REMINDER: Hertfordshire County Council’s De-delegation Proposal - CLOSES 1ST NOVEMBER
An email has been sent to all maintained schools (27/9/19) from Simon Newland, Operations Director, Education with a summary of the de-delegation proposals for primary, secondary and special schools and ESCs, detailing the additional non-statutory services that Hertfordshire County Council will provide to help, and support Hertfordshire schools deliver the best education they can for their pupils. These additional services will be delivered by HfL commissioned by HCC through the ‘core contract’. The email contains links to the Grid for the full proposal documentation, frequently asked questions and an email address for any additional queries you may have. The consultation closes: 1st November 2019. If you have any questions please use this email de-delegation.questions@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Wednesday 23rd October 2019 |
Book your place now on the School Workforce Census webinar – Stop! Before you authorise that return… - Tuesday 5th November 2019
In less than an hour this webinar will provide a comprehensive tour of the School Workforce Census Detailed Reports, providing you with an understanding of the information contained within the return, ensuring that data submitted to the DfE is accurate.  Read more
Monday 21st October 2019 |
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 |
LESS THAN ONE MONTH TO GO: Herts for Learning Primary Science Conference – Wednesday 13th November 2019
How can an effective primary science curriculum be developed to engage all and deliver progression in both working scientifically skills and conceptual understanding? This year’s Primary science conference will focus on how to ensure every pupil is provided with the best introduction to science by reviewing the curriculum and its intent, implementation and impact. Keynotes will be delivered by Alom Shaha, Science Teacher and author; Jane Turner BA (Hons), PGCE, MEd, CsciTeach; Director of the Primary Science Quality Mark and Jules Pottle, Primary Science Specialist Teacher. Read more
Monday 21st October 2019 |
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PLACES STILL AVAILABLE: 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 |
CALLING ALL BUSINESS MANAGERS: 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 |
EARLY BIRD BOOKING DISCOUNT ENDING SOON: 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. Early bird offer of £155 available until Thursday 31st October 2019, £185 thereafter. Our Passion, Their Future
Monday 14th October 2019 |
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LIMITED SPACES REMAINING: 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 |
ExploreCyber! Cyber security workshops for years 7-10 - 30-31st October
ExploreCyber! an interactive, immersive workshop, introduces students in Year 7-10 to the discipline of cyber security through gaming and immersive activities. The workshops are at Hitchin Girls School on 30th and 31st October from 10:00-16:00hrs each day. ExploreCyber!
Monday 7th 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 |
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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 |
The Hertfordshire SEND Toolkit workshops - 14th-25th October
A series of free essential workshops are part of a county-wide programme to introduce schools to the Hertfordshire SEND toolkit.
This newly developed resource accompanies the Hertordshire SEND Quality Offer and the SEND Benchmark & Planning Tool. Together this suite of materials provides schools with a vision, a self-evaluation framework and now has a toolkit providing a range of resources, tools and guidance to support the onward journey.
Workshops are being delivered in all DSPL areas between 14 - 25 October. Read more
Friday 4th October 2019 |
Local Democracy Week - 14th-20th October
This is an excellent opportunity for councillors to tell young people about the role of a councillor and the importance of taking part in local democracy, and will also give students the chance to ask lots of questions. Councillors could be invited in for a session with any class or year group that you think could benefit from this, or could even be invited to address the whole school. More information
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 |
Hertfordshire County Council’s De-delegation Proposal 20/21, 21/22 and 22/23 Important information
An email has been sent to all maintained schools (27/9/19) from Simon Newland, Operations Director, Education with a summary of the de-delegation proposals for primary, secondary and special schools and ESCs, detailing the additional non-statutory services that Hertfordshire County Council will provide to help, and support Hertfordshire schools deliver the best education they can for their pupils. These additional services will be delivered by HfL commissioned by HCC through the ‘core contract’. The email contains links to the Grid for the full proposal documentation, frequently asked questions and an email address for any additional queries you may have. The consultation closes: 1st November 2019. If you have any questions please use this email de-delegation.questions@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Wednesday 2nd 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 |
New CPD Programme: Curriculum in Motion 2019/2020 – starting on 25th November 2019
Following the success of the Primary Curriculum Symposium, Herts for Learning are delighted to launch a follow-up CPD offer: Curriculum in Motion. This series of half-day CPD sessions will allow leaders to continue the conversations begun during the Curriculum Symposium and to re-focus on key curriculum questions. For those leaders who did not attend the Curriculum Symposium, the sessions will provide an excellent opportunity to engage in the topical debates surrounding curriculum design and implementation. The five sessions, which will be spread across the academic year, will feature guest speakers will also include input from a Hertfordshire headteacher, or leader, working in a school that has been noted for its investment in curriculum considerations. Curriculum in Motion
Wednesday 25th September 2019 |
Cycle to Work Scheme - October 2019 
The cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme will be running throughout October 2019, to help with the cost of new bicycles and cycling equipment up to £2,000. The scheme will be open from 1st – 31st October 2019 Cycle to work scheme
Tuesday 24th September 2019 |
Applications for free salt now open
Hertfordshire County Council has a limited amount of free salt to give to schools so you can grit public roads and pavements around your school.
Applications are now open, closing on 31 October 2019. To find out more, including how to apply, please visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/applyforsalt
Friday 20th 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 |
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
Wednesday 11th 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 |
Effective safeguarding in schools
Following on from the success of the training held in 2017 and 2018 and in response to local and national needs Hertfordshire County Council, in conjunction with Herts for Learning, will be delivering the next round of safeguarding training for school leaders. Safeguarding is always at the forefront of leaders’ minds. It is crucial to keep an eye on national and local changes. These sessions will provide updates on both, providing delegates with the opportunity to consolidate their existing understanding as well as reflect on changes to procedures and guidance. Read more
Tuesaday 10th 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 |
Free Purple Mash ‘Mash Meet’ event
Herts for Learning is hosting another ‘Mash Meet’ event on 7th October, 4pm, at Hertfordshire Development Centre. Whether new to 2Simple Purple Mash or in need of a refresher, this is the ideal opportunity to explore the different tools and content available. Places are free but booking is essential as space is limited. For more information and booking Read more
Friday 6th 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 |
ENF training – 15th October 2019
An overview of mainstream school SEND and exceptional needs funding. The Head teacher and SENCo are invited to a two-hour information/training session to update schools and PVIs regarding their knowledge of SEND funding. The purpose of these sessions is to ensure all schools understand how mainstream SEND funding is allocated, how the ENF system works and to look at the process for exceptional needs funding applications. Book online
Tuesday 3rd 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 |
Changes to printing of training materials
As you may be aware, Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) has recently joined councils up and down the country in declaring a climate emergency. The time for thinking about change is over and at Herts for Learning (HfL), we believe it is important for us to join HCC in taking proactive action now. As part of our commitment of ensuring both our financial and our environmental sustainability, we are currently developing a Corporate Social Responsibility statement, which will be shared with you shortly. Included in this statement is our aim to reduce our direct impact on the environment by actively managing our consumption of natural resources, recycling practices and carbon footprint and making best use of technology to ensure that digital is at the heart of what we do. Read more
Wednesday 28th August 2019 |
Model Child Protection Policy 2019
This document replaces the previous version(s) and is operational from the 2nd September 2019. Changes have been highlighted. It takes into consideration the changes/updates in statutory guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education (2019) and Working Together to Safeguarding Children (2018). Please note there are sections that require the school to input their own details/school arrangements. Child Protection proformas
Tuesday 20th August 2019 |
Annual safeguarding practice audit 2019 (checklist)
An updated version of the safeguarding ‘checklist’ now known as the Annual Safeguarding Practice Audit has been published. Child protection proformas
Monday 19th August 2019 |
Recording absence for pupils from the travelling community
Hertfordshire County Council has issued this guidance to support schools with clarity around attendance and registration of Traveller pupils. A number of different groups are covered by the generic term Traveller – Roma, English and Welsh Gypsies, Irish and Scottish Travellers, Showmen (fairground people) and Circus people, Bargees (occupational boat dwellers) and New Travellers. The Education Act 1996 and the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 make statutory provision for all of these groups. Read more
Friday 2nd August 2019 |
Trampolining guidance
HCC Health and Safety have updated their trampolining safety guidance. Guidance
Friday 2nd August 2019 |
HfL’s Data Management Services team reaccredited by Capita for their SIMS support
Capita has reaccredited the Data Management Services (DMS) team at Herts for Learning (HfL) for their SIMS support to schools and academies. The DMS team, who have been accredited by Capita since 2008, received their reaccreditation in July. The accreditation will last for three years until 2022. The accreditation looks at how schools and academies receive effective and value-for-money support from the DMS team. Read news article
Friday 2nd August 2019 |
