LA Education Weekly Update

8 June 2026

Dear Colleagues,

This bulletin is intended for all educational settings supporting children in Hillingdon, including maintained schools, academies and independents. 

We would be grateful if you could share this briefing with relevant leads within your setting or with team members who may have an interest in the content, so they can follow up on the opportunities outlined.  

Reminders:

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 Health Care Needs Assessment Panel sign up can be found here 
• 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:

Achievement for All Programme 

A big thank you to everyone who attended the AfA Parents as Partners in Learning Conference last week. We hope you found the session valuable and came away with practical strategies to support your work in school. The feedback we've received so far has been extremely positive and it's great to see such strong engagement with this important area. 

All AfA Programme resources are available on LEAP here: Achievement for All (AfA) Programme - Leap 

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for our children and young people. 

Education Health Care Needs Assessment Panel - SEND is Everyone's Business 

Reminder that schools are invited to be part of an Education Health Care Needs Assessment Panel, helping to support and shape outcomes for children and young people with SEND. 

Being involved in the panel is a valuable opportunity to: 

• Contribute to important decision-making processes 

• Share your school's expertise and perspective 

• Support a collaborative, inclusive approach to SEND across settings 

• Help ensure the best possible outcomes for pupils 

If you or your SENCo would like to take part, please add name and school to a suitable date here: School SEND PANEL Timetable 2026.docx 

AIM High Poster - Please Share & Display 

We kindly ask all schools to actively share the AIM High poster linked below with pupils and parents/carers and to display it in visible areas across your setting (e.g. reception area, corridors, classrooms, sixth form, staff rooms, newsletters and on your website). 

Thank you for your continued support in helping this very important initiative reach as many people as possible. 

SEND Youth Forum (Aim High) A4 Poster (PDF, 921 KB)

Supporting Service Children 

Please see the June Newsletter 2026 (PDF, 4 MB) from the Stronger Schools Officers for Service Children with details about two free online CPD sessions and an in-person Summer Term network event. 

Free Online CPD Sessions - Run by Dr Lucy Robinson: You can register by completing this FORM 

• Session 1 - Tuesday 23 June at 1:30 pm - Service Children an Introduction (about service children's key experiences of mobility and separation, diversity of the cohort such as young carers and EAL and their educational experiences). 

• Session 2 - Wednesday 1 July at 1:30 pm - Service Pupil Premium (All about SPP, its purpose, eligibility, best practice examples, communicating with parents and further resources). 

Service Children's Champions in-person meeting - Wednesday 15 July 2 - 4pm at Vyners Secondary School: This meeting will be an opportunity for those who coordinate or are involved in providing support for service pupils to come together and meet each other. We will focus on sharing ideas and best practice about how you currently support your service children and how you hope to in the next academic year. There will also be information about the support available for service families in Hillingdon provided by those from The Hive, Northolt. 

You can register to attend the meeting by completing this form Summer Term Service Children's Champions network meeting - Fill in form 

Resource Toolkit for Schools: You can continue to access our resource Toolkit for schools (PDF, 8 MB) for schools, which has been recently adapted to allow easier access to linked resources. It collates a large variety of organisations, charities, government information, wellbeing support and moving and transition resources that can be used to support service children. 

Children's & Schools Wellbeing Bill: Strengthening the Qualified Teacher Requirement for PE 

The passing of the Children's and Schools Wellbeing Bill marks an important milestone, particularly through its clear requirement that all NEW teachers working in state schools and academies must hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This commitment reinforces a principle that the Association for Physical Education (afPE) has long championed: every child deserves to be taught PE by a qualified, well‑prepared professional who understands both the subject and the pedagogy that underpins high‑quality physical education. 

PE is a specialist discipline that demands deep subject knowledge, skilful instructional practice, and an understanding of how physical development, wellbeing, and learning intersect. Ensuring that PE is taught by qualified teachers is essential to safeguarding curriculum quality, supporting safe practice, and enabling all pupils to experience meaningful progress. This legislative change strengthens the foundations of the subject and supports a more consistent, equitable experience for children and young people across the country. 

As this new requirement comes into effect, afPE will be working closely with DfE, Ofsted, ITE, schools, trusts, and partners to ensure they feel confident and well‑supported in meeting it. Their focus will include: 

• Guidance for school leaders on workforce planning and recruitment 

• Professional development pathways to help teachers build confidence and competence in delivering high‑quality PE 

• Support for early career teachers as they enter the profession under the new framework 

• Resources and advice to help schools strengthen subject leadership and curriculum design  

Some schools may face challenges during this transition, particularly those that have relied on non‑QTS staff or external providers. afPE is committed to offering practical, constructive support to help schools navigate these changes while maintaining continuity for pupils. The Bill represents a positive step toward raising standards, reducing inequalities, and ensuring that PE is valued as a core component of a broad and balanced curriculum.  

New afPE Primary PE Specialism Qualification 

afPE are delighted to share an exciting development for the profession: the launch of the afPE Primary PE Specialism Qualification (Level 5), rolling out nationally from September.  

They are committed to ensuring that primary teachers feel confident, well‑prepared and empowered to deliver high‑quality PE. This programme represents a significant step forward in strengthening subject knowledge, pedagogy, and practice across the primary phase. They look forward to supporting schools and practitioners as this exciting new chapter begins. A second round of interviews will take place in the autumn term, so if you think it might be for you, please do apply.  

If you would like to find out more about the qualification or book onto a date, further information is available here: Primary School Physical Education Specialism Course L5 

New Resources About Online Hate and Misogyny on the 'Kids Online Safety' Website 

The DfE and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) have recently published new resources on the 'Kids online safety' website to help parents and carers understand and get support dealing with online misogyny. This new section is designed to help families and give them more confidence in talking to their children about what they're doing and experiencing online. 

Schools are encouraged to share the updated kids online safety website with parents and carers. 

Leading Parent Partnership Award 

What's in the Leading Parent Partnership Award framework? This award helps your school to work in partnership with all parents and carers. Increasing parental participation in school life leads to improved pupil progress, punctuality, attendance and behaviour. The framework encourages parents to be involved in their children's learning leading to improved outcomes in all aspects of school life.  

Find out more here: LPPA - Leading Parent Partnership Award | AwardPlace 

Parenting in an AI World - a Practical Guide Video Series for Parents/Carers 

As discussed at the AfA Conference last week, artificial intelligence is already shaping how children learn, communicate and engage with the world around them. To help parents and carers navigate this rapidly evolving landscape, Ann Palmer, author of Leading with AI, has developed The AI Informed Parent - a practical 12-part video series designed specifically for families. 

The series provides clear, accessible guidance on topics including AI and schoolwork, social media, online safety, deepfakes, responsible technology use, and preparing children for an AI-enabled future. Schools may wish to share this resource with their parent communities as part of their ongoing commitment to digital literacy, safeguarding and home-school partnership. 

Please see this flyer Parenting in an AI World for further information.  It can simply be photocopied and distributed or shared in newsletters, enabling parents/carers to access the information as they require it. 

Summer School Census Update 

Queries 4007Q and 4015Q 

All maintained schools are receiving two queries in their census returns.  The DfE has published an Excel spreadsheet containing DfE acceptable notepad entries.  Please see: School_Census_Notepad_entries_2025_26_v.1.1 (Excel doc, 54 KB)

The DfE acceptable notes are: 

• 4007Q - confirmed as correct 

• 4015Q - confirmed as correct 

Here are some examples of some schools' entries, these will never be accepted by the DfE. 

• Query4015Q: no school arranged alternative provision 

• Query 4007Q: no pupils are on roll are in receipt of tutoring 

• 4007 confirmed as correct 

• 4015 confirmed as correct 

• 4015Q - No alternative provision in place 

• 4007Q - no pupils on roll in receipt of NTP 

• 4007Q - Confirmed as correct - We currently have no pupils in receipt of National Tutoring Programme. 

• 4015Q - Confirmed as correct - No pupils have School Arranged Alternative Provision placements. 

• Query code 4007Q - We confirm that no pupils on roll are in receipt of Tutoring. 

• Query code 4015Q - We confirm that no School Arranged Alternative Provision placements have been provided. 

• 4007Q: no pupils on roll are in receipt of Tutoring 

• 4015Q: no School Arranged Alternative Provision (AP) placements have used or needed 

• 4007Q - NTP is no longer running. 

• 4015Q - No students placed in alternative provision 

For those schools that have not entered DfE acceptable notes please enter correctly formatted and content notes. Thank you to all the schools that entered the correct notes. 

Known Issues 

Please see the following guidance regarding some errors/queries and DfE Notes entered on your returns: 

• 2020Q - the DfE has placed this note on all/most of Hillingdon's returns "This return has been revalidated in respect of rule(s): 2020Q".  There was an issue with 2020Q last week which was resolved and the database was revalidated. If the school has not triggered 2020Q no action is required. 

• TonT queries - this is the DfE's statement regarding this issue: - Please note that an issue with TonT checks was identified and has now been resolved. However, some schools that were previously authorised have reverted to an "amended by collector" status. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. 

• School Error Report, DfE comment - "An error was identified in the school error report and has now been resolved.  For schools who exported this report today, please ensure it is securely destroyed."  The DfE has been asked whether they will report the issue to the ICO. 

• Reports Query - some schools had run all their requested reports, but the Reports Query was not cleared.  DfE response - "The issue has now been resolved - schools which previously ran the reports should no longer have the report query, unless they have loaded a new file or amendments have been made to their data". 

Current Status 

Please see the current status (as at 04/06/2026) of the Summer Census:

Image sent by email

Could those schools that have not submitted their return please do so as soon as possible.  4 schools have their return in the "Loaded and Validated" status, please respond to your issues and then in COLLECT click the SUBMIT button. 

Any queries, please contact Marc Sherman at msherman@hillingdon.gov.uk or Tel: 0208 582 2803/07983 481868. 

First Aid Courses at Your School 

Make use of your upcoming inset days by training your staff in first aid. Contact Hillingdon Council to arrange a first aid course to be run at your school exclusively for your staff. We offer a range of courses at competitive prices; details can be found on the Council's web pages.  

Enquire via firstaidtraining@Hillingdon.gov.uk 

Primary Schools:

RISE Reception Quality Webinar Series 

The DfE are continuing with their national RISE Reception webinar programme and will be hosting their next online events during the summer term 2026.  These sessions will focus on EYFS profile assessment, transitions into Reception, and preparing high quality Reception provision, offering practical, evidence‑based support aligned with recent guidance: 

• Mastering the EYFS Profile Assessment - Wednesday 10 June 4pm  

• Setting up for Reception success ahead of September - Wednesday 17 June 4pm  

• Supporting smooth transitions into Reception - Wednesday 24 June 4pm 

To register for these webinars, please use this link. 

Family Hub Network Training for Professionals 

June 2026  

Creating Exciting environments for young children - 15 June, 2pm to 4pm - online 

Early Years - Business Budgeting  - 18 June, 10:30am to 11:30am - online 

Home-Start Hillingdon - 19 June, 3pm to 4pm - online 

Food Explorers - 22 June, 1:30pm to 3:30pm - Oakfarm Children's centre  

FIS - Childcare funding - 24 June, 10am to 11am - online 

July 2026 

The Importance of Reading - The why and how to make story time engaging - 2 July, 9am to 10:30am  

SEND - Brushing for Life, Bottle to cup - 14 July, 10am to 11am - online  

FIS - FIN funding - 15 July, 3pm to 4pm - online 

September 2026  

Early Years overview training - 10 September, 9am to 4pm - Oakfarm Children's centre  

FIS - FIN funding - 21 September, 10am to 11am - online 

DWP - Supporting Families employment - 24 September, 3pm to 3:45pm - online 

No School Library? Apply Now for 500 Free Books, Training & Library Furniture  

We're pleased to share a fantastic opportunity from the National Literacy Trust for primary schools without a library or designated reading space. The Libraries for Primaries programme is fully funded and free to join, offering eligible schools an incredible package of books, resources, training and support to establish or improve a school library.  

Reading for pleasure can boost children's wellbeing and attainment across subjects. By providing access to a large range of books, schools can support whole-setting reading culture - with immediate and long-term benefits.  

Each school receives a package including:  

• 500 high-quality, diverse children's books  
• Library furniture pack (modular shelving & soft seating)  
• Audiobook provision  
• Bespoke CPD training for 2 teachers on reading for pleasure  
• Membership to the National Literacy Trust and access to author visits  

Applications are now open for the 2026/27 academic year. Find out more and apply here: librariesforprimaries.org.uk/schools 

Picture News - Water Safety Resource for Schools 

Picture News has created a special water safety resource designed for primary schools. With recent news highlighting the importance of staying safe around water, this is a timely and valuable tool to support learning and awareness. 

Please feel free to share this resource as widely as needed — it's an important topic that benefits everyone in our community. 

Picture News Primary Special - Open Water (PDF, 592 KB)

Secondary Schools / Post 16 Settings:

Secondary AfA Session - 30 June 2026 

Secondary colleagues are invited to sign up for a Secondary Achievement for All event on 30 June at Uxbridge College. Lunch will be available from 12.30 pm, the session will begin at 1pm.  Outline for the session: 

• Dormers Wells High School, Ealing, will be sharing their practice. They were one of the schools in England in the top 25% for disadvantaged outcomes in 2025. 

• Dr Wayne Tennant, Brunel University, will be presenting Dialogic Book Talk, an approach to use talk to engage more deeply with texts. We will be offering this training to all secondaries next year for History & Geography teachers. This will be offered over a number of modules with opportunities to collaborate with teachers from other schools. 

• Karen Western, Brunel University, will be inviting schools to participate in a Saturday Widening Access Programme at Brunel. 

 Please sign up using the link below and further details will be sent to you nearer the time. If you have signed up already there is no need to do this again. 

Achievement for All Young Programme - Secondary/ Post-16 Sessions Registration (2026) - Fill in form 

 Secondary AfA dates for next academic year: 

• Tuesday 6th October 2026 
• Tuesday 2nd February 2027 
• Tuesday 20th April 2027 

Please add dates to your diaries and further details will be shared soon. 

AfA Programme resources can be found here: Achievement for All (AfA) Programme - Leap

Secondary Language Link 

We are inviting senior leaders to attend an important online session focused on the implementation of Secondary Language Link within your school. 

Session details: 
Monday 6 July 2026 

Join: Click here to join the session 

Meeting ID: 386 795 295 848 973 

Passcode: RG2WB2gH 

This session will include a 30-minute input from one of Language Link's Speech and Language Therapists, followed by discussion and Q&A. The session will focus on: 

• Practical approaches to implementation across your setting 

• Ensuring a consistent, whole-school approach to speech, language and communication needs 

• Supporting staff confidence and effective delivery 

• Addressing challenges and sharing solutions 

Senior leadership engagement is essential for successful implementation and sustained impact. We strongly encourage at least one member of the senior leadership team from each school to attend, to help ensure this work is prioritised and embedded effectively. 

Thank you in advance for making time to attend and support this important work.

Warm regards, 

Abi Preston 

Director of Education & SEND 

Children's Services, London Borough of Hillingdon, Civic Centre, Uxbridge UB8 1UW