25 October 2024 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

KCC integrated social care awards

This week I was really pleased to be invited to join children’s social care colleagues at their annual conference and award ceremony. The national contact and direction of travel was presented by Isabelle Trowler CBE, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families. The second keynote speaker was Yvette Stanley, Ofsted's National Director for Social Care who gave an interesting and engaging presentation on the dilemmas for Ofsted in making judgements which are truly child focused when the options are the least worst choice rather than the best choice. It is fantastic that we are able to secure two speakers with such national influence just at a time that they are advising the new government on policy developments. Congratulations to all the award winners.

The education strategy consultation launches

Over the last couple of years we have been thinking and talking with you about what kind of overarching strategy would help us to work together as an education system more successfully. A big thank you to all who have contributed to the various discussion and focus groups. You may remember that at the Summer term headteacher briefings we set aside a session in response to your request for professional development for a facilitated session about the implications of a more school-led improvement system.

We received, in the main, very positive feedback about the session (when the tech worked - apologies to colleagues that attended the first session, where despite the best efforts of a strategically-placed gazebo, the slides were invisible. The draft strategy is built on partnership working to deliver an excellent education for Kent children and young people, with strong effective schools and system-wide cohesion.

The draft strategy aims to support an agreed Kent approach to supporting the development of ambition, curiosity and resilience in children and young people The draft strategy for the future of education in Kent 2025 to 2030 is now available and we will be talking further about this at the next HT briefing, so please do book your place now.

Headteacher briefings

The dates, times and locations for the briefings are as follows:

• Monday 11 November from 1pm to 4pm
  Ashford International Hotel, Simone Weil Avenue, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8UX

• Friday 15 November from 9am to 12noon
  The Inn on the Lake, 36 Lake Place, Hoylake, Kent DA12 3HB

• Monday 18 November from 9am to 12noon
  Mercure Great Danes Hotel, Ashford Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1RE

• Friday 22 November from 1pm to 4pm
  Darwin Conference Centre, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ

To book a place, please complete the booking form

School services review

The consultation on this has now closed and we will be taking recommendations to Cabinet Committee and there will be a further consultation through the Schools Funding Forum later this term. I encourage you to read the SFF consultation which will explain the options about future funding of a number of services for maintained schools.

And finally…

I know some schools have been on half term this week, but for those who have worked through the week I hope you have a well deserved break over half term. I’m helping to run a fundraising beer festival on Saturday and really looking forward to a Halloween themed day on Sunday with my grandson (12) and nephew (16) - too old for all that in some ways but actually no one is too old for lots of sweets (especially those really sour Haribos - though I know I shouldn’t be naming brands) as the boys find out when their dads keep raiding their stash!

Best wishes

Christine McInnes
Director of Education and SEN