See here for the latest news and updates

• Be Empowered Workshops

  Mon 24 May 2021 Victoria School

  The First Face to Face workshop since the start of the Covid19 Pandemic

  Every Wednesday 10am – 2pm (for 6 weekly sessions)
  Starting Wed 9th June

  At The Oak Centre @ St Michaels Church, 17 Redstone Farm Road, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 9NU

   

  We warmly invite you to a series of workshops that have been written by and are led by trainers who are parent/carers of a child with additional needs themselves.
  These workshops are for parent/carers of children and young people of any age, with any additional need, following diagnosis. They are an attempt to support parent/carers through times of change and at whatever stage of the journey participants may find themselves.

   

  Click here to download the booking form

  

• Governors' News Letter - Summer term 1, 2021

  Thu 20 May 2021 Clare Mills

   

   

   

  The Governors’ Newsletter

   

  You spoke, we listened!

  Thank you to all of you who took part in the Communication Survey put out by Lisa Wootton recently.

  Lisa is the elected Parent Governor for Cherry Oak and is also our Stakeholder Governor. We have been working together to see how we can improve communication with our families and ensure that you feel more involved with your child’s or young person’s education. The results will be shared with Senior Leaders and where we can make improvements, we will do all we can to get things right for you.

  One of the areas you said you would like more information on was about Governors. You felt that you didn’t know who we were and what we do. To respond to this request, I will ensure that you receive an update from me every half term.

  I will include a list of the visits we have made to school, what we have been monitoring and give a more detailed description of one of the roles covered by one of our Governors to give you a better idea of the role that we play in the strategic direction of the Federation.

  We do have a Governors’ Page on each of the School websites which gives an outline of how we have organised our Board, what each committee does and photographs and short biographies of all our members. I would suggest that you have a look at this if you wish to know more about us and you will find out how to contact us should you wish to. I have also added the general job description of a school governor and some of the specialist roles that our governors hold. I hope that this will give you a clearer idea of how governance is managed on your behalf.

   

   

     Working together for success

   

  What have we been doing this half term?

  Most of our work this half term has been centred around the recruitment and appointment of the new Executive Head Teacher for September.

  We held a number of extraordinary meetings to look at the best way forward for the Federation and set up a working group to oversee the recruitment and elected a panel of experienced governors to conduct the final interview and propose the most suitable candidate to the full board for their approval. We also engaged the services of an external Human Resources advisor as is required for a post of this level.

  Almost all of the governors were involved over the three days of interview where we gave tasks and tests to establish the candidates’ qualifications, qualities and skills needed for the role. On the final day the candidates were required to present to the panel on their vision for the future of the Federation and were subjected to in depth questions from the Panel.

  The successful candidate was unanimously agreed upon and the Full Board ratified the decision in a special meeting that evening, subject to all the necessary legal checks being completed successfully.

   

  The general work of the Governors has had to continue alongside this time consuming, but essential exercise.

   

  Safeguarding:  Mrs Sadie Bolton has carried out Safeguarding Checks at both schools to ensure that we are compliant with the law and that your children and young people are safe and happy at school.

  Buildings, Health and Safety: Safety walks have been undertaken to check both schools and to ensure the progress and provision of the maintenance plans in place.

  Pupil Progress: Mrs Ann Ellis has met with the leaders in charge of data and progress to ensure that your children and young people are making the progress expected of them. Pupil Premium spending has also been regularly scrutinised and the use of any catch-up funding provided by government for Covid-19. It is our job to ensure this money is being used to enhance the educational experiences of our most vulnerable pupils. I can safely say that extremely careful records are kept and the money is being used to provide extra help where it will have the most impact.

  Chair of Governor Visits: I visit both schools regularly, even through the Covid period. I meet with Julie Fardell and Ross Ashcroft to discuss any successes or concerns and to provide support where possible. I regularly visit classrooms and speak with staff during my visits and have kept a close eye on the welfare of students and staff during this difficult period.

   

  During this period obviously no special events are able to take place but pre Covid you would always have seen me and other governors attending Parents’ Evenings, shows and other occasions. You can recognise us by our badges and Governor lanyards.

  I hope this has been of some use to you and I am happy to receive suggestions via email of ideas for future newsletters. 

   

  If you speak, we can listen.  Please see this as a move towards a more open-door policy to your Board but please remember…

  If you have a concern about your child’s education you should always approach your school first and speak to the people who know you and your child’s needs. It is not the role of the Governing Board to be involved at a day to day level, we are here to ensure that when you do need support it is given according to our policies and upholds the mission and values of the Federation.

   

  Thank you so much for pointing out that you wanted more information and keep taking part in our surveys. They really do help us to help you.

   

  Clare Mills

  Clare Mills

  Chair of Governors

   

  Contact me:  Via email  c.mills@victoria.bham.sch.uk

                        In writing or by telephone via the school offices at Cherry Oak or Victoria.

   

   

   

   

   

• Compulsory attendance for the Summer term

  Fri 14 May 2021 Julie Fardell

  The following information has been received from the Department for Education today:

  Summer term attendance expectations for schools

  School attendance continues to be mandatory for all pupils and the usual rules on school attendance apply. This includes parents’ duty to ensure their child regularly attends school, and schools’ and local authorities’ ability to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices, for poor attendance.

  We expect schools and local authorities to continue to communicate clear expectations around attendance to families, identify pupils at risk of disengagement and develop plans to re-engage them.

  As restrictions begin to lift, we know some families may be looking to take holidays during term time. As usual, parents should plan their holidays around school breaks and avoid seeking permission to take their children out of school on holiday.

   

  Julie Fardell

  Executive Head Teacher

• Relaxation of COVID Guidance from 17 May 2021

  Tue 11 May 2021 Julie Fardell

  The latest COVID guidance, applicable from 17 May 2021, has now been issued.

   

  Given the increased vulnerability of learners at Victoria School and the fact that 2 asymptomatic cases have been identified among our younger pupils in the last 3 weeks, I am proposing to maintain our current COVID Risk Assessment strategies until the May half term. They will be reviewed in time for the return to school after the May half term.

   

  This means that even though the Government guidance has been relaxed, staff should continue to:

   

  Maintain 2 metre social distancing wherever possible

  Wear face coverings (unless exempt) when social distancing cannot be maintained indoors eg: when moving about the public areas of the school.

  Wear PPE (face mask, ,gloves, aprons) for all intimate care which requires close contact with pupils, eg: toileting, feeding

  Conduct and record at-home rapid result, asymptomatic (lateral flow) testing twice per week

  Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitiser 

  Observe respiratory hygiene - catch it - bin it - kill it

  Keep all indoor spaces well ventilated

  Clean surfaces frequently with S20 disinfectant

  Ensure children do not share resources or that they are cleaned between uses

  Clean the Softplay room after use.

  Keep classroom areas free of clutter to enable effective cleaning

  Keep soft toys and materials that cannot be laundered, out of the classroom

  Attend all large gatherings virtually eg: Staff Briefing, Assemblies, etc

  Minimise unnecessary movement around the school

  Provide remote education to those pupils who are staying at home on the advice of Public Health England

  Self isolate at home if they or a household member have COVID symptoms or have tested positive to COVID.

  Self isolate if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive to COVID.

   

  The enhanced cleaning schedule will remain in place until the end of the school year.

   

  Pupils aged 11 years and over MUST still war a face covering while travelling in dedicated school transport. If they wish to continue to wear a face covering at school, this will be encouraged but not mandated.

   

  At this point I am only asking you to continue with the current COVID risk assessment strategies for a further 2 weeks beyond the 17th may relaxation of Lockdown Guidance.

  Hopefully we can relax things further after the May half-term.

• Jump Start Online Activities

  Tue 11 May 2021

  Programme of (mostly) online activities for young people aged 14 – 30 with disabilities, autism or extra support needs in Birmingham

  ** New dates for May 2021 **

• Understanding Anxiety in Autistic Children - 2 free webinars for parents

  Fri 07 May 2021

  Please see attached 2 webinars for understanding anxiety in children with autism to be delivered by a teacher from the CAT Team.

   

  https://www.localofferbirmingham.co.uk/product/understanding-anxiety-in-autistic-children-2/

   

  https://www.localofferbirmingham.co.uk/product/understanding-anxiety-in-autistic-children/

• REMINDER - Communication Survey for Parents

  Tue 04 May 2021 Governors

  Our governing board are conducting a federation wide survey with parents and carers regarding home / school communication. Thank you to those who have already completed this.

  If you haven;t doen so already - the survey will take around 5 - 10 minutes to complete and will be completely anonymous. We really value your input and will use the results to make improvements to our communication so please complete honestly and accurately.

   

  Please follow this link:

  https://forms.gle/mj7chMn4drvc4veeA
  
  Many thanks.