Spring Term headteacher briefings

Don't forget, we have our Spring Term headteacher briefings taking place next week.

For the links to the meetings, please visit Headteacher Briefings and meetings | Shropshire Learning Gateway

Section 11 Safeguarding Audit

30% of schools and settings have already completed their Section 11 safeguarding audits. Thank you for your attention to this.

The closing date for the audit is 27th March 2026.

The Education Quality Safeguarding team are able to offer support to you throughout this period including webinars and troubleshooting session.  Please visit  Safeguarding Audits | Shropshire Learning Gateway for the links and resources.

If you need support, please email safeguarding.audits@shropshire.gov.uk for assistance and we will be happy to help.

The SEND and AP Change Programme funded Assistive Technology Lending Library (ATLL) is up and running. A range of software is available to support inclusion in schools and settings including Widget Online, Clicker, DocsPlus and Proloquo. Reading pens are available for loan from Scanning Pens. Laptops, Chromebooks and iPads with Clicker and DocsPlus pre-installed will be available shortly. 

We are working with Richard Smith from Amazing ICT to prepare a series of short video clips demonstrating the software and how to use the accessibility features in Microsoft Office 365 and Google Chrome OS. 

Details of how to request loans and how to access the video clips and support are on the Shropshire Learning Gateway: Assistive Technology Lending Library (ATLL) | Shropshire Learning Gateway

The What Works in SEND research team are conducting a survey, funded by the DfE.

By completing the survey, you will help us to get a clearer picture of how mainstream state schools are organising their workforce to support pupils with Special Educational Needs and who are disabled.

The findings from this research will be used to inform schools and DfE to help improve support for disabled pupils and those with Special Educational Needs.

The survey should be completed by a SENCO or senior leader. Only ONE survey response is required per school.

Please follow the link below to complete. The survey is open until 4 February.

SEND Workforce in Schools Survey

An online webinar in order to showcase the Children Online Portal which will go live on 9.2.2026 (in which to make written referrals to Children Social Care and the Early Help Assessment Team) is being held on Thursday 5.2.2026 from 10am to 10.30am.

Here is the link to join the webinar for those that are available:

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/31635871055339?p=hDrwGNsX2qq5IopMVo

Meeting ID: 316 358 710 553 39

Passcode: ym6uV6Dm

The DfE has shared the link to the NPQ webinar video. 

The Department published a call for insights and evidence on 10 December 2025, which closes on 20 February 2026. As well as being able to submit evidence sources, individuals and organisations are able to submit general feedback and insights on the full NPQ suite. The Department is keen that the views of education professionals help inform any changes to the NPQs to ensure that they are based on the best and most up-to-date evidence and meet the professional development needs of teachers and leaders.

To share your views please click here.

Please find attached the latest copy of the TREES Newsletter - please feel free to disseminate this amongst your colleagues.

There is also a new updated version of the CE Risk Assessment – please use this version going forwards when submitting a referral.

Our leaflets and a printable poster advertising our CE Consultations for professionals are also attached for your reference. We also have a website: Child exploitation | Shropshire Council

If you have any queries or would like to be added/removed from our mailing list, please get in touch with us: childexploitation@shropshire.gov.uk

Kind regards,

TREES Team (Together Reducing and Ending Exploitation in Shropshire)

TREES Newsletter Issue 19 - Winter Spring 2025-26.pdf

Child Exploitation Risk Assessment Tool v3.1.docx

CE in Shropshire - Leaflet for Parents & Carers.pdf

CE in Shropshire - Leaflet for Young People.pdf

CE in Shropshire - Leaflet for Care Providers.pdf

CE in Shropshire - Leaflet for Local Communities.pdfCE Consultation Sessions.pdf

Snapchat_parent_carer_factsheet_Feb_2025.pdf

As you’ll know, the number of pupils identified with SEND continues to rise, with almost one in five children in England now needing additional support. Many schools are feeling the pressure of meeting increasingly complex needs, and early identification remains central to removing barriers and helping pupils thrive. Some children show this through behaviour, others through quiet disengagement, and it can be difficult to build a clear picture of what’s going on underneath.

This is where MATi Outreach Services can offer support as part of your graduated approach. Our aim is to help schools understand each pupil more fully so that emerging needs are spotted early—whether they're linked to learning, confidence, or wider wellbeing.

We offer a range of flexible tiers:

• Behaviour Support: Direct work with pupils showing behavioural, social, emotional or mental health needs.
• LSAT Tier: Individual assessment for pupils whose progress is a concern, including both diagnostic and non‑diagnostic tools to help identify barriers to learning.
• Specialist Assessment: Formal assessments for suspected dyslexia or dyscalculia to help schools access the right support and resources.

I’ve attached further information about what MATi Outreach Services can offer, along with the paperwork you’ll need if you wish to buy in to our support.  There is no minimum requirement of sessions that can be purchased and it doesn’t matter if you are a stand-alone school, part of a multi-academy trust, a primary school or a secondary school.

If you’d like to talk through how we might be able to help your school, please feel free to get in touch— our service lead, Julie Johnson would be very happy to discuss this further.

2. MATi Outreach Services Purchase Option Form 2025-26.docx

MATi Outreach Services SLA 2025-26.pdf

MATi Outreach Services Support Options 2025-26.pdf

MATi Outreach Services Brochure 2025-26.pdf

We are delighted to be welcoming Dr Jody Walshe to deliver our spring term Future in Mind session, which is a full day course on Understanding and Responding to Modern Addictions Among Young People – including digital addiction.  Due to the relevance of the subject for all schools and professionals working with children and young people we are extending the invitation to attend to all non Future in Mind subscribers.

In a world increasingly dominated by screens and instant gratification, this training equips adults with the insight, confidence, and practical tools needed to support young people facing digital addictions and compulsive behaviours. From online gaming and pornography to risky digital challenges and dopamine-driven tech use, this course helps educators and professionals understand what’s happening, why it’s happening, and how to intervene with empathy and effectiveness, in order to safeguard our pupils and students from physical and emotional harm.

Understanding Digital Addiction

• The neuroscience of dopamine and reward loops

• How tech companies design for compulsion

• Difference between high use and addiction

• Why young brains are especially vulnerable

The Digital Landscape

Deep dive into:

• Online gaming and loot box mechanics

• Pornography and its impact on brain development

• TikTok/YouTube challenges and viral risk-taking

• Social media validation loops

• Real-world examples and youth testimonials

Root Causes & Risk Factors

• Emotional regulation and unmet needs

• Trauma, anxiety, and depression as drivers

• Identity formation in digital spaces

• The role of loneliness and belonging

Signs, Symptoms & Assessment

• Behavioural, emotional, and physical signs

• Screening tools and questionnaires

• Case studies: spotting the difference between passion and pathology

• When to refer to specialists

Intervention Strategies

•Building trust and rapport with young people

• Empathetic listening and motivational interviewing

• Setting healthy boundaries and digital hygiene

• Collaborating with families and schools

• Harm reduction vs. abstinence approaches

Action Planning

• Personal action plan: What will you do differently tomorrow?

There is a choice of two locations and dates: 19^th March at Shrewsbury Town Football Club or 20^th March at The West Stand, AFC Telford.  Both days will run from 9.00-3.30pm. The course fee includes refreshments and lunch, and all the materials and resources to deliver training and support to your staff and parents. The cost of the day is £130.

If you would like to book a place, please contact myself via sue.stoddart2@taw.org.uk

Sheriffhales Primary School and Preschool are gauging interest in EYFS CPD for EYFS leads and Headteachers.

A series of 3 x 90-minute twilight sessions with a new framework focus,  in Summer 1, 2 and Autumn 1 are planned to include:

1. EYFS environment and continuous provision
2.  EYFS Ready for handwriting
3.  EYFS language and communication through outdoor learning

This will showcasing  our Outstanding (June 25) EYFS provision: £100 per person for all 3.

Sessions will be led by Sophi Vaughan, our brilliant EYFS lead.

We can offer 10 places per session but can put on additional dates if needed!

Email head@sheriffhalesschool.org or call 01952460204

Justine Keeling-Paglia

Please share the attached information with your communities.

CAMHS new name poster.pdf

22.01.26 CAMHS What is Changing 2026 v2.pdf

New CAMHS Name suggestions.xlsx