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We are inviting Early Years practitioners to complete a short questionnaire exploring current practice around speech, language and communication (SLC). The survey looks at how SLC is prioritised, approaches to screening, and the use of targeted interventions. Your responses will help us build a clearer picture of practice across the […]
Early Years Survey: Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team 2nd headcount SPR 2025-26 If you require a 2nd headcount form for disadvantaged funded 2 year olds (EY2C codes only) who have; started accessing funding with you, or have increased their hours since full headcount, please email sophie.downing@northumberland.gov.uk by Friday 19th June 2026 Are You Ready for New Important Data Protection Changes? From 19 June
Early Years Update Read More »
I am delighted to share that the Department for Education has confirmed that the English Hub programme will be expanding next year, enabling us to support an even greater number of schools in developing high-quality reading provision. As part of this expansion, we will be offering support across a wider range
English Hub – Expression of Interest 25 – 26 Read More »
The DfE have produced four new resources and tools to support school attendance:
New Attendance Tools for Schools (DfE) Read More »
The School Aged Immunisation Service will shortly be sending information to schools and ask that this is shared with families before the end of term in July. The information also asks you to provide updated class lists for all year groups, particularly for the new starters in Reception, Year 5, Year 7, and
Class list request – immunisation Read More »
GrantFinder News alert – 2 June 2026 Funding to Support Science in Schools Across the UK The funding is for primary and secondary schools to inspire and engage students through practical science. Primary schools can apply for grants of £600 and secondary schools for grants of £1,000. The grants can
GrantFinder – News alert: Funding to Support Science in Schools Across the UK Read More »
We are inviting Early Years practitioners to complete a short questionnaire exploring current practice around speech, language and communication (SLC). The survey looks at how SLC is prioritised, approaches to screening, and the use of targeted interventions. Your responses will help us build a clearer picture of practice across the
Early Years Survey: Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Autumn Term 2026 Key Dates Please find Autumn Key dates attached. Keep these handy to prevent missing submission deadlines. Child Safety Week 1st-7th June Shared on behalf of Northumberland Children and Young People Safey Reference group Child Accident Prevention Trust have a load of free downloadable resources to promote child safety
Early Years Update 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 »
This second Best Start in Life (BSiL) case study highlights how a Northumberland school is effectively using the School Readiness Passport – 2 Year Old Progress Check to strengthen early identification, partnership working and inclusive practice. By embedding the progress check within everyday practice, practitioners are able to build a clearer, shared
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
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has launched a survey asking children what they want to see in their communities, their biggest concerns, and their hopes for the future. She would be grateful for the help of education settings in promoting and sharing the survey across their
Children’s survey launched Read More »
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
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 »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team REMINDER – It’s Headcount/Census Week!! Information for PVIs ONLY Your Summer term Headcount return is due to be submitted on Friday 22nd May. To locate your file, Go to Drive > use the search in drive bar to type in your provider ref > click on the file with your provider ref & provider name
Early Years Update 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 »
FAO First and Primary School Headteachers In order to plan our monitoring visits during the phonics screening week, we kindly request all schools send their timetables to assessment@northumberland.gov.uk , by Friday 22nd May. Please ensure that the title of the email includes your setting name. Thank you.
Phonics check timetables Read More »
The Department for Education is trialling a new service for parents and carers with a child starting secondary school in the autumn. Northumberland County Council have agreed to disseminate the information to schools. The DfE and NCC would be grateful if you could share the information below with the parents/carers
Explore Secondary School information – trial for parents of year 6 pupils 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 »
