LA Education Weekly Update

5 May 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:

Join the Schools' Strategic Partnership Board (SSPB) 

The Schools' Strategic Partnership Board (SSPB) plays a vital role in shaping the future of education across Hillingdon. It brings together schools, the local authority and partners to collaborate on shared strategic priorities, influence decision making and strengthen outcomes for our children and young people. The Board meets once a term, with meetings held online, making participation manageable alongside existing commitments. 

We are now looking to increase representation and warmly invite headteachers or experienced deputies to join the Board in the following roles: 

• Primary schools - 3 representatives 

• Secondary schools - 1 representative  

• Special schools - 1 representative 

If you are interested in joining the SSPB and contributing to strategic leadership across Hillingdon, please contact education@hillingdon.gov.uk. 

Local Area Co‑production Charter - Make Your Promise 

The Local Area Co-production Charter was proudly launched at the AfA Celebrating Inclusion Conference on 18 March. The Charter has been carefully co‑produced with young people, the Hillingdon Parent Carer Forum (PCF), schools, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the Local Authority, ensuring that it truly reflects shared values and lived experience. 

The Charter sets out our collective commitment to placing children, young people, and their parents and carers at the heart of everything we do. It encourages everyone to actively listen, engage meaningfully and ensure individuals feel valued, heard and a strong sense of belonging within our community. 

Through co‑production, we aim to: 

• Listen to people's needs and experiences 

• Improve the support and services we provide 

• Ensure individuals can influence decisions about their own lives 

• Empower young people and families to shape their future 

Co‑production is strongest when voices are genuinely heard, experiences are respected, and decisions are made with, not for, those who use our services.  Can you make a Co‑production Promise? We are asking everyone working with children and young people to commit to the following shared values: 

• Work Together 

• Value Lived Experience 

• Be Open and Honest 

• Be Responsive and Accountable 

• Do What Matters 

Click here to make your promise 

We would also be grateful if you could help spread the message by displaying and sharing the posters linked below within your settings and with parents / carers. 

SEND_Co-production_Charter_2pp_A4_Leaflet_v4_(childrens) (PDF, 888 KB)

SEND_Co-production_Charter_2pp_A4_Leaflet_v4_(Adults) (PDF, 891 KB)

Together, we can embed co‑production across Hillingdon and ensure every child, young person, and family feels listened to, respected and empowered. 

SEND & Inclusion Newsletter - May 2026 

We are pleased to share the latest newsletter, packed with updates, resources, and opportunities to support inclusive practice across Hillingdon. Please share this with your teams and networks to ensure everyone is informed of the latest developments and opportunities. 

SEND & Inclusion Newsletter May 2026 (PDF, 7 MB)

Review into Antisemitism in Schools & Colleges 

The DfE's official call for evidence into Sir David Bell's review into antisemitism in schools and colleges went live yesterday. We encourage all setting to complete the survey. The link is: Independent review into antisemitism: Call for Evidence - Department for Education - Citizen Space 

Please share with parents / carers / staff  

Community Resilience Roadshow - You're Invited!  

Hillingdon Council is excited to announce our Community Resilience Roadshow, and we'd love for you join us!  

On: Saturday 9 May 2026  
Time: 12 - 4 pm  
At: Hillingdon Fire Station  

This free family-friendly event brings together our local emergency responder partners to help residents learn how to stay safe, prepared, and resilient in an emergency—while having plenty of fun along the way!  

You will have the chance to explore real emergency vehicles, meet local responder partners, take part in hands-on activities that teach practical safety and preparedness skills, learn simple steps to stay safe at home, in school and in the community, and enjoy free food!  

It's a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn about emergency services, ask questions, build confidence, and develop life-long preparedness habits.  

Book your free tickets here 

Primary Schools:

Reminder - 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. 

Picture News - Sir David Attenborough at 100! 

Ahead of Sir David Attenborough's big 100th birthday next week, Picture News have put together a special teaching pack. As it's a big one and worth celebrating!  

Sir David at 100 - Primary Picture News Resource England (PDF, 2 MB)

Secondary/Post 16:

Year 7 Career Activity Idea for Teachers & Careers Leads 

 Task is to Create a Job Advert, teacher to facilitate.  This engaging careers activity invites students to work in small teams to design a poster advertising a job of their choice. Through creativity and collaboration, students explore what employers look for in candidates and gain an early understanding of the world of work. 

The exercise helps students develop key skills such as teamwork, organisation, communication, analysis and resilience. It also introduces the importance of qualifications, the wide range of roles within different industries, and how learning in school and extra‑curricular activities help build transferable skills. The session concludes with short group presentations, allowing students to practice communication skills and build confidence. 

This activity is particularly beneficial for students who are new to secondary education, helping them understand why working hard and making positive choices now can support their future career pathways. 

Gatsby Benchmark Coverage: 
✔ Gatsby Benchmark 4 - Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers 
(Also supports Benchmark 2: Learning from Career and Labour Market Information) 

Duration: 1.5 hours 

Warm regards, 

Abi Preston 

Director of Education & SEND 

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