LA Education Weekly Update

29 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:

Schools Forum Meeting - 7 July 2026

The next meeting is online on 7 July 2026 at 1 pm, meeting papers can be found here.

Schools Forum is a public meeting, anyone wishing to attend should contact schoolsforum@hillingdon.gov.uk for the link to join.

LIIA SEND Inclusion & Learning Conference

Registration is now open for the Local Innovation & Improvement Alliance (LIIA) SEND Inclusion and Learning Conference, taking place on 9 July 2026 in London.

This event is ideal for School leaders, SENCOs, LA officers and any professionals committed to SEND inclusion.

This Pan-London event brings together education leaders for a day of practice-sharing, collaboration and networking, with a strong focus on advancing inclusive approaches across schools and local authorities.

You can expect to see inspiring keynote speakers, engaging thematic workshops, access to 35+ exhibitors showcasing effective approaches to SEND inclusion, workforce development, and school-led improvement, and a celebration of innovative work from the LIIA Investing in Inclusion programme.

Please register to attend: LiiA SEND Inclusion and Learning Conference here. 

Private Fostering - Did you know?

Private fostering is when a child or young person (under 16, or under 18 if they have a disability) is cared for by someone who isn't a close relative, for 28 days or more. It often happens within communities or friendship groups sometimes to support education, work opportunities, or during times of change.

Many families and individuals do not know that they are in a private fostering living situation but, by law, the council must be notified six weeks in advance. If the child or young person is already in a private fostering arrangement, the council needs to be notified immediately. 

Close relatives include nieces and nephews, stepchildren, grandchildren, brothers and sisters. Cousins, great nieces and nephews are not considered close relatives. If privately fostering a child, you are providing an important and valued role in a young person's life. Letting the council know is about ensuring you, and the child, have access to the right support, guidance and resources.

By coming forward, you can benefit from:

• Friendly advice tailored to your situation.
• Access to practical support and services.
• Help with education, health and wellbeing needs.
• Someone to talk to if you need guidance along the way.

Many carers are already doing a fantastic job - our role is simply to support you in that journey and ensure every child has the best possible experience. If you think you might be in a private fostering arrangement or would like to find out more.  Visit our webpage please get in touch to notify us of a private fostering arrangement.      

Primary Schools:

Reminder - Wraparound Drop-In Network Meeting

Join us for an informal Wraparound Drop-In Network Meeting a great opportunity to connect, share ideas and hear updates with colleagues across the network. This session offers a relaxed space to ask questions, exchange experiences, and strengthen local connections.

Date: Wednesday 8 July 2026
Time: 2 - 3 pm

Please use this link to join: Wraparound Drop-in Network meeting. Drop in anytime during the session. We look forward to seeing you there.

Secondary Schools / Post 16:

Step Into Summer

Please see details of Brunel's upcoming Step Into Summer project for 14-18 year old refugees and asylum seekers in Hillingdon. Please do share the below poster with young people/parents/carers who might be interested and encourage them to sign up!

Hillingdon flyer (PDF, 613 KB)

About the project:
Step Into Summer is a 2-week summer holiday project for young refugees and asylum seekers aged 14-18 in Hillingdon. The project will be run by refugee arts charity Compass Collective, in partnership with Brunel University and Hillingdon Council. Please note this project is open to only those from a refugee or asylum seeking background, aged 14-18 & living in Hillingdon.

Warm regards, 

Abi Preston 

Director of Education & SEND 

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