The Gender Equality Duty comes into force on 6 April 2007. All public authorities (including schools) must demonstrate that they are promoting equality for women and men and that they are eliminating sexual discrimination and harassment. They are also required to have a gender-equality scheme in place by the end of April 2007. The code of practice and other useful information like questions and answers are available at Equal Opportunities Commission.  

The Department (in conjunction with the Implementation Review Unit) has also produced a short toolkit for schools pulling together the various strands of equality legislation for schools in one place.

Please visit Teachernet for guidance on implementing the Gender Equality Duty. Further enquiries may be addressed to Jeanette Redding, Inspector for Inclusion and Equalities, 0208 359 6326 or by email: jeanette.redding@barnet.gov.uk . Your Human Resources officer may also be of assistance. 

Jeanette Redding
Inspector for Equalities and Inclusion 

For Action - Response required from headteachers by 28 March

A copy of the model performance management policy produced by the Rewards and Incentives Group (RIG), can be downloaded from Teachernet.  Please note that the new regulations and this policy do not cover support staff.

When the amended policy for your school is ready, it will be necessary to consult teaching staff and their unions for their views. This will lead to a period of formal consultation which, I suggest, is at least 10 working days. Thereafter, governors will need to meet to consider any written comments on the proposed policy before deciding on whether to ratify or amend and re-consult. A list of teacher union contact information can be found in the enclosures section.

To book places on one of the ten sessions for performance management reviewers in the summer term, please go to the "Management & Leadership" section of the Barnet CPD website. This can be located by clicking on "All current flyers by strand" at www.cpd.barnet.lgfl.net The closing date for these bookings is 28 March.

Mike Horton
School Workforce Development Manager

Secondary Transfer 2008
For Action - Response required by Wednesday 25 April

Proposed open evening dates for 2007 and the timetable for the 2008/09 secondary transfer process are included in the enclosures section of this week's circular, together with a covering letter.

Liz Ferrie
Admissions Team Manager

For Action - Response required by 30 March
For the attention of the NQT Induction Tutor

For those schools that have NQTs, this is to let you know that completed forms for the spring term should be sent to Paula Hales at Standards and Effectiveness Division, Building 5, North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South, N11 1NP by 30 March 2007, or you can fax them on 0870 889 7446.

Mike Horton
Workforce Development Manager

Congratulations to:

Ashmole who have been re-accredited with the Investors in People Award

Hasmonean Primary who have been re-accredited with the Investors in People Award and achieved  the National Healthy School Standard.

For Information

Learning a Foreign Language
Education Secretary Alan Johnson has announced that learning a foreign language will become compulsory for 7 to 14 year olds. Further details can be found at:-
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2007_0041

Early Years Foundation Stage Framework
The Department for Education and Skills has published the new framework for high quality development, learning and care of all children in their early years. Further details can be found at:-
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2007_0042

• The Carnegie Medal - Invitation to Secondary Schools
  All  Secondary Schools
  URGENT - Response required by 30 March 2007

Details of the shadowing event to be held at NLBP on the 14 June.  On the day groups of young people will be discussing the shorlisted titles and vote for the book that they would like to win.  Please click on the above link for further details.

• LBB Letter: Secondary Transfer  2008 -2009
• Open Evening Schedule 2007
• Secondary Transfer 2008 Timetable
• Religous Dates
  All Secondary Schools
  URGENT - Response required by the 25 April on the open evening schedule

Details of the 2008 - 2009 secondary transfer process.  Please click on the above links for further details.

• CookIT 2007: A Licence to Bake
  All  Schools 
  URGENT - Response required by 12 April 2007

Details of this year's national cooking competition, run by the Guild of Food Writers, for anyone aged between 8 and 14 years.  Please click on the above link for further details.

• Teacher Union Contact Information
  All  Schools 

Details of the local branch officials of the recognised Professional Associations and Trade Unions.  Please click on the above link for further details.

• LBB letter: Supporting the Professional Development of the School Workforce
• Instructions for Accessing Barnet's NQT Database on BGfL
• Summer Term NQT Induction Programme
  All Schools

A summary of recruitment and retention initiatives.  Please click on the above links for further details.

 

 

• Flyer: Watford Recyling Arts Project - Open Day 4 June
  For the attn. of the Arts and Craft Co-ordinator
  All  Schools (Not on BGFL: Hard copy in School Bag)
  

  Details of the Open Day being held for schools.  Please see hard copy in 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