A-Z Listing
S
SACRE
Our core vision We seek to ensure that all pupils in our schools develop spiritually, academically, emotionally and morally. This helps them understand themselves and others and cope with the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of living in a rapidly changing world. Collective Worship SACRE Guidelines Collective Worship in CE Schools Guidance (SchoolsWeb) Buckinghamshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2022-2027 (SchoolsWeb) Schools Our vision for schools is…
SACRE Information and Guidance
Early Years RE in the Early Years (Download) Key Stage 1 KS1 Enquiry Guidance (Download) KS1 Enquiry Learning Process (Download) Key Stage 2 KS2 Enquiry Learning Process (Download) Secondary What do we mean by a just and fair world? (Download) What is the 'truth' and why is it important? (Download) What does it mean to be Human? (Download) General information Our Core Vision and Values SACRE constitution Etiquette for visiting places of worship Ramad…
SACRE Meetings and Annual Reports
Procedure for claiming expenses for mileage relating to SACRE meetings (PDF Download) All meeting minutes and agendas are available. Please contact us for copies by emailing sis@buckinghamshire.gov.uk SACREs have a duty to publish an annual report. This report has to be sent to the Secretary of State for Education as well as to key partners, including schools, teacher training institutions, libraries and councillors. The main purpose of the annual report is to hold the LA to account, b…
SACRE Newsletters
We hope you enjoy these editions of SACRED, the newsletter for SACRE. Our intention is to provide current and stimulating material to help with forward planning and delivery of quality RE. We produce 2 issues a year covering a variety of topics and highlighting events from the Multi faith calendar. In each edition of SACRED we will be featuring something of local interest in RE. Newsletter for RE Leads in Buckinghamshire May 2024 Newsletter for RE Leads in Buckinghamshire Nov 2023 News…
Safeguarding for governors
The statutory guidance, Keeping children safe in education , places requirements on all governing boards. Boards must ensure their schools have effective safeguarding policies and procedures in place that take into account local risks, any statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State, any LA guidance, and locally agreed on inter-agency procedures. Governor safeguarding audit It is suggested that this optional safeguarding audit for nominated governors is completed in partnership wi…
Safeguarding Toolkit
This document provides a framework that must be adapted to meet the needs of individual schools in developing their own Child Protection Policy. This document outlines what should be included in a Child Protection policy for education providers. Any text in 'RED' should be formatted accordingly. Policies that have not been personalised to the individual setting will not be considered adequate to keep children safe in your school by Buckinghamshire Council, Ofsted, or any other agency. Buckin…
Safeguarding Training
Buckinghamshire Council offers training on a range of topics for school staff and designated safeguarding leads. Training has returned to face to face and will be delivered by the ESAS team. The training pathway for DSL’s new to role is to attend DSL Training (2 days) followed by “Safeguarding – The System and You”. Safeguarding – The System and You is a one day course that has replaced Working Together. Please book this course online via the BSCP website:- Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Train…
School governance
(Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013 Background The School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013 came into force on the 1 st of September 2013 and simplify and replace the provisions of three previous sets of regulations. Legislation The School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) Regulations 2013
School improvement and equalities
Welcome to Buckinghamshire Council School Improvement. Education is a fast-paced and dynamic profession, ever changing and innovating. We recognise that, as leaders, teachers and education professionals, your focus is the children and young people in your care. We understand that: Keeping up to date and ahead of the educational curve can be a challenge The need to fix an unexpected problem or challenge could occur at any time. Teaching and school performance has to be exceptio…
School liaison groups
School Liaison Groups School liaison groups are arranged by area and there are 17 across Buckinghamshire. The membership consists of Headteachers from all schools – Primary, Secondary, Special, Academy, Grammar, and PRU. Aylesbury Vale Area Aylesbury Town Bernwode Buckingham and Winslow John Colet Wing Chiltern and South Bucks Area Amersham Beaconsfield Burnham Chalfont Chesham Evreham Misbourne Wycombe Area Cressex Marlow…
School Management Support
The School Management Support Team supports the coordination and management of the electronic provision of data and information to all: schools academies Local Authority (LA) The team provides a range of contextual and performance information to support the school, early years and LA planning. They also offer performance monitoring and to assist with school self-evaluation.
School Nursing Referrals
The School Nursing service is one important component of the support available to school-age children and their families, to promote health and emotional wellbeing in Buckinghamshire, as part of the Department of Health’s Healthy Child Programme. Buckinghamshire Health Trust supports children and young people in Buckinghamshire schools with medical, social, emotional, or physical needs, to help each person achieve their potential. This helps them to get the most from life and education and b…
School Play Area Inspection Training
This course will be looking at a range of: play equipment playground surfacing importance of good regular hands-on inspection the value of good record-keeping overall look at safety issues around a school from the outside The aim of the course is to give delegates the confidence to carry out routine inspection with a greater understanding and knowledge This course is for staff responsible for managing and maintaining a safe playground environment, i.e. caretakers, bursar…
School swimming
Buckinghamshire Council commissioned the Bucks School Swimming Partnership (BSSP) to provide school swimming information, advice, and guidance to Buckinghamshire schools on safe practices in swimming, to keep everyone involved in school swimming safe. Buckinghamshire Council produces a Safe Practice in School Swimming Policy and Guidance which sets out policies and provides guidance and advice on safe practice in school swimming, whether at a school pool, hydrotherapy pool, public pool, o…
School travel planning
All schools should promote and encourage active, safe and sustainable travel for the school journey. Footsteps Footsteps is a practical pedestrian training scheme for young children Junior Road Safety Officers Junior Road Safety Officers are children from your school who promote road safety and sustainable transport to their fellow pupils and have fun whilst they are doing it! Cycle training for schools Cycle training for schools Cycle training for chil…
Schools Finance Systems Support Team
Welcome to the Schools Finance Systems Support Team site; your resource for all information relating to FMS, PFM, and PS Financials Support & Training. The Schools Finance Systems Support Team is committed to providing support services to Schools covering the following areas: telephone support, remote assistance, a comprehensive training schedule, consultancy visits and Bursar support service. Our experienced team have worked in schools and understand the environment. We do not have a 1st, 2…
Schools Library Service
Buckinghamshire Schools Library Service offers a comprehensive, flexible resource and advisory service to all phases of education, from nursery to post-16. Our service is available to schools and educational settings both within Buckinghamshire and neighbouring counties. Offering excellent value for money for utilising wide ranges of fantastic books of all genres. Our dedicated staff have many years’ experience of working within education and will offer professional, friendly advice and p…
Schools Linking Network (2)
The Schools Linking Network supports schools and communities to develop a positive, cohesive ethos by helping children, young people and adults to explore identity, celebrate diversity, champion equality and promote community. On these pages, you will find resources and presentations that you can download. For further information please visit The School Linking Network website. Linking in Our Schools Thank you to the schools that have sent through examples of some of the schoo…
Schools Linking Network Resources
Guide for Linking Teachers ENRICHMENT AND FURTHER RESOURCES https://thelinkingnetwork.org.uk/resources-2/primary-schools-linking-2020-21/primary-schools-linking-2020-2021-phase-2/teacher-cpd-2/ M6 Bird Story; a beautiful quiet, thoughtful piece about linking in COVID https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3VFfRXADVg Secondary Resources https://thelinkingnetwork.org.uk/resources-2/remote-learning/smsc-pshe-citizenship-secondary-enrichment-resources/ SMSC training in May –…
Schools MIS Team
Welcome to the Schools MIS Team page; your resource for all information relating to MIS Support and Training. The Schools MIS Support Team is committed to providing support services to Schools covering the following areas: telephone support, remote assistance, a comprehensive training schedule, consultancy visits and Admin support service. Your MIS isn't just for the office, it is also a tool to drive improvement across your school, to help you analyse how you’re closing the gap with your pu…
Schools Technical Support Team
Welcome to the Schools Technical Support Team The Schools Technical Support Team is committed to providing day to day support services to both Maintained and Academy schools to make effective use of ICT across their Curriculum and Admin networks. Our customers value our full service, experience and expertise; our ethos of providing an all inclusive service, irrespective of the size of the school, is highly regarded by our customers and is a testament to their continued business. As a c…
Science courses for teachers
Courses for primary and secondary science teachers and leaders If you are interested in up coming courses, please contact Mandy Quinton, SLP Hub Lead at the SLP Quintona780@stclementdanes.herts.sch.uk or Paula Moore moorep378@stclementdanes.herts.sch.uk
Screening, searching and confiscation
Background DfE advice is intended to explain schools’ powers of screening and searching pupils so that school staff have the confidence to use them. In particular, it explains the use of the power to search pupils without consent. It also explains the powers schools have to seize and then confiscate items found during a search. It includes statutory guidance which schools must have regard to. DfE guidance Searching, screening and confiscation at school
Security features
As part of a safer recruitment decision-making process, where appropriate, an original DBS certificate must be seen. Copies of digital photographs are not acceptable and must be rejected. A DBS certificate contains the DBS logo on the front face and contains a number of security features which can be used to verify whether it has been counterfeited or altered. When examining a DBS certificate, make sure to check: the certificate has printing on both sides the paper size is 209…
Self Evaluation
Governing Board Self-evaluation A key question for all governing boards is whether they make the best possible contribution to the effectiveness of their school for the benefit of all pupils. We recommend that all governing boards evaluate themselves annually. This will enable the board to recognise their strengths and where they have made a difference, as well as identifying areas for development. It will also help governors and school staff to check that governors are receiving the repo…
SEN Professional Portal
The SEN Professional Portal is a new secure online platform. It allows professionals who work with children with special educational needs (SEN) to provide information to the Local Authority (LA) about the children they support. The portal is currently designed to streamline the EHCNA process. How to use the SEN Professional Portal To use the SEN Professional Portal, you need to follow these steps: Register yourself as a professional on the portal using your work email address.…
SEN Support Toolkit
About the SEN Toolkit Following the launch of Buckinghamshire’s Ordinarily Available Provision document , it's clear that schools across Buckinghamshire are keen to ensure all children and young people are included and supported to achieve the best outcomes possible. To successfully implement SEN support in line with the OAP document across the county further guidance is required to support schools to put this into practice. The toolkit provides practical information, advice and tools…
SEN Toolkit
About the SEN Toolkit Following the launch of Buckinghamshire’s Ordinarily Available Provision document , it's clear that schools across Buckinghamshire are keen to ensure all children and young people are included and supported to achieve the best outcomes possible. To successfully implement SEN support in line with the OAP document across the county further guidance is required to support schools to put this into practice. The toolkit provides practical information, advice and tools…
SEND and Inclusion Strategy
Download the SEND Inclusion Strategy 2021-2023 as a PDF Working in partnership Buckinghamshire Council Family and Carers Together (FACT) Bucks NHS Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust SEND IAS Service Schools and education settings Pace (representing voluntary and community sector organisations) 1: Introduction In Buckinghamshire we are ambitious to continuously improve the sup…
SEND and inclusion toolkits
SEN support toolkit This toolkit provides practical information, advice, and tools for implementing SEN support in schools. EBSNA support toolkit The EBSNA toolkit provides guidance and resources for professionals working in or with schools to develop and understanding of why children and young people avoid school. SEND Co-production Toolkit The SEND Co-production toolkit gives professionals a practical understanding of what co-production is, how effective it is and how to do it…
SEND co-production toolkit
The SEND co-production toolkit is for anyone working with children and young people with SEND and/or their families, in services, schools and communities. The aim of the toolkit is to give a practical understanding of what co-production is, how effective it can be and how to do it well. We hope the toolkit will do this by: giving an overview of what co-production is, and what it’s not. explaining our shared co-production principles for Buckinghamshire. giving ideas to help…
SEND Improvement Newsletters and Inspection 2023 updates
Take a look at our latest SEND Improvement newsletters and post-Ofsted and CQC 2023 updates. SEND Improvement newsletters: Issue 5 Summer 2023 Issue 4 Spring 2023 Ofsted and CQC Inspection 2023 SEND improvement updates: May 2023
SEND Improvement Plan
Download the SEND Improvement Plan 2021-2023 as a PDF Working in partnership: Buckinghamshire Council Family and Carers Together (FACT) Bucks NHS Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust SEND IAS Service Schools and education settings Pace (representing voluntary and community sector organisations) 1: Introduction The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Improvement Pl…
SEND self-evaluation framework
Introduction Buckinghamshire’s Self Evaluation (SEF) provides an overview of the work that is being delivered across the Local Area including key areas of strength and areas of development. It is broken down into four main themes: Strategic development and partnership Identification of children and young people with SEND Assessments and meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND Improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND Throughout the docum…
SEND Support
About SEND support and the Graduated Approach SEN Support is the category of support for children/young people with SEN but without EHC Plans. It focuses the system on the result of the support provided to that individual child/young person, rather than how children/young people access support according to the category they fit into. It places emphasis on a Graduated Approach (assess, plan, do and review). Assess – the child/young person’s difficulties must be assessed so that the r…
Senior Mental Health Lead audit tool
This page is for Senior Mental Health Leads and/or Headteachers and SENDCOs to download and use the i-Thrive reflective audit tool, along with supportive resources developed by CAMHs, the Educational Psychology Service and Buckinghamshire’s PSHE Lead. i Thrive audit tool webinar for Buckinghamshire Schools I-Thrive Audit Tool (Download) Tool supporting guide (SchoolsWeb) Primary emotional health and well-being resources (SchoolsWeb) Secondary emotional health and well-being resource…
Sensory and Physical Team Newsletters
Newsletters are being emailed to SENCos to share with their settings half-termly. Please contact sts@buckinghamshire.gov.uk to have your name added to the email list. View the latest Newsletters: 2024 iSEND Sensory and Physical Team Newsletter issue 1 April 2024
Serious Incident Actions
This Action Card covers the following incident scenarios: ‘Generic’ emergency procedures (coach crash, fire, bomb threats, terrorism); Death or serious injury of a pupil/adult while on/at a school journey; Outbreak of an infectious disease which will curtail the school journey. Incident/emergency on a school trip including overseas; INITIAL ACTIONS Summon emergency services if appropriate; Provide first aid / prevent further injury; Account for all party members…
Sex education policy
Applies to Maintained Schools Academies Free Schools Background The governing board of a maintained school should make, and keep up to date, a separate written statement of its policy with regard to the provision of sex education, and make copies of the statement available for inspection (at all reasonable times) by parents of registered pupils at the school and provide a copy of the statement free of charge to any such parent who asks for one. Approval Governing boar…
Sexual health
Overview The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing in relation to sexuality, not just the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free from coercion, discrimination, or violence. For more information on all of these, including up-to-…
Small Pool Operators Certificate (formally Pool Carers Training)
This 2 day course is the required qualification for the operators of School Swimming Pools. The syllabus has been designed to take the delegate through all aspects of the operation of a swimming pool, from the legal responsibilities, to pollution control, mechanical systems and hydraulics, chemical process, testing protocols, and corrective actions. The post-course assignment is focussed on the level of understanding of what the regular water test readings mean, rather than the ability ju…
Small Pool Operators Information Update Seminar (Small Pool operators Refresher training)
Holders of the Small Pool Operators Certificate have to ensure that their knowledge and practices are ‘current and valid’ at all times. There are many ways of doing this, but the most straightforward way is to attend an Information Update Seminar every 3 years. This Seminar will provide information of legal, procedural and technical issues and practices that have occurred since the original qualification was taken. Some employers also find it to be a useful ‘reminder’ for staff who may opera…
Smoking
Overview Although the number of people smoking is at its lowest level since records began, approximately 1 in 5 adults continue to smoke in England and approximately 96,000 people die each year as a direct result of smoking. Most smokers want to quit but find it difficult due to the heavily addictive nature of nicotine. Most adult smokers start smoking as children making it a childhood decision that becomes an adult addiction. Smokers who start before the age of 16 are twice as likely to…
Special educational needs
Buckinghamshire’s ‘Graduated Approach’ to early SEN support Buckinghamshire has just launched its Graduated Approach to SEND which sets out a clear step by step plan of action and intervention for all children and young people with a special educational need or disability. What is the Graduated Approach? The Graduated Approach has been introduced in line with the SEN Code of Practice (2015) and the principle of Early Support. It aims to ensure all children and young people with an SEND…
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Governor
The 1996 Education Act (Section 312(2)) says that a child has a special educational need if she or he has significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age, or a disability which makes it difficult to take advantage of normal school facilities. It has been estimated that, nationally, some 20% of all children will have special educational needs at some time in their school life. Special educational needs can be catered for in many different ways. Depen…
Specialist teacher support request
Specialist Teacher support can be requested to offer guidance and advice for Children and Young People (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND.) The Specialist Teacher Support Request process has replaced our advice sessions and SEND Requests. Request for support form Once the request for support form has been received, a Specialist Teacher will contact the requestor/setting to arrange a consultation at the appropriate time and date. Only completed requests with…
Specialist Teacher teams
Specialist teachers promote the successful inclusion and progress of children and young people with SEND to achieve their personal best, working in partnership with schools, parents and other agencies. The Specialist Teacher Teams are: Vision Impairment Team Multi-Sensory Impairment Team Hearing Support Team Physical Disabilities Team Down Syndrome Team Autism Team Language Team Communication and Interaction Team Cognition and Learning Team
Specialist Teachers
Buckinghamshire Council employs a team of Specialist Teachers as part of its Integrated Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (iSEND) Team. The Specialist Teachers are a team of qualified teachers. They have experience and qualifications for supporting children and young people with needs. This includes: Autism Cognition and Learning Developmental Language Disorder / Language Impairment Down syndrome Hearing Loss Multi-Sensory Impairment Physical Disabilities Vis…
Staff training
Our Supporting Pupils in School with Medical Conditions training course outlines schools statutory and non-statutory duties with supporting pupils in school with their medical conditions. About the course The course is designed to help schools understand: the importance of record keeping, storage and administration of medicine for school support staff This training is suitable for any employee who has responsibility for managing and administering medicines in school. It…
Standing orders
Background Standing Orders describe the non-statutory procedures and decisions that each Governing board has agreed. It is recommended that these are reviewed annually. Two model versions are available; the shorter version omits guidance and examples. Local guidance Governing Board Constitution and Instrument of Government Latest Templates Two model versions are available, the shorter version omits guidance and examples. Possible Additional Items 2016 Standing Orders…
Starting work without a check
An individual should not begin working until the DBS Certificate has been received. In exceptional circumstances, an individual may begin work on completion and submission of a risk assessment form completed and authorised by the headteacher. The DBS check must be in process with the DBS before a risk assessment and barred list check can be used. Step 1 Request Consent: Ask the applicant to complete the Regulated activity barred list consent form . This form enables you to perfor…
Statutory assessment and moderation
KS1 assessments End of KS1 assessments (SATs) are no longer statutory (from 1 September 2023). The following KS1 assessments are optional: teacher assessment judgements in English reading, English writing, mathematics and science tests in English reading and mathematics (the English grammar, punctuation and spelling test will also remain optional) where relevant, using the pre-key stage standards or engagement model There will be no legal requirement for schools or local…
Student Voice Awards
Calling all School Councils / Student Leadership Teams / Class Representative groups! Following their successful launch in 2024, the Student Voice Awards are back for 2025! JUDGING CRITERIA The Student Voice – Teacher of the Year Awards will be presented to a teacher who helps you all to learn, celebrates everyone in their class, really wants you to do well and builds your confidence and love of learning. This teacher will be making a big difference to you; they will have a pass…
Sufficiency for SEND
Buckinghamshire SEND Sufficiency Consultation A public consultation took place in summer 2021 on a new SEND Education Sufficiency Strategy 2022 – 27. The consultation feedback was collated into the Consultation Outcome Report (Download). The strategy has now been finalised, taking into account the feedback received, and can be found via Buckinghamshire Family Information Website . Phase 1 implementation is now underway.
Support for Schools
Useful websites 1. Into Film The UK’s leading charity for film in education. This fantastic website has a host of free resources that utilise the extraordinary medium of film, with activities to use in your classroom or club, including PowerPoint presentations with embedded clips. Examples from the resources section include: Pre-production Pre-production roles Create a storyboard Development for your film idea Production Light a film set Get set up Mast…
Support for Schools- Funded and discounted EAL Training
Since the start of the conflict over 540 Ukrainian children and young people have moved to Buckinghamshire, the vast majority of whom are now attending Buckinghamshire schools. In addition, county-wide admissions data shows an increasingly wide range of countries from which pupils are moving to Buckinghamshire. Research evidence highlights the crucial importance of proficiency in English as a key predictor of educational outcomes. Ensuring pupils who use EAL have full accessibility to a high-qu…
Support Services
Concerns about weight Obesity is on the increase and if a child is obese now they are more likely to become an obese adult, which could lead to illness and disease. If you know your own height and weight you can work out your Body Mass Index (BMI), which can give you an idea of where your weight puts you and whether you may be overweight. BMI is the scale used for the National Child Measurement Programme which takes place annually in schools. Use the NHS BMI calculator Obesity can resu…
Supporting Children and Young People with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
This training is delivered by The Virtual School and addresses the facts and myths about FASD. The training covers: history of alcohol in pregnancy; sentinel facial features of FASD (formally FAS); risk factors; diagnosis; characteristics and behaviours. We also explore how to support these children and young people in the school environment. Outcomes: Gain an understanding of FASD and understand how it may present Gain an understanding of how FASD may be diagnosed Consider…
Supporting mental health of children
This course will explore some of the mental health issues likely to be experienced by vulnerable children and young people. It will look at how to identify emerging mental health issues and provide ideas and strategies for professionals to help improve the wellbeing of this cohort. Outcomes: Gain an understanding of the mental health issues which may affect children with social workers and the reasons for this. Identify when emerging mental health issues are presenting. Identi…
Supporting Pupils in School with Medical Conditions
The DfE guidance on Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions at School outlines schools statutory and non-statutory duties with supporting pupils in school with their medical conditions. This course is designed around this guidance and will help you to understand: importance of record keeping storage and administration of medicine After the Supporting Pupils in Schools with Medical Conditions training has finished, the Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, School Nursing Service will pr…
Supporting pupils with medical conditions
Overview The Health and Safety Team are able to offer guidance and training for supporting pupils with medical conditions at your school. See our information about: staff training for pupils with medical conditions emergency asthma kits and inhalers anaphylaxis kits and Adrenaline Auto Injectors (AAI’s) DfE guidance Statutory guidance was issued by the Department for Education in 2014. This relates to the support that pupils with medical conditions should receive at s…
Supporting Transitions to Post 16 Education
Who do we work with? Care Experienced age 16 – 21 (25 with an EHCP) whose chosen route at college and university is through the following: Courses that count towards UCAS points GCSE retakes where available A Levels Full-time vocational qualifications How can we help? Support with educational transitions Review Post 16 educational options and help identify what and where to study Assist to access and sustain a chosen course in sixth-form, college, or universi…
Swimming
Buckinghamshire Council commissioned the Bucks School Swimming Partnership (BSSP) to provide school swimming information, advice, and guidance to Buckinghamshire schools on safe practices in swimming, to keep everyone involved in school swimming safe. Buckinghamshire Council produces a Safe Practice in School Swimming Policy and Guidance which sets out policies and provides guidance and advice on safe practice in school swimming, whether at a school pool, hydrotherapy pool, public pool, o…