This week Camden Learning presented their findings to the Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership, following the Section 11 safeguarding audit of Camden schools during the summer term 2019. This included all maintained schools and 30 Independent schools. There was a 100% return from our schools and the audit had 35 questions, which had been amended to reflect the changes in Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. Camden Learning do not just rely on the Section 11 audit to provide that assurance or oversight, safeguarding is a constant theme with schools through standards meetings, school safeguarding reviews, Ofsted preparation, DSL training, liaising with the LADO, governor training and following up on any safeguarding complaints. As part of the discussion with the partnership, Camden Learning stated that completion of the report is not evidence in itself of the effectiveness of safeguarding practice, either within individual schools or across Camden. We know that safeguarding is integral to a school’s culture and goes beyond a tick box exercise; so thinking ahead to the next audit, we need to consider as a partnership if there are opportunities being missed and could we use a wider intelligence base to inform the questions?
Tackling childhood obesity is a top priority nationally and in Camden, we’re no different. Adults in Camden are some of the most active in London, but this isn’t the case for our young people. We have some great schools in the borough, going above and beyond to provide daily opportunities for their pupils to be active. Hawley Primary School have been doing the Daily Mile for a couple of years now and really seeing the benefits for their pupils and in the classroom. They’ll be hosting a sharing event for Camden primary schools this Tuesday 4th Feb from 9:30am -11:00am and it would be wonderful to see you there. You’ll get a chance to see the Daily Mile in action, find out what challenges Hawley had to overcome to make it a success and even more, hear from the inspirational founder of The Daily Mile, Elaine Wyllie MBE. To book your schools place contact Mike.Mortlock@camden.gov.uk.
We have been asked by some Heads if there is any guidance for schools on the coronavirus. We are awaiting advice for schools from Public Health England and as soon as we receive it, we will send it to schools. Meanwhile there is some general advice from the DfE at Coronavirus: latest information and advice.
The annual Camden Learning Headteachers Conference will be held in Brighton on 26/27 March 2020, please see flyer attached below for more details.
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