Dates for 2020/21 Headteacher & Governor Updates
As we continue to be in uncertain times, we have 3 dates, two of which are taking an optimistic view that larger group meetings might be possible by spring. These update dates are:
- Autumn 2020
Monday 30 November – 2 x webinars with an evening one at 5 pm for governors. Register online here.
Agenda items to include:- Hertfordshire perspective,
- HR updates,
- Safeguarding updates.
- Spring 2021
Wednesday 17 March – Hatfield (Governors), and - Summer 2021
Thursday 17 June – Hatfield (Governors).
Read about previous updates here.
Upcoming Events March – June 2019
The upcoming months see three events of interest for School Governors with two Teacher Recruitment Fairs and another Headteachers & Governors Update. This article also contains downloads and useful links from the Spring Update.
Teacher Recruitment Events
Two more Herts Teacher Recruitment Fairs are planned this year: Continue reading
The Future for MATs
In order to help schools rise to the challenge of the MAT and shared efficiency agenda, Herts for Learning is hosting a MAT forum on the morning of 12th March. Aimed at senior leadership and governance colleagues, whatever your position in the MAT or Federation journey, for those considering and for those already in established MATs. Continue reading
Recruiting School Governors
Andrew Doran attended an HfL course a while ago and, building on his experience of this course, has written the following illuminating article about how he went about recruiting. This article has been reposted with permission; Andrew often posts commentary, random thoughts (such as this humdinger “Does the Friendly Giant really need the prefix ‘Big’? Isn’t that just a given? “), and Continue reading
MATs, the future of your school?
This conference, taking place at the Fielder Centre, Hatfield, on 28th February, explores MATs (Multi-Academy Trusts), and the choices available. It is targeted at school leaders and governors who are looking for support and advice on how to secure the future of their school.
The conference, from Herts for Learning, will provide guidance for schools and academies that are currently working through the options available and are thinking of either establishing their own MAT or looking to join an existing MAT. This one‑day event, featuring Martin Post, Regional Schools Commissioner, as keynote speaker, will provide the opportunity to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option and to find out the support available. As a summary, this conference will equip leaders with the right amount of information to move forward and enable the right decisions to be made.
Book or find out more
It really helps you to grasp an understanding of the component parts that need to be considered in deciding which way to go.
To book a place at this important event, go to booking.hertsforlearning.co.uk and use the conference code 16SBM/042A.
Alternatively, please contact Jasmine Smith-Taylor for further information at:
- jasmine.smith-taylor@nullhertsforlearning.co.uk or
- call 01438 845731.
Procurement & Fraud Workshop
As the funds available to schools reduce, it is even more important to make correct procurement decisions to ensure best value. The first part of the Procurement & Fraud Workshop aims to share ground rules and give tips Continue reading
Upcoming Training & Briefing Sessions
HfL are running a number of sessions that might prove of interest to Governors in the coming months, with topics including Fraud Prevention, Mediation & SEND Inspections.
Fraud Prevention for Schools
Taking place in the Hilton, Watford on 18th May and then again Continue reading
Free School Governor Dashboard Webinar from FFT Aspire
Due to demand, an extra FFT Governor Dashboard webinar has been added to the autumn term series of free webinars. Education data specialists, FFT, are set to host the online event for school governors on Tuesday 13 October at 2pm.
The FFT Governor Dashboard, has been developed in partnership with the National Governors’ Association and the Wellcome Trust, and is now available through FFT Aspire, FFT’s new reporting and data tool for schools, local authorities and academy trusts.
All subscribing schools can download the Governor Dashboard from FFT Aspire, and share it easily with governors. Alternatively, governors can be provided with their own account, giving access to not only the Governor Dashboard but also a range of other information to aid their ‘support and challenge’ role.
Through a simple, six-page dashboard, governors can see how their school attainment and pupil progress compares to the national average, how it performs in different subjects, and whether any specific groups of pupils are under-performing, making it the ideal overview for planning towards Ofsted and Estyn inspections too.
The online events which last for thirty minutes will allow you to interact with webinar hosts and presenters by asking questions. FFT Managing Director Paul Charman says:
The great thing about the online sessions is that you can log on from anywhere – your own school, workplace or home – without the need of an outside venue.
The free webinar: FFT Overview for School Governors takes place on October 13, at 2pm.
To book a place on the free webinar please visit http://bit.ly/Governorwebinar.
Training Times – Anniversary Competition
The first anniversary edition of Training Times published by Herts for Learning arrives in Hertfordshire schools during w/c 20th April 2015 and can be viewed online through the following link http://bit.ly/TT-AprMay15 or clicking the picture.
To gauge how useful you have found the paper in its first year and to hear governors’ and teachers’ suggestions for improvement, HfL have created a short online survey suitable for all school staff to complete.
The survey can be found by clicking the link http://bit.ly/TT-Survey2015, or scanning the QR code.
HfL is giving away a bumper hamper of goodies for one randomly selected entering school – the winner will be announced in June. No limitations on entries per school. Link to survey also found on front page of this edition.
This edition also includes:
- teacher recruitment – the HfL recruitment fair and what’s next,
- new online resources added to subscription service,
- Parent2Parent ® – how can you help your parents in supporting their child’s learning?
- the Early Years reception baseline,
- news from primary and secondary schools across the county.
Extra copies or feedback?
If your chair of governors would like to receive extra copies for the governing body please get in touch. We welcome any feedback or content suggestions for future editions.
Please contact our journalist Jessica Broadbent at jessica.broadbent@nullhertsforlearning.co.uk with your feedback or if you would like your school to be included.
Training Times – Post Election – where now for education?
The June edition of Training Times is now in schools, with a spotlight on the general election and Herts for Learning’s Schools’ (HfL) HR team. The online version can be found at:
- http://bit.ly/TT-June15 (or click the picture)
This HfL monthly newspaper has something for governors and staff based in schools, whether looking for a little light reading on current educational news or for courses to further your professional development.
This edition includes:
- HfL governor roadshows –
6th, 9th, 15th, 27th & 29th June; - General election 2015 – where now for education?
“This month HfL spoke with some of Hertfordshire’s leaders to hear their impact of the result for schools.” - Schools’ HR – how can this team support you?
“The Schools’ HR advisory service provides specialist professional advice and support for headteachers and governors on all aspects of employment law.” - Research from HfL’s new Education Policy and Practice Intern, Jasleen Dhillon-
Analysis of Finnish education; - Hertfordshire schools’ news and much more!
If your Chair of governors would like to receive extra copies for the governing body please get in touch. HfL welcome any feedback or content suggestions for future editions. Please contact their Journalist Jessica Broadbent at jessica.broadbent@nullhertsforlearning.co.uk with your feedback or if you would like your school to be included.