Schools Library Service Spring Term Newsletter
Please see attached Spring Term Newsletter.
Schools Library Service Spring Term Newsletter Read More »
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Free Webinar – Problem Solving in Mathematics
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
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Proposal to Cease Cash Collection and Courier Service – Request for Feedback
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 – kitchen equipment
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 »
Procurement Act 2023: requirements for maintained schools
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
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Helping Children & Young People complete our Libraries Consultation
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 »
Schools’ Health and Safety Newsletter – Spring Term 2026
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
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Helping education staff sleep better – new webinar
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
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New Mortal Fools show
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 »
Research project on support for pupils with an eating disorder (secondary)
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
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School Budget Share (Dedicated Schools Grant) 2026/27 : Maintained Mainstream Schools
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 »
UKHSA and MHRA advice to stop using some non-sterile alcohol-free wipes (DfE)
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 »
Important safety warning: product recall notice of Hobbycraft sand-based products (DfE)
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 »
Year End Guidance for Schools
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 »
The Big Walk and Wheel 16-27 March 2026 register now
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 »
Spring Mode of Travel Data Collection 2026
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 »
Level 3 Forest School qualification
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 »
Gladiators – Picture News Assembly Resource
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 »
Elephant in the Room – Sexual Health Campaign
The NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), working in partnership with 13 local authorities, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), has developed a new regional sexual health campaign for young people aged 15–24 – The Elephant in the
Elephant in the Room – Sexual Health Campaign Read More »
DfE publishes additional mobile phone guidance for schools
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
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Funding e-Bulletin – 17 February 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
Funding e-Bulletin – 17 February 2026 Read More »
DfE Update – Latest News for Local Authorities
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 »
Safer In Education – Spring 1
Please find below a link to our Spring 1 edition of the Safer in Education newsletter.
Safer In Education – Spring 1 Read More »
Support Directory for Schools
Please see the attached Handbook of Support to Schools from Children, Young People and Education 2025/26.
Support Directory for Schools Read More »
Important: Non-Sterile Alcohol Free Wipes
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
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Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 – consultation version now published
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 »
National Deaf Children’s Society News
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 »
Online Safety: Have Your Say About Staff Training
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 »
Grant for schools to purchase musical equipment
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 »
Green Energy Careers Roadshow – Friday 6 March (am)
North East Ambition are pleased to invite your KS4 and KS5/post‑16 students to take part in our latest Green Energy Careers Roadshow – an engaging, fast‑paced event showcasing the wide range of careers and pathways within the green energy sector in the North East. Event details: Date: Friday 6 March (am) Location:
Green Energy Careers Roadshow – Friday 6 March (am) Read More »