LA Education Weekly Update

15 June 2026

Dear Colleagues,

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.  

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

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:

Ofsted Inspection Updates - Effective September 2026

The DfE and Ofsted have published important updates to inspection materials that will come into effect from September 2026. These changes are part of Ofsted's ongoing reforms to improve clarity, consistency and trust in the inspection process.

Key Messages:

• Ofsted has published updated inspection materials (toolkits, handbooks and guidance)
• Updates will now be made annually, aligned to DfE policy changes
• The focus is on clarity and consistency, not a new inspection framework

Please see: What you need to know about the September 2026 updates to education inspections - Ofsted: education

Recommended next steps:

• Review updated Ofsted materials and summary changes
• Audit:
  • SEND provision and communication with families
  • Safeguarding systems (incl. mental health awareness)
  • Behaviour and mobile phone policies
• Plan staff briefings for September
• Align school development plans to latest national guidance

Head Teachers' Termly Summer 2026

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend last Tuesday's meeting. A summary of the session and actions sheet, and the presentation slides are provided below.

Please note that the Autumn 2026 meeting will take place face-to-face at the Civic Centre on Tuesday 9 November at 9 am. A calendar invite has been sent already.

Head Teachers' Termly Summer 2026 Meeting Summary & Actions (PDF, 3 MB)

AFA Update June 2026 (PDF, 93 KB)

Hillingdon Outreach Offer (PDF, 400 KB)

Family Help presentation (PDF, 786 KB)

Probation Explained Roles Risk Management and Working with Education FINAL (PDF, 329 KB)

SRMA Presentation - Head Teachers' Termly Meeting - Summer 2026 (PDF, 412 KB)

DSL Cluster Meeting

The next DSL Cluster session will take place on Thursday 25 June 2026, from 10 am to 12 pm, and will be held online via MS Teams.

During the first part of the session, we will share the updated Level 1 Safeguarding training slides. We also anticipate including any KCSIE updates, should they be released in time. This portion of the session will be particularly beneficial for newly appointed DSLs.

The second half will focus on the Stronger Families Referral Form. Helen Smith, Head of Service Social Care Delivery Transformation Lead, will be attending to support a review of the Stronger Families Hub portal. She is keen to ensure the form enables partner agencies to:

• Provide relevant and accurate information
• Navigate the process as easily as possible

Helen is seeking valuable feedback from DSLs on what improvements or updates may be needed, so your input will be very important.

If you have not yet signed up for this session, please ensure you do so as soon as possible, and the joining link will be sent to you: DSL Cluster Registration Form

SEND Advisory Service Development Working Groups

The SEND Advisory Service (SAS) is currently reviewing how we can develop our offer in response to the Schools White Paper and the SEND Reform Consultation. As part of this process, we are keen to gather your feedback, reflections and suggestions to ensure our future direction aligns with the needs of Hillingdon schools.

We would therefore like to invite you to attend a virtual Working Group Meeting.

• Primary School Working Group Meeting on Friday 3 July, 9:30 - 10:30
• Secondary School Working Group Meeting on Friday 3 July, 13:00 - 14:00

Please contact sasadmin@hillingdon.gov.uk to be sent the meeting link.

Best Start in Life Strategy

Hillingdon's new Best Start in Life Strategy (2026-2031) is now available and sets out our shared ambition for every child to have the best possible start in life - safe, healthy, happy and ready to learn.

The strategy has been shaped by local data, national guidance and, importantly, the voices of families, and focuses on early identification, improving access to support, and strengthening partnerships across education, health and community services. Alongside this, a clear and accessible parent/carer version is now available, providing families with a simple overview of what support is on offer and how services will work together to help children thrive from pregnancy through to school age. 

• Hillingdon's new Best Start in Life Strategy (2026-2031)  best-start-in-life-strategy 

• Parent-friendly version to share in newsletters: best-start-in-life-strategy-parent-and-carer-summary 

Summer Support for Families

Bookings open for the summer Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme on Monday 29 June at 10 am. This government-funded initiative offers free holiday clubs for school-aged children up to Year 11 who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. A range of activities will be available across the borough, including sports, martial arts, paddle boarding, creative arts, film making, multi-activity camps and SEND-friendly sessions - all with a nutritious meal provided each day.   

If you know a child who would benefit from attending, you can submit a discretionary place request form for consideration.

Carers Week 2026

Please see the Hillingdon Safeguarding Partnership's Carers Week 2026 briefing.

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities. This briefing contains useful information for schools on support available for Young Carers.

School Census - Reports Query & Identifying Queries and Errors in COLLECT

The school census formally closes on Wednesday 17 June.  The database remains open for a few days to enable last minute data correction.

Reports Query:

• Do not run the Reports on the same day you have submitted your return.  The COLLECT database will be updated overnight on the day you submitted your return with your data.  Running the reports on the submittal day will deliver empty reports.
• The DfE takes two to three business to clear the Reports query from your return.

Identifying Queries and Errors in your return: Please read the documents linked below explaining how to view your errors and queries in COLLECT, and how to resolve them.  Some of these documents have been previously shared with you.  Errors are data errors the DfE expects schools to change erroneous data.  The DfE has never been known to authorise a return that has data errors.  Queries are inconsistencies between two or more data items.  The DfE does accept a Return Level Note that explains the data inconsistency. Before contacting LBH for support please try to resolve your own Errors/Queries. Viewing_your_errors_and_queries_in_COLLECT (PDF, 547 KB)

 - how to view your errors and queries in COLLECT.

School_census_2025_to_2026_business_and_technical_specification_version_1.5 (PDF, 2 MB) - a technical specification explaining the validation of each data item.  Use the Error/Query number to search this document.

School_Census_Notepad_entries_2025_26_v.1.1 (Excel doc, 57 KB) - this spreadsheet lists DfE acceptable notes for Queries.  Search the spreadsheet by using the query number.

School_Census_Duplicate_UPN_Report_User_Guide (PDF, 315 KB) - How to address potential duplicate pupils (old document from DFE).

School_Census_Duplicate_UPN_Report_User_Guide (PDF, 315 KB) - how to move a child from On-Roll to Off-Roll.

Thank you to all the schools that entered the correct notes.

Marc Sherman, Business Intelligence Team

Please share with parents/carers

Screen Use by Children Aged 5-16: Call for Evidence

The DfE has launched a national call for evidence on screen use among children aged 5-16. This is an important opportunity to better understand how children are using screens—and the potential impact on their learning, wellbeing, and development.

The call for evidence aims to gather views and experiences from parents, carers, professionals and young people themselves. The findings will help inform future guidance and possible policy decisions, ensuring that children can use technology in a balanced, safe and positive way.

Parents and carers are encouraged to take part in the consultation by sharing experiences and views. Please respond here: Screen use by children aged 5-16: call for evidence

In the meantime, these simple steps can help promote a healthy balance:

• Setting clear expectations around screen time
• Keeping devices out of bedrooms at night
• Encouraging screen-free family time
• Talking regularly about online experiences

Please share with parents/carers

Make Do and Mend at the Battle of Britain Bunker

Hillingdon Council is hosting a free 'Make Do and Mend' Repair Day on Saturday 27 June, 11am-2pm at the Battle of Britain Bunker, Uxbridge, offering families the chance to learn practical repair skills and reduce waste. The event will feature hands-on activities including clothes mending workshops, small electrical and bike repairs, along with opportunities to donate or recycle unwanted items. With a strong focus on sustainability, reuse and saving money, this is a great opportunity for pupils and their families to get involved in climate action locally.

For further information about the event, please visit the website: Make do and Mend | Hillingdon Council

Big Ideas Free Events for Schools

STEM with Wings Sludge Flyer (PDF, 2 MB)

Schools Flyer - Celebrating Muhammad al-Fulani (PDF, 10 MB)

QE Prize Youth Festival Flyer (PDF, 776 KB)

Primary Schools:

Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat Launch

We will be launching this year's Summer Reading Challenge 'Read to the Beat' with 2 virtual events with author Rashmi Sirdeshpande. Book your free place now!

Summer Reading Challenge Launch 2026 (PDF, 1 MB)

Clean & Healthy Waterways Schools Design Challenge 2026

Groundwork London, on behalf of the Mayor of London, is inviting primary school pupils aged 4 to 11 to take part in the Clean and Healthy Waterways Schools Design Challenge 2026.

Children are asked to create colourful, creative designs inspired by the theme, The River of Life and activity in, on or beside London's waterways.  From wildlife and community, to journeys, memories and inspiration for a future where all Londoners can connect with water and nature. This challenge celebrates London's rivers, canals and wetlands.

Winning designs will be featured on eight benches in four London boroughs, and the top entry will win a free workshop for their class.  

We welcome submissions from primary age children across all London boroughs and encourage entries from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Applications must be submitted by 26 June 2026.

To find out more, visit Groundwork Website or contact waterways@groundwork.org.uk

Secondary Schools / Post 16 Settings:

Adaptive Curriculum & Teaching Workshop

The next Secondary Adaptive Curriculum and Teaching Workshop will be held on:

·         Date: Friday 26 June, 12 - 3 pm

• Location: Oak Wood School (parking available on site)
• Invitees: SENCos and Heads of English (or other relevant staff)

The workshop will include training on Colourful Semantics in Secondary, transition arrangements and case study sharing. A light lunch will be provided.

Please RSVP by Wednesday 17 June by emailing Hannah Sheridan on hsheridan@hillingdon.gov.uk

Volunteering Opportunity for Young People

Do your pupils want to build skills, boost their confidence and make a difference this summer? If they are aged 13 to 17, they can volunteer with our Summer Reading Challenge and help inspire younger children to discover the joy of reading. They will be able to support library events, promote services and gain great experience along the way. 

Please share this with them.

Summer Reading Challenge volunteers | Hillingdon Council

Warm regards, 

Abi Preston 

Director of Education & SEND 

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