LA Education Weekly Update

23 February 2026

Dear Colleagues,

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.

We hope you had an enjoyable half term break.

Reminders:

Useful Links:

• Please contact education@hillingdon.gov.uk with any queries 
• Hillingdon LEAP can be accessed for information and guidance for all settings 
• 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:

REMINDER: London RISE Education Fortnight

Please see details of opportunities for colleagues across London: London Rise Education Fortnight

Hillingdon Schools hosting events:

• Bishopshalt School - Improving Standards and Outcomes on 11,18 March Details & booking
• William Byrd Primary Academy - Ensuring Consistency of SEND on 9,10,11,13 March Details & booking
• William Byrd Primary Academy - Inspiring EYFS Environment on 10,11,12 March Details & booking
• Yeading Infant & Nursey School - Starting Strong on 10 March Details & booking

Schools' Strategic Partnership Board 

The Schools' Strategic Partnership Board (SSPB) acts as a consultative body to enable schools, the local authority and partners to work together on strategic education priorities in Hillingdon. The SSPB meets termly and meetings are held online. The Board is looking to increase its membership, it was agreed at the last meeting that all Headteachers or experienced deputies can be invited to join as the following reps:

• Primary x 3
• Secondary x 1
• Special x1

If you are interested in joining the Board, please contact education@hillingdon.gov.uk

Social Media Posts

We have been alerted to TikTok videos currently circulating that appear to promote organised confrontations between schools. The content encourages students to engage in physical altercations, with "points" awarded for posting footage involving weapons. The account disseminating these videos has been identified as @schlwarsnwldn.

Please remain vigilant and ensure that all students are reminded of the serious safeguarding and legal implications associated with engaging in, promoting, or sharing such material. Schools should report any concerns or relevant information through the usual safeguarding channels. Please also note the police have been informed and are monitoring, crime ref no: 01/6062546/26.

Keeping Children Safe in Education: 2026 Proposed Revisions

The DfE is seeking your views on proposed changes to the statutory guidance Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE). They are seeking views on a range of updates to ensure the guidance remains current and relevant.  Keeping children safe in education: 2026 proposed revisions

Hillingdon Fair Access Protocol 2025-26

Hillingdon-Fair-Access-Protocol-2025-2026 has now been updated following a review of the previous protocol and consultation with all Hillingdon schools, in line with our statutory responsibilities.

Please ensure you read the updated protocol and note the revised processes. This version is now in effect and replaces the 2024-25 protocol.

Thank you for your continued support with placements through both Fair Access panels and normal in-year admissions.

First Aid Training

School inset training days are an ideal opportunity to have your staff trained in first aid at your site. However, inset training days are typically popular times for such requests, so to guarantee training can be provided it is advised schools plan ahead and make requests as early as possible. Last-minute requests can lead to disappointment.

Hillingdon Council provides a range of first aid courses to suit your needs at competitive prices. Details can be found on the Council's main website - First Aid courses - Hillingdon Council

For booking enquiries to run courses on your site please contact - firstaidtraining@Hillingdon.gov.uk

School Business Managers / Finance Officers Network Meeting

On Thursday 12 March 2026 1 - 3 pm in CR5, Civic Centre. Please contact joannapalmer44@hotmail.com if you would like to attend.

Please share with parents / carers / staff

Repair and Reuse Day

Date: Saturday 7 March 2026 Time: 11 am - 2 pm

At: The Great Barn, Manor Farm, Bury Street / Eastcote Road, Ruislip HA4 7SU

In support of Repair Week 2026 (2 - 8 March), join us at our free community event to learn practical skills to repair your clothes, and get your bike or electricals fixed - helping you save money and reduce waste. You'll be able to explore a fantastic range of stalls, each one celebrating community, sustainability and keeping valuable items in use for longer. You can enjoy complimentary refreshments while taking part in our quiz and children's treasure hunt.

Full details: Repair and Reuse Day - Discover Hillingdon

Primary Schools:

Marketing Session for Sustainable Wraparound Childcare

All primaries are invited to this session on Wednesday 29 April 2026 from 9:30 - 11:30 am at Heathrow Primary School.

Please see flyer for details and to book your space on this FREE face-to-face training: Marketing Workshop Flyer Hillingdon 2025 (PDF, 145 KB)

If you would like to find out more, please contact Mel at msouthby@hillingdon.gov.uk

National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP)

Eligible schools with primary aged pupils who are currently on the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP), have been invited to join the free breakfast clubs programme from September 2026, following the closure of the NSBP in July 2026. These schools would have received communications from the DfE regarding this.

The National School Breakfast Programme will end after this coming summer term and schools with primary aged pupils will no longer be able to purchase breakfast food for those pupils through the NSBP from the end of July 2026.

All NBSP schools with primary aged pupils have a place on the Free breakfast clubs programme, starting from September 2026. To ensure NSBP schools can continue to benefit from government funded support for breakfast. They must confirm their space by 20 March, no later than 11:59 am.

If eligible, please confirm your space using this link - Home - Free breakfast clubs programme

Dream Big on World Book Day for Year Groups 2, 3, & 4

Authors Aloud UK and Quarto Books will be hosting a brilliant virtual celebration show on the afternoon of World Book Day (Thursday 5 March).

This event will celebrate the Little People, BIG DREAMS series of children's books by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara. The series introduces young readers to inspiring people in history, politics, music, arts, design, science, and sports. Whether it's exploring butterflies with David Attenborough, journeying with Rosa Parks, singing with Taylor Swift or sprinting with Usain Bolt, these brilliantly illustrated mini biographies have something for everyone. With more than 14 million copies sold worldwide, the series continues to grow and expand, introducing children around the world to a diverse range of creatives, scientists, politicians and more!

They are inviting schools to be part of the interactive Little People, BIG DREAMS 10-year celebration. Join author Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and illustrator Lizzie Knott plus musicians for a virtual, interactive, high-energy gameshow event for Years 2, 3 and 4. The gameshow will feature matching games, singalongs, quizzes, drawing, poetry and much more. 

As part of the event, children can come dressed for the occasion as their favourite Little People, BIG DREAMS character. This will help to reach a record-breaking target of 10,000 children dressed up as stars from the series and break a COSTUME PARTY WORLD RECORD. There are lots of ideas, resources, information and activity packs on website: https://littlepeoplebigdreams.com/. Schools who come dressed up to the virtual show will be asked to send in a photo of their classes in costume and all those received will be entered into a grand prize draw. To register for this event, please click: https://tinyurl.com/BIGDREAMS26 

For any queries, please email Annie Everall: events@authorsalouduk.co.uk

Secondary / FE:

Secondary/Post-16 AfA Events

As part of our continued focus on improving outcomes for our disadvantaged and other vulnerable learners, we would invite you to sign up to attend our next Achievement for All Young People (AfA) network events for secondaries/Post 16 settings.

• This term's event will take place on Tuesday 17 March at Barnhill School between 1 - 4 pm. Lunch will be provided from 12.30 pm. Barnhill School will be presenting on the Inclusion Toolkit, and how to shine a torch on the day-to-day experience of disadvantaged and vulnerable students in your setting.
• Next term's event will take place on Tuesday 30 June between 1 - 4pm. Venue to be confirmed. A EEF research school will be sharing its vision, approach and practice to achieving high outcomes for disadvantaged students. We will also be discussing the AfA school to school support model for 2026-27.

Please sign up here and share with colleagues: Achievement for All Young Programme - Secondary/ Post-16 Sessions (2026) - Fill in form

Post 16 Coordinator

We're pleased to announce that Lorna Adams has been appointed as the new Post 16 Partnership Co‑ordinator, bringing extensive experience in careers guidance and employer engagement.

Lorna will chair the next 14-25 Steering Group. At the next meeting, Elizabeth Bundred Woodward (Principal Planning Officer) will present the proposed engagement strategy, which will involve young people across the borough in shaping Hillingdon's development over the next 15 years. If you'd like to join us at Northwood School on 11 March at 3.30 pm, please contact Lorna at LAdams@hillingdon.gov.uk

Adaptive Curriculum & Teaching Project

The date for the next Secondary Adaptive Curriculum and Teaching Workshop has been confirmed. Following feedback, this session will be held at Nanaksar Primary School and will include lesson observations, a book look, and a tour of the primary environment to support thinking around students working more than 3 years behind ARE. We will also consider the potential impact of the SEND White Paper (publication permitting).

Details:

• Date: Monday 23 March 2026, 9:05 - 12:30
• Location: Nanaksar Primary School (free parking at Minet Country Park)
• Invitees: SENCos and Heads of English (or other relevant staff)

Note: Nanaksar is a vegetarian and egg‑free school; please avoid bringing any meat, fish, or egg on-site.

Please RSVP by Friday 6 March by emailing Hannah Sheridan on hsheridan@hillingdon.gov.uk

HPV Vaccine Campaign - Cancer Prevention Starts Now

Vaccination UK, your in-school vaccination provider, working with RM Partners NHS Cancer Alliance, is launching this year's HPV vaccine awareness campaign to support delivery of the HPV vaccination programme across Hillingdon.

The campaign aims to increase understanding of the HPV vaccine for pupils, parents, school staff and the wider community to encourage uptake at the age when it offers the strongest protection against HPV‑related cancers. The more children who get the HPV vaccine the more futures are protected against cancer.

You will receive a box of campaign items for staff to help raise awareness of the Cancer Prevention Starts Now initiative in early March.

To help you prepare for your vaccination day and raise awareness in your school community, we are providing:

• Dedicated local support from your Vaccination UK borough team (contact:hillingdon@v-uk.co.uk or on 0208 432 7070)
• Online resources including lesson plans, tutor group materials and information videos. The link for this will be in your campaign box and easily visible on the campaign items. 
• Printed posters and campaign materials for display across the school.
• Short webinars for staff involved in coordinating the vaccination day, covering roles, FAQs and top tips (see link on the campaign materials).
• Parent/carer engagement materials, including social media content and parent and carer community webinars.

Through this package of support, we are aiming to encourage uptake, and give all eligible students access to the vaccine.

If you would like to discuss this campaign further for your school, please contact your Vaccination UK representative at hillingdon@v-uk.co.uk or on 0208 432 7070.

Warm regards, 

Abi Preston 

Director of Education & SEND 

Children's Services, London Borough of Hillingdon, 4E/07, Civic Centre, Uxbridge UB8 1UW