Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use Survey 2018 - For Schools
19 Oct
Please lend your support and help to influence Government policies for pupils and young people.
The latest wave of the Government’s Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use Among Young People in England (SDD) is taking place in secondary schools across the country from September 2018.
This major social study is the Government’s only source of national data on underage smoking, drinking and drug use. The findings are used to shape services and regulation that help to support and protect young people, including recent laws banning smoking in cars and plain packaging on cigarette boxes.
The study findings are used by the NHS, local authorities, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Home Office, and the Department for Education, as well as charities and academic researchers.
Researchers at Ipsos MORI and the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) are contacting schools to ask them to participate in the study during the autumn term of 2018. Participating schools will receive a report showing how their school’s findings compare with the national picture on key measures of smoking, drinking and drug use, as well as how pupils rate the information their school has provided on these issues.
All it takes is just one lesson period to complete the questionnaire. The study findings are completely confidential and pupils are not asked to write their names on the questionnaire.
If you are invited to take part in the research, please lend your support and join over 200 schools across England who are also taking part. You can find out more by vising the Ipsos MORI website or by contacting Emily Mason on 020 3059 5318 or via email SDDsurvey@ipsos.com.
Free school meals - important reminder
19 Oct
For all schools...
There are issues with the Universal Credits roll-out that mean parents or carers can’t simply complete a new application when their child moves schools.
As a school you can:
notify a pupil’s new school that they receive school meals if they move schools, either in county or out, as part of the transfer process
continue to honour the award for pupils transferring to your school for any that receive free school meals, unless their parent or carer lets you know otherwise
Find out more about free school meals.
School Closure Instructions and Information
19 Oct
What to do and what you need to know if you need to close your school - planned or unplanned.
The decision to close a school or setting is taken by the Headteacher/Manager based on a risk assessment considering a number of factors:
Local management;
conditions at the school/setting; and
the health and safety of staff and pupils.
Issues considered could include, but are not limited to, whether there is catering available; public transport services are running; the site is safe for pupils/staff and, if conditions worsen, will pupils/staff be able to return home safely.
If at all possible, the school/setting will remain open for as many children as possible. Schools/settings will do all they can to re-open as soon as appropriate.
If a school/setting has to close, information will be made available to parents/carers through the school's/settings normal communications channels (including their website) and radio stations.
Instructions for 'closing' and 'reopening' your school on the Dorset County Council GIS system are available in our Instructions for Schools Closure document - attached
Latest information on schools open status is on the Dorset for You/Closed Schools in Dorset page https://mapping.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/closedservices/Service/schools
The Department for Education website has further detail on how to manage your schools open status in a variety of emergency scenarios. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/emergencies-and-severe-weather-schools-and-early-years-settings.
This includes guidance on marking pupil attendance and what to do if limited numbers of staff are available.
If flooding has significantly affected your school or early years setting, you should contact DfE directly using incident.alert@education.gsi.gov.uk.
Early Years providers who have had to move to temporary premises should check to see if they need to register with Ofsted at their new premises.
Funding help for schools to improve the wellbeing of your pupils through physical activity
17 Oct
Could pupils at your school benefit from a more creative approach to movement and activity? A new funding scheme from Public Health Dorset, asking schools to look beyond the regular PE and sport opportunities, could help you to achieve this.
The Emotional and Mental Health Wellbeing Through Physical Activity Fund is available to all primary, secondary and special needs schools in Dorset. Schools can use the fund to build an ethos and culture of movement and activity within all aspects of the school day.
Schools should be innovative and creative in their approach to meet the individual needs of their own pupils and community.
Unlike other schemes, schools are not limited to the amount of money they apply for, or what the money is spent on. The only condition is the money must be spent on improving emotional health and wellbeing. Schools can apply for funding to be used on an existing project, or something completely new and schools will need to apply by 5 November.
For more information, guidance and applications, visit: http://www.publichealthdorset.org.uk/whole-school-approach/
An Introduction to No Nonsense Spelling
15 Oct
An Introduction to No Nonsense Spelling
7 Nov 2018 – 13.15 – 16.00
Durweston Village Hall, Church Road, Durweston, Blandford, Dorset DT11 0QA
In association with Babcock LDP and Raintree Publishers we bring you ‘An Introduction to No Nonsense Spelling’ a complete spelling programme.
No Nonsense Spelling is a new complete spelling programme created by teachers for teachers.
The programme is:
· Flexible and easy to use
· Comprehensive, designed to meet with the needs of the new National Curriculum
· Tried and tested by teachers
· Years 2-6
This training will introduce delegates to the materials, concepts and approaches used in the No Nonsense Spelling programme ready for implementation back in school. The training session will be led by Rebecca Cosgrave, Lead English Adviser for Babcock LDP.
An EYFS Twilight Session delivered by Kym Scott
27 Sep
Providing challenge in the EYFS through enabling Environments
* Hear some of the myths that circulate around challenge, & explore
what it really looks like in practice for young children.
* Explore the key elements that need to be in place in order to develop
self-regulated, resilient young learners who seek to challenge themselves.
* Focus in more closely on the particular role of the adult & environment
with regards to ensuring children are truly challenged in their self-chosen
play & exploration.
* Be inspired with visual images that show how easily & cheaply challenging
experiences can be provided for young children.
DORSET:
Date: Mon 28th Jan 2019 Time: 4.30 - 6pm
Venue: Bincombe Valley Primary School, Culliford Way, Littlemoor, Weymouth DT36AF
Cost: £25 per person
To book go to www.kymscottconsultancy.com & select ‘Current Events’.
Alternatively complete the form attached
Dorset For You