To: Chairmen of Governing Bodies of Roman Catholic Schools in the Diocese of
Westminster
Cc: Headteachers

NB Items marked * do not apply to independent schools

10 December 1999

1. Retirement of Mrs Joan Leith

On 31 December 1999 Joan Leith is retiring as a full time officer of this service after what she
describes as ten very happy years working with the staff and governors of diocesan schools.
The diocesan Education Board has agreed to retain Joan's services on a part time basis after
that date so that she will continue to provide support to schools and governors on behalf of
this service in the immediate future. Joan will work largely away from this office and may be
contacted directly during normal office hours either by e-mail jleith@breathemail.net or by
mobile phone 07944 168004. Further information on any consequent adjustment in the
operation of the Schools Administration Department will be made available in the coming
months. In the meantime queries concerning governors appointments or requests for diocesan
documents must continue to be made to Vaughan House on 020 7798 9005
(Further information from Tony Mackersie on 020 7798 9005)

2 Sixth Form RE

The new arrangements concerning A levels - AS and A2 - mean that secondary schools with
sixth forms are reviewing their sixth form offering. Guidance on the place, scope and quantity
of RE is to be found on the diocesan website under RE and Catechesis
http://www.westminsterdiocese.org.uk An afternoon meeting for Heads of RE (Headteachers
most welcome too) is arranged to Thursday 13th January 2000 at 2.30 at Hendon to study the
issues. Further details will be sent out shortly.
(For further information contact Anthony Clark on 020 7798 9006.)

3 Pupil Exclusions: Guidance for Governing Bodies. *

One copy of this guidance is enclosed. A further copy is being sent to clerks under separate
cover. This guidance replaces Pupil Behaviour Discipline and Exclusion published in 1994 by
the Westminster Diocese Education Service and the London Diocesan Board for Schools,
which is now withdrawn.

The document may be consulted and downloaded from the WDES/Schools Administration
Department pages on the diocesan website www.westminsterdiocese.org.uk Further printed
copies will not be generally available until a full revision is published. The electronic version
will be updated as required and, to assist in that process, comments and suggestions for
improvement are welcomed.
(Comments and queries to Ian Beck on 020 7798 9005 or 0589 493 088)
4 School Admission Arrangements: Revision and Consultation: *

Section 89 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 provides that the admission
authority for every maintained school must determine the school's admission arrangements for
each school year in accordance with certain requirements. Those requirements are set out in
detail in the Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements) Regulations, 1999 (SI
1999 126).

For Roman Catholic voluntary aided school governing bodies, the main points to note are

? Steps must be taken to complete the necessary consultation before 1 March in the
'determination year'. This is the school year beginning two years before the school year in
which the pupils will be admitted. Thus, consultation that is taking place now,
(December 1999) must be completed by 1 March 2000 for admissions in September 2001.

? The governing body must determine the admission arrangements by 15 April, i.e.
approximately six weeks after the deadline for completing consultation.

? For primary schools only, there is no need to consult with secondary schools in the
relevant area. Secondary school governing bodies must consult all other admission
authorities within the relevant area. (The relevant area is defined by the LEA, but as a
minimum is 3.2 kilometres for primary schools and 8.0 kilometres for secondary schools).

? The governing body must consult its own maintaining LEA and any other LEA that falls
wholly or partly within the relevant area.

? Consultation is not required for any arrangement that is subject to a statutory proposal
(e.g. a change in standard number) but the proposed arrangement must be included in the
papers for information.

? The governing body must notify those consulted that the arrangements have been
determined in writing within 14 days, i.e. no later than the end of April.

This information has been added to the WDES guidance on School Admissions which may be
consulted on the Schools Administration pages of the diocesan website at
www.westminsterdiocese.org.uk
(Queries to Ian Beck on 020 7798 9005 or 0589 493 088)

5 Religious Paintings Now

The National Gallery has a number of events related to the Holy Year, as well as contributing
to a series of TV programmes in April leading up to Easter Sunday. The timetable of events
and exhibitions is outlined on the enclosed sheet.
(For further information contact 020 7839 3321.)

6 Homelessness Sunday

Homelessness Sunday is on 30 January 2000. The Catholic Housing Aid Society has
produced a pack for the Sunday with a variety of resources included. The pack costs £4.40
each, or is available on disc (Word 6) for the same price. Their website is at
www.chasnat.demon.co.uk and the telephone number is 0171 723 7273.
 
 

7 Education Sunday

Education Sunday is on 20 February 2000. The theme of it is 'Time to Learn'. Further details
and resources will be announced in January.
(More information from the Catholic Education Service (CES) on 020 7828 7604.)

8 CCRS Study Day

The next CCRS study day is on Saturday 15 January 2000 at Vaughan House. The topic is
The Sacraments, and will begin at 10am. Prior registration is preferable but new students are
welcome on the day. Module fee is £15 (£6.50 study day only).
(Contact Moira Wilson on 020 7798 9006.)

9 Correction

The correct phone number for Rev Deacon Duncan MacPherson is 020 8755 1464.

10 Annual Youth Ministry Conference

The conference is on Saturday 29 January 2000 at the Spec Centre, All Saints Pastoral Centre,
London Colney. The title of the day is Exploring the culture of young people and the main
speaker is David Wells. There are a variety of workshops in the afternoon.
(For more information contact either Moira Wilson 020 7798 9006 or Sandra Satchell on
01727 828888.)

11 Fair Funding - Revision to Regulations for 2000/01 *

All LEAs will have recently received revised guidance from the DfEE on the Regulations that
will apply with regard to the financial year 2000/01. Of particular importance is new
guidance on the costs of administering admissions. The costs of administering admissions,
including appeals, forms part of the costs due to be met by the LEA pursuant to its duty to
maintain a school which is an admissions authority in its own right. It is now intended to
amend Schedule 1 of the regulations to provide that funding for admissions may only be held
centrally in respect of schools which are admission authorities but have not elected to have
funding delegated to them in their budget shares.

Where such funding is centrally retained, the LEA would then be expected to provide services
free of charge to schools which are admissions authorities.
(Contact: Tony Mackersie 020 7798 9005)

12 Deputy Primary Heads Conference

The details and application forms for the Deputy Primary Heads Conference have been sent
out to all primary deputy heads. It begins on Monday 7 February 2000 at London Colney and
ends on Tuesday 8. The deadline for replies is Friday 21 January 2000.
(For further details contact Carol Campbell-Goulbourne on 020 7798 9005)

13 Inservice for Teachers in Catholic Schools

Diocesan Twilight Course on Leadership in Catholic Education at St Anne’s House
London Colney in January/ February 2000

It is intended to run this course, previously offered in Vaughan House in Sept/ Oct 1999, on
Monday evenings from 5.00 to 7.00pm. The content aims to give those intending to build a
career in Catholic education, and especially those looking towards headship or deputy
headship, some insight into the distinctive character of Catholic education and the legal
framework which supports it. The course fee for the five units is £50 including refreshments.
(Further information and application forms are available from Joan Leith on 07944 168004
or Marie Burke on 01727 826014)

East Region Residential Course for Aspiring Deputy Headteachers at All Saints Pastoral
Centre, London Colney on 25-28 January 2000

At the time of writing two places remain reserved for teachers in Westminster Diocese for this
annual four-day residential course. The inclusive cost is £180 and for a small school, or one
with exceptional financial difficulties, a full bursary may be available.
(Contact Joan Leith on 07944 168004 for further details and application forms.)

14 Advance Planning for Staff Development

Headteachers may find it helpful to know that in 2000 the four day residential for Aspiring
Headteachers in December and the four day residential for Aspiring Deputy Headteachers in
January will be available at a cost close to £ 180. It is intended also to run the Diocesan
Twilight Course on Leadership in Vaughan House in September/October 2000.
(Further information from Joan Leith on 07944 168004)

15 Christian Theology Trust

The Trust is involved in providing materials and examinations for Christian schools and has
pioneered a number of certificates. It also provides materials for GCSE and A level courses.
Its recent publication is Christian Perspectives on Personal, Social and World Issues by
Francis Beswick at £2.95. They are the study notes for MEG/OCR syllabus in Religious
Studies.
(Please contact Mr Brendan Stannard at 01704 577117.)

16 Educarem

The Educarem Trust has now been established. It promotes the understanding and
methodology of how spiritual, moral, social and cultural development can be improved in
schools. The leaflet enclosed gives details of the Trust and is also an application form for
attending an introductory training day. (For further details contact 0117 968 8008.)

17 Trip to the Holy Land

Sr Victoria Hummell is leading a pilgrimage for primary teachers to the Holy Land in
February 2001 during half term. The enclosed leaflet contains details and returns slip if you
would like more information. (Contact number is 020 7426 0488.)

In Conclusion

Just recently (1st December) a pupil from one of our schools was being interviewed by a
journalist about the Holy Year and was explaining to the journalist that they had a countdown
calendar in their classroom. The journalist then said she expected it read 31 days to go, and
the pupil came straight back and said 'No, it says 25; the Holy Year starts with the birth of
Our Lord.' Bravo.

All of us in the Education Service share our hope and joy with you in the renewed
understanding of the significance of the birth of Jesus that this Jubilee year is bringing.
Happy Christmas!