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
HAF Fun Pompey - free holiday activities and healthy meals for children and young people
HAF Fun Pompey provides healthy meals and fun and enriching activities during the school holidays. Children aged 5-16 who receive benefits-related free school meals can take part for free, and some providers also offer pay-as-you-go options. Children will discover new activities, build confidence, learn new skills, and enjoy healthy meals - each session lasts at least four hours and includes at least one hour of physical activity, such as arts, sports, drama and more.
To find out about upcoming HAF activities, parents and carers can subscribe to the HAF Fun Pompey email newsletter.
For more information on free school meals, visit the Portsmouth City Council website. HAF Fun Pompey is part of the UK Government’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
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The Pride of Portsmouth trail may be ending, but the story of the lions isn't over yet!
All 45 Pride of Portsmouth lions will be reunited at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, giving you a chance to see the pride together in one place.
Whether you've tracked down every lion, missed a few along the way, or simply want to see these incredible artworks side-by-side, this is your chance to celebrate one of Portsmouth100's most popular projects!
The event, Our Naval City Festival, is being held on Saturday 3 October at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. More information about the event will be available soon.
The trail may be ending, but the pride's journey continues!
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Autumn talks at Parent Hubs
There are new talks at Parent Hubs across the city, great to share with your school communities, posters are included in the links:
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Parenting offer through Family Hubs
Places are still available on the following courses:
Incredible Years (3-5 years)
2 October to 18 October from 9:30am - 12:00pm
Build a stronger connection with your child through this friendly and supportive parenting programme. Together, we'll explore ways to understand your child's feelings, strengthen communication, and support their growing confidence, independence and wellbeing. You'll leave with practical ideas, shared experiences and support to help your child feel safe, secure and ready to learn, play and thrive.
Understanding Your Child - Toddler to Teen
24 September to 10 December from 9.30am to 11.30am
Learn how your child’s relationships influence their emotional wellbeing and development. Explore how children process emotions and gain a deeper understanding of your child’s behaviour, while reflecting on ways to strengthen your relationship and support their wellbeing.
Triple P Stepping Stones - 3 to 11 yrs (dates to be confirmed)
For parents and carers of children with a disability. It helps you learn simple, positive parenting strategies to support your child's development and build confidence.
The team also offer one to one sessions for parents or carers who want to talk through what they might need. Email parentingservice@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for more information.
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Family Hub timetables
A new time table covering September to October is here for the Family Hubs across Portsmouth, Please share with your school communities as appropriate. Attached are posters for each Family Hub for printing or sharing on social media or in newsletters.
The team have printed copies if schools would like to display these. Contact PartnershipandFamilySupport@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to request any printed poster copies or to request any further information regarding what is taking place at the Hubs
Portsmouth Primary Head Conference
The first Portsmouth Primary Heads Conference of the new academic year taking place on Wednesday 30 September at The Village Hotel from 8.50am.
Our first session will feature Cameron Parker who will guide us to reflect on how we support children in receipt of the pupil premium.
Dates for the academic year 2026/27 take place on Wednesays at the Village Hotel on the following dates:
- 30 September 2026 in the morning at The Village Hotel
- 18 November 2026 in the morning at The Village Hotel
- Residential: 10 March 2027 – Fri 12th March 2027 at The Solent Hotel
- 19 May 2027 in the morning at The Village Hotel
- 23 June 2027 in the afternoon at The Village Hotel
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School data manager meetings organised by Education Information Services (EIS)
These meetings are aimed at staff responsible for data and statutory returns (including head teachers, finance officers, MIS managers or admin officers).They are of benefit to both new and experienced colleagues.
The sessions will include updates on datafeed processing, changes to free school meals, upcoming DfE statutory data collections and other data related topics to ensure that schools are obtaining best value from the team. Attendance is free for schools that purchase the EIS SLA. Schools that do not buy the full SLA can pay to attend on an ad hoc basis.
Sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 23 September 2026 in the afternoon and Thursday 24 September 2026 in the morning.
Book your session via the "Training & Events" area within the Portsmouth Traded Services Website.
For further information, please email: education.informationservices@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
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Have you visited the new Portsmouth Music Service website yet?
Portsmouth Music Service's new website is the best place to find information about the wide range of services we offer, along with details of upcoming events, performances and opportunities for children and young people across the city.
You can also access Song Source, our online song bank featuring more than 300 songs, providing a fantastic free resource for schools, teachers and young musicians.
We encourage everyone to explore the site and discover everything Portsmouth Music Service has to offer: www.portsmouthmusicservice.org.
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Upcoming FREE enrichment events for both primary and secondary
Big ideas who ran the FREE Nasa event earlier in September is holding two further events for both primary and secondary school aged children and young people.
Black History Month
Black Heroes of Mathematics Youth Festival returns on 7 and 8 October with two days of maths enrichment. Meet inspiring role models and mark Black History Month - with FREE events for primary and secondary classes.
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STEM with Wings: Sky to Sea
How can engineering from flight be applied under the water? Meet inspiring role model Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee and take a deep dive into the world of underwater engineering!
Sign up here https://www.big-ideas.org/stem-with-wings-sky-to-sea/
Languages Network CPD Session
Teachers and language leads are invited to join the next Portsmouth LA Network Leads and Solent Languages Network meeting on Wednesday 7 October 2026, from 4pm to 5pm online.
The session, themed "Together we are stronger", features two presentations:
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Erasmus+ opportunities (4pm to 4.20pm) with colleagues from the British Council, highlighting the return of the Erasmus+ programme and the opportunities available for schools and curriculum areas beyond languages.
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Look, Talk, Create (4.20pm to 5pm) with language consultant Danielle Dion-Jones, exploring how works of art can be used to encourage more creative and spontaneous speaking in language lessons. The session will include practical ideas for both French and Spanish teaching.
This free CPD opportunity is suitable for primary language practitioners and colleagues interested in developing language teaching and learning across their school.
For joining details, contact Liz Lord at lizlord0502@gmail.com or your City of Languages network representative.
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Free online Spanish lessons for school staff
Liz Lord has shared details of a free online Spanish course for school staff looking to develop their language skills and confidence in the classroom.
The four sessions are aimed at staff who already have some knowledge of Spanish and are based on A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The focus will be on practical language skills to support a cross-curricular approach to language teaching in primary schools, although secondary colleagues are also welcome to join.
Participants are expected to attend all four sessions and complete follow-up activities between sessions.
For more information and to access the flyer, visit: Hackney Spanish Support
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Early Years Parent/Carer Hub
The next Early Years Parent/Carer Hub will take place on Thursday 8 October, 9.30am to 11am, at the Havelock Centre.
At this session, parent/carers will be able to explore a range of Aided Language Display Boards and take copies home if they would find them helpful. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about communication support strategies or discuss any other concerns and seek advice.
The Neurodiversity (ND) Team will also be there for an informal chat and to offer support.
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