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If you have information to be included in the next issue of the PEP bulletin, please send your text, image and link by Tuesday at 12pm to pep@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Introduction from James Stuart, PEP Chair
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I’m delighted to introduce myself as the new Independent Chair of the Portsmouth Education Partnership. It’s a privilege to join such a committed and collaborative network, all working together to improve outcomes and opportunities for children and young people across the city.
With a strong belief in the power of partnership and a passion for inclusive, high-quality education, I look forward to supporting the excellent work already underway and helping to shape the next phase of our collective journey.
During this first term, it is my endeavour to get to know stakeholders across the PEP and to work with you all to evaluate the partnership, celebrating what’s working well and identifying opportunities for further impact.
I’m excited to meet and work with many of you in the months ahead.
Warm regards,
James Stuart
Independent Chair, Portsmouth Education Partnership
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Inclusion
Updates from the Neurodiversity Service |
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Consultation meetings
School link family support workers will have been in touch to book consultation meetings for the autumn term. The graduated approach details the purpose of the consultation meetings and the process for requesting ND profiles. The graduated approach is intended to support you with any inappropriate requests for the tool.
Insight Hub
We have now moved to all ND profiles being completed on the Insight Hub. If you do not have access to this or would like support in navigating the hub, please email Neurodiversity0-19Enquiries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. Completing ND profiles on the Insight Hub helps our data capture of the number of ND profiles in the city and what outcomes we are seeing.
Team Padlet
Our team PADLET holds all of our team information leaflets and also includes information about the assessment journey and useful signposting etc.
We have highlighted some of our new support offers below:
Parent workshops: Based on recent feedback we have put together a clear offer to schools regarding the parent workshops we can offer. Please liaise with your link family support worker to book these in.
Advice clinics: Our advice clinics continue to be popular, and we have added a new clinic at the Paulsgrove Family Hub. Please note, parents do need to book an appointment to attend an advice clinic appointment.
Drop in clinic: We have a new drop in for families and young people run by our neurodiversity practitioners. This is a drop in, so no appointment needed. This is for families where they are managing challenges around inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and to discuss strategies to support with this.
Training dates for the autumn term
Explore our training dates for the autumn term.
Workshop: Introduction to Youth Justice |
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Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership have released a new free course, providing an introduction to Youth Justice services and how they are delivered in the city.
Who is it for?
Any frontline practitioners or managers who are working with children aged 10 and above (and/or their parents/carers) and would like to know more about Youth Justice delivery in Portsmouth.
Dates:
- 16 January 2026
- 15 April 2026
- 15 July 2026
- 12 October 2026
New networks for SEN units and resourced provisions with an autism specialism |
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DfE is pleased to be launching national peer-to-peer SEN unit & resourced provision networks, starting with a primary school network and a secondary school network for SEN units & resourced provisions with an autism specialism. These networks will be coordinated by DfE and form part of the department’s RISE universal service offer on inclusive mainstream, along with the recently-published signposting webpage on inclusive mainstream.
These networks will be led by sector experts. The aim of the networks is to provide a forum for peer learning and support through half-termly meetings in which schools share challenges and best practice in order to drive high-quality provision across the country. The networks are open to all schools with a SEN unit/resourced provision or with their own provision (i.e. not LA commissioned) with an autism specialism. They are also open to schools interested in setting one up, or in the process of setting one up, so that they can learn from the experience of others. The networks are specifically aimed at provision leads who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the provision.
Benefits of signing up include:
- Collaborative problem-solving and action learning with experienced peers
- Access to high-quality resources and sessions led by sector experts
- Focused discussions on a range of relevant topics, shaped by your priorities and key areas of interest
- Opportunity to connect with peers and build lasting professional relationships
Sign up using the online form. If you have any questions, please contact Support.SURPNETWORK@education.gov.uk.
School improvement
Help to promote the Love to Teach: Routes into Training webinar |
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 Teach Portsmouth is working with training providers across the city to ensure children and young people have the professionals they need to thrive in the classroom.
The Love to Teach: Routes into Training webinar takes place on Wednesday 15 October 2025, from 5pm to 6pm, and offers an exciting first step for anyone interested in becoming a teacher. The session will help attendees explore their training options and understand the pathways into the profession.
We’re asking schools and colleges to share this information with parents and carers to help raise awareness and interest in teaching as a career. Please include the suggested text and image in your school newsletters and social media pages.
For something more bespoke, please email TeachPortsmouth@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Free training opportunities with Springhill English Hub |
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Springhill English Hub is offering an range of free training opportunities, funded by the Department for Education. Courses include:
- Supporting early language development
- Reading leader training
- Writing framework webinar 1 for English leads and teachers
- Reading for Pleasure: Transforming your school's reading culture (TSRC)
- Reading Ambition for All (RAFA): Teaching children who need the most support, including those with SEND
- Supporting early language for teaching assistants
OU/UKLA Teachers' Reading Group |
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Portsmouth School Library Service invites anyone committed to developing children’s
desire, delight and engagement as readers to join our local OU/UKLA Teachers' Reading
Group. Informal, friendly and supportive, we welcome teachers, librarians, student teachers
and support staff to join us and commit to attending all five CPD sessions.
We will be developing evidence-informed practice, widening our knowledge of children’s
literature and other texts, enriching our RfP pedagogy and documenting the impact on the
young people as readers.
Calling all brass and woodwind players! |
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Whether you're a seasoned musician or someone who hasn’t dusted off your instrument in years, Portsmouth Music Hub’s brand-new community wind band, Ocean Wind, is ready to welcome you!
This fun and friendly group is free to join and open to all players Grade 4 and above.
Reignite your passion for playing and be a part of something exciting, Ocean Wind is your chance to play, connect, and shine!
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Recent Ofsted reports |
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Beacon View Primary Academy | 15 July 2025
"Pupils at this school are joyful and enthusiastic to learn. From the very start in early
years, they follow the school rules and routines. They know and demonstrate the school
values of respect, responsibility and resilience. Pupils are kind and caring to each other.
During break and lunchtime, they share and play well together. Pupils enjoy the wide
range of activities available."
Read the full report
Copnor Primary School | 8 July 2025
"Pupils are proud to show the school’s values of resilience, respect and teamwork. These
values are clear in how pupils work, behave and treat others. Staff and pupils have strong, caring relationships. This support helps pupils feel safe, known and valued, despite the large size of the school. Pupils also take pride in shaping school life. For example, the school council introduced friendship benches to promote kindness at breaktimes."
Read the full report
Meon Infant School | 8 July 2025
"Pupils are happy coming into school. Teachers greet pupils warmly as they walk into class.
Staff support pupils to stay focused on their work and encourage them to ask for help if
they feel unsure or worried about something. As a result, pupils know they are safe.
Teachers encourage everyone to ‘be your best self’ from the moment they arrive. From an
early age, pupils develop a secure sense of independence."
Read the full report
St George's Beneficial CofE Primary School | 8 July 2025
"Pupils enjoy attending St George’s Beneficial. Relationships between staff and pupils are
positive, caring and warm. This makes pupils feel safe. Playtimes are lively and happy.
Pupils are friendly with each other. They make everyone feel welcome, especially if
someone joins part way through a year. Right from the early years, children learn to
communicate clearly. They are proud that they are learning how to look after their
emotions and to maintain good mental health."
Read the full report
Participation and progression
NextGen Power Programme |
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NextGen Power is designed for current secondary school head students, or those who will be taking on this role in the new academic year, and will equip those young people with all the essential skills and experience to be an effective and inspiring leader in your school.
This immersive, interactive and informative programme includes sessions over the course of several months and aims to develop the next generation of Portsmouth leaders. During these sessions, participants will explore the importance of power, improve leadership skills and connect with inspirational guest speakers and other young leaders. Our final session will be a celebration and a chance to reflect on their leadership journey with us.
Our launch event will take place during October half term (Wednesday 29 October 2025) at Unloc Changemaker Studios, Portsmouth Guildhall, PO1 2AB.
The dates and times for the programme are:
- Wednesday 29 October 2025: 10am - 4pm
- Wednesday 19 November 2025: 4pm - 6.30pm
- Wednesday 10 December 2025: 4pm - 6.30pm
- Wednesday 11 February 2026: 4pm - 6.30pm
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Wednesday 25 March 2026: 4pm - 8pm (Final session will include a celebration to round off the programme)
(Please note these dates are subject to change, any changes will be communicated as soon as possible.)
New to year 6 training (writing)
Date: Friday 3 October 2025
Time: 1pm - 3pm
Location: The Training and Learning Centre, Portsmouth Academy
This is an opportunity for new year 6 teachers to look at their English subject knowledge in isolation and within the context of children's work.
They will have the opportunity to look at learning journeys over the year, discussing rich texts to use to create rich outcomes for children. They will also spend time myth busting about the moderation process and be given time to explore what independence looks like in year 6.
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