to establish whether children receive the right help at the right time.  We have also had our visit from Ofsted for our annual conversation regarding all Family, Children and Learning services and outcomes.  We look forward to these reports being finalised.

Welcomes

I am delighted to inform you that following external recruitment and a competitive process Carla Butler has been appointed as the Head of Skills and Employment. We are looking forward to continued work with her to achieve further success in the service.

Tracie James will be starting her new role as Youth Work Coordinator on Monday 2 March working with Debbie Corbridge on the Youth Review and commissioning arrangements.  Tracie has a wealth of experience in youth work and has worked for the council for many years; we are pleased to welcome her to this service area.

We are also very pleased to welcome Becky Surman who will also be joining us on Monday 2 March.  Becky’s role will be the Prevention Programme Manager leading on Troubled Families and the Whole Family Working Strategy. 

Best wishes,

Jo

Keep in touch and follow me on Twitter @JoMLyons

Find details here Twitter accounts across all council services.