Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to this week’s Education Essex.
We are in the middle of this term’s events with primary heads and are enjoying some excellent accounts of work in different schools, I have been keen to promote the
teaching approaches highlighted by the Education Endowment Fund as showing most impact on pupil progress.
There are a number of important items below - including about the Tour de France and teacher strike on Wednesday 26 March 2014.
Have a good week,
Tim Coulson
Director of Commissioning: Education and Lifelong Learning
School Updates
Primary Summary Report 2013 - Phase 2 Final Version Now Available on SSET
Headteacher
EYFS Infant Junior Primary
All
The updated Phase 2 Version of the Primary School Summary Report is now available on SSET for all Primary, Infant and Junior Schools.
We are aware that some schools have experienced compatibility issues with the Excel file traditionally provided to schools via SSET. So in addition to this, individual PDF versions of the report previously provided by email to schools are now all available on SSET in the same location. Zip files for each Essex District will be available for download from SSET, containing the PDF reports for all schools in that particular district to aid schools in locating their specific report. PDF files will be named based on the DFE number of the school at the time of the 2013 exams.
Please click for more details on the data updates present within the Phase 2 Version or alternatively for further information:
Contact: Scott Prestedge, Information Officer, Business and Performance Intelligence Education Team
Email:
Telephone: 01245 436 250
Deadline Extended: Fischer Family Trust (FFT) and Alps products for schools/ Local Authority and cost considerations
Headteacher
Infant Junior Primary Secondary
All
FFT products are available for all infants, juniors, primary and secondary schools.
Alps products are available for all secondary schools with sixth forms and colleges.
Schools are reminded about the extension to the deadline for responding to letters sent out in the week before half term setting out proposed charges for schools wanting to remain part of the Essex County Council’s subscription with FFT and Alps from April 2014. All schools wishing to opt out are asked to confirm this by email to Pippa Shukla by Friday 7 March 2014. Schools remaining part of the subscription will be invoiced from April 2014 onwards.
Additional briefings on the FFT products for primary schools are being scheduled as part of the Spring Term Head teacher meetings as use of the data analysis has been lower than for secondary schools. Notification will follow shortly of briefing sessions scheduled for primary governors (Tuesday 4 March 2014/ Tuesday 18 March 2014).
Copies of the letters sent to schools before half term are below:
FFT for Primary Schools
FFT for Secondary Schools
FFT and Alps for Secondary Schools with a Sixth Form
If you need to access your FFT user name/ password: Contact Scott Prestedge
Email:
Telephone: 01245 436 250
Essex Education Services
Headteacher / Senior Management Team / Administration Staff / Governors / Teachers
All Phases
All
Essex Education Services is pleased to publish a list of key contacts which you can download. This will provide you with contact details for each service including helpline numbers for key individuals. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
We also would like to remind you that our subscription forms need to be returned by Monday 31 March 2014 in order to guarantee service provision from April 2014. This year we have made subscribing to our services even easier by combining all of our services into one pack and return form. If you have any queries please contact our dedicated customer services team on 0845 200 8600 or email Essex Education Services.
We look forward to continuing to work with you on improving school effectiveness.
For further information:
Contact: Essex Education Services
Email:
Telephone: 0845 200 8600
Visit: Essex Education Services
Closure of the I-Essex Website
All Staff
Secondary Post 16
All
A decision has been made to close the I-Essex website from Sunday 31 August 2014 due to results from a comprehensive review of the site. The review showed that current usage of the site was very low and that schools were using other methods to access online support for students.
Further information has been placed on the Information for Secondary Headteachers page under the Director for Education and Learning’s area. The letter also includes details of developments regarding a new Young People’s page which will is likely to be housed on the main Essex County Council website.
For further information:
Contact: Monica Bird
Email:
Reporting School Closures Following Proposed Industrial Action
Headteacher / Senior Management Team / Governors
All Phases
All
It is expected that the Department for Education (DfE) will be collecting data on school closures resulting from proposed industrial action on Wednesday 26 March 2014.
Where possible, please can you notify by email the Schools Communication Team of the status of your school (open, closed or partially closed) as soon as a decision has been made. It is expected that we will need to submit the data collection to the DfE on Friday 21 March 2014.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation again. We reported 97% strike data in the Autumn Term and received acknowledgment from the DfE for such a high level of response.
For further information:
Contact: Schools Communication Team
Email:
Telephone: 01245 434 745
Tour de France Update
Headteacher / Senior Management Team / Governors
All Phases
All
A new Tour De France page has been opened on Essex Schools Infolink to provide information and updates concerning the event taking place on Monday 7 July 2014.
Information regarding the following has been placed on the page and will be continuously updated in the lead up to the event:
·  Updates from Tim Coulson and appropriate services involved
·  Road closure information and maps of the route
·  Frequently asked questions
·  Reporting school closure information
Please visit the Tour De France page for further information, or alternatively if your query is not answered in the FAQs:
Contact: Abigail Cheverst, Project Coordinator Tour de France 2014
Email:
Continuous Professional Development
Updated SEND ‘Readiness’ Training Programme for September 2014
Headteacher/ SENCO/ Chair of Governors
All Phases
All
Following previous communication in Education Essex regarding the SEND Training Programme for September 2014, please see the updated training programme which includes all training dates and booking information. Schools are reminded that due to proposed industrial action the Essex ‘SEND’ Readiness conference planned for Wednesday 26 March 2014 has been rescheduled and delegates will be offered places on the other quadrant conferences. The team are currently are working on an additional West date in the summer term.
Booking information and further details can be found in the programme for each session. The training is sponsored by the Local Authority and is offered free of charge to LA schools and at a small cost to non-LA schools and settings.
We will continue to provide further information, including confirmation of venue locations, in upcoming issues of Education Essex. For further information please refer to the contact details contained in the training programme.
West Child Protection Core Group Training
Headteacher/ Designated Teachers for Child Protection
Infant Junior Primary Secondary
All
The Essex Children Safeguarding Board has been running training sessions on Effective Core Groups. There is still an opportunity to attend the training on Wednesday 19 March 2014 in Uttlesford between 9:00am – 12:30pm
The training provides an opportunity to think creatively about your role and responsibilities in multi-agency core groups when implementing protection plans. These sessions are targeted at schools and practitioners who regularly attend core groups in West Essex however all schools would be welcome to attend.
The training will give an understanding of:
·  How the strengths based approach can be used in core groups and begin to translate the change in practice through to the core group.
·  Better understanding on how core groups can be used to drive progress forward and develop the outline plans working with families.
·  Increase confidence in the practitioner role at core group, share responsibility for progress and challenge inactivity or drift.
Please complete an application form and return to Essex Children Safeguarding Board.
For further information:
Contact: Lorenda Paul
Email:
Telephone: 01245 435 168
Essex Secondary Schools Excellence Networks – looking ahead to upcoming meetings
Headteacher/ Curriculum Deputy/ Heads of Department/ Subject Teachers
Secondary Post 16
All
Education Consultancy is pleased to announce the continuing programme which has expanded to include some Sixth Form subjects.
Dates and venues for the remaining Spring Term meetings are now finalised. Bookings can be made for any of the events listed here. To book a place, please email the Education Consultancy and Professional Development team.
In order to receive news of the forthcoming twilight meetings as early as it is available email Paul Stevens to add your name to our mailing list.
For further information:
Contact: Education Consultancy and Professional Development, Essex Education Services
Email:
Telephone: 0845 200 8600 Option 2
Visit: Essex Education Services
History ThinkSpace Event
History Coordinator/ Visits Coordinator
All Phases
All
Making the most of Museums and Heritage sites with the new Curriculum
Essex primary and secondary school History teachers and history coordinators from Essex are invited to attend a free one day event at Chelmsford Museum. Join colleagues and specialists for talks, practical workshops and planning to help you gain a better understanding of history curriculum changes. Benefit from the expertise and skill of museum educators and find out more about how local museums and heritage settings can support your history teaching.
Please see event information and details below:
Friday 21 March 2014 9am – 12noon and 1pm – 4pm
Location: Chelmsford Museum, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9AQ
Booking deadline: Friday 14 March 2014
Teachers are invited to attend either the morning or afternoon session, or alternatively book for the whole day to benefit from the time and space to plan your curriculum. Lunch will be provided at the event.
Tim Coulson, Essex County Council's Director of Commissioning: Education and Lifelong Learning has been confirmed as the keynote speaker.
For further information and to book your place:
Contact: Sarah Girling
Email:
Telephone: 01245 244 679
To book: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/historythinkspace
National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership
Headteacher
All Phases
All
Billericay Community Trust Teaching School Alliance are now working with Leadership East (a licensee of the National College for Teaching and Leadership) to deliver the new National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership (NPQML) and the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL), facilitated by Alliance Practitioners and delivered in Alliance partner schools locally.
Schools are offered the opportunity to send one or more colleagues (all phases) on the NPQML course starting in the first half of next term in the local area. It is anticipated 16-20 places will be available (it may possibly increase due to demand) across all phases; EYFS, Infant, Junior, Primary, Secondary. Please see full information attached to the Director for Education and Learning’s Area, as well as, note the varying financial offers available.
For further information:
Contact: Tony Ward, Director Billericay Community Trust Teaching School Alliance,
Email:
Mob: 07912 178 484
Sch: 01277 655 191
Health and Safety
Health and Safety SLA Renewal
Headteacher/ School Business Manager
All Phases
Non Community or Voluntary Controlled Schools
Please see the information regarding the Health and Safety SLA 2014/15 under Health and Safety News, Essex Schools Infolink. This information is intended for schools that are not Community or Voluntary Controlled.
Please note: Schools that have recently changed or are in the process of changing to Academy status from Community or Voluntary Controlled are reminded that they are required to purchase a health and safety service. Community and Voluntary schools do not need to purchase a service whilst they are this status.
For further information:
Contact: Essex County Council Corporate Health and Safety
Email:
Events and Resources
On the Record, Essex Record Office
History Coordinator/ Educational Visits Coordinator/ Teaching Staff
All Phases
All
Find out how you could support your students’ history learning with a session from the Essex Record Office, including The Tudors in Essex, Victorian Children in Essex, Essex at War, 1939-1945, and Local History Detectives.
Sessions can be held conveniently at your school, and all our teaching last year was rated as ‘excellent’!
In our latest newsletter you can:
·  Have a first glimpse at details of our Essex at War, 1914-1918 session that will be available after the Easter holidays
·  Come and meet us at History ThinkSpace
·  Get to know one of our experienced freelance teachers, Rebecca Swan
Please click to read the latest issue of On the Record
Contact details for the Essex Record Office education service can be found within the issue.
“Silver” wins Essex Book Award 2014
All Staff
Secondary Post 16
All
The School Library Service, part of Essex Education Services, is pleased to announce that “Silver” by Chris Wooding has won the Essex Book Award 2014. We had a fantastic response this year with over 25 secondary schools in Essex, Southend and Thurrock taking part. There were over 500 comments about the six shortlisted books posted onto our blog proving that this Award really does promote discussion and encourage reading for pleasure in our schools.
If you would like further details on the Award please look on our website or email the School Library Service.
For further information:
Contact: Alison King, School Library Service, Essex Education Services
Email:
Telephone: 01245 542 600
Visit: School Library Service
Love Your Library and You Could Win an iPad!
All Staff
All Phases
All
It’s a great time to join Essex Libraries. Join the library from now until 15 March and enter our prize draw for a chance to win an iPad.
There are 74 Essex Libraries at the heart of the community offering a wealth of services including a wide range of books including e-books for study and reading for pleasure, great reading ideas, homework help, Baby and Toddler rhyme times, free Wi-Fi, computer courses, Work Clubs, and much more.