New Road Safety in Schools Team
We are pleased to announce that after a significant restructure the School Crossing Patrol Service and the Safe and Sustainable Journeys to School team have merged to form the Road Safety in Schools Team.
 More information
Monday 26th September 2016 |
Leading RE for the First Time – 7th October 2016 (rescheduled from 15th Sept)
For those teachers who have never leaded on RE before, you will evaluate the skills needed to be an effective subject leader. Using discussion, guidance and workshop activities, there will be a focus on leadership and management of the subject area, planning and resourcing, teaching and learning. Book online: Course code 16RED/004P
Monday 26th September 2016 |
Child Protection Policy – Important Information
The Child Protection School Liaison Team has decided to make a slight addition to the Child Protection Policy (September 2016). We are aware that some schools may have already agreed the current policy and are using it. Therefore after seeking advice from Governance we are issuing some guidance.
Child Protection Policy
Monday 26th September 2016 |
Myriad Project – Would you like to take part?
A national secondary school-based research project led by the University of Oxford. The project is investigating how schools prepare young people to manage their emotional health and improve their resilience during adolescence. Participation in the project would enable your school and, especially, your pupils to gain valuable insight into high-quality scientific research processes and will provide an opportunity for your pupils to see ‘research in action.’ More information
Friday 23rd September 2016 |
Hertfordshire primary school students are ‘Rocketing into the Future'
Hertfordshire County Council Youth Connexions primary school careers programme ‘Rocket into the Future’ supports schools in ensuring their students are prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of future life including secondary school. Over 30 schools across Hertfordshire have now taken part in Rocket into the Future workshops. There is a variety of sessions on offer for schools to choose from. Press release
Friday 23rd September 2016 |
HICS Procurement Update on the Hertfordshire Internet and Connectivity Service (HICS)
The new HICS service is nearly here! On the 12th September, HfL commenced the procurement process to identify a new provider of the network from 2017 onwards (this could be Updata or someone else). Schools, quite rightly, do not want to commit to a service without further details specifically around costs and service levels etc. More information
Friday 23rd September 2016 |
Mental Fluency in Mathematics
Mental fluency is the key to success and is so much more than just what pupils can hold in their heads. This new video, Mental Fluency in Mathematics, is one of the tools developed specifically to help schools consider the elements needed to embed this into their classrooms and ensure pupils approach their mathematics with confidence and flexibility. More information
Wednesday 21st September 2016 |
Letter regarding parents taking child out of school during term time
Jenny Coles, Director of Children’s Services has provided a standard letter which can be given to parents and carers to support the governing body and headteachers in communicating their decision to refuse a request to allow leave of absence for holidays in term time. Please ensure that you delete any locally saved copies of last year’s letter signed by Andrew Simmons and replace with this one. More information
Wednesday 21st September 2016 |
Penn Resilience Programme (PRP)
The PRP is 18 evidenced based lessons aimed at 11-14 year olds (although is applicable for older and younger age groups). The PRP teaches resilience skills in a practical, useful and relevant way, appropriate to the classroom and non-school settings. The highly regarded curriculum offers a set of skills that underpin the way your students will cope with setbacks and make the most of opportunities both in school and as life skills beyond school. More information
Wednesday 21st September 2016 |
County Councillor Visits to Schools
For the past few years, Hertfordshire County Council has been encouraging County Councillor visits to schools to celebrate Local Democracy Week. This is a national and European event that aims to raise awareness about the work of local authorities and encourage people to take part in local democracy. More information
Wednesday 21st September 2016 |
Ofsted Update – September 2016 Updated
Visit the Herts for Learning website to see a summary of the key changes for Ofsted inspections this term.
Wednesday 21st September 2016 |
School Administration; Working Towards Outstanding - 29th September 2016
This one day course will help participants to understand how to maximise the performance of their school admin teams. It focuses on developing leadership skills to improve the effectiveness of their teams through performance appraisal, clear expectations, resilience and purposeful delegation. Participants will also be able to share best practice of office systems and procedures and reflect on how these compare to their own settings. Book online: Course code 16SBM/010A
Tuesday 20th September 2016 |
Domestic Abuse & Child Sexual Exploitation Conference
Did you know 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men are victims of Domestic Abuse or that Child Sexual Exploitation can affect any child?
Could someone close to you be affected? The conference is being held to raise awareness of Domestic Abuse and Child Sexual Exploitation.
More information
Monday 19th September 2016 |
Single Central Record Training - 20th September 2016
Following your feedback we are running two courses during this term for anyone responsible for or involved in their school’s SCR. The half day courses, on 20th September and 16th November, will ensure that you school is ready for any audit or Ofsted inspection and practicing all aspects of safe staffing. For further information. Book online: Course code 16SBM/021A
Friday 16th September 2016 |
Deputy Heads Induction Programme - 29th September 2016
The first session of the new term Deputy Heads Induction Programme looks at exploring strategies for developing and improving the leadership of learning and teaching. Using the Ofsted criteria, strategies for monitoring and evaluating learning and teaching are examined focusing particularly on the deputy’s role. We then consider how to provide effective feedback. Book online: Course code 16MAN/052P
Friday 16th September 2016 |
Conducting Staff Appraisals - 27th September 2016
If you are new to line management, or would like a refresher on how best to conduct support staff appraisals, we are running a suite of training courses this academic year starting with “The appraisal process and setting of objectives” and “having successful performance conversations”. Both are half day courses, being run in Hemel Hempstead and Stevenage for your convenience. For further information see. Book online: Course code 16SBM/038A
Friday 16th September 2016 |
Keeping in Touch with You
Herts for Learning is changing the way that we send emails out to schools but in order to add your school to the new software database we need to have evidence that you have ‘opted in’ to receive emails from Herts for Learning. Therefore, to ensure that you don’t miss out on important Herts for Learning updates in the future (including HR, Finance and MAT news) please take a moment to ‘opt-in’ by following this link: Opt-in here
Thursday 15th September 2016 |
Child Protection Policy Updated
This document replaces the previous version (February 2016). It included updates to ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ DfE and therefore is effective from the 5th September 2016. As there are multiple changes throughout this document (due to the changes in statutory guidance) it has not been viable to highlight them (as in previous versions).
More information
Wednesday 14th September 2016 |
Advice for Parents – What to Do if Your Child is Unwell
A quick guide for parents for schools and settings to display with what to do if their child is unwell. What to Do if Your Child is Unwell (PDF)
Tuesday 13th September 2016 |
Primary Computing Scheme
The Primary Computing Scheme provides a creative approach to delivering the 2014 computing curriculum. It supports the teaching and the development of computing, building computer science capability and digital literacy for current and future learning. The scheme is organised into four phases, Early Years, KS1, lower KS2 and upper KS2, with learning themes for each. In response to feedback, from September 2016 Herts for Learning will be expanding and improving the Primary Computing Scheme. As part of the service, subscribers will have access to a new online area where additional materials will be provided, and regularly updated, to support teachers in delivering the computing curriculum. More information
Tuesday 13th September 2016 |
Are You Making the Most of Pupil Premium? - Free School Meals
We are asking all schools to encourage parents/carers who have a child starting in reception, year 1/ year 2 from September 2016, (irrespective of their income status) to register their entitlement for Universal Infant Free School Meals. For pupils starting in year 3, if parents/carers are on certain benefits they could be entitled to free school meals. More information
Monday 12th September 2016 |
Urgent: PREVENT - Training
Are you sure that you are fully compliant with the PREVENT duty and will meet Ofsted’s expectations? It is vital that schools and early years settings, including childminders, have ensured that they have accessed adequate training on anti-radicalisation and have subsequently put a strategy in place as part of their safeguarding. Although the legal minimum is that one member of staff has been WRAP trained (DfE 2015), Ofsted inspectors are applying higher expectations. More information on Ofsted inspection and training available
Thursday 8th September 2016 |
Half price Sex Education lesson plans and resources for primary schools
Hertfordshire County Council is offering primary schools the chance to buy the CD ‘Teaching SRE with Confidence in Primary Schools’ for £62.50 – half the normal price. More information
Wednesday 7th September 2016 |
Hertfordshire Behaviour Strategy 2015-18
This behaviour strategy identifies how In Hertfordshire a partnership of the council, schools, parents and other stakeholders both promotes positive behaviour and offers support to children who find it difficult to engage positively in learning and manifest these difficulties through poor behaviour. More information
Wednesday 7th September 2016 |
In School Training Professional Development for Teachers Introducing Holocaust Education for HMD 2017
An invitation to all North Hertfordshire schools to attend a twilight CPD session, supporting British Values, SMSC development and the well established Hertfordshire SACRE Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration. More infomation
Wednesday 7th September 2016 |
KS2 Christmas Art Competition
Opportunity for pupils to win a prize for their school!.
Following the resounding success of last year’s Christmas Competition, Hertfordshire’s Armed Forces Covenant has decided to run this competition again this year.
Locally-based service personnel will be serving overseas away from their families this Christmas providing help and assistance to people around the world, and they have said how much they appreciate receiving pictures from Hertfordshire children during the Christmas period. KS2 christmas Art Competition
Monday 5th September 2016 |
Invitation to North Herts and Stevenage DA & CSE Conference - 15 October 2016
The conference is being held to raise awareness of Domestic Abuse and Child Sexual Exploitation. Domestic Abuse Conference Poster
Monday 5th September 2016 |
Ofsted Update – September 2016
Visit the Herts for Learning website to see a summary of the key changes for Ofsted inspections this term.
Monday 5th September 2016 |
Data Collection Calendar - Autumn Term 2016 
The Autumn Term Data Collection Calendars have now been published which gives a list of the major and statutory data collections and disseminations of data between schools and the local authority. Data Collection
Wednesday 31st August 2016 |
Changes to the Pupil registration regulations from 1st September 2016
With effect from 1st September 2016, The Education (Pupil Registration) (England)(Amendment)Regulations 2016 place additional statutory duties on all schools to share details of pupils who are moving between schools at non-standard admission times, i.e. whenever a child of compulsory school age leaves a school before completing the school’s final year or joins the school after the start of the first year. The amendments are intended to improve communication and co-ordination between schools and the Local Authority to ensure that all children of compulsory school age are safe and receiving suitable education. Schools are required to notify the Admissions team within 5 days of admitting a pupil to their admissions roll using SeAM. Schools are required to notify ISL Attendance Team within 5 days of removing a pupil from the admissions roll using the Removal from Roll notification available on SIMS or word document.
Friday 26th August 2016 |
Positive Behaviour, Autism, Learning Disability, Mental Health Service (PALMS) – Feedback on this service
The Positive Behaviour, Autism, Learning Disability, Mental Health Service (PALMS) has been running since April 2015 and we are reviewing how well it is working. Hertfordshire County Council, in partnership with East and North Hertfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group, would like to hear what you think. We are keen to find out about your experience of the PALMS service. We would therefore appreciate it if you could spend 10 minutes answering the questions below. All responses are anonymous and you will not be contacted for further information. The survey will be open until Friday 30th September. Your views will be collated and used to help us develop PALMS further. Survey for professionals: Professionals Survey or Survey for parents: Parents Survey
Wednesday 24th August 2016 |
Book Now for Autumn Term Parent2Parent Programmes
The Parent2Parent programme is already running successfully in primary schools throughout Hertfordshire, with positive feedback from headteachers, parents and children alike. The programme has also now been written for parents of teenage children and is available in secondary schools from September. HfL is now taking bookings for both primary and secondary Parent2Parent programmes for the autumn term. A short taster session for secondary schools is being held in Stevenage on Wednesday 14th September for local schools who would like to find out more. For further information on the programme please visit: Parent2Parent or p2p@hertsforlearning.co.uk
Monday 22nd August 2016 |
eSafety Newsletter Autumn 2016
The eSafety newsletter for the Autumn term is now available to download. eSafety Newsletter
Thursday 18th August 2016 |
EU-US Privacy Shield
Schools are reminded that the data protection policy of third party data handlers (school data services for example) should always be checked for suitability according to the sensitivity of the data concerned.
More information
Wednesday 17th August 2016 |
Science Grants for Disadvantaged Young People in Hertfordshire
The Donald Mackean Trust is here to provide grants for disadvantaged young people in Hertfordshire to enter STEM and related learning and careers with a science focus. Namely, technology, engineering, maths, health and the environment and indeed science. Applications are now invited for 2016/17 and should be submitted via the Head of your school or college.
More information
Friday 29th July 2016 |
Have you applied for the early years pupil premium for children in your nursery class?
Since April 2015 schools from all over Hertfordshire have applied for the early years pupil premium for their eligible children. For schools that have not already accessed the early years pupil premium, you are missing out on vital additional funding to support children in your nursery class. More information
Thursday 28th July 2016 |
Are you thinking of setting up a local Multi Academy Trust (MAT)?
Given recent changes in educational policy, a number of schools are now considering setting up their own local Multi Academy Trusts (MATs). We are keen to work with schools considering establishing a MAT to provide assistance and support through this process and beyond. If you are interested in setting up a MAT and would like to book a meeting with a member of our Business Development team to discuss your plans and ongoing needs, please contact carole.bennett@hertsforlearning.co.uk or ring 01438 843353. We are also planning a networking and knowledge sharing event for schools creating a MAT, which is to be held at the Fielder Centre in Hatfield on 5th October 2016. There are limited spaces at this event, which can be booked here: Course code: 16SBM/017A
Tuesday 26th July 2016 |
Health and Safety Newsletter - July 2016
The latest version of the Health & Safety Newsletter is now available for download. More information
Monday 25th July 2016 |
School Waste Electrical Recycling Collections 26th – 30th September 2016
Does your school have unwanted electrical items?
Hertfordshire Schools are again being offered the opportunity to recycle unwanted or broken electrical equipment through a free collection service in September 2016 More information
Wednesday 20th July 2016 |
Hertfordshire Schools Awarded Religious Education Quality Mark
The Hertfordshire SACRE extend congratulations to the Hertfordshire schools who have received the Religious Education Quality Mark. we are proud of the achievements of those who have placed a high emphasis and regard on the teaching of RE, and the place that it has within the wider community. More infomation
Tuesday 19th July 2016 |
Teacher gives FREE assemblies & innovative practical sessions to help your pupils be more WasteAware
Your pupils can learn about an amazing array of materials for your Science targets. More information
Tuesday 19th July 2016 |
Hertfordshire supports ‘Britain’s lost women’ National Day of Memory 2016
Hertfordshire’s County Community Safety Unit is supporting this year’s National Day of Memory for victims of Honour Killings, and using the day as an opportunity to raise awareness of Honour-Based Abuse. The National Day of Memory, which happened on Thursday 14th July, is fronted by national charity Karma Nirvana – which supports victims and survivors of Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse.
More information
Monday 18th July 2016 |
Girls Active: Funded opportunity to increase physical activity and emotional wellbeing of female pupils
Can you think of any girls in your school who do not seem to be reaching their full potential?
Public Health, Herts Sports Partnership, and the CCGS have provided funding to Youth Sports Trust to offer an exciting opportunity for 10 secondary schools to pilot an approach to increase physical activity and emotional wellbeing in teenage girls.
More information
Friday 15th July 2016 |
SRE News Digest – May & July 2016
Summary of the latest news and updates on SRE for Hertfordshire schools. More information
Wednesday 13th July 2016 |
The Exchange - July Edition 2016
The July edition of the paper is now in schools, with a spotlight on Early Years, including the Annual Programme and their conference next term. The paper also features Chris Carter’s free app of the month and a quick guide to our new primary computing scheme. Download The Exchange
Tuesday 12th July 2016 |
Teachers' Pay Award - IMPORTANT EMAIL SENT OUT TO HEADS/SBMs
Please check your Head and SBM email accounts for a communication from Herts for Learning concerning recommendations on teachers' pay. If you appear not to have not received it please also check your junk or spam inboxes.
Friday 8th July 2016 |
Herts for Learning and Hertfordshire County Council named Britain’s best local authority tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools
Stonewall, Britain’s lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality charity, has named Herts for Learning and Hertfordshire County Council as the best local authority in Britain for tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying and celebrating difference in its schools . More infomation
Friday 8th July 2016 |
The Hertfordshire Agreed Syllabus of Religious Education 2017-2022 front cover competition
The Hertfordshire SACRE would like to thank all the Hertfordshire teachers and students who entered the front cover competition for the Agreed Syllabus of Religious Education 2017- 2022. More infomation
Thursday 7th July 2016 |
Unplugged Programme Training – social influences, life skills and drug prevention for secondary schools and ESCs
Unplugged is an evidence-based secondary school programme designed to equip young people with specific skills and resources that they need to resist social influences and to support knowledge about drugs and their adverse consequences. HfL on behalf of HCCwill be offering FREE training for schools in the Hertfordshire area to learn more about the programme . More information
Thursday 7th July 2016 |
Key Stage 2 Test Results & Reporting
The DfE has today made KS2 Test Results available via the NCA Tools website. Schools should download the file and import it into SIMS ready to create reports for parents. More information
Tuesday 5th July 2016 |
