Goodbye to David Street
David Street will be leaving his post at the end of the year. Please see this letter for further details.
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QTS changes from September 2027 (academies)
Important changes to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) requirements introduced through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act (2026) From 1 September 2027, teachers working in primary and secondary academies will be required to hold QTS, bringing academies in line with maintained schools. This means that unqualified teachers are no longer permitted
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School360 Downtime
Due to server works, School360 may experience down time from Friday 7th August, with systems being back online no later than Monday 10th August.
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The Lit & Phil Invention Challenge 2026
Myths and Legends: Modern Tales for Everyday Life The Lit & Phil and Little Inventors are inviting children across the North East to invent new myths and legends for the world of today, inspired by the collections of the library. This year, we will discover how folk tales and legends helped
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Apply now for Libraries for Primaries for free
The National Literacy Trust’s Libraries for Primaries programme has been confirmed as the delivery partner for the government’s commitment to guarantee a library for all state primary schools in England by the end of this parliament. This is part of Every Child Can, an investment of £132.5m to improve disadvantaged young people’s access
Apply now for Libraries for Primaries for free Read More »
Further vigilance required – emails
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
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UNISON ballot for industrial action over pay
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
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Harassment of school staff (DfE)
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.
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Update your defibrillator on The Circuit before the summer holiday
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
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Early Years Update
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Childcare Grant Does Your Current Workforce Reflect the Skills and Experience Needed for the Future? September is often a time when of recruitment for some settings. Please see attached. If you are looking to recruit, you may wish to reflect on the following: Do you consciously consider the strengths, knowledge, interests and talents already within your team and how these are deployed effectively?
Early Years Update Read More »
Creatively Healthy Schools – Make it Better in Northumberland Competition
Just a reminder that entries for the Creatively Healthy Schools – Make it Better in Northumberland Competition closes on Friday 17th July 2026. 🏆 There are some fantastic prizes available, including: 🧱 LEGO® sets🦸 LEGO® Therapy job cards and lanyards📚 Art Therapy books by Daisy Fancourt 🎨 How to Enter We’re looking to hear how
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NCMP Survey
DHSC are carrying out a national NCMP IT System Discovery project to explore the user needs of all the stakeholders that use the NCMP IT system or are recipients of information from it (i.e. parents). This includes user research to understand how the National Child Measurement Programme works for the people involved in delivery,
Schools Go Smarter newsletter
Here is the latest edition of the Schools Go Smarter newsletter for the summer term, there’s been lots going on this term to encourage active travel to school, here’s just a taste of it. Thanks for your support this year.
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Climate and Sustainability Events
NCC are hosting a couple of climate and sustainability events in the Autumn Term. Please do save the dates, and we’ll be sending out sign-up information in September. Climate and Sustainability Event for Teachers We are holding an in-person Climate Event at the beginning of the new school year on Monday 5th October 2026 at County Hall,
Climate and Sustainability Events Read More »
Funding e-Bulletin – 9 July 2026
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
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Schools’ Health and Safety Newsletter – Summer Term 2026
The 9th edition of the Schools’ Health and Safety newsletter is now available. This is produced by the NCC Corporate Health and Safety Team and available to those schools signed up to the H&S SLA. This, along with other school specific information is available on our SharePoint portal. If you can’t view the newsletter, you may
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Caretaker Training
Facilities Management will be running several training sessions throughout 2026 – details can be found here. ***Please note there is no charge for schools within Level 2 of the Caretaking SLA (Service Level Agreement). The courses are for those Caretakers who are either new to NCC (Northumberland County Council), have
Caretaker Training Read More »
Free Science tables
Science tables available – like new 5 x 1320 x 1320mm 2 x 1320 x 673 mm Collection from Hexham. Please contact Brendan Murphy bmurphy@qehs.net if interested
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Early Years Update
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Sharing What Works: Best Start in Life – Case Study 3 Over the last academic year, Northumberland’s Early Years Team delivered a targeted GLD Project to schools and settings in areas where Good Level of Development (GLD) outcomes were below county or national averages. Working
Early Years Update Read More »
School Governor Training: Complaints Policy & Serial/Persistent Complainant Guidance
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
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Free School Meal Entitlement 2026-2027
Further to the ecourier alert sent on 22 May 2026, please note that 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
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Soluna by Kooth is coming
We have some exciting news to share with you. Say hello to Soluna by Kooth! Our Kooth service is evolving. We’re moving it to a new platform called Soluna by Kooth, and we want you to know what that means for you and the young people you support. Soluna by Kooth
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Free breakfast clubs – Update to published list of schools
Dear colleagues, As you know, the government is committed to delivering a free breakfast club in every state-funded school with primary-aged pupils in England. The evidence shows that children benefit most from a breakfast club which not only provides a healthy breakfast, but also a soft start to the school
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Schools Library Service Summer Term Newsletter
Please see the Summer newsletter attached.
Schools Library Service Summer Term Newsletter Read More »
Big Blue Project
A reminder for all schools to sign up for a water savings visit if they haven’t already done so. The costs of the visits are covered by funding from Northumbrian Water. https://www.wave-utilities.co.uk/advice-guidance/news/nationwide-project-help-schools-save-two-billion-litres-water-reaps-promising Schools can register their interest via Wave’s dedicated webpage, wave-utilities.co.uk/bigblue
Free Breakfast Club Survey
Dear Colleague As you know, the government is committed to giving every pupil regardless of their background the best start in life, breaking down barriers to every child achieving and thriving at school and in later life, by ensuring they are ready to learn, as well as supporting families with cost of living,
Free Breakfast Club Survey Read More »
Sharing What Works: Best Start in Life – Case Study 3
Over the last academic year, Northumberland’s Early Years Team delivered a targeted GLD Project to schools and settings in areas where Good Level of Development (GLD) outcomes were below county or national averages. Working together each term, settings used data analysis, action planning and focused support to identify barriers to learning and
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Language that cares guide
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 »
Supporting armed forces pupils through every move
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 »