You will hopefully have seen that over the summer the NJC Pay Award was confirmed. This means all pay points will be increased by 3.2%, backdated to  1 April 2025. For Shropshire maintained schools the increase and arrears will be applied in October's payroll. Within the pay award it was also confirmed that SCP2 will be deleted from 1 April 2026. We will be reviewing how this will be implemented within Shropshire Council and Schools over the autumn and will confirm in early 2026.

As a reminder, Teachers pay was agreed in the summer term and the increase will be applied for Shropshire maintained schools in September payroll. Pay policies and ranges were confirmed and made available in July via HR teams page and SLG.

If you have any questions related to either pay award, please contact HR.

If you weren’t able to get to our Safeguarding Leads Network this term; please do take a look at the Schools Safeguarding Networks 2025-2026 Padlet. It includes important updates relating to local processes and arrangements including:

• Hate Crime Incident Reporting
• Statutory Safeguarding Audits (section 11/157/175) 2025-2026
• Quality Assurance of Alternative Provision
• Local development/implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme

If you have any queries relating to the above or requests as to future Safeguarding Leads Networks themes/topics/guest speakers please do make contact with the Education Quality and Safeguarding Team.

We will communicate next term’s Network date later on in the term. We hope to see as many of you as possible in the Spring.

Kind regards,

Education Quality and Safeguarding Team

Website: Safeguarding and Child Protection | Shropshire Learning Gateway (shropshirelg.net)

I’m pleased to announce the autumnal dates for the Early Help Network Meetings.

These meetings will be held face to face.

Central locality area (Local Area Development Leads: Emily Wada and Diljit McCabe)

Shrewsbury Academy: Tuesday 14^th October 3.30 - 5.00PM

North locality areas (Local Area Development Leads: Amanda Langston and Dee Beckett)

NW: Marches School: Tuesday 4^th November 3.30 - 5.00PM

NE: Grove School: Wednesday 5^th November 3.30 - 5.00PM

South locality areas (Local Area Development Leads: Charlotte Evans and Donna Thomas)

SW: Helena Lane:  Wednesday 22^nd October 3.30 - 5.00PM  

SE: Idsall School: Wednesday 12th November 3.30 - 5.00PM  

We look forward to seeing many of you in person.

Please bring along any colleagues who may also be interested in attending.

Kind regards

Helena (huh-lean-a) Leclézio (Le-clay-zee-o)

Partnership Development Officer - Early Help

People Directorate

Shropshire Council, Children’s Services

Tel: 01743 258459 Office: 01743 253921

helena.leclezio@shropshire.gov.uk

If you weren’t able to get to our Safeguarding Leads Network this term; please do take a look at the Schools Safeguarding Networks 2025-2026 Padlet. It includes important updates relating to local processes and arrangements including:

• Hate related Incident Reporting
• Statutory Safeguarding Audits (section 11/157/175) 2025-2026
• Quality Assurance of Alternative Provision
• Local development/implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme

If you have any queries relating to the above or requests as to future Safeguarding Leads Networks themes/topics/guest speakers please do make contact with the team. Details at Safeguarding and Child Protection | Shropshire Learning Gateway 

We will communicate next term’s Network date later on in the term. We hope to see as many of you as possible in the Spring.

Kind regards,

Education Quality and Safeguarding Team

Website: Safeguarding and Child Protection | Shropshire Learning Gateway (shropshirelg.net)

We continue to see large numbers of young people using ketamine, especially the student populations. The risks continue to be very high, with some really serious harm caused with prolonged use from some young people we’re supporting. As such—we’re re-issuing our ketamine piece written for the last newsletter as it’s more relevant than ever.

Jo Smith

Lead of Education Access

Contaminated Drugs Leaflet

Ketamine Leaflet

Please see two updates with respect to the Change Programme.

Updates for Schools

The Local Offer and SLG are currently being updated to communicate what is happening with the SEND and AP Change programme this academic year.

NEW: monthly online updates at 12.30pm and 4pm on the following dates to provide schools and settings with information and opportunities to get involved and shape the Local Inclusion Support Offer in Shropshire: 

Thanks to those school who have engaged in the Those Clever Dogs – MGM Books Book Project. 

It was great that so many school were able to take part. More visits are planned this term

Michael's father writes "Without exception, Michael has received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from every school he has visited so far, with kind words followed up by supportive emails. We believe the combined efforts of everyone involved are making a real difference for the children. We hadn’t anticipated such an enthusiastic response from both staff and pupils—it has been incredibly rewarding."

If any more schools would like a visit, please contact emma.simkins@shropshire.gov.uk

Sport England are backing a new initiative that pairs primary schools with their local junior parkrun to boost children’s activity, confidence and wellbeing. It aims to help children be more active and connected to their community.

Parkrun primary, which Sport England have helped bring to life through a £5.3 million investment into the organisation, allows children to enjoy free, fun and inclusive opportunities to run, walk and volunteer, while reducing screen time and building lifelong healthy habits.

For more information and instructions on how to sign up please click on the below link.

https://blog.parkrun.com/uk/2025/09/12/parkrun-primary-initiative/

Many thanks

Sean McCarthy

Sport, Physical Activity, and Environment Co-Ordinator

Armed Forces Covenant Lead

Communities and Customer

We are delighted to share with you that Salop Teaching Partnership has a new name.

3-18 Inspiring Futures Train to Teach is the new name for Salop Teaching Partnership (STP). This change reflects our longstanding partnership with The 3-18 Education Trust and their growing community of Shropshire schools. Our Train to Teach provision is proudly part of 3-18 Inspiring Futures—the Trust’s comprehensive professional learning and development.

We have a brand new website and e-mail address for general enquiries.

https://www.3-18education.co.uk/inspiring-futures/train-to-teach/

traintoteach@318education.co.uk

Should you have any further queries please contact

 Heather Brown | ITT Co-ordinator

3-18 Inspiring Futures | Train to Teach

The Priory School | Shrewsbury | SY3 9EE

The Improving Immunisation Uptake (IIU) Team is thrilled to announce that we have been commissioned by NHSE to deliver training to Early Years Settings. Our team, which works directly with selected GP practices, is part of NHS SCW Child Health Information Services (CHIS) and remains committed to making a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of young children in our communities and improving vaccination uptake in children aged 0-5 years.

Additionally, you can gain a comprehensive overview of our services by visiting our website: Home - SCW Child Health Information Service (CHIS)

If you have any questions, require further details, or would like to arrange a meeting to discuss this initiative in more depth, please do not hesitate to reply to this email.

Thank you for your invaluable support in helping us improve immunisation uptake for children across the East and West Midlands.

Thank you

Yours sincerely,

Improving Immunisation Uptake Team

Email: scwcsu.improvingimmsuptake.projects@nhs.net

New SEND and Inclusion CPD opportunities

The Learning and Skills team have put together a series of new CPD opportunities for SEND and Inclusion, including TalkBoost, Neuro-inclusive Leadership Training and SENCo Induction Training. All information and booking links are now available on the SLG. Further courses will be added as they become available. 

SEND and Inclusion | Shropshire Learning Gateway

Funded Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training 1^st & 2^nd October 2025

This is funded by the Suicide Prevention Action Group for anyone working in Shropshire. It is suitable for DSL’s and/or Mental Health Leads. It is in-person training and as this is a funded space you would need to be available to attend all day on both dates. 

Please see details of this training here.

Kind regards,

Emma.

Emma Harding

Safeguarding Officer

Education Quality and Safeguarding Team

We wanted to raise awareness of the Shropshire Neuroinclusive Training Offer, which comprises of a comprehensive range of training from multiple professionals and teams over this academic year. We have aimed to provide an offer that responds to the requests from schools as they further embrace and promote neuroinclusive practice as well as themes that we have noted ourselves through our involvement in schools and settings across the 0-25 age range. There are exciting opportunities for growth and skill development wherever staff / schools may be in their understanding of neurodivergence and in enhancing neuroinclusive practice, from individual to systemic training, and training for early carers teachers to senior leadership within schools. For this year, most of the training is highly subsidised, which we hope means that more will be able to attend. An infographic of the Neuroinclusive Training Offer can be found below:

‘Pathways to success – for early years. Years 1 and SEND’

Inspirational ideas to develop and strengthen teaching, learning and executive function. Informed by research and proven impact. Aligned with the new Ofsted framework this training focuses on 'the foundational knowledge and skills pupils need for later learning'

9:00 to 12:00 on Friday 10 October 2025 Shrewsbury Town Football Club.

Click here for more information and to register.

45-minute online live Ofsted update.

9:30am on 14 October and repeated on 20 October 2025

Information about the renewed inspection framework. Includes key information, documents to know about, activities and evidence.

Click here for 14 October 2025

Click here for 20 October 2025

A quality English curriculum for all – focus on the writing framework (primary)

This training provides clarity about how an effective English curriculum ensures pupils make strong progress in reading, writing and spoken language. This training includes curriculum progression, ideas, examples, resources and routines to use in school.

Diane is involved in curriculum research and contributed to ‘Telling the story – the English education subject report’ Ofsted March 2024.

Come away with refreshed thinking, plenty of ideas, lots of helpful information about effective curriculum design, classroom practice and progress in reading, writing and spoken language. Informed by research, current curriculum thinking and proven impact.

This training is available for schools or groups of schools. Please contact Diane for bespoke sessions. diane@dpschoolimprovement.co.uk  or through the website here.

Printable flyers available here:

DPSI 45 minute live Ofsted Update

Pathways to success
Relevant for staff working with early years, Year 1 and SEND

Please find attached the leaflet which includes details about the different sessions that PEGS will be running and a link to Eventbrite through which you can book onto one of the sessions: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/parental-education-growth-support-pegs-40503573133

PEGS will also be holding their first in-person CPA conference entitled 'Breaking the Silence,' on October the 14th at Shrewsbury Football Club. They have now also released online tickets for any professionals who cannot attend in-person on that day. Please follow this link for further details

 https://www.pegsevents.co.uk/product-category/conference-tickets/

Please see attached posters about upcoming SEND meet and chat locations.

SEND Meet & Chat - Raven House 

Autumn Term SEND Meet & Chat Dates

My name is Kumi Ward, and I’m a female freestyle footballer, and youth football coach with over four years of experience working with children aged 5–14. I’m reaching out to offer an exciting opportunity to bring the energy, creativity, and confidence-building power of freestyle football to your school. I'll deliver fun and energetic sessions that can be tailored to meet your school's need.  

What’s Included:

• Footballs provided
• Customisable packages to fit your school’s goals and schedule
• Half-day and full-day options available- can discuss further eg. after school clubs
• Rewards
• DBS checked

These sessions not only teach incredible freestyle tricks, but also inspire children to stay active, build confidence, and enjoy a sport that is most likely new to them.

I’ve attached a flyer with more details about my background and experience. I'd love to work with your school and bring something unique to your pupils!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to discuss further or check availability.

Warm regards,

Kumi Ward

📞 07414822491

📧 kumiward0103@yahoo.com

Rollaco Gem Printing Press for sale  

Purchased and installed at school by the builder, John Pears, himself, this press has delighted teachers and children with its ease of useand precision engineering, reliably producing wonderful prints. Light use over time - three or four weeks each year - and in storage for the last five. In excellent condition with a complete set of blankets. Plenty of miles left in this superb example.

Full details from the manufacturer can be found here:

https://rollacopresses.co.uk/the-press-collection/

The press is in excellent condition and might fetch around £900 but we would be happy to accept offers around £600 from a local school.  The item is located at Longden CE Primary School, SY5 8EX.  Please contact Rachel Bradshaw r.bradshaw@longden.shropshire.sch.uk or 01743 860480 if you are interested or would like to come and have a look at it.

We’ve got our biggest fundraiser of the year in November, a 36 hour challenge, where we’re aiming to raise £500,000 in that time! The money raised will pay for Quality Moments for children supported by Hope House Children’s Hospices throughout 2026.

This year we’ve chosen to set two challenges.

It’s called Challenge 36 (to link with the 36 hour challenge) and we’re challenging groups/schools to come up with their own fundraising idea based around ‘36’, so it could be 36 laps of the school field, 36 obstacle course, 36 acts of kindness, 36 question quiz, the choices are endless!

Every £1 donated for this will be doubled as part of our match funding campaign, so double the impact!

We have a fundraising pack that people can register for that includes things like sponsor forms, stickers, digital resources and ideas. The fundraising is also flexible, some schools might send out sponsor forms, others might like to get the whole school involved and charge £1 each, again it’s flexible.

We also have a danceathon challenge. Our nurses are dancing throughout the whole 36 hours but as that’s not practical, we’re suggesting schools dance non stop for 36 minutes or do 36 different dance moves. Any group or school registering for this will also receive a fundraising pack.

We’re conscious that schools may find the3 dates difficult as it’s a Sunday and Monday, so we’re suggesting schools take part at any point in November before the event starts on the 23^rd as long as the donation is made or pledged during the 36 hours then it will still be doubled.

Challenge36 | Hope House Children's Hospices

Schools - Danceathon | Hope House Children's Hospices

Flyer for Danceathon