This summer we will be asking schools to submit their EYFSP to us at the Local Authority by Tuesday 30^th June 2026 and Yr1 and Yr2 (recheck) Phonics (this includes year 2 pupils who did not meet the expected standard for phonics decoding or were absent or disapplied from the check in June 2025) by Friday 26^th June 2026. The submission of KS1 data is no longer statutory.

Where possible, we would welcome early receipt of your data from Thursday 18^th June 2026. This is to ensure we have sufficient time, before schools break for the summer holidays, to process all the information before submission to DfE.

KS2 teacher assessment data, needs to be submitted direct to the STA via the NCA Portal by no later than Friday 26^th June 2026.

National Curriculum Assessments Portal (NCA Portal)

Please note – we have seen from previous years that DfE websites often experience performance issues during this busy period. It is recommended, where possible, that schools do not leave it until the last minute to make their submissions so there is scope to overcome any problems encountered.

Multiplication Tables Check (MTS) administration window is from Monday 1^st to Friday 12^th June 2026 and will be accessible via DfE Sign-in.

I hope this is helpful and as always we appreciate your support and cooperation during this busy period.

Further guidance on submission arrangements will be circulated nearer the time.

Regards

Emma Price, Senior Data and Reporting Analyst: Learning & Skills

For Safeguarding Leads: Schools/Colleges Safeguarding Summer Network 8^th June 2026 1.30-4.20pm IN PERSON at Shropshire Council HQ.

The focus of our Summer Network will be Safeguarding and Behaviour. This will include a specific focus on preventing and responding to behaviour where children behave in a harmful way towards others and/or are affected by harmful behaviour caused by other children (child-on-child abuse).  The format of the event will include external speakers, local arrangement updates and presentations as well as a "Market Place" whereby Safeguarding Leads will be able to network with and learn more about relevant Services operating in the area. 

Places on this event are limited, so please only book one place per provision. 

Booking link

The DfE have released their updated free school meals (FSM) guidance relating to the criteria changes from September 2026.  For any schools who missed the DfE circulation, please follow this link Free school meals: guidance for schools and local authorities - GOV.UK

Please familiarise yourself with the updated guidance, there is a document for schools on ‘Operational Readiness’ (Annex D) advising on what schools need to do and additional documents to read in connection to the changes.

For schools who buy into our service through the SLA, there will be a further update after half term with additional details in preparation for September.

Our Synergy system, including the SAM portal, is being upgraded during half term with the changes to the guidance.

Items that will be covered in the further update will include:

• the ending of the FSM transitional protections
• two categories of benefits-based FSM from September 2026 - Targeted and Expanded
• Synergy upgrade and SAM Portal
• what schools and parents/carers need to do and when – the application process and information relating to the annual re-checking
• when we send out the further communication after half term, it will include some information that we would like you to share with parents/carers and there will be information for schools, in line with when the application window opens for parents/carers to re-apply and be assessed against the new FSM criteria.  It is too soon at the moment for applications to be submitted for September but we will advise in our next communication as to when the process will start.
• enhanced version of ECE.

Following on from the recent communication regarding the ending of the free school meals food voucher provision during school holidays, we have started to receive some queries from parents/carers relating to eCodes/food vouchers not received/not redeemed for previous holiday periods.  Any queries of this nature need to be directed to the school that issued the eCode/food voucher, the LA is unable to assist parents/carers with this.

In cases where eCodes/food vouchers have been issued but have not been redeemed by the parent/carer before the expiry date, unfortunately these cannot be backdated as the funding window has closed. The Household Support Fund (HSF) ended on 31 March 2026 and is no longer available.

There is support for families who are concerned about the cost of living via the Shropshire Council website support pages Cost of living help | Shropshire Council  Crisis and Resilience Fund | Shropshire Council

We are recruiting to an exciting opportunity for any 16–25 year olds you work with who may be interested in joining Shropshire Youth Advisors programme.

Shropshire Youth Advisors will help design and shape how all young people in Shropshire have a voice and influence decisions that affect them.

This is a unique opportunity for young people to:

• help design a county-wide youth voice framework
• learn how decisions are made locally
• influence services and priorities
• be part of shaping future opportunities for young people

This opportunity is open to all young people aged 16–25.

Link to expression of interest form - Shropshire Youth Advisors - Expression of Interest – Fill in form

If a young person is interested, please ask them to complete the Expression of Interest form 🗓 Deadline: 29 May 2026

Young people will then be invited to attend one of three online introductory workshops in early June (afternoon, evening and weekend options available) to find out more before deciding whether to take part.

Those who continue will be involved in a series of hybrid workshops to design and co-produce the youth voice framework for Shropshire, with opportunities to influence decisions both locally and at a county-wide level.

Easy Read Sheet final version .jpg

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If you would like any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Please share with colleagues and on your social media platforms

📧 youthvoice@shropshire.gov.uk

Rachel Symons, Youth Participation and Governance Worker

This is a polite reminder that schools are responsible for notifying the local authority when pupils in receipt of GSP funding:

• Leave your school
• Are subject to an Individual Learning Plan
• Engages in a shared placement

When applying, please ensure you are using the updated forms available here:

Graduated Support Pathway | Shropshire Learning Gateway

With effect from the current financial year, 2026.27, schools and academies termly Targeted High Needs contingency payment funding statements will be uploaded to the Shropshire SEND Portal.  New folders will be set up for these statements within the ‘Documents from the SEN Team’ folder.   Please can schools share these statements with their Head Teachers, School Business Managers and Administrators.  Thank you, Jo Morris, DSG Funding Officer.

I am so delighted to announce that AmazingICT has been working for 15 years supporting staff in schools, other consultants who have worked as associates and students. (of course!)

Three things that I am proud about

1. being able to talk to individuals in classes about technology aspirations and advise on what to do
2. helping staff and senior leaders with ongoing support and offering independent advice
3. staying enthusiastic about teaching and being able to create that WOW moment in classes

Here is a link to a blog that has been created about my work by MATNews 

Paul Gerrie, the Curriculum Lead at RoarTech Ltd is offering a FREE training session for all office staff, covering

• Canva: Mastering the Foundation
• Microsoft tools to support task management
• Streamlining processes with automation

This training session will take place on 7^th July at 9.15am – 12pm at Wilfred Owen Primary School.

Click this link to book your place 👉 SBM/Admin Staff Briefing - Shropshire July 7th 9.15 - 12pm – Fill in form

SBMAdmin Training Poster.pdf