LA Education Weekly Update
20 April 2026
Dear Colleagues,
This bulletin is for all settings that educate Hillingdon children, maintained, academies and independent.
Please forward 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:
Headteachers or SENCos should complete the Understanding Current SEND Support Provision survey | By 27/04/26 |
DSLs should sign up to attend the in-person DSL Cluster/Networking Meeting at Oak Wood School HERE. Agenda will be shared with those who sign up | On 28/04/26 at 10.30 am |
Governors can attend the online Ofsted Inspection Updates for School Governors - Click here to register | On 12/05/26 at 6 pm |
All settings can sign up to attend the AfA 'Parents as Partners in Learning' Conference here | On 03/06/26 |
Headteachers should attend the next online Head Teachers' Termly. Agenda will be shared nearer the time | On 09/06/26 at 9.30 am |
Governors can attend the annual Governors Networking Event at the Civic Centre - Sign up here | On 10/06/26 at 6 pm |
Primaries should sign up to attend the Early Writing Webinar led by Dr Julian Grenier CBE via email to rmehta@global-educationservices.co.uk | On 16/06/26 at 4 pm |
Governors can attend the online Understanding the Use of AI in Schools session - Click here to register | On 22/06/26 at 6 pm |
Secondaries and Post-16 settings should sign up to attend the AfA Event here | On 30/06/26 |
Schools Forum is a public meeting, anyone wishing to attend should contact schoolsforum@hillingdon.gov.uk. The next meeting is online, meeting papers will be uploaded here one week before. | On 7/7/26 at 1 pm |
Useful Links:
- Hillingdon LEAP can be accessed for information and guidance for all settings
- Please contact education@hillingdon.gov.uk with any queries
- Critical Incident Notification can be found here
- Emergency closures of all schools must be reported to education@hillingdon.gov.uk
- Education Services Contacts can be found here
- Education & SEND Policies can be found here
- EYES/Establishment Portal information can be found here
- Governors can access LA training here
- Hillingdon Learning Partnership
- Schools' Forum meeting papers can be accessed here. If anyone would like to attend meetings, they are welcome to do so.
All Schools/Settings:
Safeguarding Alert: Online Exploitation Risk (Social Media - TikTok)
We have been made aware, via Youth Services, of a concerning online safeguarding issue involving a group operating on TikTok, reportedly referred to as "The Extornists."
This group is understood to be targeting young females and encouraging them to share intimate images and videos. There are also reports of individuals being pressured or coerced into sharing harmful content, including material linked to self-harm. A young person locally has disclosed that they have been directly targeted by this group. The matter has been reported to police.
We are sharing this information to raise awareness and support early safeguarding responses across school settings.
Do Key Members of your Staff have Up to Date Safer Recruitment Training?
Statutory Guidance outlines that at least one member of every appointment panel for roles involving work with children must undertake 'proper' safe recruitment training.
FREE Safer Recruitment training is available on the Independent Safeguarding Service Portal (ISS Portal). This online course is delivered by an approved Safer Recruitment Consortium trainer widely accepted UK standard recognised by the government.
All Hillingdon Schools have access to the ISS Portal. The portal has a range of Safeguarding courses and a vast bank of resources to support DSLs.
If you do not have a log in for the portal, please contact Amandeep Tamber educationalwellbeing@hillingdon.gov.uk
Single Central Record Webinar
Managing the Single Central Record can often feel challenging, with a wide range of checks to record and ongoing uncertainty about what is required. To help clarify this, Louis Donald, Principal Safeguarding Partner at EduShield, has produced a webinar that cuts through the confusion and clearly explains the statutory expectations, as well as what compliant practice looks like in reality.
The webinar is free to access and available here: https://www.edushield.org.uk/getting-the-single-central-record-right/
Health & Safety Training for Headteachers (community maintained schools only)
There are several headteachers yet to attend the Health & Safety Responsibilities for Headteachers course. All community school headteachers are required to attend. Deputy headteachers will also benefit. An additional course has been arranged for 14 September 2026 at 9.30 am - 4.30 pm at the Civic Centre. Bookings via the Council's Learning Zone. Please make sure you reserve your place!
The course will provide headteachers with an overview of their key health and safety responsibilities in the following areas and understand how behaviour will influence outcomes.
Legislation
Moral, legal & financial implications
Accidents & root causes
Strategic H&S management
Principles of risk assessment
Incident/accident investigation
Fire safety management
Managing contractors
Hillingdon SACRE Newsletter - Summer 2026
For the latest edition please see: Hillingdon_SACRE__Newsletter_3.Summer_2026
You will find details of the revised locally agreed Syllabus for RE, amongst other important updates.
Government Expansion of Eligibility Criteria for Free School Meals
From September 2026, the Government will expand the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals (FSM) to include all children in families receiving Universal Credit. This change removes the current £7,400 income cap and will apply to children in Years 3 to 6. Alongside this change, the Mayor of London will continue to fund FSMs for all Key Stage 2 pupils who do not meet the Government's eligibility criteria, ensuring universal coverage for primary‑aged pupils across London.
The London Grid for Learning (LGfL) Free FSM Eligibility Checker will be updated once Universal Credit data becomes available. The checker can be used by both schools and parents to support accurate and timely registration.
School Food Standards: Updating the Legislative Framework
Millions of children will benefit from updated School Food Standards, set to be overhauled for the first time in over a decade. Responding to high levels of childhood obesity and tooth decay, the government plans to limit foods high in fat, salt and sugar, ban deep‑fried items, and increase fruit, vegetables and wholegrains in school meals.
The new standards will apply to all school breakfasts and lunches and align with the rollout of free breakfast clubs. A nine‑week public consultation will inform final changes, supported by nutrition experts and campaigners.
Find out more and respond to the consultation here
Please share with parents / carers / staff
Community Resilience Roadshow - You're Invited!
Hillingdon Council is excited to announce our Community Resilience Roadshow, and we'd love for you join us!
On: Saturday 9 May 2026
Time: 12 - 4 pm
At: Hillingdon Fire Station
This free family-friendly event brings together our local emergency responder partners to help residents learn how to stay safe, prepared, and resilient in an emergency—while having plenty of fun along the way!
You will have the chance to explore real emergency vehicles, meet local responder partners, take part in hands-on activities that teach practical safety and preparedness skills, learn simple steps to stay safe at home, in school and in the community, and enjoy free food!
It's a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn about emergency services, ask questions, build confidence, and develop life-long preparedness habits.
Primary Schools:
The Big Primary School Workout: Live with Joe Wicks for Mental Health Week
On: Thursday 14th May, 2.15-2.45 pm (afternoon post SATS)
Join Joe Wicks live from a Picture News school as he leads a high-energy workout for children to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week. Schools across the country will be taking part together, discovering how moving our bodies can boost our mood, build resilience, and support our mental wellbeing. All you need to do is join the live session and get your pupils ready to move!
Register here
Secondary/Post 16:
Post‑16 NEET Team - Information Sessions
We would like to invite you and relevant staff to attend an information session delivered by the Post-16 NEET Team. The session will provide an outline of how we work with schools to support young people's post-16 destinations.
The session will cover:
Key information on the September Guarantee and schools' responsibilities
Activity tracking requirements, including expectations, timescales, and reporting
An opportunity for questions and discussion
Session details (please choose one to join):
Monday 27 April 11 am - 12 pm
Wednesday 6 May 2 - 3 pm
Meeting ID: 369 993 824 275 012
Passcode: uv2EV68y
Sharing young people's destination and contact details with the Post‑16 NEET Team is essential to meeting September Guarantee requirements and enables the local authority to fulfil DfE statutory tracking and reporting duties, ensuring accurate oversight of post‑16 participation.
Please confirm your attendance by 23 April including which session you will join to post16eet@hillingdon.gov.uk . For any questions in advance, or to discuss your school's specific needs, please also get in touch.
Warm regards,
Abi Preston
Director of Education & SEND
Children's Services, London Borough of Hillingdon, Civic Centre, Uxbridge UB8 1UW
