The new Data Management Services (DMS) Portal is now live
Herts for Learning is pleased to announce that the new Data Management Services (DMS) portal is now live and can be accessed via your main school account if you have a support contract with the DMS team.  More information
Thursday 14th 2019 |
Just Talk Campaign Week – W/C 18th November
Just Talk is Hertfordshire’s mental health and wellbeing campaign, co-designed with young people from across the county. The campaign and all of its free resources are designed in a way to ensure that it is as easy as possible for anyone to get involved. Just Talk Campaign
Wednesdy 13th 2019 |
Flying Pizza Theatre production ‘The Snow Queen’ - Special Reduction
£50 off to local Hertfordshire schools who book a show in November, December or January. Full details available in the flyer or visit Flying Pizza Theatre production
Monday 11th November 2019 |
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Budgeting
The Mid-Year Update to the Access Education Budgeting software (previously called HCSS) is planned for release shortly. As with previous updates this will be presented as an Optional Update allowing the opportunity to apply it at a time convenient to the school or not apply it. Financial Services will be releasing a bulletin to accompany the release but in preparation it is strongly advised that schools Lock any budget Working scenarios you wish to keep as updates do not get applied to Locked or Archived scenarios. If you have any questions please contact the helpline.
Friday 8th November 2019 |
Transitions survey
Family Services Commissioning are looking at how parents/carers and their children found the transition into school. Please could you share the link below with your parents. Do you have a child in reception or year 1? Hertfordshire County Council are consulting with parents/carers on how it was for parents and children starting school. Please take 5 minutes to complete the survey below. Closing date: Monday 2nd December 2019. Read more
Friday 8th November 2019 |
Ofsted - Education Inspection Framework (EIF) roadshows
Ofsted are running a series of Education Inspection Framework (EIF) roadshows for primary and secondary schools to help them deepen their understanding of the curriculum thinking that underpins the ‘quality of education’ judgement. These one-day events will offer the opportunity to learn about deep dives and early emerging findings from the EIF. These events are aimed at curriculum leaders and headteachers. Three representatives from your school are welcome to attend. Each will need to register separately. Current Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) should not attend this event. Spaces are available on a first-come-first-served basis. If you are interested in attending this event, please register for your place here. Contact events@ofsted.gov.uk
Friday 8th November 2019 |
EU exit: no deal preparations for schools in England
The Government has issued some updated guidance on the 1st November for schools in the event of a no deal Brexit. Further information from the DfE
Friday 8th November 2019 |
Hertfordshire head teacher updates - Autumn term
The Hertfordshire head teacher updates for the Autumn term have now been published. Read more
Wednesday 6th November 2019 |
Herts for Learning Annual Secondary Science Conference – Wednesday 4th December 2019
The theme of this year’s conference is enhancing and enriching the curriculum. The conference will feature the following presentations from specialist secondary science keynote speakers: ‘Thinking Science: developing thinking skills in science lessons’, delivered by Ellie Cripps, University of Bristol and ‘High grades by design: A 5-year strategy based on a precision curriculum, mastery assessment and brain-based teaching’ delivered by Dr Tony Sherborne, Mastery Science. Read more
Wednesday 6th November 2019 |
Feeling Good Week - February 2020
Feeling Good Week is a Hertfordshire-wide event that encourages schools and the wider community to promote children and young people’s emotional wellbeing by raising awareness of mental health and showing where support can be accessed within the community. From 10th – 16th February 2020, we want you to help make children and young people in Hertfordshire feel good by running your own special projects to boost their emotional and mental wellbeing. Youth organisations, schools, and young people are invited to submit a bid and apply for up to £500 of funding, which has been put forward by Hertfordshire County Council, and the county’s two Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). The bids will be reviewed by a group of young people in December, and they will judge which projects should receive funding. The deadline for applications is Friday 6th December 2019. Read more
Tuesday 5th November 2019 |
Herts for Learning Training Programme Spring 2020
Herts for Learning (HfL) is pleased to announce that our Spring 2020 training programme for staff working in primary, including Early Years, and secondary phasesis now available on our CPD Hub Read more
Monday 4th November 2019 |
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Book now for Future Heroes 2020 – the biggest and best health and care careers expo! - 24th March 2020
Future Heroes provides an amazing interactive journey through the 350 different career opportunities available within the health and social care sector. With over 100 health and social care professionals, university, college and apprenticeship experts on hand, Future Heroes will provide your students with all of the information, advice and guidance they need particularly to support careers into the NHS and social care organisations, but will also provide useful guidance and advice for students considering their options or in need of support for applying for either an apprenticeship, college or university. Read more
Thursday 31st October 2019 |
Stonewall’s FREE campaigners programme for disabled LGBTQ+ young people
Applications are now open for Stonewall’s FREE campaigners programme for disabled LGBTQ+ young people, aged 16 to 25. Thanks to funding from Comic Relief, all costs relating to the programme are covered including all travel, food and accommodation. We can also cover costs for a personal assistant/carer. The campaigning residential will be held between 6 – 9 January 2020 at a residential venue in the East Midlands that specialises in delivering programmes to, and hosting events for, young people with specific access needs. Applications close at 9.00am on Monday 18 November. Read more
Tuesday 29th October 2019 |
National Anti-Bullying Week for 2019
Anti-Bullying Week 2019 will be Monday 11th November - Friday 15th November. The theme: “Change Starts With Us”. This will be a wonderful opportunity to emphasise that anti-bullying in schools is fundamentally about the choices that individual pupils make when they are upset, distressed, worried or have relationship difficulties. Let us know about your activities by following @HfLWellbeing and posting information and photos when the time comes.
Tuesday 29th October 2019 |
Christmas art competition 2019: Who is your Hertfordshire Hero?
Our Hertfordshire Heroes are members of the armed forces community who work hard to protect our nation and are often working away from their families at Christmas. Help send our military heroes some “Christmas cheer” by entering our annual county-wide Hertfordshire Heroes Christmas Art Competition by drawing your own Hertfordshire Hero. Christmas art competition
Monday 28th October 2019 |
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Just Talk – resources to help you promote positive mental health in your school
*New resource* Just Talk is a local, award-winning mental health campaign that has been co-designed with local young people and encourages children and young people to talk about things that are worrying them before they escalate. Please watch this short film to find out how your school can make the most of the free, easy-to-use resources and support available through the campaign and see the positive impact Just Talk is having on young people in the 76 local schools already using it. Read more
Wednesday 23rd October 2019 |
Literacy: the Gateway to Lifelong Learning – Exploring Reading and Writing Opportunities for Young Children – 19th November 2019
Join us in the wonderful world of literacy! As this magical day unfurls, practitioners will be inspired to reflect on how they nurture a love of reading and writing with young children. Our captivating speakers include: Julie Cigman, Early Years Consultant, trainer and writer, who has had a number of articles published along with her latest book, Becoming a Writer in Leaps and Bounds – supporting boys’ writing in the EYFS; Pippa Goodhart, author of such wonderful picture books as You Choose and Just Imagine to name but a few and Kevin Graal, a highly skilled children’s storyteller and well-respected presenter, will also be joining us and sharing his passion for developing language through storytelling. Read more
Friday 18th October 2019 |
Business Management Conference 2019: Inspiring Futures – 26th November 2019
This annual conference is the perfect way to refresh and refocus, stay up to date on all the latest educational and professional developments and network with other school business managers. focusing on inspiring school business practitioners in their role and in their influence to shape a resilient and sustainable future for their school. Marcus Child, award-winning and renowned motivational speaker, will set the tone for the day and inspire the audience with his keynote address. Following the keynote session, there will be four workshops, each building on the journey of inspiring futures of professional practise in school business management. Business Management Conference
Wednesday 16th October 2019 |
HfL’s GCSE revision workshops back for spring 2020
The Herts for Learning secondary maths and English teams have announced 25 revision workshops for spring 2020, designed to motivate and challenge students in an engaging, focused and active learning environment. These supportive sessions are taught in groups of up to 30 students with two subject experts providing additional tuition with the sole aim of helping your child perform to their full potential in the summer examinations. GCSE revision workshops
Wednesday 16th October 2019 |
Families First survey
We have created a short survey to gain a snapshot of the understanding across the services of the Families First way of working and help us to build on the good work taking place and also recognise where improvements can be made. Please take just a couple of minutes to give your feedback. Families First survey
Monday 14th October 2019 |
School Emergency Response Plan update
The School Emergency Response Plan has been updated. It has been produced as a guide for Hertfordshire schools to use when responding to an emergency, which may affect the operation of their premises and their day to day business. In addition, a new Critical Incident Helpline document has also been added which lists contact details for the helpline. School Emergency Response Plan
Monday 14th October 2019 |
Our Passion, Their Future. Placing Children at the Heart of the Early Years Curriculum – 30th January 2020
Ofsted specialist adviser for Early Education, Phil Minns, will be providing a keynote on ‘lessons so far’ since the launch of the new education inspection framework with a focus on early reading. Neil Farmer, International Educational Consultant supporting schools and settings, will be speaking about the purpose of what we do in Early Years and why. Billy Hickling, a veteran performer with the international hit percussion show STOMP will engage the audience in the award winning TrashBang music endnote. Our Passion, Their Future
Monday 14th October 2019 |
Big-Hearted Schools: The Herts for Learning Annual SEND Conference – 14th November 2019
Big-Hearted Schools are those that welcome pupils with SEND and embrace the opportunity to grow great provision for all their pupils. Nick Whittaker, HMI, Specialist adviser, SEND, believes that ‘the experience of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is a bellwether of the school’s performance’ see blog. We are delighted to have Nick, as a keynote speaker for this year’s annual SEND conference. In addition we will hear the thoughts of Daniel Sobel (Inclusion Expert) and also Robyn Steward (Author, Musician and Researcher). Big Hearted Schools
Friday 11th October 2019 |
Herts for Learning Annual General Meeting 2019
Herts for Learning’s Annual General Meeting 2019 was held at the Hertfordshire Development Centre, Stevenage on Thursday 3rd October at 5pm.
The AGM provided a great opportunity for Herts for Learning’s Managing Director, Andrew de Csilléry and the Chair of the HfL Board, Robin Barrett, to report to shareholders about the impact that HfL has had on education over the last year and to share the company’s plans for the year ahead. Annual General Meeting 2019
Friday 11th October 2019 |
Model Health and Safety policy update
The Model Health and Safety policy has now been updated. This document provides a customisable template to assist schools in producing a written health and safety policy. Model health and safety policy
Thursday 10th October 2019 |
New CPD Programme: Curriculum in Motion 2019/2020 – Session One
Session one of this series of half-day CPD events is now available to book individually. The session will feature a keynote from guest speaker Ed Vainker, Co-founder and Executive Principal of Reach Academy Feltham, on developing a carefully sequenced, knowledge-rich curriculum and Debbie Fenn, Headteacher at St Andrews C of E (VA) in Hitchin, will offer an insightful reflection into how a change of ethos creates a dynamic, flexible and life enhancing curriculum. Curriculum in Motion
Thursday 10th October 2019 |
Welcome to the Great School Framework
Over the past year, many of you will have heard about or been involved in the development of the Great School Framework, which strives to bring together and share the component parts of what makes a ‘great school’. Its development has been a collaborative venture, with input from a number of HfL colleagues and many Hertfordshire school leaders. Read more
Wednesday 9th October 2019 |
Herts for Learning launches new benefits for Quality Improvement Forum members
Herts for Learning’s Early Years team has announced a range of new benefits for members of its Early Years PVI support service for pre-school and PVI settings managers, the Quality Improvement Forum. Members can now benefit from new discounts on educational resources from TTS Group and workshops from EPIC Early Years. As well as discounts, Premier Education are offering QIF members a free one-hour session for your setting focusing on Wellbeing, Performing arts or sport. This can be for adults or children. Read more
Tuesday 8th October 2019 |
Just Talk Campaign Week – W/C 18th November
Just Talk is Hertfordshire’s mental health and wellbeing campaign, co-designed with young people from across the county. The campaign and all of its free resources are designed in a way to ensure that it is as easy as possible for anyone to get involved. Just Talk Campaign
Monday 7th October 2019 |
Young Chef of the Year Award
This month sees the launch of the Young Chef of the Year Award across Welwyn, Hatfield and Stevenage schools. The Award focuses on celebrating food education in the classroom and giving children hands-on practical experience alongside the message that what you eat is closely linked to your health and wellbeing. In April 2017 The Food Teacher™, was commissioned to create an innovative and engaging award for 10 and 11 year olds in Fleetwood, Lancashire. This was a project sponsored and supported by NHS funding, local and national sponsors. 450+ pupils took part and following its great success the award is now being made available to all schools across the UK and Ireland with over 4,000 pupils set to complete the award this year. Read more
Friday 4th October 2019 |
EU exit: no deal preparations for schools in England
The Government has issued some guidance for schools in the event of a no deal Brexit. Further information from the DfE
Thursday 3rd October 2019 |
Secondary Mathematics 2019/20 CPD support for schools
Plan your Secondary Mathematics staff’s professional development through the year to maximise the impact on learning, by downloading the Herts for Learning secondary Mathematics support for schools 2019/20 flyer (pdf) which also includes listings for training courses at the Matrix Maths Hubs
Thursday 3rd October 2019 |
Support for schools preparing for the new Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum for 2019/20
The mandatory changes requiring schools to deliver Relationships Education (primary), RSE (secondary) and Health Education (cross-phase) begin from September 2020. The 2019/20 academic year is a key time for curriculum review and staff training to enable effective transition. The Herts for Learning Wellbeing Team is offering schools, academies and MATs a series of training opportunities and consultancy support to develop staff confidence and curriculum quality, in addition to their range of support for the management, development and teaching of the mandatory curriculum and PSHE. Download our new flyer (pdf)
Friday 27th September 2019 |
Primary English programme of support for professional development in teaching reading for schools for 2019/20
Plan your school’s reading professional development through the year to maximise the impact on learning by downloading our new 2019/20 Primary English programme of support for professional development in teaching reading for schools flyer to see the range CPD training courses, programmes and research projects specifically focused on reading, phonics and early reading across the year, including the new KS1 Reading Fluency Project.
Friday 27th September 2019 |
Give a child the 'Chance To Thrive'
Do you have the skills or experience to foster a child with additional needs?
As part of the #ChanceToThrive campaign, Hertfordshire County Council’s fostering and adoption team is looking for people who can foster children who have a variety of different needs.
Professionals working in nursing, midwifery, healthcare, police and probation roles are among those being particularly targeted for this campaign as they are more likely to have these additional skills, built up through their experience in work. Read more
Friday 27th September 2019 |
Joint assessment visits
In order to further develop partnership working and to continuously improve family engagement, Children’s Services have run a joint assessment visit pilot with Health colleagues. This has been very successful and is therefore being rolled out to all partner agencies as agreed through the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership. Find out more.
Friday 27th September 2019 |
The Christmas Journey 2019
Schools are invited to ‘The Christmas Journey 2019’ an interactive church based event for Year 2 children to be hosted by four Stevenage Churches between Monday 25th – 29th November. For further information including booking information The Christmas Journey (pdf)
Thursday 26th September 2019 |
The HfL 2019/20 Early Years Assessment Project - beginning 4th October
Strengthen and improve the Good Level of Development (GLD) for your school and support your EYFS team to close attainment gaps, by taking part in the 2019/20 Herts for Learning Early Years Assessment project. Over the last two years, this project has enabled participating schools to raise their GLD by on average 11 percentage points. To join the 2019/20 HfL Early Years Assessment project starting on Friday 4th October 2019 at the Hertfordshire Development Centre, Stevenage, or to find out Read more
Wednesday 18th September 2019 |
Schools are invited to ‘The Jewish Living Experience’ 4th-15th November 2019
This exhibition is a mobile exhibition which aims to educate the UK public about Judaism, and the culture and history of the British Jewish community. Read more
Tuesday 17th September 2019 |
Data Management Services Newsletter - September 2019
The new DMS newsletter aims to bring you all the latest updates and highlights changes on upcoming tasks you'll need to carry out across the term. Read newsletter
Thursday 12th September 2019 |
Families First news
Have you signed up to receive the Families First News? A great way to hear news on the early help services and training opportunities across Hertfordshire. There is only one publication every other month, so we will not fill up your inbox! Sign up here
Wednesday 11th September 2019 |
Employment status and IR35
As the new academic year begins, you may be engaging new workers who provide a service but are not on your school’s payroll. This is a reminder that it is the engaging person’s responsibility to determine the correct employment status of anyone they contract with to undertake any work and pay them accordingly. Read more
Monday 9th September 2019 |
Free Chromebooks and G-Suite taster session - 21st November
Herts for Learning is running a free, hands-on, twilight taster session for schools that are interested in finding out more about Chromebooks and G Suite, and how this technology might benefit their school. Read more
Monday 9th September 2019 |
Data Management Services (DMS) Portal launch - November 2019
Herts for Learning is pleased to announce a new Data Management Services (DMS) portal will be launching on the HfL website at the beginning of November 2019. Find out more
Thursday 5th September 2019 |
Online safety newsletter - Autumn 2019
The Online Safety newsletter for the autumn term 2019 is now available to download. Online Safety Newsletter
Thursday 5th September 2019 |
Measuring height and weight of children in Year 6 - 2019-20 (NCMP)
The Department for Education and the Department of Health have a shared programme of work to improve children’s health and wellbeing. Promoting healthy weight in children is an important part of this programme. As part of this programme, the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) requires all children in Reception and Year 6 to be weighed and measured. Read more
Wednesday 4th September 2019 |
Promoting a healthy eating environment in schools
This guidance is for ALL schools in Hertfordshire, providing you with information that can help you to ensure children are eating healthily during the school day, enabling them to have the energy and focus required to do well academically and to stay happy and healthy. Read more
Tuesday 3rd September 2019 |
Primary Science Support for schools
Plan your school's science professional development through the year to maximise the impact on learning, by downloading the Herts for Learning Primary Science Support for schools 2019/20 flyer. Read more (pdf)
Tuesday 3rd September 2019 |
Data Collection Calendar – Autumn term 2019 
The autumn data collection calendar from HCC is now available. Data collection
Monday 2nd September 2019 |
REMINDER: Important information regarding your PA Plus subscription
Herts for Learning (HfL) has signed a deal with HarperCollins UK, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, to produce seven new primary English publications. In September, the English Subject Leader Toolkit and the Primary Writing Toolkit, written and developed by Herts for Learning will be published under the Collins imprint and made available to all schools in the UK and internationally.
These new books focus on writing across all year groups in the primary phase and will be published for sale in mid-September. Read news article. At this time, the English resources they relate will be removed from PA Plus.
An email has been sent to all subscribing schools explaining that these resources are protected for existing PA Plus subscribers. We encourage you to download them from your school account by the middle of September to ensure you have continued access to them. Download the resources from PA Plus (subscribers will need to be logged in to access the resources).
Monday 2nd September 2019 |
Comparative budget share (2019/20)
Comparative graphs/profiles for Section B - Financial 2019/20 are now available in electronic format. The files are published annually and contain a range of financial benchmarking information based upon schools Approved Budget Returns. Comparative budget share
Monday 2nd September 2019 |
