News - For editing

On 7 July 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) published a revised version of 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'.

Information about the delivery date for Operation Encompass notifications and reports for children with social workers over the 2026 summer holiday period.

As we reach the end of another busy school year and a very busy summer term, Alison Toombs, Assistant Director for SEND and Inclusive Practice, would like to share her appreciation for schools continued engagement, partnership and support. Watch her short message of thanks and best wishes for a relaxing summer break.

Norfolk Virtual School is excited to announce their 2027 Conference: Empowering Every Voice, Inspiring Every Future.

The NPQ in Early Years' Leadership (NPQEYL) is perfect for staff working in EYFS leadership wanting to progress their knowledge of child development. Funding is available for publicly funded early years settings and maintained nursery schools.

With many families facing increased financial pressure over the summer holidays, we'd like to highlight a nationwide initiative that could provide immediate support in your local community.

Empower your staff, strengthen your reading provision, and inspire every child to become a confident reader with Wensum English Hub's free DfE-approved programmes.

With only two weeks left until the Summer break, we are asking schools to review their contact details to ensure they are up-to-date.

As part of Local First Inclusion Project 2, we have reviewed the tools that support schools to identify need and strengthen inclusive provision. This summary highlights the key changes to INDES, IPSEF, GPM and PEaSS (now the Norfolk Inclusive Practice Framework) and outlines the next steps for schools.

The updated Parent Penalty Notice Guidance Letter for the 2026-27 academic year is now available on the Norfolk County Council Schools and Learning Providers website under Attendance Forms and Templates.

We are pleased to launch the new online system to submit applications for Operation Encompass. We hope this system will be easier and more efficient for all.

An online webinar to help explain the different choices available to young people for progression after Year 11.

Our new Chill on the Hill sessions will take place every Thursday of the summer break, from 2-6pm.

Bookings are now open for the Neuroinclusive Education Network (NEN), part of the National Autistic Society.

Norfolk SENDCo Now and Level 4 Award in Supporting Children and Young People with Speech, Language and Communication Needs courses are now available to book.

Adobe Express is a browser-based design tool that covers everything Publisher was used for — and more. It is available at no cost to state schools and non-profit organisations, and works on any device without installation.

We are pleased to share the new Norfolk Music Service schools' brochure for 2026/27, which includes details of both our traded services and the Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub Subscription offer.

Start the school year with the Virtual School Head and our team of Advisers. Join us for breakfast at one of our venues across Norfolk.

National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are among the most effective ways to develop leadership capacity, strengthen school improvement and support succession planning.

Details of the outcome of the recent Relevant Area consultation for Norfolk County Council.

This advice is being provided in response to the extreme weather and heat warnings affecting the week commencing 22 June 2026, and attendance coding requirements for Y11 pupils during the summer term.

Information on the planned rollout of updated FSM eligibility re-checks, including the use of new software to reassess all applicants in bulk and introduce revised eligibility categories.

As part of Local First Inclusion Project 2 , we have undertaken a review of the tools available to support settings in shaping their inclusive provision as part of their Ordinarily Available Provision. The draft Norfolk Inclusive Practice Framework (formerly PEaSS) will be ready later this week for consultation.

This guidance for schools and colleges relates to changes to supervision of regulated activity (such as volunteering) that will come into force on 1 September 2026, and applies to schools and colleges.

The HSB team are developing a "whole school approach" to harmful sexual behaviour to help schools build confidence, improve support mechanisms and increase understanding of harmful sexual behaviour.

This campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of creating positive, supportive environments where children and young people can participate in sport and physical activity safely.

Summer bookings for the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun Summer 2026 programme are now open. See how schools can help ensure as many eligible children know about it as possible.

The Matthew Project is offering a number of activities as part of their On Track SafeSPACE free service that supports 13-24 year old young people to move closer to or to get into education, training, employment or volunteering.

Following on from the news item on 22 June 2026 the Education Safeguarding Team are pleased to announce that dates from September to the end of November 2026 are now live for the following courses: 2-day DSL training; DSL Update training; and Managing the Single Central Record.

The Attendance Team is seeking feedback on the current Targeted Support Meeting (TSM) offer to help shape arrangements for the 2026/27 academic year. Schools are invited to complete a short survey to share their views on what is working well, what could be improved and what support they would value in the future.

Norfolk County Council is asking every school and educational setting to submit a prejudice based incident (PBI) return at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year — including a nil return if no incidents were reported.

Your school could benefit from one of the two Norfolk Plant Heritage Group's Jan Paulger Young Gardeners' Award, for either £650 or £350, to assist with the school's gardening project. The new deadline of Friday 10 July.

The DfE have announced that the NPQ in Senior Leadership is fully funded for all state schools. The Inspiration Teaching School Hub only has a limited number of places available so apply today to avoid missing out.

The Norfolk Community Safety Partnership is seeking feedback from children and young people through the Safer Norfolk Survey to understand their perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour.

The Cyber Security awareness and introduction to Cyber Choices webinar highlights basic cyber security advice that will help individual members of school staff improve their personal cyber security and by extension that of their school.

These sessions will be suitable for parents and carers of children in Year 5 (age 9) and above. This will be a fantastic opportunity to learn and ask questions regarding your child's online world.

Booking is still open for the Summer Early Years Communication Hubs.

Norfolk County Council Road Safety Team are delighted to announce they will continue to offer front and back cycle lights to children who complete their Level 2 Bikeability course.

Our three-year plan to improve how children and young people with SEND are supported across early years, schools and further education.

TITAN is seeking feedback from schools that have taken part in their Let's Go! and Ready to Go! programmes.

Following our latest episode of The Norfolk Early Years Podcast, "Let's Talk... Nurturing Emotional Literacy", we are delighted to welcome early years trainer and published author Molly Potter to the Summer Communication Hubs.

Leaders from Norfolk primary and secondary schools are invited to attend the forthcoming RISE Supported Education Leadership Conference, taking place on Monday 13 July at Wymondham College.

Schools are now invited to sign up to the new Learning Management System, which will become the home of eLearning and training bookings from September.

Further to our previous communication, the Professional Request for Support (PRFS) portal will go live from Monday 22 June 2026.

Inspiration Teaching School Hub have a limited number of fully funded places available across our courses, so register your interest today.

The Norfolk Drug and Alcohol Partnership and Norfolk Public Health are pleased to share with schools a Norfolk-wide ketamine awareness raising campaign.

Start the school year with the Virtual School Head and our team of Advisers.

Updated arrangements from September to strengthen joint working between Family Hub Community Workers and School and Community Teams, including parent surgeries within schools to provide accessible support for families.

Norfolk's Ofsted/CQC Area SEND and Alternative Provision inspection is expected between September and Christmas. Settings may be visited or involved in case studies, and staff should be prepared to explain their role, the impact of their work, and how they contribute to supporting children and families across the partnership.

Following the survey sent out <a href=https://www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk/article/77668/Call-for-feedback-to-inform-development-work---Ordinarily-Available-Provision-OAP-and-PEaSS>in Together on 21 April</a> to ask for feedback about the current draft Early Years OAP and PEaSS, we are holding a consultation session to ask for feedback about the reviewed tool on 6 July and would really value your input.

A reminder that Ask Taylor is now available - a WhatsApp-based digital helper for young carers aged 14-18 (and up to 25 with SEND) across Norfolk. Please continue to promote within your setting by downloading the poster to print and display.

Join ICT Solutions and NAACE for a fun and informative 60-minute training session on how to kickstart your journey with the EdTech Review Framework (ERF), designed to introduce you to the leading tool for evaluating, planning, and improving digital technology use across your school or setting.

A series of videos created with Norfolk schools is showcasing effective inclusive practice in mainstream settings, reaching nearly 29,000 views from parents and carers this term. Watch some of the most popular videos here, and let us know if you have a story to tell.

Do you have SEND children and families needing extra support? Would they benefit from speaking in person to over 20 SEND services? If so, join this free information event on 8 July for parents and carers who have a child with SEND.

Children born prematurely are at increased risk of difficulties with attention, processing speed, working memory, motor skills and emotional wellbeing, yet these challenges can often be subtle and overlooked. Find out more about the free PRISM training and The Smallest Things' Prem Aware Award, which helps schools and early years settings better understand and support children born prematurely and their families.

Support new and aspiring leaders of SEND with this practical and comprehensive training course for SENDCos in Norfolk.

Enhanced SEND Provisions (ESPs) are flexible, school-led interventions that enable children to access the mainstream offer as part of a setting's graduated response. The ESP Network offers Norfolk schools ongoing professional development, shared practice and collaboration through a series of meetings across the academic year.

Join us for Episode 5 of The Norfolk Early Years Podcast, as we explore the relationship between emotional literacy, communication and the environment alongside early years consultant and trainer, Dr Sue Allingham.

The Norfolk Water Safety Forum has a number of resources, in their Water safety resource pack, which can be used to teach children and young people about water safety to support Drowning Prevention Week.

Gro Health is a free healthy lifestyle and weight management service available for eligible young people and families in Norfolk, offering support with healthy eating, physical activity, sleep and emotional wellbeing through both digital and face-to-face sessions

The Virtual School is providing a fully funded opportunity to access the 2-day training, designed by speech and language therapists to support young people (primarily upper Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3) who have SEMH and SCLN.

Access to a free teaching resource and an opportunity to win prizes for Primary & Secondary schools.

Schools are invited to watch a webinar about how Pol-Ed serves as a vital tool to support your school's RSHE delivery following the new statutory Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) guidance which becomes compulsory in September 2026.

We are currently undertaking a small-scale pilot with two secondary schools to look at multi-disciplinary responses to severe absence and we will share the findings with you as soon as possible.

Download the Crucial Crew Road Safety Quiz to help pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6 build essential road safety skills through an engaging, facilitator led session with a lesson plan and guidance.

This in-person session at Kings Oak Academy, King's Lynn is a valuable opportunity to share practice, challenges and successes and supports the expectation for schools to network as outlined in national guidance.

Did you know - After each release of the Norfolk Early Years Podcast, the Early Years Team hosts a follow-up Communication Hub meeting in six of our Norfolk districts?

Speak out. Stay safe is a free safeguarding programme that can  help teachers of children aged 5-11 to reinforce key messages about abuse and neglect as part of their school's teaching on relationships. Talk Relationships supports secondary education settings to confidently deliver inclusive sex and relationships education. The Summer of Fun programme helps raise funds for the NSPCC.

Angles Maths Hub is delighted to announce that their Primary Mathematics CPD opportunities for the 2026/27 academic year, and their Primary Teaching for Mastery Conferences are now open for registration.

Request for term date information for 2026/27 submission for Travel and Transport Services.

Further to previous communication on 2 June 2026 (www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk/article/78877), CADS are delaying the roll out of the Request for Support form to ensure this meets the needs of those partners referring in, and those in the front door.

This details important upcoming changes to benefits-based Free School Meals (FSM), and how the Local Authority (LA) FSM service will support checking eligibility. It also outlines operational readiness actions schools need to take now in order to plan for increased FSM uptake, review your catering arrangements and communicate with parents and carers.

From 8 June, Children's Advice and Duty Service are changing the routes available to get support through an amended Request for Support portal, which will help ensure the right response is provided, whether through Family Hubs, wider community early help services, or Family Help. DSLs will have an opportunity to ask any questions at a dedicated QA session on 22 June 2026.

Norfolk County Council has identified opportunities to improve how we consult for and secure placement for pupils with Education, Health & Care Plans.

From 17 June 2026, there is an increased charge on the route 2 ID check fees.

We need your support to help us reach the children and families who would benefit most. Every year, many eligible children miss out on accessing our free holiday activities and meals. Often, these are some of the most vulnerable children in our communities.

If you're thinking about referring a student to the YouCan or Unity service, please do so ahead of the summer break. More information about each service is available in this article.

The latest episode of the Norfolk Early Years Podcast - Let's Talk series, is now live! Join us and early years consultant and trainer Dr Sue Allingham, as we explore the vital role that early years practitioners play in creating emotionally supportive environments.

Ask Taylor is a new AI-assisted digital helper available on WhatsApp, designed to support young people aged 14+ across Norfolk to access trusted information, guidance and activities.

The East of England Early Years Stronger Practice Hub is offering an engaging professional learning session on strengthening early language development for Reception and Nursery Early Years leaders, practitioners and school staff. There is also a series of four webinars from the Norfolk Learning Collaborative on Leading Language Excellence for headteachers and senior leadership teams.

Please share the attached leaflet with your parents and carers who may be struggling with living costs for a range of reasons.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) History Month, held each June, celebrates the history, culture and contributions of GRT communities while raising awareness of the challenges many still face.

Sign up to their termly leadership briefings to keep up to date with all things related to maths education, providing teachers with key updates from DfE, STA, Ofsted, EEF, VNET, NCETM and many more.

Youth vaping is a growing challenge for schools — but supportive conversations can make a real difference. This free training gives professionals the confidence and practical tools to help young people reduce nicotine use.

This pilot training, delivered across four 30-minute sessions, helps support staff understand how trauma and attachment experiences shape children's behaviour, emphasising that behaviour is a form of communication and should be met with curiosity and empathy.

SEND forum is taking place on Monday 8th June and Wednesday 10th June 2026. This term's theme is Safety, and we have planned an agenda of updates, a mini CPD session and reflection opportunities to compliment this theme.

Inspectors have judged Children's Services in Norfolk as outstanding across the board - click to read the report and a message from Sara.

Join us for two upcoming Attendance Spotlight sessions, delivered online via MS Teams, highlighting key services that support schools and pupils across Norfolk. Hear from expert guest speakers on child employment law in May and the Youth Early Support Service (YESS) in June—no booking required.

Information regarding licence requirements, booking process, cost and useful information.

Norfolk Trading Standards want to highlight to school staff and parents the ongoing product safety recalls of asbestos contaminated sand products.

The Woodland Trust is giving away free trees for schools and community groups.

Alongside their Mastering Number materials, Angles Maths Hub's new programme for 2026-27 will be expanded to include pattern, shape, space and measure in Reception, and in Key Stage 1, new materials will further develop spatial reasoning within the number curriculum.

Today the Spring RAG will be issued to schools by email and available for you in your MySchool account. A copy of the Matrix is available in Infospace and also on Governorhub.

Information relating to reclaiming VAT for VA schools.

Funded by the DfE in support of the Best Start Family Hubs and delivered by VNET Education CIC on behalf of Norfolk County Council, this free online session will support professional dialogue around the EYFS Assessment Profile and share DfE resources.

ResearchED East Anglia at Mildenhall College Academy promises a brilliant day of evidence-informed practice, collaboration and professional challenge — with education author and illustrator Oliver Caviglioli confirmed as keynote speaker.

Get ready to be inspired this summer with a dynamic FREE event from Wensum English Hub, open to all schools.

Empower your students to make a difference with the free Road Safety & Clean Air Toolkit - a flexible, teacher-led resource for secondary schools and colleges.

The Norfolk Learning Collaborative is delighted to share two new opportunities for primary leaders; Leading Language Excellence and NLC Primary Leadership Certificate.

The Local Authority is moving their method of collection of attendance data from Groupcall Xporter to Wonde. This article details the changes that you will need to implement.

Information about the agreed and now available Norfolk Calendar for 2027-28 school term and holiday dates.

For those working in a trauma informed way, working restoratively goes hand in hand. It also supports local area partnerships and how they work together to improve experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND, as set out in the Area SEND inspection framework.

Sign-up now for the CPD opportunities which include Primary Maths Teacher programme, Primary ECT programme, and Maths CPD programme for Secondary TAs.

We are happy to announce the Multi-Agency Practice Week, aptly named by children and young people, The Art of Individuality.

From April 2026, the Early Years Norfolk STAIR (Supporting Transition and Inclusion Record) webform moved to an updated platform, meaning that users are now able to save progress and return to a form prior to submission.

The 2026 Flourish Awards are open for nominations, to recognise and celebrate those that deserve recognition for their work with children and young people in Norfolk.

Please find a reminder about using the Common Transfer Document (CTD) as part of the Norfolk Transition Framework, including ensuring that the CTD is sent using a secure method of communication.

As part of LFI Project 2, we are reviewing Ordinarily Available Provision and PEaSS with the aim of reshaping them into a single resource that supports all phases of education, from Early Years through to Post-16. Please share the survey links in the article to help us gather feedback on the existing tools and inform development work.

This Attendance Spotlight focuses on Fixed Penalty Notices, exploring the referral process and when it is appropriate to consider this intervention. The webinar is open to all and will take place online.

We want to hear from children and young people with SEND about how their experiences and information for them can be improved. SEND Youth Voice Days take place in the school holidays - the next one is on Friday 29 May, 10am-3pm at County Hall.

Support students to make safer choices with Over to You - Your Choice, a free and flexible resource pack. Through discussion, debate, drama and creative activities, students explore road safety scenarios that build independence, resilience and personal responsibility.

An outline of some of the changes to recent pieces of statutory guidance that are relevant to education settings, plus a call to DSLs to respond to a consultation.

This event aims to support practitioners to identify risks of suicide in everyday settings and provide compassionate responses.