10-point Version of the DfE’s Back-to-School Guidance for SEND learners

by BeckiNo Comments
With the news that everyone will be returning to school/college" from March 8th, the Department for Education has once again issued separate operational guidance for schools and for specialist settings: Additional operational guidance for special schools, special post-16 institutions and alternative provision. Below is a bit of a breakdown of some of the important points that you should be aware of. 1. Attendance The attendance section in the specialist and alternative settings guidance emphasises that from March 8th, attendance is mandatory for all, unless they receive a positive test result or have to self-isolate. It is vital for pupils and students to attend school or college to minimise, as far as possible, the longer-term impact of the pandemic on their education, wellbeing and wider development. The usual rules on school attendance apply to all pupils including:- parents’ duty to secure their child’s regular attendance at school (where the child is a registered pupil at school, and they are of compulsory school age)-...
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Disadvantaged pupils targeted in government’s £700m school catch up plans

by BeckiNo Comments
The government has pledged to focus £700m in catch up funding for education in England on disadvantaged children, as schools and early years settings recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Children & Young People Now have reported on the "Recovery Premium": One-to-one and small group tutoring programmes is another focus of the government's efforts to help schools and colleges recoverThe one-off recovery premium is worth £302m. The average primary school will receive around £6,000 extra while the average secondary school around £22,000 more. The government expects schools to use this premium money to boost summer provision, such as additional clubs and activities.Schools will also be expected to use “evidence based approaches to supporting disadvantaged pupils from September”, according to the Department for Education.Of the remaining £400m, half will be used to boost tutoring in schools  and language development in early years settings.The other half is for schools to develop face-to-face summer schools. The government expects these to initially target incoming year 7 pupils. ...
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Leicester City Council: Q&A on Children Returning to School

Leicester City Council: Q&A on Children Returning to School

by BeckiNo Comments
As you may be aware, the Department for Education has set out their expectation that all children will be back in school for the Autumn term. The Leicester City Council has set out a series of questions and answers. Questions included are: Returning to school When do schools go back?Should I be worried other schools in the area are not opening on the same date as my child’s school?How safe is it for my child to return to school?My child is very anxious about returning – what support is on offer Attending school Do I have to send my child back to school?If my child is unable to attend, how will their absence be recorded? Will my child continue to get free school meals / vouchersIs my child required to wear school uniform?Will breakfast clubs and after school provision continue? Clinically extremelly vulnerable and shielding My child is currently shielding, can they attend school?Should my child go to school if someone in the house is shielding? Developing symptoms My...
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