We are currently consulting on changes to the way in which Portsmouth organises governor training in the 2019/20 and would welcome the views of governors, clerks and head-teachers on the proposals which are set out in the attached letter. You can give feedback by completing the on-line survey, or by emailing [email protected]. Comments are requested by Friday 1 March 2019

As part of Portsmouth City Council’s ongoing ‘Miss School, Miss Out’ school attendance campaign, Wimborne Junior School held an Aspirations Week from 21 – 25 January to help children to think about what jobs they would like to have in the future, what skills they will need in order to succeed in those jobs and how important attending school is in helping them to achieve their goals.

During the week, pupils looked at their future selves and discussing goal setting, resilience, potential barriers and the support available to help them.

Cllr Suzy Horton, cabinet member for education at Portsmouth City Council, visited the school and said that she was “overwhelmed with the quality of conversation not only about aspirations but also their understanding of what they need to do to become the best version of themselves.”

Carina Jacobs, head teacher at Wimborne Junior, said: “During Aspirations Week, we’re looking forward to inspiring the children to think about their futures and to helping them to understand the steps they can take to ensure their own success and the help available in school to aid them in reaching their goals. Hopefully they will take this forward with them into secondary school and beyond.”

#MissSchoolMissOut

Portsmouth’s First Wellbeing in Education Conference

I am really excited that we will be hosting our first Wellbeing in Education Conference on 25^th March at the Marriott Hotel. Our Keynote speaker is Natasha Devon, Body Image and mental health campaigner.

The conference, aimed at Head Teachers, Governors, Wellbeing Leads in Schools and colleges, Pastoral Staff, SENCos, ELSAs and professionals from other agencies who work alongside schools and colleges, aims to:

·        Share practical ideas to promote good mental health for pupils and staff

·        Explore the services and support on offer for children, young people and staff

·        Explore the role and remit of wellbeing leads in schools and colleges

·        Provide networking opportunities across health and education

Discounts will be given for multiple delegates from the same organisation

Book your tickets now via www.eventbrite.co.uk and search wellbeing in education.

 

Further information is in the attached flyer Wellbeing Conference Flyer FINAL

Governor vacancy advertising

Thanks to all of you who responded to the recent school governor vacancy survey. We had 30 responses and the majority of schools were either reporting a current vacancy or expect to have a governor vacancy in the near future. We have therefore agreed with Portsmouth Together, a one stop shop for volunteering opportunities in Portsmouth, that schools can use the website to recruit for governors and trustees. Alison Critchley has provided a template advert (attached) Governor vacancy template and will help with posting current vacancies (the website can also be used to seek other volunteers to work in your school.

 Early in the new year we are planning a governor recruitment campaign which will include encouraging staff cross Portsmouth City Council and other partner organisations to consider volunteering as school governors, pointing them towards the vacancies advertised on the Portsmouth Together site.

Kind regards

Mike Stoneman

Deputy Director of Children, Families and Education

Education Service