News - For editing

Today the Summer RAG will be issued to schools by email and available for you in your MySchool account. They are prepared in accordance with the framework as detailed in our previous communication.

Encourage your students to apply to become a Member of Youth Parliament and help shape change for young people in Norfolk while building valuable skills and friendships.

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

The National Professional Qualification in Leading Literacy (NPQLL) gives teachers and leaders the tools to drive whole-school improvement in literacy. When schools invest in literacy leadership, they unlock benefits far beyond the classroom: pupils become more confident, more engaged, and more empowered to thrive in their learning and lives.

Our monthly Assessment and Data newsletters will outline key points for consideration and provide essential reminders for schools. These newsletters replace the termly Senior Leader Briefings run in previous academic years.

The DfE has reopened the reporting window, and this will stay open until 5pm Tuesday 30 September 2025.

To support the Education Safeguarding Team to provide the best possible support, the team ask that school leaders complete a short survey around their Safer Recruitment training needs.

The Norfolk Schools Attendance web pages provide a comprehensive, single point of access for all things related to school attendance.

Join the team and international speaker Kate Cairns as they unpack how trauma impacts young children's communication development.

Arranging entry for first language GCSEs for your secondary pupils with EAL supports their literacy in English and first language, boosts their self-esteem and demonstrates that a pupil's first language is valued in your school.

Information regarding revised statutory guidance for Children Missing Education (CME) published by the Department for Education.

Support your students to make safer choices with 'Over to You: Your Choice', a free, flexible resource pack for secondary schools, Sixth forms & Colleges. Through discussion, debate, drama and creative activities, students explore road safety scenarios that build independence, resilience and personal responsibility.

The Norfolk SEND Advisory Team is pleased to share upcoming SEND Forum dates and themes for the coming academic year.

The November session will explore "Introduction to Trauma and Attachment Aware Practice".

Inspiration Teaching School Hub are partnering with the National Institute of Teaching to offer the NPQ in Leading Teach to teachers looking to develop their knowledge of what makes great teaching. They have a limited number of fully funded scholarships available - register your interest on their website.

The Winter Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme will be running from 22 December until 5 January. See information to help you support children and young people in accessing the programme.

Are you an EAL (English as an Additional Language) Lead who is new to the role or an experienced EAL Lead who wants to embed more effective provision across your school? Do you want to learn how to comply with the latest guidance and legislation, and deliver effective provision for your EAL learners? If so, these fully funded EAL courses, delivered at a range of venues over Norfolk in 2025-26 are for you.

The key outcome is to empower children to be safe, resilient, and independent when they travel. This resource also links to areas of the PSHE curriculum supporting schools to achieve some of their PSHE outcomes.

Updated guidance for Element 3 funding, and frequently asked questions.

As we begin the new academic year, we are creating a central reference library of the NCC Penalty Notices regarding school absence - Guidance for Parents 2025-26 documents issued by schools (previously referred to as the Warning Letter).

Last academic year, Children's Services undertook the whole system audit of school and college safeguarding practices in line with statutory guidance. Thank you to all of the schools and colleges who completed their submission; we have identified broad areas of strength and development ahead of the full report.

CPD opportunities include Primary Maths Teacher programme, Primary ECT programme, and Maths CPD programme for Secondary TAs.

Join this free one-day course, designed to help enhance children's spoken vocabulary and love of reading using the finest children's literature.

Norfolk schools are invited to take part in Cycle to School Week by making their Pledge to Pedal, with Bikeability helping students build cycling confidence and healthy habits. Schools can also sign up to the Safe School Run Pledge to promote safer travel and parking, with chances to win Active Travel prizes or a school banner. Plus, secondary schools and colleges can access the free Road Safety & Clean Air Toolkit to support learning and enter prize draws for resources or banners

This training aims to enhance delegates' knowledge and understanding of kinship care, through the use of data, reports and consultations with professionals & kinship families.

Support for your students to feel great, move strong and get free healthy weight support with Gro Health.

The Virtual School are pleased to launch the Celebrating Success Scheme to acknowledge the achievements of our young people. This replaces the previous Incentive Scheme.

A new Teaching Assistant CPD resource is now live, bringing together local and national training, qualifications, and career development opportunities — all in one place.

In response to widespread misrepresentations of schools' activities, and of Schools of Sanctuary as a whole, the City of Sanctuary UK team have issued some guidance to schools engaged in sanctuary work.

As outlined in Working Together to Improve School Attendance, early identification and intervention are essential to improving pupil attendance. To support this, schools are encouraged to book Targeting Support Meetings (TSMs) with the Attendance Team.

A series of webinars this September to support schools with attendance processes and responsibilities.

Norfolk County Council requests that all schools and educational settings submit a prejudice-based incident report for the academic year 2024-25, including nil returns (we need all settings to complete a report even if they have not recorded any incidents).

A message from Sam Fletcher, Assistant Director, Education Strategy Service

An update on Norfolk's 2025-2026 offer for schools running or developing small provisions.

The Kindness Challenge is a week all about spreading kindness in school communities, like helping someone with homework or playing games with new friends.

Access free teacher kits that can be used in PSHE and Science, giving children the chance to see and feel a variety of reusable period products, as an alternative to disposables.

Appraisal is one of the most effective and affordable tools for driving school improvement—not just for teachers, but for all staff. When embedded in a culture of growth and supported by development programmes like apprenticeships and NPQs, it becomes a powerful strategy for boosting performance, nurturing leadership, and improving retention.

This online session introduces school staff to INTRAN's interpreting and translation services, with practical guidance on how to book and use them effectively. It's suitable for anyone new to the service or looking for a refresher.

As the new school year begins, schools may be supporting families who speak little or no English. INTRAN offers interpreting and translation services to help ensure clear, inclusive communication.

The latest version of our newsletter is available with updates and information about resources, training and initiatives.

It is important that first language code data is accurately recorded in the October census as it affects funding for pupils with EAL in your school's budget.

Recent changes within the CADS (Children's Advice and Duty Service) teams, which have been designed to enhance our focus and effectiveness across key areas of safeguarding.

Following the initial pilot period, the Specialist Outreach Advisory Service is now fully operational.

The DBS registered body now allows government accredited 'Digital Identity Service Providers' (IDSP) to digitally check applicants identification. Therefore, when using NCC's DBS service, you now have the option to digitally check applicants ID, as an alternative to manually checking original ID documents. In addition, IDSP can be used to submit DBS applications.

Free event where our friendly advisers can talk to participants about a range of issues from children struggling at school, childcare, EHCPs, post-16 guidance and health and speech and language services.

Explore vibrant textile art at Wells Maltings from Nov 4-13 — free entry, daily artist talks, and inspiration for GCSE & A-level students.

The Harmful Sexual Behaviour team will be launching a pilot programme to support children and young people to access support and intervention.

We would like to extend thanks to everyone who participated in the recent survey and advise on the next steps.

We invite Norfolk primary schools to complete the expression of interest (EOI) for participation in the PINS Programme - The Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools.

Request for term date information for 2025/26 submission for Travel and Transport Services.

Recent research shows that only 1 in 3 children and young people now enjoy reading - The Reading Agency and Norfolk libraries are working to change this with the Summer Reading Challenge. By encouraging your pupils to join in, you'll help make reading a fun and rewarding part of their summer.

EducationHR is delighted to announce that Education Job Finder is now integrated with the DfE's Teaching Vacancies Service (TVS) website, offering a more efficient way to advertise vacancies and connect with a wider pool of candidates.

Strategic partnerships with Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers offer a practical and sustainable solution to a challenging recruitment and retention environment.

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.

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.

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

Practice Week also takes place in May, beginning on May 19 and this year is led by young people. The week will be dedicated to amplifying the voices of children and young people across Norfolk.

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.

These courses will help to provide quality training of teaching assistants to equip them to support children and young people with sensory impairments in hearing, or in vision.

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

Some amendments have been made to section 3, section 3.1, section 7 and section 8 of the schools financial RAG criteria matrix which will take effect from the spring term.

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

The Norfolk Schools' Forum meeting on Friday focused on strategic planning for Local First Inclusion, the proposed DSG budget for 2025/26, planned pupil growth, and the Early Years consultative group, emphasizing collaboration and open feedback to support children's development.

Don't miss this weeks upcoming attendance spotlight webinar on legal processes and what happens in court.

Clarification of points raised by settings regarding arrangements for the Element 3 funding process for the academic year 25/26

Our fully-funded EDIB offer provides schools and settings with the guidance and tools to create a culture and curriculum that builds welcome and inclusion.

The NLT online survey, designed to explore what children and young people think about reading, writing, speaking and listening, is now open for registration.

Establish your whole-school EAL provision with these practical and comprehensive courses, which will help improve attainment and inclusion.

Establish a compliant and impactful RSHE curriculum within a whole-school approach at this practical and comprehensive course for primary schools/settings

Our revised fully-funded RSHE offer provides schools and settings with the guidance and tools to meet the RSHE needs of children and young people, including those with SEND.

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.

Bright Torches provide literacy workshops and projects to support academic, social and emotional development of children and young people, alongside supporting transitions between and across phases of education.

Update on provision of budget information to schools for 2025/26 financial year.

Through the Challenge, the whole system is being invited to share how they are contributing to improving KS2 outcomes and to consider how they could collaborate to support one another.

Information about our new SEND and Inclusion Support model, which will be rolled out in phases across Norfolk

Final briefing sessions on 22 and 23 October

It's not too late to book onto a communication hub meeting! From Tuesday 24 September 2024, the early years communication hubs will be hosting their eleventh round of meetings.

Improved offer and now fully funded for academic year 24/25!

Redesigned High Needs SEND Teams for operational delivery of Statutory Needs Assessments and associated work under Children and Families Act duties 2015 for Education, Health and Care Plans case work.

Please share this information with your pupils' families.

Our revised fully-funded RSHE graduated offer of support provides schools and settings with the guidance and tools to meet the RSHE needs of children and young people, including those with SEND.

The Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme is now open for bookings. Help us promote the scheme to eligible benefits-related children and families.

Fully Funded Training for Primary School Support Staff to Deliver Parent-led CBT for Child Anxiety Problems

Financially motivated sexual extortion: an alert for education settings, Multi-agency chronologies for child protection conferences, ACT for Education E-learning Guidance, Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA)