A place for every Reading secondary school student
Ninety-three per cent of Reading students have been offered a place in one of their preferred secondary schools this year.
Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) has ensured that every secondary school pupil in Reading has a place for September despite fierce competition.
The percentage who received their first or second preference is 84% compared with 85% last year and 90% were offered their first, second or third choice compared with 91% last year.
There was a decrease in the percentage of pupils offered their first preference from 73% to 67%. This was mainly due to grammar school admissions tests being postponed because of the pandemic and the results not being published until after the normal deadline for submitting secondary school applications.
The percentage of students not allocated any of their preferences remained at seven per cent.
Prof Dr Kate Reynolds, Director of Education at BFfC, said: “We have been working closely with secondary schools in Reading to ensure every student has a place on National Offer Day and a high percentage will be going to one of their preferred schools.
“We continue to work with Reading Borough Council, academy trusts, neighbouring authorities and the Department for Education to provide more school places to meet demand in the coming years, including the new River Academy secondary school in Reading.
“I would like to thank our secondary schools for helping us to accommodate all Reading students this year and I wish every pupil all the very best in their new school.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Reading’s wonderful schools for the amazing work they have done for their pupils and students under such challenging circumstances throughout the pandemic.”
The percentage of pupils allocated to school outside Reading was 28% this year compared with 29% last year.
Launch of first Reading Youth Council virtual conference
The Reading Youth Council (RYC) Conference has been launched with the aim of reaching as many young people in the borough as possible.
There will be lots of discussion about important issues such as the environment, knife crime and mental health but this year there is a difference.
With the support of Brighter Futures for Children, the event will be entirely online and interactive and young people will be able to take part any time over the next three weeks.
The keynote speaker for the first ever virtual RYC conference is Deborah Glassbrook, Reading’s Director of Children’s Services, and there are videos from young people talking about subjects the RYC has campaigned on this year.
Participants are invited to watch the videos, read presentations, answer questions and give their opinions on the issues raised, including how they have coped with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Young people who complete the content will be invited to enter a prize draw with the chance of winning vouchers for the Escape Room, Reading Climbing Centre and Caversham Lakes Activity Centre.
The virtual conference has been promoted to schools in Reading and a day’s activity prize for up to 30 students will be presented to the school with the most overall participants.
The event is also being promoted on Brighter Futures for Children’s social media channels over the next three weeks: @BFfC_Child on twitter, @readingyoungpeople on Instagram and @BFfCChild on Facebook.
Deborah Glassbrook, Director of Children’s Services, said: “The last 12 months have been so difficult for young people, with their school work being disrupted, being unable to meet up with friends, play sport or take part in social activities.
“The virtual Reading Youth Council Conference gives our wonderful young people the opportunity to give their views about mental health issues and other key topics, such as the environment.
“The RYC does a fantastic job campaigning on behalf of young people and I am delighted to have been asked to speak in their first ever online annual conference and I hope as many young people take part as possible.”
The RYC is a group of elected representatives who campaign on issues that matter to young people in Reading. You can find out more about the group and lots of activities and resources in the Young People’s Zone on the Brighter Futures for Children website.
Young people can take part in the Reading Youth Council online conference until 19 March by visiting: https://t.co/77ZHutM7KF.
Campaign to find more Reading foster carers for teenagers
One year ago, Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) planted a tree in Town Hall Square in partnership with Ethical Reading, Reading Borough Council and the Reading Tree Wardens.
The tree-planting, on 17 February 2020, was the brainwave of a 15-year-old boy, Nick*, who suggested it be planted to help young people in care, like him, who have had to move away from Reading to feel ‘rooted’ in the town. The cherry blossom tree stands tall outside Reading Town Hall and is now adorned with solar lights for some extra sparkle in the darker months.
BFfC has more than 270 children and young people in its care. Some of these young people, like Nick, have to live outside Reading because there is a shortage of Reading-based foster carers.
BFfC is launching a campaign to find more local foster carers, particularly for teenagers, so more young people in care can stay in Reading, where they belong. The campaign tells the story of Jade*, a 17-year-old girl, who has been in care since she was nine.
Jade said: “I’m really lucky because I live with my foster carer in Reading which means I’m close to my friends and family.”
Could you help a young person like Jade stay rooted in Reading by becoming a foster carer? To become a foster carer, you need a space in your heart for young people and a spare room in your home. BFfC provides good training and recognises the value of its foster carers with a financial package.
Read Jade’s story at: www.readingfostering.co.uk/stories.
Contact BFfC’s fostering team by email foster@brighterfuturesforchildren.org or call 0118 469 3020.
*Names have been changed to protect identities
Opportunities for Reading young people in National Apprenticeship Week
The wide diversity of opportunities available to young people through apprenticeships is being highlighted this week.
National Apprenticeships Week (February 8 – 14) has a theme of Build the Future this year and is focusing on how individuals and employers can benefit from the scheme.
Brighter Futures for Children’s (BFfC) Elevate career service is supporting the annual campaign by promoting the apprenticeship opportunities available to young people in Reading.
Businesses use apprenticeships to fill skills gaps, upskill and revitalise their workforce and young people on the scheme can benefit from increased confidence, skills, knowledge and career progression.
Elevate has a Jobs Board on the Young People Zone on the BFfC’s website (https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/young-peoples-zone/careers-service-for-young-people/) which is updated regularly. This week there are additional apprenticeship opportunities which range from digital marketing to hairdressing and from childcare to logistics.
Prof Dr Kate Reynolds, Director of Education at BFfC, said: “Apprenticeships offer a great opportunity for young people in a job market which has been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There are openings available in a huge range of different fields in Reading and our expert career coaches at Elevate can offer friendly advice to young people looking for work or training opportunities.
“As well as the Job Boards on the Elevate webpage, there is an online chat facility or you can call the team on 07929 178133.”
Reading’s Improving Children’s Services Out of Intervention
The continuing improvement journey of children’s services in Reading reached a major milestone today when it was officially confirmed that the service has been removed from Government intervention.
In a letter to Reading Borough Council Leader Jason Brock today (Feb 8), Vicky Ford, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, confirmed she was lifting the Government direction with immediate effect, as a result of the continuing improvement of children’s services in Reading by the Council and Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC).
Today’s letter acknowledges ‘significant improvement’ since Ofsted’s inspection 5 years ago and the ‘hard work and commitment of all involved at the Council.’ It goes on to say: “Elected members, senior leaders, partners and staff at all levels in Reading have demonstrated a commitment to achieving this. In doing so, Reading has ensured that vulnerable children and families now have access to an improved quality of service.”
Reading’s Children’s Services were first placed in intervention in 2016 following an Ofsted inspection, with a revised Direction issued in December 2018. A 2019 Ofsted report highlighted examples of strong practice across the service, including in early help services. It also showed there were areas where improvement was still required.
A recent subsequent report by children’s services commissioner Nick Whitfield acknowledged the pace of improvements have continued post inspection, alongside an ongoing commitment from both Reading Borough Council and Brighter Futures for Children for this to continue. He recommended removal of Government intervention, which was confirmed in today’s letter to the Council Leader.
The letter adds: “This is an important and well-deserved step but there is still more work to do. I will be asking my officials to stay close to your continuing improvement journey, and, to that end, Reading will now enter a period of ‘support and supervision’, in line with all authorities who exit formal intervention.”
Today’s removal of the Statutory Direction is the culmination of five years of hard work. The decision has been welcomed by the Council and Brighter Futures for Children, who manage children’s services on behalf of the Council.
Liz Terry, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Children’s Services, said:
“This is hugely welcome news for all staff working with children and families, whether at the Council or Brighter Futures for Children, who have worked so tirelessly over the last five years to drive forward improvements to children’s services in Reading. What is even more impressive is that improvements have continued during the pandemic, which continues to throw up huge challenges for children’s services and local government, which are likely to continue for some years’ to come.
“Children’s social care teams everywhere have a huge responsibility in minimising the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable children and young people. I am delighted that their hard work in Reading has been acknowledged in this way.
“Along with our colleagues at Brighter Futures for Children, our statutory partners in health, police and in our schools, and the voluntary/community sector, we all have a responsibility to help every single child in Reading achieve their full potential, no matter how challenging their personal circumstances may be. We know there is a long way to go and much more work to do, but the lifting of this notice is a major milestone in a continuing improvement journey.”
Ashley Pearce, Lead Councillor for Education at the Council, said:
“While it has been uniquely challenging year for everyone involved in delivering education to the children and young people of Reading, the removal of intervention is the culmination of five years of tremendous efforts to turn the service around.
“Teachers and teaching staff continue to work hard to give every child and young person in Reading the very best possible start in life, at times under very trying circumstances. I’d like to thank them for their hugely valuable contribution.
“We all now need to redouble our efforts in developing vital care, education and support services for children and young people across the town.”
Di Smith, Chair of the Brighter Futures for Children Board, said:
“I am delighted with this news which is a positive endorsement of the progress Brighter Futures for Children has made. I would like to pay tribute to our amazing staff who are firmly committed to building on these gains and to securing further improvement for the benefit of children, young people and families in Reading.”
New Skills and Employment Youth Hub opens
The Skills and Employment Youth Hub will be operated by Brighter Futures for Children’s Elevate careers service in partnership with JobCentre Plus and other partners in the Curious Lounge, in the Pinnacle building, Tudor Road.
The hub will offer a fresh new way of supporting and offering advice to Reading’s young people to avoid them becoming long term NEET (not in employment, education or training).
Elevate will leave its current home in Reading Central Library to relocate to Curious Lounge but the hub will operate ‘virtually’ initially due to the current COVID-19 restrictions.
Young people aged 16-25 will have access to a wide range of services in the hub, including: advice on the academic and vocational opportunities available; first-hand experience of work places through the DWP Kick Start scheme; training sessions from local partners and employers; access to digital technology within the hub; resources to help with career planning; training on CV building, interview preparation and communication skills and drop-in support from health practitioners.
Young people can be referred to the service by their DWP Work Coach or Youth Employability Coach.
Prof Dr Kate Reynolds, Director of Education at Brighter Futures for Children, said: “The creation of the Skills and Employment Youth Hub signifies a very exciting time for Elevate careers service.
“I am thrilled that Elevate will be leading the way in the effort to support young people to secure employment, education or training after leaving school or college.
“We have already made significant progress in reducing the number of young people NEET in Reading and this project will serve to boost these efforts further.”
Cllr Ashley Pearce, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Education, said: “Some young people struggle to find the path that is right for them after leaving full-time education and it is soul-destroying to see such wasted talent.
“The Skills and Employment Youth Hub will be a one-stop shop located in a lively environment with space for young people to meet employers, training and education providers and where they can gain the skills they need to take their next positive steps.”
Thank you to schools for rising to unique challenge
Schools across Reading are being thanked for the work they have put into delivering education for children in extremely difficult circumstances at the end of a very challenging term.
Public Health England (PHE) South East and Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) are joining forces to send out a positive message highlighting everything that schools have done over the past three months, in particular the extra tasks they have had to take on because of COVID-19.
PHE SE Regional Director Dr Alison Barnett said the last few months had been “pretty tough” but that she was proud of how education providers had risen to the task. Following months of closure and the complexity of delivering high-quality education to pupils at home, returning all students to classrooms in September was a logistical challenge like no other.
“It has certainly been a difficult year – for teachers, pupils and for parents,” she said.
“Our Health Protection Teams have been in daily contact with schools and know the pressure that they have been under – but we also found they have increasingly grown in confidence in managing cases themselves.
“Although numbers remain high across Reading, staff and parents have consistently gone above and beyond to make sure pupils have been able to learn as safely as possible and I want to thank them for these efforts.
“The risk to children of becoming severely ill from coronavirus remains very low and the impact of being out of school can be profound and life-long. To ensure we can continue to control numbers and protect our loved ones, it is vitally important that schools, parents and pupils keep to the COVID-19 guidelines as much as possible, both over the holiday period and when they return for the new term in January.”
Prof Dr Kate Reynolds, Director of Education at BFfC, said she was enormously impressed by the commitment of Reading’s schools throughout the pandemic.
She said: “I would like to thank headteachers, teachers and school staff for the role they have all played in keeping schools open despite all the challenges they have faced
“It is vital that, in order to keep schools as safe as possible, parents continue to keep children home from school if unwell and to get them tested.
“It is also worth remembering that about one in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and will be spreading it unintentionally.
“This is why it is so important to continue to follow the advice, such as wearing face-coverings and socially distancing at the school gates and anywhere else where staff, parents and students may mix in the final days of term.
“We want to do all we can to protect our community and look forward to more time with friends and family in 2021.”
Cllr Ashley Pearce, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Education, said: “Children’s education is so important, and I know it has been a huge joint effort to keep schools open this term and to provide distance learning when required.
“It has been an extraordinarily difficult period for all school staff and I would like to thank them for their commitment and dedication throughout the pandemic. I would also like to acknowledge the challenges faced by parents and children over the last few months and thank them for their understanding and co-operation.”
Notes to editors
- Covid-19 guidance for schools is available at Gov.UK.
- Public Health England (PHE) exists to protect and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities. It does this through world-class science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and the delivery of specialist public health services. PHE is an operationally autonomous executive agency of the Department of Health & Social Care.
- Follow us on Twitter: @PHE_SouthEast
Happy second birthday to Brighter Futures for Children
03 December 2020
Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) is celebrating its second birthday today (Thursday 3 December).
As a not-for-profit company we have made significant progress in delivering education and children’s services since 3 December 2018 and remain committed to driving forward improvement.
BFfC has continued to focus on delivering quality services for children and young people in Reading despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic this year.
We’re proud of how far we’ve come and want to celebrate our birthday by marking a few of our achievements and to say a huge thank you to everyone at BFfC for helping us get this far.
Here’s a look back over the past two years:
Reading’s children’s services improved its Ofsted rating to ‘Requires improvement to be good’ in October 2019. In March 2020 BFfC’s Independent Fostering Agency’s status moved up to ‘Requires improvement to be good’ following an Ofsted inspection.
Since lockdown in March, BFfC has adapted its ways of working to continue providing vital services to children, families and schools.
Our social care, early help and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) teams have worked with around 5,000 children and young people through the pandemic. More than 2,000 risk assessments were carried out to check what additional support may be required by children with SEND.
The Education service has been providing support and advice to Reading’s schools under challenging circumstances throughout the pandemic. Almost 500 laptops have been distributed to disadvantaged children in Reading through the government scheme to help with online learning.
BFfC created a local Free School Meal voucher scheme in March, before the national operation was set up, and issued 14,226 five-day food vouchers to families. Staff also worked with Reading Borough Council and the University of Reading to make sure no children went hungry in Reading during the October half-term break.
Our children’s centres have continued to provide virtual activities for families across Reading and held outdoor socially-distanced walks when government guidance has allowed.
Elevate Careers Service introduced a live chat facility on the BFfC website for the first time to offer advice to students on exam results days this year and has seen the numbers of young people not in education, employment or training in Reading falling dramatically.
Other achievements in 2020 include the creation of the Mental Health Support Team, in partnership with the NHS Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group, which provides school-based support to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems.
Cressingham children’s home achieved an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgement in February, matching the achievement of Pinecroft children’s home in August 2019.
BFfC has also worked closely with Reading Borough Council, neighbouring councils, the DfE and education providers to ensure more school places are created for children with SEND, including the new Oak Tree School in Wokingham and Hamilton School in east Reading.
Government funding of almost £23,000 was secured by BFfC in August to help schools promote children’s mental wellbeing when they returned in September following the coronavirus lockdown and summer break.
BFfC joined forces with the University of Reading again in November to host the Big Education Conversation which featured teachers, academics and school pupils in an online debate about why Black Lives Matter in education. The company was also proud to support the national Youth Climate Summit, virtually attended by Reading school pupils, the same month.
Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “I would like to thank our partners for all their support in helping us achieve what we have so far.
“Our staff have been incredible in demonstrating their commitment to Reading’s children by quickly adapting to new ways of working, forced on us by the coronavirus pandemic. They have continued to provide essential services and been there for children and families when needed.
“I feel Brighter Futures for Children has truly established itself and made great strides forward. However, we are by no means complacent about the task ahead and recognise there is still much to do to provide the outstanding service Reading’s children deserve.”
Cllr Ashley Pearce, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Education, said: “Happy 2nd birthday to all at Brighter Futures for Children and well done to everyone who has worked so hard to support our schools during this very difficult year.
“It has been a tough time for Headteachers, school staff and pupils and I’m sure the assistance offered by the experienced education team at BFfC has been very welcome.
“I hope we can look forward to a calmer 2021 with a focus on supporting schools to provide the best possible education for Reading’s children and young people.”
Cllr Liz Terry, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “This has been an extraordinary year for everyone but I am particularly proud of our children’s social care team which has continued to support families and vulnerable children throughout the pandemic.
“Social workers and family workers don’t always get the recognition they deserve as key workers but they carry out vital work and are supported by a dedicated team behind the scenes.
“I’d like to wish everyone at Brighter Futures for Children a happy second anniversary and look forward to continuing improvements to services for children and young people in Reading.”
Encouraging children to Move More
17 November 2020
Primary schools across Reading are being asked to sign up to a new initiative to encourage children to be more active.
The Move More campaign will focus on helping pupils to walk, cycle or scoot to school and supporting schools to introduce more physical activities.
The project is being led by Brighter Futures for Children and supported by Reading Borough Council’s transport and public health teams and Get Berkshire Active.
Across the country there is a growing problem of children and young people becoming overweight or obese and this has a big impact on their lives and their future health prospects.
We are asking primary schools in Reading to sign-up to a commitment to increase active participation in a way that is safe and in line with government and public health coronavirus guidance. The campaign also includes food tips, advice and simple recipes which can help children to eat healthily.
Efforts to encourage more pupils to walk, cycle or scoot to school are being supported by the WOW – year-round walk to school challenge run by the Living Streets charity.
The initiative aims to reduce congestion and pollution outside school gates, while increasing safety and improving the health of children. The Reading Borough Council-funded project is allowing schools to sign-up free of charge.
Move More is also promoting free cycle training for children with Bikeability, and the Modeshift STARS awards scheme which recognises schools which demonstrate excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable transport.
The campaign is also encouraging schools to consider the possibility of creating School Streets outside their premises. This Reading council initiative allows schools to close the street outside their building to through traffic for up to 45 minutes, twice a day, during term time.
This keeps the area outside the school gates clear of traffic and makes it safer for children to walk, cycle or scoot to school.
Parents can explore all the options for tackling the school run by visiting https://www.reading.gov.uk/schooltravel. They will find interactive maps, school bus information, cycle training details and school specific infographics with travel advice and information on walking, cycling and public transport links.
Once children are in school, the Move More campaign aims to keep pupils active throughout the day. The Daily Mile provides tips and ideas to help schools get children active together outdoors while keeping safe, and following government guidance.
Get Berkshire Active will also be offering advice and helping schools get the most out of their Primary PE and School Sport funding.
Eating a nutritious balanced diet is also an essential part of keeping children healthy and happy. The Move More campaign links up with Public Health to offer advice and tips for some great lunchbox ideas and nutritious, tasty recipes children will love.
Prof Dr Kate Reynolds, Director of Education at BFfC, said: “I am delighted that Brighter Futures for Children has been able to team up with our council partners and Get Berkshire Active in this campaign to get Reading’s children moving more.
“I know this is a challenging time for schools but with their support I believe we can have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our children and young people in Reading.”
Cllr Ashley Pearce, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Education, said: “The issue of children and young people becoming less active and the consequences of that on their health and wellbeing is a nationwide problem, and one that is very concerning.
“Fortunately, it is possible to improve the health and fitness of young people with a little extra effort and no extra cost. The potential benefits are enormous both for children’s physical and mental wellbeing and for their health prospects in the future.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
Find out more about:
RBC school travel: reading.gov.uk/schooltravel
WOW – Living Streets: https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/
Modeshift STARS: https://www.modeshiftstars.org/
The Daily Mile: https://thedailymile.co.uk/back-to-school/
Get Berkshire Active: https://getberkshireactive.org/
Celebrating success - our care leaver braving changes
Being taken into care when you’re young can make the world a confusing place - from trying to understand what’s happened to you, what you’ve just experienced and witnessed, to working out who you really are and where you belong.
For one of our Reading care leavers, this journey took place during their teenage years.
Already facing the various challenges that come from transitioning from childhood to adolescence; making new friends, being exposed to different people from various backgrounds, on top of dealing with the experience they’d just encountered, they then had the courage to take on an even harder journey.
Instead of going through life living with something that didn’t feel right, they recognised who they were and who they wanted to be and made the brave decision to transition to the opposite gender.
This is a difficult decision and journey for anyone to go through, never mind when there is limited support around you.
Alongside managing this transition, our care leaver continued to do well at school, achieving brilliant GSCE grades and A-levels and is now studying hard at university.
We’re immensely proud of how this care leaver conducted themselves through the journey of change, being true to themselves and following what they felt was right, even with the knowledge that not everyone may agree or understand their decision.
They made important life choices, had the courage and determination to stick with them and through all this, headed off to university to start a new life.
They should be incredibly proud of themselves and we wish them all the best in their fantastic future ahead!