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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
School Nursing Service – key updates
The Portsmouth Public Health School Nursing Service has shared important updates for schools in its latest spring newsletter:
- a new referral form (to be used for all referrals now)
- plans for digital referrals and secondary-age self‑referral from September 2026
- upcoming targeted school‑based clinics and group interventions.
Schools should continue to signpost families to the School Nurse Duty Service (Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm: 0300 123 6629) and look out for further updates before the end of the summer term.
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Signpost and support families in Portsmouth with cost of living and energy bills |
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Schools and professionals can support families affected by the cost of living by signposting them to Portsmouth’s Cost of Living Hub, which brings together local advice on energy, food, finances and wider household support.
Support with energy bills
Families can find practical help to reduce energy costs through Switched On Portsmouth, or by calling the free helpline on 0800 260 5907. Families on a low income or receiving a disability benefit may be eligible for a free home energy advice visit.
Many energy and water companies also offer social tariffs with lower rates for people on low incomes. Families should contact their suppliers or check company websites to see if they qualify.
Why this matters
Evidence from A Warm Home, A Fair Chance shows the clear impact of fuel poverty on children. 79% of survey respondents reported poor physical health among affected pupils. Educators also highlighted links to reduced concentration, increased illness, behavioural challenges and widening attainment gaps in particular after school holidays, when conditions at home often worsen.
Please share this information with your school communities.
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Fun-filled Open day at Andrew Simpson Centre
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Monday 4 May from 10am to 4pm at Andrew Simpson Centre, Eastern Road.
Celebrate the May Day Bank Holiday with a fun‑filled family Open Day at the Andrew Simpson Centre Portsmouth. Enjoy reduced‑price water‑based taster sessions, including sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and climbing for £5, plus windsurfing and wingsurfing for £15.
There will also be family games on offer and delicious food available from Catch a Fire Pizza. A great chance to get out on the water, try something new and make memories together.
Full details and sign-up via the Andrew Simpson Centre website.
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Carers Week, 8–14 June 2026 |
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Carers Week website: https://www.carersweek.org/
Share these activities and resources during assemblies, tutor time or staff briefings to help your school or college recognise young carers, support staff and families with caring responsibilities, and build understanding across your community.
Full details, resources and sign‑up via the Young Carers in Schools website.
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Launch of Assistive Technology Lending Library for schools |
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Following a recent launch event, which brought together partners and contributors involved in shaping the project, Portsmouth is pleased to be launching an exciting new opportunity for schools and settings through the Assistive Technology Lending Library (ATLL) which is funded through the SEND & AP Change Programme.
Our sincere thanks to City of Portsmouth College for hosting and facilitating the library at its Highbury Campus.
The ATLL is a citywide project designed to strengthen inclusive practice in mainstream schools and settings by providing access to a range of assistive technologies to trial in local contexts. This enables staff to explore the effectiveness of assistive technologies as part of ordinarily available provision before investment, supporting consistent and intentional inclusive practice across the city.
Contact inclusionhub@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for further information.
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Book free places for Forces pupils on 15 June Andrew Simposon Centre |
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The Royal Naval Sailing Association is offering a free activity day at the Andrew Simpson Centre Portsmouth for Forces pupils from Solent schools. Pupils will take part in on‑ and off‑water activities including sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, climbing and archery.
Why this is important for schools
- Builds wellbeing, confidence and peer support for Forces Pupils through shared experiences with others from Forces families.
- Helps pupils feel recognised and supported, strengthening inclusion and belonging within and beyond school.
- Gives staff the chance to network and share good practice with Forces support organisations, improving support for pupils at school and at home.
When: Monday 15 June 2026, 9.30am–2.30pm
Who: Up to 100 pupils aged 8–17 from Forces families (all services)
Travel: Schools are responsible for transport to and from the centre
To register interest, email outreach@rnsa.org.uk with your school name and the number and age range of pupils.
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Updates and support for service children and families
Find out about support, guidance and practical resources available for service children and their families by reading the latest updates from the Naval Children’s Charity and the Naval Families Federation.
These newsletters share useful information for schools and education professionals, including wellbeing support, funding opportunities and wider issues affecting children from service backgrounds.
Please share these updates with pastoral teams, SENCOs and colleagues supporting children from service families.
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School improvement
Borrow book sets to encourage reading for pleasure
The School Library Service has shared an Encouraging Reading for Pleasure book list, where multiple copies of selected titles are currently available to borrow as class or group sets.
These books are ideal for supporting reading for pleasure, themed work, book clubs or guided reading, and are available now on loan to schools.
The service would welcome interest from schools. If there is limited take‑up, the titles will be returned to general loan, so this is a good opportunity to request sets while they are available.
View and request books Encouraging Reading for Pleasure book list
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Languages CPD: joint primary hub and network meeting
The next joint CPD session for the ALL Portsmouth Primary Hub, Portsmouth LA Network Leads and the Solent Language Network takes place on Wednesday 3 June 2026.
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In person: 3.30pm at Admiral Lord Nelson School
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Online: 4.00–5.00pm (Microsoft Teams)
The session includes two research‑informed presentations on primary language progression and engagement in the MFL classroom, with clear messages for classroom practice and leadership discussions.
To attend in person email lizlord0502@gmail.com
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German learning opportunities – summer 2026
Even if German is not currently part of your curriculum, these opportunities support cultural awareness, language curiosity and staff CPD.
Goethe‑Institut UK: Playground Tour
What: Two short, professionally choreographed dance performances, plus an optional 1‑hour movement‑and‑language workshop for one class
When: Weeks beginning 6 July or 13 July 2026
Who: Primary schools (no German knowledge required)
Find out more email pauline.wick@goethe.de
Free associate membership with British‑German Association
For pupils, students and teachers of German to include newsletter, events, access to a national German‑learning network.
Find out more by emailing office@britishgermanassociation.org or at britishgermanassociation.org/memberships
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Training
REMINDER: Introduction to sensory processing for KS2 and secondary pupils with SEN
This full‑day course is designed for staff supporting children and young people with SEND in Key Stage 2 or secondary settings. It will build understanding of sensory processing and provide practical strategies that can be used in school to support pupils more effectively.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Learn the foundations of sensory processing, including how sensory integration differences can explain a range of behaviours.
- Explore practical strategies to improve the daily experiences of pupils in school.
- Gain ideas for activities and adaptations to increase confidence in meeting sensory processing needs.
- Spend time in specialist classrooms, seeing transferable strategies and activities in action.
- Take part in discussion and ask questions alongside colleagues from across the Solent Academies Trust.
- Reflect on practice and consider how approaches can be adapted for their own setting.
Course details Tuesday 5 May, 9:00am to 3:00pm, Redwood Park Academy
To book a place, email Steph Andrews at EandSC@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. Places are limited to 10 attendees.
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REMINDER: Supporting understanding and practice – Annual Review paperwork (online training)
The SEN Team will be delivering a series of short workshops to support understanding and practice across different areas of the Annual Review paperwork. These sessions will provide an opportunity to understand the purpose of specific sections of the AR paperwork, refresh your knowledge, discuss your current practice with colleagues from different schools and ask questions.
The aim of these sessions is to:
- create consistency of practice across settings;
- ensure that Annual Review paperwork results in quality EHCP amendments;
- ensure requests submitted to the SEN Team via Annual Review paperwork can be considered and actioned efficiently.
Measuring progress towards outcomes and setting new outcomes:
Wednesday 13 May, 10:30am - 11:30am
Thursday 14 May, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Completing the preparing for adulthood section:
Wednesday 3 June, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Thursday 4 June, 11:00am - 12.00pm
Register Forward your contact details and date you wish to attend to lauren.roe@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
You will receive a joining link and relevant information. To help manage attendance, please do not share the link. If you are unable to attend the training, please liaise with Lauren directly.
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Dates for your diary
Wednesday 6 May
LA - All Headteacher Briefing
Join here
Thursday 7 May
KS2 Moderator Training, Training and Learning Centre
Wednesday 13 May
SENCO AR training - Measuring progress towards outcomes and setting new outcomes
Join here
Wednesday 13th May
AP Provider Group
The PEP calendar contains dates of events, network meetings, conferences, training and workshops taking place in Portsmouth.
To help make the calendar as useful as possible for everyone, colleagues and partners are encouraged to regularly add relevant dates that you'd like to share. If you're scheduling your own event or training, you can check availability on the PEP calendar to avoid potential clashes with other events.
To add a date to the PEP calendar, simply forward your meeting invite to pepportsmouth@gmail.com and it will be added automatically.
Please note that the email address pepportsmouth@gmail.com should only be used to add items to the PEP calendar. All queries regarding the Portsmouth Education Partnership should continue to be sent to pep@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
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