We have reached the end of term and what a busy one this has been!

Beginning with our Annual Conference at Dunston Hall and a speech in the House of Commons from Clive Lewis, regarding the state of funding in Norfolk Schools. Followed by the Leadership Updates where in many cases we were able to hear first hand from some of our schools that were among the first in the country to experience the new Inspection Framework. We end on the high of Christmas plays, carol services and the sound of crackers being pulled echoing in schools around the county. 

The election has placed a pause on some of the work we were doing, and we are looking forward to renewing the conversations we were having with MPs and will keep you up to date in the new year. 

We hope you all enjoy a well earned rest and lots of time with loved ones over the festive period. 

Carol Dallas will be standing down as Co-Chair of Educate Norfolk Secondary at the end of this term. Jim Adams, CEO of Clarion Academy Trust will continue in his role as Co-Chair and if there isn't anyone who would like to stand as Carol's replacement, will take on the role as sole chair as we have had previously.

The role of Chair or Co-Chair includes:

- Monthly attendance at a Joint Chairs meeting with Chris Snudden

- Monthly attendance at the Educate Norfolk Executive Board (shared chairing duties)

- Termly attendance at the secondary Leadership Updates (shared chairing duties)

- Representing the Executive Board and Secondary Leaders on at least one other board    

- Monthly meeting with the Educate Norfolk Co-ordinator and Administrator. 

- Attendance at Headteacher Induction days (3 per year)

- Supporting secondary headteacher in any way appropriate. In the last 2 years this has meant working with Norfolk MP's, attending extrpodinary meetings with various people to address specific issues in a timely manner, working individually with headteachers that need peer support or signposting to approrpiate services.

As a Co-Chiar this is equivalent to half a day per week and as a sole Chair 1 day per week and is renumberated as such.

For further information or to apply please contact Carol, Jim or Kirsty. [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].

Applications for the post should be up to a side of A4 explaining why you would be interested in taking on the post. These should be sent to Kirsty by 9am January 15th 2020. These will then be reviewed by the Executive Board that day. If more than one applcation is received we will open up voting to secondary members.      

Each month our Executive Committee members for primary and secondary represent you on a large number of boards and committees across the county. We will include feedback from these meetings here, (where permitted), as well as use this as a space to garner your opinion on any matters arising to feedback. 

Norfolk Area SEND Multi-Agency (NASMA) Steering Group Meeting - attended by Teresa Doggett, Headteacher at Blofield Primary on 28th November 2019

Please find feeback from this meeting by clicking this link

Schools Forum Meeting - attended by Sarah Shirras, Headteacher at St Williams Primary on 28th November 2019

Please find feedback from this meeting by clicking this link

We are looking for a Secondary Headteacher to represent Educate Norfolk on the Capital Priorities Group. 

The purpose of the group is to assist in the scrunitinisation and development of capital expenditure projects for schools.

This group has a meeting once every few months at County Hall, Norwich. Please see dates and times of the meetings for next year below.

Wednesday 29^th January 2020. 9am – 12pm

Tuesday 24^th March 2020.  2pm – 5pm

Monday 18^th May 2020.  9am – 12pm

Wednesday 15^th July 2020.  9am – 12pm

Wednesday 23^rd September 2020.  9am – 12pm

Wednesday 25^th November 2020.  9am – 12pm

If you are interested in being a representive or would like further information regarding the Capital Priorities Group please email [email protected]

At the South School Network Event in November, a presentation on Contextual Safeguarding was given. 

Contextual Safeguarding is an approach to understanding, and responding to, Young People’s experiences of significant harm beyond their families. It recognises that the different relationships that Young People form in their neighbourhoods, schools and online can feature violence and abuse. Parents and carers have little influence over these contexts, and Young People’s experiences of extra-familial abuse can undermine parent-child relationships.

Please take the opportunity to view this presentation and to share it with your DSL's. 

Book onto our Spring Leadership Updates held in February and March 2020.

Our key partners include the Local Authority, Health, Police and other local and national providers in the education sector, including Ofsted and the Regional Schools Commissioner's office. Agenda items focus on strategic school leadership and management, providing an overview of the current landscape and signposting to relevant services, as well as having frequent opportunities to feed into and help design and develop programmes for across the county.     

Not only are these meetings a fantastic opportunity to receive information and ask questions they are an excellent opportunity to share with and support your colleagues from across the county.

Secondary Spring Leadership Update -  4th March 2020, 8.15am to 11am (with refreshments)

Location - Wensum Valley Hotel, Golf and Country Club, Beech Avenue, Taverham, Norwich, NR8 6HP 

Primary Spring Leadership Update -  Due to the number of primary leaders, we currently offer this in 4 different locations; 

Central - Wensum Valley Hotel and Golf Club, Beech Avenue, Taverham, Norwich, NR8 6HP - 26th February 2020

North - Holt Hall, Kelling Road, Holt, NR25 6RT  - 28th February 2020

East - Great Yarmouth Racecourse, Jellicoe Rd, Great Yarmouth, NR30 4AU - 6th March 2020

West - The Dukes Head Hotel, 5-6 Tuesday Market Place, King's Lynn, PE30 1JS - 10th March 2020

(All primary meetings are 1pm - 3.30pm with refreshments)

We had a high volume of bookings for our Autumn Leadership Updates, closing bookings for some venues as they reached capacity. Unfortunately, attendance did not reflect the bookings. We understand you may need to cancel, please can you email or telephone us as soon as possible if the need arises, so your place can be taken by someone else. On booking a confirmation email is sent to you, now followed by a reminder a week in advance. 

To book on a Leadership Update Click here to book

We are now fully booked for the 2 courses we are putting on in January and March 2020.

As this course has proven very popular, we have organised a third date which will be on 7th July and 9th July 2020. We are currently securing a venue at a school located in the West of Norfolk, if you are able to offer your school for these dates it would be appreciated.

Once we have confirmed the venue we will advertise on our website and open up the bookings!

Look out for this in January as their is a maximum of 16 attendees on a course.