E-Courier
The Department for Education has published updated supporting materials linked to its January 2026 mobile phones in schools guidance. The non-statutory guidance comes into effect from 1 April 2026, with the expectation that schools operate as mobile phone-free environments by default. The previous toolkit has been replaced with a new […]
DfE publishes additional mobile phone guidance for schools Read More »
Please find attached the regular monthly funding ebulletin from the Funding Investment and Assurance covering the latest external funding opportunities. You may forward this to colleagues who you think may be interested in future announcements, they can then use the ‘QR Code or link to subscribe to the Regeneration Programmes Investment Funding
Funding e-Bulletin – 17 February 2026 Read More »
Welcome to this week’s edition here of DfE Update, your weekly newsletter containing the latest information and actions about funding, assurance and resource management from the Department for Education (DfE).
DfE Update – Latest News for Local Authorities Read More »
Please find below a link to our Spring 1 edition of the Safer in Education newsletter.
Safer In Education – Spring 1 Read More »
Please see the attached Handbook of Support to Schools from Children, Young People and Education 2025/26.
Support Directory for Schools Read More »
Please see the article below from UKHSA and MHRA around the use of non-sterile alcohol free wipes, following 59 reported cases of Burkholderia stabilis (a type of bacterial infection): Public advised to stop using some non-sterile alcohol-free wipes – GOV.UK The four products below were recalled from sale and should not
Important: Non-Sterile Alcohol Free Wipes Read More »
The DfE has published a consultation for the revisions to Keeping Children Safe in Education for September 2026. https://safeguarding.info/kcsie2026draft This is a major update to KCSIE and the list of changes runs to six pages. (see Annex D, page 195) The government say that this update ‘reflects substantive changes that strengthen or clarify existing
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 – consultation version now published Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Early Years Rates 26/27 Following the recent consultation, please find attached the published rates for 26/27. Practitioner Survey – Please share your views We would like to invite you and any staff you work with to complete this survey to share your views and experience of
Early Years Update Read More »
You may have heard that Peppa’s brother George is going to be getting a hearing aid. The storyline follows George and his family as they navigate appointments, hearing tests and the fitting and management of a hearing aid. This is a great example of representation and increasing wider understanding of
National Deaf Children’s Society News Read More »
We are committed to making online safety training as impactful and accessible as possible for schools. Up until now, we’ve loved meeting you in our live online sessions. However, we know how busy school life is. To give you more flexibility, we are exploring an on-demand service that allows your staff and governors
Online Safety: Have Your Say About Staff Training Read More »
Please see link below for information on grants of up to for £1,000 schools to purchase musical equipment. UMUKSF SCHOOL FUNDING – UMUK Sound Foundation
Grant for schools to purchase musical equipment Read More »
Northumberland Music would be grateful if you would send the text below to parents at an appropriate time: “Following the success of our Music Workshop Day last year, we are delighted to announce that the event is returning for 2026! Taking place on Saturday the 28th of March and this time
Music Workshop Day Read More »
Expenditure Your March return needs to balance to the statement closing balance of the 31st of March. This value can only be obtained on the 1st of April. Balance viewed on the 31st of March can still change throughout the day. Any returns received with the incorrect statement balance will
YEAR END PROCEDURE – maintained schools (expenditure/income) Read More »
The Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages returns from 6 January to 31 March 2026 with our biggest and best programme yet! Registrations are open now, so do explore this year’s Festival programme and please share widely across your school networks. Teachers are encouraged to pick and mix from FREE events, classroom activities
Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages Read More »
Members of the Northumberland Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) are keen to support teachers in their work and to promote interesting and relevant RE/religion and worldviews education (R&W) in our schools. To that end they are seeking some information from RE teachers countywide. SACRE would be grateful if
Gathering views from Northumberland RE teachers Read More »
Morpeth First School are holding a Character Education experience day on Wednesday 11th March from 09.30-12.00. Please see the attached flyer for more information and details on how to book a place.
Character Education Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Updated Key Dates Summer Please find attached an updated version of the Key Dates for Summer term. If you have saved these anywhere, please ensure you replace with this version. Early Years Leaders Briefing Spring Term Please find attached the slides from the Spring Term Leaders
Early Years Update Read More »
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 »
Has your school signed up to the Big Walk and Wheel yet? The interschool walking and wheeling competition from Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) runs between the 16-27 March 2026. It’s free to enter and schools compete against similar sized schools to log the most active journeys. All schools are
The Big Walk and Wheel 16-27 March register now Read More »
Safer Internet Day is a global awareness day that encourages children, young people and adults to think carefully about how we use the online world and digital technology. It’s a useful annual prompt to refresh conversations about online safety, wellbeing and responsible digital behaviour. Theme for 2026: Smart tech, safe choices
Safer Internet Day 2026 – Tuesday 10th February 2026 Read More »
Education Support’s latest research shows that teacher wellbeing is at its lowest level since 2019. When wellbeing suffers, retention suffers too — with 1 in 4 education staff actively seeking to change or leave their job due to pressures on their mental health and wellbeing. Education Support has put together
Teacher wellbeing and retention Read More »
MEE now offer fully-funded accreditation for Schools, Colleges or Nurseries to recognise efforts to embed sustainability across the curriculum. Applicants need to provide a small amount of evidence to illustrate the 6 key areas. It’s all things they may already have, or can gain with a few simple steps. MEE can provide
Fully-funded and supported Ministry of Eco Education Accreditation Read More »
The Services to Schools SLA Portal is now open for Schools to use in relation to their Service Level Agreement requirements for 2026/27, please see the link http://sla.northumberland.gov.uk/default.aspx . Please take the time to review the information on the portal, as in some cases services will have changed from that offered in the previous year. The basic process remains as it was last year –
2026/27 Service to Schools SLA Portal Read More »
What Worked Education empower educators, local authorities, funders, grant recipients, and EdTech companies to make smarter, evidence-based decisions in education. They believe every educational investment should deliver measurable, impactful outcomes. By enabling rigorous, small-scale evaluations, they help schools, funders, and innovators identify what works best to drive meaningful change in
An analysis of primary school Pupil Premium strategy statements Read More »
Togetherness (originally known as Solihull) are delighted to share some FREE helpful resources for parents experiencing all the big emotions of growing children. Togetherness is the NHS emotional health digital learning hub funded in your area. The families you work with have free access to expert learning about childhood development,
February 2026 – Online learning for emotional well being Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Informing you about the proposals for Early Years funding rates in Northumberland for the financial year 26/27 Please see letter attached. Termly Census 26/27 The DfE directive to apply termly census points for early years funding reduces previous financial flexibility in allocations, as funding
Early Years Update Read More »
The Universal Music UK Sound Foundation provides financial assistance to improve access to music education for young people. Its work focuses on helping schools, students and teachers obtain the tools needed to deliver practical music learning. Support is offered through grants aimed at increasing access to music by enabling the
On behalf of Audrey Kingham, Executive Director of Children, Young People and Education We have been notified today (26 January) that Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission will undertake an area-wide SEND inspection over the next 3 weeks. This is the same type of inspection we last had in March
Notification of Area SEND Inspection, and request to distribute surveys Read More »
Water Efficiency in Schools – Have you singed up to the Big Blue Eco Booster Project yet? The Energy Team massively support this scheme, if you haven’t already signed up we would encourage you to show an interest asap as the places are limited. Further information and sign up details
Big Blue Eco Booster Project Read More »
