What to do this month
On this page you will find month by month tasks that need to, or for best practice should, be done. Not necessarily by the Headteacher but by a leader of some kind. Heads are ultimately responsible for ensuring these things are done, so do it, or delegate it, but get it done.
Before the end of the Summer Holidays
Write up your SEF
Draft your School Development Plan
Plan your key dates for the whole year
Check staff users on internal systems for leavers and joiners
Update school website
Update the class cascade
Safeguarding updates (eg OperationEncompass contacts)
Update staff sickness absence insurance with current staff
Update GovernorHub/Sharepoint with the clerk
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September
Check and change permissions for staff on Safeguarding system (eg CPOMS)
Dates for leadership team meetings
Set up appraisals for all staff, and update any toolkit you might have.
Liaise with governors to do Headteacher performance management early so the HT objectives can cascade through to other staff
Check or write SDP actions with the other leaders
Learning walk to check on set up across the school
PTA AGM
DSLs meeting
Make a document of the highlights for the SDP for the school website
Check the SCR especially for leavers and joiners
Check Y7 safeguarding records have been sent
Update all safeguarding leaflets and information posters
September budget monitoring (after payroll/overtime has been reconciled)
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October
Carry out any staff appraisals that you are responsible for
Meet with your finance team/person/SBM and do any interim budget changes
Ensure the Clerk to Governors/Governance Professional has set up a Pay Committee meeting & that pay recommendations are received
Check with your employer/HR provider for an updated model pay policy.
Check the website is up to date
Get all publicity about prospective parents for reception next year out
Update the prospectus
Plan the Staff Christmas Do and book something
October budget monitoring (after payroll/overtime has been reconciled)
Check the calendar of Christmas events and put the dates out to all
End of term 1 - evaluate SDP so far​​​​​
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November
First week after half term: Clerk/Governance professional, HT & CoG meeting (prep agendas)
Prep FGB papers
Check policies for review
Prospective parent events
Remembrance day - poppies? Assembly? Local event?
Other November charities (Children in Need..etc)
Volunteer Training
Monitoring of learning and teaching
Organise collections for any staff leaving at Christmas (and the buying of the gift)
Review snow plan
Check DfE dates & arrangements for all statutory assessments
DSLs meeting
October budget monitoring (after payroll/overtime has been reconciled)​
December
Evaluate SDP at the end of term 2 and make any necessary adjustments.
Ensure all support staff appraisals/performance management reviews and new targets are set by 31/12
Ensure your HT appraisal has occurred before 31/12
SLT night out?
Christmas cards - if, when and how
Are you giving cards?
Shared staff lunches/secret santa...etc organise (or delegate)
Staff panto?
THE CHISTMAS FORMULA (click here for more details)
DSLs meeting
November budget monitoring (after payroll/overtime has been reconciled)​
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Plan time for rest in the holidays.
It is so important, especially when the holiday is so full of celebrations and events.
Please take time to rest and recharge.
January
First week back: Clerk/Governance professional, HT & CoG meeting (prep agendas)
Did you need to make changes to SDP after term 2 review?
Prep FGB papers
Check policies for review
Last minute prospective parent events?
Check permissions for any new staff on systems
Check induction arrangements for any new staff
Ensure all staff who have left are not on the system any more
Check all training is up to date e.g. First Aid
Plan Safeguarding Self-Audit. If your LA/Trust doesn't do one, do your own. Click here for NSPCC version
Online safety audit. Click here for free online version
Plan dates to review the Schools' Financial Value Standard with finance governors (Link here maintained schools only)
Put in dates for budget setting (2 whole days and 2 half) with relevant people
Start a list of things to consider for next year's budget
School census - VERY IMPORTANT for future funding
Parents' evening - consider online in winter months for staff wellbeing, and parental availability
Keep an eye on morale and wellbeing (and your own!), this is the sickness term for everyone
Any INSETs or twilights this term?
DSLs meeting
December budget monitoring (after payroll/overtime has been reconciled)​
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February
Check mid-year review for teacher appraisals/performance management are going to happen around half term.
KCSiE check in (it's been half a school year since they read it most probably - click here for more information on this).
Check the SFVS has a date and time to be done (maintained schools only).
Parent's forum.
Maintained schs - have you set date for budget setting yet? (used to take me, my SBM, my 2x HoS and a governor 2.5 days)
If you're a maintained school, close your budget to anything but urgent orders by the end of Feb (gives the finance people time to do year end without unnecessary faff)
Policy reviews?
Depending how you manage your budget - now is the time to meet subject leaders to discuss priorities, action plans and budget requirements.
DSLs strategy meeting.
January budget monitoring (after payroll/overtime has been reconciled)​​
March
Check mid-year review for teacher appraisals/performance management have happened.
Check the SFVS has been to governors and submit by 31/3 (maintained schools only).
Headteacher mid year performance management/appraisal review. Consider inviting the independent advisor from September if you think it might be tricky.
Maintained schs - is your budget done yet? It's always easier if you do it before you have to, and before end of the finacnial year.
What are you doing for Easter or for Eid? (if you're a church school please click here for more on Holy Week - it is the biggest Christian festival but often takes second place to Christmas).
DSLs strategy meeting.
February budget monitoring (after payroll/overtime has been reconciled)​
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if you want any additional info on any of these issues please email kate@kateowbridge.co.uk