28 September 2026

Dear Colleagues, 

This bulletin is intended for all educational settings supporting children in Hillingdon, including maintained schools, academies and independents. 

We would be grateful if you could share this briefing with relevant leads within your setting or with team members who may have an interest in the content, so they can follow up on the opportunities outlined. 

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 Health Care Needs Assessment Panel sign up can be found here 
• 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
• Schools' Forum meeting papers can be accessed here. If anyone would like to attend meetings, they are welcome to do so.  

All Schools & Settings:

**Last Chance to Register** 

AfA 'Celebrating Impact, Inspiring Change, Shaping the Future' Conference  

There is still time to secure your place at the AfA Conference on 7 October at Brunel University. 

This year's conference will bring together school leaders from across the borough to hear key LA priorities, understand the strategic direction for education and explore the wide range of support and opportunities available through the AfA offer for 2026/27. 

The event provides an excellent opportunity to: 

• Hear from senior leaders on current and future priorities. 

• Learn about new initiatives, services and support available to schools. 

• Network with colleagues from across the borough. 

• Contribute to discussions that will help shape future collaboration. 

We strongly encourage all schools to ensure they are represented at this important event. 

Register your place here: Registration Form 

We look forward to welcoming you in October.

Supporting Schools with Falling Rolls

The Local Authority has a statutory duty to ensure the sufficiency of school places across Hillingdon. We understand that some schools may be experiencing falling rolls and we are keen to offer support during this time. If your school would benefit from a conversation around current pupil numbers, future projections, and strategic planning, we encourage you to get in touch with us at admissions@hillingdon.gov.uk. 

Our aim is to work collaboratively to explore potential solutions and ensure the long-term sustainability of school provision in the borough. 

Guidance for OAA Schools Consultation 2028-29 

This is a reminder that all schools considering consultation of their admissions arrangements for 2028-29 need to do so for at least 6 weeks between 1 October 2026 and 31 January 2027. This applies to 'own admission authority' schools which are academies, voluntary aided schools, free schools, foundation schools, UTCs and studio schools. For community schools, the local authority is responsible for consultation. 

All 'own admission authorities' are required to consult at least every 7 years even if they do not plan any changes to their admissions policies. 

Please see our updated guide for consultation arrangements. Please ensure that if you are consulting on your arrangements that you send details of your consultation to us at admissions@hillingdon.gov.uk. 

All admission authorities (including the local authority) MUST determine their admission arrangements annually by 28 February. This will include publishing your arrangements on your website and sending a copy to the local authority. This must be done even if you choose not to consult. 

If you have any queries regarding the consultation process, please contact admissions@hillingdon.gov.uk.

Food Waste Campaign 

By signing up for food waste collections you'll help us further improve the borough’s recycling rate and protect the environment. We provide all you need to get started, and your leftovers are turned into nutrient-rich compost and renewable energy for the national grid. Find out more and sign up now at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/food-waste. 

Service Children's Workshop Day at The Battle of Britain Bunker   

On: Wednesday 4 November 2026, 10 am – 2 pm  

We are delighted to invite service children from Hillingdon schools in Year 5 and above to attend a FREE workshop day taking place on Wednesday 4 November at the Battle of Britain Bunker. Featuring creative workshops led by Never Such Innocence, this unique event offers service children the chance to connect with peers from across the borough while exploring the theme of remembrance. See this poster for further details. 

Schools are encouraged to sign up early by 30 September, as places will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.   

Service Children's Workshop Day – Fill in form

New Support for Your Families: Parenting, Home Learning &Togetherness 

Hillingdon’s Parenting and Home Learning Team offers practical, evidence-based support for all families around parenting, early learning and communication, relationships and behaviour, wellbeing, SEND and everyday challenges.  

Families can also access Togetherness, free online parenting and wellbeing support available anytime, alongside our new Parenting and Home Learning timetable of programmes and workshops.  

Explore Togetherness: https://togetherness.co.uk/mul/hillingdon/

View the latest timetable: https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/downloads/file/2620/family-hub-online-timetable 

We would love to connect with your school or setting. Invite us to a staff meeting, parent event or coffee morning to meet the team, hear more about our offer and explore how we can support your families. Contact: ParentingHLE@Hillingdon.gov.uk 

Secondary Schools / Post 16: 

Secondary Belongings Workshop: Withdrawn to Engaged 

Date: 15 October 2026  

Time: 1.30 - 3.30 pm 

Venue: Adult Education Centre, Civic Centre, Uxbridge (venue may change depending on volume of responses) 

The SEND reforms consultation provided us with 3 themes around ‘Belongings’ for those children and young people with SEND. 

1. Withdrawn Behaviour 

2. Parent and school relationships have become strained 

3. Pupil Absence and deregulatory behaviour is increasing 

We want to carry on this conversation with Secondary Schools (including Post 16 and College) after a successful workshop with Primary Schools in the Summer 2026. 

We received some lovely feedback – which can give you a flavour on the impact we want to achieve: 

“I thought it was a lovely opportunity to network, share best practice (I came away with 'belonging ambassadors' from Cherry Lane which I'm implementing here already). The best thing for me is always relationships and building connections, sharing concerns and finding more 'friends' to go to for advice” Sam, Oak Farm Primary School. 

While this workshop will be relevant to children and young people with SEND, it is designed to support a whole-school approach to meeting the needs of all children and young people who may display some of the characteristics outlined above. This workshop is aimed at Heads of Year and Pastoral Leads. To secure your place, please complete the booking form here: Secondary Belongings Workshop – Fill in form 

Young Mental Health Champions 

Could your students become Hillingdon’s next Young Mental Health Champions? 

Fully funded places are available for just eight secondary schools. 

Hillingdon Public Health is inviting secondary schools to take part in the fully funded Young Mental Health Champions programme, delivered by Brighter Futures Together and Together As One. 

Students in Years 8–10 will gain two recognised qualifications, develop leadership skills and help promote positive mental health and trusted support among their peers. 

Places are limited to eight Hillingdon secondary schools.  Please see the information sheet and complete this short form to register your school’s interest or attend the online information session on Wednesday 30 September, 4 – 4.45pm. 

Entrepreneurship Challenge: Dragon SEND 2026 

Could your SEND learners create the next big idea to improve accessibility at Heathrow Airport? 

We are inviting secondary schools and colleges across Hillingdon to take part in Dragon SEND, an exciting entrepreneurship challenge that empowers young people with SEND to develop their employability, creativity and enterprise skills. 

Working in teams, students will investigate the experiences of passengers with hidden disabilities and design an innovative solution to help make travelling through the airport easier and more inclusive. Along the way, they will gain valuable experience in research, problem-solving, teamwork, presentation skills and entrepreneurship. 

Why get involved? 

• Develop students' employability and enterprise skills 

• Provide meaningful real-world learning experiences 

• Support careers education and contribute towards the Gatsby Benchmarks 

• Showcase the creativity and talents of your SEND learners 

• Connect with local employers and industry partners 

Interested in taking on the challenge? Register your school's initial interest by completing this form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/4snHeV5Dmt by 17 October 2026. 

For further information, please contact Caroline Ryder at Cryder@hillingdon.gov.uk. 

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to inspire your students, develop future-ready skills and help shape a more inclusive travel experience for all.

Please share this with your students  

Hillingdon Youth Offer Autumn Term Update 

Young Enterprise Company Program: participants will learn business skills as they set up and run their company including product design, marketing, sourcing materials & financial management alongside personal and life skills such as teamwork & communication. The company program runs from late September to July, and we welcome participants who are school year 9+. There is no enrolment fee however participants need to purchase shares in their company, an amount they agree as a group (£5.00 - £15.00 typically) to purchase initial materials, unless they wish to fund raise to get this seed money. On Mondays 6-8.30 pm at Uxbridge Family Hub Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW.

Leadership Skills Foundation Level 1: these are accredited programs where participants gain personal and leadership skill through Sport or Dance. Participants should be year 9+ and would need to attend 1 session each week for a minimum of 12 weeks. 

• Sports Leaders L1 - Ruislip Young Peoples Centre, Bury Street, Ruislip HA4 7SX Wednesdays 7-9 pm  

• Dance Leaders L1 - West Drayton Family Hub, Rowleys Place, West Drayton UB7 9NQ Thursdays 6-8 pm 

CREST Bronze Award: participants led projects bringing STEM to life for young people aged 14-19 of all abilities, equipping them to achieve a globally renowned Award. Through hands-on activities and exciting projects, CREST sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and connects students with real-world science, technology, engineering, and maths. Proudly run by the British Science Association, supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and Urenco. On Wednesdays 7.30-9pm at Ruislip Young Peoples Centre, Bury Street, Ruislip HA4 7SX

Cookery School #Global Flavaz: participants will develop a range of skills whilst preparing delicious dishes from around the world and could gain 6 AQA Unit Awards in 10 weeks. On Thursdays 6.30-8.30 pm at West Drayton Family Hub,  Rowleys Place, West Drayton, UB7 9NQ.  

All programmes are open to anyone who lives, learns or who is LAC in Hillingdon, and are free of charge and starting this month. Further information available on Specialist and accredited programmes – Hillingdon Council or by emailing Specialist and accredited programmes – Hillingdon Council where you can also find information about the full Hillingdon Youth Offer. 

Best wishes,

Abi Preston

Director of Education & SEND

Children, Families & Education

London Borough of Hillingdon, Civic Centre, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW