E-Courier
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Online Safety Useful tips to share with parents, especially with the run up to Christmas; https://www.getsafeonline.org/onlinebuying https://www.getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite https://www.getsafeonline.org/purchasescams Publishing Your Fee Policy – Are You Ready? Childcare providers must publish their fee policies online by January 2026, including the costs of chargeable extras and […]
Early Years Update Read More »
The Department for Education (DfE) regional Prevent co-ordinators (RPECs) support and improve Prevent delivery in each region of England. Their role includes implementing Prevent duty responsibilities across schools, further education (FE) and higher education (HE) settings, as well as any other Department for Education interests in the region. The RPECs offer large, virtual training
Prevent in education – virtual training sessions Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Early Years SEND and Inclusion drop-in Thursday 20th November 4-6PM Joining link: Inclusion Drop In | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams New Early Years Cycles of Target’s document This document will support writing SMART targets. If you need further help or support, please contact an EYIC. Opportunity – Nursery Facility
Early Years Update Read More »
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 »
This is a poster produced by Northumberland Sensory Support Service to raise awareness of glue ear, especially in the early years. This is in the context that hearing screening is no longer carried out for Reception aged children. We are distributing the posters to all Northumberland settings with Early Years
Sensory Support Service – Glue Ear Awareness Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Key Dates Spring 2025-26 Please find attached the key dates for Spring 2025-26. Funding drop-in sessions – Are you prepared for Spring? If you would like to chat to us about all things funding, or you would like help preparing for Spring Term, please
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The Healthier Together website and mobile app is designed to help parents, carers, and professionals (including schools) make informed decisions about children’s health. Thewebsite and app can play a significant role in supporting schools and improving school attendance in the following ways: By making health advice accessible, reliable, and easy
Promoting the Healthier Together website and mobile app to parents and carers Read More »
Northumbria Healthcare are inviting organisations that work with children and young people to join us for a cafe style session to help us improve our services for CYP. To book please click here.
Northumbria Healthcare feedback session Read More »
In July 2024, the government commissioned Professor Becky Francis CBE to convene and chair a panel of experts to conduct the Curriculum and Assessment Review.The review has been published today. You can find the full report here. You can find a summary of the key policy recommendations here. You can find a
Curriculum and assessment review Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team 2nd Headcount Request AUT 2025-26 If you have any disadvantaged 2 year olds who have; started accessing funding with you, or have increased their hours since full headcount, please email sophie.downing@northumberland.gov.uk to request a 2nd headcount form by Friday 5th December 2025. Funding Drop-in
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The Northumberland 0-19 (25) Service are pleased to invite you to our virtual launch event of the Northumberland Healthy Families Plan on Wednesday, 19 November 2025 Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. (MST) What is the Healthy Families Plan? This important plan outlines how Growing Healthy Northumberland 0–19 (25) Service, (previously
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Key Dates Spring Term Please find key dates attached. Keep these handy to prevent missing submission deadlines. Funding Discussion Slots We are now holding drop-in sessions every Wednesday (term-time only). If you would like to book a slot to discuss your funding queries, please
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Choices College are looking for genuine work experience opportunities and the aim is, after training, to have our students working independently supporting you in the classroom. Students would be placed on a volunteer DBS through your school or nursery at no cost to the school. We complete all other paperwork
Work experience in partnership with NHS Choices College Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Paediatric First Aid at Work Training Four places are now available for the Paediatric First Aidcourse (face-to-face session on the 6th of December). First come, first served – don’t miss out! Additional date added for Paediatric First Aid at Work Great news! Due to
Early Years Update Read More »
The School Improvement Team are delighted that access to HeadsUp4HTs has been fully funded for Northumberland headteachers by the North East Combined Authority (NECA). HeadsUp are a network that provides peer spaces and safe spaces for headteachers to share their experiences, without judgement, and to receive support, guidance, and connection
The UKHSA Health Protection Team, have produced a series of bite sized videos regarding common winter illnesses for schools and nurseries and these are now live on a private YouTube channel hosted by UKHSA. They are designed for staff working in schools, and not for distribution outside the settings.
UKHSA common winter illness video Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Funding Discussion Slots We are now holding drop-in sessions every Wednesday (term-time only). If you would like to book a slot to discuss your funding queries, please complete this form. New Information for Childminders DfE have brought together the most relevant Childcare Works resources for
Early Years Update Read More »
FAO of Headteachers: The 2025/26 EYFS Profile Handbook has been released. Please find attached the EYFS Profile Briefing slides which we recommend you read to understand any changes to the Handbook and your responsibilities as a Headteacher. If you have any questions about the EYFS Profile, please contact rosy.dickinson@northumberland.gov.uk.
2025/26 EYFS Profile Handbook Read More »
Each half term, the North East Combined Authority will be showcasing opportunities for schools to get involved, sharing training and development events, and letting you know about upcoming funding opportunities. In this edition, there are lots of opportunities for schools to sign up to fully funded programmes for the 2025/26
Welcome to the first edition of the NECA Excellence in Education newsletter! Read More »
World Mental Health Day is held every 10th October to raise awareness and drive positive change for everyone’s mental wellbeing. This year’s theme, “Access to services: mental health in catastrophes and emergencies”, highlights the urgent need for timely, compassionate support. For those working in education, the pressures can be especially intense.
World Mental Health Day – 10th October Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Funding Discussion Slots We are now holding drop-in sessions every Wednesday (term-time only). If you would like to book a slot to discuss your funding queries, please complete this form. Updates from Partners Help to Grow Business Management Course The University of Sunderland is delivering
Early Years Update Read More »
The Northumberland SEND services have published their newsletter for the autumn term. You can read the newsletter here.
SEND newsletter for schools – autumn term Read More »
From spring 2026, we will provide new written resources, videos and peer-to-peer sessions for schools, facilitated by local authorities. This is to help reception teachers carry out the EYFSP assessment with confidence and consistency. Best practice sharing As part of this support, we would like to share some examples of
EYFSP Best Practice Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Headcount AUT 2025-26 Reminder (School360 Users) A reminder that your pre-populated AUT 2025-26 headcount returns are available in the AUT 2025-26 file in your school360 account. We recommend you start looking at filling it in now (do not leave it until last minute). You
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Northumberland Portage Service is delivering a series of National Portage Association Workshops at Blyth West Family Hub in 2026. The workshop is suitable for all Early Years Practitioners. The Course aims to develop: Central to the course are the ‘Portage Principles’ and the ‘Three Circle Model of Portage’. These are emphasised throughout
We’re keen to hear what YOU think about Northumberland What do you love about it? What could be improved? How do you feel about our priorities? We’re currently collecting your feedback about Northumberland & we’ll be using it to inform: ⭐ our budget for next year – that’s how &
2026 Budget and Priorities Consultation Read More »
The ICB Be Wise Immunise campaign has launched. The campaign information aims to develop a consistent approach across Northumberland. This campaign is aiming to reach: You can view the Be Wise Immunise Flu communications toolkit, and a video explaining how the service works for all school vaccination programmes not just
ICB Be Wise Immunise campaign Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Maths in the Early Years- self-directed learning library course available to SLA members. Login to your School Readiness Passport account to find our new Math’s in Early Years training course which includes an introductory video and 6 supplementary videos focusing on key mathematical concepts:
Early Years Update Read More »
The learning team at Stephenson Steam Railway are now taking bookings for onsite school visits from September 2025 onwards. If you are interested in booking a workshop, then you can find information about the Primary and Early Years workshops we are delivering here: School Workshops | Stephenson Steam Railway and can book
Learning offer from Stephenson Steam Railway Read More »
Ofsted has published its new framework, and associated toolkits. You can find links to all of the documents, plus a summary of what the School Improvement Team have gleaned from a first read here.
New Ofsted framework Read More »
