2011 has seen significant change in the education landscape in Barnet with a wide range of national and local policies beginning to take effect. In this context, it is a great tribute to all those leading and working in schools that the overall quality of provision in Barnet continues to be high and improving. I am fully aware of the exceptional levels of expertise and commitment that drives our schools forward - and extend sincere thanks to all our colleagues.
With my very best wishes for a restful break.

Mick Quigley

For information

In preparation for the new Ofsted framework effective from January 2012, schools have already been sent by email the local authority's suggested format for producing a School Self Evaluation report.
You have also received earlier in the week a new checklist for use in lesson observations.  Both these documents will be available to download from the BPSI Fronter Headteachers' Support room from January 2012.

Chris Skinner
Learning Network Inspector

For action by 16 December

Many of you have already registered with Get Set to be eligible for Olympics tickets as part of the ticketshare scheme. There is however, a two stage process - once you have registered, you then need to apply.

You must be a member of the Get Set network to get tickets through the London 2012 Ticketshare initiative. More information on the application process can be found here  (http://getset.london2012.com)

There is an easy application form available to Primary schools only.

If you have any questions about the Get Set process then please contact Layla Hall, Strategic Manager for Schools Sport, Barnet Partnership for School Sport - l.hall@qegschool.org.uk

The deadline for registering and applying is 16 December 2011.

For information

BPSI aims to support schools by delivering a high quality training programme, consultancy support and facilitating the sharing of good practice between schools. 

Furthermore, we aim to do this while providing you with value for money.  To re-enforce this aspect the BPSI Steering Group has ensured that you are provided with a number of options when deciding how to use your allocation of consultancy hours. 

Most schools will use all of their allocation during the financial year.  If a school requires extra hours, these can be purchased at the discounted BPSI rate (currently £81 per hour).  However, you also have a number of further options.

You can choose to:
- Transfer some hours to/from another school.  This is arranged between the schools at the rate of £81 per hour.  You might want to communicate with other headteachers by making use of the 'This is what I need help with' Forum.  This Forum is a place where headteachers can ask their colleagues for assistance and advice. On this Forum you could post that you are looking for a school that has spare hours to transfer or that your school has spare hours that you are looking to transfer to another school. It is located on the 'Headteachers' Forum Page' in the BPSI Headteachers' Support Room on Fronter.
- Draw hours forward from your next year's allocation into this year.  This requires a commitment to buy BPSI membership for the forthcoming year and is limited (in most cases) to 10% of your total allocation. 
- Cash in some hours to pay for a non BPSI external consultant to deliver professional development in your school.  This is limited to seven hours per financial year.

Transferring hours, drawing hours forward and cashing in hours do require you to comply with certain procedures and do have some restrictions, including time limits.  To read more and to make sure you follow the correct procedures go to www.bpsi.org.uk . There is now a permanent link to the BPSI website in the Circular.  You will find it at the end under Professional Development.

Remember, hours cannot be carried forward into next year.

One further piece of news is that BPSI's prices will not be rising for the year 2012/13.

Richard Griggs
Barnet Partnership for School Improvement (BPSI) Manager

Congratulations to St James' who have received the award of Gold Youth Sport Trust Partner.

• GroOops 'Stepping Stones to the Future'
  All Secondary Schools
  

  A weekly term time opportunity for young people aged 12 upwards whose life experiences has exposed them to domestic violence, bereavement and loss  resulting in school refusal and an inability to forge relationships. This is an opportunity for them to experience a formative, caring, group environment that encourages a 'next step' approach to improving life chances. Please click on the above link for further details  

Please click the relevant links below for all of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Flyers.

All CPD Flyers organised by Programme Strand

CPD Flyers organised by Issue Date

Early Years' Training & Development Guides

Barnet Partnership for School Improvement (BPSI)