|
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
DfE survey - What Works in SEND |
|
 |
Warwickshire Business School have launched a survey, funded by the DfE, as part of What Works in SEND, on the SEND workforce in mainstream schools in England.
This is aimed primarily at SENCOs/senior leaders, and they are looking to engage with as many schools as possible. By completing the survey, you will help to get a clearer picture of how mainstream state schools are organising their workforce to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
The findings from this research will be used to inform schools and the DfE to help improve support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The survey should be completed by a SENCO or senior leader. Only one survey response is required per school.
If you have any further questions or queries regarding the survey, please contact Penny Smith on Penny.Smith@wbs.ac.uk.
Kooth young people's survey |
|
|
Kooth is conducting a survey to gather feedback from young people in Hampshire who have used the platform. The survey aims to ensure that the platform continues to meet the needs of young people and provides high-quality mental health support.
Please share the following message with young people aged 11 -25:
Calling all young people aged 11-25 in Hampshire
Have you used Kooth - the digital mental health platform? We would love to hear from you about:
- How you used the platform?
- What you found most helpful?
- How you think it could be improved?
All feedback is welcome as it will help to make the service better for young people in Hampshire.
Young carers on the spring school census |
|
 |
Young carers have been logged on the spring census for the last three years, and whilst the numbers identified have grown year on year, we know that many young carers continue not to be included.
In Portsmouth's returns for spring 2025, 1.4% of the school population were recorded as being young carers, however it's estimated that 10% of pupils have some form of caring responsibility in the city. Without identification, we know that it's highly likely that young carers aren't getting the support they need and are entitled to.
How can schools prepare for the spring 2026 school census?
- Ensure that those responsible for completing the school census are aware of who to ask for young carer data. (Some schools use a young carers marker on their data system).
- Ensure all staff in school are aware of who young carers are (and that they can be in YR upwards), so that they can identify those who have not been formally identified.
This definition can be used to help identify young carers:
A young person under the age of 18 who cares for or helps to care for someone who has:
- A long-term illness
- A disability – physical or learning
- Significant neurodivergent needs
- A mental health condition
Or whose substance use impacts on themself and their family significantly. The person they care for or help to care for could be a parent/guardian, a sibling, grandparent, other family member, or friend.
- Send a letter to all families, with information about young carers and the support available in school and from Portsmouth Young Carers Service (PYCS) to enable families to self identify and inform school. Our service has a draft that schools can adapt.
- Have clear systems in place to ensure that the information is passed on to the correct people (for support and the census).
- Consider asking PYCS for TAW support (training, assemblies, to support with practice reviews). Please be aware we’re a small team with limited availability.
For more information:
Naval Children's Charity newsletter |
|
|
|
The latest issue of the Naval Children's Charity newsletter features updates on:
- Resources to support with separation
- Sporty Stars and Albatross Arts – spaces available!
- NCC expense and income tracker
Read the full newsletter here.
|
|
 |
School improvement
Updates from Teach Portsmouth |
|
|
It's time to tell us about your Bright Spark initiative
To celebrate a decade of the Portsmouth Education Partnership, Teach Portsmouth has opened submissions for The Bright Sparks Book, a high-quality publication that shares inspirational schemes, initiatives and projects that have improved outcomes for pupils. We are asking schools, academies, colleges, and early years settings to share impactful schemes that have made a lasting difference. Each entry will be placed under one of 10 categorised sections, helping to structure the publication.
Lee Branscombe, headteacher at Cottage Grove Primary School and Nursery has shared his Bright Sparks Book entry with us for the Attendance and Engagement category. The school launched Attendance Adventures targeting key vulnerable children for whom attendance represented a significant barrier to learning.
This project deployed a staff member to work intensively with families, focusing on removing attendance barriers through proactive home visits, the creation of bespoke home reward charts and behaviour plans, and serving as a stable, single point of contact for parents.
Despite the cessation of funding, the school has continued the program due to evidence of its impact, demonstrated by one pupil's attendance increasing from 54% to 100%.
Alongside each entry, the book will include the 'Bright Spark' or person who led on the scheme, allowing senior leaders to connect with individuals. We want every setting to submit something they are proud of, enabling us to share best practice across the city.
For more information and to submit your entry, please visit The Bright Sparks Book - Teach Portsmouth.
Be part of a Guinness World Record attempt |
|
|
 A Guinness World Record attempt for the largest reading lesson
Portsmouth is getting ready to make history, and your school can be at the heart of it. As part of In Our Words, Portsmouth's year-long celebration of reading, stories and literacy, we're inviting every school in the city to join us for a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
The ambition: 12,000 children and young people gathered at Fratton Park for a shared reading experience like no other - and we want your setting there!
This event is part of World Book Day and will take place on Thursday 5 March 2026. It is delivered in partnership with Portsmouth Football Club and Portsmouth Libraries, and forms part of Portsmouth100, a celebration of 100 years of Portsmouth as a city.
The day offers schools a fully supported day out that brings reading to life on a scale Portsmouth has never seen before. With coordinated planning, simple logistics and creative fun built in, it's an inspiring opportunity to unite pupils through stories, costumes, and collective celebration. A memorable experience that strengthens pride, confidence and enthusiasm for reading.
Thursday 5 March 2026: Arrival 10.30am | Welcome 10.45am | Lesson begins including entertainment 11.15 am | Finishes 12pm.
This opportunity is for Year R to Year 7.
For more information and to register your interest, email projects@portsmouthcreates.co.uk. The interest register closes on Friday 16 January 2026.
University of Portsmouth - EduCon26 |
|
 |
The School of Education, Languages and Linguistics at the University of Portsmouth will host an Education Conference on Friday 13 February 2026. Teachers in schools, colleges, and other education providers connected with PEP can attend free of charge – all you will need is your work ID.
The conference is also open to colleagues from across the city and beyond who wish to share their research, projects, and pedagogical initiatives. Submissions are particularly welcome on topics such as restorative practice, pastoral care, AI, inclusion, Relationships, Health and Sex Education, and relational pedagogies, though this is not an exhaustive list.
If you would like to present at the EduCon26, please fill out the online form. A detailed attendance form, including speaker information, locations, and timings, will be circulated in January.
STEM with Wings |
|
|
Dates: 9 and 11 December 2025
Times: 10am or 2pm (50 minutes each)
Format: Live, online, and classroom-ready – all you need is paper!
From protecting flight paths, to encrypting phone data, securing our hospitals and safeguarding online shopping, cyber security is vital for our technology-driven lives. But how does it work? Who actually does it? What happens when it goes wrong?
Discover the world of cyber professionals for Computer Science Education week. Your class will meet expert cyber security professionals and take part in a free, fun-packed 50 minute digital workshops with special guests, exciting challenges and cyber activities.
Following these workshops, two classes will win a fantastic in-person workshop with the RAF Youth STEM team.
Early years
Share your feedback on the Neurodiversity Profiling Tool and Pathway - early years |
|
|
We are seeking your valuable feedback on the Neurodiversity Profiling Tool and the associated pathway within early years settings. Your insights will help us understand how the tool is being used, its impact, and how we can improve support for practitioners and families.
Why your feedback matters:
- It will inform future training and resources.
- It will help us refine the pathway to ensure it meets the needs of children and settings.
Please complete the short survey by Tuesday 30 December 2025.
The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous and will be treated confidentially and used only to improve our services.
If you have any questions or need support, please contact Claire.Mason@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
HAF Winter Programme now available to book |
|
|
The 2025 HAF Wonderful Winter programme has now launched. There's a bumper programme of 55 different activities being delivered between 20 December 2025 - 3 January 2026 by 30 different providers. Activities include festive cook-a-longs, Christmas dinners, crafts, glow sports, watersports, Exploria, pantos, ice skating and plenty more.
As ever, we are grateful to school colleagues for your support in promoting the programme to eligible families.
Do you have a sewing machine to donate? |
|
|
Noah Mapalo Help Centre is looking for a donation of seven sewing serviceable machines to support a new project.
The project, run by a Portsmouth charity, will reduce social isolation by teaching people how to use a sewing machine (with all the repairing, altering and upcycling benefits that brings); the sewers will also learn to make reusable period products for girls and women supported by the charity in Zambia.
If you have a spare sewing machine that you would be happy to donate, or want more information about the project, please contact Priscilla Chishala (chishala007@yahoo.co.uk).
|
