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Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Looking to enhance outcomes for boys in your setting? Our new Best Start for Boys programme offers practical, research-informed training across two half-day sessions, helping practitioners reflect on provision, curriculum and interactions. 🌟 Includes access to FREE STEM training from University of Strathclyde lecturers. […]
Early Years Update Read More »
As the new academic year gets underway, we know that supporting the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff will continue to be a priority. At Education Support, we have two timely opportunities that we’d be grateful if you could share with schools, colleges and education staff across
Wellbeing resources and webinar for education staff from Education Support Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Golden Tickets Another round of golden tickets will be sent out to potential eligible parents this week. Remember to process an eligibility check via the ELF2 checker in wizard. The letters no longer guarantee eligibility. ELF2 funding begins the term after the child turns 2. Early Years SENCo
Early Years Update Read More »
Join paediatric nurse specialists from the RVI’s Great North Children’s Hospital for a full-study day exploring the most commonly seen long term conditions affecting children and young people today. The programme for the day (in February 2027) has been designed to introduce people who teach, care for and support children
Supporting Children with Chronic Conditions where they live and learn Read More »
This case study explores how Branton Primary School, a small rural school, responded to a significant childcare sufficiency gap by developing and sustaining wraparound provision for local families. Led by Headteacher Emma Miller, the school used grant funding to create a flexible and financially viable childcare offer in an area
Sharing What Works: Best Start in Life Case Study Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team ⚠️Estimated Figures – deadline approaching⚠️ PVIS ONLY The deadline for submitting an estimated figures claim is Sunday 6th September. Please log itnto your wizard accounts to submit an advanced or monthly claim. Remember to check your summaries and only include valid codes in your numbers. If you
Early Years Update Read More »
We wanted to ensure all were made aware of the update to volunteer related DBS checks and their specific exemption if the people were supervised. The current exemption will be removed on the 1st September and will have a significant impact in a number of areas. Please see the below
Supervised no longer means exempt (DBS Checks) Read More »
Children and young people bring a wide range of life experiences into the classroom, and these experiences can have a significant impact on their wellbeing, relationships, behaviour, and learning. The Northumberland Schools C.A.R.E. Training provides an opportunity for education professionals to deepen their understanding of attachment, trauma, and the role
Northumberland Schools C.A.R.E. Training Read More »
The CYGNET programme is for parents and carers of autistic children and young people aged 5 – 18 and is delivered by staff from the Autism Support Team (High Incident Needs Team). It provides parents and carers who have an autistic child and have been diagnosed in Northumberland with the
Cygnet Autism Support Programme (for parents) Read More »
Join RWI for a one-hour, remote training session where they will show you the recommended actions to ensure every Reception child makes a strong start this half-term. The session includes the opportunity for practice and coaching with a trainer. Ideal for Reading Leaders and Reception teachers. Resources you need to
Welcome to Picture News – Live session!For those who’d like to learn about Picture News, recently joined and existing schools who’d appreciate some new ideas/a bit of a refresher!Thursday 3rd September, 11-11.30amInfo and registration here – open to all primary schools Display Set (attached)For anyone with a spare display board and looking for
Update from Picture News Read More »
David Street will be leaving his post at the end of the year. Please see this letter for further details.
Goodbye to David Street 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. Whilst there is no immediate cause for concern at this time, users are reminded to: • Verify the sender before opening attachments
Further vigilance required – emails Read More »
We would like to make schools aware that UNISON has written to its members to ask them to consider industrial action in response to the national local government pay award. At this stage, the ballot process is ongoing and we are currently awaiting formal correspondence from UNISON to school employers
UNISON ballot for industrial action over pay Read More »
The DfE have published guidance on preventing and tackling the bullying and harassment of school staff. It sets out employer responsibilities and guidance for governors and trustees. It also includes advice and useful links on dealing with online harassment and getting offensive content removed. The guidance is here.
Harassment of school staff (DfE) Read More »
From the DfE: If your defibrillator will not be available, or its available hours will change during the summer, update its availability status on The Circuit before the end of term. It takes minutes; this short video shows you how. If your defibrillator will remain available, check it is rescue ready and record your
Update your defibrillator on The Circuit before the summer holiday Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Childcare Grant Does Your Current Workforce Reflect the Skills and Experience Needed for the Future? September is often a time when of recruitment for some settings. Please see attached. If you are looking to recruit, you may wish to reflect on the following: Do you consciously consider the strengths, knowledge, interests and talents already within your team and how these are deployed effectively?
Early Years Update Read More »
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
Early Years Update Read More »
