LA Education Weekly Update

10th February 2025

This email can also be viewed online here

Dear Colleagues,

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 wish you a restful half term break when it comes.

Reminders:
Year 6 teachers can sign up to KS2 Writing Assessment and Moderation Briefing Session 2 HERE	on 13/02/25
Headteachers or their deputies should attend Head Teachers' Termly. Agenda with link to join will be shared soon	on 11/03/25 10 am - 12 pm
Last 10 places available DSLs can sign up to attend 'Strengthening Safeguarding: Best Practices for School Leaders' HERE. Agenda for the day will be shared shortly	on 04/04/25
Schools' Forum meeting papers can be accessed here	Ongoing
Emergency closures of all schools must be reported to education@hillingdon.gov.uk	Ongoing
Notification of Critical Incident can be found here	Ongoing
Education Services contacts can be found here	Ongoing
Hillingdon LEAP can be accessed for information and guidance for all settings	Ongoing
HLP Course Booking	Ongoing

For Action All Schools:
Approved Schools Block Transfer Following notification from the DfE, we can confirm the approved schools block transfer to the high needs budget for Hillingdon schools 2025-26 is 0.5%. Therefore, schools will receive updated school budget shares by 28 February showing the impact of the approved schools block transfer decision.
Achievement for All Event dates have been shared with schools. As a reminder, or if you wish to sign up, events organised are: Early Years: 10 March, 9:30 - 11:30 am at the Civic Centre. Please email shynds@hillingdon.gov.uk to book. We are delighted to have partnered up with the BBC's Tiny Happy People team who will be delivering an information session on how to access their free resources to support children's language and communication development, with a particular focus on how to support parents in this crucial area. They will also explain how practitioners can sign up to become a Tiny Happy People Champion. Followed by the opportunity to share strategies you have developed to engage parents in their children's learning at home.  Primaries: 28 March, 9 am - 1 pm & 18th June, 9 am - 1 pm at Ruislip Gardens School. Please sign up to attend here. Theme of the March session will be around identifying potential risks to achievement, building pupil profiles and tracking systems. Secondaries & Post-16: 18 March, 1 - 4 pm & 24th June, 1 - 4 pm at Barnhill Community High School. Please sign up to attend here. Theme of the March session will be around identifying potential risks to achievement, building pupil profiles and tracking systems. Liam McGillicuddy, HT of Bishopshalt School, will be sharing their practice. For the June sessions, themes will be identified by schools from the March meeting. We look forward to seeing you!
Governors Newsletter Welcome to our new half termly update which will keep governors informed of forthcoming activities and events delivered by the LA Schools' Governance Service as well as highlighting some of the recent issues impacting education and governance. Governors Newsletters - Leap
Targeted Programmes for Children and Young People A reminder of the sessions and workshops for 8 to 24-year-olds who live, learn or earn in Hillingdon and may benefit from additional targeted support: Targeted programmes for children and young people - Hillingdon Council
Hospital Learners Please can all schools continue to alert vulnerablelearners@hillingdon.gov.uk if they become aware of any students being admitted to hospital for a period of 10 school days or longer. This will initiate the team around the child process, chaired by the local authority, to support and monitor the education of children learning in hospital.
SEND Post 16 School Travel Policy Consultation 2025 As part of our commitment to supporting young people, the Council has a responsibility to publish the annual Post 16 travel policy. This year, we are taking the opportunity to review and consult on this policy to ensure it provides greater flexibility and promotes independence for young people. The consultation on potential changes will start on 17 January 2025 and will be concluded 28 February 2025.  For more information about the policy, proposal and how to respond to the consultation please use the following link: www.hillingdon.gov.uk/send-travel-consultation
Thrive Webinar for Children's Mental Health Week As part of Children's Mental Health Week, Thrive wanted to share an exclusive bonus webinar with you, exploring the vital connection between emotional wellbeing and school attendance. Persistent absenteeism is a growing challenge, and we know that children's mental health plays a huge role in keeping pupils engaged with learning. That's why Thrive is proud to be playing a pivotal role in the Attendance Mentoring Pilot Expansion (AMPE) project, a major Department for Education initiative that's led by Etio and aimed at testing the impact of mentoring on reducing persistent absenteeism in schools across England. In this webinar, Laura Bell, Programme Director at Etio, and Thrive's Commercial Director, Tom Preston, explore: The latest stats on school attendance The strong link between emotional wellbeing and attendance How attendance mentors provide targeted support that makes a real difference The role of Thrive training in improving attendance and long-term engagement An inside look at the 'mentoring-first' DfE initiative  Watch now: Wellbeing at the Core of Attendance Mentoring

For Action All Schools:

Approved Schools Block Transfer

Following notification from the DfE, we can confirm the approved schools block transfer to the high needs budget for Hillingdon schools 2025-26 is 0.5%. Therefore, schools will receive updated school budget shares by 28 February showing the impact of the approved schools block transfer decision. 

Achievement for All

Event dates have been shared with schools. As a reminder, or if you wish to sign up, events organised are:

Early Years: 10 March, 9:30 - 11:30 am at the Civic Centre. Please email shynds@hillingdon.gov.uk to book. We are delighted to have partnered up with the BBC's Tiny Happy People team who will be delivering an information session on how to access their free resources to support children's language and communication development, with a particular focus on how to support parents in this crucial area. They will also explain how practitioners can sign up to become a Tiny Happy People Champion. Followed by the opportunity to share strategies you have developed to engage parents in their children's learning at home. 

Primaries: 28 March, 9 am - 1 pm & 18th June, 9 am - 1 pm at Ruislip Gardens School. Please sign up to attend here. Theme of the March session will be around identifying potential risks to achievement, building pupil profiles and tracking systems.

Secondaries & Post-16: 18 March, 1 - 4 pm & 24th June, 1 - 4 pm at Barnhill Community High School. Please sign up to attend here. Theme of the March session will be around identifying potential risks to achievement, building pupil profiles and tracking systems. Liam McGillicuddy, HT of Bishopshalt School, will be sharing their practice.

For the June sessions, themes will be identified by schools from the March meeting.

We look forward to seeing you!

Governors Newsletter

Welcome to our new half termly update which will keep governors informed of forthcoming activities and events delivered by the LA Schools' Governance Service as well as highlighting some of the recent issues impacting education and governance.

Governors Newsletters - Leap

Targeted Programmes for Children and Young People

A reminder of the sessions and workshops for 8 to 24-year-olds who live, learn or earn in Hillingdon and may benefit from additional targeted support: Targeted programmes for children and young people - Hillingdon Council

Hospital Learners

Please can all schools continue to alert vulnerablelearners@hillingdon.gov.uk if they become aware of any students being admitted to hospital for a period of 10 school days or longer. This will initiate the team around the child process, chaired by the local authority, to support and monitor the education of children learning in hospital.

SEND Post 16 School Travel Policy Consultation 2025

As part of our commitment to supporting young people, the Council has a responsibility to publish the annual Post 16 travel policy. This year, we are taking the opportunity to review and consult on this policy to ensure it provides greater flexibility and promotes independence for young people. The consultation on potential changes will start on 17 January 2025 and will be concluded 28 February 2025.  For more information about the policy, proposal and how to respond to the consultation please use the following link: www.hillingdon.gov.uk/send-travel-consultation

Thrive Webinar for Children's Mental Health Week

As part of Children's Mental Health Week, Thrive wanted to share an exclusive bonus webinar with you, exploring the vital connection between emotional wellbeing and school attendance.

Persistent absenteeism is a growing challenge, and we know that children's mental health plays a huge role in keeping pupils engaged with learning. That's why Thrive is proud to be playing a pivotal role in the Attendance Mentoring Pilot Expansion (AMPE) project, a major Department for Education initiative that's led by Etio and aimed at testing the impact of mentoring on reducing persistent absenteeism in schools across England.

In this webinar, Laura Bell, Programme Director at Etio, and Thrive's Commercial Director, Tom Preston, explore:

The latest stats on school attendance
The strong link between emotional wellbeing and attendance
How attendance mentors provide targeted support that makes a real difference
The role of Thrive training in improving attendance and long-term engagement

An inside look at the 'mentoring-first' DfE initiative

Watch now: Wellbeing at the Core of Attendance Mentoring

For Action Primary Schools:
Music CPD for Primary School Teachers Hillingdon Music Service will be hosting a number of free of charge CPD sessions this year for primaries: Supporting Non-specialist Music Teachers on Thursday, 20 March 2025 at 3.45 pm, for a prompt start at 4 pm (1hour). Venue: Harlyn School. Emily Griggs, the music specialist teacher at the Music Service's recently appointed "Lead Primary School for Music", is very experienced in teaching the primary school music curriculum and is running this session to support non-specialists who would welcome some CPD in order to improve their music teaching/leadership. We will focus on understanding key musical vocabulary and how we can explore the elements (interrelated dimensions) through notation. We will look at different ways to present music when playing or composing, showing clear progression over time through key stages 1 and 2. Sign Up Here Improvisation & Composition Techniques on Monday, 28 April 2025 at 3.45 pm (1hr). Venue: Online. Improvising, often called 'making it up as you go along', is a fantastic way to explore music from within. This online training session will focus on ideas to develop and improve skills, giving attention to the musical setting. While improvisation is of the moment, a composition can be revisited and redefined over time. We will include the activities from Charanga's scheme and those found elsewhere on the platform, considering ideas to hone and extend compositional skills. Sign up: https://hillingdon.charanga.com/training_events/5146 Everything SEND in a Musical Classroom on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 at 3.45 pm (1hr). Venue: Online. This online training session is ideal for teachers in mainstream or special units/schools who are looking for resources to engage every student in fun and relevant music-making. We will explore the Anyone Can Play Scheme (also ideal for young learners), special needs Freestyle—a collection of the most used resources in this context—and CREATE iPad projects, allowing time for reflection and discussion. Sign up: https://hillingdon.charanga.com/training_events/5147 Teaching Musically Using Charanga Musical School on Monday, 9 June 2025 at 3.45 pm (90 minutes). Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Uxbridge. Turn up the volume! Find your musical focus to unlock the magic of music in lessons. Musical learning comes from musical teaching. We need to place music at the heart of the learning process to inspire and nurture young musicians. We'll consider how musical teaching might look and feel in practice and share ideas to take back to the classroom. We'll also explore a range of activities from the Original Scheme with pedagogy that can be applied to any other learning resources. Sign up: https://hillingdon.charanga.com/training_events/5148 Classroom Vocal & Instrumental Workshop on Thursday, 3 July 2025 at 3.45 pm (90 Minutes). Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Uxbridge. What does good vocal practice look like in the classroom? What are the next steps to ensure the progression of classroom instruments? Join us for this practical session to explore vocal and instrumental expectations in the primary classroom. Sign up: https://hillingdon.charanga.com/training_events/5149 Please do not hesitate to contact Roz at rporter@hillingdon.gov.uk with any questions regarding the above or suggestions for future CP

For Action Primary Schools:

Music CPD for Primary School Teachers

Hillingdon Music Service will be hosting a number of free of charge CPD sessions this year for primaries:

Supporting Non-specialist Music Teachers on Thursday, 20 March 2025 at 3.45 pm, for a prompt start at 4 pm (1hour). Venue: Harlyn School. Emily Griggs, the music specialist teacher at the Music Service's recently appointed "Lead Primary School for Music", is very experienced in teaching the primary school music curriculum and is running this session to support non-specialists who would welcome some CPD in order to improve their music teaching/leadership. We will focus on understanding key musical vocabulary and how we can explore the elements (interrelated dimensions) through notation. We will look at different ways to present music when playing or composing, showing clear progression over time through key stages 1 and 2. Sign Up Here

Improvisation & Composition Techniques on Monday, 28 April 2025 at 3.45 pm (1hr). Venue: Online. Improvising, often called 'making it up as you go along', is a fantastic way to explore music from within. This online training session will focus on ideas to develop and improve skills, giving attention to the musical setting. While improvisation is of the moment, a composition can be revisited and redefined over time. We will include the activities from Charanga's scheme and those found elsewhere on the platform, considering ideas to hone and extend compositional skills.
Sign up: https://hillingdon.charanga.com/training_events/5146

Everything SEND in a Musical Classroom on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 at 3.45 pm (1hr). Venue: Online. This online training session is ideal for teachers in mainstream or special units/schools who are looking for resources to engage every student in fun and relevant music-making. We will explore the Anyone Can Play Scheme (also ideal for young learners), special needs Freestyle—a collection of the most used resources in this context—and CREATE iPad projects, allowing time for reflection and discussion.
Sign up: https://hillingdon.charanga.com/training_events/5147

Teaching Musically Using Charanga Musical School on Monday, 9 June 2025 at 3.45 pm (90 minutes). Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Uxbridge. Turn up the volume! Find your musical focus to unlock the magic of music in lessons. Musical learning comes from musical teaching. We need to place music at the heart of the learning process to inspire and nurture young musicians. We'll consider how musical teaching might look and feel in practice and share ideas to take back to the classroom. We'll also explore a range of activities from the Original Scheme with pedagogy that can be applied to any other learning resources.
Sign up: https://hillingdon.charanga.com/training_events/5148

Classroom Vocal & Instrumental Workshop on Thursday, 3 July 2025 at 3.45 pm (90 Minutes). Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Uxbridge. What does good vocal practice look like in the classroom? What are the next steps to ensure the progression of classroom instruments? Join us for this practical session to explore vocal and instrumental expectations in the primary classroom.
Sign up: https://hillingdon.charanga.com/training_events/5149

Please do not hesitate to contact Roz at rporter@hillingdon.gov.uk with any questions regarding the above or suggestions for future CP

For Action Secondary Schools:
Breaking Down Barriers to Education Conference: Transforming Attendance, hosted by the Department for Education The event will take place on 19 March at Mulberry Academy Shoreditch, from 9.30 am - 3.30 pm for school leaders or senior attendance champions in London secondary schools. A full agenda will be shared with delegates ahead of the conference, but will include: a keynote speech from Rt Hon Bridget Philipson MP, Secretary of State for Education 5 facts every school should know about school attendance how heads and attendance champions can use attendance data effectively panel and Q&A session plenary and key messages There will also be breakout sessions where delegates will hear from the London Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence adviser, local attendance hubs, and other leading practitioners on: transition into KS3 and engaging with families effectively implementing rigorous systems and processes having strong attendance messages and communication Other confirmed guests include: Claire Burton, DfE Regional Director, London Region Jayne Lowe OBE, DfE attendance adviser and Director of Bright Green Learning Mulberry Attendance Hub Schools can find out more and secure their FREE place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/breaking-down-the-barriers-to-opportunity-london-ticket

For Action Secondary Schools:

Breaking Down Barriers to Education Conference: Transforming Attendance, hosted by the Department for Education

The event will take place on 19 March at Mulberry Academy Shoreditch, from 9.30 am - 3.30 pm for school leaders or senior attendance champions in London secondary schools.

A full agenda will be shared with delegates ahead of the conference, but will include:

a keynote speech from Rt Hon Bridget Philipson MP, Secretary of State for Education
5 facts every school should know about school attendance
how heads and attendance champions can use attendance data effectively
panel and Q&A session
plenary and key messages

There will also be breakout sessions where delegates will hear from the London Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence adviser, local attendance hubs, and other leading practitioners on:

transition into KS3 and engaging with families effectively
implementing rigorous systems and processes
having strong attendance messages and communication

Other confirmed guests include:

Claire Burton, DfE Regional Director, London Region
Jayne Lowe OBE, DfE attendance adviser and Director of Bright Green Learning
Mulberry Attendance Hub

Schools can find out more and secure their FREE place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/breaking-down-the-barriers-to-opportunity-london-ticket

Warm regards,

Abi Preston

Director of Education & SEND

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

For previous LA Education Weekly Updates please click here