June 2026

Early Years Update Read More »

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Family Services Directory Please continue to update your FSD Carescheme to ensure it remains up to date. Such as costs, opening times, local offer, ages and wraparound services etc. Please ensure your settings description has enough information to help parents make an informed choice. This platform is also used by services who support parents into employment. You

Jun 30 2026

School Governor Training: Complaints Policy & Serial/Persistent Complainant Guidance

CPD, First, Governance, High, Middle, Primary, Secondary, Special

Vicki Evans, School Governance and Data Protection Manager, will be delivering online training for School Governors on our recently updated School Complaints Policy and the revised Serial and Persistent Complainant Guidance. The session will explore effective approaches to resolving complaints, provide a walkthrough of the updated procedures, and address the

School Governor Training: Complaints Policy & Serial/Persistent Complainant Guidance Read More »

Jun 30 2026

Spark Northumberland – bringing local employers into primary classrooms

High, Secondary

Northumberland County Council is proud to support the launch of Spark Northumberland, a new curriculum-led careers platform helping primary school children discover the world of work on their doorstep. Developed by Connect Northumberland with Spark Futures, and backed by the Council alongside the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Tony

Spark Northumberland – bringing local employers into primary classrooms Read More »

Jun 29 2026

Safer Recruitment Training Survey (Schools HR)

Safer Recruitment Training Survey (Schools HR) Read More »

Please complete this short survey to help us to plan the effective delivery of safer recruitment training and refresher sessions next academic year. The full day training course will potentially be split over two half day/twilight sessions. The refresher session is only available to those who have undertaken the Lucy

Jun 29 2026

Class list request – immunisation

Class list request – immunisation Read More »

The School Aged Immunisation Service have sent information to schools and ask that this is shared with families before the end of term in July. The information also asks you to provide updated class lists for all year groups, particularly for the new starters in Reception, Year 5, Year 7, and Year 9.

Jun 26 2026

NASA live – September 2026

High, Middle, Primary, Secondary, Special

NASA live – September 2026 Read More »

Jun 25 2026

Play sand – updated guidance

Early Years, First, Governance, High, Middle, Primary, Secondary, Special

The Health & Safety team have issued updated guidance on play sand. The bulletin states: “There is currently no requirement to take all sand products out of use, or assume that all sand products are contaminated. Schools are only required to act on specific product recall notices and take appropriate

Play sand – updated guidance Read More »

Publishing Images of School Life Online Read More »

Publishing Images of School Life Online

CPD, Early Years, First, Governance, High, Middle, Primary, Secondary, Special

In line with the DfE’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) statutory guidance, this document outlines responsibilities schools have regarding digital communications. It specifically addresses the emerging safeguarding risks posed by advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI), detailing how public images of pupils and staff can be harvested to create ‘deepfakes’ for

Vigilance required – emails Read More »

Vigilance required – emails

Early Years, First, Governance, High, Middle, Primary, Secondary, Special

Please remain vigilant when opening email attachments and clicking links. The IT Team at the local authority have received intelligence relating to emails coming from a compromised email address belonging to Morpeth St Roberts First School. Whilst there is no immediate cause for concern at this time, users are reminded to:

Early Years Update

Early Years Update Read More »

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team 📣We want your feedback! We are seeking your feedback on the Northumberland Early Years SEND and Inclusion support and funding offer. Your feedback ensures we develop our processes to meet the needs of the changing early years workforce and have the biggest impact on

Hot weather: DfE and joint union guidance

Hot weather: DfE and joint union guidance Read More »

Periods of hot weather may occur in the next few weeks. With this in mind, the DfE and LA encourage all settings to consider contingency plans now, and to be proactive in considering mitigations and engagement with parents. The following guidance is available:

Early Years Survey: Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years

Early Years Survey: Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years Read More »

We are inviting Early Years practitioners to complete a short questionnaire exploring current practice around speech, language and communication (SLC). The survey looks at how SLC is prioritised, approaches to screening, and the use of targeted interventions. Your responses will help us build a clearer picture of practice across the

School Governor Training: Complaints Policy & Serial/Persistent Complainant Guidance Read More »

School Governor Training: Complaints Policy & Serial/Persistent Complainant Guidance

CPD, First, Governance, High, Middle, Primary, Secondary, Special

What’s the Harm? Campaign Read More »

What’s the Harm? Campaign

High, Secondary

Balance North East – What’s the harm? Every parent and carer wants to do the right thing for their children. With the summer upon us, parents and carers are encouraged not to add alcohol to the mix to protect children from risk. The law is clear that buying alcohol under

Togetherness School Wellbeing newsletter

Togetherness School Wellbeing newsletter Read More »

Some helpful resources for parents experiencing all the big emotions of growing children. Togetherness the NHS emotional health digital learning hub funded in your area. Your family has free access to expert learning about childhood development, wellbeing, brain changes, and much more to help you to connect with your children.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD IN A CHANGING WORLD

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD IN A CHANGING WORLD Read More »

This brand-new pathway for parents is now LIVE! Togetherness’ new online learning pathway supports parents by giving them the space to reflect on these big parenting challenges: social media, gaming and AI to climate change. Packed with insights from NHS clinical psychologists and health professionals, you can access this learning and

Spark Northumberland – bringing local employers into primary classrooms Read More »

Spark Northumberland – bringing local employers into primary classrooms

High, Secondary

Mediated Learning Support Approach (MeLSA) Training Read More »

Mediated Learning Support Approach (MeLSA) Training

CPD

Would you like to support your learners to be more independent, skilled and confident? Northumberland Psychological Services Team are offering a training programme to build the capacity of schools to do just that. The MeLSA (Mediated Learning Support Approach) course is based on mediated learning principles. Mediated learning involves bridging the gap

Health Improvement (HIMP) Training Programme Read More »

Health Improvement (HIMP) Training Programme

CPD

Please find details of our current training courses below together with the attached catalogue which gives further details on all of our courses which are currently delivered over Microsoft Teams, unless otherwise stated. Please feel free to forward this email to any of your contacts who you think might be interested in

Jun 22 2026

Places Leisure: Big Sister Project

High, Middle, Primary, Secondary, Special

1.3 million teenage girls who once considered themselves as ‘sporty’ are dropping out of exercise and activity after primary school and many girls are disengaging from sport and exercise in their teens. Self-belief, capability and body image concerns can be significant issues for all girls. Therefore, the need to engage

Places Leisure: Big Sister Project Read More »

Jun 17 2026

From burnout to balance: Practical tools for busy teachers and education staff

CPD, Early Years, First, High, Middle, Primary, Secondary, Special

Education Support are inviting inviting education staff to join a free webinar: From burnout to balance: Practical tools for busy teachers and education staff This supportive and practical session will explore: The webinar is for teachers, leaders and education staff working across schools, colleges and universities. Date: 1 July 2026Time:

From burnout to balance: Practical tools for busy teachers and education staff Read More »

HINT training courses 2026 – 2027 Read More »

HINT training courses 2026 – 2027

CPD, Early Years, First, High, Middle, Primary, Secondary, Special

The HINT team have a range of courses on offer during the 2026 – 2027 academic year. For details of each course, costs, and how to book click here.

Early Years Update

Early Years Update Read More »

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Are you a childminder in Northumberland? – Looking to develop your professional knowledge and deepen your understanding of your role in early years education and care? ✨ Join us for a one-day training event designed especially for childminders! ✨ You’ll have the opportunity to: Please see attached flyer. 👉 Register

Senior Leader Briefings 2026-27 Read More »

Senior Leader Briefings 2026-27

First, Governance, High, Middle, Primary, Secondary, Special

Senior Leader Briefings return for the 2026–27 academic year. These sessions provide a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues, hear key updates from the School Improvement Team, and engage with other local authority staff and invited guest speakers. The same content will be delivered at each venue (North, Central, and

School Governor Training: Complaints Policy & Serial/Persistent Complainant Guidance Read More »

School Governor Training: Complaints Policy & Serial/Persistent Complainant Guidance

CPD, First, Governance, High, Middle, Primary, Secondary, Special

Early Years Survey: Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years

Early Years Survey: Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years Read More »

British Cycling – Level 1 Ride Leader Training

British Cycling – Level 1 Ride Leader Training Read More »

Next course Wednesday 23 September 2026 at County Hall Morpeth. Have you been wondering about taking part in a Ride Leader training course? If you or a member of staff at your school would like to take part or find out more please complete this form or email tracy.aitken@northumberland.gov.uk British Cycling Ride Leader Level 1 Course This a

Jun 15 2026

Level 3 Forest School qualification

CPD, Early Years, First, High, Middle, Primary, Secondary, Special

Adventure Training North East are offering a 9 day level 3 Forest School course endorsed by the Forest School Association. See what previous candidates from Northumberland schools have said: “Wow! What an experience, thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Caroline and Colette are inspirational leaders.’ AS, Bridges Nursery, Newcastle. I wouldn’t hesitate to

Level 3 Forest School qualification Read More »

Jun 15 2026

Information for schools: Royal Life Saving Society’s UK Drowning Prevention Week 2026