E-Courier
A day designed to celebrate the incredible creative work already happening in your schools, spark fresh ideas, and provide practical inspiration to take straight back into your practice. It’s all about reconnecting with why creativity matters, feeling affirmed in what you do best, and leaving with renewed confidence to grow […]
Creatively Healthy Schools Conference 2026 Read More »
The What Works in SEND research team are conducting a survey, funded by the DfE. By completing the survey, you will help us to get a clearer picture of how mainstream state schools are organising their workforce to support pupils with Special Educational Needs and who are disabled. The findings from this research will be used to inform
What Works in SEND workforce survey Read More »
19 January – the DfE have strengthened the (non-statutory) guidance on mobile phone use at school . Bridget Phillipson has said, “all schools should be phone-free environments for the entire school day. That includes lessons, time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime. It means, for example, it is not appropriate for
Mobile phones in school – policy updated Read More »
Smartphone Free Childhood, “is a movement of families standing together to delay smartphones and social media – turning isolation into collective strength. It’s not anti-tech but pro-childhood, giving children back what truly matters: time to play, space to grow and freedom to be.” Representatitives presented at senior leader brefongs in
Smartphone Free Childhood Read More »
We are pleased to share the dates for our Summer term ELSA course. Please see the attached flyer for booking information. We are able to deliver courses commissioned by settings, trusts, or alliances. For further information, please email elsa@northumberland.gov.uk .
Summer ELSA course Read More »
Children’s Mental Health Week – Live AssemblyWednesday 11th February, 9.15-9.45amJoin Picture News and special guest, children’s author and mental wellbeing advocate, Katie Hopper for a live assembly during Children’s Mental Health Week, as we explore why feeling included matters. Katie will share one of her stories live and children can reflect
Live assemblies from Picture News – FREE Read More »
We are inviting students, teachers, parents, advisors and clients to join our NWG Apprenticeship Insights Webinar this National Apprenticeship Week – see flyer This will be an inspiring look into careers at Northumbrian Water Group and its open to all! Location: Microsoft Teams Visitors can join using the link below or add the
National Apprenticeship Week NWG Apprenticeship Insights Webinar Read More »
The government’s new VAWG and RSHE strategies both emphasise that teaching about safe and respectful relationships is most effective when it is echoed in the home environment. As teachers we sometimes see the early signs of parental conflict, and recognise that a child’s behaviour and their own relationships risk being
Healthy Relationships: Free Training course Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Upcoming Deadline – Setting level data (PVIs ONLY) You must complete the questions module in your Wizard account by Friday 23rd January to ensure you can be funded in spring term 26. Failure to complete this information will affect your funding payment. Please note – Publishing Your Fee Policy – Are
Early Years Update Read More »
Please see attached milk return for Spring 2026 First and Primary Schools Special Schools
Spring Term 2026 Milk Template Read More »
Join us for the chance to moderate with other teachers outside of your school, and look at the potential your pupils have to be a certain standard at the end of the year. Please bring writing books for 3/4 pupils along with you to the session, and a copy of the teacher
Year 2 / Year 6 moderation of writing Read More »
Learning Through Landscapes is offering outdoor learning training sessions and nature equipment for nurseries, schools, and other early learning providers across England, Scotland, and Wales to promote outdoor learning for children. The Local School Nature Grants Scheme will provide an assortment of equipment up to the value of £500, along with: Priority will be given to applicants who include
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 »
Applications for SSAFA (Soldiers’, Sailors’ & Airmen’s Families Association) short breaks 2026 are now OPEN! What Are SSAFA Short Breaks? SSAFA Short Breaks are free, residential activity breaks for families currently serving in the Armed Forces who have a child (aged 5–18) with an additional need and/or disability. These breaks
Short Breaks for Service Children with Additional Needs & Disabilities Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Spring 2025-26 Headcount (PVI’s ONLY) The pre-populated headcount forms are now available in your SPR 2025-26 file. To locate your file, go to Drive > click on the search in drive bar > type in your provider ref > click on the file with your
Early Years Update Read More »
Please see link for drug awareness resources, published by DHSC, and available to download. Includes resources that can be used in educational settings. Drug Awareness Campaign | Campaigns | Campaign Resource Centre
Drug Awareness Materials – ketamine, THC vapes, and synthetic opioids 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
Regeneration Funding e-Bulletin – 12 January 2026 Read More »
The Schools White Paper will be published in 2026 and will set out the DfE’s proposed reforms to the SEND system. The DfE want to have an open conversation on points and ideas organisations have raised to help inform how they shape the policy in the White Paper. This is
SEND reform national conversation Read More »
The Northumberland Roots and Shoots Schools Programme is now an established programme at The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland. Led by The Alnwick Garden the programme aims to offer children in selected schools an opportunity to learn how to grow, tend and harvest food for consumption. Whilst the individual pupils gain
Final applications for the Roots and Shoots programme Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Spring 2025-26 Headcount (PVIs Only) The pre-populated headcount forms are now available in your SPR 2025-26 file. Please complete by Friday 16th January. To locate your file, go to Drive > click on the search in drive bar > type in your provider ref > click
Early Years Update Read More »
Speakeasy Parents course Speakeasy works with parents and carer-givers of children and young people with additional learning needs, learning disabilities or neurodivergence, helping them feel confident in talking to their children about growing up, relationships, and sex. By supporting parents and carers to have these conversations, we reduce stress, isolation and uncertainty,
Supporting parents of SEND pupils: growing up, relationships and sex Read More »
Dear Governors, Happy New Year! 🎉 The date for our Spring ‘virtual’ Briefing is Tuesday, 20 January 2026, 6:00pm – 7:00pm. As usual the briefing will be recorded for those of you who cannot join us or wish to view at a more convenient date/time. This information can be found on our
Chairs’ & Vice Chairs’ Virtual Briefing – Spring Term 2026, Date and Booking Form Read More »
This handbook collates support for children and families residing in Northumberland, which schools can access and signpost families to. It’s a handy guide broken down by need, and schools can see what is available to all – universal and free, as well as additional support which may be purchased.
Support Directory for Schools Read More »
Please see flier for dates and information – Be you- Helping You Be You
Peer Mentor Train the trainer Read More »
Here’s the latest edition of the Schools Go Smarter newsletter for the Autumn term, please get in touch with tracy.aitken@northumberland.gov.uk with any queries.
Schools Go Smarter newsletter Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Disability Access Fund 25-26 Do you know enough about DAF? There is still just over £160,000 in our budget, with only 1 term left of the financial year. We are desperate to send this out to providers with children who receive DLA. PLEASE CHECK
Early Years Update Read More »
Building a Reading Culture: Empowering Minds, One Page at a Time Cost: £100 or £130 for non-subscribing schools Small Schools (under 50 pupils) £50 or £65 for non-subscribing schoolsRefreshments & lunch included. In celebration of the National Year of Reading and in support of the government’s initiative a library in every primary, the SLS Conference
Grants are available twice a year for UK schools in challenging circumstances to run CREST Awards with students (aged 3 to 19 years) who are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). CREST Awards aim to inspire children and young people to think and behave like scientists and engineers.
Crest Awards Engage Grants Open for Applications 6 January 2026 Read More »
Schools, community groups, clubs, societies and other not-for-profit organisations based and working in England can apply now for grants of up to £5,000 for projects that help to improve the education and development of children and young people (between the ages of six and 22 years) in England. The funding
Funding to Help Children and Young People Reach Their Full Potential Read More »
🎄 Give Your Learners the Gift of Independence This New Year! 🎄Would you like to help your learners become more independent, skilled, and confident? The Northumberland Psychological Services Team is delighted to offer a training programme to build your school’s capacity to do just that. The MeLSA (Mediated Learning Support Approach) course is
Mediated Learning Support Approach (MeLSA) Training Read More »
