Year 6 have arrived at the residential and eating lunch before archery this afternoon.

Weather is sunny!

Gatehouse School Office

Dear parents/carers,

I wanted to make you aware of a new service that is available to support with conducting assessments for children with autism. If you feel your child is showing signs of having autism, or they are already on the waiting list for an autism assessment, but you don't want to wait in the current 2 year long waiting list, this is a service which can help.

You can refer directly to the service, with the support of the school or individually, and they will conduct a fully funded assessment which, if the child meets the criteria, will lead to a diagnosis. The criteria to be eligible for a fully funded place is if your household income is less than £45,000 per year. If your household income is above this, you can still apply however you will not be eligible for a self-funded place. The service is in Keele and you would have to cover the costs of travel to the centre yourselves but it is one of the only places offering this service.

If this is something you are interested in, and you want to discuss it further, please don't hesitate to call the school and I would be happy to answer any further questions.

https://www.caudwellchildren.com/services/autism/

Many thanks,

Miss Naylor

https://www.firstfederation.org/annual-review/

If your child is in Year 4 or Year 5, book a space to view Dawlish College at a time that suits you.

Reminder - all pupil absences need to be reported via the admin email - admin@gatehouse.devon.sch.uk or through the My Ed app or by telephone on the day.

Please do not send through Seesaw.

Many thanks for your support.

School Office

Thank you to Capture Weddings who helped us produce an amazing 'Welcome to Gatehouse 2020/2021' video.

https://www.gatehouse.devon.sch.uk/starting-at-gatehouse/

x2 Governance Volunteer Vacancies

Gatehouse Primary Academy

Parent council members are an important link between the board of directors and each school within the Trust. They have a valued role within the Trust governance to help the board of directors fulfil their core duties:  

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
2. Holding the Chief Executive Officer and senior leaders to account for the educational performance of the Trust schools and their pupils; and
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the Trust and making sure its money is well spent.

Each parent council member is a member of the governance hub advisory board for their school. They are normally linked to another school within the Trust and visit their school and their linked school termly, although this is being reviewed because of Covid-19 restrictions.

More information about the role is available overleaf. More information about the governance structure of the First Federation can be found on the Trust website:

www.firstfederation.org

You do not need to be an expert in the field of education for this role. What you do need is an interest in children’s education, the First Federation and very importantly the time and willingness to get involved. Training and support will be provided.

If you are interested in the role, please let the school office know by Friday 8^th January 2021.

You will be contacted after that date to discuss the role in more details.

Yours sincerely,

Isabelle Candy

Company Secretary

What are First Federation Trust Parent Council Members?

Parent council members represent the voice of a parent (i.e. a ‘typical’ parent) not the voice of the parents. Their primary expertise is as a parent and their role is to support and challenge all the schools in the First Federation Trust to improve outcomes for children. As a parent at an individual school within the Trust they will have a good working knowledge of that school through their child’s education and their interaction with the school. We link each parent council member to another school within the Trust.

In practice, what will I be expected to do? (This is being reviewed due to covid-19 restrictions)

The Trust parent council member will:

• Visit their own school and linked school once a term for 2 hours during the school day, together with their paired parent council member. The visit will include:
  • Taking part in a learning walk with a member of the school leadership focusing on the First Federation Trust internal consistencies
  • Focussing on an aspect of school improvement
  • Talking to staff and children
  • Receiving an update on events to promote parental engagement and links with the local community
• After each visit, send a report, using the agreed template, to the hub clerk within 10 working days of the visit.

• Attend the Governance Hub advisory board meetings (currently five a year)
• Attend training as necessary.

What does the role offer?

• A chance to develop your own personal skills
• Access to free training in respect of education and governance matters
• A sense of achievement in helping to make a difference to children’s education

Are you looking for people with particular skills?

We would be delighted to hear from anyone who:

• Is interested in children’s education and the performance of a group of schools
• Has an enquiring mind, and has the confidence to ask questions and debate issues that have an impact on the quality of education we provide
• Can consider matters strategically, objectively and make informed judgements
• Has an enthusiastic and proactive attitude
• Is able to work well as part of a team

Department for Education coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline opening hours

The Department for Education coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline remains available to answer questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) relating to education and children’s social care. Please listen carefully to the available options and select the most appropriate to your nursery, school, or college’s current situation.

Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline by calling:

Phone: 0800 046 8687

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm