E-Courier
Each of the pay bands at NCC has levels that colleagues progress through with each new financial year (up until they reach the top increment in the band) and these are called spinal column points (SCPs). As part of the 2025 Local Government Pay Award, it was agreed that spinal […]
Pay and grading update for schools that follow the NCC pay and grading structure Read More »
As part of our support offer to help Northumberland schools digest the Ofsted Inspection Toolkit, we are delivering an online session to help you unpick the Inspection Toolkit for Early Years in Schools. This session is suitable for headteachers, Early Years Leaders, reception teachers and nursery teachers. The session will take place
Inspection Toolkit for Early Years in Schools Read More »
Dear Colleagues and Partners in Schools Northern Powergrid is currently developing its business plans for 2028–2033. These plans include important initiatives to ensure we have a robust, resilient, and skilled workforce in place to deliver a substantial future work programme across our region. To achieve this, we must ensure we are
The HINT Specific Learning Difficulties Team are running a free face-to-face Dyslexia Awareness training session at County Hall, Morpeth on Tuesday 24th March 2026 from 3.45-5.15pm (in Conference Room 2). The aim of the session is provide school-based staff with a basic understanding of dyslexia: what it is, common characteristics, how this can affect the individual and ways to support them in
Dyslexia Awareness Training Session Read More »
Connected Readers: Grow a reading for pleasure culture 📅Tuesday 19 May 2026📍The Common Room, Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 1SE This FREE one-day conference brings together educators with external partner organisations to explore how collaborative approaches can build and sustain a strong reading for pleasure culture across school. To celebrate the National Year of
The DfE have released further supporting guidance for teachers completing the EYFS Profile at the end of the reception year. Click here to access the resources: Help for early years providers : EYFS profile assessment support
EYFS Profile Newly Released Resources Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Early Learning for Twos (ELF2) You will see some changes to the eligibility checkers in wizard from Monday next week regarding what was previously known as ‘Disadvantaged 2 Year Old Funding’. In line with the changes from central Government, this funding will now be
Early Years Update Read More »
Please see attached Spring Term Newsletter.
Schools Library Service Spring Term Newsletter Read More »
‘’ Working with CoachBright to deliver the Peer to Peer Coaching programme has been a fantastic experience for the students at Duke’s. Our Year 10 coaches built genuinely positive relationships with the Year 7 pupils, many of whom had previously struggled to engage in maths. That sense of trust and
CoachBright Primary and Secondary School Peer to Peer Programmes Read More »
Newcastle Research School have an exciting free webinar on Wednesday 25th March, 4-4.45pm. We have Lindsey Fagan (Great North Maths Hub lead) joining us to discuss how we can refine the approach to problem solving in Maths (primary and secondary). There will also be time for you to ask any
Free Webinar – Problem Solving in Mathematics Read More »
Please see attached letter for more information. Please note the date for feedback completion is now 31 March 2026.
Proposal to Cease Cash Collection and Courier Service – Request for Feedback Read More »
Ringway Primary School is part of the DfE School Rebuild Programme (SRP) and because of this, there are kitchen items available for redistribution to Northumberland Schools. Please see attached for more information.
Ringway Primary School – kitchen equipment Read More »
EYFS Conference 2026: Wired to Learn Discover the neuroscience behind early childhood at the 2026 EYFS Conference: Wired to Learn, a specialised professional development event for Early Career Teachers, new EYFS leads, and practitioners. Hosted by the Three Rivers Professional Development Institute and Cheviot Learning Trust, this conference explores how developmental cognitive neuroscience can enable
Free to attend Specialised EYFS Conference Read More »
The Procurement Act 2023 (the Act) came into force on 24th February 2025, introducing a major overhaul of public procurement procedures for Contracting Authorities, including Local Authority Maintained Schools. This is a reminder of the requirements now in place: The Act introduced increased transparency requirements, simplified procedures, and strategic procurement
Procurement Act 2023: requirements for maintained schools Read More »
Northumberland Libraries are thinking of making some changes. They want thoughts from children, young people and adults on the changes being proposed. In February, libraries launched a public consultation so that they can get views on the future of libraries, including: How to have your say (adults) Libraries want our
Helping Children & Young People complete our Libraries Consultation Read More »
The 8th 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
Schools’ Health and Safety Newsletter – Spring Term 2026 Read More »
The Education Support 2025 Teacher Wellbeing Index shows insomnia or difficulty sleeping is the most reported symptom of poor mental health, with 51% of education staff saying it’s their main symptom. Our free webinar on the 17 March, Tired but wired: helping teachers improve sleep and wellbeing, shares practical, clinically-informed strategies
Helping education staff sleep better – new webinar Read More »
Join us for the chance to moderate with other teachers outside of your school, and look at the potential your pupils have to be a certain standard at the end of the year. Please note spaces are limited, so booking is essential. There is no charge for maintained schools or
Moderation of Writing for Year 2 & Year 6 – Book your place Read More »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Early Years Sustainability and Climate Change Audit Many settings may already have a range of tools and resources in place to support sustainability and address climate change within their practice. For those that do not, and are now beginning to consider this area of work, the following information and Audit
Early Years Update 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 »
Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team New Parent Declaration Form Please find attached the new parent declaration form. This is in a new format and must be used for new children going forward. 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
Early Years Update 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 »
