For Information

The second of the twice-termly Director of Children's Service Reports to Governors (formerly the CEOs Report), Summer 2007 is now available.

In line with the council's commitment to open local government, schools should make available certain information to the public. Therefore, a copy of the report should be in a place accessible to parents, school staff, pupils and visitors.

The report can be found electronically at: Governor Services Reports

Sarah Beaumont
Governor Services Manager

For Information

Please find in the enclosures section of this week's School Circular the Guidance on Managing Health Care in Schools and Settings. This should be read in conjunction with the government guidance "Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings" issued March 2005 and sent to all Barnet schools that summer. 

As part of the effort to reduce the amount of paper produced, hard copies will not be sent out to schools so please inform appropriate members of staff. Also in the enclosures section is the health care plan pro-forma as a template which schools may wish to use.

If you have any questions please call Jan Blackburn on 8359 7730 or jan.blackburn@barnet.gov.uk

Jan Blackburn
Manager Physical Disabilities/Medical Team

For Information

The Development Opportunities for Schools Booklets (Primary & Secondary versions) for the academic year 2007 - 2008 are now available. Both documents are available via the Professional Development page of the Barnet Grid for Learning www.cpd.barnet.lgfl.net. 

Each course will continue to be publicised to schools throughout the year using our electronic flyers and the popular booking online facility will be extended to further sessions.

Richard Griggs
Development & Consultancy Manager
Schools & Learning

For Action - Response required by 20 July

For those schools that have NQTs, this is to let you know that completed forms for the summer term should be sent to Paula Hales at Children's Service, Schools and Learning, Building 5, North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South, N11 1NP by 20 July 2007.  Alternatively, you can fax them on 0870 889 7446, or email them to paula.hales@barnet.gov.uk

Mike Horton
Workforce Development Co-ordinator

For Action: to confirm participation in programme by 19 July 2007

An extensive central programme of induction for NQTs for 2007 - 2008 has been developed, to support that provided in schools. The induction package contains both generic areas of key importance and subject specific training. Barnet Consultants will provide engaging, relevant and constructive sessions.

Full details can be found in the enclosures section of this week's School Circular.

Should you or your NQT Induction Co-ordinator have any queries, please contact Gill Paling on 020 8359 6368 or gill.paling@barnet.gov.uk

Gill Paling
Professional Standards in Schools Officer

For Information

A supplementary school on the Grahame Park Estate (Organisation for Young Africans - OYA) is looking for a PC.

OYA provides supplementary education to young African students who mainly attend Barnet secondary schools, providing core curriculum subjects and mentoring by older student role models and teachers from the community.  OYA is currently participating in a focus study of the impact of such schools on our students' attainment, especially those from vulnerable groups. The PC would be highly appreciated. 

If you are able to donate a PC in good working order, please contact Jeanette Redding on 0208 359 6326 or jeanette.redding@barnet.gov.uk who may be able to arrange collection and delivery. 

Jeanette Redding
Inspector for Inclusion and Equalities

For Information

The Under 11's Chess Team from Garden Suburb Junior School came joint first in the National English Primary School Chess Championship and Brookland Junior School Under 9's Chess Team came fourth. It is understood that they were the only two state schools to get through to the finals.

Congratulations to both teams.

For Information

Social, Emotional and Behavioural Skills
Ofsted has published a report on the pilot for developing social, emotional and behavioural skills in the secondary schools programme:-
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/070048

Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) Programme
The Government has announced additional funding for the SEAL programme to improve discipline and well being in schools:-
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2007_0123

Domestic Violence
Two new resources are available from the NSPCC to help adults and children experiencing domestic violence:-
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/NewsAndEvents/InformNews/DV_ifna42482.html

In the Know
This new booklet is published by the NSPCC and aims to help children aged 8 to 11 tackle the difficult subject of child abuse:-
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/NewsAndEvents/InformNews/
InTheKnow_ifna46532.html

Specialist Schools
Schools Minister Andrew Adonis has congratulated those schools recently achieving specialist status, including 29 SEN Schools. He also announced further funding to expand the number of SEN Specialist Schools:-
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2007_0121

Private Tutors
The Local Government Association (LGA) has issued a warning for parents to be vigilant when hiring a private tutor directly as currently there is no legal requirement for them to be registered or to have a Criminal Record check:-
http://www.lga.gov.uk/PressRelease.asp?lsection=344&id=SX8ACB-
A7845782&ccat=344

TXT 4 HELP WITH UR KIDS
The Government has launched new plans for parents to receive text and instant messages to help them with their children:-
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2007_0124

Pete Comley
Assistant Information & Communications Officer

• Guidance on Managing Health Care in Schools and Settings
• Health Care Plan pro-forma
  All Schools
  

  The Guidance on Managing Health Care in Schools and Settings and the health care plan pro-forma. Please pass this to SENCos and colleagues who have responsibilities for health care plans and managing children's health care needs. Please click on the above links for further details.

• Letter re: Primary Induction Programme
• Letter re: Secondary Induction Programme
• NQT Induction Schedule - Autumn Term 2007
• NQT Induction Schedule - Spring and Summer Term 2008 
  All Schools
  

  Letters and schedules for the NQT induction programme for the 2007-08 academic year. Please confirm participation in the NQT programme by 19 July 2007. Please click on the above links for further details.

• Press Release re: Scambusters - Schools White Lining Scam Warning
  All Primary Schools
  

  A press release from the Trading Standards 'Scambusters' Team is warning educational establishments about a scam involving work to paint lines for outdoor sports courts and parking bays. Please click on the above link for further details.

• Flyer re: All Visible Minority Ethnic Group
  All Schools (Not on BGFL: Hard copy in School Bag) 

  A flyer from the All Visible Minority Ethnic Group (AVMEG) who work in partnership with Barnet Unison. Please see enclosure in the school bag for further details.

• Flyer re: Summer Holiday Activities
  All Schools (Not on BGFL: Hard copy in School Bag) 

  A flyer publising the Summer holiday activities page on Barnet On-line, the London Borough of Barnet website. Please see enclosure in the school bag 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

Primary CPD Flyers organised by Issue Date

Secondary CPD Flyers organised by Issue Date