E-Courier
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
Early Years Update Read More »
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 »
This grant is available for eligible state-funded primary-phase schools and maintained nursery schools to apply for up to £150,000 of capital funding to create or expand a school-based nursery. This is the second phase of the school-based nurseries programme. It builds on the foundations of phase 1 (SBN Capital Grant
The School-based Nursery (SBN) Capital Grant for 2025 to 2026 Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Northumberland Family Hub App As new families join your setting, we kindly ask you to share the link to the Family Hub app with them. The app has been developed in Northumberland, for Northumberland families. It contains a wealth of activity ideas and advice
Early Years Update Read More »
Primary schools & specialist settings in North East (including Tees Valley), North Yorkshire and North West are invited to attend Mortal Fools upcoming MELVA digital showcase on 17th September, 10am via Zoom. Thanks to funding and business sponsorship, we’re able to allocate MELVA licences for free for academic year 25/26 on a first come, first served
MELVA showcase – September Read More »
For those of you who submit your early years data via School360, we have prepopulated your autumn returns which are now available in the 2025-2026 > AUT 2025-26 file in your school360 account, in recognition of the significant increase in children on roll. The attached guidance will set out how to
Early Years Funding: New look – Autumn Headcount 2025-26 (School360) Read More »
The Department for Education has published details of the eligibility criteria for the 2025 National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) cohort. Details can be found here. In summary: The registration service, which enables applicants to express their interest with the DfE, will open on 8 September 2025.
National professional qualifications Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Best Start in Life You will no doubt be aware of the publication of the government’s Best Start in Life Strategy which has set the ambition of significantly increasing the number of children who are school ready. Over the coming weeks and months you will start
Early Years Update Read More »
The DfE produce a teacher bulletin “a few times per half term”. The latest edition is available here. You can sign up and receive the bulletins directly here.
DfE teacher bulletin Read More »
Please see attached letter for officers employed within Education & Skills and Children’s Social Care DBS checked in line with Northumberland County Council’s procedures.
KCSIE 2025 has been published today and comes into force immediately. There are no changes from the version distributed in July. There is a note that the DfE intend to publish the ‘revised guidance on gender questioning children soon’. You can download the final version (and the Part One section aimed at
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 Published Read More »
LifeSavers is a free financial education programme helping primary pupils engage with vital money skills and behaviours. Delivered by the Just Finance Foundation at no cost to schools, LifeSavers provides teacher training, classroom activities and resources from EYFS to KS2 focussing on wisdom, justice, thankfulness and generosity. To sign up,
LifeSavers – free financial education programme Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Inclusion Stories A great success story around the integrated 2 year old review for a child at Brambles childcare. Early Years Inclusion Drop in session From September you will have the opportunity to ask general questions, seek wider support and network with others through a
Early Years Update Read More »
Ofsted are running a programme of webinars in September to help familiarise providers with the November 2025 education inspection framework changes. Full details here. The School Improvement Team will be attending them – we will summarise and provide feedback during senior leader briefings.
Webinars on the revised Ofsted framework Read More »
Picture News have created a calendar of events which may help schools planning their assemblies for next academic year. You can find the calendar here.
Events calendar from Picture News Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Key Dates AUT 2025-26 Please find key dates for AUT 2025-26 here. Keep these handy to be prepared for submission deadlines & payment dates. Inclusion Stories Fern Hollow demonstrate here how they used advice and support from the inclusion consultants and CPD opportunities to develop their practice…
Early Years Update Read More »
Do you have children due to start reception in September who are not yet toilet training. If so, please share ERIC’s ‘Toilet Train Ready for School’ resources. For more information, follow this link: https://eric.org.uk/all-aboard-the-toilet-train-get-ready-for-school/
ERIC Toilet Train Resource Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Early Years Ordinarily Available Provision Virtual Training We are running a virtual training session about using the Early Years Ordinarily Available Provision. See attached flyer. The training is suitable for anyone who works with children from birth to 5, and will give you information about
Early Years Update Read More »
The Northumberland Family Hub app has an exciting new update! The app now not only includes carefully selected videos from the Tiny Happy People website, designed to help parents and carers to chat, read and play with their children. It now includes a Northumberland specific section. Here parents and carers
The Northumberland Family Hub App Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Early Years Ordinarily Available Provision Virtual Training We are running a virtual training session about using the Early Years Ordinarily Available Provision. The training is suitable for anyone who works with children from birth to 5, and will give you information about how to
Early Years Update Read More »
Please find details of our training courses below together with the attached document 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 would be interested in
Health Improvement (HIMP) Training Programme Read More »
