For Information

Unfortunately I have to inform you that sadly Julie Jackman passed away on Sunday following a sustained fight against cancer.

Julie will be very much missed by colleagues. She was enthusiastic, positive and cheerful, hard working and prepared to go the extra mile to ensure the best organisational and administrative support, particularly to the Educational Psychology Team and the High Incidence Support Team, both in Children's services. Julie had many friends across schools and the Local Authority. She leaves behind her husband Alan and two children.

Some of our staff are in contact with the family and when we know more about the funeral and other arrangements for expressing condolences we will let staff know.

Brian Davis
Principal Educational Psychologist

For Information

Please note details for this term's meetings with the Director.

Primary Headteachers:
Date:       Thursday 26 January
Time:        8.30am - 11.30am
Venue:     Conference Room 1, Building 2, NLBP

Secondary Headteachers:
Date:       Thursday 2 February
Time:        8.30am - 11.30am
Venue:     Conference Room 2, Building 2, NLBP

Colleagues may be aware that there is significant pressure on parking at NLBP so early arrival and car sharing, where possible is advised. 

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

For Information

The new framework for the inspection of maintained schools came into place on 1 January 2012. Ofsted inspections will concentrate on four key areas: the achievement of pupils; the quality of teaching; the effectiveness of leadership and management; and standards of behaviour and safety in schools.

There will be an increasingly proportionate approach to inspection, targeting those schools deemed in most need of improvement. Outstanding schools will no longer be subject to regular inspections unless risk assessment raises concerns about their performance. They will, however, continue to have subject and thematic inspections that will help identify best practice. Good schools will continue to be inspected in a five-year cycle, with satisfactory schools inspected every three years, unless particular concerns emerge.

Risk assessment of good and outstanding schools will identify whether performance has declined and an inspection needs to take place. There will also be more routine monitoring visits of satisfactory schools that do not appear to be improving; alongside a continuing programme of regular monitoring for schools in a category of concern.
As part of the risk assessment of schools, as well as looking at a range of performance information that includes test and examination results, Ofsted will also consider the views of parents and carers about their child's school in response to the new questionnaire on the Ofsted website called Parent View. Launched in October, the questionnaire is available at www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk.

The Inspection framework, the Evaluation schedule, and guidance on how inspections should be conducted are available on the Ofsted website. To assist schools in preparing for inspection, the Ofsted website also has an introductory page with links to a series of short videos, PowerPoint presentations and detailed 'Frequently Asked Questions' (FAQs).

Our early experience of inspection under the new framework in Barnet has underlined the importance placed on schools having available an up to date self evaluation of the impact schools have on the outcomes for children and young people.

Mick Quigley
Assistant Director
Schools and Learning

For Information

Narrowing the Gap team invite all schools and academies to attend the annual conference 'What works?' on Thursday 2 February 2012.  Delegates should be senior teachers with responsibility for Raising Achievement and Narrowing the Gap.

Speakers include Dr Lee Eliot Major from the Sutton Trust, Stephen Drew and Vic Goddard from Passmores School, Harlow (and Channel Four show Educating Essex).

Please see enclosure for further details and joining instructions.

Amelia Whitehouse
Narrowing the Gap Team

For Information

Thanks to a fantastic response from young people and schools/colleges across the borough. Following an enthusiastic attendance at the candidate information session, I am pleased to announce that 31 young people are standing in the Barnet UKYP elections!

There are 15 secondary schools represented as well as one primary school and one college.

Candidates have already started campaigning and competition for the four available seats (two Members of Youth Parliament and two Deputies) will be fierce.  Manifestos will shortly be available to view on http://www.barnetukyp.co.uk/ so your students can get to know the candidates and decide who to vote for.

Voter cards (along with full instructions) will be delivered to schools in the week commencing 23 January in advance of the election opening on 30 January.  Young people between 11 and 18 have two weeks to cast their votes and this must be completed online before 5pm on 10 February. 

Any questions please contact me on suzy.naish@barnet.gov.uk or on 020 8359 4373.

Suzy Naish
Voice of the Child Coordinator
Youth Support Service

For Information

The Incredible Years Parenting Programme is for parents and carers experiencing moderate difficulties who want to improve their relationship with their children. Sessions include: discussions, skills training, problem solving and DVD clips.

Please see enclosure for details to pass on to parents.

For further information and registration please contact Navraj Sidhu on 020 8883 2985 or nsidhu@coppettswood.barnet.sch.uk.

Navraj Sidhu
Family Support & Outreach Worker
Coppetts Wood Children's Centre 

For Information

Impact Theatre, the national award-winning theatre group, will be staging 6 performances of the all-singing, all-dancing show, Annie, at the ArtsDepot from 20-24 March. All proceeds are being donated to Oakleigh School and everyone's support would be much appreciated. The show promises to be great fun, very exciting and ideal for the whole family.

Please see the enclosure giving  details of all the dates, times and prices for the performances.

The Gala Night, Thursday 22 March, will be attended by the Rt Hon Theresa Villiers and Dep Mayor Barry Evangeli, which will be followed by a reception with wine and nibbles.

We are also looking for advertising in the programme, with all the revenue generated being donated to Oakleigh School. If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in advertising in the programme, which will reach a local audience of 2,400 people, please contact wendyhoffman@oakleigh.barnet.sch.uk who will supply all the necessary information.

Thank you for your support.

Wendy Hoffman
Oakleigh School

For Information

With immediate effect email for The Totteridge Academy has changed to office@tta.barnetmail.net.

Heeral Patel
School Business Officer

• Poster re: Holocaust Memorial Day
  All Schools
  

  A poster with details of the Holocaust Memorial Day, which is being held on 22 January at Middlesex University, Hendon. Entry is free, and this year's theme is 'Speak Up, Speak Out'. For more information visit: www.barnet.gov.uk/holocaust. Please click on the above link for further details.  

• Poster re: Narrowing the Gap Conference 
  All Schools 
  

  A poster giving details and joining instruction for Narrowing the Gap Conference, which is being held on Thursday 2 February. Please click on the above link for further details.

• Poster re: Interschool Maths Competition
  All Primary Schools
  Response required by: 10 February

  A poster with details of a proposed interschool maths competition to be held in June at Fairway Primary School. Interested schools are asked to register by 10 February. Please click on the above link for further details.

• Poster re: Comenius Application Surgery
  All Schools
  

  Poster with details of training available for schools who are planning a Comenius application in February 2012. Please click on the above link for further details.

• Letter re: Raising attainment through the Secondary Strategy
  All Secondary Schools
  

  A letter giving details of Libraries Literacy Activity Programme. Please click on the link above for further details.

• Poster re: Incredible Years Parenting Programme 
  All Schools 

  A poster with details of the Incredible Years Parenting Programme. Information to be passed on to parents. [Please click on the link above for further details.

• Poster re: Annie in aid of Oakleigh School
  All Schools
  

  Poster with details of all the dates, times and prices for the performances. Please click on the above link for further details.

• Poster re: Primary School Programme, Hampstead Heath & Golders Hill Park
  All Primary Schools 
  

 Poster highlighting the outdoor learning opportunities provided by the Hampstead Heath Education Programme at both Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park. 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)