E-Courier
Dear School, Your final allocation list for pupils starting in September is now available. The School Admissions Team has shared these documents, and they can be accessed within your school folder. If you experience any difficulties accessing the information, please contact the team for support. Some schools will also have […]
Allocation and Waiting List information for September 2026 including Appeals Read More »
Mortal Fools is based in Ashington, Northumberland and is a multi-award-winning theatre, drama and creative learning charity using drama and co-creation as a practice to support children and young people make sense of the contemporary world, to develop their youth leadership skills and to support their mental health and wellbeing.
New Mortal Fools show Read More »
Researchers from Loughborough University and the University of Edinburgh are investigating how secondary schools support pupils with an eating disorder. They are inviting secondary school staff to take part in our survey lasting 10–15 minutes which explores support for pupils specifically around eating at school and PE, aspects recognised to
Research project on support for pupils with an eating disorder (secondary) Read More »
UCL Institute of Education (IOE) and Chartered College of Teaching (CCT) are leading an evaluation of the impact of offsite Planning Preparation and Assessment (PPA) on teacher retention. We are specifically looking to reach leaders from 250 state primary schools to take part in this research. The aim of the evaluation is to find
Opportunity for primary schools to take part in EEF-funded research Read More »
Following consultation with Schools Forum, please find attached a document containing the 2026/27 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget shares for the year from April 2026 to March 2027. The document is in the order of your 4-digit Department for Education number. A covering letter providing some background information is also
School Budget Share (Dedicated Schools Grant) 2026/27 : Maintained Mainstream Schools Read More »
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have advised the public not to use four non‑sterile, alcohol‑free wipes due to infection risk associated with their use. The affected products are:– ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes– Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free– Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free
UKHSA and MHRA advice to stop using some non-sterile alcohol-free wipes (DfE) Read More »
For action CLEAPSS, the advisory service supporting safe, high quality practical work in science and design and technology, have issued an alert following the discovery of asbestos contamination in three commercially available Hobbycraft sand-based craft products:– Sand & Pom Pom Art Kit– Easter Bumper Craft Kit– Box of Craft Although
Important safety warning: product recall notice of Hobbycraft sand-based products (DfE) Read More »
I’ve highlighted some key dates below for your attention: 13 March 2026 Deadline for the submission of all creditor invoices (pre coded) and credit notes to be paid before 31 March 20 March 2026 Last day for the receipt of Interface Invoice Batches and Devolved Input invoices into Accounts Payable
Year End Guidance for Schools Read More »
Has your school signed up to the Big Walk and Wheel yet? The interschool walking and wheeling competition from Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) runs between the 16-27 March 2026. It’s free to enter and schools compete against similar sized schools to log the most active journeys. All schools are
The Big Walk and Wheel 16-27 March 2026 register now Read More »
It’s that time of year again when we ask all schools to complete a Mode of Travel survey to see how pupils are travelling to school in Northumberland, your help in collecting this data is greatly appreciated. Please refer to the attached letter and instructions and if there is anything
Spring Mode of Travel Data Collection 2026 Read More »
Adventure Training North East are offering a 9 day level 3 Forest School course endorsed by the Forest School Association. See what previous candidates from Northumberland schools have said: “Wow! What an experience, thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Caroline and Colette are inspirational leaders.’ AS, Bridges Nursery, Newcastle. I wouldn’t hesitate to
Level 3 Forest School qualification Read More »
A thoughtful assembly and discussion pack using the popularity of Gladiators to help children explore what makes a good role model, including strength, kindness, resilience and how people behave both on and off screen. Available to download free of charge here (you’ll need to sign up to the newsletter to
Gladiators – Picture News Assembly Resource Read More »
The Department for Education has published updated supporting materials linked to its January 2026 mobile phones in schools guidance. The non-statutory guidance comes into effect from 1 April 2026, with the expectation that schools operate as mobile phone-free environments by default. The previous toolkit has been replaced with a new
DfE publishes additional mobile phone guidance 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
Funding e-Bulletin – 17 February 2026 Read More »
Welcome to this week’s edition here of DfE Update, your weekly newsletter containing the latest information and actions about funding, assurance and resource management from the Department for Education (DfE).
DfE Update – Latest News for Local Authorities Read More »
Please find below a link to our Spring 1 edition of the Safer in Education newsletter.
Safer In Education – Spring 1 Read More »
Please see the attached Handbook of Support to Schools from Children, Young People and Education 2025/26.
Support Directory for Schools Read More »
Please see the article below from UKHSA and MHRA around the use of non-sterile alcohol free wipes, following 59 reported cases of Burkholderia stabilis (a type of bacterial infection): Public advised to stop using some non-sterile alcohol-free wipes – GOV.UK The four products below were recalled from sale and should not
Important: Non-Sterile Alcohol Free Wipes Read More »
The DfE has published a consultation for the revisions to Keeping Children Safe in Education for September 2026. https://safeguarding.info/kcsie2026draft This is a major update to KCSIE and the list of changes runs to six pages. (see Annex D, page 195) The government say that this update ‘reflects substantive changes that strengthen or clarify existing
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 – consultation version now published Read More »
You may have heard that Peppa’s brother George is going to be getting a hearing aid. The storyline follows George and his family as they navigate appointments, hearing tests and the fitting and management of a hearing aid. This is a great example of representation and increasing wider understanding of
National Deaf Children’s Society News Read More »
We are committed to making online safety training as impactful and accessible as possible for schools. Up until now, we’ve loved meeting you in our live online sessions. However, we know how busy school life is. To give you more flexibility, we are exploring an on-demand service that allows your staff and governors
Online Safety: Have Your Say About Staff Training Read More »
Please see link below for information on grants of up to for £1,000 schools to purchase musical equipment. UMUKSF SCHOOL FUNDING – UMUK Sound Foundation
Grant for schools to purchase musical equipment Read More »
Northumberland Music would be grateful if you would send the text below to parents at an appropriate time: “Following the success of our Music Workshop Day last year, we are delighted to announce that the event is returning for 2026! Taking place on Saturday the 28th of March and this time
Music Workshop Day Read More »
Expenditure Your March return needs to balance to the statement closing balance of the 31st of March. This value can only be obtained on the 1st of April. Balance viewed on the 31st of March can still change throughout the day. Any returns received with the incorrect statement balance will
YEAR END PROCEDURE – maintained schools (expenditure/income) Read More »
The Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages returns from 6 January to 31 March 2026 with our biggest and best programme yet! Registrations are open now, so do explore this year’s Festival programme and please share widely across your school networks. Teachers are encouraged to pick and mix from FREE events, classroom activities
Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages Read More »
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 »
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 »
Has your school signed up to the Big Walk and Wheel yet? The interschool walking and wheeling competition from Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) runs between the 16-27 March 2026. It’s free to enter and schools compete against similar sized schools to log the most active journeys. All schools are
The Big Walk and Wheel 16-27 March register now Read More »
Safer Internet Day is a global awareness day that encourages children, young people and adults to think carefully about how we use the online world and digital technology. It’s a useful annual prompt to refresh conversations about online safety, wellbeing and responsible digital behaviour. Theme for 2026: Smart tech, safe choices
Safer Internet Day 2026 – Tuesday 10th February 2026 Read More »
