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Dear Colleagues,
Please see this week's Education Update below. Don't forget, our primary and secondary headteacher briefings take place this week. (Tuesday and Wednesday for primary, Thursday for secondary - all start at 1.30pm)
Do have a good half term break when the time comes.
Best wishes,
John
John Rowe
Head of Education Quality and Safeguarding
john.rowe@shropshire.gov.uk
The completion and submission of the SFVS is a statutory requirement for maintained schools.
Further information is available at Schools financial value standard (SFVS) and assurance statement - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) including the checklist and guidance and a the ‘related party transactions’ return.
Please ensure your SFVS checklist and related party transaction return (if relevant) are completed, signed and returned to the local authority by the 31 March deadline. Please return via email to education-finance@shropshire.gov.uk
Schools will not be required to complete an SFVS return if they have been granted a live academy order in the financial year covered by the return. If the school has not converted to an academy by the end of the next financial year, they become eligible to complete the SFVS return again.
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You’re invited to attend this upcoming Domestic Abuse Surgery—an optional drop-in session hosted by a representative from Shropshire Council’s Domestic Abuse Prevention Team. This DA surgery is a chance for professionals to receive advice and guidance on domestic abuse-related cases.
If you have any cases you'd like to discuss, feel free to join the session. Please note that other professionals may also be attending.
If you need any advice or guidance in the meantime or would like to be added to the regular calendar invite for the Domestic Abuse Surgery, please contact the Shropshire Council Domestic Abuse Prevention Team: Charlotte Howell, Domestic Abuse Project Officer, Email: charlotte.howell@shropshire.gov.uk
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Following on from communications sent to you over the last few weeks, this is a reminder that the Children’s Online Referral Portal is now live and should be used to make written referrals into Compass (replacing the previous Multi-Agency Referral Form: MARF). It can also be used to make written referrals to the Early Help Support Team (EHAST). Education colleagues should continue to use the existing Early Help processes for children and families who are already receiving Early Help or to request Targeted Early Help interventions. Further communications from Shropshire Council Early Help colleagues will follow.
The link for the Online Portal is: Shropshire Council Children’s Online Referral Portal, and is accessible via Shropshire Safeguarding Children’s Procedures and Early help | Shropshire Council.
A recording of a launch webinar that took place last week which provides further guidance: Children's Referral Portal Guide.
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As we move through the winter months, respiratory infections (such as colds, flu etc) as well as diarrhoea and vomiting illnesses continue to circulate. To help keep the school community healthy, here are a few things to keep in mind.
pdf education settings winter illness.pdf
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(Guidance can be found here: School-based Nursery Capital Grant 2027 to 2030 - GOV.UK)
We are asking for schools to contact us if they are interested in creating or expanding provision for Early Years.
Who can apply? State funded primary schools & Maintained nursery schools.
- Phase 3 is a multi-year funded model aiming to create or expand provision between 2027-2030.
- Project cost is up to £500k, but DfE reiterate it must deliver value for money.
- No limit on the number of applications per local authority.
- Deadline to submit applications is 30th September 2026 at 5pm.
- Schools successful in Phases 1 or 2 are eligible to apply.
If you are interested in the above, please email Dan.Steele@shropshire.gov.uk for more details.
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It is recommended that all professionals working with children and young people complete Tier 1 of this nationally recognised free training, you can register here:
https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/children-and-young-peoples-asthma/ The Tier 1 training is designed to provide essential knowledge and skills for professionals who work with children and young people, to better manage and support those with asthma. The online module takes 30-45 mins to complete and you gain a certificate.
Asthma - TIER 1 Training_.png
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The Early Years team invites schools to attend our face to face EYFSP moderation meeting at the Guildhall on 23rd March 2026, from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
This session will provide an opportunity to moderate writing against the ELGs, share practice across schools, engage in professional discussions and network with colleagues from Reception.
Please sign up using the Microsoft Teams event link below. As capacity is limited to 50 attendees, places will be allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/5597b49b-8829-457c-bf2b-f1dae939bb9a@b6c13011-372d-438b-bc82-67e4c7966e89
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Due to requests from a number of schools Richard Smith is repeating this course. Due to short notice you are welcome to ring Richard on 07527464322 to book your place(s)
Computing Lead/Coordinator Update: Spring 2026: With Richard Smith from AmazingICT
Example evaluations: ‘Richard you are always very supportive and helpful with lots of things. Thank you’. ‘Canva intro was useful, always great resources and links to use. The curriculum paper meant we can look at the future of computing in the curriculum.
Wednesday 11th February: 9.30-11.00 pm via Teams
Computing is mandatory at KS1 and KS2. The course is also suitable for EYFS
Agenda:
- Curriculum update including statement from Bridget Phillipson (January 2026)
- Visual Communication: its role and opportunities for schools and staff
- Canva Edu. update including Canva Code with guest Matt Morton-Banner
- BETT 2026: Prizewinners and implications for schools
- Instagram: Safeguarding updates for schools, families and students
- CAS resource of the month for January from Richard Smith
- SEND videos to support schools (up to date and for the UK)
- National priorities for Computing + opportunities for schools
- Scratch template for 2026 Winter Olympics (over 1000 templates available)
- National coding competition that may interest your schools
- AI in 2026: Making a plan that is both innovative and safe
- Date of Summer meeting and evaluation
£79 (no price increase for 2026) Book directly with Richard via amazingict@icloud.com or by calling 07527464322
Computing_Coordinator_Training_Spring_2026.pdf
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A group of volunteers are seeking crowdfunding to open Spectrum, a community gaming hub in Shrewsbury to replace 'Nerdy'. This is designed to support the development of an inclusive tabletop gaming space for young people.
Details are here if you can think of anyone who might like to help or get involved:
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