E-Courier
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Please find attached the Prudhoe Family Hub What’s On Guide January 2026 for your reference. If you are unable to open this attachment, you can access the document on the West Northumberland Family Hub Padlet using the following link:- West Northumberland Family Hubs ‘What’s On’ Padlet The link to the Registration
Prudhoe Family Hub What’s On Guide January 2026 Read More »
Please see attached document with information regarding school closure due to adverse weather conditions.
Closure due to adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances Read More »
The Department for Education (DfE) regional Prevent co-ordinators (RPECs) support and improve Prevent delivery in each region of England. Their role includes implementing Prevent duty responsibilities across schools, further education (FE) and higher education (HE) settings, as well as any other Department for Education interests in the region. The RPECs offer large, virtual training
Prevent in education – virtual training sessions Read More »
The Healthier Together website and mobile app is designed to help parents, carers, and professionals (including schools) make informed decisions about children’s health. Thewebsite and app can play a significant role in supporting schools and improving school attendance in the following ways: By making health advice accessible, reliable, and easy
Promoting the Healthier Together website and mobile app to parents and carers Read More »
Northumbria Healthcare are inviting organisations that work with children and young people to join us for a cafe style session to help us improve our services for CYP. To book please click here.
Northumbria Healthcare feedback session Read More »
In July 2024, the government commissioned Professor Becky Francis CBE to convene and chair a panel of experts to conduct the Curriculum and Assessment Review.The review has been published today. You can find the full report here. You can find a summary of the key policy recommendations here. You can find a
Curriculum and assessment review Read More »
The Northumberland 0-19 (25) Service are pleased to invite you to our virtual launch event of the Northumberland Healthy Families Plan on Wednesday, 19 November 2025 Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. (MST) What is the Healthy Families Plan? This important plan outlines how Growing Healthy Northumberland 0–19 (25) Service, (previously
The School Improvement Team are delighted that access to HeadsUp4HTs has been fully funded for Northumberland headteachers by the North East Combined Authority (NECA). HeadsUp are a network that provides peer spaces and safe spaces for headteachers to share their experiences, without judgement, and to receive support, guidance, and connection
Please see attached letter from Audrey Kingham, Executive Director of Children, Young People and Families regarding SEND Funding.
Northumberland SEND Funding Update October 2025 Read More »
We are writing to inform all headteachers and their governing bodies that all members of staff from the Northumberland County Council Education & Skills Service and Children’s Social Care who attend a school, academy or alternative provider will have with them their Northumberland County Council identity badge which is an
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.
Handbook of support for schools Read More »
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 »
Dear Governors, Welcome to the New Academic Year! The date for our Autumn ‘virtual’ Briefing is Tuesday, 30 September 2025, 6:00pm – 7:30pm. 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
Chairs’ & Vice Chairs’ Virtual Briefing – Autumn Term 2025, Date and Booking Form Read More »
An email was sent to schools on 8 September 2025 outlining concerns raised about how Exemplar Education may be handling or accessing personal data in school contexts. The concerns involve potential non-compliance with data protection obligations under UK GDPR. The email seems to have been sent to a large number
Follow-up on Email Regarding ICO and Exemplar Education 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 »
Senior leader briefings are designed to provide information and updates to headteachers/senior leaders, and give those attending the time and space to see colleagues and discuss pressing issues. The content will be the same at the North, Central and West meetings so you only need to attend one. Each session will take
Autumn Senior Leader Briefings Read More »
Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health Training for School Governors Northumberland County Council and the NHS are offering free virtual training sessions for school governors focused on emotional wellbeing and mental health. This 1-hour session will equip governors with essential knowledge around: 🗓️ Dates: Sign up via link in flier. For queries: Beyou@northumberland.gov.uk SMHL Refresher
Training events from the Be You Mental Health Support Team 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.
We are holding an in-person Climate Event at the beginning of the new school year on Tuesday 16th September 2025 at County Hall, Morpeth, from 1pm – 4pm which will bring teachers together to focus on hearing more about a number of climate programmes, as well as hearing more about the climate and sustainability support NCC
In-person climate event Read More »
Could you please find attached fraud alert concerning payroll change requests, specifically targeting school staff. Could you please check your records are all correct and ensure we have robust procedures in place to prevent such attempts being successful. Any issues should be reported to the corporate fraud team at fraudline@northumberland.gov.uk.
National Fraud Alert Read More »
Supporting children, young people, families and schools (Monday 8th September: 12.30 – 1.15pm): We will hear from Sammy Ndluvu-Dawika on how schools can best support children and young people with asthma, and Tori Hadaway will guide us on using the new digital personalised asthma action plan. Book your place here: CYP Families
Asthma – Supporting children, young people, families and schools Read More »
Dear Colleagues, We are relocating Astley High and Whytrig Middle Schools to their new build, week commencing 04 August 2025. We are therefore able to offer some legacy furniture to other schools in Northumberland. An example of the furniture on offer is: · Tables; · Design Technology equipment; · Science
Furniture available to Northumberland school Read More »
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 »
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 »
