I hope your week is going well.

Just a few updates :

A-E Reporting to Parents

You would know from various news reports that the ground in relation to the introduction of the new reports continues to shift in the political arena.

This clearly creates some uncertainty at school level.

The best advice that I can offer at present is to "play the whistle."  That is, the message has been clear within the various Bulletins sent to schools: the reporting is going ahead. 

I know from school visits that many schools are well down the track in their readiness.

I also have had feedback from some people that a demonstration of the web based software looks good, and that it looks like it should be available as planned.

Personalised reporting - the "P" scales

A range of regional staff attended a workshop at Swansea yesterday looking at the issues around reports which use the "P" scale for students who have been undertaking a learning program which has been adjusted for their needs, and which does not address the same anticipated outcomes.

The decision to use this scale is one which needs to have been made when planning the learning program.  In simple terms, it basically follows that: if students have had access to the same 'inputs' then their performance is measured against the same standards framework which we have set up for our anticipated 'outputs.'  Where adjustments have been made to the 'inputs,' or learning program, then a different set of measures may be appropriate. 

HCC4 network blog

Don't forget to keep a regular eye on the HCC4 network blog as new things are added from time to time.  You will see that it currently includes some ideas about meeting some of the client satisfaction goals, with a suggestion about a network strategy which we could discuss as a group.

When you visit the site, look for the link on the right hand side to register your email address so that you receive an email update whenever new messages are posted to the blog.

Post PARS palaver

I'm hoping to get details to you soon for an afternoon session to follow up on the PARS process with some observations from the visits, and some planning for the future.

Term 3 - winding down

Best wishes for the next few weeks as the usual signs of tiredness filter in at the end of winter.  I hope your end of term is more of a beginning of spring than the butt end of a worn out winter. 

Good luck !

Remember, we all stumble, every one of us.  That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand.

~ Emily Kimbrough

Enjoy the rest of your week