LA Education Weekly Update

Reminders: 

Schools can attend the New Ofsted Framework Session by Noeman Anwar, Senior HMI London. Click here to join the meeting 

On 5/12/25 10 am - 12 pm 

Schools can Register for Club Leader Training coffee morning 

On 5/12/25  

SENCos can complete the SENCo Skills Audit Form to understand the current knowledge of SENCos/ Inclusion Managers.   

By 18/12/25 

Schools can sign up to attend the Celebrating Inclusion Conference: Empowering Every Learner in Hillingdon HERE 

On 18/03/25 

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.  

For All Schools & Settings: 

Dear School Professionals, 

As part of our Hillingdon Local Area Project to support students with Emotional-Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA), we want to work closely with schools to understand the challenges and co-produce effective training and support.

To help us plan and deliver this work, we kindly ask that you to fill the following form

EBSNA SUPPORT - Fill in form

Within this cohort, please indicate:

1. Which students are on your SEN register. 

2. Which students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

This information will enable us to: 

• Gain a clearer understanding of the needs across the local area. 
• Work collaboratively with schools to develop targeted support and training.
• Ensure that interventions are co-produced and tailored to the needs of both children and young people and settings. 

Please submit this information by Friday 12th December. 

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to supporting these learners. If you have any questions or require clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Education and SEND Management Team

The DfE have sent information about a London RISE Open Education Fortnight that they would like to run in March next year. At this stage, they are seeking expressions of interest from London schools willing to host visits for staff from other schools across London and share best practice.  

Please find attached a letter and overview which includes the link to an expression of interest form. 

London RISE Open Education Fortnight (PDF, 115 KB)

 Open Education Fortnight Overview and EOI (Word doc, 42 KB)

The DfE are encouraging all schools to take part and hope that, if successful, this will build into a regular feature that enables schools to network and share practice across London. Please do consider participating in this programme hosting, and in taking up the opportunity to visit other schools. 

Ofsted 

The following links may be of use to schools. These cover Ofsted blogs, an IDSR webinar and Ofsted Academy training on the role of the nominee. 

The role of data on school and further education inspections - Ofsted: education 

This blog explains what's changed and describe how we use data on inspection. For more information and more detail on the IDSR please sign up for our webinar on 3 December. 

Our renewed inspection framework: what we've learned from pilots  - Ofsted: education 

Nominee training for schools | Ofsted inspections 

STEM with Wings: Cyber, Computer Science Education Week: 9 & 11 December  

From protecting flight paths, to encrypting phone data, securing our hospitals and safeguarding online shopping, cyber security is vital for our technology-driven lives. But how does it work? Who actually does it? Lift the lid on cyber security for Computer Science Education week in these fun and interactive events with cyber professionals working across the UK.  

Book a FREE place for your class [separate events for upper primary and lower secondary classes] now HERE 

STEM with Wings_ Cyber - Flyer for schools (1) (PDF, 1 MB)

Hillingdon Libraries World Book Day Festival 2026 

To celebrate World Book Day and the National Year of Reading, Alice Hemming and Thiago de Moraes will be doing virtual and in person sessions for EY up to KS2 and Nathanael Lessore will be doing a virtual session for Year 6 and KS3. 

See posters attached for more details and how to book your free spaces.            

 WBD Festival Primary (PDF, 810 KB)

 WBD Festival Y6 KS3 (PDF, 1 MB)

Hillingdon Support for families - Please share with parents/carers 

Online directory of services: Please keep sharing the online care and support directory for Hillingdon, which lists thousands of local services, organisations, and community groups. It provides useful information on health, education, employment, childcare, SEND support, housing, finances, home help, and leisure activities for all ages. 

Enclosed are posters to promote the directory. Please display them at your schools, mention the directory in newsletters, and add its link to your school's website. 

Explore the directory now at: careandsupport.hillingdon.gov.uk  

Family Hubs and Children's Centres offer parenting courses, online workshops, child development activities, and practical support with relationships, finances and health and wellbeing to help families thrive.  For more information on what is available, please go to www.hillingdon.gov.uk/family-hubs  

 Watch our video to meet some of the lovely parents and inspiring young people who use our hubs in Uxbridge and Hayes. 

 Care & support directory A4 posters Adults Digital (PDF, 1 MB)

 Care & support directory A4 posters Families Digital (PDF, 2 MB)

 Care & support directory A4 posters SEND Digital (PDF, 1 MB)

For Primary Schools: 

Wraparound Club Leader coffee morning 

We have one week to go before the club leader training coffee morning on Friday!  

This is an opportunity to come along and find out about the FREE training Hillingdon is offering to support Wraparound leads.  

It is being held face to face at William Byrd Primary Academy on Friday 5th December - 9.30am to 11.30am 

Please book through the link to secure your space: Club Leader Training coffee morning | William Byrd 9.30am to 11.30am 

 Wrap around Childcare training (PDF, 594 KB)

BOUNCE: Self-esteem and Resilience Building Programme for Children Aged 8 plus in Primary School 

The London Borough of Hillingdon Youth Offer, Targeted Team 'Bounce: Self-esteem and Resilience Building Programme' is a group intervention programme for children in primary school aged 8 years and above who require support with building self-esteem and resilience and the challenges they may face in their lives. The programme is designed to be both therapeutic and interactive.  

The programme is offered FREE of charge. 

 Main Programme: this will consist of a 9-week main programme of which all these sessions must be attended by your child 

Dates: Every Friday from Friday 16th January to Friday 27th March 2026 

Times: 4:15 to 6:15pm 

Location: Hayes Family Hub, College Way, Hayes, UB3 3BB 

How to refer a child: 

If you are a member of school staff and know a child that might benefit from this intervention, then you will need to do one of the following: 

You as a professional can refer a child via the following link: Early Help Assessment; or,  

 You can ask a parent/guardian to refer their child via the following link: Parent/Guardian Referral Form 

For further information about the content of the course please refer to the document 

BOUNCE Self-esteem and Resilience Building Programme (1) (PDF, 134 KB)

For Secondary Schools/FE: 

New Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship 

This 24 month programme is, designed to support schools and education settings in developing highly skilled, confident, and impactful support staff. 

This advanced apprenticeship goes beyond the traditional teaching assistant role, preparing professionals to take on specialist responsibilities, support learners with complex needs, and contribute more deeply to curriculum delivery, behaviour support, and inclusive teaching strategies. 

Key highlights of the programme include: 

• A focus on specialist areas such as SEND, behaviour support, or curriculum enrichment 
• Development of leadership, mentoring, and whole-school impact skills 
• Support the implementation of SEND policy, processes, and procedure 

For further information please see the flyers attached 

Lv 5 Specialist TA Apprenticeship Information (PDF, 311 KB)

Lv 5 Specialist TA Apprenticeship Webinar (PDF, 246 KB)