Welcome to West Berkshire Education

This site provides comprehensive information on all the services currently available to schools, academies and other organisations from West Berkshire Council. West Berkshire Council has a great deal of experience and expertise in providing support and services to schools. There are many benefits to buying services from the Local Authority: • We are committed to supporting schools to make the best possible use of their resources in order to maximise the impact on raising educational standards for pupils. • We have an experienced and highly trained workforce familiar with the work of schools and in the context in which they operate. • We ensure our services are compliant with legal requirements and national standards • We are committed to improving the lives of children.

The Early Years Service Team have created an example Early Years Risk Assessment and Guidance document which can be used by Early Year Providers to support their preparations for re-opening from 1st June. Please remember to adapt the risk assessment to reflect your setting.

Please find in the downloads section a copy of the guidance that the Early Years Team has created to support all early year providers and school in re-opening on 1st June. Whilst we are still waiting for more definitive answers on some aspects from the Government we hope that the document we have compiled will help you begin to navigate some of the issues that you will need to consider and plan for now and over the next few weeks. It will be updated as we are provided with more information. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Early Years’ Service: earlyyearsservice@westberks.gov.uk Question A1: includes Government clarification for childminders about when they can open and who they can look after from13th May and then 1st June. (Updated 18th May) Document updated following Government guidance published on 24th May (Updated 27th May)

Wellbeing activities for primary and secondary schools - suitable for home learning and for in school learning The Challenge During May we are inviting children and young people and their families to take part in our online #5ways5daysNHS challenge to promote the Five Ways to Wellbeing. To get you started we have put together a primary school guide and secondary school guide with lots of suggestions for fun activities linked to each of the Five Ways. https://www.berkshirewestccg.nhs.uk/patient-information/coping-guides-for-children-and-young-people/5ways-5days-nhs-challenge/ How to take part We would love to see what you’re doing, so get involved and be creative – even small actions can make a big difference to your mental wellbeing and help others to do the same! Join in by: Setting yourself the challenge of doing an activity from a different one of the Five Ways every day for five days and sharing as much as you want of what you’re doing on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook by tagging #5ways5daysNHS Nominate five friends to take up the challenge for a week! Once you’ve got the ball rolling by taking part in our challenge, see if you can build all the Five Ways into your daily life. You’ll quickly learn which activities work best for you by lifting your mood and giving your mental wellbeing a boost. Don’t forget to tag #5ways5daysNHS on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook and nominate and challenge your friends. The challenge ends on 31 May 2020.

Celebrating VE Day 75 in West Berkshire Every year, we all pause to remember those who fought in the Second World War, or were affected by it, over the weekend of 8 to 10 May, when World War 2 came to an end in Europe. This year marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day which we would have normally marked with events, street parties and gatherings alongside our friends, family and communities. With the current measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus asking us all to stay at home, people across the country will be remembering and giving thanks to the Second World War generation from the safety of their own homes. There are still lots of ways you can get involved and show your support in marking the day on social media and via your digital channels. To help you prepare your day, a dedicated website contains lots of VE Day related resources such as recipes, a playlist and educational resources, aimed at Key Stages 2, 3 and 4, exploring the significance of VE Day. Why not get creative and download our activity pack [2Mb] and make your own special 'Great British Bunting' [589kb] to hang in your windows. Bunting can be decorated with pictures of soldiers who fought on the frontline or those who worked on the Homefront, it could be your grandad in the Navy or your great grandmother who worked for the RAF. Or you could draw a poppy to commemorate the fallen, a dove to celebrate lasting peace or a rainbow to symbolise hope. The BBC has more guidance and inspiration you need to make your bunting from whatever you have at home. Make sure you tag us @WestBerkshire and @BBCBerkshire in your pictures on social media and use the hashtags #GreatBritishBunting and #VEDay75 so that all the effort you put in can be shared far and wide.