Latest News

February Letter from the Chair of Governors

Thu 11 Feb 2021 Clare Mills

11 February 2021

Dear Parents, Carers and Families,

May I begin by thanking all of you for your resilience and support during this difficult year. I know that many of our children across the Federation have missed so much time at school and you have had to shoulder the burden of supporting their learning remotely whilst often having to pursue your own work commitments and care of other family members at the same time. Let us hope that the vaccine will mean that our schools can open fully again in March and that our Staff and Students can enjoy a more normal learning environment.

Another reason for my contact is to keep you up to date with some important changes within the Leadership of the Federation.

Mrs Julie Fardell has decided to tender her resignation and retire back to her homeland in Australia at the end of this academic year. It has been a tough year for her and throughout personal tragedy and a global pandemic she has kept smiling and delivered an exceptional level of leadership and direction for all of our stakeholders.

The Board of Governors is now faced with the difficult task of recruiting a new Executive Head Teacher to lead the Federation and continue the excellent work that Julie has done.

We hope to recruit for September to avoid disruption for students or staff and have already begun the process following extra-ordinary meetings of the Board and have a team of Governors driving the process.

I would like to thank the Governors, on your behalf, for all of the extra time they have given and will give to ensure that we make the right appointment.

Should this letter cause you to have questions or if you wish to raise any concerns I can be contacted by email

c.mills@victoria.bham.sch.uk

We continue to work on your behalf to achieve the very best we can for all of our children.

Regards,

Clare Mills BA. Hons, PCGE, NPQH.

Chair of Governors.

ONLINE SURVEY - Experiences of Young People aged 16-24 during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Mon 08 Feb 2021

Are you aged between 16 and 24, and living in Birmingham? Birmingham City Council has launched an online survey to find out from young people how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected your life – focusing on the impact on your mental health, personal finances and plans for the future. All answers are anonymous, and will help us to make sure that young people get the services and support they need to succeed. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win £500!

Fill out the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BCCYouthSurvey2021

The survey closes on 18^th February.

New COVID Varaiant found in Frankley Great Park and south Northfield

Thu 04 Feb 2021 Julie Fardell

We have been advised that the South African Variant of COVID has been found in Frankley Great Park and south Northfield, However, critical workers are permitted to attend work.

People aged over 18 and living in these areas are strongly encouraged to get a PCR test done at one of the testing centres in the area eg: St Modwen at Longbridge. You do not need an appointment. For further information, please go to:

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/news/article/805/extra_testing_in_frankley_great_park_and_parts_of_south_northfield_due_to_covid-19_variant

Parent Survey for Home Learning

Tue 02 Feb 2021

After our first half term of running blended learning (teaching to students at home and in school) we would now like to get your feedback on how you are finding supporting home learning for your child(ren). We value all the hard work our families have been doing with regards to home learning and will use your feedback to review what we do as a school.

The survey can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScf6LM5zFPyKPjLfpReK6AkPUIL7gINSKg7RDRjngtYnJLdow/viewform?usp=sf_link

Birmingham and Solihull Virtual Careers Fair: Thursday 4th March 2021

Tue 02 Feb 2021

Birmingham and Solihull Hubs are launching a joint virtual careers fair on Thursday 4th March. This is targeted at young people in schools and colleges, NEET young people and parents.

It will showcase the opportunities and pathways available for young people in this region.

There will be zones for HE/ FE/ Providers / Employers and we are encouraging all of them to ensure they also promote opportunities and resources for SEND students.

There will also be an auditorium where there will be videos about CV’s, skills and applications. etc.

In addition, a ‘live chat’ facility will also be available for students – the site can then be accessed for the information until the end of the school year.

Please see the link below to register for the event

https://www.birminghamsolihullcareersfair.co.uk/

QAC Virtual Open Day - Thursday 25th February 2021

Thu 28 Jan 2021 Andrew

We are pleased to inform you that our next Virtual Open Day event will be taking place on Thursday 25th February 2021, 10am - 12pm.

Using the Zoom video platform, we will be delivering a series of short presentations and videos for potential students and their families to discover more about QAC. Students, families and carers will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about College life, the wide range of study programmes on offer, residential provision and the various support services that are in place.

For further information about our upcoming event and how to book please visit our website https://www.qac.ac.uk/events/qac-virtual-open-day--thursday-25th-february-2021/775.htm#.YBK8dej7TIV

For further information please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing enquiries@qac.ac.uk or calling 0121 803 5484.

Community Section of Website Updated

Wed 27 Jan 2021

Hi Everyone, Just to let you know the Community section of the website has been updated today.

Thanks

Simple and Tasy Luch Ideas

Tue 26 Jan 2021 Change 4 Life

Lockdown lunches and meal plans

Change4Life have created recipes and shopping lists for families which can be used to create lunches for around £15 each week. Please share this information with your parents/carers.

https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/recipes/lunch/cheap-lockdown-lunch-ideas

Victoria School OPEN Tuesday 26 January 2021

Mon 25 Jan 2021 Julie Fardell

The site has been cleared today and will be gritted later this afternoon so we will be open again tomorrow, Tuesday 26 January 2021.

Please exercise extreme caution when driving and walking onsite.

Travel Assist Improvement Consultation

Tue 19 Jan 2021 Faye Higgins

At the start of the academic term the Travel Assist service, a critical resource for families to ensure children can get to school, failed to deliver on its objectives.

At City Council on 15 September 2020, the Council asked the Chief Executive to launch an independent inquiry into the Travel Assist service. The purpose of this inquiry was to identify and understand the underlying root causes of the performance issues and set out what needs to be done to improve the service on a sustainable basis. The City Council commissioned Ernst & Young LLP, an organisation with a decade of experience of working with local authorities and transforming services to undertake this inquiry to provide us with an independent view on what needs to change and why.

This is a critical service supporting children and their families in accessing education. As a Council we are committed to a transparent and open dialogue with key stakeholders about how we are performing and what we can do better.

Following a session on the 24^th November where EY presented the findings of the report to parents and carers, we would therefore like to invite you to further consultation sessions where around the service and report that will be published in an addendum to the report. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, provide further comments, and to help shape our next steps.

The sessions will take place over Zoom on the following dates, please click the links to book your place and invites will be sent out closer to the date to access the meeting: