FrontFoot News – January 2017
These January 2017 FrontFoot news updates cover a range of educational areas of interest including matters of policy, media and research. This report includes studies on young carers, news about term-time holidays and the new Ofsted chief and policy guidance on SEN funding, computer equipment and more. Click the links below to go to specific categories of interest; when there, the headings link to the full article.
Policy/Guidance
DfE press release: Funding for special educational needs support confirmed
10 January 2017 Multi-million pound investment to support children and families with special educational needs and disabilities.
DfE press release: Prime Minister unveils plans to transform mental health support
9 January 2017 Theresa May announces a comprehensive package of measures to transform mental health support in our schools, workplaces and communities. In relation to this Schools Week is reporting: PM pledges free mental health training for secondary school teachers.
DfE news story: New deal to help schools save cash on computer equipment
6 January 2017 DfE offers schools the chance to save on tablets, laptops and desktop devices.
DfE News story: New Year Honours 2017 – education, children’s services, equalities
30 December 2016 Congratulations to Diane Croston, Chair of Governors, Morgans Primary School and Nursery, Hertford, on the award of the British Empire Medal in the New Year 2017 Honours list.
DfE guidance: Governance handbook and competency framework
12 January 2017 Updated: Added the ‘Competency framework for governance’. Also updated the ‘Governance handbook’ – the January 2017 version is structured around the 6 main features of effective governance.
Media
TES: Government examines reforms to school admissions system to improve social mobility
11 January 2017 The TES is reporting that Department for Education officials are seeking the views of academics and thinktanks, amid calls for changes to the appeals process.
TES: New arts fund will test the effect of cultural trips on attainment
9 January 2017 The TES is reporting that a new £2.5 million fund is to test the effectiveness of theatre trips and museum visits on schoolchildren’s attainment.
The Guardian: New Ofsted chief – ‘I want everyone to see us as a force for improvement’
9 January 2017 The Guardian is reporting that in her first interview as chief inspector of England’s schools, Amanda Spielman says she will start by examining the very purpose of Ofsted.
Schools Week: Schools warned over cold-calling ‘ransomware’ scam
3 January 2017 Schools Week is reporting that fraudsters posing as government officials are contacting schools in attempts to hold important computer files to ransom, police have said.
BBC: Term-time holiday case heading to Supreme Court
21 December 2016 The BBC is reporting that a long-running legal battle over whether parents are allowed to take children on holiday during term time is to be decided in the Supreme Court.
Research & Good Practice
Research and analysis: The lives of young carers in England
12 January 2017 Updated: Added reports ‘The lives of young carers in England omnibus: January 2017’ and ‘The lives of young carers in England omnibus: appendices January 2017’.