Our newsletter is divided into the following sections:
National News - including the latest Government advice and information Local News - including Education bulletins from Wolverhampton City Council and DRB plus, PASS team updates and a link to our resources Good News - something to bring a smile to our faces! Business Section - including Policies, CPD opportunities, Our Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Scheme, contact details, Plus,News from the Key.
Further information, guidance and resources can be found on 'The Key' at the bottom of this newsletter or by logging onto our members page on the ConnectEd website and clicking The Key and selecting The Key for School Leaders.
LOCAL NEWS
To read the latest City of Wolverhampton Council Education Providers' Bulletin, please click here.
DRB - To read the latest weekly bulletin, click here.
Back to school Resources
PASS and School Games Organiser Update
REMINDER! PE Virtual Networking Meeting
This meeting was originally scheduled for the 18th January 2021, but due to further lock-down, we are postponing this event. It will now take place on the 8th February 2021.
An agenda and further information will be distributed as soon as we have it.
BLACK COUNTRY RAINBOW HOUR
The new Rainbow book is available now, with brand new activities provided by our partners and organisations.
The activities included can be carried out both in school and at home. There will be two editions of the Rainbow Booklet coming out in January, the next one will be launched towards the end of January and will follow the original format we had during the first lockdown (April/May) of two books (14+ activities from 7 strands) to cover the 6-week period. Please share any activities your school or pupils are completing either in school or at home via social media #BlackCountryRainbowHour. Remember for the photography competition there are opportunities for your pupils to win prizes!
In addition please have a look at our Rainbow Activism Project. It is a brilliant opportunity for both primary and secondary schools to engage a new cohort of pupils for a project taking place in the summer term. Click on the links below for more information about how to get involved. The Rainbow Warriors project is targeted at 7 pupils from a Year 5 class at your school.
The Rainbow Navigators project is targeted at 12 pupils from a year 9 class in your school
ALL OUR RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO VIEW ON THE CONNECTED WEBSITE.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL LIBRARY
Follow us on our social media platforms for up-to-date news and information:
The King's CE School's virtual Y11 & Y13 PresentationEvening took place on Thursday 7th January. It was a huge success and the evening featured a number of special guests, including: The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Judge Rinder! You can watch the event via this link:
BUSINESS SECTION
ConnectEd's NQT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY POOL 2020-2021
NOW OPEN!!
As you may be aware Education Central who previously administered the NQT Pool on behalf of ConnectEd Partnership has recently been disestablished and as a result will not be offering an NQT Pool for 2020/2021.
However, ConnectEd are delighted to announce that, in partnership with SIPs Education (Sandwell LA), we have established our own recruitment portal which is now open to final year Primary and Secondary ITT students.
Our application form can be downloaded using this link at the bottom of this page.
The application window will close on 12th February 2021.
It is anticipated for Primary applications the selection and interview process will take place shortly after February half term and we will be looking at potentially involving a number of headteachers to support this process.
Secondary schools will be granted access to a Secondary specific database.
Further updates and information will be sent to all schools in due course.
In the meantime ConnectEd will be actively promoting and marketing the new pool to universities, partner organisations, Wolverhampton Local Authority and schools to attract and recruit high quality NQTs to work in our schools.
We would be grateful if you could share the advert and application form below as widely as possible using your social media platforms and with students who may be on placement in your school and are seeking NQT posts in Wolverhampton and / or Sandwell. Your support will be very much appreciated.
This information can also be found on our website. If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact Harinder Jandu.
Click here to watch the video
Click here for the Application form
Secondary Curriculum Network Hubs NEW! Spring and Summer Term 2021
We are pleased to offer another round of Curriculum Network Hub dates for both the Spring and Summer Term 2021.
To view dates, details and booking information please click here.
NPQ Programme - Spring 2021 Cohort LAST CHANCE TO APPLY!
Please note that funding arrangements for NPQ programmes have altered and DfE Scholarship funding is no longer guaranteed.
ConnectEd Partnership, through Best Practice Network are offering NPQ qualifications through the Apprenticeship Levy. Applicants can still apply through the traditional route, where costs would need to be met by either the individual or the school.
Click on the following links to find out more information and how to apply: NPQML and NPQSL self/school funded NPQs through the Apprenticship Levy
PLEASE NOTE THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS HAS BEEN EXTENDED as follows:
Apprenticeship Levy routes NOW CLOSED
Applications for the straight routes into NPQML, NPQSL, NPQH and NPQEL will remain open until 15th January.
Engagement Model Training
Children previously assessed at P1-P4
The Engagement Model will become Statutory in September 2021. This has been delayed by one year, allowing 2020/2021 to be a transitionary year.
ConnectEd Partnership are offering free on line training for schools previously assessing pupils at P1-P4 on the following date:
Thursday 25th February 2021
The session will take place via Teams from 3.30pm – 5.00pm. This is a repeat of the session held on 14th January so participants only need to attend one of the sessions. An optional session will follow in the Spring Term.
Places will need to be booked by emailing Harinder.jandu@connectedpartnership.com
Y6 into Y7 Transition NEW!
Building on the Wonder programme used by a number of secondary schools last year, a Citywide Transition programme for Y6 students is being considered. Input from primary colleagues will be welcomed in supporting the development of a programme. It is hoped that a meeting can be arranged for transition leads from the primary phase before the end of term. If you would like your Transition Lead to be involved with this meeting please email contact details to Kate Hodgetts.
SHaW Maths Hub
NCETM and Maths Hubs online resources available
Materials to support teachers and schools planning and delivering maths teaching in school and remotely at both primary and secondary level are available from the NCETM. All are accessible from the dedicated Covid support page on the NCETM website.
For primary schools and teachers, the 180 primary video lessons produced during the first lock-down are still available. Each lesson has an accompanying teacher guide, and PowerPoint slides of the lesson for teachers to adapt themselves. There are also resources linked to the DfE guidance published in July 2020. These include ready-to-use training materials, a short introductory video, and a suite of 79 PowerPoints focusing on the ready-to-progress criteria found in the DfE guidance. Additional training materials addressing the transition between Year 6 and Year 7 are also particularly relevant when pupils in Year 6 have had their maths learning disrupted.
For secondary schools, an evidence-based guidance document to support discussions about recovery curriculum content and pedagogy is available, along with a series of ‘Planning to teach…’ videos and PowerPoint slides offering advice on teaching crucial KS3 topics. CPD materials include a one-hour training session to help understand the implications for Year 7 of the DfE primary guidance, and six Departmental Workshops for any teachers able to engage in collaborative professional development.
ConnectEd Partnership are pleased to offer the following CPD opportunities for 2020-21 – please click on the relevant programme to see full details and how to apply:
All our CPD programmes can also be found on our website
Additional CPD will be advertised on this newsletter and via our website as it becomes available, including our Secondary NQT Professional Development Network and Secondary Curriculum Networks.
If you have any questions relating to CPD opportunities please contact Harinder Jandu.
Maternity Paternity & Adoption Leave Pooling Scheme - Closure of Accounts 2020/2021
To view the latest information, please click here.
REMINDER!
Please submit staff numbers for 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 contract term
Please arrange to collect and submit the following staff numbers:
The number of FTE eligible staff as at January 2021 payroll run which will be calculated in accordance with your submission of: -
All Teaching staff FTE (32.5 directed hours basis)
All support staff (Contracts that are term time adjusted should be counted as full time equivalent)
If you have any queries please refer to the Terms and Conditions in the first instance.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE SAVE THE DATE!
CONNECTED PARTNERSHIP'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2021!!
We are pleased to announce the date of our Annual Conference 2021 is:
Thursday 7TH OCTOBER 2021 - at Dunstall Park Racecourse
Further information to follow later this year
Phase Group and Network Meetings for the Spring Term
It has been agreed that the ConnectEd meetings scheduled for (at least) the first half of the Spring Term will be held online via Teams.
Wednesday 20 January at 8.30am PASS Operational Board
Thursday 21 January at 1.30pm WHINS
Tuesday 26 January at 9.30am CN 1
Thursday 28 January at 8am CN 5
Friday 29 January at 9.30am CN 6 &7
Wednesday 3 February at 9.30am CN 3
Thursday 4 February at 8am CN 8
Tuesday 9 February at 9am ASPIC
Thursday 11 February at 2pm CN 4
Friday 12 February at 9.30am CN 2
If you have any questions or would like to propose an agenda item for a meeting please email Kate Hodgetts
News from The Key
The KeySupport helps you respond to national changes quickly and confidently. Every week they add new practical, quality-assured resources to save you time with everyday tasks.
REMINDER - There is a 'helpline' available to members Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm who can be contacted on 0800 061 4500 or via email enquiries@thekeysupport.com
If you would like to share your stories with us, we would love to hear from you. There is a template at the top of this newsletter, or alternatively contact one of our members of staff at the bottom of the newsletter.
Get In Touch
Here is an overview of the ConnectEd Partnership Team
Got a query or request and not sure who to contact?
To join the Partnership or for further information about what the Partnership can offer you contact us!
Comments/Feedback The Partnership welcomes comments and feedback on activities of the Partnership, and any suggestions for future development. enquiries@connectedpartnership.com
Our mailing address is:
ConnectEd Partnership Ltd
Berrybrook Education Business Suite, Berrybrook Primary School
Greenacres Avenue, Underhill
Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV10 8NZ
United Kingdom
