January 2024 For all Kent and Medway Governors, Trustees, Clerks and School Leaders Please ensure this bulletin, also published on GovernorHub and The Education People website, is a standing agenda item for both your Full Governing Board, Trustee and Committee meetings.
Dear Governors, Trustees, Governance Professionals and Clerks Welcome to the first, 2024 edition of the Monthly Bulletin. We hope you had a peaceful Christmas break and that you are suitably rested and re-invigorated - ready to address all that 2024 has yet to offer!
Safeguarding - Making Informed Decisions about Filtering and Monitoring in Schools Recorded Webinar and Guidance A recent change to the Cantium Business Solutions broadband service offer may have cyber security and safeguarding implications for Kent schools. − Cantium Business Solutions will no longer be offering its Schools Broadband Service after March 31 2024 − 275 schools are affected by this change and have been notified − Some schools may not be receiving like-for-like quotations for alternative provision and are subsequently needing to purchase additional solutions to fulfil the statutory safeguarding requirements. Is your school affected by this change? Schools are strongly encouraged to ensure that any quotes for broadband services are comparable (e.g. they include filtering and/or monitoring approaches which are appropriate for your school community) and are considered from both a financial and safeguarding perspective. If you are affected by this change, it is recommend that Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and school leaders access the national guidance available below and/or contact the Education Safeguarding Team to explore what your school needs to consider from a safeguarding perspective when commissioning a new provider. − DfE - Filtering and monitoring standards for schools and colleges
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DfE - Cyber security standards for schools and colleges DfE - Broadband internet standards for schools and colleges
Schools' buying strategy, and specific advice on procurement UK Safer Internet Centre: Appropriate Filtering and Monitoring SWGfL: Appropriate Filtering and Monitoring Webinars, Checklist and FAQs
The Education Safeguarding Team have also produced an optional pre-recorded webinar and guidance document to help support headteachers and DSLs make informed decisions in relation to their filtering and monitoring approaches. − A pre-recorded webinar and supporting guidance document have also been added to Safeguarding Support Package for Schools 23/24 and are available for new and existing subscribers. You may also find Updates for Designated Safeguarding Leads helpful
Governor Briefings – dates for your diary and booking Medway Specific Governor Briefing - Wednesday 7 February 2024 − Paul Clarke - Strategic Head of Education: Planning & Access, Medway Council − Rebecca Smith - Lead (Education) Professional: Quality & Inclusion, Medway Council Kent Countywide Governor Briefing - Thursday 8 February 2024 − Siobhán Price – Kent County Council Education Officer, Mainstream Inclusion − Tony Breslin - Pathways for All initiative − John Greenwood - Cyber Protect Co-ordinator, Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, Bedfordshire Police Cyber Security