Schools lose out on £260m Schools in the capital could lose out on £260 million a year — the equivalent of 6,253 full-time teachers — under new Government funding plans.The biggest cuts would fall on inner-city boroughs such as Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham and Greenwich some of which could see their budgets slashed by more than 14 per cent. The figures come from London Councils, the body which represents all local authorities in the capital, which has predicted how a new funding formula could hit schools. Labour mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan warned the cuts could “spell catastrophe” for schools and urged ministers to publish their plans now. Chancellor George Osborne promised a new national rate of funding per pupil last year but Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has yet to publish a consultation into the shake-up. This is expected to mean less money for London schools because they currently receive some of the highest amounts for each child, reflecting higher educational needs in areas of deep poverty.
Ofsted can downgrade schools for Islamic veils
Labour mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan
Peter Chaste Department for Education figures show the average grant per pupil is currently £4,612 a year. In London, however, it is £781 higher at £5,393. London Councils used the DfE’s fair funding formula, which this year provided £390 million to 69 boroughs based on eight separate criteria, to predict how the wider national settlement would work. Councillor Peter John, London Councils’ schools spokesman, said: “There are unique cost pressures of educating children in London. Schools and councils in our city have spent money wisely in the past to raise the performance of all of our children and need to be trusted to continue this Sir Michael says he wants to give his “full backing” to heads wanting to impose a ban on face veils. The Department for Education says it is “clearly right” that if veils are interfering with learning that Ofsted should take action.
Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw has told inspectors in England they can fail schools for allowing face veils.
The Muslim Council of Britain says Ofsted did not need to resort to the “megaphone of the media to show that it is flexing its muscles”.
Sir Michael says inspectors can rate schools inadequate if wearing Islamic face veils are a “barrier to learning”.
Head teachers’ leaders say that inspectors should not be judging schools on dress codes.
Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has said such decisions about veils were up to the uniform policies of individual schools.
The Ofsted chief said he was concerned that some heads were “coming under pressure” to relax a ban on face veils, either for staff or pupils.
work without having their budgets slashed.” A DfE spokesperson said: “This speculation is irresponsible and unfair to schools and parents, as the proposed funding formula has not yet been published. It is impossible to make these calculations until a formula has been consulted on and agreed and all areas including London councils will be encouraged to take part. “We are committed to making funding fairer to address the historic unfairness in the system — but areas with the highest need will still attract the most funding. Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds will attract significant extra funding to their schools under the national funding formula, so areas such as London will still attract significantly more than the national average.” The spokesperson added: “The introduction of a national funding formula will mean that every child, no matter where they live in the country will be funded according to need.” The estimates do not include separate pupil premium, high needs or early years payments.
Summit on school music School leaders and music educators are invited to take part in the Mayor’s Summit on School Music. The summit will bring together the best music education practice, provide delegates with practical support, and shape the vision for school music in the capital. The next five years will be an historic period for music education in London. We hope that this summit will open the door to a new era of musical excellence in London’s schools. Throughout the day delegates will hear a series of thought-provoking presentations from educationalists, musicians and government representatives. Speakers include Sir Kevan Collins, Chief Executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, Munira Mirza, Deputy Mayor for Edu-
by Peter Chaste
cation and Culture, and the London Music Champions – a team of head teachers appointed by the Mayor to develop music in schools. Panel sessions will look in-depth at headteachers and their role in music
A
By Peter Chase
n initiative that helps young people get into education, employment and training particularly those in danger of being involved with gangs or crime - is being welcomed back for the fifth year. Street Elite is run by the Change Foundation. Southwark has been its base for training young people from all over London since 2011 but last year it started offering a Southwark-only cohort for young people in the borDue to the current teacher shortage, many schools are beginning their ough, and will be doing the same this year.
recruitment for September now.
Tues day, from 22 March 09:30 2016 at Cit to 16:30 y Hall The Q Lond ueen’s W on SE a 1 2AA lk GB
Southwark Council has been working with
the Change The Berkeley At Future Education, we work in partnership withFoundation teaching and universities Foundation across the UK & Ireland to find the best NQTs. who fund the programme, to it backand to Southwark for another year. With thorough interviews and stringentbring vetting baring checks, Mark Williams, you can trust that the teachers that weCllr provide, will becabinet of the member highestfor regeneration and new homes, said: “One of quality.
All the NQTs are interviewed by one of our senior teachers They are required to present evidence of their placement observations We only place “good”, or “outstanding” NQTs If you would like to see a selection of the best NQTs we meet before anyone else, please get in touch on 020 8776 1903 or contact@futureeducation.co.uk
education; continuing professional development (CPD) for classroom music teachers; and what outstanding music looks like in a London school. Delegates will also have the opportunity to debate music education policy, engage with guest speakers and the Mayor’s Music Education Taskforce and network with colleagues.
NEW TESTS FOR CAMBRIDGE Would-be students at Cambridge University will have to sit written tests as part of the application process, the university’s admissions director has announced. The move will affect students applying for courses starting in autumn 2017. The tests will be tailored to each subject and will be taken before or at interviews, said Dr Sam Lucy in a letter to UK schools and colleges. The first tests will be sat by applicants in November this year. This is when a major overhaul of England’s exams system will mean sixth-formers have sat the first new GCSEs and will be taking new A-level courses. Cambridge University has been outspoken about government plans to separate AS-levels from A-levels to form a stand-alone qualification. It says AS-levels are the best predictor of how well a student will perform in every subject except maths.
For all your information needs visit www.southwarkheads.org.uk
SBM programmes for London Mpowernet at Anglia Ruskin University will be delivering the ILM Level 4 Diploma in School Business Management and the ILM Level 5 Diploma in School Business Management in London locations, starting in April 2016. To apply for a place on a programme please visit the Mpowernet website. The programme application rounds close on Friday 11 March 2015. If you have any queries about the programmes then please contact our SBM Team on sbm@anglia.ac.uk or 01245 684355. It may be possible to deliver local programmes if there is sufficient demand in an area. Loyalty discounts for returning students We are pleased to offer Level 5 applicants who completed their Level 4 (CSBM) qualification with us a loyalty discount on the Level 5 full programme price:
Heather Dace reports Diploma in School Business Management and the ILM Level 5 Diploma in School Business Management in London locations, starting in April 2016. To apply for a place on a programme please visit the Mpowernet website. The programme application rounds close on Friday 11 March 2015. If you have any queries about the programmes then please contact our SBM Team on sbm@anglia.ac.uk or 01245 684355. It may be possible to deliver local programmes if there is sufficient demand in an area. Loyalty discounts for returning students
Level 5 Distance Learning: £50 discount from £1,450 to £1,400
We are pleased to offer Level 5 applicants who completed their Level 4 (CSBM) qualification with us a loyalty discount on the Level 5 full programme price:
Prices include the cost of ILM registration and are exempt from VAT.
Level 5 Blended Learning: £100 discount from £2,020 to £1,920
National School Business Management Scholarship Fund
Level 5 Distance Learning: £50 discount from £1,450 to £1,400
Round 4 of the scholarship scheme is open now. Scholarship funding of £500 (Level 4) or £700 (Level 5) may available to eligible applicants starting a programme in spring 2016. For further information, including eligibility criteria and guidance notes, or to make your scholarship application visit:
Prices include the cost of ILM registration and are exempt from VAT.
Level 5 Blended Learning: £100 discount from £2,020 to £1,920
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/schoolbusiness-management-nationalscholarship-fund SBM programmes to be delivered in London Mpowernet at Anglia Ruskin University will be delivering the ILM Level 4
National School Business Management Scholarship Fund Round 4 of the scholarship scheme is open now. Scholarship funding of £500 (Level 4) or £700 (Level 5) may available to eligible applicants starting a programme in spring 2016. For further information, including eligibility criteria and guidance notes, or to make your scholarship application visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/schoolbusiness-management-nationalscholarship-fund
Untreated mental health leads to problems Children’s untreated mental health issues could spiral into psychiatric problems later in life unless more is done in schools, say head teachers. The National Association of Head Teachers says with a fifth of children having a mental health problem before age 11, it is a key concern. A snapshot survey of 1,455 English heads suggests two-thirds of primary schools cannot deal with such issues. The government says it has ringfenced £1.4bn for children’s mental health. Russell Hobby, general secretary of the heads’ union, NAHT, says: “We know the government is determined to improve children’s mental health but there’s still a danger that some children will take untreated mental problems into adulthood.” Vital role Mr Hobby said three-quarters of school leaders had reported that they lacked the resources needed to provide the kind of mental health care that children need. “Although increasingly common inside secondary schools, almost two-thirds of primary school leaders say that it is difficult to access local mental health professionals,” he said. “Schools play a vital role in supporting children’s mental health and building their resilience - but rising demand, growing complexity and tight budgets can get in the way of helping the children who need it most.” The chief executive of the mental health charity Place2Be, Catherine Roche, said children faced all sorts of challenges, such as coping with parental separation, the illness or death of a loved one, and dealing with substance abuse and domestic violence.
For all your information needs visit www.southwarkheads.org.uk
LONDON PE AND SCHOOL SPORT There is an alliance of London Headteachers determined to see young people from across the capital provided with high quality PE and school sport opportunities. We act as advocates for high quality PE and school sport across London providing strategic thinking to align strategies, both across London and nationally. The Alliance responds to, and helps shape, London-wide strategies for improving Physical Education, sport and physical activity provision for all young people. “Attending to the physical and mental wellbeing of our most vulnerable pupils has made a tremendous difference to their attendance, behaviour and achievement. The whole College has benefited from their remarkable transformation.” John Martin, Principal of Bacon’s College, Southwark.
Take part with Speech Bubbles
At the end of February London Bubble Theatre is running free taster sessions of ‘Speech Bubbles’ a creative intervention supporting communication for children in KS1 which runs in 10 schools in Southwark. The workshops enable pupils to learn drama, improve speaking and listening and show improved conduct and behaviour. In 2015-16 Speech Bubbles took place in 43 schools engaging with over 800 pupils telling stories and acting them out. To attend a taster sessions, from heateachers, SENCOs and KS1 staff, contact Amelia Bird on 020 7237 4434.
Supporting pupils with medical needs in your school Free Study Morning Tuesday 15th March This INSET will offer support to schools in fulfilling their statutory responsibilities set out in December 2015’s guidance ‘Supporting pupils at school with Medical Conditions’, which applies to all schools and academies in England. The session will be held in Evelina Hospital School and is free to Southwark schools. The day will cover: • The barriers faced by children and young people with medical needs in schools • The duties of the school and local authority • Individual Healthcare Plans and Medical Policies • Working effectively across agencies • The role of the hospital school • A brief overview of new guidelines around promoting mental health Places are limited and offered on a ‘first come first served basis’, so get in touch early to avoid disappointment. The session will run 9am – 12.30pm with break time refreshments provided. To book your place, please contact Gillian Partridge on: 020 7188 4672 or 07494 541741 gpartridge@evelina.southwark.sch.uk
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HEADS UP is published monthly during term time by Southwark Headteachers Executive. We would love to hear from you, so tell us your news:
Yolanda Houston T: 01797 364366 M: 07770 347616 E: yolanda@headexec.com
For all your information needs visit www.southwarkheads.org.uk