E-Courier
Could you be the person who makes a difference when a young person needs support?If you work with, support or care for children and young people in your role, Youth Mental Health First Aid training can help you develop the confidence and skills to recognise when a young person may […]
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training 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 »
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 »
Looking to strengthen pupil voice, improve conflict resolution and build positive relationships across your school? This two-day Peer Mediation Train the Trainer programme from Quakers in Britain will equip school staff with the knowledge and practical tools needed to establish a sustainable peer mediation scheme. Peer mediation empowers pupils to
Peer Mediation Train the Trainer Programme 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 »
Due to server works, School360 may experience down time from Friday 7th August, with systems being back online no later than Monday 10th August.
School360 Downtime 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Senior Leader Briefings return for the 2026–27 academic year. These sessions provide a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues, hear key updates from the School Improvement Team, and engage with other local authority staff and invited guest speakers. The same content will be delivered at each venue (North, Central, and
Senior Leader Briefings 2026-27 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 »
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 »
The DfE have produced four new resources and tools to support school attendance:
New Attendance Tools for Schools (DfE) Read More »
Local authorities are required to publish schemes for financing schools, setting out the financial relationship between them and the schools they maintain. This is reviewed on an annual basis, in consultation with Schools and the Schools Forum. For the academic year 2026/27 there are no directed revisions or changes made
Northumberland Scheme for Financing Maintained Schools Consultation Notice Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Please find a link to our Summer 1 edition of the Safer in Education newsletter.
Safer In Education – Summer 1 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 »
Hi there, I’m the Recycling Engagement Officer at Groundwork NE and Cumbria, and I’m currently working on a recycling project in partnership with Northumberland County council aimed at improving residents recycling practices. This project has been running since 2023 in Southeast Northumberland but this year we are looking to extend the project across the whole county ahead
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
Healthy relationships schools survey Read More »
The Northumberland Schools Forum is currently looking to recruit additional school representatives to ensure all phases across maintained schools and academies are represented. We are particularly interested in seeking additional representatives from maintained first and primary schools, and academy primary and secondary schools, as these groups are currently under-represented on
Northumberland Schools Forum seeks School representatives Read More »
Northumberland schools and educational settings will soon have access to a new framework designed to improve inclusion and accessibility for deaf learners, with the launch of the Northumberland Deaf Friendly Education Award in the Autumn Term 2026. The award has been developed as a self-evaluation tool, enabling schools to reflect
New Northumberland Deaf Friendly Education Award to Launch in Autumn 2026 Read More »
