23 September 2022 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

It has been a busy start to the term, particularly the last few days as we prepare for the Ofsted SEND revisit. We are keen for Ofsted to hear from education colleagues and well over 50 education leaders and SENCOs are involved in the process, many thanks to all of you that have provided evidence and are attending meetings.

Since the beginning of term I have visited four secondary schools - chief executive of the Endeavour Trust, Charlie Guthrie and headteacher Gavin Barnet kindly showed Ian Watts, AEO and I around the new Stone Lodge school. The leaders and staff have done a great job in developing a really settled school with a strong sense of community.

I was then really pleased to meet Dr Roland Speller, headteacher of The Abbey School, and have the opportunity look round, as well as to talk with staff and pupils. A big thank you for the warm welcome.

Finally, I spent a very pleasant and interesting afternoon in Sandwich and Deal last Friday, meeting with headteacher Tracy Savage and senior deputy Simon Sharples at Sandwich Technology School and then headteacher Simon Smith and his leadership team at Goodwin Academy. As always, it is invaluable to have the opportunity to hear school views and a big thank you to all for their generosity and time.

Secondary colleagues and other education providers will be aware that we published our review into 16 to 19 provision, Pathways for All earlier this year. One of my first tasks on returning from leave was to participate in a challenging recruitment process for an independent chair for the new Pathways for All board as the post generated a great deal of interest and a very strong field of applicants. The successful candidate, Dr Tony Breslin, will be chairing the first meeting next week. Congratulations to Tony on his appointment and we look forward to seeing the board driving work to implement the recommendations arising from the review.

I, along with more than 50% of people on the planet, watched Her Majesty’s funeral on Monday, and very moving it was too. Our sympathies are with the family and close friends as they adjust to their loss.

With best wishes

Christine McInnes
Director of Education