7 October 2015 weekly update

Healthcare Needs in Schools

Following the enactment of the Children and Families Act 2014, the Department for Education issued Guidance on supporting pupils at school with medical conditions. 

Schools must have an effective policy (using the template on KELSI or an equivalent which is DfE compliant).  A recent review of Healthcare practice in Kent Special schools highlighted important issues and the attached guidance (PDF, 101.4 KB) aims to draw attention to the recommendations for all schools.

Healthcare plans need to be in place for pupils who have a diagnosed and assessed chronic medical condition which require personalised intervention from the staff at school during the school day, implemented in accordance with the details of the plan.  Parents will have a key role to play in drawing up and signing off a new Healthcare plan. They may need support to understand the details. 

Some pupils with a well-controlled medical condition may require regular administration of prescription medication from staff. These staff members should be specifically trained for this purpose from someone qualified to provide it.

Healthcare plans must be subject to regular review and updated accordingly. The school's policy should specify what the school will do when the child's needs or the staff working with them will change.

Arrangements for First Aid Emergencies

Any pupil (or indeed any employee) can experience a medical emergency without having a pre-existing and assessed medical condition, hence the requirement to have members of staff trained in first aid procedures and to ensure that there is a sufficient coverage for all school visits and other absences. The guidance attached was revised and published in September 2015.  

For more information please contact Julie.Ely@kent.gov.uk

The Commission on Assessment Without Levels

The Commission has produced advice and support for schools in developing new approaches to assessment following the removal of National Curriculum levels.

The Commission has focused on providing advice that will build understanding and expertise and will guide schools to develop effective new approaches to assessment. The report encourages schools to consider the purposes and principles of assessment and have the confidence to develop approaches that support pupil progress and are not time consuming or bureaucratic.  

Deregulation Act: Reduction of Burdens in Schools

The following provisions within the Deregulation Act 2015, Schedule 16 (Schools: Reduction of Burdens) will not be commenced.

Governing body - Written Statement of General Principles on Behaviour

The provision which removes the requirement on governing bodies of maintained schools, Pupil Referral Units and non-maintained Special schools in England to produce a written statement of general principles which the Headteacher must have regard to when setting out the school's behaviour policy will not be commenced. These governing bodies will still have to produce a written statement of general principles on behaviour. It is important for schools to have a behaviour policy and governing bodies should continue to set out in writing the principles on which the Headteacher should base that policy.

School Term Dates

The provision which gives the governing bodies of community, voluntary controlled, community Special schools, and maintained Nursery schools in England the responsibility for setting their own school term and holiday dates will not be commenced. These schools will not therefore be given the power to set their own term dates. For more information please contact elscdo@kent.gov.uk

Headteacher Briefings

Our main Headteacher briefings will take place on:

• Tuesday 24 November, 1.30 – 4.00 pm (Ashford International Hotel)
• Friday 27 November, 9.30 – 12.00 noon (The Mercure Hotel, Hollingbourne)

The agenda will include analysis of the 2015 results, our key priorities and service developments, consultation on a proposal to develop an Educational Trust in Kent for all our services and a new Strategy for Supporting Vulnerable Learners.

I hope you will be able to attend. To register a place at one of these, please email eypssupportteam@kent.gov.uk confirming your name and school, and the session you wish to attend.

Patrick Leeson