Education Update - 6th January 2026

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Education update - 6th January 2026


Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year to you all! I hope the new term has started smoothly.

Please see this week's Education Update below. 

Best wishes,

John

John Rowe

Head of Education Quality and Safeguarding

john.rowe@shropshire.gov.uk



Announcements and Notices


Dates for your diary - Headteacher Briefings

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Please note the dates of the Spring term headteacher briefings.

All events this term will be online.

Primary

10th February (1.30-3.30pm)

11th February (1.30-3.30pm)

Secondary

12th February (1.30-3.30pm)

Meeting links to follow 


Non-school Alternative Provision - Guidance for Schools

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Please remember when using Non-School Alternative Provision (NSAP) that:

·      Providers who have been quality assured by the council are listed here  Non-School Alternative Provision Directory | Shropshire Learning Gateway

·      Schools can go to other providers - and not all providers of NSAP are listed on here as the LA may not have been asked to quality assure them yet

·      Schools are still responsible for carrying out their own quality assurance checks and to be compliant with guidance and law – see above link for further information

New information for schools

  • On occasions there may be changes to the status of a NSAP and an alert will come out in the Education Update. Specific information on the provider will be included in the NSAP page on the SLG - this includes if any relevant safeguarding concerns arise. Heads should consider this information to support their decision-making about using the NSAP
  • If the LA quality assurance process for a NSAP highlights the provider is not meeting required standards in our framework, the LA will use the same process to alert schools that the provider is either

i)  no longer deemed suitable for use

or

ii) the LA considers there are actions the provider needs to make to improve their service.

Schools should consider the new information and make their own check/decision as to whether to continue use or not.

If you have further queries about the process of quality assurance please contact EQA@shropshire.gov.uk


SEND and Inclusion Roundtable for Headteachers

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We are holding a roundtable event for headteachers to take feedback on the experience of schools with respect to SEND and Inclusion in schools.

This is to support the ongoing evaluation of services and to take feedback from headteachers.

If you wish to attend, please visit the link below.

SEND and Inclusion Roundtable Event for headteachers - 22/1/26 | Shropshire Learning Gateway


School closures and other notifiable incidents

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Just a reminder, if schools are forced to close for whatever reason, we ask that you make the Local Authority aware via school.closures@shropshire.gov.uk. 

Details on notifiable incidents that also require notification can be found here (this document is also kept on the LA Forms section of the SLG.


Sensory Inclusion Service Advice for supporting pupils with glue ear

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Please see the attached guidance for supporting children in school with glue ear.

Glue Ear Strategies.docx

This advice is also accessible on the Shropshire Learning Gateway at the following link:

https://www.shropshirelg.net/supporting-send-early-help-and-pupils-with-additional-needs/inclusive-practice/resources-to-support-inclusion/


FAO Schools with Early Years Settings - Improving immunisation uptake

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Colleagues in public health would like to highlight these sessions regarding childhood immunisations. There are still places left on the Jan and Feb dates.

Poster is attached.


LGA SEND Peer Review

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We have invited a team from the Local Government Association to undertake a peer review of SEND provision. The attached briefing note provides full details. We would be grateful to the support of schools with respect to visits/engagement activities as part of this process and as such schools may be contacted in due course with respect to any engagement activities.


CPD and Training Offers


SEND and Inclusion training

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Alternative Provision Quality Assurance Training for Schools
Monday 26th January, 1pm to 3:30pm at the Guildhall
Overview
Pre-funded training for schools on how to apply the Shropshire Council Non-School Alternative Provision Framework to quality assure providers that they are commissioning for themselves. The framework covers the non-school alternative provision voluntary national standards that the DfE published in August 2025.
Tickets can be accessed here:
SEND and Inclusion Network Meetings
The next SEND and Inclusion meetings will be taking place online. Details for the meetings and sign up can be found below:
 2nd February
3.30-4.30pm
Online SEND and Inclusion Update: Secondary and Post-16
MS Teams
3rd February
3.30-4.30pm
Online SEND and Inclusion Update: Primary
MS Teams
3rd February
7-8pm
Online SEND and Inclusion Update: Early Years
MS Teams

Shropshire Virtual Schools training offer for Spring 2026

VS

Please see the attached list of courses available to book for Spring 2026 from the Virtual School.

Spring 2026 schools Training.pdf


Ketamine Information Webinar

SSCP

Please see the attached information on a free training event on January 22, 2026, focusing on information about Ketamine, presented by the Shropshire Recovery Partnership. 

Ketamine Webinar information 22.01.26.pdf


DPSI Training Courses

DPSI

Please see the attached flyers for training courses offer by DPSI.

DPSI English - writing professional learning 20 January 2026.pdf

DPSI Geography 3 February 2026 .pdf

DPSI History 28 January 2026 .pdf


Information to share with families


Early Years providers - Reminder for school application deadline - 15th January 2026

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Please could you share the following poster with families as a reminder that the closing date for applying for school places in 15th January 2026.

REC26 Poster with QR - EY's Providers .pdf


Healthy Lives Holiday Programme

PACC

Registration is now open for PACC's 2026 Healthy Lives Holiday Programme. More information can be found here: https://www.paccshropshire.org.uk/home/community-support/healthy-lives-holiday-programme/ please share information with any families, or please contact Abi Taylor Community Support Strategic Lead at abi@paccshropshire.org.uk

 

A guide for practitioners that explains PACC's Community Support offer is also attached.


Spring Term - SEND Meet and Chat

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Please find an attached a poster with respect to the SEND Meet and Chat Family drop is sessions.

These sessions are for parent carers, family members or professionals.

Spring Term - SEND Meet & Chat Poster 2026.docx


Carer Governor Vacancy for SVS

VS

The Virtual School are seeking Foster Carers to serve on the Virtual School's Governing Body.

We would be grateful for the support of schools in publicise this opportunity in communications.

Please see attached flyer