Children's Service Budget Consultation 2012-13

For information / action

As you'll be aware, the Government's spending review has reduced the amount of money available for the Council to spend over the coming years. Barnet, like all other councils, is faced with making some difficult decisions on how best to continue services with less money, while trying to minimise the impact on residents.

The letter in this week's enclosures launches this year's consultation on the Children's Service budget proposals for 2012-13 and invites your views. You can feedback in a number of ways:

survey: www.surveymonkey.com/s/BarnetCSBudgetConsultation2012-2013

web: http://engage.barnet.gov.uk/

email: Childrens.ServiceConsultation@barnet.gov.uk

Please could you ensure that your Governing bodies receive this information.

Robert McCulloch-Graham
Director of Children's Service

Student Protest 9 November 2011

For Information

You will no doubt be aware that on Wednesday 9 November a demonstration billed as a National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts has been organised in central London.

The key message being circulated by Commander Simon Pountain is shown below. I would ask that you address your students with a similar message and discourage them from attending during school hours. For those of you who have students who are intending to attend at the end of the school day I would ask that you remind them of the need to follow the directions of the stewards/police and control their emotions. There were many unwanted incidents at last years protest and the MPS has been working hard with the organisers to ensure that this years protest is an entirely peaceful event.

You know your students, please help the MPS to ensure that Wednesday's event is only in the news for all the right reasons.

The MPS has a responsibility to facilitate peaceful protest. However young people at school should continue their education on the day of the protest and go to school as usual. They should not try to travel in to central London or become involved in any protest during school hours.

Their unauthorised absence from school will make them subject to truancy laws and the police and education authorities may take appropriate action.

There will be a proportionate and strong presence of Police and Community Support Officers across London on the day of the protest, including at transport hubs and the areas surrounding schools. Officers will continue to provide the people of London a visible, accessible and familiar presence in their local communities in order to cut crime.

Commander Simon Pountain
Metropolitan Police

HR & Payroll Traded Services to Schools

For information

Details of HR Traded Services are due to be issued early in the new year and we are currently reviewing service delivery options to schools.

I am pleased to be able to advise that the vast majority of schools have continuously elected to buy back into HR services and we are optimistic about retaining schools in the future. However we are always striving to improve service delivery and do want to ensure that schools views and opinions are heard.

Those schools who buy into are services and are considering continuing with this arrangement can contact me or Carla-Jane Dunton to discuss any aspects of our service that you consider can be improved upon. We would be more than happy to visit you to discuss any issues with a view to addressing and improving service delivery.

Those schools who have elected not to buy back into HR services and have chosen to buy from an external provider might be reconsidering their position at this time. Barnet's HR is committed to providing a quality service to all schools who buy back our services. I can reassure that you will be available to support you as and when HR issues arise and if you encounter a complex or difficult issue. We are more than happy to discuss with you what options are available to you and may be able to offer some flexibility around the services we can offer. If you would like to discuss this further then please contact us and we can arrange to visit your school.

Finally I just want to say thank you to all those schools that do buy HR & Payroll services and have done so over many years. We will endeavour to continue to provide you with professional HR support and guidance we know you expect and hope we can continue to work closely with you over the forthcoming months.

Deborah Shaw
HR Schools Business Partner
Tel: 020 8359 7937
email: deborah.shaw@barnet.gov.uk

School Funding 2012-13

For information / action

The deadline for our consultation with schools on changes to the 2012/13 funding formula is Friday 11 November. Please access the survey here to ensure that you have your say.

Mark Callaghan
School Resources and Support Officer

New Teacher Standards

For Information

Please follow the link to view the New Teacher Standards that were published on 21 October 2011. The New Standards apply from September 2012

Mick Quigley
Assistant Director of Children's Service
Schools and Learning

New TfL Schools and young people website

For information

TfLhave launched a new site which provides an overview of initiatives and activities offered by TfL (Transport for London) and partners, which are available to teaching professionals, children, young people and their families. The initiatives offered fall into four main categories:

1. Cycling, walking and using public transport - Information on ticketing options and guidance on promoting walking and cycling
2. Travelling safely - Initiatives and resources for use in schools and colleges on road safety and keeping young people safer on and around different modes of transport
3. Personal safety and responsible travel - Advice on staying safer and transport policing
4. Employment and skills - Information on careers at TfL, in the transport industry and with suppliers

Please visit: www.tfl.gov.uk/younglondon

The second edition of the Transport for Young London newsletter can also be found on the site. This termly newsletter aims to provide you with updates on what we offer and how your school or college, students and parents can get involved. Thank you for all your feedback in regards to the summer edition. Please select the following links to take you directly to the autumn newsletters:

* Primary Schools

* Secondary Schools and Colleges

Education and Training Team
Transport for London
email: schoolliaison@tfl.gov.uk

Furniture available

For Information

1. Akiva School have 60 chairs (year 6 size) that are no longer required and would be happy to donate them to a school. For further information please contact Jackie Oberman tel: 020 8349 4380

2. The Compton School have a number of classroom tables size 75cm x 120cm that are longer required. If any school is interested in making use of these, please contact office@thecompton.org.uk.


		For information / action As you'll be aware, the Government's spending review has reduced the amount of money available for the Council to spend over the coming years. Barnet, like all other councils, is faced with making some difficult decisions on how best to continue services with less money, while trying to minimise the impact on residents. The letter in this week's enclosures launches this year's consultation on the Children's Service budget proposals for 2012-13 and invites your views. You can feedback in a number of ways: survey: www.surveymonkey.com/s/BarnetCSBudgetConsultation2012-2013 web: http://engage.barnet.gov.uk/ email: Childrens.ServiceConsultation@barnet.gov.uk Please could you ensure that your Governing bodies receive this information. Robert McCulloch-Graham Director of Children's Service


		For Information You will no doubt be aware that on Wednesday 9 November a demonstration billed as a National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts has been organised in central London. The key message being circulated by Commander Simon Pountain is shown below. I would ask that you address your students with a similar message and discourage them from attending during school hours. For those of you who have students who are intending to attend at the end of the school day I would ask that you remind them of the need to follow the directions of the stewards/police and control their emotions. There were many unwanted incidents at last years protest and the MPS has been working hard with the organisers to ensure that this years protest is an entirely peaceful event. You know your students, please help the MPS to ensure that Wednesday's event is only in the news for all the right reasons. The MPS has a responsibility to facilitate peaceful protest. However young people at school should continue their education on the day of the protest and go to school as usual. They should not try to travel in to central London or become involved in any protest during school hours. Their unauthorised absence from school will make them subject to truancy laws and the police and education authorities may take appropriate action. There will be a proportionate and strong presence of Police and Community Support Officers across London on the day of the protest, including at transport hubs and the areas surrounding schools. Officers will continue to provide the people of London a visible, accessible and familiar presence in their local communities in order to cut crime. Commander Simon Pountain Metropolitan Police


		For information Details of HR Traded Services are due to be issued early in the new year and we are currently reviewing service delivery options to schools. I am pleased to be able to advise that the vast majority of schools have continuously elected to buy back into HR services and we are optimistic about retaining schools in the future. However we are always striving to improve service delivery and do want to ensure that schools views and opinions are heard. Those schools who buy into are services and are considering continuing with this arrangement can contact me or Carla-Jane Dunton to discuss any aspects of our service that you consider can be improved upon. We would be more than happy to visit you to discuss any issues with a view to addressing and improving service delivery. Those schools who have elected not to buy back into HR services and have chosen to buy from an external provider might be reconsidering their position at this time. Barnet's HR is committed to providing a quality service to all schools who buy back our services. I can reassure that you will be available to support you as and when HR issues arise and if you encounter a complex or difficult issue. We are more than happy to discuss with you what options are available to you and may be able to offer some flexibility around the services we can offer. If you would like to discuss this further then please contact us and we can arrange to visit your school. Finally I just want to say thank you to all those schools that do buy HR & Payroll services and have done so over many years. We will endeavour to continue to provide you with professional HR support and guidance we know you expect and hope we can continue to work closely with you over the forthcoming months. Deborah Shaw HR Schools Business Partner Tel: 020 8359 7937 email: deborah.shaw@barnet.gov.uk


		For information / action The deadline for our consultation with schools on changes to the 2012/13 funding formula is Friday 11 November. Please access the survey here to ensure that you have your say. Mark Callaghan School Resources and Support Officer


		For Information Please follow the link to view the New Teacher Standards that were published on 21 October 2011. The New Standards apply from September 2012 Mick Quigley Assistant Director of Children's Service Schools and Learning


		For information TfLhave launched a new site which provides an overview of initiatives and activities offered by TfL (Transport for London) and partners, which are available to teaching professionals, children, young people and their families. The initiatives offered fall into four main categories: 1. Cycling, walking and using public transport - Information on ticketing options and guidance on promoting walking and cycling 2. Travelling safely - Initiatives and resources for use in schools and colleges on road safety and keeping young people safer on and around different modes of transport 3. Personal safety and responsible travel - Advice on staying safer and transport policing 4. Employment and skills - Information on careers at TfL, in the transport industry and with suppliers Please visit: www.tfl.gov.uk/younglondon The second edition of the Transport for Young London newsletter can also be found on the site. This termly newsletter aims to provide you with updates on what we offer and how your school or college, students and parents can get involved. Thank you for all your feedback in regards to the summer edition. Please select the following links to take you directly to the autumn newsletters: * Primary Schools * Secondary Schools and Colleges Education and Training Team Transport for London email: schoolliaison@tfl.gov.uk