9 September 2022 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

I know you will join with KCC officers and members in offering the Royal family our condolences following the death of Her Majesty The Queen. This bulletin includes the most recent guidance from the DfE (PDF, 162.6 KB) as well as guidance from our Educational Psychology Service (PDF, 284.7 KB) and a statement from the Chairman of KCC. We will be issuing further advice as it becomes available.

Within KCC, I’m really pleased to let you know that Sarah Hammond has been confirmed as the new Corporate Director of Children’s Services. Sarah is taking up leadership at a time of really significant challenge and she will be sharing her vision and priorities with you in the near future. Sarah is keen to engage with schools and education settings and has already started visiting schools.

I was really pleased to visit Northfleet School for Girls on Thursday 18 August when students got their post 16 results and The Archbishop’s School on Thursday 25 August for GSCE results. It was great to have the opportunity to speak with students about their triumphs, concerns and aspirations for the future. Thank you to Chris Norwood and David Elliott and their teams for their welcome and time.

I don’t know about you, but the long, hot summer seems a long time ago already as we face the implications of rising costs and reducing bus services as children and young people returned to education settings. A big thank you to you and your teams for all the preparation that has been undertaken to ensure a smooth start to the term.

This week is also Kent test week, and 18,298 pupils in total registered for the test, an increase of 1,134 from last year. 11,923 Kent Pupils will take part with 6,375 from out of county schools. We have seen a further significant increase in requests for special arrangements this year, with 927 submissions, an increase of 167 from last year. Following the conclusion of the test, Fair Access will undertake marking and standardisation processes, with results to be shared with families on Tuesday 18 October. This is a significant logistical exercise and I want to take this opportunity to thank both the officers and the headteachers involved in making it a success.

With all best wishes

Christine McInnes
Director of Education