E-Courier
On behalf of the Civic and Lieutenancy Officer: Poetry Together is a simple idea, bringing older people and young people together over poetry, tea and cake! What happens is that schools, care homes, community groups, churches, Scouts and Guides, and local charities host informal gatherings where young and old connect […]
Northumberland Skills are delighted to invite parents/carers and pupils to Apprenticeship Connect, a major event hosted by Northumberland County Council to support young people in exploring future careers, apprenticeship opportunities, and local pathways into employment. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore how apprenticeships help develop valuable Skills for Life. Location:
Apprenticeship Connect Event County Hall – 27 June Read More »
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026 introducing a limit on the number of branded items schools can require. From 1 September 2026, state-funded schools will be required to ensure that uniform policies are compliant with this limit. Updated statutory guidance on the cost of
New legislative limit on branded uniform Read More »
The Department for Education has expanded funding for National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), providing increased opportunities for teachers and school leaders to access fully funded professional development. This presents an excellent opportunity for colleagues who are considering their next career step — whether that involves progressing into middle leadership, developing expertise
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.
HMRC tax‑free mileage rates Read More »
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,
Free school meals: 2026 – 2027 Read More »
The Primary PE and Sport Premium will be ending at the end of this academic year. During the next academic year (2026/27), primary schools will receive a term’s allocation as a transitional payment to support moving to the new system. Further information, including allocations per school and conditions of grant,
New network of PE and School Sport Partnerships – DfE 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 »
Following the solar PV fire at Shanklea Primary School in July 2025, the Council has been carrying out a thorough review of all its solar PV installations, where safety remains the top priority. As a precaution, all Council owned commercial solar PV systems, including those on schools, remain switched off
Solar PV Update – Key Information For Schools Read More »
Please see safety bulletin issued by the Corporate Health and Safety Team in relation to horizontal swing barriers. These barriers are typically used to control vehicle access to carparks. The bulletin details control measures for managing the risk these barriers can present to vehicles and pedestrians.
Health and Safety Bulletin: Horizontal swing barriers Read More »
As you know, in Northumberland we use the School Readiness Passport online platform to encourage collaborative partnership working to ensure all children including those with SEND are supported through effective transitions, the monitoring of actions to support progress, early identification of needs through a robust assessment tool and the analysis
School Readiness Passport Survey 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 »
Sharing What Works: Best Start in Life Case Studies Northumberland’s Best Start in Life (BSiL) priorities are about giving every child the strongest possible foundation — and practitioners play a vital role in making this happen. Our shared focus is on narrowing the attainment gap for disadvantaged children, strengthening communication and language
Best Start in Life Case Studies Read More »
Achieving inclusion through nurture: Applications now open for Nurture the North East Regional Cohorts From September, schools across the region can strengthen support for pupils’ social, emotional and behavioural needs through the Nurture the North East Programme. Delivered with nurtureuk, the North East Combined Authority and local authorities, the programme
Nurture the North East – fully funded opportunity 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
Regeneration Programmes Investment Funding e-Bulletin Read More »
Great news for state-funded education institutions (e.g. schools, colleges and academy trusts) looking to install EV chargers at their workplace – the government has extended the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) for a final year to support the uptake of on-site EV charge points at a fraction of the cost. The scheme offers generous
Final Extension to EV Grants for State-funded Schools, Colleges and Academy Trusts Read More »
The Northumberland Public Health Team are pleased to share resources and plans for RSE Day, kindly provided by colleagues at Nottingham City Council, who are happy for these to be shared more widely. The materials will also be added to the Northumberland PSHE Padlet so they are easily accessible for
Local History Hub – West Northumberland is a teacher-led initiative supporting schools to include local history within the curriculum in practical and manageable ways. There is no cost to participate. The hub will bring together schools, heritage organisations and community partners to support collaboration, curriculum development and professional networking across
Local History Hub – West Northumberland Read More »
Northumberland County Council and HeadsUp4HTs are pleased to be launching a new HeadsUp4HTs Peer Support Programme for deputy and assistant headteachers this June, following the success of the HeadsUp4HTs headteacher peer support groups which have been running across Northumberland for a number of years. Funded by the North East Combined
NEW: HeadsUp4HTs peer support for deputy and assistant headteachers Read More »
Young Enterprise is a charity that helps young people build confidence, manage money, discover entrepreneurship and shape their own future. They have some exciting programme opportunities that you and your pupils could get involved with. Please see the flyer here for more details. Would like to find out more? Get
Young Enterprise opportunities 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 »
We have been made aware that several local schools are currently being targeted by phishing emails. These messages often appear to come from a colleague and may use subject lines such as Action Required, Scanned, or Request. These emails typically follow a pattern whereby the recipient is encouraged to open an attachment or
Cyber Security Alert: Phishing Emails Targeting Local Schools Read More »
Facilities Management will be running several training sessions throughout 2026 – please see attached for more details.
URGENT : Caretaker training dates Read More »
The summer time is always a whirlwind, especially for young people who are moving on. To help you navigate these transitions, we’ve put together a free transitions toolkit. These resources are designed with our clinical team to give young people the emotional tools they need to thrive over these next few months.
Kooth: What’s next for young people? Read More »
Effective estate management is a fundamental duty to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and protection of pupils, staff, and visitors. Fire safety must be treated as a core component of statutory compliance, supported by competent risk assessment, clear policies, and ongoing monitoring. For support with fire safety management please click here.
Fire safety management in schools Read More »
All local authorities have been asked to set out their plans for how they could deliver the ‘experts at hand’ model set out in the white paper. The DfE focus on ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ includes funding that will “enable local authorities and integrated care boards to establish an
SEND Reform Consultation – Developing Experts at Hand in Northumberland Read More »
A health and safety bulletin has been produced by the Corporate Health and Team in relation to product recalls for several sand-containing toys and craft kits.
Product Recall – Asbestos Contamination in Children’s Toys Read More »
W2SW will soon be here, if your school would like to take part and request resources let us know by completing this form. This year’s challenge will see pupils set off on a special operation – codename- Mission Move, to complete the five-day walking challenge. On the way, pupils will meet fun and friendly secret agents
Sign up for Walk to School Week 18-22 May Read More »
Coram Family Lives, a charity providing support to families, are offering two free workshops focussing on the teen years in May & June. If you feel it is appropriate please pass the details on to your families. Navigating the Storm To book a place please click on the QR code
Coram Family Lives – workshops for families Read More »
Did you know that the 4th – 10th May is Deaf Awareness Week? The National Deaf Children’s Society have a range of activities that can be carried out in schools to raise awareness of this low incidence but high impact disability: Deaf Awareness Week 2026 | National Deaf Children’s Society
Deaf Awareness Week Read More »
