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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.
Inclusion
Nominate a SENDsational service or individual in Portsmouth's award scheme |
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We’re excited to share that nominations are now open for the Portsmouth SEND Appreciation Awards 2025, a city-wide celebration of individuals, teams, and services who go above and beyond to support children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Organised by Portsmouth Parent Voice, in partnership with Portsmouth City Council and The News, the awards recognise outstanding contributions across four categories:
- Support for Young People Award
- Support for Families Award
- Community Choice Award (every nominee receives a certificate)
- Co-production Award
We’re encouraging schools and colleges to share this information with staff alongside parents/carers to increase awareness and the number of nominations. The award scheme is designed to shine a light on the incredible work that goes on in the city and the people and organisations who support children, young people and families with SEND.
Winners will be announced at the Portsmouth SEND Local Offer Live event on Thursday 6 November 2025 at the John Pounds Centre. Please share this link with colleagues and parent/carers. Nominations close on Monday 20 October 2025. If you're nominating in multiple categories, you'll need to submit the same form separately for each nomination.
A poster to display to promote nominations can be downloaded here.
Show Racism the Red Card CPD workshop |
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Portsmouth NEU invites you to a free twilight CPD workshop, open to all NEU members in Portsmouth schools, with one additional non-member also welcome from each school.
Date: Thursday 9 October 2025
Time: 4pm - 6pm
Venue: Craneswater Junior School, St Ronans Road, Southsea, PO4 0PX
At a time of heightened tension in Portsmouth and across the UK, it is more important than ever for educators to take an active role in challenging racism and building inclusive school communities. This interactive session will support staff to reflect, learn, and take practical steps towards embedding equality and anti-racism in their schools.
The workshop is a condensed version of Show Racism the Red Card’s Game Changers for Equality: Promoting Equality and Anti-Racism in Your School Community training. Together, we can ensure our schools remain safe, inclusive spaces where every child and member of staff is respected and valued.
Complete the online form to register to attend. Your place will be confirmed via email the week before the workshop.
Prevent updates |
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Prevent Partnership event – Wednesday 21 January 2026
We are pleased to announce a Portsmouth Prevent Partnership event for professionals taking place in January 2026. In support of schools and the Prevent Duty, we have provisionally held one complimentary place per school. If your designated safeguarding lead (DSL) wishes to attend, please register as soon as possible. To register your interest, please use the online form or scan the QR code on the event poster.
Latest DfE Prevent newsletter
The latest Prevent newsletter is now available to read, including training opportunities for DSLs and school governors.
Prevent e-learning and resource
A reminder of the Prevent e-learning and guidance on managing risk/referrals. Additional school resources are available via the Educate Against Hate website.
School improvement
Exciting Black History Month workshop opportunity for schools – featuring Cuban band Asere |
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WemsFest is delighted to offer schools in the Portsmouth area a unique opportunity to host engaging workshops with the acclaimed six-piece Cuban band Asere this October.
Building on successful collaborations with bands such as Kasai Masai and Maroon Town, these workshops go beyond music to include elements of Spanish language, Cuban culture and Cuban history offering students a rich, immersive experience.
Asere will be available for workshops on Wednesday 22 October 2025. The workshops are tailored to suit different age groups - shorter, interactive sessions for younger students and more in-depth musical exploration for older students, potentially culminating in a group performance.
This initiative is part of a broader commitment to bringing diverse cultural experiences to the region, and we hope it marks the beginning of an ongoing relationship to enrich Portsmouth’s cultural landscape.
If your school is interested in booking a workshop, please contact WemsFest directly at adwemsfest@gmail.com. Please note that schools will be subject to a financial contribution of £300 for a half-day workshop.
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Free training for wraparound childcare providers |
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 We have put together a package of free training for all providers who deliver wraparound childcare to 5-11 year olds! As well as basic safeguarding we have some exciting workshops which will also come with the added bonus of £50 worth of free resources relevant to the workshop.
We are looking to add more training including external speakers such as Ben Kingston-Hughes and some, specific to wraparound, inclusion training. Make sure you take a look at what is currently on offer via the Portsmouth Traded Services website and keep checking to see what we add.
If you do not currently have access to the website, you can email EYWorkforce@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to request it.
Wraparound providers can also access some free recordings from Nasen on special educational needs.
Participation and progression
Get Inspired Portsmouth - free of charge for schools to attend |
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 The annual EBP South Get Inspired Portsmouth event is back in partnership with The Guildhall Trust. Schools are invited to attend with students in years 7-11 for a two-hour session. This is not a standard careers fair but a hands-on interactive day focusing on lots of different industries local to Portsmouth and the surrounding area.
Date: Thursday 15 January 2026
Venue: Portsmouth Guildhall
Time: Bookings can be made from 9.30am to 1pm. The event finishes at 3pm.
What’s in store for students?
- Meet Gatsby Benchmarks 2, 4, 5 & 7
- Align with the CDI Careers Development Framework
- Explore a huge range of career paths across diverse industries
- Try out skills through fun, practical ‘have-a-go’ activities
- Chat with employers about real jobs and what it takes to get there
- Take part in quizzes and competitions to win exciting prizes
- Connect with colleges and training providers to plan their next steps
It is free to attend, spaces are limited and available on a first-come-first-serve basis. If your students wish to attend exciting event please complete the online booking form.
Politely Rebellious Next Gen - empowering young people |
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Politely Rebellious Next Gen CIC is a dynamic and impactful organisation committed to empowering young people through mentorship, real-life opportunities, and community support. Based at the HIVE North Hub, the organisation provides a safe and inspiring space where young people can build confidence, develop resilience, and explore their potential.
Check out their latest newsletter to see what they’ve been up to and what’s coming next. You can subscribe to their mailing list to receive updates direct to your inbox.
Autumn School Census |
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The Autumn School Census takes place on Thursday 2 October 2025. If your school has purchased the EIS SLA the deadline for census checking reports is Thursday 9 October 2025. Please ensure that you upload your census return to COLLECT by this deadline to enable the checking reports to be created and sent back to you. These reports will help you validate your data and ensure its accuracy. If you cannot submit on time, please contact us ASAP. If your school is an academy that has purchased the EIS SLA please upload a copy of your school census to SSE by the deadline and inform us you have done so by emailing education.informationservices@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
All schools must have an approved return in COLLECT by Wednesday 29 October 2025. Please be aware that the Department for Education may still require your school to make changes to your census after this date.
Please call 023 9284 1001 or email education.informationservices@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for further information.
Writing subject knowledge and assessment training - year 2
Thursday 23 October 2025 | 1pm - 3pm | The Training and Learning Centre
This is an opportunity for year 2 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. We will also spend time discussing reading and maths and develop an understanding of how to build on the learning from year 1.
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