Welcome to the FSF November Newsletter

This month, the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) has reminded us of the huge global climate challenges we all face. Recently, the Education and Development Forum (UKFIET) hosted a one day conference, Conversations for Change: The Future of Education for Global Climate Justice. Here, activists, NGOs, practitioners, policymakers, academics and donors from across the globe gathered to hear powerful stories from activists in India, Pakistan and Mauritius, and from researchers in Kenya, Nepal and England who provided valuable insights into how education is already seeking to address the need for climate justice - and the challenges that remain. To coincide with COP27, UKFIET have published a blog with some information and actions that emerged from their conference.

November has seen another change in government education personnel – Claire Coutinho has been appointed Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing at the Department for Education, while Nick Gibb has returned to the DfE as Minister of State for Schools, and Gillian Keegan is Secretary of State for Education.

In mid-November, the government’s proposals to relax ratios for two-year-olds was debated in Westminster Hall after the official e-petition against the proposals reached 100,000 signatures. You can read a short summary of the debate from the Early Years Alliance news page.  

Also this month, Ofsted published the first part of its early years review, Best start in life part 1: setting the scene. You can find the full review here.

On the FSF this month we have an article about STEM in the early years by Natalie Bent and Denhue Harris, founders of diverse children’s book publishing company and early years hub, Little Scholars Playground. And continuing reflections on how we take care of our earth, and our local community, Caroline Vollans talks to schools who have been pioneering the School Streets scheme, reducing traffic emissions and making the streets safer around their schools. Find these, and all our articles, on the FSF Articles page. We also have a new Coffee Break, taking a considered look at sensory food play.

For those who enjoy thinking and reflecting via audio, there are a couple of new podcast conversations to listen to. Dame Christine Lenehan, Director of the Council for Disabled Children, discussed the SEND Green Paper, and the challenges facing the SEND sector. And Helen chatted with HMIs Phil Minns and Wendy Ratcliff about observations and monitoring children’s progress. Remember, you can find all our podcast episodes wherever you like to listen, or from this link.

Over on Tapestry CPD, you’ll find the third and final module of “The First Year” course. This focuses on Social and Emotional Development and was made in collaboration with Siren Films and Layton Sixth Form College. You can access it, and others, by clicking “CPD” in the top task bar of your Tapestry account or via this link: https://cpd.tapestry.info/

Wishing you all a good month,

Helen, Steve and all of us at the FSF and Tapestry