3 November 2025
Dear Colleagues,
We hope you had a restful and relaxing half term break.
This bulletin is for all settings that educate Hillingdon children, maintained, academies and independent.
Please forward this email to the leads in your settings or team members who might be interested in the content, so they can follow up the relevant offers. Thank you in advance.
Reminders: |
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Primaries should complete the EYs Transition Consultation | By 07/11/25 |
Headteachers & SENCOs should attend the Inclusion Network for Education at the Civic Centre. Please register HERE | On 11/11/25 |
Headteachers or their deputies should attend Autumn term's Head Teachers' Termly. Agenda with link to join will be shared shortly | On 18/11/25 at 9.30 - 11.30 am |
Governors should sign up for Ofsted training HERE | on 18/11/25 |
Headteachers or deputies should attend the virtual Autumn Head Teachers' Termly meeting. Agenda and link to join will be shared soon. | on 18/11/25 |
All Primary Academies should complete Moderation Partner Agreement 2025-26 | by 09/01/26
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Useful Links: | |
Please contact education@hillingdon.gov.uk with any queries | |
Hillingdon LEAP can be accessed for information and guidance for all settings |
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Critical Incident Notification can be found here |
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Emergency closures of all schools must be reported to education@hillingdon.gov.uk |
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Education Services Contacts can be found here |
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Education & SEND Policies can be found here |
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EYES information can be found here. Support guidance and training videos have now been added for schools & settings. |
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Governors can access LA training here |
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Schools' Forum meeting papers can be accessed here. If anyone would like to attend meetings, they are welcome to do so.
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For All Schools & Settings: |
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Safety Valve Agreement Please see update on the Safety Valve payments from the DfE: 25 10 14 Safety Valve Letter to Hillingdon (PDF, 192 KB)
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DSL Cluster/Network Session The next session is online on Monday 24 November at 10 am - 12 pm. Please register to attend here. If you have any queries, please contact Nicole Diamond at ndiamond@hillingdon.gov.uk
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Ofsted Session for Headteachers Thank you to those who were able to attend this session before half term. Presentation slides used can be found here: Ofsted - Leap We are holding a similar session for Governors on 18 November at 6 pm. Please ask your governors to sign up here: Ofsted Training for Governors
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Charging for School's Activities Policy This policy has recently been updated and can be found here: Hillingdon's Charging for School's Activities Policy 2025-28 (PDF, 233 KB)
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SEND Local Offer We are collecting data from schools to see how confident they are in understanding what to do, and where to go when children/young people are displaying challenging behaviours at home - however not seen in the school environment. Data provided will help review/shape information on our SEND Local Offer to help signpost families/schools who are looking for support. We would be very much grateful if you could complete this very short SURVEY to help us understand what support is needed.
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Reduction of PAN Consultation The Council is formally consulting on proposed changes to school admission arrangements for community schools. If approved by Cabinet, this will come into effect from September 2027. The consultation will run from 9 am on Monday 3 November 2025 until 5 pm on Monday 15 December 2025. Please see the summary of proposed changes: Reduction of Published Admissions Number In line with the School Admissions Code 2021, all community schools are required to have a Published Admission Number (PAN), which sets out the number of places the admission authority must offer for each relevant age group. The Local Authority is consulting to reduce the Published Admission Number for:
Take part in the consultation Have your say be completing our online form by 5 pm on Monday 15 December 2025, which can be accessed via Consultations and surveys - Hillingdon Council. Or submit a written response to: School Admissions, London Borough of Hillingdon, Civic Centre, 2W, High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW. You can also respond by emailing: admissions@hillingdon.gov.uk If you or anyone you know would like a paper copy of this form, please email admissions@hillingdon.gov.uk
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Inter Faith Week Inter Faith Week 2025 (9-16 November) is a national initiative funded by MHCLG which aims to celebrate faith communities and strengthen community cohesion. Schools will play a key part by building understanding between pupils of all faiths and none. The Faith & Belief Forum, leading the Schools and Colleges Working Group, has launched a schools hub with free assemblies, lesson plans, event ideas, and guidance. Support is available to plan anything up to a whole-school programme, and pupils can also enter a national poetry competition. To explore resources and opportunities, visit www.ifw4schools.co.uk. For tailored advice or support, contact schools@interfaithweek.org
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Children Looked After & Care Leavers Training Please see flyer for Children Looked After and Care Leavers training, taking place on 27 November 2025 delivered by NHS North West London Integrated Care System. Lv 3 Children Looked After training Flyer (PDF, 313 KB)
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Please share with parents /carers MPS Parents & Carers Webinar - 3rd December 2025 at 7 - 8.30 pm A Parents and Carers Webinar is being hosted by the Met Police Gangs team. As part of Project Scholar, it has been organised to help parents and carers learn how to spot the early signs of child criminal exploitation and grooming and the support available. Please register to attend here Hillingdon December 2025 Webinar (PDF, 996 KB)
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Please share with parents /carers Flu Vaccinations Thank you to schools for supporting the Flu Vaccination programme being delivered by Vaccination UK on behalf of the NHS. Please see the attached poster for children who have missed their vaccinations in school, directing to community catch up clinics and a recording of a webinar for parents addressing questions about the flu vaccinations. Flu Vaccine catch up clinics (PDF, 3 MB) Flu parent Webinar recorded session (PDF, 2 MB)
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For Primary Schools: |
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Autumn Primary Music Network Meeting This term's Primary Music Teacher's Network meeting will occur online on Tuesday 4 November at 3.45 pm. Hillingdon Music Service will also be hosting a second shorter meeting for those unable to attend the first meeting. This will take place on Thursday 6 November at 3.30 pm. These meetings provide a safe space for teachers to discuss music education in Hillingdon Schools. Please register your planned attendance HERE or let me know your availability via rporter@hillingdon.gov.uk. Several schools are now trialing Groove n Play resources and we will joined on 4 November by the composer of the resources Sally Greaves, who can offer advice on use of the software. All Hillingdon state schools are eligible for use of the website, funded by the Music Service. The Groove n Play website can be viewed here: groovenplay |Whole Class Music | Sally Greaves Please pass on the above information to your colleagues and feel free to direct any questions to rporter@hillingdon.gov.uk
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School Food Strategic Priorities Thank you to all schools who worked with School Food Matters to help shape the support schools need to improve deliver a whole school approach to food. Please see this presentation that summarises what you told and how the Hillingdon Council has responded: School Food Update (PDF, 269 KB) Please also complete your school self evaluation for school food and return to Julia Heggie at jheggie@hillingdon.gov.uk: Primary School Food Self Evaluation (Excel doc, 83 KB)
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School Food Procurement Survey Share your food procurement challenges and win one of ten £200 vouchers for your school! School Food Matters is working with the Mayor of London to develop workshops, training and resources to support schools to continue improving the quality of school food, so that all state primary school children can enjoy at least one nutritious meal per day. School food procurement is complex. We want to hear directly from you - and anyone else in your school involved in food procurement or contract management - about what we can do to help. Your feedback will shape a totally free programme of procurement support for London primaries, launching soon. This survey takes no more than 10 minutes, and by completing it you'll be entered into a draw to win one of ten £200 vouchers for your school. This work is generously supported by the Partnership for Healthy Cities. Click here to take the survey, and once you've seen how quick it is, please pass it on to your colleagues: https://lnkd.in/eTWe5Y42 Your contribution will help shape the support offer across London.
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Team Teach Courses Team Teach Level 1 & 2 19 - 20 March 2026 (Venue: TBC*) Team Teach Level 1 (Venue: John Locke Academy) Click here to view Team Teach Level 1 agenda.pdf *If your school can host the March course, you would be eligible for 1 x free delegate space worth £260.
Please note enrolment on any Team Teach course, requires membership to their platform; Team Teach Connect which forms part of how training is delivered and is a condition of certification. The annual membership fee is £160 + VAT (which includes a 25% discount) and will be payable by you on completion of the course following receipt of the invoice. A minimum of three members of staff, including a member of SLT, need to book on this course, unless a member of SLT has a current Team-Teach certificate. This course is only for Hillingdon schools.
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Picture News - What Would You Tell World Leaders? Live COP30 Webinar from Brazil! World leaders are meeting in Brazil to help save our planet - what would you like to tell them? Join us, alongside special guest Jenny Cooper live from Brazil to discover what COP30 is all about, why climate action is important, and how your ideas can help shape the future. Get ready to think big and ask questions!
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For Secondary Schools / FE: |
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Hillingdon Post 16 Prospectus 2025/26 Our Post 16 Prospectus will help young people make decisions about their next step - whether they are thinking about carrying on with studying or enrolling on a traineeship or apprenticeship. Please share this link with all year 11s and their parents/carers in your comms:
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KISS Offer KISS is the Sexual Health and Wellbeing Programme, part of the Hillingdon Youth Offer. KISS offers a range of interventions for children and young people aged 11-24 to raise awareness and minimalize the risks around sexual health and relationships. The team would like to offer a range of assemblies and workshops to all secondary schools in Hillingdon for the academic year 2025 - 2026. The assembly and workshop content is designed for approx. 50 min delivery. Topics:
To request a workshop or assembly please click here. In addition to the workshop and assembly offer, KISS are able to see students in Year 11 and above in your school setting on a one-to-one basis to provide information and advice around relationships and sexual health, including access to the c-card scheme for free contraception. To book this service for your young people, please click here. We encourage all secondary schools to take advantage of this opportunity to support your students to provide them with information to make positive informed choices Should you have any questions or wish to discuss further, please contact kiss@hillingdon.gov.uk KISS also provides one-to-one support for children and young people aged 11-24. The programme aims to raise awareness and reduce risks around sexual health and relationships through confidential, age-appropriate interventions. Topics covered include:
KISS empowers young people with the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices and stay safe. If you have concerns about a young person's sexual health, relationships, or wellbeing, referrals can be made via the Stronger Families Hub. Please clearly state that the referral is for KISS: Targeted programmes for children and young people. If you're unsure whether a referral is appropriate or would like to discuss a case informally, the team is happy to advise. You can contact us directly at kiss@hillingdon.gov.uk
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LGBTIA+ Group Session for Young People 13-19 The Hillingdon Youth Offer (KISS Team) is pleased to share the ongoing opportunity for young people in Hillingdon, aged 13 to 19, who identify as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community to engage in our fortnightly group sessions. These sessions are open to any young person who is exploring their gender identity and/or sexuality and is an opportunity for young people to connect with others while engaging in cooking, crafts, and games. The sessions are split into two groups aged 13-16 and 16-19. Please see LGBTQIA+ sign-up information: LGBT Sign up Information (PDF, 317 KB) Please share with young people who might be interested. Referrals to the group can also be made through the Targeted Programmes Webpage
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SORTED Offer The Substance Use and Misuse Programme known locally as 'SORTED' is part of the Targeted Team within the Hillingdon Youth Offer. The SORTED team offers a range of interventions for children and young people aged 11-24 to raise awareness and minimalize the risks around substance use and criminal exploitation We also offer information and advice services to parents and training to professionals. The teams will continue to offer in next academic year 2025- 2026 range of assemblies and workshops to secondary schools. The assembly and workshop content is designed for approx. 50 min delivery. Topics:
To book please click here. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to support your students to provide them with information to make positive informed choices. Should you have any questions or wish to discuss further, please contact sorted@hillingdon.gov.uk. The SORTED team also offers specialist one-to-one support for young people and families affected by substance misuse. This includes:
If you have concerns about a young person's substance use or the impact of parental substance misuse, referrals can be made via Stronger Family Hub. Please state clearly that the referral is for SORTED: Targeted programmes for children and young people. If you're unsure whether a referral is appropriate or would like to discuss a case informally, the team is happy to advise. You can contact us directly at: sorted@hillingdon.gov.uk
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London Transport Museum Schools Poster Competition 2025 Extended submission deadline: by 9 am on Monday 17 November 2025 The London Transport Museum have an exciting opportunity for secondary schools to take part in the Schools Poster Competition 2025, celebrating 25 years of Transport for London (TfL). The competition invites pupils aged 11-18 to design a poster responding to a real TfL brief - exploring how young Londoners can help shape the future of travel by influencing positive travel behaviours today. Students can submit entered under one of the categories:
Prizes: Winning designs featured in a public exhibition at Battersea Power Station, on the TfL network, and at the Museum — plus certificates and exclusive goodies Further details and downloadable resources, including lesson plans and case studies, are available via the London Transport Museum website.
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Warm regards,
Abi Preston
Director of Education & SEND
Children, Families & Education
London Borough of Hillingdon, Civic Centre, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW
