7 February 2025 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

We are committed to ensuring the KELSI website provides you with the best possible user experience and access to the information you need. To help us achieve this goal, your feedback is invaluable. We encourage you to take a few moments to complete this short feedback form, allowing us to understand your needs and identify areas for improvement. Your insights will directly contribute to making KELSI an even more helpful and effective resource for everyone.

Community of schools
Thank you to all school leaders who have worked with the Local Authority in the last few weeks. The first meeting of the Community chairs was held where operational guidance and terms of reference were discussed and amended. The last few checks are taking place for conflicts of interest and it is intended to publish the chairs list after half term.

Working groups of school leaders are continuing to develop the Continuum of Need and Provision and this is another opportunity to highlight the dedication and innovation in our schools which provide for the children of Kent. The working groups have a tight schedule as it is planned to publish the final document in May 2025.

Finally, in the link, is a broad timeline of activity which needs to be completed before the end of the academic year as the local area moves to a new way of working. This timeline will sit on KELSI and will be updated regularly. There will be much to be added and amended over the coming months.

Post-16 Pathways for All review
As part of our continued work following the Post-16 Pathways for All review, the Board is looking for a couple of willing volunteers from schools with sixth forms to join one of the recommendation implementation groups. The group is concentrating on recommendation 7: Learning From Lockdown, and will have a very strong focus on technology, both in and outside the classroom, to help address some of the current challenges facing the sector. They will be exploring models for remote and blended delivery and/or engagement with students, the use of AI, and the way in which learning platforms can be integrated into the student experience. If you are doing something innovative in this space, or want to in the future, they would welcome your involvement. The group is currently chaired by Jim Mawby from MidKent College, who are already looking at developing some of these opportunities for students. If you are interested, please contact Michelle Stanley at pathwaysforall@kent.gov.uk

Best wishes