Emergency Contact Information

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Sent on behalf of Gareth Drawmer, Head of Achievement and Learning

Dear Colleagues,

Following an incident prior to Christmas where it was necessary for us to use the Schoolsweb Emergency Contacts list, it was apparent that some schools had not updated changes to their Headteacher and/or Chair of Governors contact details.  These telephone numbers and names are vital for swift and effective action to be taken in urgent, unforeseen matters.

In order to update your details you must log in to the Schoolsweb Emergencies page here: https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/emergencies/

Select the following option:

If you do not know your log in details contact tradedservices@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

We appreciate your assistance in this matter.

Kind regards,

Gareth

 

Gareth Drawmer

Head of Service

Achievement & Learning

 

 

Buckinghamshire Challenge Event 16th January 2023 – Agenda and times

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Good afternoon,

Please find attached the draft agenda for the Buckinghamshire Challenge event on January 16th (note the end time has changed).  We hope that Headteachers, Governors, Deputy Headteachers, Disadvantage Leads, and Project Leads are able to join us to share the stimulating feedback from Marc Rowland and schools involved in projects.

Bucks Challenge Review January 23

This event is the mid-year review of the liaison group projects, where those involved can review the progress made on the whole project so far, to share learning, discuss strategy progress review findings and their application across all Buckinghamshire schools.  We would like this to be an interactive session, working collectively as a group to identify themes for the development of the Buckinghamshire Challenge Handbook for Schools.  Governors are invited to encourage the importance of support to your schools regarding the attainment of disadvantaged pupils.  We plan to invite a representative from the NGA to present an item in addition to those listed on the agenda.

The latest newsletter from Marc Rowland is also attached, for further detail and resources.

Newsletter Autumn 22

To book your places please use the link here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/473302128407

Further details will be sent out to everyone in the new year.

Kind regards,

Hazel

Hazel David

School Engagement Officer

Equalities & Improvement Team

Education

 

DfE School Governance Update notification

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Good wishes for the holidays and New Year

This is the December edition of the DfE’s school governance update, where you will find key announcements and information to support you in your governance role.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-governance-update/school-governance-update-december-2022

For this edition we have created one version to cover both maintained schools and academy trusts– the articles are listed below for information.

1.   Increased Funding for Schools in Autumn Statement

2.   National Leaders of Governance Programme

3.   Supporting Schools to be Energy Efficient

4.   Access to Technical Education and Apprenticeships Providers

5.   Baroness Barran Message for Governance Professional Career Pathway

If you would like to provide us with any further feedback on the content or format of this update, please email: schoolgovernance.update@education.gov.uk.

Thank you,

Trust and School Governance Unit
Department for Education

Corporate Director Briefings and NGA Presentation for Bucks Chair & Clerks

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Dear Chairs of Governors and Governance Professionals,

Please see below reminders about briefings for Chairs of Governors and Governance Professionals in early January.

 Corporate Director Briefings, January 2023 

Led by the Director of Children’s Services, John Macilwraith, these events are an opportunity to hear the latest news from Education, Social Care, SEND and the BASG teams.  They are open to all Headteachers, Chairs of Governors and Clerks. Both agendas are the same, just pick a time most convenient for you. Both meetings will be held on Teams.

Click to book:

Wednesday 11th January at 7pm
Friday 13th January at 9.30am

Governor Priorities & NGA Presentation for Bucks Chairs of Governors and Governance Professionals (Free)

 Join Jackie Sweeting, South East Regional Lead from the NGA, alongside representatives from the Bucks Association of School Governors and Buckinghamshire Council school improvement service to hear about priorities for governors as we head into the new year. Jackie will provide national context and top tips on hot topics, such as supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils, and governor recruitment.

Click to book:

Tuesday 10th January at 6.30pm on Teams

We look forward to seeing you there!

 Natasha How

 School Governance Support Officer

Childrens Services Directorate

Buckinghamshire Council

Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UA

Please note my working hours are Monday – Thursday 11.00-15.30

BESST Newsletter- Dec 22

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Dear Chairs of Governors and Governance Professionals,

Please find attached the latest newsletter from BESST. Please share this with your governing boards.

This month’s newsletter includes information about the Therapies Strategy Consultation, a focus on the invaluable importance of professional clerking for governing boards, and reminders of dates for your diary.

BESST Newsletter 13.12.22

Many thanks,

BESST

  BESST Governor Training | Buckinghamshire (buckscc.gov.uk)

 

Bucks Challenge Autumn Newsletter

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Dear Colleagues,

Please find attached the newsletter from Marc Rowland which contains a wealth of resources for schools and details of the Buckinghamshire Challenge Review event on the 16th January 2023.

Newsletter Autumn 22

We will be sending out more information regarding the event very soon, so please keep an eye out for updates before Christmas.

Kind regards,

Hazel

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION, HOLIDAY PAY SUPREME COURT RULING

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Sent on behalf of Jo Whiteley, Head of HR Consultancy, Policy and Reward, Buckinghamshire Council.

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to update you about the actions the council is planning to take following the Brazel vs Harpur Trust Supreme court ruling regarding holiday pay.

Please see attached our first information sheet about the plans to implement the changes to part year workers’ pay together with an advisory bulletin issued by the Local Government Association. Please read this information sheet carefully. At this stage there are no immediate actions for you to take. We will be writing to individual schools directly affected in the next 2 weeks.

 A mailbox for any queries you might have is being set up and the e mail address will be provided in our next letter.

Communication to Schools on impact of Brazel (221122)

LGA Employment law Advisory Bulletin 705 – September 2022

Yours sincerely,

Jo Whiteley

 

BESST Newsletter November 2022

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Dear Chairs of Governors and Governance Professionals,

Please find attached the latest BESST newsletter. Also attached for information only is a flyer about a Headteacher and School Leader well-being programme, referred to within the newsletter.

Please share this with your governing boards.

PAM Wellbeing_Practicing Resilience and Self-Care Workshop_flyer (22)

BESST Newsletter 22.11.22

Many thanks,

Natasha

Natasha How

 School Governance Support Officer

Childrens Services Directorate

Buckinghamshire Council

Chairs & Vice Chairs of Governors Networking Group – 19.11.22

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On behalf of the Bucks Association of School Governors, please share this email with your Chair and Vice Chair of Governors.

 

Dear Chairs and Vice Chairs of Governors,

There will be a chairs and vice chairs governor network meeting this coming Saturday  19th November from  09.30 to 11.30 on MS Teams

This is the former Jordans network group based around High Wycombe, but governors from across the county are more than welcome to join us.

The link to join the meeting is below. There is no need to pre-book or let us know you are coming in advance.

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 347 238 543 249
Passcode: FrL7MG

Download Teams | Join on the web

Learn more | Meeting options

We are an informal group that have an open discussion about current issues in our schools, share good practice and concerns as well.

We operate informally but under confidential and Chatham House rules so that people feel free to share.

We do not have a formal agenda but a list of topics which we can add to in the meeting.

An outcome of past meetings has been to raise specific concerns with the LA via a letter, BASG and/or the LA School Governance Consultative Board as appropriate.

We imagine that people will want to discuss:

  • Impact of the financial crisis on children and parents
  • School budgets, staff cost rises
  • Meeting needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people disadvantaged and those with SEND
  • New Education Act and Academisation
  • Staff recruitment

Please email Anne Sheddick (Vice Chair of the BASG) directly if you would like to discuss other topics, on anne.sheddick@gmail.com

Alternative Education Guidance and Checklist

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FROM: GARETH DRAWMER, HEAD OF ACHIEVEMENT AND LEARNING, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL

 Please send all questions and queries to manjit.bains@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

 Dear Colleagues,

 Please see attached for your information, Buckinghamshire Council’s guidance document and checklist on Alternative Education.

Alternative Education Checklist and Guidance 151122

If you have any questions on the guidance or would like further information, please contact Manjit Bains, Commissioner Education and Sufficiency, at manjit.bains@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Kind regards,

Gareth Drawmer

Head of Achievement and Learning

Buckinghamshire Council