22 November 2024 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

Headteacher briefings

Thanks to those of you that have attended the headteacher briefings – we have had record numbers which is great. We are currently planning the spring meetings which will include a session on behaviour at your request and the summer meetings where we would like to include a session celebrating school collaborations. If you are interested in sharing your practice at either of these please do let me know.

SEND funding model consultation is now live

I know we have a shared belief that every child and young person deserves the best education and care, and we are committed to making this a reality in Kent. Getting the funding right is critical to the next steps and thank you to the very many of you who have generously contributed your time and suggestions to the development of this proposal. Your observations, guidance and support has been invaluable.  
The funding proposal supports the establishment of Communities of Schools, our journey towards reducing bureaucracy and giving more autonomy to education leaders, as well as supporting the development of greater collective responsibility for local children and young people.
Please visit SEN School Funding Consultation - KELSI for further information.

Key meetings attended

This week I reported to Corporate Board (which comprises Cabinet and Corporate Directors) on SEND developments, to Kent and Medway CYP Programme Board on the Special School Review, to the SEND Transformation Board on project updates and I attended the Children and Young People’s and Education (CYPE) Cabinet Committee. The CYPE Cabinet Committee papers can be found here. 
This week was also the last meeting of the SEND Improvement and Assurance Board which was established specifically to monitor and evaluate our progress in achieving the 116 projects which comprised the Accelerated Progress Plan put in place following the last SEND inspection. The meeting included an opportunity to reflect on the achievements over the lifetime of the Board to inform national development work. The new governance structure was agreed, Graham Razey CEO of the East Kent College Group has agreed to take up the role of the independent chair and we are taking the bold step of recruiting members to the new SEND Partnership Board.
Look out for the recruitment pack – we are looking for some really enthusiastic, committed colleagues with a range of experience who will challenge and support the SEND system as a whole on the next stage of the improvement journey. The DfE and NHSE representatives will not be members on the new Board and political oversight will take place through the quarterly reports to the Scrutiny Committee.

Pathways for All Sector Wide Conversation 2 Shaping the Post-16 System in Kent: No young person left behind
Pathways for All Shaping the Post-16 System in Kent:  No young person left behind
3 December 2024, 8 for 8.30am-1pm at the Darwin Conference Suite, Darwin College, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NY.
Please book your place by completing this short booking form.

Following the success of last year’s event, work across the county is moving quickly but there remains much to do. Join us this year and contribute to shaping the landscape for all young people, particularly those the system often fails. Key Note Speakers include Sammy Wright, author of ‘Exam Nation’ and Kevin Gilmartin, ASCL Post-16 Specialist.

And finally…

Quick data update

• In October 76.9% of EHCPs were completed within time and the latest Quality Assurance by DfE  of plans found 83% to be of high quality
• Nationally the Tribunal upholds 96% of the appeals it hears in favour of the appellant but the average upheld in their entirety  in Kent over 2022-2024
• Although we have seen an increase in suspensions overall, there has been a decrease in PEX compared to this time last year (19 down to 14).

Great work going on across the county!
Enjoy your weekend

Christine McInnes
Director of Education and SEN