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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
Young carers in the new Ofsted framework |
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Ofsted’s 2025 Education Inspection Framework (EIF) brings a renewed focus on supporting young carers in schools, colleges and via teacher training providers. The updated inspection toolkits now include young carers as an important measure of a school’s commitment to inclusion, safeguarding and personal development.
How might Ofsted do this?
- Regular referencing of young carers in examples throughout the documents.
- Young carers are a consideration from the start of the process in the identification of vulnerable young people. A school may be asked:
- How they identify their young carers
- How young carers specific needs are identified
- How young carers are supported in school
- Evidence gathering: this could include the sampling of a young carer and specific questions about young carers on learning walks.
- A school could be asked which vulnerable groups they have identified – examiners will be looking to see if young carers are highlighted.
- Highly likely that Ofsted will challenge low numbers of young carers.
For more information:
Support for schools in relation to the above:
School improvement
Share an image with your Bright Sparks Book entry |
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We would like to thank everyone who has shared a Bright Sparks entry with us so far, showcasing incredible initiatives, projects and schemes that improve outcomes for children and young people in the city. The Bright Sparks Book is a high-end publication that encourages senior leaders in schools, academies, colleges and early years settings to share, learn and implement similar approaches from other settings.
Senior leaders are being encouraged to share a project in one of 10 categories, which will help us structure the book. To help make the entries come to life, we are asking schools to upload an image for each Bright Sparks entry. This is mandatory before you can submit your entry using the online form. Please make sure you have permission from the person/s featured in the image. The Teach Portsmouth team will contact you after you have submitted the entry to complete an online consent form.
Settings can submit up to three entries. If you have any questions, please email teachportsmouth@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. For more information and to submit your Bright Sparks entry, visit The Bright Sparks Book - Teach Portsmouth.
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Languages in Portsmouth update |
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The latest languages in Portsmouth update reflects on 2025 and the exciting opportunities and challenges that the New Year will bring.
Highlights include:
- ALL Language World Conference - 13-14 March 2026
- Joint meetings of the ALL Primary Hub, Portsmouth Network Leads and the Solent Language Network
- Celebrating Languages in Portsmouth
- North East Festival of Languages
- and lots of interesting articles and resources!
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Early years
Share your feedback on the Neurodiversity Profiling Tool and Pathway - early years |
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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.
School readiness sessions |
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Starting Wednesday 7 January 2026 at Paulsgrove Family Hub
Home-Start Portsmouth is offering a 5-week PEEP informed group for 3-4 year olds starting school in September. Delivered by the Family Hub Champions in the Portsmouth Family Hubs, these groups use the PEEP method of using the little things to make a big difference to a child’s development in a home learning environment.
Sessions support children with taking their first big step:
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Identifying learning needs – Assisting parents and carers to identify their own learning and development needs and pathways
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Improving social and emotional development – Support to develop skills that are crucial for a child’s social and emotional growth
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Enhancing early literacy and numeracy – Focusing on early literacy and numeracy, which are essential for school readiness
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Promoting family engagement – Encouraging family engagement with their child’s learning and development, which is vital for school success
There will be free refreshments available for parents and children, the course is suitable for all children in their year leading up to school.
Two support schemes for Portsmouth families |
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 We would really appreciate you sharing this support offer to your families through your usual parentmail:
Portsmouth families can apply for two winter payment schemes, please find details on the attached flyer.
The £30 supermarket voucher scheme is for families of children aged 0-19 (including for someone at least 20-weeks pregnant) earning up to £1,870 a month who have not already received a £30 voucher from their school for a child. Opens 18 December to 26 February.
The utilities payment scheme is to help low-income households to pay for water and energy bills, it's open to specific household types. Open now until 29 January.
Check full eligibility for both schemes and how to apply at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/HSF
It's your library service, so tell us what it should offer! |
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Our libraries want to know what's important to you.
Children's clubs? A warm and welcome space? Groups where you can meet other people? A wide range of books, audiobooks, music? Computers and Wi-Fi?
A survey is running until Friday 9 January 2026 (closes midnight).
- Complete it online
- Complete it over the phone - 023 9261 6708
- Ask for a paper survey in your local library
Could you help inspire the next generation at home too? |
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"We are so proud of her and the journey she has taken," shared foster carers Nina and Keith from Denmead on one teenage girl they fostered on a long-term basis.
When Calli first moved in, she had a low attendance record at school, but Keith was able to discover the underlying reasons and helped her get back into education.
"You just need to give them time, listen and help them understand," the couple added before letting us know that Calli went on to university and did 'fantastically well'.
They ended, “Teenagers are great company and able to be more independent… we’re always very busy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way!”
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