What is happening about re-designation in 2009/2010?
There is a moratorium on re-designation until early 2010, but we are putting in place arrangements for schools to go through the re-designation process with their SIPs by the end of the school year.
We expect all schools which last re-designated in 2006/07 to re-designate in 2009/10. We will publish this information online shortly.
We are working with the SSAT and YST to develop benchmarks that will support schools and SIPs in their conversations about re-designation. These benchmarks are being tested through pilots in 5 LAs. Feedback from the pilots will inform the benchmarks and associated guidance
All SIPs responsible for schools due to re-designate this year will shortly be invited to training events in December and they will also have access to an online training package.
What about schools seeking initial designation?
There is also a moratorium on initial designation, but all schools wishing to be designated from September 2010 will be eligible to go through the designation process with their SIPs from early 2010. The same benchmarks will apply to schools whether they are seeking re-designation or initial designation.
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2009/2010 Guidance
The benchmarks will form the core of the revised guidance. We are planning to publish the guidance before Christmas in time for the re-start of the re-designation process in early 2010.
The guidance will also include information on specific features of the specialist programme, for example capital grant, which will still be administered centrally by DCSF.
What does this mean for schools that re-designated last year (2008/2009) that are hoping to continue with or take up an HPSS option?
We will be publishing a detailed update on HPSS in the near future.
Training Schools
The training schools programme has been decoupled from the HPSS programme. Existing training schools will continue to be funded by DCSF at current levels and Training and Development Agency Training School Consultants will be contacting training schools to discuss future plans and targets for the coming year. Please see the Training and Development Agency website for further information.
Click here (Word 58 KB) for commitments in the White Paper relating to specialism.
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