14 November 2025 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

Opening of The Point, new facilities at The Oaks Specialist College

I was delighted to attend the opening of a new facility for young people with physical disabilities at The Oaks Specialist College in Tonbridge. This post 16 provider for young people with SEND is successful in securing employment for 66% of it’s leavers but up until now limitations in the buildings meant that they were unable to admin students that required specialist facilities or equipment such as hoists. Once the permissions and finances were organised, the building took a remarkable eight months to complete and has already started admitting students contributing to the KCC vision of local education opportunities for pupils and students with complex needs close to home. Many people contribute to these events but I am just going to pick out Gordon Tillman, CEO and Roz Leach, the Principal, for a big thank you for their warm welcome. More information and a short film are available below:

• KCC article
• Short film

Headteacher Briefings

Thank you for those of you that have attended the four headteacher briefings this term and to Ofsted colleagues for attending all four briefings. I hope you found the content, discussion and opportunities to talk to Ofsted inspectors helpful. A number of Kent schools are being inspected this term as part of the piloting of the new framework, so thank you for those colleagues that volunteered and for those of you that are undergoing training in the new framework.

We were delighted to welcome Dame Christine Lenehan to two of the briefings. Dame Christine is Strategic Advisor on special educational needs and disabilities to the DfE’s SEND inclusion in education expert group and updated us on the SEND White Paper, now due in the Spring of 2026.

Please find the presentation slides from our presenters Dame Christine Lenehan and Ofsted from the November 2025 headteacher briefings (PDF, 2.5 MB).

Mark Vickers OBE and Chief Executive of Olive Academies Trust is a member of this group as well as Ofsted’s adviser on Inclusion and will be speaking at the next lunchtime leadership lounge, please see below to book a place.

Lunchtime leadership lounge - Tuesday 25 November 2025

Mark Vickers OBE will be my next guest on the lunchtime leadership lounge on Tuesday 25 November from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. You can register using the link below.

Register for the lunchtime leadership lounge

Kent Fostering and Kinship Service Awards Ceremony

I am really appreciating the opportunity my interim role brings to find out more detail about the work of the other side of Children’s Services and I was delighted to attend this amazing event with approximately 250 Foster and Kinship carers from the Kent system. This year there were 359 nominations recognising foster carers, special guardians, supported homes hosts and staff who go above and beyond.

We are as a KCC system committed to supporting children and young people to achieve their potential and thrive, but sadly we know there are many youngsters who experience significant barriers and are more surviving than thriving. Schools and settings play a really critical role in supporting these children and young people but this event was to recognise the people who open their homes, their families and their hearts. I for one really welcome Josh McAlister’s social care reforms that are enshrining love in policy documents for the first time ever I think. The nominations talked about love a lot and it is through these daily acts of love that small miracles can happen and lives are transformed. I can only imagine how difficult it was for the judges to agree on the winners.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the KCC staff involved in this work. Generally the only time social care is referenced in the media is when something goes wrong, but the care going on in the system day in day out never is - so a big thank you to all the staff involved in this important work.

You may not be aware but numbers of foster carers have reduced significantly which means though numbers of children in care have decreased more are being placed in children’s homes and other provision. We are having a big drive on recruiting foster carers and would very much appreciate you highlighting the link for Foster for Kent to your school community and beyond. If you would like any materials such as leaflets please do let me know and we can arrange for these to be brought to your school or setting.

And finally...

The last two months have felt like family McInnes have been going all out to ensure we are getting value for money from the National Health Service. Not me I hasten to add, my job was driving, visiting, moral support, administering meds etc, but one member who has chronic leukaemia had a heart valve replacement and pacemaker, one member had blood pressure over 200 and needed immediate treatment and one member had a suspected throat abscess and glandular fever. So, it has been busy to say the least. The quality of care has been exemplary and we are all very grateful. So this is a big shout out to anyone who works for the NHS a huge thank you for your work and please pass this thanks on if members of your family or friends do.

With best wishes

Christine McInnes
Interim Corporate Director, Children, Young People and Education