If you would like to contribute an item to our newsletter please download our template here.
Dancing bin men, Jack Johnson, Henry Wright and Adrian Breakwell from Wolverhampton, have released a Christmas single. Half of the money raised from the single will go to a local charity.
The binmen have already raised £2,500 for Compton Care and are now looking to choose a charity which will help less fortunate youngsters get Christmas presents.
Jack, 37, said: "We're looking for a charity at the moment but we've not been in touch with anyone yet, but we want to hep kids who might not get the stuff they wanted this year for Christmas – we're definitely looking to help the kids out."
WELL DONE LADS!
Important!
Schools can take inset day on Dec 18 so contact tracing stops by Christmas Eve - to read this Schools Week article, click here!
Contents
Our newsletter is divided into the following sections:
National News - including the latest Government advice and information Local News - including Back to school resources, and PASS and SGO Update 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 have issued a useful Podcast from The Robin Hood Mat who have come up with an exciting idea which they are sharing with everyone. It is a concept called PODCAST CPD. This could provide the basis of an excellent CPD programme for teachers. This is a free CPD for anyone to participate in, so please feel free to share.
Back to school Resources
The Black Country Rainbow Hour
Of the 120 schools delivering the Black Country Rainbow Hour, 45 are Wolverhampton - well done everyone!
Rainbow Booklet – We hope that you have enjoyed the November edition of the Rainbow Booklet so far! We will be launching the next edition in January with a SEND Smile version also coming out too.
Rainbow Trackers – Make sure your pupils are logging any physical activity that they complete during the term on the new Rainbow Trackers. You can submit these online, and pupils will receive one of three badges for free, children can also earn Children’s University stamps when they take part!
One Run Global – We have teamed up with One Run Global who are an organisation who want to get as many people moving as they can, from all around the world on the 10th December as part of Human Rights day. You can sign up and get involved by following the instructions on the attachment and if you want to find out more please visit their website. You could be taking part along with many other schools from around the globe! Why not make this part of your Rainbow Hour on the 10th December!
Photography Competition – Don’t forget, you can get involved in our Physical Activity Photography Competition and submit your photos online using the hashtag #BlackCountryRainbowHour. All the information is included on the attachment and is in the Outdoor and Nature section in the November Rainbow booklet. There are range of prizes available with vouchers from £20 to £50 available for pupils, so get snapping!
Love Exploring App – The Love Exploring App is now live! And can be downloaded onto smartphones for free. This is a great way to get out and about with the family and see what animals you can spot in your local parks and green spaces!
School-to-School support for COVID-19 Recovery
The government is funding school-to-school support for schools that need particular help with COVID-19 recovery, which can include support focusing on developing remote education provision, stabilising education structures and the welfare of staff and pupils. System leaders in education provide support for an average of 5 days and in line with the current COVID-19 guidance for schools. Please click here for further information.
PASS and School Games Organiser Update
Secondary Schools’ Battle of the Wolves (L2) and Sportshall Pentathlon Events - results out next week
12 Activity Days of Christmas to Support Wellness NEW ACTIVITIES!
Celebrate the festive season in a time of despair! We have a range of fun activities for young people to do at home individually or with their family to encourage activity and spread happy cheer. Click here to find out more.
REMINDER PE virtual networking meeting Monday 18th January 2021 for all primary, secondary and special schools’ PE leads.
Look out for your invite coming soon
Follow us on our social media platforms for up-to-date news and information:
A little bit of Christmas magic has been sprinkled in Year 5 Pine this week! It has inspired the children to write their very own story book for a younger audience.
BUSINESS SECTION
ConnectEd's NQT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY POOL 2020-2021
NOW OPEN!!
As you maybe 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
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
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 18TH DECEMBER 2020
Reminder NQT first Assessments due now!
Please note that the First Assessment for your NQTs are due to be completed by Friday 11th December 2020.
If you have any queries regarding the assessment process, please contact Bal Athwal.
Y6/Y7 Transition 2021 Updated!
At the meeting of Wolverhampton Secondary Headteachers on 19 November it was agreed that they should, where possible, hold their Y6 into Y7 transition days during week commencing 5 July 2021.
Transition Leads are invited to join a meeting to consider the transition programme for 2021 on Wednesday 13 January at 9.30am via Teams. Please forward contact information for your Transition Lead to and/or request a meeting invitation from Kate Hodgetts
SEND and Commissioning Partnership Board NEW!
Colleagues received an email regarding primary and secondary representation to the SEND and Commissioning Partnership Board earlier this week. Thank you to those colleagues who replied; we have received a number of offers to take on the roles. If you are interested in taking on either the primary or secondary role please email Kate Hodgettsby 5pm on Friday 11 December 2020.
To ensure that reps have been agreed in time for the next meeting of the Board on 20th January 2021, colleagues will be asked to vote for their chosen representative via email. Further details will be circulated via email next week.
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 dates:
Thursday 14th January 2021
Thursday 25th February 2021
The sessions will take place via Teams from 3.30pm – 5.00pm and participants only need to attend one of the sessions which will cover most of the training. An optional session will follow in the Spring Term.
Places will need to be booked by emailing Harinder.jandu@connectedpartnership.com
Train to Teach with ConnectEd Partnership
Does your school have any staff who are interested in training to become a qualified teacher through the School Direct Route? The application window for teacher training starting September 2021 is now open. To find out more, and to book a place on one of our School Direct Information events being held soon, please click here.
Funded PD Opportunities in Wolverhampton or Online
Please click on the links below for further details and booking:
Mathematical Thinking is suitable for all teachers of Maths. It is the most appropriate of the above for any teachers in their first two years of teaching Maths (including non-specialists) for whom cover costs are paid.
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 next year
Phase Group and Network Meetings for the Spring Term NEW!
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
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
The Key provides a weekly news bulletin on policy changes and developments that will affect schools.
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