Thursday 28th August 2014
I hope that you have had a good summer and the chance for a break during the holidays. As always, there are plenty of changes and new or revised information has been published, including the following which I have posted on the EPHA website:
Ofsted documents
The revised Ofsted Inspection Handbook for September 2014 has been published. This includes the Evaluation Schedule and descriptors and there is no longer a separate Subsidiary Guidance document. Heather Leatt (Eden Education) has produced an annotated version of the Handbook, showing where changes have been made. The Ofsted Framework has been updated, along with the Safeguarding Briefing paper for inspectors.
Schools Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document 2014
The 2014 STPCD has now been published along with guidance on reviewing and revising school teachers' pay.
SEND Code of Practice
This has now received parliamentary assent. I have sent out an email about four ECC conferences being held in September/October giving information on the Local Offer.
DBS Guide to Eligibility
The Disclosure and Barring Service has updated their guidance on eligibility, workforce and supervision for those working with children and vulnerable adults. Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-check-eligible-positions-...
Food in Schools
New regulations on School meals come in to force on 1st January 2015. The DfE has updated departmental advice on the standards for planning and providing meals in school.
Standing orders for Governing Bodies
ECC Governor Services has updated its standing orders for governing bodies of Academies and Maintained Schools. These are not mandatory, but are good practice for all GBs to adopt.
Academies' Financial Handbook
On 8 August the EFA released the Academies' Financial Handbook, effective from 1 September 2014. See here a summary of changes to the document.
DfE School Complaints guidance
The DfE has produced new guidance on managing school complaints. I have produced a model complaints policy reflecting the guidance, which you could adapt for your school.
EPHA Deputy Heads' conference Friday 17 October 2014
There are still places available at the annual Deputy Headteachers' conference, which is being held at Weston Homes Community Stadium on 17 October 2014. See the attached programme and booking form for more information.
Chelmsford Headspace
There are some places on the Headspace programme, starting on 1st October, offering support and professional development to headteachers. Please see the attached letter, leaflet and expression of interest form, and contact Caroline Geilnik as soon as possible if you are interested.
Clerks' briefing sessions
Please encourage your clerk to attend one of the termly briefing sessions that take place early in the term - they will come back to school with a mine of information. The dates for the sessions are:
Monday 8 September - 2.00 pm - at Wickford Collaborative Learning Centre
Tuesday 9 September - 2.00 pm - at Latton Bush Centre, Harlow
Wednesday 10 September - 10.00 am - at Weston Homes Community Stadium
Thursday 11 September - 10.00 am - at Chelmsford City Football Club
Thursday 11 September - 7.00 pm - at Chelmsford City Football Club
To book briefings and clerks' training please visit: www.eescpdportal.org
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any more information or support - I look forward to seeing you all at the termly headteacher meetings in November.
Pam Langmead
EPHA Manager
langmead@tesco.net
Pam Langmead