Welcome back to the new academic year!

Last year was very successful for Barnet schools and I continue to be impressed by the commitment and professionalism of staff right across the authority. The test and examination results are encouraging and Copthall, East Barnet, St James', Coppetts Wood, Holy Trinity, Broadfields and Our Lady of Lourdes deserve particular congratulations for the huge improvement they have achieved.

We now have two new Children's Centres at Wingfield and Parkfield and will be continuing to expand the children's centres programme. Work on Key Stage 1 remains a priority as does the foundation stage. Our 14-19 is bedding down, a particular focus will be transition into adulthood for vulnerable young people. It will be another exciting year!

On behalf of colleagues here in the central education service, I wish you well for the coming year. We are looking forward to working with you.

Gillian Palmer
Chief Education Officer

Will colleagues please note that Clitterhouse Infant School and Clitterhouse Junior School both closed on 31 August and reopened on 1 September as the new Claremont Primary School:-

Claremont Primary School
Claremont Road
Cricklewood, NW2 1AB

Tel:  020 8458 1260
Fax:  020 8201 8840
Email: office.claremont.barnet@lgfl.net

Will colleagues also please note the new details for London Academy:

London Academy
Spur Road
Edgware, HA8 8DE

Tel:  020 8238 1100
Fax: 020 8905 4193
Email: office@londonacademy.org.uk

For Information

On Monday 4 September, the Cabinet of Barnet Council approved the schools to be rebuilt or refurbished in Wave 1 of the programme, i.e., over the next two to five years.  If you would like to see the full Cabinet report, please click on the link in the School Circular under enclosures.

I must stress that, because of the Council's decision making processes, this is not a final decision.  However, we anticipate that there will be some coverage in the local press and we wanted to let you know, directly, as soon a possible.

As you know, we have also submitted a bid to the DfES for capital funding for primary schools.  We hope to have a response in early October.  In the meantime, if you have any queries on PSCIP, please contact Sandra Curran on 020 8359 7592.

Gillian Palmer
Chief Education Officer

For Action

Included in the enclosures section of this week's School Circular is a letter providing information about nursery education funding for all three and four year old children. A form is attached for headteachers to complete.

Please ensure that your completed form is returned by Thursday 14 September 2006.

David Tobin
Head of Research and Management Information Team

I am pleased to send you the first of the twice-termly Chief Education Officer's Report to Governors, Autumn 2006, for consideration at your next termly meeting of the governing body.

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:

http://www.lgfl.net/lgfl/leas/barnet/web/Schools%20Intranet/Governor%20Services/CEO%20Reports/

Sarah Beaumont

Governor Services Manager

(a) Admission to Reception Classes - IMPORTANT

Important information is provided regarding reception class admissions and timetabling for 2007 entry. Please see the letter and timetable in the enclosures section for full details.

(b)eAdmissions - For Information

Details about the introduction of eAdmissions for 2007 entry are provided in the letter and timetable in the enclosures section.

David Clark
School Organisation and Admissions Manager

Included in the enclosures section of this week's School Circular are three important documents relating to NQTs, all of which require action.

1. Invitation to all NQTs to a Welcome Event on 19 September 2006. Reply from NQTs by 12 September 2006.

2. Claim form for NQTs for Autumn Term. Return to Paula Hales by 20 September 2006.

3.Updated advice on programme of statutory induction of NQTs. Further details can be obtained from Mike Horton.

Please contact Mike Horton if there are any issues on the above or other matters relating to NQTs.

Martin Baker
Deputy Chief Education Officer

a) Health & Safety Bulletin Number 190 - IMPORTANT

Included in the enclosures section of this week's School Circular is Health & Safety Bulletin Number 190, which provides importantin formation and guidance about changes to the law affecting the use of child seats in cars and taxis. 

(b) Tree Inspection Service

We would like to encourage schools to seriously consider making use of the council's tree inspection service. This service was described in the 2006/7 traded services booklet, and includes inspection of trees, and advice on any works needed.

This is a critical service for schools that have any trees on site. The surveyors will check and advise on any structural problems with the trees themselves, which can lead to serious injury from falling trees or branches. It will also help to reveal damage that trees can cause to neighbouring buildings, which can lead to very expensive structural damage and insurance claims.

Without commissioning a service of this type, it would be extremely difficult for a school to defend criminal or civil proceedings if a damaged tree were to cause an injury to any person on site.

The survey of trees for a school costs £50.

The council's Trees section can be contacted on 020 8359 7838.

Ian Kimmett
Health and Safety Consultant

Included in the enclosures section of this week's School Circular is a letter detailing changes to Free School Meal Eligibility and revised information and guidance relating to the authorisation of free school meals.

David Clark
School Organisation & Admissions Manager

Maggie Allen, primary MFL consultant took up post on 1 September 2006. Alongside colleagues from the two language colleges (Hendon and St. Michael's) she will be supporting the 30 schools that have opted to join Phase 1 of the implementation of modern foreign languages at KS2 in 2006/07.

Meanwhile, the European Day of Languages, held on 26 September every year in 45 countries across Europe, celebrates linguistic diversity and the benefits of being able to speak another language. This will be an excellent opportunity for Phase 1 schools to launch or highlight their work. All schools are encouraged to promote lifelong language learning. Ideas and resources are avilable from www.cilt.org.uk and www.teachernet.gov.uk .

Alison Storey
Primary Inspector

Harvest/Sukkot Festival 2006
It will soon be Harvest/Sukkot time and Homeless Action in Barnet (HAB) are asking schools to consider helping the HAB Day Centre again by donating food or money collected at school festivals. If you would like a speaker for your festival HAB will try to provide one. See letter in enclosures section for more information.

Barnet Week of Peace 2006
A letter was sent by Jesus House in July to secondary and primary schools about the Barnet Week of Peace 2006. There will be a breakfast meeting on Monday 11 th September 2006 and a Talent Quest Show on Saturday 16th September 2006.
Please contact Lola Adedoyin on 020 8438 8285 or barnetwop@gmail.com for more information about the Week of Peace.

Rising Achievement

Education Secretary, Alan Johnson, has congratulated pupils and teachers on this year's GCSE and KS1 and KS2 results

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2006_0119

Teacher's Pay and Conditions

Teacher's Pay and Conditions document for 2006 now available

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/payandperformance/pay/

Peer Mentoring for Practioners

The Mentoring and Befriending Foundation is holding networking events for practioners from September 2006 to March 2007

http://www.mandbf.org.uk/our_projects/41,132,694

Local and Community History Month 2006

September is this year's Local and Community History Month and a number of events have been organised

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/Eventscalendar/index.cfm?mode=

eventview&id=1260&day=1&month=9&year=2006

Specialised Diploma

The QCA has published the latest information on the development of the new Specialised Diploma qualification

http://www.qca.org.uk/17046.html

Pete Comley

Assistant Information & Communications Officer

• LBB letter re: Nursery Education Funding for 3 and 4 Year Olds
  All Nursery Schools and Primary Schools with Nursery Classes
  URGENT - Response required by: Thursday 14 September 2006

Covering letter and form for completetion about nursery education funding for three and four year olds. Please click on the above link for further details.

• LBB Letter re: Admission to Reception Classes 2007/08
• Timetable re: Admission to Reception Classes 2007/08
  All Nursery Schools and Primary Schools

Letter and timetable outlining arrangements for Admission to Reception Classes 2007/08. Please click on the above link for further details.

• LBB Letter re: eAdmissions
• Timetable re: eAdmissions
  All Secondary Schools

Letter and timetable regarding the introduction of eAdmissions.  Please click on the above link for further details.

• Flyer re: Finchley Choral Society's Concert Season 2006 - 2007
  All Secondary Schools (Not on BGFL: Hard copy in School Bag)

Information about the various events organised for 2006 - 2007. Please see enclosure in the school bag for further details.

 

• LBB Cabinet Report: Barnet's Primary School Capital Investment Programme (Wave 1)
  All Schools

Update on the progress of Barnet's Primary School Capital Investment Programme (PSCIP). Please click on the above links for further details.

 

• LBB Health & Safety Bulletin Number 190
  All Schools

Gives information and guidance about the use of child seats in cars and taxis. Please click on the above link for further details

• Flyer re: HACSG Workshops Information
• Flyer re: HACSG Workshops Timetable and Booking Details
  All Schools 

Information about workshops for schools and parents organised by the Hyperactive Children's Support Group (HACSG). Please click on the above link for further details.

 

• HAB letter re: Harvest/Sukkot Festival 2006
  All Schools

A request for food donations from Homeless Action in Barnet (HAB). Please click on the above link for further details.

  

• LBB letter re: Teachers' International Professional Development Programme: Study Visit Easter 2007 
  All Schools
  URGENT - Response required by: 1 October 2006

Information about  a Teachers' International Professional Study Visit next Eatser under the theme Transition. Nominations should be sent to Ann Roots, manager North London Schools Internationaol Network (NLSIN) by 1 october 2006. Please click on the above link for further details.

 

• NQTs: Flyer re: Invitation to all new NQTs
  All Schools (Not on BGFL: Hard copy in School Bag)
  URGENT - Response required by: 12 September 2006

Invitation to all new NQTs to attend a Welcome Event at NLBP on 19/9/06. Please see enclosure in the school bag for further details. 

 

• NQTs: LBB Claim Form
  All Schools
  URGENT - Response required by: 20 September 2006

The completed claim form, showing any new NQTs,  should be returned to Paula Hales by 20 September 2006. Please click on the above link for further details.

 

• NQTs: LBB Letter re: Updated Guidance to Schools on NQT Induction
  All Schools

Updated guidance for schools on NQT induction. Please click on the above link for further details.

 

• Free School Meals: LBB Letter to Headteachers about Changes
• Free School Meals: School Guidance Notes
• Free School Meals: School Letter to Parents
• Free School Meals: Parent's Application Form
• Free School Meals: School Letter to Benefits Agency to Confirm Parent's Entitlement
  All Schools

Letter, revised information and guidance on free school meal applications. Please click on the above links for further details.

• Flyer re: Lick Child Poverty Day 2006
  All Schools (Not on BGFL: Hard copy in School Bag)
  

  Information about the Lick Child Poverty Action Day organised by ActionAid on 29 September 2006. Please see enclosure in the school bag for further details.

• English Heritage Flyer re: Apsley House - Free Teachers' Event
  All Primary Schools
  URGENT - Response required by: 8 September 2006

  Information and booking details about a free Teachers' Event, on 13 September 2006, when in-depth information will be provided about free workshops for children at Apsley House. Please click on the above link for further details.

• LBB Flyer re: Person Centred Reviews Awareness Course
  All Secondary Schools
  URGENT - Response required by: 8 September 2006

The half-day course provides an overview of the proces for Personal Centred Reviews that will help staff to run more effective review meetings. Please click on the above link for further details.

 

• LBB Flyer re: Person Centred Reviews Course
  All Secondary Schools
  URGENT - Response required by: 8 September 2006

The three day course will provide attendees with a wide range of knowledge and skills that will help them run more effective review meetings. Please click on the above link for further details.

• LBB Letter re: NOTSCHOOL.NET Briefing Session
  All Schools
  URGENT - Response required by: 25 September 2006

Details of a briefing event about NOTSCHOOL.NET, a virtual on-line learning community for young people, to be held at NLBP on 3 October 2006. Please return the reply slip by 25 September 2006. 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

Primary CPD Flyers organised by Issue Date

Secondary CPD Flyers organised by Issue Date