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Good morning colleagues,
Welcome to the new look 'Education Update'. Hopefully you will find the new format more user friendly and easier to navigate and search. All of the documents are linked within the items which hopefully makes these more accessible
I'll also look to archive these on the Learning Gateway for future reference.
We are delighted to let you know that there is going to be a second year of DfE fully funded Partnerships In Neurodiversity in Schools.
The 20 Infan, Junior and Primary schools across Shropshire have made significant changes to support inclusion as because of the project, which is bespoke to each school and involves a range of practitioners including:
- SALT - Communication
- Education Psychology - Teaching and learning/readiness to learn
- Occupational Therapy - The environment
- BSAT – Readiness to learn
- Specialist SEND outreach teachers – readiness to learning/teaching & learning
- School Nurses - sensory
- Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services - MH
- Autism West Midlands – MH
- Neurodiversity Practitioners
We are looking to recruit 15 new Infant, Junior and Primary schools for 2025-2026. There is further information attached and we do require the commitment of the Headteacher and SENCO. More information is available here.
If you are interested, please do send an expression of interest by Friday, 4th April to: sarah.court@shrophire.gov.uk.
If you have any questions, please contact: sian.deane1@taw.org.uk
The project will run from 1st April 2025-31st March 2026.
Following the recent celebration that the Neurodiversity Practitioners (NDPs) are being made permanent members of the Shropshire Educational Psychology Service, we are pleased to share with schools and settings the NDP Brochure (NDP Brochure), Package Request Form (attached) and Memorandum of Understanding (attached) for the remainder of the 2024-2025 academic year. Resources the NDPs have collated can also be found on Learning Gateway (Neurodiversity Practitioners | Shropshire Learning Gateway).
If there are any questions or queries, please contact Kathryn Morgan kathryn.morgan@shropshire.gov.uk
As the Wraparound Childcare Programme Grant continues into Summer 2025, we are still looking for providers to either create or expand wraparound provision within the below parameters.
If you are looking to create or expand existing wraparound childcare for 5–11-year-olds, term time only, Monday to Friday, provision from the hours of 8am – 6pm (or equivalent, e.g. 7:30am-5:30pm) please consider applying for the grant funding.
Guidance can be found here: Wraparound childcare: guidance for schools and trusts in England
If you are interested or would like some more information to apply for the scheme, please contact Dan.Steele@shropshire.gov.uk
Please note that from 1st April 2025 there will be a change in the contractor that provides asbestos consultancy and analytical services. The previous contractor HSL, will be replaced by RSK Environment Ltd.
Should you have any issues or queries please contact Gavin Curley:
Email: gavin.curley@shrosphire.gov.uk or call 07990 086347
The Department for Education (DfE) has commissioned an independent evaluation to understand the experiences and views of education settings in local areas participating in the SEND and AP Change Programme. The evaluation is being carried out by three organisations: ICF, BMG and RSM.
The evaluators want to better understand how different educational settings currently provide support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those in Alternative Provision (AP).
We would be very grateful if you, or the staff member in charge of SEND support (e.g. the SENCO), could complete this survey. You can access the survey by using this link: www.changeprogrammesurvey.co.uk
If you do not have responsibility for, SEND and AP related decisions, we would be grateful if you could pass this invitation on to the staff member in charge of SEND support (e.g. the SECNO) within your school.
Julie Johnson
SEND and AP Change Programme Partnership Senior Lead
Julie.johnson@shropshire.gov.uk
Schools may be interested in participating in this years' Shrewsbury in Bloom Competition organised by Shrewsbury Town Council. Deadline is Friday 11th April.
The challenge is for students to design a 5ft x 5ft floral planter using the grid form attached.
The winning designs will be brought to life by our horticultural team, and representatives from the winning schools will be invited to see their designs in full bloom, with a prize awarded to the top entries!
We have emailed the schools admin teams about this appealing for them to involve the teachers to try make it an activity. Designs can be emailed back as a batch (scan and send) to my email or posted to me at:
FAO Max Ball,Shrewsbury Town Council, Livesey House, 7 St John’s Hill, SY1 1JD
CPD course: Assessing two-year-olds' understanding and speech sounds using the Early Communication Screening Tool (Stoke-Speaks-Out)
Audience: Early Years' teachers and practitioners working with 2-year-olds.
Date and time: Wednesday 4th June 2025 10:00 - 11:30 (online)
Content: During this training session you will become familiar with and know how to administer the Early Communication Screening Tool to assess children's understanding of spoken language and speech sounds, from 2 years to 5 years of age.
Resources: During the session you will need to have a copy of the Screening Tool's handbooks (Record Book and Picture Book).
Cost: The training is non-chargeable, but you will need to purchase the handbooks. The cost of the handbooks from Stoke-Speaks-Out is £140 + P&P. If 5 or more schools wish to purchase them, there will be a 20% discount on the cost of the handbooks. For further information please contact Beverley Jones (Beverley.jones@shropshire.gov.uk).
Mastering Number at Reception and Key Stage 1
Is securing firm foundations in the development of number sense for YR and KS1 children a priority in your school?
Would you like access to funded professional development, planning and resources - including Rekenreks?
The Mastering Number Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.
Writing Trails with EEF
In Shropshire and Telford, schools are invited to be part in the following trials with Education Endowment Foundation::
- Rehearsal Room Writing
- OTTO Club
- Writing Roots
Please find enclosed details of a writing trial launched by EEF: Take part in an EEF project | EEF
Mastering Numbers with Shaw MathsHubs
Mastering Number at Reception and Key Stage 1
We are delighted to be able to offer Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 for 2025-26. The programme will be in its fifth year and over two thirds of all eligible schools in the SHaW region have already taken part.
Recommendations from the Ofsted Maths Report includes how Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 helps pupils to:
- Learn new mathematical concepts
- Be successful mathematicians
- Understand important concepts
Maths Development Priorities in Primary Schools
Thank you to the Primary Maths Leads that have already completed the survey:
Please could you or your Maths Lead complete our primary survey by the extended deadline of Friday 21st March, to help influence the offer for next year.
Maths Development Priorities in Primary Schools
We're aiming for a 100% response rate by Friday and appreciate your support to help us plan activity for next year, based on your responses. Thank you.
Add our operations email address to your safe senders list...
Our Operations teams' main contact email is operations@shawmathshub.co.uk.
Please add this to your safe senders list so that SHaW Maths Hub communication won't end up in junk. Thank you.
St John Bosco English Hub
Just to keep you up to date with our latest training offers, I have attached flyers about forthcoming training delivered by St John Bosco English Hub. As well as our core training for TSRC (Transforming a School's Reading Culture), Supporting Early Language Development and Reading Ambition for All (children with SEND) we are currently offering CPD training to enhance the development of phonics and reading:
- We are working with Chip Colquhoun, to support how to develop storytelling into creative writing in EYFS, Y1 and Y2
- Kathy Roe from HFL Education is delivering training for fluency in Y2 post phonics. We have had a number of schools ask for support post phonics so this would be an ideal introduction.
- Diane Pye is offering training on Reading beyond phonics
Please take a look at the offers and encourage schools to apply for training where you feel there may be a need. As always, all training is free as it is funded by the DFE.
We have had a busy couple of years working with the DFE and concentrating on PEIA and EIA areas. However, from September we will be able to recommence supporting a wider locational area so if you have any schools requiring support with phonics, now is the time to be talking with us so that we can forward plan.
Please feel free to contact myself or Marie, if you have any questions or any schools that are reluctant to come on board, we are happy to initiate a meeting to discuss how we can support them.
Spotlight on Assessment in Foundation Subjects and Primary PE
Assessment in foundation subjects
Effective assessment is key to ensuring progression but is often weaker in foundation subjects. AmazingCPD offer a course this term that will explore strategies for meaningful assessment that will also balance staff workload. The course will also explore the views of Ofsted and the recent Curriculum and Assessment Review. Book Here
Primary PE network
Physical activity is a key factor in children's well-being. AmazingCPD’s regular network meeting allows schools to further strengthen PE and physical activity within the curriculum and beyond. The network meeting will support with whole staff training and effective use of PE/Sports premium funding. Book Here
AmazingCPD Courses still available to attend during the Spring Term
In support of enhancing school curriculums and professional development of staff the following courses are still available during the Spring Term from AmazingCPD’s extensive portfolio of subject based and specialist training for leaders, teachers and governors.
Enhancing the 2025 Maths curriculum through the use of ICT and Computing – Wed. 26th March 2025 13:30 - 15:00
This session will be presented by Richard Smith
Book Here
Primary PE Network – Thursday 27th March 2025 09:30 - 11:00
This session will be presented by Kate Thornton-Bousfield
Book Here
Assessment in Foundation Subjects – Wednesday 2nd April 2025 09:30 - 12:00
This session will be presented by Steve Compton
Book Here
Primary D&T Network – Wednesday 2nd April 2025 14:00 - 16:30
This session will be presented by Leanne Mee
Book Here
Primary PSHE Network– Thursday 3rd April 2025 09:30 - 11:00
This session will be presented by Lauren Edwards
Book Here
Annual Governor Training: Online Safety 2025 – Tuesday 8th April 2025 17:30 - 18:30
This session will be presented by Richard Smith
Book Here
All courses are available to book up until 30 minutes before the course starts unless they are fully subscribed. To book a place please use the link above, go to www.amazingcpd.co.uk , or complete the attached AmazingCPD Order Form and forward to info@amazingcpd.co.uk
Summer Term Courses from AmazingCPD
AmazingCPD has an extensive set of courses for all primary curriculum subjects during the summer term.
The latest list of courses being offered by AmazingCPD during the summer term can be found in the attached pdf.
Alternatively all summer term courses can be seen at www.amazingcpd.co.uk
The Summer Term course schedule includes new courses including;
· English Spoken Language (Speaking for different purposes) – led by Chris Ogden Book Here
· SEND Course: Coding and Autism – led by Richard Smith Book Here
· Primary Music: Using GarageBand in the Primary Curriculum – led by The Music Partnership Book Here
Further Summer Term courses are being announced on a regular basis.
All AmazingCPD Courses are available to book at www.amazingcpd.co.uk
Alternatively complete the order form attachedand forward to info@amazingcpd.co.uk
The order form can also be downloaded at Download AmazingCPD Order Form
The Department for Education (DfE) in partnership with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) invite you to a webinar relevant to those working in education settings.
The DfE Counter Terrorism Protect and Prepare Team will provide you with an overview and update on the proposed Protection of Premises Bill, also known as ‘Martyn’s Law’, and its implications for the education sector. NaCTSO will also provide a briefing on how to consider terrorism protection and preparedness in your setting. You can find more information about the bill here.
Please note: This content may be subject to change as the bill progresses through Parliament.
You only need to attend one of the below webinar sessions, the input is identical.
We hope you can join us.
Click the links below to register:
2nd April 2025 12pm – 1.30pm
3rd April 2025 12pm – 1.30pm
Please see the attached document with details of a range of H&S training courses being run by Cognet OSH. This will be of interest to all schools, particularly those with EY settings.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) have produced a range of training to help schools supporting refugee children. For more information visit Healing Classrooms | International Rescue Committee (IRC)
September 2025 is next planned cohort for either of the Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeships. For any schools interested in starting individuals on these Apprenticeships, please can you register your interest with the Upskill team via apprenticeshiplevy@shropshire.gov.uk by Easter 2025, so that the team have an idea of numbers.
The usual Upskill process of a completed application form and business case is required for any individual interested in either of the below routes.
Route for individuals that already hold a Degree qualification
Provider: Best Practice Network
Duration: Typically, 15-18 months
Specific eligibility in additional to normal eligibility criteria: Need to work a minimum of 30 hours. Needs to be put into an Unqualified Teacher role and be paid the rate for this for duration of apprenticeship.
Delivery: for further details, please contact Upskill and we can put you in touch with the provider for further information.
Route for individuals that do not hold a Degree.
Provider: Coventry University
Duration: Typically, 38 months
Specific eligibility: Primary route only. Need to be working full-time hours (there is not option for part-time workers). Needs to be put into an Unqualified Teacher role and be paid the rate for this for duration of apprenticeship.
Delivery: for further details, please contact Upskill and we can put you in touch with the provider for further information. Please note, there is a requirement within the second year for a 6-week placement in a contrasting school environment building occupational confidence and competence. The school will need to source a suitable local placement for convenience and accessibility, minimising disruption/environmental impact where possible. Again, the Upskill team can put the individual/Headteacher in touch with the provider to discuss specifics.
Please find attached “Family Guide to Integration Consultation Panels” . We hope this leaflet helps families to understand the Integration Consultation Panels and how the panels aim to support families in Shropshire. For further information , please see the following link Integration Consultation Panels.
From Education Support -
Teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs, but it also comes with its challenges. Too much stress, if left unchecked, can take a toll on wellbeing and even shorten careers.
To help education staff recognise, manage, and reduce stress, Education Support has created a free toolkit packed with expert advice and practical strategies. Why not try focusing on a couple of resources each week throughout April and see what works for you?
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