4 February 2022 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

I will start with a quick update on ventilation and Covid-19 from the DfE.

‘"Good ventilation is important in reducing transmission of COVID-19, but it doesn’t mean that pupils need to be cold. When CO2 monitors indicate good ventilation, there is no need to keep windows fully open at all times. Opening windows regularly for ten minutes, or keeping them open just by a small amount, can still reduce the airborne risk from COVID-19 substantially compared to spaces with no fresh air.’"

Further information from the DfE and Health and Safety Executive can be seen following these links

• DfE Blog
• HSE resources
• Balancing ventilation and keeping warm
• Ventilation and CO2 monitoring for schools video

This week saw the publication of the much anticipated Levelling Up White Paper, I’m sure we all welcome the stated ambition that it will deliver "a moral, social and economic programme for the whole of government."

I will be looking out with particular interest for the moral reform the policy brings. I think we could do with a levelling up of moral standards to match the moral standards expected in schools, as well a few more positive adult role models on the national stage.

With the focus on the North and the Midlands, Kent will not directly benefit from the big investments but the Secretary of State, Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi MP Secretary of State for Education, has written to the Director of Children’s Services (PDF, 196.6 KB) to outline the relevance to education policy, upcoming opportunities and ambitious new education targets.

It has been a very busy half term. I know that many of you are still struggling to manage staffing and having to teach, so I’m sure the break can’t come soon enough!

A quick reminder of two events next week - The Headteacher Briefings on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 February from 2pm to 4pm. The agenda has been developed in response issues raised by headteachers and the key focus is updating on SEND, together with a school budget update from Karen Stone. The need to improve communication is consistently raised and so I very much hope you will welcome the Who’s who in KCC SEND document as a first step. This will be updated for the next academic year.

On Thursday 10 February from 10am to 11am, secondary headteachers are invited to an update and discussion on two local transition year models being developed in the Post 16 sector, with Dr Philip Chan of the Kent and Medway Medical School and Nick Holbrook Sutcliffe of EKC sharing their work.

This week I visited The Beacon Walmer annex with Cabinet members Shellina Prendergast, Sue Chandler and Peter Oakford. A big thank you to Ade Young and his team for their time.

Mark Walker and I also met with a group of primary headteachers from Tunbridge Wells to discuss SEND challenges and how to develop a closer working alliance between KCC and schools.

And finally, a lovely clip of Kent County Council Sir Linkalot competition prize-giving supported by Reconnect. Enjoy!

Best wishes

Christine McInnes
Director of Education