Highlighted News - For editing

We want to hear from SEND young people about their thoughts and experiences of using the Help You Choose website. By completing a quick survey they can enter a prize draw to win an Amazon voucher.

In order to support our partners in education in keeping our children safe, Norfolk Constabulary have purchased access to the Pol-Ed Programme. Pol-Ed is completely FREE to all Norfolk education settings.

Join us on Thursday, 22 May for a focused webinar on the use of part-time timetables for pupils, including when and how they should be used in line with statutory guidance. Learn what school staff need to consider to ensure these arrangements are always in the best interests of the student.

There is still an opportunity to sign up to access the Rise Up Online Teacher Training Course and the Trauma Informed PE Online Teacher Training Course.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month (GRTHM) is celebrated every June in the UK to honour the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities. The GRT Service have prepared resources and activities that schools can use to take part fully in this year's theme of GRT HEROES MONTH, 'Who Inspires You?'.

A huge thanks to all the school staff who have worked so hard with us in recent months on the development, design and implementation of the new E3 model for the 2025/26 academic year. Information about when further updates about the Unexpected Situations Support Fund (USSF), Enhanced SEND Provision (ESPs), and transitions will be sent out.

International teachers don't just fill vacancies—they enrich school cultures. Bringing fresh perspectives, broadening pupils' world views, and contributing to a more diverse and dynamic learning environment for subjects such as science and maths.

Save the date for a free author event from award-winning children's author Rashmi Sirdeshpande, live at the Forum in Norwich and livestreamed across the county. This event is supported by the National Centre for Writing in celebration of Norwich UNESCO City of Literature.

Following a year of collaboration and evaluation, a new support offer is being co-designed to help more schools develop similar inclusive practices.

Following last year's review, the amended Early Help Assessment and Plan (EHAP) forms have now gone live alongside the new simple 4-step upload process.

Your insights are invaluable in helping us refine and improve the Local Authority commissioned Speech and Language service offered by Cambridgeshire Community Service (CCS). Please take a few minutes to share your feedback.

A request for information for any schools using AI tools in their settings

A survey for colleagues to circulate with families for their response - the closing date is 5 June

This event, provided by Norfolk Virtual School, is suitable for designated teachers who are new to role or who want an update on the latest information and guidance to support their role.

Training provided by Norfolk Virtual School - A practical session focusing on the importance of oracy and strategies to embed across the age ranges with a focus on virtual school cohorts.

The Building Growth Skills Network is calling for teachers of STEM, Computer Science, Geography and Business Studies, as well as Careers Leaders, to join a free teacher CPD day at East Coast College, Lowestoft, on Thursday 3 July. The event will showcase how the construction industry can link directly and indirectly to the curriculum for students aged 11-19.

The theme for this year's conference is about Opportunities For All; the day will consist of several presentations and interactive workshops, which will showcase how to empower and encourage employment for every young person in Norfolk.

The 2024 report for TITAN's free Primary programme, Let's Go!, an educational programme that equips Year 6 students with the skills needed for safe, independent travel is now available.

The applications deadline is approaching for Secondary Mathematics Non-specialist Teachers Programme.

Please share and promote information about the next Making Sense of SEND events for parents/carers who have a child with SEND to parents/carers and your staff team.

An invitation for Year 5 teachers in state-funded primary schools in England to participate in an efficacy trial of the Royal Shakespeare Company's 'Rehearsal Room Writing' learning programme.

June 13, Day of Welcome, is an annual day of solidarity and learning in schools that aims to build a culture of welcome and understanding for people seeking sanctuary.

A request for feedback to learn what difference the funding made; this information will be used to help us shape the support that we offer in the future.

The Norfolk Plant Heritage Group established the Jan Paulger Young Gardeners' Award, which provides a sum of £500 to assist with a state funded primary school gardening project.

The Virtual School would like to invite your Year 6 classes to attend a virtual workshop with Christian Foley, author of 'Moving Up'. Christian will perform the poems and raps from the book which are themed on the transition from Primary to Secondary school.

EmpathyLab Schools Programme is recruiting a cohort of schools in Norfolk for next academic year who will benefit from a reduced cost and work collaboratively on developing teacher practice to build real life empathy through books. 

Addressing talent shortages - particularly in subjects such as Physics, Maths and MfL - is a critical challenge identified by Norfolk schools, and recruiting international staff can provide a valuable solution which further enriches the school environment with diverse experiences and global perspectives.

Changes to the way the Together e-courier email is sent.

Updates regarding Element 3 funding for the 2025/26 academic year.

Schools are encouraged to submit examples of excellent inclusion and practice to the Inclusion in Practice initiative, a government-backed effort to collate and share practices.

ICT for Education conferences are designed to inform and inspire the teaching of Computing and to encourage best practice in the use of ICT across the curriculum and throughout the school.

We are launching a new Early Years Communication Hub in Thetford for the Breckland area, which will run alongside the five already established Hubs in Norfolk.

Learn about the justice system with a range of exciting activities, including a mock trial, cell visits and meeting a sniffer dog

Details of an immersive video installation, including opportunities for educational group visits and classroom resources.

Do you want to develop your leadership knowledge and improve outcomes in your school? Inspiration Teaching School Hub have fully funded places for our NPQ in Senior Leadership.

Education settings have a responsibility to ensure that the people they invite to speak are suitable and that all safeguarding procedures are followed.

Extended deadline to sign up to the Key Stage 2 Challenge System Leaders Programme, fully funded for Local Authority Maintained Schools .

If you currently run a wraparound (before and after school) setting we would appreciate you taking a few moments to feedback your setting's training needs.

Kooth is free, safe and anonymous service is now available for 10 to 18 (up to 19th Birthday) year olds living in Norfolk and Waveney.

The notional SEN memo published Friday 28 February had an error concerning the deprivation amount detailed on line 1.9. which was corrected on Monday 3 March.

Join Dr Shelly Newstead, creator and founder of PARS playwork practice, to find out more about the PARS model and accredited courses for childcare providers.

Please note that Norfolk County Council is extending the scheme from April 2025 through to March 2026. This is reflective of the recent government announcement.

Adult Learning provides courses for all levels and abilities, such the Early Years courses from Level 1 through to the Level 3 Early Years Educator.

The Wensum Trust Hub has a number of events coming up. Read more for booking details.

Inspiration Teaching School Hub has a number of fully funded places available across our courses for this spring.

This free information fair in King's Lynn is an opportunity for parents and carers to talk to the people behind the services.

Children's Services is undertaking the whole system audit of school and college safeguarding practices in line with statutory guidance

Updates to the organisation for LA maintained school Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) networks.

We appreciate the current environment is challenging and may require you to recruit or adjust your staffing structure, or in some cases, both. EducationHR, NCC's traded HR service for schools and MATs, can support you with your staffing needs.

The summer term Early Years and Childcare training programme is now available on our website.

Newly-launched online training for SEND governors is now available, covering key topics, responsibilities and support resources.

A reminder of ways that schools can get involved with the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme.

A free resource, linked to areas of the PSHE curriculum, supporting schools to achieve their PSHE outcomes.

Application deadlines are upcoming for the following courses: Mastery Specialist, Professional Development Lead, and School Development Lead.

Information around the support offered for young people relating to careers working with children and young people, including event attendance, assemblies and group sessions.

Powerful Pedagogy shines a light on the place where pedagogy is at its most powerful - the interface between student and teacher. The study identifies approaches which students say have impact on their learning, their understanding of their learning and their transfer of this understanding to their lives.

We kindly ask you to engage with TITAN to ensure your students receive the most suitable transport assistance to their Post-16 establishment.

Information about the newly-available Norfolk calendar for the 2026-27 school term and holiday dates.

Three online briefings which will take delegates through roles and responsibilities involved in administering the Phonics Screening Check, Multiplication Tables Check (MTC), and end of Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests.

Work towards creating a healthier, safer, and more sustainable environment and investing in the future health and well-being of young people with the Safe School Run Pledge Resources Pack.

The Inclusive Schools Trust offers this programme face to face over 3 half day sessions over two terms.

This CPD programme offers short, online information sessions on a variety of topics led by experts.

This showcase highlights features of Perspective Lite and explains how we use it for secure communication with you. This is especially important for the 2025 Statutory Assessment data collections.

Changes to the notification process to parents of SRB triage and admissions meetings for Autism, SEMH and Learning & Cognition bases.

Works have recently launched a new 'Wraparound Toolkit' curated by experts to bring together everything you need to grow, sustain or start, your childcare provision.

The Norfolk Executive Headteacher Network is reconvening, to reflect on shared opportunities and challenges and benefit from the collective expertise of others.

Following a significant period of scrutiny and feedback from schools, NCC invites LA schools to join a newly re-negotiated group contract for Schools Catering with Norse to commence 1 April 2025 (or later if waiting for other arrangements to end).

Nominations are open for a Primary LA Maintained School representative on Schools Forum, with a closing date of Friday 10 January 2025.

December payslips are available to view in myOracle from 17 December, with new functionality to access and understand payslips.

Norfolk County Council are funding a number of places on Level 2 and 3 accredited courses in the spring term.

The remaining sessions in each programme of briefings will focus on responsibilities and final preparation for statutory teacher assessment.

Does your school have an early career teacher starting their employment in January? Find out what you need to do to register your ECTs at your school.

Get your pupils and team ready for a successful phonics screening 2025 with the Wensum Trust Hub.

Further updates on the promotion of the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme to children and families.

Bookings for the SEND Forum are now open, providing updates on Local Area priorities and Neurodevelopmental Services transformation work as well as best practice spotlights from Norfolk settings.

Information about the Joint Targeted Area Inspection in Norfolk announced on 25 November 2024. The inspection will focus on the multi-agency response to children, including unborn children, who are victims of domestic abuse.

DBS is increasing their application fees, with the increases coming into effect on 2 December 2024.

We're excited to announce our first "Together for Norfolk's children and young people" summit, which will be held on 14 February 2025, on the topic of SEND inclusion.

As a part of Food Savvy, Norfolk County Council' s food waste reduction campaign, we promote decorating pumpkins instead of carving them. This way you can have all the fun without the mess and your pumpkin stays is prime condition which means you can cook with it later.

Access free help to identify young carers; support to train staff and community workers; help to support young carers individually and in groups, as well as access information about how education settings can work towards the Young Carers in Schools Award.

Final briefing sessions on 22 and 23 October

The winter Big Norfolk Holiday Fun will run from 30 December 2024 - 3 January 2025.

School can no longer undertake Attendance Trials due to recent DfE guidance.

DSLs may already be aware of the range of helpful resources available to assist education settings from the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse but they also publish a monthly newsletter. DSLs can keep up to date with the latest publications, events and opportunities from the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre) in their monthly newsletter.

Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) has identified Father Inclusivity as a priority for the partnership. Places are available for the November and December good practice workshops with further details about Father Inclusive practice in the article.

The following information is to notify schools that Norfolk County Council is extending the scheme from the previously agreed October 2024 through to March 2025. This is reflective of the recent government announcement.

Triple P Family Transitions is for parents who are divorced, separating, or separated and are finding it difficult to communicate in a healthy form, and the children are getting caught in the middle of their conflict. Autumn group sessions are now available.

St. Giles is offering a range of virtual awareness raising sessions during autumn term for professionals and parents and carers.

Norfolk County Council Road Safety Team is excited to announce secured funding from the Norfolk Safety Camera Partnership to offer front and back cycle lights, (while stock lasts) to Year 6 children who complete their Level 2 Bikeability Course (delivered by Norfolk County Council and commissioned by Bikeability providers).

We are offering fully funded EAL CPD and a programme of support for schools with Ukrainian children and young people to enable you and your staff to meet the needs of your school community more effectively. The Ukraine programme includes EAL CPD interpretation services, Norfolk Steps, nationally accredited awards, funding for GSCE support and staff cover costs.

Information relating to changes to the term time weekly vulnerable pupil reports for Designated Safeguarding Leads.

All schools are required to submit a prejudice-based incident report for the academic year 23-24. This includes a nil return, which means schools must report even if they have not recorded any incidents. The deadline for submitting the report is 25 October 2024.

We know that schools and parents can sometimes find it difficult to find the information they need, being able to talk to someone to navigate the support on offer will help ensure that the right support is available at the right time, first time; therefore we are providing a support line service.

The Education Finance team has published this month's Finance Focus Newsletter. As this is the first edition of the new academic year, this is a bumper edition with a number of important articles and information.