Governance

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

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

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.

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

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

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:

The DfE have produced four new resources and tools to support school attendance:

Dear Colleagues,  Please find a link to our Summer 1 edition of the Safer in Education newsletter.

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

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.

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,