We're very pleased to welcome some new colleagues to the Education Quality and Safeguarding team. Sarah Kynaston joins us as Senior Education Quality Adviser for Safeguarding and Early Years. John Demmerling and Jack Pittaway also join us as Education Quality Advisers for School Standards.

I'm also very pleased to inform you that Sarah Court has also been appointed to the role of SEND Transformation Lead to support the implementation of DfE reform with respect to SEND. 

We have recently heard that some Parent Carers have been told they are unable to request an EHCNA or access Early Help without a diagnosis. This is untrue. Support for SEND is needs led, not diagnosis led. EHCNA requests and referrals to Early Help do not require a diagnosis or acceptance on to a diagnostic pathway. If you are aware that different messaging is being shared, please contact EQA@shropshire.gov.uk so that we can address this directly.

Early help | Shropshire Council

What is the criteria for an education health care needs assessment (EHCNA)? | Shropshire Council

Many thanks,

Sarah Court, Senior Education Quality Adviser (SEND and AP)

We are pleased to invite headteachers, principals and CEOs from Shropshire schools, together with partners from across the SEND system, to participate in a Round Table discussion. The focus of this will be the Government’s SEND reform proposals and White Paper, with the aim of shaping the future of SEND provision throughout Shropshire.

This event offers a valuable opportunity for senior leaders and system partners to reflect on the national direction of SEND policy. Participants will be able to consider how the Government’s proposals will impact local systems and schools, and engage in open, collaborative discussion regarding how we can collectively develop an inclusive and sustainable SEND landscape for children and young people in Shropshire.

Friday 17th April - 1pm to 4pm

Shrewsbury Town Football Club

Book here

Places are limited, so please book and confirm your attendance in advance using the booking link provided to ensure your place.

Short breaks are an essential support for families with disabled children and young people, and Shropshire Council is currently embarking on some early market engagement to help shape how Short Break Holiday Clubs for children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and/or complex health needs will be commissioned in the future during school holidays. These vital services are designed to provide play and leisure opportunities for children and young people aged five up to their eighteenth birthday, especially for those whose needs cannot be met within mainstream provision.

The council has a long-standing history of working alongside established children’s services providers and third sector organisations. However, we are really keen to hear from the wider market about alternative approaches. This includes potential collaborations with schools and Trusts, as well as exploring innovative and creative delivery models such as partnerships and consortiums.

To gather ideas and support the development of this service, we are hosting two market engagement events.

The first is an in-person event at The Guildhall on Thursday 23rd April at 9.30am, and the second is an online event via Teams on 7th May. Please email commissioning@shropshire.gov.uk to confirm attendance by 5pm Monday 20th April 2026

We would genuinely value your input in shaping the direction of this service, and I strongly encourage you to get involved by attending one or both events.

For further details, please follow this link: cmcv-114-pme-notice.pdf

For enquiries, please contact commissioning@shropshire.gov.uk

April is the month of the military child. Please find some links to information about this and also attached Reading Force offer for free books & resources.

Month of the Military Child - GOV.UK

Please email safcc@shropshire.gov.uk if you are getting involved with 'month of the military child'. We would love to promote what schools are doing.

Many thanks

Sean McCarthy, Sport and Physical Activity Co-ordinator

Armed Forces Covenant Lead

Please see attached some updated communications from Axis regarding the delivery of the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) Service and Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Service across West Mercia from April 2026.

Please note the updated phone number. 

Updated Comms MARAC and Hospital.pdf

Gemma and I are delighted to share a Save the Date for our annual West Midlands SCiP Hub Event.

Event Details Location: University of Staffordshire Date: Monday 15th June 2026 Time: 10:00 – 14:30

This event is designed specifically for service children in Year 7 and above and will feature a full day of workshops, motivational talks, higher‑education exploration activities and campus tours. We are currently finalising the programme and will share full details as soon as they are ready.

We would be grateful if you could please forward this email and the expression of interest form to any schools, teachers or supporters who may wish to bring students. We would also be delighted to welcome members of the West Midlands SCiP Hub on the day to network, connect and support the event (please do let me know if you are able to attend) 

SCiP Alliance Event at the University of Staffordshire 15th June – Expression of Interest – Fill out form

Best wishes, 

Rachel and Gemma, Harper Adams University

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust have a project to supply fossil resource
boxes for educational establishments across the UK.

Each box contains 30 fossils along with a series of laminated information sheets to turn the box
into an educational resource. This includes suggested lesson plan ideas for year 3 and 6 pupils. There is also now an SEN box suitable for young people with multiple learning difficulties.
All of the fossils are common UK fossils which ensures nothing in the box that the children
couldn’t find for themselves, and ensures we have a sustainable project.

Boxes are delivered at cost of £40 which covers both the cost of materials as well as covering
the future potential need for some of the fossils to be purchased. Most of the fossils are donated
by collectors across the UK as well as some old collections from fossil collectors sadly no longer
with us.

For primary schools the most common way to obtain a box is for a relative, guardian or friend of
the school to sponsor the box. Some free boxes are available, but these depend on our fund
raising, donations and grants so there can typically be a wait for these free boxes.

The Shropshire Geological Society is sponsoring 6 boxes free of charge.

Over 200 boxes have now been delivered to schools across the UK with more scheduled for delivery in
the next couple of months.
The project website is here https://earthheritagetrust.org/fossils.

If your school would be interested in a box please get in touch with Mark Baggott at m.baggott@worc.ac.uk or on 07748 281044

Empowering Professionals to Deliver Comprehensive Support for Children and Young People with SEND

Are you involved in preparing or contributing to Education Health Care (EHC) Needs Assessments request, or tasked with completing Appendix B documentation? Do you want to ensure your practice aligns with the latest statutory requirements and best practice guidance?

This training is mandatory for all SENDCOs, but additional sessions will be provided if you are unable to attend this date.

Join Our Focused Training Session

This essential session is designed for SENDCOs and school leaders who complete requests for EHC Needs Assessment, along with a focus on with a particular focus on effective and thorough completion of Appendix B. Our specialist-led course will support you to:

• Understand statutory responsibilities and best practice for EHC Needs Assessments
• Effectively complete Appendix B, ensuring clarity, detail and evidence-based information
• Gather and present relevant supporting evidence for assessment requests
• Collaborate with families and multidisciplinary teams throughout the process
• Ensure the child or young person's voice is central to your submission

Why Is This Training Mandatory?

• Stay compliant with current SEND legislation and statutory duties
• Gain confidence in preparing robust, outcome-focused Appendix B submissions
• Learn from colleagues and share practical strategies and examples
• Receive up-to-date resources and templates to support your role

Training Details

• Date: 16/04/2026
• Time: 1pm to 3:30pm
• Location: Online via Teams
• Cost: Pre-paid

How to Book

To secure your place, please sign up through this link https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b262a52c-3eb6-4a0b-906c-6dc4a60c56c7@b6c13011-372d-438b-bc82-67e4c7966e89

Early booking is advised as places are limited.

Pricing Structure

Shropshire LA state-funded schools (maintained and academies) and Shropshire Early Years settings are in Group 1

Independent schools and all other schools outside Shropshire including Telford & Wrekin are in Group 2

Child Exploitation Awareness

Monday 11^th May – The Lantern – 9.30 to 11.30 OR Thursday 9^th July – Teams – 13.30 to 15.30

Aims to: Enhance knowledge and practice for those working with children at risk of exploitation.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the signs, indicators and trends of modern exploitation.
• Understand Shropshire’s exploitation profile.
• Explore the impact of ACEs, trauma, grooming and drug/alcohol use.
• Consider use of appropriate and effective language with working young people.
• Accessing, referring or signposting to the right services when help is needed.

Face to Face Cost: Group 1 £0                    Group 2 £41.50                      

Online Cost: Group 1 £0                   Group 2 £35               

Agencies in Group 1 receive pre-funded places (so no cost)

Click here for further information and booking details

DfE is pleased to be launching new national peer networks, open to mainstream schools that have, or are interested in setting up inclusion bases specialising in: 

•  speech, language and communication development (e.g. developmental language disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, stammering etc)
•  social and emotional development, and/or which support pupils at risk of exclusion or low attendance.  

These networks will be coordinated by DfE and form part of the department’s RISE universal service offer on inclusive mainstream. This follows on from the successful launch of networks for bases with an autism specialism in autumn.

These networks will be led by sector experts. The aim of the networks is to provide a forum for peer learning and support through half-termly virtual meetings in which schools share challenges and good practice in order to drive high-quality provision across the country.

The networks are open to all schools with a specialist base (Local authority-commissioned - SEN unit/resourced provision) or support base (school-commissioned - e.g. pupil support units or 'internal AP' or school's own SEND bases) with one of the specialisms outlined above.

They are also open to schools interested in setting one up, or in the process of setting one up, so that they can learn from the experience of others.

The networks are specifically aimed at base leads who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the base.

Benefits of signing up include: 

•  Collaborative problem-solving and action learning with experienced peers
•  Access to high-quality resources and sessions led by sector experts
•  Focused discussions on a range of relevant topics, shaped by your priorities and key areas of interest 
•  Opportunity to connect with peers and build lasting professional relationships 

Sign up here: National Inclusion Bases networks - sign up form – Fill in form

The Department for Education (DfE) recognises and supports the importance of having a professionalised school business profession where every individual is well-qualified, working towards qualification, or suitably skilled. This includes school business professionals (SBPs) having access to high-quality training, underpinned by employers who understand and support their SBPs career development.

Working in conjunction with the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), DfE are pleased to offer fully funded Regional In-Person Training for SBPs working in or with, local authority maintained schools, academies, and trusts. The sessions are aimed at SBPs whose responsibilities include, but are not limited to, finance, procurement, HR, admin and operational leadership.

There are two types of fully funded sessions available offering practical professional development across a range of topics, including:

• Integrated curriculum and financial planning
• Financial planning and budgeting assumptions (separately for LA maintained schools and trusts)
• Procurement
• Strategic planning and operational leadership
• Human resources and flexible working
• Leadership and leading change
• Professional development

Open sessions are being held across all nine DfE regions and are available to book on a first come, first served basis. Sessions are currently available to book for the summer term for the first 4 topics listed above. More sessions will be available up to March 2027.

Closed sessions are a great way for academy trusts, a group of schools or federation or a local network to host a bespoke session. The group selects the topic, provides the venue and SBPs, and ISBL deliver the session - all fully funded by DfE.

For further information on both open and closed sessions, including how to book or register your interest, please visit: Regional In-person Training Sessions — ISBL or email SBP.Policy@education.gov.uk.

Computing Coordinator/Lead Update (Summer 2026) from Richard
Smith

Target audience: Computing Leads/Coordinators in Primary Schools

Date: 22nd April 2026
Time : 1.30-3.00

Cost £79 (including new planning ideas/resources and the opportunity for discussion)

Agenda:

● Overview of what to expect as we plan for Autumn 2026
● Free resources from the DFE funded OAK National Academy with guest speaker
Stuart Davison (including how this links with NCCE curriculum)
● Machine Learning: why this is important to the curriculum
● Producing a sequenced and coherent curriculum for your students
● The Curriculum and Assessment Review: Changes for 2028 teaching
● Using Scratch safely: 3 tips for schools (including alternatives)
● Content for EYFS: developing talking and communication
● Online safety: key points to stress with staff

Book directly via Richard Smith via amazingict@icloud.com or 07527464322

A learning provider is seeking feedback from schools on a proposed Level 4 School Inclusion and Early Intervention Practitioner Apprenticeship. The programme is being explored to support staff working in pastoral, attendance, behaviour and inclusion roles.

The provider’s aim is to strengthen early intervention skills, improve pupil engagement and attendance, and enhance coordination of support for pupils and families.

Before they move forward, the provider would like to understand:

• whether there is a genuine need for a programme like this
• how well it aligns with current school roles
• whether the proposed focus feels right for schools and trusts

The provider has shared a brief overview of the proposed apprenticeship, available on the SLG website or via the Shropshire HR Education Teams channel.

They are inviting colleagues to complete a 2–3 minute survey by  Friday 24th April, 2026.

👉 Partner Feedback Survey: Partner feedback survey

Your feedback will help the learning provider determine whether to progress with development and ensure the programme reflects the priorities and needs of schools.

Are you a Parent or Carer?

By completing this short survey, you can help us to shape and improve the Family Group Decision Making experience for families living in Shropshire.

Even if you have never had any help or support from or involvement with children’s services your views and ideas are important.  

Poster complete.pdf