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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
Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) training course 2026 |
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The Educational Psychology team are once again hosting an ELSA training course over six separate days, starting in February 2026. The course is primarily for teaching assistants and learning mentors who wish to support children and young people in all aspects of emotional literacy.
Topics covered will be building relationships, social and friendship skills, self-esteem, emotional regulation, anxiety, neurodiversity, loss and bereavement and emotional wellbeing. Trainee ELSAs will also learn specific techniques such as active listening and writing social stories.
The training will be held at The Training & Learning Centre, The Portsmouth Academy, St Marys Road, Portsmouth over six days (all Tuesdays) on 24 February, 3 March, 24 March, 21 April, 12 May and 9 June 2026.
The cost will be £625 per delegate. Please note there is also an ongoing commitment to attend supervision sessions following training to maintain the ELSA status. See the programme leaflet for details about the ELSA role and upcoming training.
The course can be booked through the Portsmouth Traded Services website (course code PLG2-0226-T003) or by emailing Philippa Wilson (Philippa.Wilson@portsmouthcc.gov.uk).
Self-harm awareness training with Solent Mind |
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The experienced Solent Mind training team are offering live online (and some face-to-face) training to equip you with the knowledge, skills and tools to support young people you work with who may self-harm or be at risk of self-harming. The training and resources are designed to upskill staff and build a culture of understanding and proactive support.
Upcoming sessions
Self-harm awareness (1 hour) - basic understanding and improving confidence:
- Wednesday 28 January 2026 - 12pm to 1pm
- Tuesday 10 February 2026 - 9.30am to 10.30am
Self-harm awareness (3 hour) - more in depth understanding of self-harm, suicide awareness and intervention skills as well as techniques to build resilience:
- Thursday 5 February 2026 - 9.30am to 12.30pm
Royal Navy and Royal Marines nurturing programme |
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Home-Start Portsmouth is offering a 10-week free programme for all Hampshire Navy and Marine parents. Open to all naval families across Hampshire, this structured parenting course offers a safe and supportive space to reflect and grow as a family. Each session is confidential and shaped around the unique experience of naval family life.
It’s an opportunity to connect with other military parents, share stories, and develop practical tools that help family life thrive… even when things feel unpredictable. A free crèche is available for children under 5.
The programme takes place at The Haven, 17 Lake Road, PO1 4HA. The next start dates are:
- Friday 9 January 2026
- Friday 17 April 2026
A poster to share with families who may benefit from attending can be downloaded here.
S.A.F.E (Support, Awareness, Family, Empowerment) event
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Portsmouth’s first community event led by local mental health services in partnership with community organisations across the city arrives on Monday 16 February 2026 from 9am - 5pm at Priory School.
This special event is designed to make mental health services more accessible to young people and their families, while also providing valuable information to those who support them.
What to expect:
- A full programme of workshops and presentations throughout the day
- Opportunities to connect with professionals and community partners
- Resources and guidance for parents, carers, and young people
Whether you're a parent, carer, or someone working with young people, this event is for you.
School improvement
Updates from Teach Portsmouth |
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 1. Urgent call for Bright Sparks Book entries as deadline nears
The Bright Sparks Book celebrates the fantastic schemes, initiatives and projects that support children and young people in Portsmouth’s schools, academies, colleges and early years settings. Thank you to everyone who has submitted so far, but we still need more to showcase the brilliant work happening across the city.
We’re looking for entries that highlight how your work has improved outcomes for pupils. All entries will be included in a high‑quality publication shared directly with senior leaders across the city.
Senior leaders have until Wednesday 21 January 2026 to submit their entries via our online form. (Each setting may submit up to three entries.) Please remember to upload an image with each submission, entries without an accompanying image cannot be submitted.
2. Say thank you to your school superheroes today!
Teach Portsmouth has launched the Thank a School Superhero initiative to celebrate the unsung staff who make a difference in early years, primary and secondary settings across the city.
You might know a teaching assistant who has supported your child in a unique way, a teacher who has gone above and beyond for your family, or a head teacher who greets you at the school gate each morning. We also welcome messages from colleagues who want to acknowledge fellow professionals working in education.
Please share your thank you message by Wednesday 28 January 2026 using the online form on the Teach Portsmouth website. All messages will be passed to schools in February.
3. Exhibit at the Teach Portsmouth Education Careers Fair
The city's largest recruitment fair for education jobs returns to Portsmouth Guildhall on Thursday 5 March 2026 from 12pm - 4pm. Over 20 exhibitors will promote jobs, training and volunteering opportunities in schools and colleges across the city.
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don't miss your opportunity to promote teaching, learning assistant and wider support vacancies.
Please visit the Portsmouth Education Partnership website and submit your booking form to teachportsmouth@portsmouthcc.gov.uk by Friday 30 January 2026.
Free webinar on raising maths attainment and parental engagement |
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National Numeracy, the charity behind National Numeracy Day and Number Confidence Week, is the only organisation in the UK focused on improving numeracy and everyday maths skills. The charity is currently offering an opportunity for schools.
There are over 170 fully funded places available on the Schools & Families Programme, and primary schools in Portsmouth are invited to take part. The programme addresses low confidence with numbers among pupils, parents/carers, and staff, offering free training and resources.
A free webinar about the programme will take place on Tuesday 20 January 2026 at 12.30pm.
If you have any questions or would like further information about the programme, please contact schoolsandfamilies@nationalnumeracy.org.uk.
Young Friends Against Scams |
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Young Friends Against Scams resources are now available through the SCAMchampion portal. These resources have been designed to support teachers, youth group leaders, and other educators in helping young people aged 11+ to recognise and protect themselves against scams.
The materials cover scams that affect young people, such as social media, gaming, online shopping and more, but they also cover scams that could affect their family members and community such as doorstep crime, postal scams, telephone fraud and online scams, while also raising awareness of the signs that someone may be a victim of a scam.
The refreshed resource pack includes:
- Young Friends Against Scams training PowerPoint
- Lesson plans (60-minute and 30-minute versions)
- Assembly presentations on scams affecting young people (20 minutes)
- Interactive activities and games
- Certificates of completion
You can register as a SCAMchampion to access the portal.
Greater Depth writing meeting for year 6 teachers |
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As a city we are keen to increase the number of children working at Greater Depth (GDS) in writing, and we know that sometimes teachers are nervous about committing to the outcome of GDS.
A GDS meeting has therefore been created, where teachers can bring any potential GDS writers to be looked at by moderators, who will advise about any gaps and confirm whether the children have the potential to be GDS. The children will be looked at in a non-judgemental way.
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 4pm at Craneswater Junior School. You can park on their playground at this time. Hopefully, the discussions will build confidence in putting children through as GDS. Please attend this event to share any potential GDS writers.
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah.Hilditch@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Spring school census - 15 January 2026 |
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The spring school census takes place on Thursday 15 January 2026. If your school has purchased the EIS SLA, the deadline for census checking reports is Thursday 22 January 2026. Please ensure that you upload your census return to COLLECT or SSE by this deadline to enable the checking reports to be created and sent back to you.
Please let us know that you have uploaded to COLLECT or SSE by emailing education.informationservices@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. If you cannot submit on time, please contact us ASAP.
All schools must have an approved return in COLLECT by Wednesday 11 February 2026. Please be aware that the DfE 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.
PYC (Play, Youth and Community) showcase event |
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Join us for the PYC Showcase, an event highlighting the breadth and impact of Portsmouth City Council’s Play & Youth Service. Discover how we create safe, inclusive, and inspiring spaces for children and young people to thrive.
Date: Thursday 15 January 2026
Time: 12pm - 2.30pm (networking in the first half hour)
Venue: The Brook Club, Somerstown Central (The Hub)
This showcase will feature:
- A tour of the Brook Club and Somerstown Adventure Playground
- Insight into our FREE open-access services supporting social, emotional, and physical development
- Updates on SEND provision, mental health support, and community partnerships
- Rant Studio and exciting plans for the Stamshaw Youth Provision launch
- Opportunities to meet the team and how our workforce development programme supports needs.
Who is it for?
- Professionals working with children, families, and communities
- Local partners and stakeholders
- Anyone interested in finding out more about the Play and Youth Service
Portsmouth 100 community grants |
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To mark a century of city status, Portsmouth City Council has launched Portsmouth100 community grants, giving residents, groups, and charities the chance to bring their ideas to life and celebrate this incredible milestone.
This is your opportunity to create something special for your community. Whether it’s a street party, a creative arts project, a planting scheme, or a community lunch, we want to help make it happen.
Applications are open until 12pm on Friday 30 January 2026.
Portsmouth leisure card |
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The Portsmouth leisure card is available to residents who receive means-tested benefit within PO1 – PO6 areas (and some properties in PO7 qualify where these pay Council Tax to Portsmouth City Council).
It gives you discounts on a range of culture and leisure services in the city. You can enjoy sports centres, swimming pools, golf, museums, city arts and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard when you show a valid leisure card for each adult/child.
Free support to stop smoking |
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Fact is, people who stop smoking are happier, and it can start within just a few weeks.
You might think that when you're stressed, lighting a cigarette helps to calm you down. But actually, stopping smoking has been shown to lift your mood, reduce stress and anxiety and enhance dopamine production... your natural happy hormone.
The Portsmouth Wellbeing Service can help you live healthier and happier, and will work with you to quit in your way.
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