WESTMINSTER DIOCESE EDUCATION SERVICE

19 March 1999.

NB Items marked * do not apply to independent schools

Model contracts are now available on request from the CES price 25p per copy. It is of vital importance that before appointing staff to fixed term contracts schools take the advice of this service on the application of waiver clauses with regard to unfair dismissal and redundancy payments. Alternatively, schools should seek the advice of their personnel service provider.

Failure to do so may render schools liable for damages on the termination of such contracts.

2 New DfEE School Admission Regulations *

Schools are advised that recently published Regulations oblige all admission authorities (i.e. the governing bodies of voluntary aided and grant maintained schools) to consult with LEAs and other admission authorities in a three mile radius from the school on the subject of their proposed admission arrangements for admissions in September 2000. This is particularly significant for primary schools. The process is set out in more detail in an appendix to this bulletin.

At this time of year, the WDES receives many enquiries from parents on the question of admissions. A good number are prompted by omissions from the governors’ letter to parents refusing a place. May we take this opportunity to remind governing bodies that they are required to give reasons for refusing a place which relate to the published over-subscription criteria. It is not sufficient to state that the school is over subscribed. Parents must also be given the opportunity to appeal and given clear advice as to how this process operates. May we also remind you that notes taken by the school at interview must also be made available to parents in good time to assist them in preparing for the appeal.

In mid February, a letter was sent to the clerk of every governing body of schools in diocesan trusteeship asking that the envelopes enclosed be sent or handed to foundation governors. Where no clerk was listed by name, the correspondence went in a large brown envelope addressed to the clerk at the school address. Within the envelope was a letter for every listed foundation governor from the Area Bishop or Episcopal Vicar with an attached response form to be completed and returned to him The closing date for that response is Monday 29 March. May I ask for the assistance of all chairmen and headteachers in encouraging all foundation governors to return their forms by this deadline. After 29 March, new appointments will fill any existing vacancies, with the possibility that those who failed to return their forms will not be appointed for a new term. Headteachers may expect to receive from the Area Bishop or Episcopal Vicar a letter inviting, in confidence, any observation on the school’s particular needs or circumstances which it might be appropriate to consider when new appointments are made

When the new cycle of school events is planned from September 1999 please note the following dates so that as many headteachers and deputies as possible are available to attend

Diocesan Conference for Secondary Headteachers Thursday 23 and Friday 24 September 1999

Diocesan Conference for Secondary Deputies Tuesday 29 February and Wednesday 1 March 2000.

A reminder also of the dates for the East Region four day residential courses

For Aspiring Heads on 23-26 November 1999

For aspiring deputies on 25-28 January 2000

The Education Board at its January meeting reaffirmed the importance of each school devoting a minimum of 10% of curriculum time to RE in both primary and secondary schools. It approved the guidance to section 23 inspectors that it should be a key issue for action in a report if a school is devoting a lower percentage of time than 10% to RE.

There are occasional open evenings giving information on the MA in Catholic School Leadership: Principles and Practice at St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill.

St Edwards RC primary school in Oldham has sent a flier to all primary schools about its sex education programme "In the Beginning .. ". The Diocese has looked at the programme and didn't think it could give it general recommendation. The programme is very demanding of curriculum time which has to be over and above the 10% for RE. The way it complements existing RE schemes is not clear and different concepts are introduced at different times. However there are no doctrinal objections to the programme and schools may wish to look at it further.

The Catholic Womens League and The Universe are promoting a poster competition to all schools. The aim of the competition is to produce the best A4 poster conveying the meaning of the Holy Year 2000. There will be prizes for each age group with the winner’s school receiving a computer donated by Toshiba.

The next study day for the CCRS is on Jesus Christ on Saturday 24 April 1999 at Vaughan House. The contributors are Fr Mark Langham and Fr John McDade SJ. The day begins at 10am, ending 4pm. It costs £15.00 for a module but £6.50 for the day only. Registration is possible on the day but advance booking is preferable. A poster is enclosed.

Times and Seasons: a Collection of Materials for Study, Discussion and Reflection is the title of a book published jointly by WDES and Christians Aware, the ecumenical group which seeks to promote both ecumenical and interfaith awareness of some of the major issues of our time. Available in early March, it follows the pattern of the Liturgical Year, and contains short courses of photocopiable leaflets for both adult and children’s groups. Of current interest would be the sections on Lent, Easter, Pentecost and the Trinity. A poster is enclosed. It is priced at £4.50, plus £1.00 postage and packing, cheques payable to WRCDT.

With the increase in the number of free Internet providers, many of which include a small amount of free webspace, schools are encouraged to put their story and their mission statement on a web page. Both the IT coordinator and / or some parents may be happy to do this for the school. When you have a web address for your school, do send it by email to Anthony Clark who will put a link to it in the diocesan webpage. The email to send it to is aclark@westminsterdiocese.org.uk and the diocesan website is http://www.westminsterdiocese.org.uk where some schools are to be found already.

There is to be a reunion of past students and staff at Coloma College on Saturday 26 June.

13. Revised Instruments of government.

 

We are grateful to those who have been able to return the new instruments within the prescribed time scale. There are several still to come and prompt attention would be appreciated.

 

Most of you spotted the arithmetical error on the CES model. For those who did not, the total number of governors where the headteacher opts not to be a governor is two less than the total where he or she does so opt, not one less, as stated on the draft.

 

May we stress again the response to the most frequently asked question? The name of the school must appear in full (no abbreviations) on the Instrument. The name in common use on letterheads on signboards need not have the full name. The name of schools in this Diocese will include the designation ‘Roman’ before ‘Catholic’. The CES guidance states that this is not necessary. Whilst this is legally correct, it is not the wish of your Bishops.

 

The title ‘Bishop’ in the draft has been changed to ‘Archbishop’. Again, we are grateful to those of you who took the trouble to point out this error.

(Further enquiries on the Instrument to Ian Beck on 0171 798 9005. Enquiries on the appointment of governors in accordance with the Instrument to Joan Leith on the same number.)

 

14. Celebration of the Holy Year Advent, 1999-Epiphany, 2001.

A letter from Bishop Nichols to all secondary school headteachers is enclosed, for addressees only.