E-Courier
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Sharing What Works: Best Start in Life – Case Study 3 Over the last academic year, Northumberland’s Early Years Team delivered a targeted GLD Project to schools and settings in areas where Good Level of Development (GLD) outcomes were below county or national averages. Working […]
Early Years Update Read More »
Dear Colleague As you know, the government is committed to giving every pupil regardless of their background the best start in life, breaking down barriers to every child achieving and thriving at school and in later life, by ensuring they are ready to learn, as well as supporting families with cost of living,
Free Breakfast Club Survey Read More »
Over the last academic year, Northumberland’s Early Years Team delivered a targeted GLD Project to schools and settings in areas where Good Level of Development (GLD) outcomes were below county or national averages. Working together each term, settings used data analysis, action planning and focused support to identify barriers to learning and
Sharing What Works: Best Start in Life – Case Study 3 Read More »
This guide has been produced through work with children and young people in Northumberland. They have told us the words that they find positive when we talk and write about them and they have also told us about the ones which offend, which can bring about feelings of shame and
Language that cares guide Read More »
The Ministry of Defence are excited to launch new transition resources designed to help educators across the UK support children from armed forces families as they move between education systems. These resources: Transitions between education systems can bring real challenges — curriculum shifts, qualification changes, differing support structures, and more.
Supporting armed forces pupils through every move Read More »
Registration is now open for the autumn 2026 cohort of national professional qualifications (NPQs).Funding is available to eligible participants who secure a funded place with an NPQ provider. The NPQs for headship, SENCOs, senior leadership and early years leadership are fully funded for participants working in eligible educational settings, regardless of disadvantage criteria.Read the full programme details and information
Register for national professional qualifications autumn 2026 cohort 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
Early Years Update Read More »
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 »
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
Publishing Images of School Life Online Read More »
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:
Vigilance required – emails 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
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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
Early Years Survey: Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years Read More »
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 »
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.
HINT training courses 2026 – 2027 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
Early Years Update 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
Early Years Survey: Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years 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 »
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
Early Years Survey: Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team 2nd headcount SPR 2025-26 If you require a 2nd headcount form for disadvantaged funded 2 year olds (EY2C codes only) who have; started accessing funding with you, or have increased their hours since full headcount, please email sophie.downing@northumberland.gov.uk by Friday 19th June 2026 Are You Ready for New Important Data Protection Changes? From 19 June
Early Years Update Read More »
The DfE have produced four new resources and tools to support school attendance:
New Attendance Tools for Schools (DfE) 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
Early Years Survey: Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Autumn Term 2026 Key Dates Please find Autumn Key dates attached. Keep these handy to prevent missing submission deadlines. Child Safety Week 1st-7th June Shared on behalf of Northumberland Children and Young People Safey Reference group Child Accident Prevention Trust have a load of free downloadable resources to promote child safety
Early Years Update Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Please find a link to our Summer 1 edition of the Safer in Education newsletter.
Safer In Education – Summer 1 Read More »
This second Best Start in Life (BSiL) case study highlights how a Northumberland school is effectively using the School Readiness Passport – 2 Year Old Progress Check to strengthen early identification, partnership working and inclusive practice. By embedding the progress check within everyday practice, practitioners are able to build a clearer, shared
Healthy Relationships: Education in Schools Survey Northumberland would like to hear from schools following the Department of Educations revised guidance on Relationships, Sex, Education and Healthy Relationships (RHSE) published in July 2025. We are seeking feedback to better understand what learning is offered to children and young people, and whether
Healthy relationships schools survey Read More »
Northumberland schools and educational settings will soon have access to a new framework designed to improve inclusion and accessibility for deaf learners, with the launch of the Northumberland Deaf Friendly Education Award in the Autumn Term 2026. The award has been developed as a self-evaluation tool, enabling schools to reflect
New Northumberland Deaf Friendly Education Award to Launch in Autumn 2026 Read More »
Following the Chancellor’s recent announcement of a 10p per mile increase to HMRC tax‑free mileage rates, colleagues in People & Culture (HR) and Finance at the local authority are reviewing the changes and considering the potential implications on travel rates. Further updates will be shared in due course.
HMRC tax‑free mileage rates Read More »
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit attending these schools will be entitled to receive a free meal. Going forward, there will be 2 categories of benefits-based free school meals: Ever 6 FSM Cohort Pupils who are, or have been,
Free school meals: 2026 – 2027 Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team REMINDER – It’s Headcount/Census Week!! Information for PVIs ONLY Your Summer term Headcount return is due to be submitted on Friday 22nd May. To locate your file, Go to Drive > use the search in drive bar to type in your provider ref > click on the file with your provider ref & provider name
Early Years Update Read More »
