EDUCATION-JAN10-PG06-11:Page 6 06/01/2010 09:33 Page 9
News
Free school meals
School leaders working
plans welcomed
over the festive period
T
he School Food Trust has welcomed plans announced
in today’s pre-budget report that more children will be
eligible to receive Free School Meals. The plans will see
the universal free school meals pilots extended to at least
W
hile the majority of the nation’s workforce was taking a well-earned
holiday, more than 140 school leaders accessed The Key’s support and
one in each English region, as well amending the general
guidance services between December 24 2009 and January 1 2010.
qualifying criteria for working families.
Members even accessed the service on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and on New Year’s
The Trust’s Chief Executive, Judy Hargadon, said: “Free School
Day. 10% of activity on The Key’s website during the festive period occurred between 8pm
Meals ensure that thousands of children receive a nutritious hot
and 10pm and 8% between 10pm and midnight. These statistics reinforce the view that
meal every day, and we strongly support any move to increase
school leaders are wrestling with a phenomenal workload.
the number of families who can benefit. We’re working very
The Key is a national information and guidance service for school leaders, providing
closely with the Government’s existing pilots and we are
support exactly when they need it – i.e. when they ask us for it, or when they search for it
delighted to hear that this work will be extended so that all
on our website: http://www.usethekey.org.uk
English regions have at least one pilot. We know that what
Our usage stats provide a barometer regarding the interests of the thousands of school
children eat within school makes a real difference to their
leaders who use The Key at any given time.
health, well being and ultimately performance and we hope as
The Key usage data November 21- December 20
many families as possible will take up this opportunity.
Below you will find school leaders’ current top interests based on The Key’s latest usage
“Alongside this, the challenge for us all is to continue making
data for primary, secondary and special schools.
more families aware of their entitlement to free school meals so
The data is based on 8,217 article visits over the reporting period (Nov 21 – Dec 20).
that they can start claiming what’s theirs as quickly as possible.”
Trends
Top 5 popular web pages on The Key for primary schools Nov 20 – Dec 21
More teachers seek
Top 5 popular web pages on The Key for secondary schools Nov 20 – Dec 21
Top 5 popular web pages on The Key for special schools Nov 20 – Dec 21
emotional support
Topical features
Topical feature – the rules on taking photos at school events
Topical feature – secondary schools getting the accounts in order
T
eacher Support Network awards over £300,000 in
grants during 2009
Primary schools Nov 21 – Dec 20
December 2009 saw 50 per cent more calls to the Teacher
Support Network Group from teachers seeking urgent
Top 5 popular web pages on The Key for primary schools
emotional and practical assistance than in the same month in
2008.
1. Ofsted lesson observations
Calls on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve helped
2. Allegations against staff: sample policies and guidance
ensure that the four free, confidential 24/7 Support Lines –
3. Parents' forums in action
which cover England, Wales, Scotland as well as colleges and
4. Progress breakdown: using assessment focuses in mathematics
universities – received 1,295 calls in the last month of 2009
5. Lesson observation framework
compared to 825 in December 2008.
The effects of the recession and the high costs of the season
Secondary schools Nov 21 – Dec 20
ensured that calls received between Christmas Eve and Boxing
Day were dominated by financial concerns, with teachers
Top 5 popular web pages on The Key for secondary schools
seeking advice on managing their money and enquiring about
the charity’s financial assistance programme, which awarded
1. Ofsted lesson observations
£311,000 during 2009 compared to £230,436.66 in 2008 –
2. Linking FMSIS to a school development plan
an increase of 35 per cent.
3. Parents' forums in action
Other pressures of the period became apparent on New
4. Allegations against staff: sample policies and guidance
Year’s Eve and Day, with many callers needing support over
5. Gifted and talented provision: future developments
family concerns and personal issues.
Teacher Support Network Chief Executive, Julian Stanley,
Getting the accounts in order
said: “Some of our callers simply have no one else they can
The last few weeks of term has seen an increased focus on finance and contracts in terms
talk to over the Christmas period and it is crucial that our
of the new questions asked of The Key. Questions have ranged from school meal
charity is there whenever we are needed, providing vital
regulations, advantages of charitable status, fundraising and enterprise co-ordinators.
support every day of the year.
“Teachers call for a wide variety of reasons, with some
Special schools Nov 21 – Dec 20
experiencing intense emotional difficulties that profoundly
affect both their ability to teach and their own wellbeing. Calls
Top 5 popular web pages on The Key for special schools
over this period in particular have highlighted to us just how
debilitating and widespread financial concerns and personal
1. Progression targets for pupils with SEN
difficulties are amongst serving and retired teachers.
2. Community cohesion: special school case studies
“Throughout 2010 we will continue to provide professional
3. School uniforms and diversity: special schools
and effective support services to teachers across Great Britain as
4. Linking FMSIS to a school development plan
well as working with schools, governments and partners in
5. Overtime for out-of-hours trips and visits
education to address the causes of their concerns.”
The Contact Centre can be contacted on 08000 562 561.
uDirect Line: 0845 020 0452 uwww.usethekey.org.uk
Staffed by trained counsellors with education expertise, all
uMain Line: 08000 89 00 52 uenquiries@usethekey.org.uk
services are 24-hour, free and confidential.
January 2010
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