The role of the Local Authority continues to evolve, and Buckinghamshire Council is committed to working in collaboration with stakeholders and partners.

Buckinghamshire Council has the following core responsibilities in education:

1. Champion for Children

Responsible for championing educational excellence, Buckinghamshire Council remains accountable for securing good outcomes for all children and young people and has a duty to promote high standards.

2. Supporting vulnerable children

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to ensuring fair access for every child and standing up for the interests of parents and children.

Local authorities retain responsibilities to manage Fair Access Protocols and ensure the provision of full‐time education for pupils excluded from school.

Buckinghamshire Council also retains duties to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

3. Tackling underperformance in schools and ensuring high standards

Side by Side is the Buckinghamshire model for a local, school to school improvement system. It aligns with the Buckinghamshire Education Strategy http://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/educationstrategy  

Side by Side builds on the established, strong relationships across Buckinghamshire and enables all schools across the county to work collaboratively to support county wide school improvement. (See page 6 for more details)

Ensuring a sufficient supply of school places

This involves supporting parents and families through promoting a strong and diverse range of schools, school place planning and the Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme.

There are numerous teams and services within Buckinghamshire Council who support this work, as detailed in this handbook.

A summary of the work of the various teams can also be found through the links in this handbook on the Buckinghamshire Council website, SchoolsWeb, with more detailed information on the A-Z of Services at https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk

4. Ensuring a sufficient supply of Early Education places

Buckinghamshire Council is required to secure sufficient funded early years provision for eligible children aged two, three and four years of age.

This involves ensuring there is sufficient flexible choice of early education places across the maintained, voluntary, independent and private sector for all children across Buckinghamshire.

5. Ensuring a sufficient supply of childcare places for children from 0-18 years

Buckinghamshire Council has a duty to ensure that there is sufficient childcare for working parents, or parents who are studying or training for employment, for children aged 0 to 14 or up to 18 for children with a disability.

Childcare includes breakfast and after-school clubs, childcare places in preschools, day nurseries and childminders as well as holiday clubs.

The DFE / national expectation for school improvement can be found in the following documents:

• KCSIE Keeping children safe in education - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Schools causing concern Schools causing concern - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• LA role  Schools: statutory guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Side by Side is the Buckinghamshire model for a local, school to school improvement system. It aligns with the Buckinghamshire Education Strategy http://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/educationstrategy

Side by Side builds on the established, strong relationships across Buckinghamshire and enables all schools across the county to work collaboratively to support county wide school improvement. 

It recognises that it is this wider system that will deliver improvements and as such harnesses and utilises the experience, strengths, and knowledge within our schools, with school leaders and practitioners deployed to support local schools. 

The Local Authority’s role is one of a facilitator; identifying areas of strength and those which require development, building expertise capacity, empowering system leaders, and enabling support.

The process for Side by Side is:

• Working collaboratively, the School Improvement team risk assess all Buckinghamshire schools and assign each school to a category of support– Enhancement, Prevention or Intervention;
• For Prevention and Intervention schools where particular vulnerabilities exist, the local authority, in collaboration with the school leadership, brokers support by deploying ‘champions’ from within the Buckinghamshire family of schools to deliver significant improvements;
• Schools work collaboratively to share experience and learning, through both formalised and bespoke relationships;
• The School Improvement team quality assure the work delivered and identify areas for further improvement.

 

Further information can be found here: Side by Side which includes the Side by Side Strategy document.

Name	Side by Side Responsibility	Email Address
Yvette Thomas	School Improvement and Traded Delivery Manager	Yvette.thomas@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Georgina Masefield	Secondary School Improvement Adviser	Georgina.masefield@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Naureen Kausar	Primary School Improvement Adviser	Naureen.kausar@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Rosalind Burch	Primary School Improvement Adviser	Rosalind.burch@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Lucy Kent	Primary School Improvement Adviser	Lucy.kent@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Kerry Lidgett	Special School Adviser	Kerry.lidgett@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Mike Harwin	Outdoor Education  Adviser	Mike.Harwin@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Katherine Wells	Education Officer	Katherine.wells@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Kate White	School Governance Officer	Kate.white@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Kathryn Hathaway	Side by Side Team Leader	Kathryn.hathaway@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

 

Good education is fundamental to improving life chances and is one of the most powerful tools in lifting children out of poverty. It should provide an exciting journey of self-discovery and fulfilment, enabling children and young people to engage with the world around them and supporting them to become active and compassionate citizens. 

A good education sets children and young people up for a lifetime of learning, ambition, and achievement. The Buckinghamshire Challenge sets out to achieve this for every child. 

Educational outcomes in Buckinghamshire are extremely strong with the majority of young people across our county leaving school with very good results. However, this is not always the case for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Disadvantaged pupils continue to achieve less well than their non-disadvantaged peers at all age phases both nationally and here in Buckinghamshire.   

We know that this is a stubborn issue that persists despite the best efforts of the whole education community in Buckinghamshire. We also know that the gap starts early, continues year on year throughout a pupil’s education and that Covid-19 and the resulting school lockdowns affected disadvantaged pupils more than others. 

The gap does not discriminate; it exists in both good and outstanding schools as well as those who are not yet good, in maintained schools and academies, in primaries and secondaries and in both schools in urban areas with high numbers of disadvantaged pupils as well as more rural schools with smaller numbers.   

We have a moral imperative to work together to make this change. This is an issue that requires a county-wide approach, an approach rooted in research evidence to ensure that the actions taken in every school and with every pupil in Buckinghamshire are targeted, focused and consistent.   

The Buckinghamshire Challenge has been a collaborative three-year programme, led by Marc Rowland of Unity Research School and governed by The Buckinghamshire Challenge Board, to collectively upskill schools in the latest research and understanding and to support schools to undertake the cultural changes that will make the biggest differences to all pupils, but especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

We hope that you are inspired by the handbook, that you feel empowered to start making changes and that you will commit to sharing the learning throughout your school.  Thank you for your support.   

The Buckinghamshire Challenge continues, with a focus for 2023/24 and beyond on linking with the Council’s flagship Opportunity Bucks programme to improve everyday lives and life chances for people in underperforming places across the county. Opportunity Bucks will enable collective resources to be coordinated to ensure that pupils living in areas of Aylesbury, Chesham and High Wycombe achieve a good standard of education and skills and access the same level of opportunity as their county-wide peers. 

We will continue to develop this handbook as our learning and experience of what really works in Buckinghamshire to address this key issue continues to evolve. 

Finally, we would like to extend our thanks to: 

• All schools involved in The Buckinghamshire Challenge Universal Offer for committing their time, effort and focus.
• The Buckinghamshire Challenge Champion Schools, and specifically the Champion Leads themselves, for taking on such a huge commitment and leading the charge for their liaison groups.
• Other local authorities and national bodies for their involvement which has contributed fresh perspectives to our understanding.
• The Buckinghamshire Challenge Board of headteachers and governors for keeping the work focused and ensuring impact.
• Marc Rowland for his invaluable expertise, unfailing enthusiasm and dedication to The Buckinghamshire Challenge and education in Buckinghamshire.

The handbook, presentations and recordings are located HERE on the Schoolsweb for all to access and a copy of the handbook has been posted to every school.

Buckinghamshire Council works with and commissions a range of partners to ensure that we fulfil our statutory duty to tackle underperformance in schools and ensure high standards. These include:

1. The Buckinghamshire Academy of School Leaders (BASL)

• To provide advice, support and professional development for school leaders;
• To maintain and promote awareness of developments in school leadership;
• To act as an advocate for the needs of school leaders, both locally and nationally; and
• To work collaboratively with Buckinghamshire Council to provide a comprehensive package of support for new headteachers.

More information: Our BASL homepage

 

2. Astra Teaching School Hub

• To provide high-quality training and support to benefit the learning of all teachers and

students, underpinned by our commitment to excellence, collaboration, innovation and support, through the Teaching School, SCITT and ECT Appropriate Body services

• To deliver the implementation of the Early Career Framework and a revised suite of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) from September 2021.
• Linked to a range of research institutions, including the University of London for the SCITT’s PGCE provision.  Collaborates with CAMSTAR (Cambridge, School Teachers and Research) on action research projects and is in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University for a well-established mentor support programme.

Website: https:// www.astrahub.org

 

3. The Buckinghamshire Standing Advisory Council

on Religious Education (SACRE)

• SACRE has been established in Buckinghamshire to meet the requirements of the Education Act 1996 (Section 390).
• It seeks to ensure that all pupils in our schools develop spiritually, academically, emotionally and morally so that they can understand themselves and others, and cope with the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of living in a rapidly changing world.
• SACRE provides a Religious Education syllabus that reflects the local position regarding faith and non-faith groups in Buckinghamshire.

Website: https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/school-improvement-and-equalities/sacre/

4. Buckinghamshire Association of School Governors (BASG)

• The Buckinghamshire Association of School Governors was founded in 1997 and is a voluntary organisation of school governors, for school governors. The main purpose of BASG is to support robust and effective governance across all Buckinghamshire schools. BASG is a completely independent organisation, committed to working with all relevant stakeholders (including the local authority) to ensure this happens. All Governors in Buckinghamshire are full members of BASG, including members of academy and MAT boards and those of Local Governing Bodies within MATs.
• BASG has representation on the School Governance Consultative Board. This forum provides opportunities for the Association to raise the views and opinions of governors directly with the Chair of the Consultative Board, as well as the Director of Education and the Head of Achievement and Learning at BCC, and the Elected Member for Education & Skills, seeking action when needed.
• BASG also has representation on the half termly Side by Side meetings. (Side by Side is the LA school improvement strategy and implementation model.)

Website: http://www.bucksgovernors.org/

The Commissioning Manager sits within the School Commissioning Team in Children’s Services and provides the following services to schools.

• Manages all legal matters relating to school sites and educational land.
• Acts as a single point of contact for schools throughout the academy conversion process.
• Leads on all projects relating to the opening of convertor and sponsored academies, providing a link between the Local Authority, the Department for Education, the Regional Schools Commissioner, the Education & Skills Funding Agency, multi-academy trusts and the schools themselves.
• Supports schools by providing appropriate and timely responses to issues and queries arising, referring to partners and colleagues as appropriate.
• Co-ordinates the actions of the Buckinghamshire Council teams involved in the conversion (HR, Legal, Finance, Property) to secure completion of the 125-year Academy Lease and the Commercial Transfer Agreement in keeping with prescribed DfE timelines.
• Represents the Local Authority at school meetings (staff, parent, governor, IEB) as required to provide information, support the process and secure agreement as appropriate.
• Ensures statutory and procedural obligations are fulfilled and compliance by others is managed effectively.
• Works closely with the following stakeholders throughout the conversion process:
  • Local Authority officers across council services;
  • Headteachers and school leaders;
  • Chairs of Governing Bodies and IEBs;
  • Community representatives;
  • Government officials of the DfE, the Regional Schools Commissioner office and the Education & Skills Funding Agency; and
  • Project Managers within local, regional and national academy trusts.

Key Contact
Joanne Marchant
Commissioning Manager
01296 387382
joanne.marchant@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

The Admissions and Transport Team is placed within Children’s Services and contributes to its role in the following ways.

• Carries out the co-ordinated admissions process for all main points of entry to schools in Buckinghamshire.
• Provides a co-ordinated in-year admissions process for voluntary controlled and community schools. Voluntary aided and academy schools may choose also to opt into the process.
• Acts as the admission authority for all voluntary controlled and community schools.
• Provides admissions services to academies including the secondary transfer test process under a contract to the Buckinghamshire grammar schools.
• Ensures that the Council and all admission authorities within the County comply with admissions legislation.
• Supports schools through admission appeals and (on request, and for a charge) provides this service for voluntary aided, foundation schools and academies.
• Provides good practice support to schools in all admissions matters.
• Supports the work of the Fair Access Board and the functions of the county’s Fair Access Protocols.
• Provides clear information to parents to enable them to make the best possible decisions for their children.
• Supports parents seeking a school place for their children.
• Makes transport eligibility decisions in line with the Council’s Transport Policy.

Key objectives for 2023/24

• Deliver primary allocation process – on 17 April 2024.
• Deliver secondary allocation process – on 1 March 2024.
• Deliver requirements of the 2024 secondary transfer testing process (contracted by The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools).
• Work with all admission authorities to minimise school absence for children seeking school places in-year.
• Provide transport eligibility decisions to families.
• Ensures that the Council meets its statutory admission requirements as set out in the Admissions Code and the Admission Appeals Code.

 

Key Contact

Debbie Munday
Admissions and Transport Manager       
01296 382217
Debbie.Munday@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

SchoolsWeb: https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/admissions/

The Business Intelligence Team provides a comprehensive data support service for all children and young people. The team provides support across Education, Early Help and Children’s Social Care Services.  The Education part of the team supports schools as well as council teams and is known as the School Management Support Team.

The team collect and analyse data relating to:

• local authority, school and pupil level performance – from Early Years up to A Level;
• school and pupil context – pupil numbers, pupil characteristics;
• school place planning – including support to Admissions and School Commissioning teams; and
• early years places and sufficiency.

The team is responsible for various Statutory Returns involving collection of data from schools, including:

• School Census;
• School Workforce Census;
• School Capacity Return;
• Early Years Foundation Stage Profile results;
• Phonics Check results;
• Key Stage 1 (non statutory from summer 2024); and
• Key Stage 2 Teacher Assessment.

For all statutory returns the team:

• provide support to schools to create the data returns (alongside ICT);
• work with schools to check and validate the data;
• resolve any queries or errors; and
• offers to check the Census returns for academies to ensure accuracy of data, although not required to.

Details about the data collections and statutory returns are published in the School Bulletin. These Bulletin articles will give details of return deadlines. For most collections there are also seminars or training sessions available to support schools; these are normally run by ICT and supported by the School Management Support Team.

Services available to all schools at no extra charge

A limited range of performance analysis and data packs are provided to all schools at no extra charge.

• Data checking packs for statutory returns (EYFSP, phonics etc.).
• BASICS report (Buckinghamshire Alerts & Signposts for Intervention, Challenge or Support).
• School Indicators System.
• Local Authority level results and key headlines, reported via PEB and BASH.

Traded Services

A full range of detailed analysis and benchmarking systems are available to schools as part of an annual buyback package. Further analysis, reports and maps can be commissioned individually if required. Some commonly requested reports have been set up with fixed prices and are available through our Additional Analysis service. A Free School Meal Eligibility Checking Service is also available.

Key Contacts

SchoolsWeb: https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/school-management-support/

For general service enquiries contact smst@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Sarah Sewell
Business Intelligence Business Partner (Children’s and Traded Services)
01296 382640
Sarah.Sewell@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Gareth Thomas
Business Intelligence Specialist
01296 382632
Gareth.Thomas@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Communications, Media Relations, Social Media, Marketing and Reputation Management

The Communications and Engagement team can provide a range of services to help promote your school through digital and traditional channels, protect your reputation and communicate effectively with students, parents and other key stakeholders. This team can promote positive news as well as provide advice to help protect and maintain your reputation by delivering a 24/7 media service to respond to print, radio and TV journalists at both local and national levels should the need arise.

If you are updating your communications strategy or emergency procedures, you may benefit from this team’s support. They also offer expertise in how to market and promote your school and communicate effectively with parents through digital channels including social media.

Services:

Maintained Schools 

Crisis media support and advice – no additional cost

Charges will be made for the wider, more tailored communications activity and training but will be offered at very competitive rates according to your project brief.

Academies & Schools 

Media crisis advice – no additional cost

Media crisis support – £40 per hour. Prices for wider, more tailored communications activity can be negotiated at very competitive rates according to your project brief.

Advice and Guidance

There may be times when a situation or incident may attract media attention but is not classed as an emergency. Examples might include urgent HR issues, the death of a pupil which is not directly related to school activity or a ‘heads-up’ on a potential issue that may require advanced preparation.

Key Contacts
For general enquiries, advice and guidance contact:

Catherine Spalton
Head of Communications and Engagement
01494 421230
catherine.spalton@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

For media and social media
Rachel Prance
Communications Manager (news and content)
01494 732903 or 0771 1040 758
rachel.prance@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Media out-of-office hours – after 5.30pm and before 9am (duty officer rota): 07825 430978 - communications@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

 

The Early Years’ Service provides a range of support for schools delivering early years education and childcare for children of all ages across the EYFS. The Service provides advice and support to schools, through a team of early years specialist teachers who can work with EYFS leads and headteachers to improve outcomes for all young children and reduce inequalities.  The Service offers information and advice to schools to ensure they are knowledgeable and compliant with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage including safeguarding procedures. The Service has a variety of traded options to support schools quality improvement journey and Early Years SEND, and offers bookable CPD to teachers and Early Years practitioners through the Buckingham Early Years website.

The Early Years’ Service ensures the Local Authority meets its statutory duty to secure sufficient high quality funded early education places for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds and sufficient childcare for 0-14/18 year-olds whose parents are in work or training to return to work. We are required to report annually to Cabinet Members on the Sufficiency of Childcare in Buckinghamshire and publish our findings. The Local Authority needs to manage the early years and childcare market to ensure that parents have access to a range of providers operating different delivery models.

The Early Years’ Service has specialist Business and Finance Advisers who can provide advice and support in relation to the best options for the delivery of early education and childcare provision in schools. We would ask that you contact us if you are considering developing new provision or wish to make changes to your current delivery model. The Service offers Brokerage support to parents of children who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities to secure a suitable early education or childcare place and works with the provider to support a smooth transition.

Services provided to schools

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) information, advice and support for schools with nursery and reception provision.
• All schools have a named Key Contact: the purpose is to maintain the strong relationships our service has developed within the sector. As such, they will be the first point of contact for you. They will be able to provide advice and ensure the correct level of support is offered to you from the EYS.
• Assessment, advice and support to schools regarding the EYFS.
• Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) information, advice and support for nursery provision.
• A high-quality Early Years CPD programme is available for leaders and early years practitioners working in all schools (see details below).
• Advice on Regulatory requirements e.g. qualifications, ratios, space, safeguarding, health & safety, staff management.
• Lowering age of admission and business modelling to manage 15-hour (UFE universal free entitlement) and 30-hour (EFE extended free entitlement) places effectively and sustainably.
• Funding, payments and processes, and budget management.
• Collaboration with School Commissioning to develop capital programmes to support place expansion.
• EYFS information, advice and support for Family Centre provision.
• Advice on developing new early education places or setting up childcare for children aged 0-14, or 18 with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities including as above plus:
  • Parents ‘Right to Request’ advice;
  • Methods of service provision and possible partnership working;
  • Leases and licences;
  • Consultation with potential users;
  • Business planning and budget management; and
  • Governor support in relation to the above.

Network, support and information sharing

• Schools Forum representation and support.
• Early Years Forum – a sub group of schools forum. Representatives from all areas of the early years sector are voted onto this subgroup to support with decision making, consultation and discussion on key priorities for sector.
• Opportunities for all teachers working with the EYFS to network.
• Early Years Side by Side Providers in Partnership Network (PiPs), by invitation.
• Early Years SENCO Liaison Groups for teachers and practitioners in nursery provision.
• Website information, weekly Sector Updates and e-communication.

 

Examples of EYFS Support Packages 2023-2024

Prices exclude VAT if applicable to your organisation

Early Years Consultancy for Good and Outstanding Schools   Price tbc  

An agreed programme of in-school support can be planned in consultation with the headteacher or other senior leaders. This may include bespoke consultancy visits, audits of practice and provision, training, mentoring, coaching and Early Years reviews. Specific areas of support include:

• designing effective systems for planning, monitoring, delivering and evaluating the EYFS with reference to attainment data
• ensuring an effective and meaningful partnership with parents through home visits, parent workshops and ongoing sharing of information
• using audit tools to create action plans that improve learning environments so that all aspects of a school’s provision are outstanding
• developing an observation led assessment system to ensure a sound understanding of children’s learning that feeds into effective planning
• developing an approach to collecting, summarising and analysing data, and using it to plan effectively, while enabling transition between phases
• planning literacy teaching using an effective phonics programme in partnership with parents

Early Years Packages for Good and Outstanding Providers

• Half day consultancy and twilight: Price tbc
  • The half-day consultancy visits will consist of a three-hour visit to your setting by an Early Years adviser. The focus for the visit will have been agreed, prior to the visit.
  • The staff meeting will consist of a one and a half hour (maximum 25 individuals) meeting facilitated by an EY Adviser. The agenda for the meeting will have been agreed with the adviser before it takes place.

Premium Package for Good and Outstanding Providers   Price tbc

• The package includes a further two half‑day consultancy visits with an EY Adviser (these visits are in addition to our universal offer).
• Furthermore, you will be able to plan and schedule a bespoke, in‑house training session, facilitated by an EY Adviser

EYFS Bespoke training £300

Schools and settings can choose from a range of training to support the delivery of the EYFS, meeting the needs of all children. The training session is for up to 20 delegates for a maximum of 3 hours in length

For example:

• Communication & Language
• Building a Unique Curriculum
• Where is the Maths?
• 2 Year olds
• Teaching Phonics in Pre school and Nursery

ECERS    £600

Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale

 ½ day audit of quality of provision, SWOT analysis and senior management feedback

ITERS      £600

Infant & Toddler Environmental rating scale

½ day audit of quality of birth to three provision, SWOT analysis and senior management feedback

INTERACTION AUDIT     £500

½ day audit of quality of interactions, SWOT analysis and senior management feedback

 

Assessment Review  POA                                                                                                          

This document has been produced to support all practitioners across the Early Years to self-evaluate their assessment systems.

Learning & Development Review   POA                                                                          

This document has been produced to support all practitioners across the Early Years to self-evaluate their approach to Learning and Development.

These audits are available to download at no cost on our webpage. If you require further support, we are able to offer Bespoke packages for a fee:

1. Extend this service with a virtual Teams meeting with a member of the early years service who will provide feedback to discuss strengths and areas for development to support action planning.
2. Send your completed Assessment self-review to your key contact who will organise for a named member of the EY service to provide detailed feedback highlighting key strengths and areas for development in a two hour visit to your setting.

Safeguarding & Welfare review

Option 1:

A half-day audit to review compliance with the EYFS Safeguarding and Welfare requirements that includes feedback and report. This physical visit will check for statutory compliance within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Includes a comprehensive audit to review the effectiveness of safeguarding in the Early Years setting. Supports compliance with the EYFS statutory requirements and enables the setting to identify and recognise how they ensure children are kept safe. £300

Option 2:

A half-day physical visit to enhance compliance with the EYFS and Safeguarding and Welfare requirements.  It includes a review of premises, checking practitioner safeguarding knowledge and safer recruitment practices. A practice ‘walk and talk’ style discussion. It may include checks on paperwork etc as required when a deeper dive is required. This may be something that has been highlighted in the audit. £300

Option 3:

All of option 2 in addition to the following: increasing confidence of S&W requirements and internal policies and procedures within a staff meeting. 1.5 hr support staff meeting/ Q+A session tailored for setting. Issues covered could be: staff confidence, gaps in safeguarding knowledge, current Ofsted trends and issues or a safeguarding update if needed (this could have been highlighted in the option 2 visit). £200

Option 2+3 = £500

SEND Support

Autism Education Trust (AET) Tier 1 Making Sense of Autism   £300                                     

Basic autism awareness training for all staff in all early years settings, whether or not they work directly with children with autism. This is a 2 hours training session for up to 20 delegates

Autism Education Trust (AET) Tier 2 Good Autism Practice  £600

This training will support practitioners working directly with children on the autism spectrum or on the pathway to a diagnosis in early years settings. This is a full day training session for up to 20 delegates

Half-day EYFS consultancy/SEND  £300

Bespoke consultancy for EYFS provision on a range of topics including Early Years Reviews, Assessment, Developing Provision and SEND in Reception

EYFS Subsidised CPD Programme 2023-2024

A high-quality Early Years CPD programme is available for leaders and early years practitioners working in all schools and school-managed children’s centres. Most course prices are subsidised, and the programme will be continually developed across the year to provide the most up-to-date training in response to evidence, national policy and local and regional changes. Schools will receive regular updates on new courses through Sector Updates or by viewing the website below.

Please view our website to find details of our support and training courses or contact the Early Years Workforce Development Team eycpd@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Website: https://earlyyears.buckscc.gov.uk/

Key Contact
Early Years’ Service
01296 3837111
earlyyears@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Sue Bayliss
Early Years Manager
sue.bayliss@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Buckinghamshire Council are no longer taking Early Career Teacher Registrations

ECT Registration 2023 – 24

From September 2023: ​

• Astra Teaching School Hub Appropriate Body will continue to offer Appropriate Body services to all schools in Bucks with ECTs (apart from those awarded QTS by Astra SCITT or are employed at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School) ​
• Schools will be signposted to Alban Teaching School Hub Appropriate Body who will provide Appropriate Body services for those ECTs awarded QTS by Astra SCITT and those employed at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School

​Local authorities (LAs) will withdraw from their Appropriate Body role in two stages: ​

• September 2023 Buckinghamshire Council will not take on any new ECTs but will continue to provide services for their current Year 1 ECTs going into Year 2 ​
• September 2024 Buckinghamshire Council will cease operating as an Appropriate Body ​

 All ECTs must be registered with an Appropriate Body in order for induction to be formally recognised by the Teaching Regulation Agency

Resources

The following resources can be used for Buckinghamshire Council ECTs:

Lesson Observation Form (PDF Download)

ECT Meeting Record Sheet (PDF Download)

Teacher Standards Evidence Form (PDF Download)

Request to Reduce ECT Induction Policy (PDF Download)

Request to Reduce ECT Induction Form (PDF Download)

Buckinghamshire Council Appropriate Body Handbook (PDF Download)

ECT Induction Information

The following links have updated information for ECT induction:

Early Career Framework (GOV.UK)

Early career framework reforms (GOV.UK)

Induction for Early Career Teachers (GOV.UK)

Reforms to Teacher Development (GOV.UK)

Initial teacher training (ITT): criteria and supporting advice (GOV.UK)

Key Contact
Hazel David
School Engagement Officer

07824 482570
ect@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

The Education Entitlement Team comprises the following teams:

The County Attendance Team

This service provides advice and guidance to schools, families, and other professionals to improve school attendance and ensure compliance with relevant statutory duties and responsibilities relating to school attendance.

This team:

• works with relevant partners to ensure appropriate support and action is undertaken to address irregular school attendance.
• is responsible for issuing penalty notices for term time holidays and irregular school attendance.
• undertakes the Local Authority statutory responsibility to prosecute parents for irregular school attendance.

Key Contact
County Attendance Team
01296 383954
countyattendanceteam@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Web link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance

SchoolsWeb: County Attendance Team | SchoolsWeb (buckscc.gov.uk)

 

Child Employment and Entertainment Team

Please contact the Child Employment and Entertainment Team for advice and guidance on child employment matters, issuing work permits and licences for children who participate in public performances. We also issue licenses to adults who chaperone child performers.

Key Contact
Moira Dealey
Child Employment and Entertainment Officer
01296 383512
childemployment@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

SchoolsWeb: Children in Employment and Entertainment | SchoolsWeb (buckscc.gov.uk)

Children Missing Education Team

The team:

• works with schools to ensure all pupils/ students are tracked to reduce the risk of any child missing education.
• collates data and tracks pupils who go missing from schools in the county, or who disappear from other local authorities and may arrive in Buckinghamshire.
• contacts parents/carers to discuss and support with applications for a school placement.
• consults with The County Attendance Team when parents are failing to provide an appropriate education for their child(ren); and
• works closely with the Safeguarding Team to ensure any child missing education is kept safe.

Key Contact
Children Missing Education Team
Telephone: 01296 383 098 or 01296 382091
childrenmissingeducation@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Web link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/children-missing-education

Buckinghamshire Council: Refer a child not receiving a formal education to us | Buckinghamshire Council

Elective Home Education Team

This service provides advice and guidance to families, schools, and other professionals on Elective Home Education.

Services provided:

• Advice and guidance to families, schools, and other professionals regarding all aspects of Elective Home Education.
• Visits to families at home to support them in educating their children.
• Consultation with the County Attendance Team when parents are failing to provide an appropriate education for their child(ren).
• Close working with the other agencies to ensure any child educated at home is kept safe.
• Keeping records of all children known to be home educated.

Key Contact
Clare Grosse
Elective Home Education Consultant
01296 382687
Clare.Grosse@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

SchoolsWeb: Elective Home Education (EHE) | SchoolsWeb (buckscc.gov.uk)

Exclusions and Reintegration Team

This statutory service provides advice and guidance to schools, governors, parents, and other professionals on managing exclusions with intervention in individual cases, and liaison with schools and other education providers in the case of young people who have no education placement. Its key aim is to support schools to seek alternatives to exclusion and ensure that permanent exclusion is always a last resort.

Services provided:

• advice and guidance in response to telephone enquiries where schools wish to consult on exclusion policy and procedure.
• advice and guidance by publishing a reference document for managing exclusions, in accordance with the latest guidance from the DfE (see SchoolsWeb link below).
• contact by an Exclusions and Reintegration Officer to the family of permanently excluded pupils to explain parents’ and pupils’ rights and responsibilities in the exclusion process.
• the attendance of a Local Authority (LA) officer at meetings of the Governors’ Discipline Committee convened to consider permanent exclusions and suspensions, (when requested by parents in the case of academies), and subject to availability.
• The attendance of a Local Authority officer at meetings of the Independent Review Panel, convened to consider permanent exclusions.
• Administration for the Authority’s Fair Access Board in respect of permanently excluded pupils, in accordance with the arrangements for the Admission of Vulnerable and Challenging Children.

Key Contact
Exclusions and Reintegration Team
01296 382835
exclusions@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Web link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-exclusion

SchoolsWeb: Exclusions and Reintegration | SchoolsWeb (buckscc.gov.uk)

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Children and Education

The Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Education Officer (GRTEO) provides outreach support and interventions to targeted Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) families, supports schools with pupil attendance concerns, and helps build relationships between schools and parents of GRT children. The GRTEO also offers support to colleagues where safeguarding concerns have been raised/identified by undertaking joint visits to Traveller sites and provides up to date advice and guidance to schools and other Buckinghamshire Council departments and agencies to help improve the outcomes for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) children.

Key Contact
Karen Ross
Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Education Officer

01296 531356/ 07825 403300

GRTEducation@Buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Educational Psychologists (EPs) undertake a range of work aimed at promoting inclusion, psychological well-being and raising standards for children and young people aged 0 to 25 years, across the full range of abilities. The Buckinghamshire Council Educational Psychology Team, which is part of the Integrated Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (ISEND) Service, includes qualified Educational Psychologists registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, Trainee Educational Psychologists on supervised placements, and graduate Assistant Educational Psychologists.

The Local Authority has a statutory role in relation to special educational needs and disabilities. The EP Team provides professional advice to the Local Authority under the Children and Families Act 2014 as part of the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment process, as well as in relation to Annual Reviews and SEND Tribunal appeals on a case-by-case basis. EPs contribute to Local Authority decision-making panels and Independent Review Panels for excluded pupils. The team also provides support, advice and guidance to schools following ‘critical incidents’ such as sudden bereavements or traumatic events in the community.

For the 2023-2024 academic year, the free offer to schools from the EP Team will once again extend beyond the statutory duties noted above. All Buckinghamshire schools (including specialist settings) have an allocated ‘Link EP’, who will be responsible for undertaking half-termly consultation sessions with the school SENCO (or other nominated member of staff). There will also be half-termly supervision sessions offered to Head Teachers of primary and special schools.

In addition, the EP Team will be delivering a range of work focused on prevention and early intervention. This includes continuing to supervise staff who work with CYP experiencing significant SEMH (including ELSAs and nurture practitioners), as well as developing new training for SEMH practitioners, parents and schools. There will also be expanded capacity for the ‘Request for EP Advice’ work, which allows schools, parents or professionals to request early intervention support from the EP Team. Requests are prioritised according to indicators of high need and vulnerability (e.g. Social Care involvement, Emotional Based School Avoidance), and may lead to signposting, consultations and/or direct involvement from members of the EP Team. Please see the Local Offer for the request form and more detail on the relevant processes.

Key Contacts
Buckinghamshire Educational Psychology Team

EPS@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
01296 383219

Tim Jones (Principal Educational Psychologist)
tim.jones@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Jenny Feeney (Senior Educational Psychologist, Aylesbury Vale Area Hub)
jenny.feeney@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Keith Willsher (Senior Educational Psychologist, Wycombe Area Hub)
keith.willsher@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

The Educational Visits Service (EVS) provides support, training and advice for schools about outdoor learning and educational visits and includes the Buckinghamshire Council Visits website ‘Evolve’ for visit planning and approval. Once trained the link with the service is through the school’s Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC).

In fulfilment of the Local Authority’s responsibilities the EVS is accessible to maintained schools, however academies are charged as a traded service. For more information visit:

https://commercial.buckscc.gov.uk/our-services/our-education-service/educational-visits/

The Educational Visits Service will provide:

• telephone and email advice and guidance on all aspects of planning and duties / responsibilities of those involved on educational visits;
• the Buckinghamshire Council ‘Requirements and Guidance’ document explaining the guidance and requirements for well organised and safely managed visits. This is a live document - updated on Evolve in response to changes in legislation and circumstances;
• access to the ‘Evolve’ website, the educational visits registration, planning and approval IT system, which is also the hub for information and communications in an emergency;
• telephone and email support on the running and management of the Evolve site;
• approval of maintained school visits (residential, adventurous and overseas) and approval in support of academy/independent schools authorisation as requested;
• access to training courses e.g. new Educational Visits Coordinators (EVC); Update courses for EVCs and courses for EVC Administrators;
• the Council Emergency Action Card with 24/7 emergency telephone number and supporting access to County help for emergencies on visits;
• support for the EVC in analysing Evolve data for visits and out of classroom learning;
• a termly EVC Briefing document;
• senior Management Training for an emergency on a school visit;
• inset/twilight sessions; and
• under DofE Direct Licensing: if academies and independent schools so choose, and they use Evolve to notify their expeditions, the EVS will approve aspects of the planning.

Key Contacts
Tracey Erasmus
Educational Visits Coordinator
tracey.erasmus@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Mike Harwin
Outdoor Education Adviser
mike.harwin@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

SchoolsWeb: Educational visits | SchoolsWeb (buckscc.gov.uk)

Definitions

A ‘disruptive incident’ is an event occurring outside of the routine that has a negative impact on the school; but which is not considered potentially life-threatening or particularly hazardous to the school community. Examples of this would be minor injuries / illnesses, burglaries.

An ‘emergency’ is an event or situation that threatens serious damage to the welfare of the school community (such as loss of life, illness, injury or trauma) or its facilities.

Requirements

All schools should have:

An “Emergency Plan” for responding to incidents /emergencies in the school, during visits and off-site activities or affecting the school community. To help you develop this Emergency Plan there is a guidance document, “Emergency Planning Guidance for Buckinghamshire Council Schools”, available on SchoolsWeb at:

https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/media/6911/2017-07-21-ep-guidance-for-schools-v3-1-doc.pdf

A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to ensure the continuation of critical activities in the event of a disruption to normal service delivery however caused (e.g. loss of ICT, loss of premises, loss of electricity, loss of staff etc.). A template School Resilience Policy, with more information on Emergency Plans and Business Continuity, and a template BCP can be found at:

https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/emergencies/emergency-planning-and-bcp/

There is an expectation that schools will manage the response to an incident / emergency in their school. Buckinghamshire Council will offer support during an emergency.

The Council’s Resilience Team offer a 24/7 point of contact for schools to contact the Council in the event of serious emergencies affecting the school 07738 501318.

For more information see: https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/emergencies/schools-emergency-contacts/

 

Please note that the emergency services should be called first and that this is to be used only under the circumstances described. 

Further information about emergencies and planning for them can be found here: https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/emergencies/

Updating your Keyholders / Emergency contact details

There is now a new and improved process for you to check and update your school emergency contacts and keyholders. It is very important that these details are correct, as the emergency services need to know who to contact if there is a problem at your school out of hours. You will be asked to validate your contacts every half term to ensure that the information is accurate.

How to check and validate your emergency contact details

Log in to SchoolsWeb using the SMT@ profile (the allschool@ profile cannot access this area).

Click the Emergencies / closures link at the top of the page

On the emergencies page, click the green button which says View and edit emergency contacts for your school.

You will then see the contacts registered for your school.

If they are correct, please click the Validate contacts button at the bottom of the page.

How to update your emergency contact details

If there are changes (for example someone leaves your school, or is away for a weekend), you can update your contacts straight away. The emergency services will be able to see the changes immediately.

If at stage 4 above you find you need to update details for a contact, you have 3 options:

To edit a contact

Click the edit details link by the contact, update using the form, and then click 'submit' at the bottom of the page.

To indicate that a contact is temporarily unavailable

If an emergency contact is temporarily unavailable, go to the edit page for that contact, and click the temporarily unavailable tickbox at the bottom of the page. This contact will not be deleted but will appear in grey until you untick the box at a later date.

To delete a contact

If a contact needs to be permanently deleted, click the 'request delete' link on the contacts front page.

The Local Authority is currently designing a new interactive School Keyholders application which will make updating this a lot easier.

Schools should include key contact information in their Emergency Plan and Business Continuity Plan.

School Emergency Closures

Schools are reminded that the decision to close a school is taken by the Headteacher and Governing Body. When the decision has been taken you should log the closure immediately via SchoolsWeb, which automatically generates emails to the Local Authority, Passenger Transport Team, Senior Adviser and local radio stations informing them of the closure. We would encourage schools to use this process where possible, but should this not be possible schools can phone their local radio station and log the closure. You will need to use a password so that the station knows that it is a genuine call, the password is ROSEBUD.

How to log an emergency closure via SchoolsWeb

• Log into SchoolsWeb and click ‘Emergencies’ from the menu.
• Click on ‘Register a Closure’ to go to the Closures form.
• On the form, under ‘Add new closure’, fill in the closure’s dates; this defaults to the current day, returning to normal the next day.
• Select the Status: this creates an automatic headline to indicate the reason for a closure.

Comments are only necessary in specific circumstances, for example if only specific pupils should attend.

Note: This system is only for emergency closures, not for scheduled closures such as inset days.

The Local Authority actively promotes and supports high standards of governance in Buckinghamshire schools. To do so, Buckinghamshire Council will:

• be the champion of high-quality school governance;
• help to ensure that governors have access to support and training in order to develop the right skills to execute their role; and
• implement appropriate monitoring arrangements to identify signs of failure in relation to governors’ oversight of finance, safety or performance standards in maintained schools.

Buckinghamshire Council has a statutory duty to provide the following elements of school governance in the academic year 2023-24:

• Approve Local Authority governor appointments in maintained schools
• Checking instruments of governance (compliance) for maintained schools Oversee the appointment of Parent Governor representatives to Local Authority committees
• Establish Interim Executive Boards and shadow governing bodies in maintained schools and intervene where appropriate in cases of under performance
• Oversee administrative changes to school status
• Maintain a database of Chairs of Governors
• Provide access/signposting to high quality training
• Provide mandatory information such as policy updates and model documents

In addition to its statutory duties, Buckinghamshire Council will offer additional support for school governance during the academic year 2023-24. Some additional support will be freely provided, and some will be offered as a traded service branded as BESST – Buckinghamshire Education School Support and Training. Additional services will include:

• Scheduling and organising key meetings such as Corporate Director (DCS) briefings, termly governor priorities briefings and the Governance Consultative Board
• Memberships to digital tools and external online resources
• High quality training for governors delivered by local experts
• Partnership working with the Bucks Association of School Governors

Important Dates for Governors

Corporate Director Briefing	06/09/2023	19.00 – 20.30	Weds
Corporate Director Briefing	08/09/2023	11.30 – 13.00	Fri
Priorities Briefing for CoGs and Clerks	12/09/2023	18.30 - 19.30	Tues
An Introduction to Schools Finance	19/09/2023	18.30 - 19.30	Tues
Headteacher performance management	28/09/2023	18.30-19.30	Thurs
Safeguarding in schools – An introduction for governors	03/10/2023	18.30 - 19.30	Tues
Safeguarding updates for experienced governors	12/10/2023	18.30- 19.30	Thurs
Strategic Financial Management & Accountability	18/10/2023	18.30 - 19.30	Weds
The role of the safeguarding governor in an Ofsted inspection	02/11/2023	18.30-19.30	Thurs
Preparing for and supporting your school in an Ofsted inspection	08/11/2023	18.30 - 19.30	Weds
Understanding governance; what good strategic governance looks like	14/11/2023	18.30- 19.30	Tues
New Governor Networking Drop In	30/11/2023	18.30 - 19.30	Thurs
Prevent	05/12/2023	18.30 - 19.30	Tues
Corporate Director Briefing	10/01/2024	19.00 – 20.30	Wed
Corporate Director Briefing	12/01/2024	09.30- 11.00	Fri
Priorities Briefing for CoGs and Clerks	16/01/2024	18.30-19.30	Tues
Trauma Informed and Attachment Aware Schools	26/01/2024	09.00 - 10.00	Fri
Safeguarding in schools – An introduction for governors	01/02/2024	18.30 - 19.30	Thurs
Understanding governance; what good strategic governance looks like	07/02/2024	18.30- 19.30	Weds
Appointing an Executive Leader	13/02/2024	18.30 - 19.30	Tues
Preparing for and supporting your school in an Ofsted inspection	05/03/2024	18.30-19.30	Tues
New Governor Networking Drop In	14/03/2024	18.30 - 19.30	Thurs
Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Preventative Curriculum (PHSE)	19/03/2024	18.30- 19.30

For further details, costs and bookings please visit https://commercial.buckscc.gov.uk/our-services/besst/governor-support-training/ 

Key Contact  
Kate White
Governance Support Officer
schoolgovernance@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Buckinghamshire has 17 local Liaison Groups which comprise all primary, secondary, special school and PRU headteachers. All groups are representative of maintained schools, academies and free schools.

Local Liaison Groups are organised as follows:

1. Aylesbury Vale Area
   Aylesbury Town, Bernwode, Buckingham & Winslow, John Colet and Wing.
   
   
2. Chiltern & South Bucks Area
   Amersham, Beaconsfield, Burnham, Chalfont, Chesham, Evreham and Misbourne.
   
   
3. Wycombe Area
   Cressex, Marlow, Rye, Wycombe North and Wye Valley.

The School Improvement Team at Buckinghamshire Council work with headteachers to support meetings, ensure effective communication between schools, Buckinghamshire Council and partners, and support the school-led collaborative process (Side by Side).

Regular newsletters and communications are produced to ensure headteachers are kept up to date with local and national issues and information. If you wish to share any information, events or requests with your liaison group, area or the county headteachers please contact Hazel David or Gemma Thorp as shown in the team list.

School Improvement Team:

Yvette Thomas 
yvette.thomas@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
07720 073414

Naureen Kausar
naureen.kausar@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
07715 245601

Georgina Masefield 
georgina.masefield@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
07864 992894

Rosalind Burch 
rosalind.burch@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
07815 023944

Lucy Kent 
lucy.kent@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
07795 475629

Kerry Lidgett 
Kerry.lidgett@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
07379 446486

Katherine Wells 
katherine.wells@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
07860 180764

Mike Harwin 
mike.harwin@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
07890 395028

Hazel David 
hazel.david@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
07824 482570

Gemma Thorp 
gemma.thorp@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
07890 395017

Kathryn Hathaway 
sis@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
01296 383030

Kate White 
schoolgovernance@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
07977 611698

Liaison Group Meetings

Liaison Group Meetings take place every half-term and are integral to the peer-to-peer support structure, as well as an important forum for communication, collaboration and the sharing of good practice between schools and Buckinghamshire Council. Meetings also receive reports from headteacher representatives of any recent meetings of other groups such as the Primary Executive Board, Buckinghamshire Association of Secondary Headteachers, Schools Forum and Headteachers Admissions Working Group.

A member of the School Improvement team will attend the Liaison Group meetings. They will circulate dates, agendas and documentation so it is important that you ensure we have your current email address and permission to use it.

Small Schools

Schools with fewer than 150 pupils are currently able to claim supply costs from the Local Authority to facilitate their attendance at Liaison Group and Headteacher Collaboration meetings. If you qualify please contact Hazel David or Gemma Thorp for the claim form.

Friday Forums

These events are designed to inform and support headteachers in your role as a school leader, providing updates, encouraging discussion and sharing best practice.

• Be informed of national priorities and developments including DfE and Ofsted
  
  
• Have the opportunity to reflect upon local and national priorities and what this means in your own school context and circumstances
  
  
• Benefit from a valuable networking opportunity with colleagues from across the county as well as with members from the School Improvement team

 

Corporate Director (DCS) Briefings

These briefings for Headteachers and Chairs of Governors will be held at the beginning of each term and prior to liaison group meetings. Two meetings will be held, during morning and evening meeting times.

The briefings will be attended by the Director of Children’s Services, John Macilwraith and other key Heads of Service. The focus will be strategic, providing information and updates on DfE and Buckinghamshire Council Statutory Duties.

The Buckinghamshire Association of School Governors will also provide important updates for schools regarding the DfE, Ofsted and training opportunities.

Primary Executive Board Meetings

The Primary Executive Board (PEB) is the overarching strategic decision-making body of all primary schools in Buckinghamshire. Membership of the PEB is made up of 17 PEB Headteacher Representatives, appointed by their respective Liaison Group, plus a Primary Special School Representative, a Primary PRU Representative and a Representative from the Virtual School. There are two PEB meetings each term. The agenda of the PEB is determined by the issues and concerns of headteachers. PEB Representatives report back to their next Liaison Group meeting on all agreed actions, decisions and other key agenda items from the PEB.

Buckinghamshire Association of Secondary Headteachers

The Buckinghamshire Association of Secondary Headteachers (BASH) is the overarching strategic decision-making body for the secondary sector and all secondary schools are members. BASH is an independent association, run by the secondary headteachers. BASH Members have the opportunity to share relevant information from meetings at Liaison Group meetings.

Headteachers Admissions Working Group

The Headteacher Admissions Working Group (HAWG) is a committee of headteachers who have responsibility for addressing issues around admissions. Membership of HAWG is made up of a representative of each liaison group and a representative of the Local Authority Admissions Team. There are two meetings each term, one to discuss primary issues (PHAWG) and one to discuss secondary transfer arrangements, including the transfer testing process.

As with other primary boards, members of HAWG are expected to represent their liaison group’s views and provide feedback to ensure that primary headteachers are fully involved in the admissions process.

Schools Forum

The Schools Forum is an advisory body in relation to matters relating to the school’s budget as defined in Section 41 of the Education Act 2002 and set annually by Buckinghamshire Council. Membership includes headteachers and governors nominated to represent the different types of schools and academies in the county. Current membership can be seen on the Democracy pages under ‘Meetings’:

https://buckinghamshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=882&Year=0

Here, on the ‘Calendar’ page, you can sign up for alerts and receive meeting agendas and minutes. Not all liaison groups will include a Schools Forum member, however reports are brought to the Primary Executive Board and information cascaded through liaison groups by PEB reps.

 

Important dates for Headteachers

 

School Improvement Service

For any enquiries regarding School Improvement, contact a team member or use the sis@buckinghamshire.gov.uk address.

Health and Safety legislation requires that the Headteachers and Governing Bodies of all schools and academies have access to up-to-date health and safety advice. The professionally qualified Health and Safety Advisers provide comprehensive advice and support services tailored to help your school to fulfil its legal duties in a practical, sensible and proportionate manner.

If you are a newly appointed headteacher to Buckinghamshire and require information on health and safety please contact healthandsafety@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or ring 01296 674412.

Policies and Guidance

Headteachers need to have a Health and Safety Policy for their school. If you buy in the Health and Safety Service or are a maintained school there are model policies on the SchoolsWeb to help you to discharge your responsibilities, including a helpful Health and Safety Assessment Checklist.

Accident, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting (AssessNet)

Headteachers need to ensure that accidents, incidents and near misses are recorded with RIDDOR reportable accidents reported direct to the Health and Safety Executive as required. Maintained schools need to use AssessNet which is a free online accident reporting system. User accounts can be set up by contacting the health and safety team at healthandsafety@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.

All high-risk cases reported will be investigated to ensure that appropriate remedial action is put in place and trends established.

Training

Headteachers and Health and Safety Co-ordinators of maintained schools must attend a nationally recognised Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Managing Safely Course. Contact handstraining@buckinghamshire.gov.uk to book a place.

Headteachers are ultimately responsible for the management of asbestos, legionella and fire safety within their school. These duties can be managed on your behalf by a delegated staff member and training can be booked through handstraining@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

To ensure training is in place all courses require refresher training on a three yearly rolling programme.

Key Contact
Caron Owens
Health and Safety
01296 382906

A significant part of your headteacher role will involve supporting and managing your staff. There are a range of statutory obligations and employment law considerations which need to be applied to ensure that your school is compliant and regarded as a reasonable employer. The way staff are managed can impact on the school’s reputation and your ability to recruit and retain staff. Human Resources (HR) covers a range of functions across the whole life cycle of an employment relationship. Schools are required to have relevant policies in place to manage HR matters including:

• Teachers’ Pay (in Buckinghamshire we recommend a whole school pay policy)
• Conduct and Discipline
• Capability
• Grievance
• Health and Attendance
• Flexible Working
• Maternity and Adoption Guide
• Model Pay Policies
• Model Leave of Absence Policies
• Redundancy Policy
• Whistleblowing Policy

HR develops model policies on these and other important HR subjects to support schools.  We undertake formal consultation with recognised unions on your behalf so they are ready to be formally adopted by school governing bodies or management boards.

The HR team are experts at providing high quality support and training across a range of HR functions as follows:

Payroll

All staff need to be confident that they will be paid promptly and accurately. School Business Managers and Bursars need to understand their obligations in the process. HR payroll services ensure that relevant pay legislation is complied with and that reward policies are accurate. The service is based around a standard, integrated People Life Cycle of Joining, Working, Learning and Development, Reward and Leaving.

Resourcing

As a headteacher you will want to attract and select the most skilled, talented and motivated candidates for permanent, fixed term and agency roles. HR advise and assist schools in attracting the most suitable candidates for roles including support with advertising, help with shortlisting, interview techniques and undertaking rigorous pre-employment and safeguarding checks.

Recruitment Advertising Service

The team will check your advertisement to ensure legal compliance and then publish it on the Buckinghamshire Council website, intranet and weekly school’s vacancy report. Through this service your advert is picked up and re-advertised by as many as 12 other websites at no additional charge including Eteach, The Educator, Indeed, Glassdoor and others. We can also promote your adverts on social media and with the National Job Centre to help you meet the resident labour market test for recruiting candidates from outside the European Economic Area.

Recruitment Consultancy Service

The team can help with all aspects of recruitment and selection from writing job advertisements, job descriptions/person specifications and candidate information packs, to designing interview questions, taking up references and co-ordinating assessment centres.

Employee Relations

The Consultancy and Advisory Team (previously known as the Employee Relations Advisory Service) is committed to offering you a high-quality, professional, consultancy service that enables you to effectively manage, support, and develop your workforce. It provides tailored advice and guidance on all employee relations matters with the aim being to prevent issues escalating to formal procedures. Advice includes the following: conduct and discipline, capability and grievance, managing attendance and ill health, restructuring and redundancies, outsourcing, Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) TUPE’s, settlement agreements and terms and conditions of employment. The team also provides training around the policy areas noted above as well as training on tools/techniques in dealing with workplace issues.

Safeguarding in Employment

The service includes:

• Advice and delivery of pre-employment and DBS checks
• Advice on checks for contractors, volunteers and overseas staff
• Single Central Record and best practice
• Advice on positive DBS checks
• Providing updates on ever-changing safeguarding in employment legislation, such as KCSiE and Childcare Disqualification Regulations
• Delivery of safeguarding in employment workshops for staff
• Teaching Regulation Agency Checks – such as Prohibition Order Checks;
• Section 128 Checks (academies and free schools only);
• Childcare Disqualification Checks;
• Proof of Right to work in the UK requirements;
• Sponsoring Migrant Workers; and
• Any other vetting requirements.

Occupational Health

Occupational health is an independent and confidential service that actively promotes and maintains good health in the workplace in order to support employers and employees when working impacts on health and health impacts on workers.

Pensions

Pension administration can be complex and requires a high degree to expertise. The HR pension team look after the pension records of staff and In Teachers Pension Scheme and the Local Government Pension Scheme. Pension information and staff records need to be updated regularly (at least annually) and staff need to be confident that any advice they receive is accurate and kept confidential.

All of the above services are available to be purchased as part of the Buckinghamshire Traded Services Offer to schools. Buckinghamshire Council HR team have many years of expertise of working with schools and internal partners to provide a service which aims to allow headteachers more time to concentrate on the learning and developments of the pupils in their care.

Key Contacts
Contact for all of the above HR Services is via the HR service desk:

01296 382233
hrservicedesk@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Benefits and Support

Buckinghamshire is a great place to work and there are some great benefits and discounts available to you. SchoolsWeb lets you know how you can get more out of working for Buckinghamshire Council from enhancements to your pay package to the flexible ways you can fit your working life around the demands of your home life. Please share these benefits with your staff on a regular basis to remind them about some of the reasons for working in Bucks.

See https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/hr-zone/benefits-for-buckinghamshire-council-school-employees/

Education Support Partnership           

(formerly Teacher Support Network)

Education Support Partnership covers all roles in schools, not just teachers. They are a national independent charity that provides practical and emotional support to all staff working in education, both serving and retired, and their families regardless of age, length or service or union affiliations. They believe that everyone working in education deserves to feel at their best and help organisations and their staff to boost health, happiness and well-being through individual support.

So, whether you are a Headteacher, a Teacher, a Learning Support Assistant, a Caretaker or hold another key role in your setting, they can support you. They offer free, confidential round-the-clock access to counselling, support and advice.

For information, support and counselling call them on 08000 562 561 or text 07909 341229. For information about their resources or to chat to a counsellor online visit https://www.educationsupportpartnership.org.uk/

ICT Schools Team (School MIS, Financial Systems & Technical Support)

The ICT Schools team for Buckinghamshire Council is a non-profit making organisation. It aims to ensure competitive prices, whilst maintaining a high level of service, knowledge and commitment. The ICT Schools team provides support services for SIMS, Arbor, FMS, PS Financials, PFM and School Technical to ensure that schools can:

• make effective operational decisions via the Management Information Systems as a tool to drive school improvement and provide comprehensive evidence for inspections;
• efficiently deploy and configure school ICT infrastructure including; Admin Network, Curriculum Network and Hardware;
• access corporate discounts negotiated by the Local Authority when purchasing ICT hardware and software;
• benefit from the significantly discounted SIMS and FMS Annual Entitlement, for LA Maintained Schools, when purchasing a SIMS & Financial systems support package;
• obtain a 20% rebate of the SIMS Annual Entitlement paid directly to Capita, for Academy Schools, when purchasing a SIMS & Financial System support package (This offer is exclusive to Buckinghamshire Council); and
• access Self Hosted SIMS – Cloud based SIMS & FMS Solution.

Schools purchasing a support package from the ICT Schools Team can access unlimited support including telephone, email and remote assistance, experienced technical support of admin PCs and a comprehensive training schedule.

The ICT Zone on SchoolsWeb provides detailed, regularly updated information for schools. Visit https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/ict-zone/.

Key Contacts
For all SIMS, Arbor, FMS, PS Financials and PFM support or information on support packages please email ICTSchools@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Tel: 01296 383500 Option 1 for SIMS, Option 2 for Financial Systems and Option 4 for general enquiries and packages.

For School Technical Support
Email: schoolstst@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01296 383500 Option 3

If you have further queries about your current support packages generally please contact the Business Development Team or your Account Manager on 01296 382094 or email businessservicesplus@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

School Broadband 

Buckinghamshire Council has built a brand-new communications network which supersedes previous technologies offered to schools. Many schools have migrated to the new ONE Network, but any Buckinghamshire School may join and move away from commercial providers. The Bucks Broadband Service is described here.

Benefits include: 

• a choice of broadband speed plus upgrade options to match your school’s needs 
• web filtering and content management managed by the Council
• a dedicated ServiceNow Portal for requests, reports and upgrades

• support and expert advice, directly from the Council
• less reliance on third parties 

Quotes for upgrades to existing customers or installation options for new customers can be requested via the ONE Network Schools Request form available on the ServiceNow Portal (accessible via the SchoolsWeb)

Key Contact
George McGowan
Schools Broadband Service Manager
01296 387070
george.mcgowan@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

The Integrated SEND Service, or iSEND for short, provides specialist Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support through locally based teams across Buckinghamshire. iSEND supports children and young people with SEND living in Buckinghamshire to achieve the best possible outcomes. In accordance with the SEND Code of Practice 2015, iSEND carries out work, in relation to children and young people with special educational needs who are referred for an EHC Needs Assessment or already have an EHC Plan.

For children and young people who have special educational needs and are supported at 'SEN Support' level, the first point of contact should always be the education setting the child/young person attends. Referral to the Integrated SEND Service for an EHC Needs Assessment will usually be via the child/young person's education setting. For pre-school children referral may be from a medical professional, for example a paediatrician. Parents/carers or young people may also request an EHC Needs Assessment.

Integrated SEND information on SchoolsWeb

The Integrated SEND Service consists of the following:

Education, Health and Care Co-Ordinator’s

Co-ordinate the statutory Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment process with children, young people, families, and range of professionals, ensuring a child-centred approach is adopted and to enable children and young people to achieve their outcomes and aspirations. They co-produce EHC plans, ensure annual reviews of EHC plans are conducted and EHC plans updated in a timely manner in line with the Children and Families Act (2014).

All schools have been assigned a designated and named EHCCo. They will work with you and your team to ensure the best outcomes for the children within your school who have an EHCP. Dependent on the number of children attending school with an EHCP these will be weekly, fortnightly, or each half term. SENCo’s within schools are also invited to attend a SENCo Liaison group which meets regularly.   

Specialist Teachers (ST)

Offer assistance to schools in meeting the needs of pupils who are experiencing a greater difficulty than their peers in accessing the Early Years and National Curriculum. The Specialist Teachers can work with staff within schools and individual children who may be on a SEN support plan or have an EHCP.  Specialist teachers have expertise in a number of areas including working with children and young people who may have a visual or hearing impairment or a combination of both, autism and/or speech language and communication difficulties. 

Educational Psychology (EP)

A targeted and specialist service provided by the Local Authority to identify and support children and young people aged 0 to 25 with complex, significant, and persistent difficulties related to their development and/or learning.

 

SEN Support, the Graduated Approach and Ordinarily Available Provision

The Graduated Approach, what is it?

Where a pupil is identified as having special educational needs (SEN), schools should take action to remove barriers to learning and put effective SEN provision in place. This SEN support should take the form of a four-part cycle through which earlier decisions and actions are revisited, refined, and revised with a growing understanding of the pupil’s needs and of what supports the pupil in making good improvement and securing good outcomes. This is known as the graduated approach.

SEN Support Plan

In Buckinghamshire, we have developed a SEN Support Plan document for the purpose of identifying the SEN of children/young people, monitoring their progress towards desired outcomes, and tracking resources utilised within the educational setting. 

Read more about The Graduated Approach and SEN Support Plan.  Information for families can be found on the SEND Local Offer.

Ordinarily Available Provision

'Ordinarily Available Provision’ promotes a consistent ethos to supporting children receiving SEND support. This approach has been created by schools, professionals and parents and is a fantastic user-friendly, accessible resource for all. It outlines the special educational needs that children may have across the four broad areas, with easy-to-use provision suggestions for all members of school staff and families alike, as well as strategies for whole school and quality first teaching. Information for professionals and parents/carers.

If a pupil requires special educational provision in excess of that ordinarily available from mainstream resources, a request may be made for an EHC Needs Assessment.

Education Health and Care Assessment and Plans

EHC plans are for children and young people from birth up to age 25. EHC plans provide statutory protection in respect of educational provision. They are intended to be holistic and centred on the child or young person’s needs and because they are person-centred and contain an ‘All About Me’ section.

Find out about the EHC assessment process and plans and Information for families.

The form for an education setting to request an EHC Needs Assessment can be found on SchoolsWeb. It is essential that informed, signed parental consent accompanies a request for an EHC needs assessment and that all information accompanies the request to ensure that the Local Authority can make the right decision. The Local Authority must make this decision of whether to assess within 6 weeks of the request being received and the Local Authority will communicate this formally in writing to parents with a copy to the education setting. Should the decision be that an EHC needs assessment not be required, the parent is provided with a formal right of appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST). After discussion with parents, the Local Authority may arrange a meeting to discuss further and in these circumstances the education setting will usually be invited.

The Education Health and Care Needs Assessment Process

If the Authority decides to carry out an EHC needs assessment, you will be notified in writing. As part of the EHC needs assessment advice, parents/carers and children/young people are asked to contribute their views in writing. The Local Authority will also formally request information from education, health, and care professionals, for example an Educational Psychologist who will then carry out an assessment and provide a report.

Once all the advice is received and the Local Authority has decided that an EHC plan is required, the EHCCo will discuss with parents how they would prefer the EHC plan to be drafted. This may involve a meeting to co-produce the EHC plan, although some parents/carers/young people may prefer to have an EHC plan drafted and sent to them for comment. At this stage no education setting is named.

With the draft EHC plan, parents can express a preference for an educational setting. The Local Authority must consult with the parental preference and may consult with other settings they deem to be appropriate and must consider the response very carefully before deciding what educational setting to name in the EHC plan. Parents have the right of appeal to SENDIST if they are dissatisfied with the contents of Section B (the description of special educational needs), Section F (description of special educational needs) and/or Section I (educational setting) of the EHC Plan.

More information can be found on SchoolsWeb.

 

How to request for High Needs Block Funding from Buckinghamshire Council

Buckinghamshire Council also has a process to access additional funding without an EHC plan. The form to request High Needs Block Funding can be found on SchoolsWeb.

 

Local Offer

More Information with regards to Special Educational Needs (SEN) is available on the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service and on SchoolsWeb.

 

Integrated SEN Service Key Details

You will be able to locate all the forms you will need with regards to pupils with SEND. You will also be able to have support from your designated EHHCo.

Employee Assistance Programme

TP Health/Optima are available for all your physical, mental, financial and work support.  Telephone: 0800 058 1486.  Visit the Workplace Wellbeing website.  Download the Optimise app: visit the Optimise website to create an account or download the Optimise app from the Apple App Store or Google Play App Store.

Academies, Foundation & Voluntary Aided Schools are able to purchase the EAP, see HERE for further details.

Support for Families and Staff

Attached is the updated Wellbeing and Support information that has been gathered to offer support to families and schools in Bucks.  The document provides links to websites as well as telephone numbers for support agencies both local and national.

EP Supervision for Headteachers

Please see the letter attached from Jenny Feeney, Senior Educational Psychologist, regarding support for Headteachers HERE

Bereavement Support

This document contains links to many agencies and teams that provide support to children and adults faced with bereavement.  If you know of any other, local groups, please let us know.

For further information contact sis@buckinghamshire.bucks.uk

Buckinghamshire Council works with the Buckinghamshire Academy of School Leadership (BASL) to provide an induction programme for new Headteachers in their first year. The offer is entitled Early Career Headship and is open to all new Headteachers in Buckinghamshire, regardless of school status or whether Headteachers are new to headship or just new to Buckinghamshire.

The programme includes:

• Welcome to Buckinghamshire Event in summer term;
• Early Career Headteachers Introduction to Buckinghamshire Council teams and the Programme;
• School Improvement led sessions including informal drop-ins
• CPD events throughout the year led by external consultants and SIS Advisers
• BASL Membership for the year – access to BASL’s programme of seminars and a reduced rate for the BASL Annual Conference.

Additional support will be offered to individuals who are new to headship.

• Mentoring support – 12 hours face-to-face support for each new Headteacher plus unlimited telephone and email support.

The programme runs from September to July across the academic year. Headteachers appointed during the year can either join the programme mid-way or wait to join the following year’s cohort.

Mentors

Mentors are experienced Buckinghamshire Headteachers who volunteer for the role. They receive training and their school is reimbursed for the agreed time given as mentors.

If you would be interested in becoming a BASL Mentor please contact Hazel David at basl@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Key Contact
Hazel David
School Engagement Officer
07824 482570 
basl@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Local authorities have the following statutory duties regarding moderation and monitoring of primary assessments in maintained schools:

Early Years Foundation Stage

• Moderation of EYFS profile assessments should be a collaborative process with colleagues. This supports the quality assurance of teacher assessment judgements and provides a valuable opportunity for professional development
• It is important for teachers to build a shared understanding of the ELGs and the EYFS framework. Schools may wish to work together and attend Local Authority moderation support CPD, so that teachers can share experiences and develop their assessment skills. For details please contact the Early Years Workforce Development Team eycpd@buckinghamshire.gov.uk Website: https://earlyyears.buckscc.gov.uk/
• Statutory moderation in schools by local authorities was removed as part of the EYFS reforms, however, schools with an Ofsted of less than good or with a teacher new to EYFS will be offered the opportunity for one of our EYFSP moderators to book a time to complete a moderation visit to support the school in the summer term. This visit would not involve a cost to the school and would be considered a supportive measure for the practitioners. Schools that do not fall under this category can purchase a moderation visit.
• Moderation meetings will be available on the CPD calendar for all reception teachers to book on to in the summer term.

Key Stage 1

• National Curriculum tests in Reading and Maths is no longer statutory for KS1 (academic year 2023 onwards). Schools may choose to complete optional tests during the month of May. Writing at KS1 is no longer moderated as part of this process.
• Local authorities must visit 10% of schools administering Phonics Screening checks for monitoring purposes.
• Meetings will be available throughout the school year, led by the moderation manager, for Y1-Y3 colleagues to book onto to meet, collaborate, share practice and standardise work.

Key Stage 2

• Local authorities must visit 10% of schools administering National Curriculum Tests (SATs) for monitoring purposes.
• Local authorities must moderate writing within a minimum of 25% of schools within their area.
• Various moderation and standardisation events will be available throughout the school year, led by the moderation manager, for colleagues to book onto to support the standardisation and moderation process in schools. These will include events for HT, SLT as well as class teachers.

 

Academies

All academies will be contacted by the Moderation and Monitoring team to determine their requirements for 2023/24 during the Autumn Term.

Key Contacts 

Claire O’Connell
Early Years Moderation
01296 387037
claire.oconnell@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

 

 

 

Buckinghamshire Council’s Property Services team are responsible for:

• the compilation and implementation of the Authority’s capital programme for planned maintenance to its built estate;
• the provision of a dedicated Service Desk and a responsive service to all requests for assistance from schools purchasing its PropertyPlus maintenance package;
• the provision of all the required planned preventative maintenance (PPM) or plant servicing for all schools purchasing its PropertyPlus package; and
• carrying out one-off commissions for larger capital construction projects and school self-financed building projects.

Further details regarding reactive maintenance and explanation of general maintenance responsibilities are available on the Premises & Property pages on SchoolsWeb, together with the link for reporting all but the most urgent requests for assistance at:

https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/premises-and-property/ (log in required)

Property-related Emergencies

If reporting a major property-related emergency, such as fire or serious storm damage, please ring the emergency services on 999 as normal. In response to a major property-related incident the Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Officer will alert the Council’s Resilience Officer who will in turn make contact with Property Services’ staff (named below) and other key personnel listed on the Council’s Emergency Plan to make them aware of the major incident.

Traded Services: PropertyPlus Maintenance Package

For those schools purchasing the Council’s PropertyPlus package there is access to a 24-hour Service Desk via the web-form available on the SchoolsWeb link above for everything. Please note that only for the most urgent property-related incidents requiring reactive maintenance assistance should the Service Desk be contacted on 01296 383238. The Property Plus package entitles the school to:

• unlimited access to the dedicated Property Service Desk;
• access to the Council’s approved specialist contractors on call out to deal with your emergency maintenance issues;
• all Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) being carried out, such as plant servicing, statutory testing and periodic inspections, by the Council’s approved specialist contractors;
• access to the Property Services team’s in-house operational and technical expertise; and
• unlimited access to an enhanced customer portal where you can access all your school’s property records.

Key Contacts
Property Service Desk
Contact via web-form on SchoolsWeb (or 01296 383238 for emergencies only)

John Collins
Head of Property Services
john.collins@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

George Thompson
Reactive Maintenance & Contracts Manager
george.thompson@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Matt Hayward

Planned Maintenance + Projects Manager

matthew.hayward@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Peter Halsey
Senior Property Compliance Officer
peter.halsey@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Energy Team

https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/premises-and-property/energy/ (log in required)

Contact: energy@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

The Public Health PSHE lead works with schools to promote high quality PSHE provision for children and young people and supports engagement with Public Health initiatives for schools. PSHE leads in Buckinghamshire schools can access fully funded CPD delivered by The PSHE Association, termly PSHE forum meetings, email updates, resource alerts, and subject leader guidance. Support for School leaders is also available on request. We have a collaborative and thriving PSHE community in Buckinghamshire so check that your PSHE lead is registered on the communications list to ensure your school receives the latest local and national updates.

The Council is currently offering termly, funded CPD to support high quality PSHE leadership. We also provide termly half day CPD sessions for KS2 teachers who deliver Sex and Puberty Education at primary level. This training is delivered in collaboration with the School Nurse Team.  For funded secondary RSE training please see link for further details https://sexualhealthbucks.nhs.uk/training-sessions/  The Public Health PSHE lead provides Governor training as part of the School Improvement Team’s Governor training programme.

 The Buckinghamshire Healthy Schools Award is funded for three years and provides schools with a self-evaluation tool and criteria to support a whole school approach to health and wellbeing. Support to complete this award is available. Please sign up at  https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/public-health/buckinghamshire-healthy-schools-award/

Statutory Duties and the Local Offer

PSHE is a distinct and vital subject; all schools are required to provide for PSHE education. High quality PSHE is both preventative and protective in terms of health and wellbeing, personal safety, building healthy and positive relationships, and teaches pupils how to thrive in an ever-changing world. Relationships Education (primary) Relationships and Sex Education (secondary) and Health Education are now statutory for years 1-11. Schools are required to provide relevant information on their websites with regards to the taught PSHE curriculum, have an up to date, published, and compliant Relationships/ RSE policy which has been consulted on with parents/carers. Sex education at primary remains non statutory, however most schools offer this as part of their PSHE curriculum. Primary schools teaching Sex education must have an up to date, published and compliant Sex education/ RSE policy.

There is increasing emphasis on the role of statutory RSHE and safeguarding and this is referenced in the updated KCSIE (September 2023), including the importance of challenging negative cultures regarding sexual harassment and harmful sexual behaviours.

Web Links

Head teachers, Governors, PHSE leads and teachers can access the Bucks SchoolsWeb PSHE Education page for the latest guidance, local and national updates, resources and information. https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/school-improvement-and-equalities/curriculum-and-learning/pshe/

Further information and support is available on the Buckinghamshire Healthy Schools webpage: https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/public-health/

Key Contact
Carol Stottor
Public Health PSHE Lead
Carol.Stottor@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Public Health is the science and practice of preventing disease and ill health and prolonging and promoting good health and wellbeing. This team was formerly part of the NHS; however, it is now part of Buckinghamshire Council, while still maintaining close links with the NHS. A key part of its work is promoting the health and wellbeing of children and young people; supporting families and professionals in order to provide them with a good start in life and equipping them with the resilience and skills they need to flourish.

Public Health has created its pages on SchoolsWeb in direct response to the request from schools for more co-ordinated and concise health information to support school activities. It includes information and resources on:

Information on local and national health-related campaigns;

• PSHE Support
• Emotional Wellbeing
• Drugs and Alcohol
• Healthy Eating
• Physical Activity
• Sexual Health

https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/public-health/ Buckinghamshire Healthy Schools.

Local Profiles and Analysis Summaries

The Buckinghamshire Public Health team have created local health profiles for our 16 Community Board areas. Select your local area and view the key health and wellbeing indicators for your school’s local community. Community Board health and wellbeing profiles are updated annually in the autumn term.

https://www.healthandwellbeingbucks.org/local-profiles

Key Contact
Carol Stottor
Public Health PSHE Lead
carol.stottor@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

SACRE stands for Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education. Following the 1988 Education Act, when religious education was confirmed as a compulsory part of the curriculum, it became a statutory requirement for every Local Authority to appoint a SACRE. The SACRE can advise a Local Authority on matters connected with RE and collective worship in County schools. SACRE can also support free Schools and academies, and it is our hope that all schools in Buckinghamshire will adopt the local agreed syllabus to provide continuity, progression and cohesion to all pupils.

Our remit is to provide an RE syllabus that will reflect the local position regarding faith and non-faith groups in Buckinghamshire. Our agreed syllabus entitled Challenging RE is intended to suggest a subject that is demanding in its challenge in content and in the suggestions for delivery and the dynamic it hopes to foster in the classroom.

We seek to ensure that all pupils in Buckinghamshire schools develop spiritually, academically, emotionally and morally so that they are able to understand themselves and others, and cope with the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of living in a rapidly changing world. The Buckinghamshire SACRE passionately believes that each pupil should have the opportunity to learn about and have time to reflect upon ‘what it means to be human’ and in addition to have a time and space to reflect on their own religious or other identity, respect that of others and consider the importance of belief and practice in creating a better world in which to live, or the threat that these can also pose to human flourishing.

Our vision is for schools to be able to:

• provide challenging learning through the RE Curriculum;
• promote an inspirational and aspirational ethos through meaningful and engaging Collective Worship; and
• contribute to community cohesion by engaging the whole school community in an exploration of identity and community in the local, national and global context.

Please visit our SchoolsWeb page for:

• The Agreed Syllabus for Buckinghamshire 2022-2027
• Links to our newsletter SACRED
• Details of network meetings for subject leads
• Guidance documents
• SACRE Annual Reports

Web Link: https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/school-improvement-and-equalities/sacre/

Key Contacts
Rosalind Burch                                                                                    
School Improvement Adviser                                                           
07815 023944                                                                                     
rosalind.burch@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Bill Moore
RE Consultant
bjvmoore@justbmoore.com

The Education Safeguarding Team provide:

• Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Input and Checks
• Advice to DSLs on thresholds
• Safeguarding Reviews
• Safeguarding Complaint Investigations
• Training – DSL, DSL Refresher, Whole School.
• Annual Audits (Section 11 Children Act / Section 157/175 Education Act)
• Policies and Procedures
• Supporting Education Settings to Keep Children Safe
• Communication and Information Sharing with Education Settings
• Interagency Forums and Interactions with Partner Agencies

The Education Safeguarding Advisory Service (ESAS) has four officers covering the county, two part-time and two full time.  There is a centralised telephone number and email box which are both monitored daily by an ESAS Officer. Please also take note of your area officer and send them an email to introduce yourself, this will give the ESAS officer the opportunity to add you to the DSL contact list for safeguarding updates.

Key Contacts
01296 387981 – Duty line
secure-esasduty@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Tracey Ireland (F/T) – Aylesbury, the north, special schools and PRUs
01296 382817 tracey.ireland@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Julia Goodes (P/T) – Wycombe
01296 382822 julia.goodes@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Julia White (P/T) – Chiltern and south Buckinghamshire
01296 382828 julia.white@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Alison Watts (F/T) Prevent and Online Safety

01296 674895 alison.watts1@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

The Safeguarding in Employment Team provide:

• safeguarding in employment advice in relation to the recruitment of staff, volunteers, contractors, agency staff and overseas staff;
• information and advice to schools and academies about the interpretation and application of relevant legislation and guidance relating to safeguarding in employment e.g. Single Central Record and ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ and other relevant legislation e.g. the Immigration Act 2020;
• a reliable, quick and accurate operations service for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks, Barred List Checks, positive DBS checks and vetting checks;
• guidance and support on the prevention of illegal working including proof of right to work in the UK checks;
• guidance and support on the recruitment of overseas workers including sponsoring migrant workers
• training and support to schools and academies through a range of options e.g. training courses, workshops, forums, bulletins and briefing notes.
• guidance and support on Teaching Regulation Agency Checks – such as Prohibition Order Checks; Section 128 Checks (academies and free schools only); Childcare Disqualification Checks;

Recruitment, Selection and Pre-employment Vetting

A crucial first step in the creation and maintenance of a safeguarding culture is ensuring that robust recruitment processes are in place. Safer recruitment procedures help deter, reject or identify people who might pose a risk to children. ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ describes in detail those checks that may be required for individuals working in the school, including: criminal record checks (DBS checks), barred list checks and prohibition checks. Further information is available in the HR section of SchoolsWeb

https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/hr-zone/.

The service includes:

• Advice and delivery of pre-employment and DBS checks
• Advice on checks for contractors, volunteers and overseas staff
• Single Central Record and best practice
• Advice on positive DBS checks
• Providing updates on ever-changing safeguarding legislation, such as KCSiE and Childcare Disqualification Regulations
• Delivery of safeguarding in employment workshops for staff
• Teaching Regulation Agency Checks – such as Prohibition Order Checks;
• Section 128 Checks (academies and free schools only);
• Childcare Disqualification Checks;
• Proof of Right to work in the UK requirements;
• Sponsoring Migrant Workers
• Any other vetting requirements.

There must be at least one person trained in safer recruitment on every interview panel within schools. Beryl Hammond-Appiah, Consultancy and Advisory Manager and Tara Phipps, Resourcing Consultant and Anna Falek, Schools, Early Careers and Safeguarding Resourcing Adviser are accredited trainers to deliver the Safer Recruitment Consortium ‘Safer Recruitment’ training which meets this requirement.

Single Central Record (SCR)

Schools and colleges must keep a single central record (SCR) of all individuals in regular contact with children in the school. The team can advise schools / academies about the legal requirements for a SCR, in particular the practical application of legislation and guidance to ensure compliance especially for OFSTED Inspections.

Individuals who have lived or worked outside the UK must undergo the same checks as other staff in schools. In addition, schools must make any further checks they think appropriate so that any relevant events that occurred outside the UK can be considered.

A SCR must include the following people.

• All staff, including supply staff, who work in school;
• All others who work in regular contact with children in school, including volunteers, governors, contractors and agency staff; and
• For independent schools (including academies and free schools) all members of a proprietor body.

The SCR must include details of any checks and certificates that were vetted, and the date checks were completed including:

• identity checks;
• Barred List check;
• Enhanced DBS check;
• Prohibition from teaching check (where applicable);
• Section 128 Checks (academies and free schools only);
• further checks on people living or working outside the UK;
• checks on professional qualifications; and
• checks to establish a person’s right to work in the UK.

The Team can undertake a ‘sensibility check’ of a school or academy’s SCR so that any glaring problem areas can be identified and rectified quickly.

Further details about volunteers, agency staff, students, governors, contractors and host families are covered in the statutory guidance.

Training and Consultancy

The area provides training and support in all of the above areas through training courses, workshops, forums, briefings, the SchoolsWeb and School Bulletin. Customised training and consultancy services can also be provided as required by a school or academy.

Key Contacts
Anna Falek

Safeguarding in Employment
01494 732155                                                                        

anna.falek@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

SchoolsWeb is a valuable resource for all schools and is hosted and managed by Buckinghamshire Council. A wide range of services for schools has their dedicated areas where they regularly update model policies and provide helpful information, advice and guidance.

Accessing SchoolsWeb

Most schools currently have 3 logins: one for senior management, one for governors and one for all staff (for the HR Zone etc.). These give different levels of access to pupil progress data, financial information etc.

Some areas of SchoolsWeb (https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/) can be accessed without logging in. Access to greyed-out areas will either require logging in with the senior management accounts or the purchase of a support package.

Login details are supplied to Headteachers who distribute them to school staff as necessary. Please ensure all staff are aware of the general login for SchoolsWeb.

Headteachers are required to request/authorise password resets and will be responsible to redistribute to staff members. These requests can be sent to tradedservices@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

School Bulletin

A weekly bulletin of information for schools can be accessed via SchoolsWeb as above. Click ‘Bulletin’ at the top of any page (you will need to be logged in).  The School Bulletin is the key news resource from Buckinghamshire Council and partner organisations to inform you about various topics from changes in legislation to upcoming events, deadlines, and training/support opportunities.

Articles are released throughout the week, appearing on the front page as they are published. Each Monday in term time, a ‘Monday rollup’ is produced, which is a roll-up of all the articles published since the previous issue. An email is sent out each Monday morning in term time, detailing the articles from the previous week.

To subscribe to the Monday bulletin email, please contact tradedservices@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.

Key Contacts
For general queries and login queries please contact      

tradedservices@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

The School Commissioning team is placed within the Children’s Services Division and contributes to its role in the following ways.

• Meeting the LA’s statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places are available;
• Delivery of the education school capital programme;
• Strategically planning educational provision that takes account of areas of housing growth and demographic change;
• Negotiation with developers to secure S106 developer contributions for education infrastructure from housing developments;
• Taking forward proposed statutory changes to schools including academy transfers and competitions for new schools;
• Dealing with any school legal land/site related issues; and
• Agreement on terms of leases between schools and other bodies.
• Managing School Self Help Applications/Academy Capital Works Applications. All Bucks Maintained Schools and leased academies are required to seek the Council’s consent prior to undertaking any capital works. Plans must be discussed with the School Commissioning team at the earliest opportunity.  Please see following link for further details Self Help | SchoolsWeb (buckscc.gov.uk)

Key Contact
Paula Campbell-Balcombe
Schools Commissioner 
01296 382896
Paula.Campbell-Balcombe@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

The School Accountancy Support Team provide consistent Financial Support and guidance to Local Authority maintained schools. The team works with schools to ensure that all the statutory financial obligations of the school are met, and regulations complied with including the requirement under Buckinghamshire Council’s Scheme for Financing Schools that Governing Bodies must set balanced budgets.

In addition to their statutory work, the team also provide support with budget setting and forecasting, training, and ad hoc financial advice.

Key Contact
Jonathan Carter 
Regulatory Returns

The School Accountancy Support Team provides additional financial resource management advice specifically for schools facing financial difficulty resulting in a cumulative deficit budget or under an academy order.

Key Contact
Cheryl Stead
Schools forecasting deficit budgets

Traded Services

Buckinghamshire Council Finance provides a wide range of services for schools, which can be purchased online. Services are delivered by highly experienced teams with a passion for quality and excellence in customer service.

The Schools Accountancy Support team provide additional services via a traded package to purchase training sessions and support.

Key Contacts
For general finance service-related queries: Contact via the Service Desk Portal.

For an urgent response call Service Desk on 01296 382222 option 3

Cheque Book Packages

Buckinghamshire Council provides a choice of support for Local Authority Cheque Book Schools.

Cheque book school package

Full reconciliation service for Cheque Book Schools

• Buckinghamshire Council Finance to complete the 3 way reconciliation between your bank, local system (FMS) and SAP based on the information provided to us. This will be completed every term and the school will receive an electronic copy of this as per the timetable
• the monthly VAT return should be completed to facilitate the correct reconciliation
• any amendments identified during the reconciliation will be notified to the school for correction
• Buckinghamshire Council to upload the VAT return into SAP.

Cheque book school ‘doing own’ package

Buckinghamshire Council Finance administration work for 3-way reconciliations for Cheque Book Schools

School to complete their own 3-way reconciliations between bank, local system (FMS) and SAP based on the information they have, and Buckinghamshire Council Finance provide for SAP. The school will complete this every term and send an electronic copy to finance as per the timetable.

Key Contact
Jonathan Carter

Finance Operations also provide the following services to schools:

• Income allocation and cheque depositing
• Creditor payment and support – charged retrospectively by usage
• Purchasing Cards – subject to admin fee
• Imprest claims – not-charged for

More information can be found at the following links: https://commercial.buckscc.gov.uk/s4s/

SchoolsWeb: https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/finance-zone/

Buckinghamshire Council commissioned the Bucks School Swimming Partnership (BSSP) to provide school swimming information, advice and guidance to Buckinghamshire schools on safe practice in school swimming and water safety.  

Buckinghamshire Council produced a Safe Practice in School Swimming Policy and Guidance which sets out clear and concise information. This service provides guidance and advice on best practices in school swimming, whether at a school pool, hydrotherapy pool, public pool or during school visits. 

This policy was written with all the major stakeholders in swimming and water safety. A link to the policy can be found here - Safe Practice in School Swimming Policy and Guidance  

We have also produced Schemes of Work in alignment with our School Swimming Awards & Certificates.  Termly newsletters and lots of other information and useful resources are available on our website; https://www.bssp.org.uk/ 

The BSSP provide an essential Swim England National Curriculum Training Programme (NCTP) to enable school staff to safely support and undertake school swimming as per the policy. 

We firmly believe that a collaborative approach between schools, leisure centres and other providers, ensures a consistent joined-up approach in the planning and delivery of safe, high-quality school swimming lessons. 

 
Key Contact
Zoe Rogers
BSSP School Swimming Adviser
01296 388222
swimming@ahs.bucks.sch.uk

Early Help

About the Family Support Service

The Family Support Service (FSS) provides a wide range of support to children and young people aged 0 to 19, or up to 25 with a special educational need or disability, and their families in Buckinghamshire. This support includes information, advice and guidance through the Family Information Service (BFIS), open access sessions and health services for early years children and parents/carers and a range of targeted and drop-in sessions for young people at a network of 16 Family Centre’s across the county.

The centres offer a range of support for children, young people and families. Families can drop in to speak with a professional about concerns they might have anytime during the week at our three Family Centre Plus sites: Mapledean (Wycombe), Chesham Newtown and Southcourt (Aylesbury). Families can find out more about Family Centre information and advice drop-in here. There are a wide range of activities available to families run by the FSS and partners at family centres which are free for children, young people and families. Local timetables can be found on the BFIS web pages.

The Service is there for the whole family, not just children but for parents and young people too.

The service can provide support to families and individuals through group work to support with parenting, young people’s groups on topics such as wellbeing, employability or support from a dedicated Family Worker for families and individuals who are facing more complex challenges. The Family Support Service does not provide whole-family support when a child or young person is open to statutory Children’s Services, but if specific support is needed (for example parenting, one-to-one youth support or early years support at family centre sessions), this can be requested.

The Service has been carefully designed to provide high quality targeted support for vulnerable families who face a range of issues or more complex challenges. The service provides one-to-one support to families and individuals in a setting that is most comfortable to them, like their home, a local community setting or somewhere else. Families can refer themselves to the service or may be supported by a school, health or other professionals who will make a referral on their behalf. We work collaboratively with families and professionals to ensure that the agreed family plan is supported by all involved with agreed actions and outcomes. As we are a consent-based service, professionals must work with families to ensure they give their informed consent before a referral for support is made.

To understand the thresholds of support within Buckinghamshire please make use of the Continuum of Need (incorporating Threshold Guidance), a brief overview of which is given below.

Early Help in Buckinghamshire is a partnership approach with a wide range of agencies and organisations contributing to a broad early help offer. Services and organisations, including schools, should work collaboratively to identify the most appropriate support for families. The council provision is through the integrated Family Support Service which provides a wide range of support to children, young people, and families in Buckinghamshire.

Avenues of support which FSS co-ordinate or provide to schools as part of early help provision to support children, young people and families:

• Can you support the child and their family through your own service? Or can you signpost to another service?
  If you want to signpost parents to find some help or advice then check the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service (BFIS) website: https://familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk or contact the BFIS duty team on 01296 383293. This is also useful information to share with families and young people as an invaluable source of self-support. For more detailed discussions and guidance for staff, view the website or contact your school link worker.
• Early Help Monthly Partnership Forums

The Early Help Partnership forum is a panel of a variety of support agencies who are on hand to talk things through to make suggestions to other professionals working with a family. The purpose of the Early Help Partnership Forums is to co-ordinate a response when current support work with a family or child is not effecting positive change. Schools can bring children and families for discussion where they are unsure of the support that is needed. For more information, please contact ehpartnershipforum@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

• FSS School Link Worker
  Every school in the county has an allocated Family Support Worker within FSS, referred to as the school link worker. This worker will liaise regularly with an identified person within the school. The purpose of this role is to support the school in responding to presenting needs of children early and provide guidance on action and interventions which can support; this could be coordinated by the school, or another identified professional or may need referral for additional FSS support.
  
  If you are unsure of your link worker, please contact the area team who will be able to confirm and ensure you are in contact with them.

Find out more about the Family Support Service and details of how to make a referral.

The pdf document below provides a clear overview of Early Help support and the Family Support Service, which you my wish to share with all school staff so they are able to support and signpost children, young people and families to the right support at the right time and also highlight the guidance available to them through the school link worker.

FSS Long Leaflet

The Virtual School is a multi-disciplinary team whose aim is to raise the educational achievement of children and young people in care to Buckinghamshire. Through close collaboration across the authority and with partners, the Virtual School tracks educational progress and monitors work with children and young people in care and advises those who care for and work with them.

We also support and advise on previously looked after children; this includes children adopted and on a special guardianship order.

From September 2021 the duties of the Virtual School Head were extended by the DfE to include the strategic leadership of all children with a social worker. This will not be direct work with young people or families but supporting schools and other agencies to improve outcomes for this cohort of children.

The Virtual School has high aspirations for children in care to help them maximise their access to education opportunities and achieve their potential. The Virtual School does not replace the school or educational provision of children in care. It is an additional resource to support and challenge all those involved in the educational achievement of these children. We also offer training as part of our service.

Our statutory work involves holding termly personal education plan (PEP) meetings and managing the pupil premium grant (PPG) funding.

Virtual School area on SchoolsWeb

Key Contact
Virtual School office: 01296 387047
thevirtualschool@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Service	Key Contact	Email	Number
Academy Conversions	Joanne Marchant	Joanne.marchant@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 387382
Admissions and Transport	Debbie Munday	Debbie.munday@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 382217
Bucks Family Information Service		familyinfo@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Business Intelligence	Sarah Sewell	smst@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Communications & Media	Rachel Prance	Rachel.prance@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01494 732903/ 07711 040758
Early Years & Childcare	Sue Bayliss	earlyyears@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 3837111
ECT Induction & Support	Hazel David	ect@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	07824 482570
Education Entitlement	James Fowler	countyattendanceteam@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 383963
Child Employment & Entertainment	Moira Dealey	Moira.dealey@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 383512
Children Missing Education		Childrenmissingeducation@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 383098/ 382091
Elective Home Education	Clare Grosse	Clare.grosse@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 382687
Exclusions & Reintegration		exclusions@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 382835
GRT Children & Education	Karen Ross	GRTEducation@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 531356
Educational Psychology		EPS@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 383219
Educational Visits Service	Mike Harwin	Mike.harwin@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	07890 395028
Emergencies & Disruptive Incidents		tradedservices@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 382 094
Governance	Kate White	schoolgovernance@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	07977 611698
Health & Safety	Caron Owens	healthandsafety@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 382906
Human Resources		hrservicedesk@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 382233
ICT Services		ictschools@buckscc.gov.uk	01296 383500
Legal Services		tradedservices@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 382 094
Liaison Group Meetings	Hazel David & Gemma Thorp	Hazel.david@buckinghamshire.gov.uk Gemma.thorp@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	07824 482570 & 07890 395017
New Headteacher Support	Hazel David	basl@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	07824 482570
Moderation EYFS	Claire O’Connell	Claire.oconnell@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 387037
Phonics Screening and Primary Moderation	Lucy Kent	lucy.kent@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	07795 475629
Statutory Data Collections	Sarah Sewell	Sarah.sewell@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 382640
Property Services	John Collins	John.collins@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 383 238
PSHE Support & Public Health	Carol Stottor	Carol.stottor@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	07785 592868
SACRE	Rosalind Burch	Rosalind.burch@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	07815 023944
Safeguarding	Duty line	Secure-esasduty@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 387981
Safeguarding in Employment	Anna Falek	Anna.falek@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01494 732155
SchoolsWeb		tradedservices@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 382 094
School Broadband	George McGowan	George.mcgowan@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 387070
School Commissioning	Paula Campbell Balcombe	Paula.campbell-balcombe@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 382896
School Finance	Jonathan Carter	financeservicedesk@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 382222
School Improvement		sis@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 383030
School Swimming	Zoe Rodgers	swimming@ahs.bucks.sch.uk	01296 388222
Secondary Support	Georgina Masefield	Georgina.masefield@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	07864 992894
Social Care		familyinfo@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 383293
Special School Support	Kerry Lidgett	Kerry.lidgett@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	07379 446486
Traded Services		tradedservices@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 382 094
The Virtual School		thevirtualschool@buckinghamshire.gov.uk	01296 387047

View the full list of acronyms here