27 April 2026

Check In, Check Up, Check Out - Creating a Culture of Belonging

Linked below is a strategic, relational framework to transform school culture and improve attendance. It offers a whole-school approach rooted in empathy, inclusion, and data-informed practice. 

This guidance provides schools with a practical, relational, and data-informed framework to improve attendance by embedding belonging, early intervention, and inclusive practice across school culture, systems, and everyday routines. 

It is designed to support school leaders, attendance and pastoral staff, and multi-agency partners to work collaboratively in addressing barriers to attendance and strengthening engagement for all pupils. Rather than relying on enforcement, the strategy centres on relationships, pupil voice, and barrier-removal. It gives schools practical tools, predictable routines, and multi-agency systems so every child feels safe, valued, and motivated to attend. By embedding belonging into everyday routines and systems, we safeguard futures and build communities where every child shows up, shines, and succeeds.

• AST Check In Check Up Check Out - School Culture Attendance Booklet

 S157/175 Safeguarding Audit Reminder

All settings received the audit tool in March, the deadline to complete this is Monday 1June 2026. Please remember this audit will help provide clear evidence about the progress your setting is making in response to safeguarding.  

All education settings need to complete the following: 

•  Use the updated S157/175 audit tool or your own version if you have one. If you have your own school version of an audit tool this does not need to be shared with LBH but please submit an action plan with details of your evaluated safeguarding processes.    
• Please make sure you see the few key updates outlined in the audit tool document from KCSIE 2025 to inform your planning.   

• Submit an updated action plan/completed excel audit for 2025-2026 to educationalwellbeing@hillingdon.gov.uk by 01/06/2026. 

• The headteacher/principal is responsible overall for this document however, it is recommended this is a joint piece of work between the headteacher, DSL and Safeguarding Governor with input from other key safeguarding professionals or relevant individuals for example site managers. 

If you have any questions regarding the Audit, please get in touch with Amandeep Tamber educationalwellbeing@hillingdon.gov.uk.

Free Training: Understanding Child Sexual Exploitation & Harmful Sexual Behaviour 

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is an increasingly high-profile issue that affects children and young people of all backgrounds and from all communities, right across the UK. This course is aimed at developing an understanding of CSE and how to respond to it both in terms of statutory duty and exploring local policy and procedure. 

Do all staff at your setting have a clear understanding of CSE and know how to respond to concerns? This free training is available on the ISS Portal. 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,

Resources on the Risks of Taking Drugs

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) launched a campaign in 2025 on addressing the rising dangers of contaminated THC vapes, Ketamine and Synthetic Opioids. Recent evidence highlights growing concerns about these unregulated products and their health risks. 

Resources (available on DHSC's Campaign Resource Centre) and some short films, have been developed by Frank, using behavioural science principles, to help young people make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

Ordinarily Available Provision Workshop 

There are still several spaces available on the final free universal OAP (Ordinarily Available Provision) workshop of the year on Wednesday 20 May at 9 am - 12 pm at the Civic Centre. This session is a great opportunity to further develop a shared understanding of what OAP looks like in practice and how it can be embedded consistently across your setting. 

This workshop is designed to support all professionals working with children and young people aged 0-25. Through practical examples and interactive discussion, we will explore: 

• what OAP means in practice 

• how to identify and implement ordinarily available support 

• how to strengthen inclusive, high-quality provision as part of everyday practice 

The session is particularly helpful for those looking to build confidence, reflect on current provision, and ensure a consistent approach across teams. 

If you would like to attend, please book via Course: Ordinary Available Provision (OAP) Workshop, or feel free to share with relevant colleagues within your setting.

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Day 2026  

We are beginning to plan our DLD Day 2026 event being held on Friday 16 October, aligned with this year's theme: Together for DLD. As part of this, we are keen to bring together colleagues across education, health, local authority services, and wider partners to strengthen shared understanding of DLD and how we can work more collaboratively to support children and young people. 

To help shape the event so that it is meaningful and accessible, we would really value your input. Please complete this short Expression of Interest form: 

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Day 2026 - Expression of Interest - Fill in form 

We are particularly keen to ensure the event: 

• Builds a clear understanding of DLD and what this may look like across ages and stages 
• Supports professionals with practical strategies and next steps 
• Brings in lived experience and wider perspectives 
• Strengthens joint working across services 

Please feel free to share this with colleagues who may also be interested. 

Thank you in advance for your time and input — it will really help shape a more joined-up and impactful event.

Brunel University of London - Reaccredited Initial Teacher Education Provision 

Please see letter from the Department of Education at Brunel University of London announcing the successful DfE reaccreditation of their Initial Teacher Education provision from September 2026. 

We would be grateful if you could share this update within your school and networks. Further information about partnership opportunities will follow shortly. 

BUL Department of Education

Hillingdon Libraries Empathy Festival 2026 

We are delighted to announce the Hillingdon Libraries Empathy Festival 2026.  Bestselling author and ambassador for Empathy Lab, A M Dassu will be hosting virtual sessions for KS1 focusing on her novel Wild Journey and KS2 and KS3 focusing on Boy, Everywhere. 

Book your free space now! Details in the posters below.

Empathy Festival 2026 - KS1

Empathy Festival 2026 KS2 and KS3

Jack and the Beanstalk - Christmas Panto at the Compass Theatre 

Our December 2026 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at the Compass Theatre, Ickenham is now taking provisional school reservations!  

The schools' show tickets will remain at £11 each this year, inc VAT. Bookings minimum 20 tickets and for every ten tickets your school pays for, we will include a free 'teachers' ticket. The maximum possible number of tickets available at each performance is 150 (137 paid + 13 free teachers). We have two wheelchair accessible spaces available for booking, contact us for further information. Once reservations have been confirmed, we will require payment or cancellation before the end of September 2026 via the box office (card payments).If you'd like a provisional reservation, please let us know by emailing the Hillingdon Theatres Box Office (boxoffice@hillingdon.gov.uk). 

Dates, times and more info: Jack and the Beanstalk (Christmas Panto) at the Compass Theatre!