LA Education Weekly Update

27 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:

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:

Check In, Check Up, Check Out - Creating a Culture of Belonging 

Linked below is a strategic, relational framework to transform school culture and improve attendance. It offers a whole-school approach rooted in empathy, inclusion, and data-informed practice. 

This guidance provides schools with a practical, relational, and data-informed framework to improve attendance by embedding belonging, early intervention, and inclusive practice across school culture, systems, and everyday routines. 

It is designed to support school leaders, attendance and pastoral staff, and multi-agency partners to work collaboratively in addressing barriers to attendance and strengthening engagement for all pupils. Rather than relying on enforcement, the strategy centres on relationships, pupil voice, and barrier-removal. It gives schools practical tools, predictable routines, and multi-agency systems so every child feels safe, valued, and motivated to attend. By embedding belonging into everyday routines and systems, we safeguard futures and build communities where every child shows up, shines, and succeeds.

AST Check In_Check Up_Check Out - School_Culture_Attendance_Booklet (PDF, 7 MB)

S157/175 Safeguarding Audit Reminder 

All settings received the audit tool in March, the deadline to complete this is Monday 1June 2026. Please remember this audit will help provide clear evidence about the progress your setting is making in response to safeguarding.  

All education settings need to complete the following: 

•  Use the updated S157/175 audit tool or your own version if you have one. If you have your own school version of an audit tool this does not need to be shared with LBH but please submit an action plan with details of your evaluated safeguarding processes.    
• Please make sure you see the few key updates outlined in the audit tool document from KCSIE 2025 to inform your planning.   

• Submit an updated action plan/completed excel audit for 2025-2026 to educationalwellbeing@hillingdon.gov.uk by 01/06/2026. 

• The headteacher/principal is responsible overall for this document however, it is recommended this is a joint piece of work between the headteacher, DSL and Safeguarding Governor with input from other key safeguarding professionals or relevant individuals for example site managers. 

If you have any questions regarding the Audit, please get in touch with Amandeep Tamber educationalwellbeing@hillingdon.gov.uk 

Free Training: Understanding Child Sexual Exploitation & Harmful Sexual Behaviour 

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is an increasingly high-profile issue that affects children and young people of all backgrounds and from all communities, right across the UK. This course is aimed at developing an understanding of CSE and how to respond to it both in terms of statutory duty and exploring local policy and procedure. 

Do all staff at your setting have a clear understanding of CSE and know how to respond to concerns? This free training is available on the ISS Portal. 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 

Resources on the Risks of Taking Drugs 

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) launched a campaign in 2025 on addressing the rising dangers of contaminated THC vapes, Ketamine and Synthetic Opioids. Recent evidence highlights growing concerns about these unregulated products and their health risks. 

Resources (available on DHSC's Campaign Resource Centre) and some short films, have been developed by Frank, using behavioural science principles, to help young people make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.  

Ordinarily Available Provision Workshop 

There are still several spaces available on the final free universal OAP (Ordinarily Available Provision) workshop of the year on Wednesday 20 May at 9 am - 12 pm at the Civic Centre. This session is a great opportunity to further develop a shared understanding of what OAP looks like in practice and how it can be embedded consistently across your setting. 

This workshop is designed to support all professionals working with children and young people aged 0-25. Through practical examples and interactive discussion, we will explore: 

• what OAP means in practice 

• how to identify and implement ordinarily available support 

• how to strengthen inclusive, high-quality provision as part of everyday practice 

The session is particularly helpful for those looking to build confidence, reflect on current provision, and ensure a consistent approach across teams. 

If you would like to attend, please book via Course: Ordinary Available Provision (OAP) Workshop, or feel free to share with relevant colleagues within your setting. 

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Day 2026  

We are beginning to plan our DLD Day 2026 event being held on Friday 16 October, aligned with this year's theme: Together for DLD. As part of this, we are keen to bring together colleagues across education, health, local authority services, and wider partners to strengthen shared understanding of DLD and how we can work more collaboratively to support children and young people. 

To help shape the event so that it is meaningful and accessible, we would really value your input. Please complete this short Expression of Interest form: 

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Day 2026 - Expression of Interest - Fill in form 

We are particularly keen to ensure the event: 

• Builds a clear understanding of DLD and what this may look like across ages and stages 

• Supports professionals with practical strategies and next steps 

• Brings in lived experience and wider perspectives 

• Strengthens joint working across services 

Please feel free to share this with colleagues who may also be interested. 

Thank you in advance for your time and input — it will really help shape a more joined-up and impactful event. 

Brunel University of London - Reaccredited Initial Teacher Education Provision 

Please see letter from the Department of Education at Brunel University of London announcing the successful DfE reaccreditation of their Initial Teacher Education provision from September 2026. 

We would be grateful if you could share this update within your school and networks. Further information about partnership opportunities will follow shortly. 

BUL Department of Education (PDF, 169 KB)

Hillingdon Libraries Empathy Festival 2026 

We are delighted to announce the Hillingdon Libraries Empathy Festival 2026.  Bestselling author and ambassador for Empathy Lab, A M Dassu will be hosting virtual sessions for KS1 focusing on her novel Wild Journey and KS2 and KS3 focusing on Boy, Everywhere. 

Book your free space now! Details in the posters below.

Empathy Festival 2026 - KS1 (PDF, 894 KB)

Empathy Festival 2026 KS2 & KS3 (PDF, 1 MB)

Jack and the Beanstalk - Christmas Panto at the Compass Theatre 

Our December 2026 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at the Compass Theatre, Ickenham is now taking provisional school reservations!  

The schools' show tickets will remain at £11 each this year, inc VAT. Bookings minimum 20 tickets and for every ten tickets your school pays for, we will include a free 'teachers' ticket. The maximum possible number of tickets available at each performance is 150 (137 paid + 13 free teachers). We have two wheelchair accessible spaces available for booking, contact us for further information. Once reservations have been confirmed, we will require payment or cancellation before the end of September 2026 via the box office (card payments).If you'd like a provisional reservation, please let us know by emailing the Hillingdon Theatres Box Office (boxoffice@hillingdon.gov.uk). 

Dates, times and more info: Jack and the Beanstalk (Christmas Panto) at the Compass Theatre! (PDF, 209 KB)

Please share with parents / carers 

Performing Arts Summer Workshops at the Compass Theatre - now taking bookings! 

Spend your summer holidays onstage at our popular musical theatre workshops for young people. Rehearse songs, drama scenes and dance routines from hit West End and Broadway musicals ready for two performances onstage on the Friday at 1:30 pm & 3 pm. 

Workshops run 10am-4pm each day and each week features different musicals - perfect for those eager stars who want to join us at both workshop weeks! 

• 5 day workshops (7-16yrs): 27-31 July / 17-21 Aug 

• 2 day workshops (4-6yrs): 30 & 31 July / 20 & 21 Aug 

We can't wait for another summer of musical theatre creativity and your child's invited, so secure their place today. 

For more information, please contact Hillingdon Theatres Box Office (boxoffice@hillingdon.gov.uk / 01895 250615) or book here. 

Primary Schools:

Early Years Foundation Stage Profile Assessment Support & Training  

The DfE has formulated training for Reception teachers to support them to make accurate Early Year Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) judgements. The training will be delivered by the LA's Early Years Quality Improvement team, in person at the Civic Centre (Committee Room 5). The key messages from the DfE will be delivered and discussed.  

We strongly encourage all Reception teachers to attend one of the sessions, which are being repeated to make this more accessible for two, three and four form entry schools. Reception teachers do NOT need to bring any physical evidence of children's work to the session; however, it can be helpful to bring examples of children's writing if you are unsure of your final judgement, and these can be discussed with your peers. 

To book a place, please click on the desired date and complete the registration form: 

14 May 9:45 - 11:45 am - Click here to register 

14 May 1 - 3 pm - Click here to register 

18 May 9:45 - 11:45 am - Click here to register 

18 May 1 - 3pm - Click here to register 

We recommend all headteachers understand the requirements of the EYFSP by visiting: 

Help for early years providers : The EYFS profile for headteachers and other school leaders 

We have been given funding by the DfE to cover the release of ONE Reception teacher per school. Please could you ask your finance office to submit an invoice after the event, using the details below: 

Invoice addressed to London Borough of Hillingdon and to state: 

Teacher name, School name, Date of event attended 

£100 per day (No VAT) 

Email the invoice as a pdf to: DJWade@hillingdon.gov.uk 

* Please note, this is a capped contribution, schools will need to cover any additional release costs if multiple Reception teachers attend. 

Establishing or Expanding School Based Nursery Provision Phase Three 

The School Based Nursery Capital Grant 2027 to 2030 can be used by local authorities to create or expand a school-based nursery in state-funded primary-phase schools, maintained nursery schools and on Best Start Family Hub sites, according to their sufficiency assessment.  

In phase three the Local Authority is responsible for the expansion of SBN within areas where there is insufficient childcare places and is open to working with schools and providers to meet demand.  

If you are interested in further discussions please contact lswales@hillingdon.gov.uk 

Childcare Survey including Early Years & School Aged Childcare 

To help shape the childcare expansion across Hillingdon from 0-14 years of age or up to 18 for a child with SEND, we would like to hear from parents about how they use childcare and where there are any issues accessing childcare where/ when needed.  

Please share this text with all your parents/carers: 

To help shape the childcare expansion across Hillingdon we would really appreciate you taking 5 mins to complete this survey Early Years & School Age Childcare - Fill in form  

We would also like to hear from schools and providers about the childcare they offer and whether they are experiencing any challenges to providing this. Early Years & School Age Childcare - Fill in form 

Fully Funded Maths Programme for Primary Schools!  

National Numeracy - the charity behind National Numeracy Day and Number Confidence Week - is offering over 150 fully funded places on their 2-year Schools & Families Programme for primary schools. This proven, high impact, low-workload programme helps schools build a positive maths culture by improving number confidence in pupils, parents, carers and staff through free training, ready to use resources, and fun, engaging activities. 

Sign up for a free webinar on Tuesday 28 April, 12:30 - 1 pm. 

Any queries, please contact: schoolsandfamilies@nationalnumeracy.org.uk

Secondary/Post 16:

September Guarantee Annual Project 2026 Information 

It's that time of year again when the Post 16 Team needs your help to collect data for the September Guarantee. 

The Local Authority has a duty to ensure all 16 & 17 year-olds have an appropriate offer of education, employment, or training (EET) by the end of September when they would enter Year 12 or Year 13. 

Schools are required to share Year 11 and Year 12 intended destinations with the Local Authority in support of their own statutory duty to deliver careers guidance as well as to support 'Raising the Participation Age' (RPA) and the September Guarantee. 

From May 2024, schools, colleges and further education provisions will be asked to share data on the intended destinations of their Year 11 and Year 12 students for the Local Authority to identify and support those without a suitable offer and are at risk of becoming NEET. 

Please click here for further information on how to provide the data and timescales: September Guarantee (2026-27) Letter to HTs (PDF, 158 KB)

Secondary Adaptive Teaching/Curriculum Project - Next Workshop (English Focus) 

Date: Friday 8 May 2026 
Time: 9:15 am - 12:30 pm 
Location: Bishop Ramsey School 

This session is open to all mainstream secondary SENCos, Inclusion Leads, and English Department Leads. To confirm your attendance, please contact: Hannah Sheridan (Senior SEND Advisor) on hsheridan@hillingdon.gov.uk

Warm regards, 

Abi Preston 

Director of Education & SEND 

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