28 November 2024 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

A relatively quiet week, though on Monday Abigail Kit, Deputy Director of Children’s Services, NHS Kent and Medway and I presented to circa 100 participants at an event organised by the Council for Disabled Children. This national webinar was an opportunity to share our learning from our SEND improvement journey.

My main focus this week has been on planning the next steps of the Special School Review following last week’s endorsement of the proposals by Children and Young People’s Cabinet Committee and for the Schools Funding Forum which is taking place on Monday 2nd December.

The SEK Green Schools Award

Congratulations to Dartford Science and Technology College (DSTC) for their outstanding commitment to fostering a legacy of sustainability! We are thrilled to celebrate their efforts toward creating a more eco-conscious environment within the educational sector.

I am proud to announce that DSTC has been selected as the winner of the 2024 Social Enterprise Kent (SEK) Green Schools Award. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional work they have accomplished through their Eco Project, which has not only transformed various aspects of the school site but also set an inspiring example for other educational institutions to follow. Through their dedication and innovation, DSTC has truly demonstrated what it means to be a leader in sustainability!

And finally …

A number of people have remarked I haven’t included something about what I’m up to outside of work for a while. That is because work has dominated my life for a while now but this week, I had a bit of a panic as I am decorating and lighting up advent windows from the 1st and 2nd of December and that is very, very soon!  As usual, my aspiration considerably outstrips my technical expertise, but I am pleased to say it is all systems go for a Santa and Christmas stockings combo for the 1st and a nativity with plenty of angels for the 2nd of December. This weekend we will be getting the tree up and so on ready for the first Christmas dinner on Sunday 8th.  Sadly, I will not have the chance to see my grandson during Christmas itself, so we have decided to celebrate a bit ahead of time, something which I am very much looking forward to.

Have a great weekend

Best wishes

Christine McInnes
Director of Education and SEN