Need to know 2012 - information for heads, principals and governors

Academies

Free Schools  (including University Technical Colleges and Studio Schools)

Maintained Schools

Sixth Form Colleges

Further Education Colleges with 16-19 provision

Pupil Referral Units

Independent Schools (not state funded)

Non Maintained Special Schools

Spring term 2012

January - Information available on which qualifications will be included in the headline indicators for the 2014 Key Stage 4 performance tables.

Applicable to:

January - New inspection framework for schools. Framework, evaluation schedule and supporting guidance published.

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January - The Young People’s Learning Agency will announce how academies can apply for Capital Maintenance Funding for 2012-13.

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January - The Assessment and Reporting Arrangements (ARA) for Year 1 phonics screening check will be distributed to primary schools.

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15 January - Schools no longer have to join behaviour and attendance partnerships.

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15 January - Schools no longer required to provide notice for after-school detentions.

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17 January - Window for applying to establish a new University Technical College in September 2013 closes.

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January/February - Draft funding calculations sent to academies by YPLA and LACSEG rates published.

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January - March - Schools interested in converting to academy status in time for new school year should register their interest.

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1 February - Revised School Admissions and Appeals Codes come into force. Schools will use the revised codes to consult on admissions policies.

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1 February - School meal deals (set by school or local authority, depending on whether catering is devolved) will be allowed to boost the uptake of school lunches and to tackle obesity.

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13-24 February - Application window for groups seeking to open a Free School (except those seeking to open a University Technical College) in September 2013.

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February - Distribution of Key Stage 2 English Writing test for schools which have opted for internal marking. Schools are able to administer this test between February and June 2012.

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February - Information for secondary schools on obtaining funding for summer schools for free school meals pupils transitioning to Year 7 in September 2012 issued.

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February - Opening the process to enable PRUs to convert to alternative provision academies with a view to receiving formal applications for an academy order from PRU management committees when legislation permits (circa. May).

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February - Launch of application process for academies Capital Maintenance Fund 2012-13.

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March - Final confirmation of any newly accredited qualifications that will be included in the headline indicators for the 2014 Key Stage 4 performance tables.

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31 March - Final funding letters issued to academies for 2012/13.

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31 March - Deadline for LA maintained schools that never achieved FMSIS to complete the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) and submit the return to their LA.

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March 2012 - March 2013 - Match funding of up to £3000 is available for schools with Key Stage 1 pupils to purchase systematic synthetic phonics products and training.

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1 April - Cases of serious misconduct start to be referred to the new Teaching Agency replacing previous arrangements to refer dismissals for incompetence or misconduct to the General Teaching Council for England.

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1 April - The register of teachers ceases to exist. Instead, no employer will be allowed to employ someone whose name is on the new prohibited list.

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1 April - New regulatory framework for sixth form colleges provides extra freedoms for colleges including over their own governance and day-to-day working.

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15 April - Deadline for admission arrangements for September 2013 intake to be determined even if they have not changed from the previous year and a consultation has not been required..

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April - Schools will be able to search pupils for a wider range of items without their consent.

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April - Subject to the outcome of the consultation, revised School Premises Regulations will come into force, and associated guidance will be published.

Applicable to:

April - New regulations on statutory induction for newly qualified teachers will come into force and statutory guidance will be published.

Mandatory for:

Also applicable to other schools offering statutory induction to their NQTs.

15 May - Administration of Key Stage 2 English Writing test for schools selected in the sample and for schools opting to administer externally marked tests.

Applicable to:

May - Consultation on proposed changes to school organisation regulations, including the statutory process for closing and making alterations to maintained schools.

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Spring term - Announcement on which schools have been successful in their applications to the Priority Schools Building Programme.

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Summer term 2012

30 April - Delivery of externally marked Key Stage 2 and Level 6 test materials (standard and modified versions) and stationery items to schools.

Applicable to:

June - Year 1 phonics screening checks administered.

Mandatory for:

June - Total amount of Pupil Premium for each school confirmed.

Applicable to:

Summer term - Announcement of successful applications to set up Free Schools, Studio Schools and University Technical Colleges.

Applicable to:

Autumn term 2012

1 September - New inspection framework for the learning and skills sector (16- to 19-year-olds) comes into force. 

Applicable to:

Mandatory for:

September - Bidding opens for School Direct places for 2013/14 (a new scheme that allows schools, or groups of schools, to apply to the TDA/Teaching Agency to offer an Initial Teacher Training place, which they then work with an accredited ITT provider to deliver).

Applicable to:

September - The revised Early Years Foundation Stage comes into force, following the Tickell Review and a full consultation with the sector over summer 2011.

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September - Changes to the Free Entitlement to Early Education for three and four-year-olds come into force.

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September - Subject to the outcome of consultation, revised premises standards for independent schools will come into force.

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September - Independent appeal panels will be replaced with a new system for reviewing permanent exclusion decisions.

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September - All external examinations in two year GCSE courses starting in September will have to be taken at the end of the course (summer 2014).  Students will not be able to sit individual modules before the end of the course.

Applicable to:

September - New regulations and accompanying guidance on induction for Newly Qualified Teachers come into force.

Mandatory for:

September - Changes to Teachers’ Standards come into force (only applicable to Special Educational Needs Coordinators in Free Schools).

Mandatory for:

September - Subject to the outcome of the consultation on managing teacher performance, schools can begin to use new model policy on appraisal and capability.

Applicable but optional to:

September - Pupils will have access to independent, impartial careers guidance in Years 9-11. Subject to consultation, the age range will be extended to include pupils in Year 8 and young people aged 16-18 studying in schools and colleges.

Applicable to:

Subject to consultation:

September - Maintained schools no longer required to produce an annual prospectus or curriculum policy, but must provide key information online instead (subject to Regulations being made).

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September - New academies and Free Schools must provide key information online.

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September - Schools are required to publish online information about how they have used the Pupil Premium.

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September - Governing bodies can choose to move away from the stakeholder model of constitution of governing bodies.

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October - Reporting restrictions introduced preventing the publication of identifying information about a teacher who has been accused by a pupil of a criminal offence.

Applicable to:

November - When changes are proposed to admission arrangements, admission authorities must consult on admissions for eight weeks November-March 2012, for September 2014 entry.

Mandatory for:

November - Information available on which qualifications will be included in the headline indicators for the 2015 Key Stage 4 performance tables.

Applicable to:

November/December - Announcement of Schools Capital Allocations for 2013-14.

Applicable to:

November/December - Announcement of Dedicated Schools Grant Allocations for 2013-14.

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November/December - Announcement of Pupil Premium levels for 2013-14.

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