Monday 8th June 2020
The summer termly headteacher meetings will not be held at the usual venues in June as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Primary schools have remained open during the lockdown, which started on 23rd March, and are beginning to increase their provision for pupils in various year groups. However, large gatherings are not yet allowed or advisable. We hope to return to normal for the meetings in November, but this term will conduct the business of the EPHA area meetings by email.
Welcome to new headteachers in the Area and farewell to those who are leaving
This has been a really difficult time for all headteachers and, in particular, those who have started as new heads or are acting headteacher for an interim period. A number of headteachers have delayed their retirement in order to steer their schools through this crisis – a real example of the dedication and commitment that headteachers in the primary sector demonstrate every day.
NB If you are leaving please make use of the EPHA new heads’ checklist, and complete it for your successor. This is available on the EPHA website at
https://essexprimaryheads.co.uk/info-and-documents/good-practice/
Report from the Area Chair on the 2019/2020 year
The Area Chairs have written reports reflecting the past year – these are available on the EPHA website and have been sent out by email.
EPHA Executive report The EPHA Executive has met more frequently than usual to discuss the challenges and changes that are being experienced by primary-phase schools across the county. Minutes of the meetings are available on the EPHA website at https://essexprimaryheads.co.uk/meetings/executive/
Membership of the EPHA Executive/area steering groups
The nomination forms for each area have been sent out by email, along with the current EPHA Executive membership list. Please do nominate representatives for the Executive. In many cases the current members have agreed to re-stand, but please do send alternative nominations if you want to – in the case of multiple nominations the Professional Officer will organise a ballot of the local headteacher.
EPHA Newsletter (which includes EPHA dates for the academic year 2020/2021)
The summer term newsletter has been circulated by email and is available on the EPHA website. Page 2 of the newsletter gives meeting dates for the next academic year; we aim to hold meetings as usual, but this will of course depend on the national situation.
The EPHA county Annual General Meeting – Wednesday 7 October 2020
We plan to hold the AGM as usual at Chelmsford City Football Club. Michelle Winter, Senior HMI for the Eastern Region, will attend the meeting to talk about the future of Ofsted. You will receive the agenda and information about the AGM by email in advance of the meeting.
Deputy Heads Conference – Friday 2 October 2020
Unfortunately, as a result of the continued uncertainty around when large gatherings will be able to resume, the decision has been made not to hold the annual Deputy and Assistant Headteachers’ conference this year. This would have been our 15th deputy conference, and we know that for many this is an annual date in the diary that senior leaders value and look forward to.
EPHA plans to hold an alternative, free, virtual event to celebrate and thank Deputy and Assistant heads for the amazing work they do in our schools, particularly in such challenging times. More information in the second half of the summer term.
Headteachers Conference – Friday 19 March 2021, Stock Brook Country Club
You will be aware that the headteacher conference in 2020 was cancelled as a result of the national lockdown. I am holding bookings for headteachers and will contact you later in the year about the headteacher conference in 2021- we have great hopes that this will go ahead, just a year late!
Funding the Essex Primary Headteachers’ Association
EPHA continues to be funded by a top-slice from the DSG. The cost to each school is £320. Please see the article “What do headteachers get in return for their top-sliced contribution to EPHA?” available on the EPHA website.
https://essexprimaryheads.co.uk/files/what-headteachers-get-in-return-for-their-epha-contribution-2020-21.pdf
Please do contact me, Pam Langmead, if you have any questions or comments about the work of EPHA and the Executive in the last year.
Pam Langmead