Training Times – Post Election – where now for education?
The June edition of Training Times is now in schools, with a spotlight on the general election and Herts for Learning’s Schools’ (HfL) HR team. The online version can be found at:
This HfL monthly newspaper has something for governors and staff based in schools, whether looking for a little light reading on current educational news or for courses to further your professional development.
General election 2015 – where now for education? “This month HfL spoke with some of Hertfordshire’s leaders to hear their impact of the result for schools.”
Schools’ HR – how can this team support you? “The Schools’ HR advisory service provides specialist professional advice and support for headteachers and governors on all aspects of employment law.”
Research from HfL’s new Education Policy and Practice Intern, Jasleen Dhillon- Analysis of Finnish education;
Hertfordshire schools’ news and much more!
If your Chair of governors would like to receive extra copies for the governing body please get in touch. HfL welcome any feedback or content suggestions for future editions. Please contact their Journalist Jessica Broadbent at jessica.broadbent@nullhertsforlearning.co.uk with your feedback or if you would like your school to be included.
Herts for Learning (HfL) recently undertook briefings on the their new Assessment Framework for Primary Schools. It was presented to over 400 school Governors. Ben Fuller’s 45 minute briefing is now available for wider viewing and can be seen below:
This presentation addresses the following key themes:
why have ‘levels’ gone?
how will children be assessed in statutory national assessments without levels?
how might schools track pupil progress without levels?
what information could governors expect to see to support them with the task of holding the school leadership to account?
(Alternate link – http://vimeo.com/128528519).
For further information of the HfL approach to Assessment please review the download below or contact Ben Fuller, Lead Assessment Adviser, Herts For Learning Ltd., by email on Ben.Fuller@nullhertsforlearning.co.uk.
The final, Festive, Training Times of the autumn term is in schools with a spotlight on Herts for Learning’s Early Years team. The link to the on-line version can be found at http://bit.ly/TTdec14, or click the picture.
See page 7 for the HASG Outstanding Governors of the Year as awarded in November! Other articles are on CPD, HfL’s Parent2Parent ® programme, Website refresh, Funding for Closing Gaps, the North Herts Transition Project and selected school news.
This HfL monthly newspaper has something for governors and staff based in schools, whether looking for a little light reading on current educational news or for courses to further your professional development. It aims to keep you up to date with what’s on offer from HfL, to share news from local schools, explore current issues from the education sector and to inform you a little more about your Schools’ Company – who we are and what we do.
Extra copies or feedback?
If your chair of governors would like to receive extra copies for the governing body please get in touch. We welcome any feedback or content suggestions for future editions.
These are fast becoming a useful tool to demonstrate and improve the effectiveness of your governing body. The review was originally designed for ‘Requires Improvement’ (RI) schools and is led by the National College for Teaching and Leadership. It has become more popular with governing bodies wanting to be Outstanding, and Outstanding governing bodies needing to run a ‘health check’ to ensure they are in line with the current framework.
In Hertfordshire the framework has been modified over the last two years, and a team of external reviewers have been trained and mentored. This good practice has been nationally recognised and, more recently, Hertfordshire (HfL Governance) has been involved in updating the national guidance and training which is currently being rolled out.
The Hertfordshire reviews are rigorously quality assured by the governance team, and the reviewers (all selected through an interview process) are given regular updates to ensure their work is of a high standard. Kathy Dunnett, Governance Officer and a National Leader of Governance, is leading on the process. She said, “More and more is being asked and expected of governors. A review can encourage a governing body to reflect and regroup. It is developmental and enables governors to know they are on the right track.”
HfL’s Governance Team are linking up with Hertfordshire Association of School Governors (HASG – www.hertsgovernors.org/) and SGOSS Governors for Schools (voluntary governor recruitment agency – www.sgoss.org.uk/) to run a series of weekend roadshows during May and June to support schools in recruiting governors, and to raise the profile of the role.
The responsibility of a school governor has changed dramatically over the last five years and so have the expectations. School governance is now a professional role, and governors therefore need the right skills and training to make the greatest impact. With current demands on everyday working life, recruiting good governors has become more and more difficult in some parts of the county.
To support governing bodies and schools, six dates have been confirmed with possibility of the Hertfordshire County Show (to be confirmed):
(9am – 4pm)
16th May – Wolsey Hall, Cheshunt
6th June – District Council Offices, Stevenage
27th June – The Roundhouse Volunteer Centre, Hemel Hempstead
HCC Offices (10am – 3pm)
9th June – County Hall, Hertford
15th June – Apsley, Kings Langley
29th June – Stevenage
If you would like to book a slot at one of these events or get involved in raising the profile of the governor role, please contact: kathy.dunnett@nullhertsforlearning.co.uk.
Sponsored by the Hertfordshire Association of School Governors, and organised in association with Herts for Learning
These awards aim to celebrate outstanding and distinguished service of school governors in Hertfordshire, and are an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to governors that demonstrate exceptional practice. The winners will be announced at the Hertfordshire Governors’ Annual Conference in November 2015.
Awards & Prizes
each winning governor (total of three) will be awarded a £50 prize
prizes of £500 will be awarded to the schools of the three winning governors. The £500 is to be spent so it directly benefits the students; it is not to be spent on teaching or teachers as we would like the money to be spent on something the school has not included in its budget
all nominators will be put into a prize draw and three will be drawn at random and be awarded a £25 prize.
Entry
The awards are for individual school governors’ work, service, or commitment and not that of a governing body as a whole; the submission therefore needs to make clear the specific role that was played by the governor. Nominated governors will need to have given a total of at least five years’ service within Hertfordshire schools. However, this is not restricted to governorship at any one school.
Closing date for nominations: Friday 22nd May 2015
Shortlisting will take place during the summer of 2015. A member of the judging panel will then visit finalists’ schools for discussions with the nominator(s).
… is the Headline Article for the recent edition of Training Times now out in schools, reporting on HfL’s first National Conference held on 3rd December 2014, focussing on “preparing young people for life in modern Britain” and opened by Sir Trevor McDonald OBE.
This bumper January/February edition also spotlights HfL’s Financial Services for Schools team, reports on some upcoming events and a comprehensive training programme overview, as well as numerous news updates and introducing HfL’s new Coaching Service. The link to the online version is:
This Herts fro Learning (HfL) monthly newspaper has something for governors and staff based in schools, whether looking for a little light reading on current educational news or for courses to further your professional development. It aims to keep you up to date with what’s on offer from HfL, to share news from local schools, explore current issues from the education sector and to inform you a little more about your Schools’ Company – who we are and what we do.
If you are in a Hertfordshire school and your chair of governors would like to receive extra copies for the governing body please get in touch with Jessica Broadbent at jessica.broadbent@nullhertsforlearning.co.uk with your feedback or if you would like your school to be included.
HASG Manages Governor Elections to Schools Forum and ICT Working Partnership Group
The Hertfordshire Association of School Governors was asked recently to help Hertfordshire County Council by organising elections to two key Committees.
The first election, between all Hertfordshire Schools was for appointment to the statutory Schools Forum. There were three vacancies arising at the beginning of 2015 as a result of terms of office of current members expiring. The following were elected:
Carole Connelly of Sarrett Primary School;
Don Leavy of Hertford St Andrews Primary School; and
Jackie Webby from Ashlyns Secondary School, Berkhamsted
The second election, between HASG Member schools, was to elect a Governor to the ICT Partnership Working Group. Originally one vacancy was arising as a result of the current incumbent standing down. HASG recommended that the number of Governors should be increased to two to ensure a better balance of representation between Primary and Secondary Schools. This was agreed.
The two candidates elected were:
Karl Newstead of Camps Hill Community Primary and Marriotts Secondary at Stevenage; and
Geoff Strack of St Nicholas Primary Elstree and Parkside Primary Borehamwood
On Tuesday the 20th of January 2015 Hertfordshire Sports Partnership will deliver the second Primary PE Conference in partnership with Youth Sport Trust and Herts for Learning.
The focus for this year’s conference is ‘PE and school sport supporting whole school improvement’ and is aimed at both Headteachers and PE subject leads.
This full day will comprise of a mixture of key note addresses, interactive workshops looking at areas such as ‘How to assess an outstanding PE lesson’, ‘Using apprentices within your school’ and Health & Safety in primary schools’. After the opening address Headteachers will have a targeted workshop followed by question and answer sessions where representatives for afPE, DfE, CSPN among others will be present. PE subject leads will have a choice of 15 practical and theoretical workshops to learn more about the focus areas that are most relevant to their professional and school needs.
Throughout the day there will be a ‘Demo Zone marketplace’ set up where local organisations, projects and National Governing Bodies of sport will showcase the products, services and support they have available to work in partnership with primary schools and enhance the activity provision.
Please click to see the PE CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS document to view all the workshops that will be taking place.
Cost: £142 – 2 for 1 when Headteacher and subject lead book on.
The penultimate Training Times of the autumn term is in schools, with a spotlight on Herts for Learning’s Governance team. The link to the online version can be found at http://bit.ly/1uW72br (or click the picture).
This HfL monthly newspaper has something for governors and staff based in schools, whether looking for a little light reading on current educational news or for courses to further your professional development. It aims to keep you up to date with what’s on offer from HfL, to share news from local schools, explore current issues from the education sector and to inform you a little more about your Schools’ Company – who we are and what we do. Next edition: look out for the HASG Outstanding Governors of the Year as awarded in November!
Extra copies or feedback?
If your chair of governors would like to receive extra copies for the governing body please email Jessica Broadbent who would welcome any feedback or content suggestions for future editions.
Please contact Jessica Broadbent at jessica.broadbent@nullhertsforlearning.co.uk with your feedback or if you would like your school to be included.
Outstanding School Governors in Hertfordshire recognised
Outgoing & Incoming Chairs (Paul Rosen (l) & Mike Scandrett (r)) with the winners Lin Keen, Jacky Webby & John Sloan
The outstanding work of school governors in Hertfordshire has been recognised this weekend at the first Outstanding School Governors Awards 2014. The awards, run by Hertfordshire Association of School Governors (HASG) and the UK’s largest, not-for-profit School company, Herts for Learning, took place on Saturday 15th November at Hertfordshire Development Centre in Stevenage and formed part of the Hertfordshire Governors Annual Conference.
The awards, the first of their kind in Hertfordshire, have been established to publicly recognise, not only the contribution of individual school governors, but to celebrate the dedication and commitment of all governors in Hertfordshire’s 525 schools.
Schools across the county were asked to nominate a governor/s who they believe has really made a difference and helped to improve the educational outcomes of children in their school. Many nominations were received and reviewed by an independent panel of judges from HASG and Herts for Learning, and from these, a short-list of 38 governors was drawn up. After further review, eight finalists were selected, with three receiving the Outstanding Governor of the Year award; winning £500 for their school and a £50 individual prize.
Finalists selected from 38-strong short-list
The eight finalists represent schools in South Mimms, Hitchin, Berkhamsted, Stevenage, Watford, St Albans, Tring and Ware.
The three Outstanding Governor of the Year Awards went to:
Lin Keen, Sandringham School, St Albans
John Sloan, St Margaret Clitherow RC Primary School, Stevenage
Jacky Webby, Ashlyns School, Berkhamsted
The five runners-up were:
Rosemary Bolton, Presdales School Academy Trust, Ware,
Colin Minton, Hitchin Girls’ School Academy, Hitchin,
Paul Elley, Goldfield Infants’ and Nursery School, Tring,
Kevin Rylett, St Michael’s Catholic High School, Watford,
Canon Brenda Tipping, St Giles CoE Primary School, South Mimms.
What made the difference
The shortlisted candidates merited their selection through some glowing nominations some key elements of which are given below:
Lin Keen – for her role in guiding the school through its journey of improvement to that of an Outstanding school.
John Sloan – an ability to ask searching questions and raise the level of strategic thinking, built a strong team of experts to support the school and ensured Outstanding Ofsted.
Jacky Webby – taking over at a low-point her energy & enthusiasm has helped the school turn round, increasing pupil numbers by 50% and securing additional facilities.
Rosemary Bolton – leading the school through the conversion process from school to academy.
Colin Minton – highest levels of professional support leading the drive for change, canvassing for funding for much needed facilities and contributing to Outstanding Ofsted.
Paul Elley – strong leadership maintaining Outstanding Ofsted, managing major project replacing ICT.
Kevin Rylett – support to the wider community in his role as Trust Academy Director and as a National Leader of Governance.
Canon Brenda Tipping – unswerving support for her school over the past 9 years.
Celebrating Governors
Commenting on the Outstanding School Governor Awards 2014, Paul Rosen, Chair of Hertfordshire School Governors Association said:
We are delighted to be able to celebrate our governors in Hertfordshire for the efficient and dedicated work that they do within their schools to support children and young people in receiving the education they deserve. We had an overwhelming response from schools across the county to the awards, and whilst we chose three awards this year, we could have chosen 33 or 300 – it still wouldn’t be enough!
We value enormously the contribution made by governors in this vital role and thank all of them for willingly giving up their time, expertise and commitment to support our schools.
The Hertfordshire Association of School Governors is an independent organisation that supports and informs school governors, to ensure their views are heard and to promote high standards in school governance.
Herts for Learning Ltd, is the UK’s largest School company. Developed from Hertfordshire Local Authority’s education services, the company is 80% owned by schools (20% by Hertfordshire County Council), with 98% of Hertfordshire schools now owning a share of the company.
A not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising standards and improving teaching and learning, Herts for Learning Ltd provides high quality teaching, learning, leadership and business support to schools and education settings in Hertfordshire and beyond.
Other short-listed nominees
In addition to the eight finalists, the other 30 short-listed governors were:
Adrian Jackson-Robbins, Roundwood Park School, Harpenden
Andrezej Gaudyn, Great Gaddesden CoE School, Great Gaddesden
Anita Parfitt, Kimpton Primary School, Kimpton
Barbara Whitford, Holtsmere End Junior School, Hemel Hempstead
Bernard White, Burleigh Primary School, Cheshunt
Brian Drummer, Howe Dell School & Children Centre, Hatfield
The Hertfordshire school improvement strategy 2014-17 sets out the vision, aims and priorities to ensure a step change in improved performance for Hertfordshire schools, children and young people for the future.
The family of schools in Hertfordshire is strong. The creation of Herts for Learning, owned by Hertfordshire schools and the local authority, embodies a shared moral purpose and passion for continued improvement in outcomes for all children and young people. The strategy will be delivered by Herts for Learning in partnership with schools and the local authority.
The strategic priorities are drawn from the vision of sustained high achievement for all children and young people across the county and analysis of current performance in a context of a continued national drive for higher educational standards.
The strategy also aims to clarify the:
role and responsibility of the local authority in relation to Hertfordshire schools
the centrality of good and outstanding schools and system led leadership in school improvement
relationship between Hertfordshire local authority and Herts for Learning
the protocols and procedures in relation to Schools Causing Concern
The role of the governing body
The Hertfordshire school improvement strategy recognises that governing bodies have a crucial impact on ensuring school improvement whether it is in maintained schools, free schools or academies. This role has become increasingly important as schools gain more autonomy.
In all types of schools, governing bodies need to have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:
ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
holding the leadership to account for the educational performance of the school and its children and
overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure that money is well spent.
Where governing bodies are well organised and focus effectively on these core strategic functions, it helps schools to thrive and they are far less likely to find themselves in difficulties.
A clear strand of this strategy is to promote high quality training, support and challenge for school governance.
Support for governing bodies
Support for governing bodies may include:
skills and training needs analysis
a review of the effectiveness of the governing body
bespoke training, coaching or support from governors with particular expertise
evaluation opportunities to identify the effectiveness of the school and governing body over time
Training Times – Post Election – where now for education?
