20 April 2026
All Schools and Setting
Safeguarding Alert: Online Exploitation Risk (Social Media - TikTok)
We have been made aware, via Youth Services, of a concerning online safeguarding issue involving a group operating on TikTok, reportedly referred to as "The Extornists."
This group is understood to be targeting young females and encouraging them to share intimate images and videos. There are also reports of individuals being pressured or coerced into sharing harmful content, including material linked to self-harm. A young person locally has disclosed that they have been directly targeted by this group. The matter has been reported to police.
We are sharing this information to raise awareness and support early safeguarding responses across school settings.
Do Key Members of your Staff have Up to Date Safer Recruitment Training?
Statutory Guidance outlines that at least one member of every appointment panel for roles involving work with children must undertake 'proper' safe recruitment training.
FREE Safer Recruitment training is available on the Independent Safeguarding Service Portal (ISS Portal). This online course is delivered by an approved Safer Recruitment Consortium trainer widely accepted UK standard recognised by the government.
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.
Single Central Record Webinar
Managing the Single Central Record can often feel challenging, with a wide range of checks to record and ongoing uncertainty about what is required. To help clarify this, Louis Donald, Principal Safeguarding Partner at EduShield, has produced a webinar that cuts through the confusion and clearly explains the statutory expectations, as well as what compliant practice looks like in reality.
The webinar is free to access and available here: https://www.edushield.org.uk/getting-the-single-central-record-right/
Health and Safety Training for Headteachers (community maintained schools only)
There are several headteachers yet to attend the Health and Safety Responsibilities for Headteachers course. All community school headteachers are required to attend. Deputy headteachers will also benefit. An additional course has been arranged for 14 September 2026 at 9.30 am - 4.30 pm at the Civic Centre. Bookings via the Council's Learning Zone. Please make sure you reserve your place!
The course will provide headteachers with an overview of their key health and safety responsibilities in the following areas and understand how behaviour will influence outcomes.
- Legislation
- Moral, legal & financial implications
- Accidents & root causes
- Strategic H&S management
- Principles of risk assessment
- Incident/accident investigation
- Fire safety management
- Managing contractors
Hillingdon SACRE Newsletter - Summer 2026
For the latest edition please see: SACRE Newsletter 3.Summer 2026
You will find details of the revised locally agreed Syllabus for RE, amongst other important updates.
Government Expansion of Eligibility Criteria for Free School Meals
From September 2026, the Government will expand the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals (FSM) to include all children in families receiving Universal Credit. This change removes the current £7,400 income cap and will apply to children in Years 3 to 6. Alongside this change, the Mayor of London will continue to fund FSMs for all Key Stage 2 pupils who do not meet the Government's eligibility criteria, ensuring universal coverage for primary‑aged pupils across London.
The London Grid for Learning (LGfL) Free FSM Eligibility Checker will be updated once Universal Credit data becomes available. The checker can be used by both schools and parents to support accurate and timely registration.
School Food Standards: Updating the Legislative Framework
Millions of children will benefit from updated School Food Standards, set to be overhauled for the first time in over a decade. Responding to high levels of childhood obesity and tooth decay, the government plans to limit foods high in fat, salt and sugar, ban deep‑fried items, and increase fruit, vegetables and wholegrains in school meals.
The new standards will apply to all school breakfasts and lunches and align with the rollout of free breakfast clubs. A nine‑week public consultation will inform final changes, supported by nutrition experts and campaigners.