LA Education Weekly Update

2 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.

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:

AfA 'Parents as Partners in Learning' Conference - 3 June 2026

We are delighted to invite Headteachers and senior leaders to our summer Achievement for All Young People in Hillingdon conference at Brunel. The conference will look at improving parental engagement that supports learning & progress for all children (with a focus on disadvantaged, SEND, white British, black Caribbean heritage, Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, known to social care pupils).

Join us for an inspiring, thought‑provoking CPD experience led by Professor Janet Goodall, one of the UK's leading experts on parental engagement. This is a rare opportunity to explore what really makes an impact—far beyond traditional models of parental involvement.

Through a blend of research, pupil voice, and powerful case studies from schools making exceptional progress, this conference will help you:

Ø  Discover evidence‑based practices that transform parental engagement

Ø  Challenge traditional assumptions and confidently adopt new approaches

Ø  Access strategies tailored from Early Years to Post‑16

Ø  Strengthen belonging, culture, and relationships across your school

Ø  Leave with practical tools you can implement immediately

Full detail and registration: AfA 'Parents as Partners in Learning' Conference - Fill in form

Schools Forum

There is an online Extra-Ordinary Schools Forum meeting being held on Friday 6 February. Papers can be found here. This is a public meeting, anyone wishing to attend should contact hboundy@hillingdon.gov.uk

Head Teachers' Termly Spring 2026

The next HTT will be held online on Tuesday 10 March 9.30 -11.30 am. Headteachers or deputies of ALL schools should attend. Please add this date to your diaries. Agenda and link to join will be shared nearer the time.

National School Governors Awareness Day

Our school governors give their time, energy and expertise to help schools thrive. National School Governors' Awareness Day (NSGAD) is an opportunity to recognise their impact, celebrate their commitment and highlight the vital role they play in shaping education.

The next National School Governors' Awareness Day will be held on Thursday 12 February 2026. You can sign up for thought-provoking webinars, organised in collaboration with Judicium Education, here.

Inclusion Network for Education (INfE)

This is a reminder of our Inclusion Network for Education (INfE) on Tuesday 10 February 2026 at the Council Chamber, Civic Centre.

Agenda for the day:

09.30 - 10.00am Soft start / networking

10.00 - 10.15am Introduction / service updates from SAS, SEND Team & EPs

10.15 - 10.35am Public Health

10.35 - 10.55am Botwell House

10.55 - 11.10am Break

11.10 - 11.35am Pride Academy

11.35 - 11.55am Thrive

11.55 - 12.15pm Axis

12.15 - 1.pm Lunch

1 - 1.30pm Early Years

1.30 - 1.40pm Reflection

01.40 - 2.00pm Networking 

Please confirm your attendance if not done so by registering here:

 Inclusion Network for Education Forum February 2026 Registration Form - Fill out form

We look forward to welcoming you and engaging in meaningful discussions to support inclusive practice across our schools.

World Book Day Festival 2026

There's still time to book for Hillingdon LibrariesWorld Book Day Festival!

To celebrate World Book Day and the National Year of Reading, author Nathanael Lessore will be doing a virtual session for Year 6 & KS3 talking about his book 'What Happens Online' on Tuesday 24 February.

See poster for more details and how to book your free spaces: WBD Festival Y6 KS3 (PDF, 1 MB)

Please share with parents / carers

Ofsted

Ofsted have created a YouTube video explaining new grades and report cards to parents. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbl0FvY976g to find out exactly what Ofsted's new grades mean, including how they report on safeguarding.

Hillingdon Youth Offer

The following links provide information about activities available to children and young people this coming half-term and all year round in Hillingdon.   

• Hillingdon Youth Offer | www.hillingdon.gov.uk/youth-offer 
• Family Hubs and Children's Centres - If you have a child aged 0-7, why not book onto one of their sessions that run across the borough | www.hillingdon.gov.uk/family-hubs
• Care and Support Directory |  https://careandsupport.hillingdon.gov.uk
• Activity programmes for children and young people - Hillingdon Council | www.hillingdon.gov.uk/children-activities  
• Events and activities in Hillingdon - Discover Hillingdon | https://discover.hillingdon.gov.uk/events  
• SEND local offer - Hillingdon Council | www.hillingdon.gov.uk/send
• Libraries - Hillingdon Council | www.hillingdon.gov.uk/library-branches

Mayor of London's Loved & Wanted Campaign

The Mayor's Loved & Wanted campaign reminds every Londoner that they are valued and belong in our city. Schools already play a vital role in creating welcoming spaces, and we'd love your help to amplify this message. By displaying campaign materials, you can help make children and families feel safe, included and proud of their community.

They are offering exterior banners, A3 posters and window stickers for your school - simple, visible ways to champion London's values of diversity and inclusion. Request your free materials via our quick online form and join hundreds of schools in showing that London is a place for everyone.

Show your support for the Loved & Wanted campaign - order free materials

Education Development Trust

The EDT's Schools Partnership Programme supports groups of schools to work collaboratively to strengthen leadership, improve teaching and learning and share expertise around shared priorities. It's designed to support place-based approaches, helping schools learn with and from one another in practical, sustainable ways.

They have seen borough-based and local partnerships use the programme to address common challenges, build confidence within leadership teams, and strengthen professional networks across schools. It also creates space for reflection and shared problem-solving, often leading to approaches that have impact beyond individual settings.

If it would be helpful to see how schools and local areas have engaged with the programme, you may wish to explore our impact stories here.

There's also a short video from one of our associates that reflects on how the programme supports collaboration in practice: video

If this feels relevant to your work, please reach out to Rita Bhudia, Partnership Recruitment Lead, Schools Partnership Programme at rbhudia@edt.org.

International Women's Day - FREE online event for schools

Big Ideas invite schools to mark 'International Women's Day' in the UK and Canada by exploring and celebrating the contribution of Canadian and British women to the armed forces during the World Wars. Discover untold stories, take part in meaningful activities and meet very special guests. Enjoyable informative and free 45-minute digital workshop for children and young people aged 8-14 on 5 March at 9.30 am and 2.30 pm.

Sign up: Stories Behind the Poppy - International Women's Day - Flyer for UK schools (PDF, 3 MB)

Primary Schools:

Marketing Training Session for Sustainable Wraparound Childcare

On: Wednesday 29 April 2026

Time: 9:30 -11:30 am

Venue: TBC

Suitable for: Head Teachers/Deputies/School Business Managers of ALL primaries

Are you looking to strengthen the long‑term sustainability of your wraparound childcare offer? Join us for a practical, hands‑on training session designed to boost your confidence in marketing, increase engagement with families, and help your provision thrive.

What you'll learn:

• How to market your wraparound offer effectively.
• Strategies to increase uptake and long-term sustainability.
• Understanding your audience and communicating what families value most.
• Practical tools and templates you can use straight away.

Why attend?   Sustainable wraparound childcare depends on strong, clear, and consistent communication with families. This face-to-face training session will give you the skills and confidence to reach the right people with the right message, helping your offer grow and succeed.

Please use link to book your space - Marketing session for sustainable Wraparound Childcare

Starting Primary and Junior - Reminder to Apply

The closing date has now passed; however, parents can submit a late application up until mid-August. The School Placement and Admissions team will continue to share lists with schools, identifying those who have yet to apply.

We kindly ask that you continue to follow up with parents of your Nursery/Year 2 (Infant school only) pupils who haven't submitted their application, reminding them to apply. Some children may have joined your schools since our lists were created, therefore please ensure parents are regularly reminded to submit an application.

If any pupils on the spreadsheet you receive from the Admissions team have left your school, please inform us so we can update our records. Likewise, if any new starters are missing from the list, let us know so we can ensure they apply on time.

For any questions, please contact the School Placement and Admissions team at admissions@hillingdon.gov.uk.

Consultation on the Early Years Funding Formula 2026-27

The LA is consulting on potential changes to the early years funding formula for 2026-27 and the consultation paper sets out the options. The formula is used to calculate hourly rates for early years entitlement funding places. These changes relate to the funding of places for two-year-olds and for three- and four-year-olds.

Responses to this consultation should be submitted on this online form by 5pm on Friday 20 February 2026. If you have any questions related to the proposals, please email fis@hillingdon.gov.uk.

Consultation paper about the Early Years Funding Formula 2026-27 (PDF, 143 KB)

Secondary / FE:

DfE Mainstream Inclusion Conference

The DfE will be hosting a Mainstream Inclusion Conference on Tuesday 24 March 2026, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in Tower Bridge, London from 09:30 to 15:30. This event is aimed at secondary school headteachers, senior leaders, and colleagues who lead on inclusion and/or SEND across schools, trusts and local authorities.

Please note that capacity at the venue is limited, so they ask that no more than two people register per organisation. You can book your place here - RISE: Focus on mainstream inclusion conference. London Tickets, Tue, Mar 24, 2026 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite

NHS Careers Fair

Please share details of an upcoming event NHS Health and Social Care Careers Fair at Middlesex University Campus in Hendon, on Thursday 5 March 2026, 4.30 - 7 pm. This event is aimed at Year 10 and above and is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn more about the 350+ careers available within the NHS. On the day, your students can:

• chat with healthcare professionals and receive personalised advice
• learn about the NHS and social care in live talks and career panels
• ask questions about the routes into the sector during talks with healthcare workers

Last year, over 100 exhibitors were welcomed. These included representatives from a wide range of professions, such as GPs, Nurses, Pharmacists, Opticians, Paramedics, Dentists, Allied Health Professionals (including Occupational, Speech and Physiotherapists) and Social Workers, as well as colleges and further education institutions offering a variety of health-related courses.

Students can book their place here: NHS and Social Care Careers Fair | Middlesex University.

We also invite you to watch and circulate the 2024 Careers Fair video.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with nclicb.nclth@nhs.net.

Warm regards, 

Abi Preston 

Director of Education & SEND 

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