Do any schools have a mobile hoist that is currently not in use?

We are looking to support a school that requires one to support a very young child with life-limited needs.

If so, please contact heidi.white@shropshire.gov.uk to discuss how it could be loaned to the school in need.

Please be reminded that the monthly payroll deadline is 9^th of the month regardless of which day of the week this falls on.  All Schools are encouraged to prioritise payroll related tasks and submit in advance of the deadline where possible to ensure that any actions needed as a consequence are able to be done e.g. the issuing of the contract of employment in advance of a start date.

All relevant Schools based staff need to ensure that any actions linked to staffing changes are submitted and authorised in advance of the above deadline (if this is applicable) to ensure staff are paid correctly.  Schools based staff should check their ERP notifications to ensure that submissions have not been rejected due to errors – rejected forms will need to be resubmitted and authorised in line with the above deadlines.

Payroll are unable to accept any work or tasks authorised, requested or submitted after the monthly deadline date, nor will they be responsible for any issues arising due to the result of late work being received within the Payroll team.

Schools based staff should also ensure that any staff leaving employment with Shropshire Council are aware that payslips and P60’s should be accessed (and printed if needed) in advance of their confirmed leave date.

Late/Backdated Work

Payroll continue to receive a high volume of late or backdated notifications - this is not acceptable.

Over the last 3 months there have been 186 instances of late or backdated work being received for Schools. These have all meant that staff were underpaid or overpaid and required the team to re-work payroll records which in turn impact Pension records and contributions paid by both the employee and employer and also HMRC employee and employer tax records.

Payroll cannot just process a late request/raise an urgent payment - this can compromise the whole payroll putting payment to over 2,000 employees at risk.

Whilst it may seem to others outside of Payroll that there is time to "add someone to the payroll" or 'just make a change' after the deadline there are strict controlled processes that have to be undertaken, manual checks that take place and a number of calculations before a BACS file is sent (with contingency time in case it fails) to the bank.

Payroll deadlines need to be met - this is getting the basics right and there will be consequences for Schools not complying if late work is received.  Therefore effective from 1^st March, any payroll instruction that is sent in late or is backdated (related to a prior month) will incur a £300 charge, that will be applied to the School cost centre with no authorisation needed.

A coordinated, multi-agency campaign has delivered a significant improvement in community safety across Sundorne and Harlescott in Shrewsbury, following three months of targeted work by Shropshire Council and its partners.

The initiative, led by TREES (Together, Reducing and Ending Exploitation in Shropshire) within the council’s Children’s Services team, brought together a wide range of organisations including Shrewsbury Town Council, local schools, West Mercia Police, the National Probation Service, We Are With You, Catch22, West Mercia Youth Justice Service, detached youth teams, Early Help and other community-based agencies.

Working collaboratively, partners focused on reducing anti-social behaviour, knife-related concerns, community tensions and the risk of exploitation, while strengthening support for children, young people and families.

Over the three-month period, the partnership has reported a marked reduction in police intelligence, recorded crime, anti-social behaviour and knife-related incidents. The work has also helped to increase community confidence, ease local tensions, and improve engagement between families, and the council’s Children’s Services and Early Help teams.

The campaign was developed in response to local concerns and shared intelligence, with a strong emphasis on early intervention, prevention, safeguarding and community reassurance.

Schools played a crucial role in engaging children, families and the wider community—helping to calm tensions, reinforce positive messages, and ensure young people remained connected to trusted adults and support networks.

For more information visit:  Campaign improves community safety across Sundorne and Harlescott - Shropshire Council Newsroom

 The DfE are holding a webinar open to all schools later this week, covering the changing free school meals requirements. 

Further information and sign-up links were shared through the DfE update on the Wednesday 20 May edition of DfE Update - GOV.UK.  You can sign-up to the session here.

Free School Meals guidance - Session Two Tickets, Friday, June 5  •  3 PM - 4 PM GMT+1 | Eventbrite  Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about changing FSM requirements and sessions will be recorded for those unable to attend.

The Primary PE and Sport Premium will be ending at the end of this academic year with a new funding system in place from Spring 2027. During the next academic year (2026/27), primary schools will receive a term’s allocation as a transitional payment to support moving to the new system. Further information, including allocations per school and conditions of grant, will be published in the Autumn and we will ensure that reporting arrangements are kept to a minimum.  This link contains further information - £1bn boost to PE and school sport to end fitness postcode lottery - GOV.UK

Please find attached communications for schools regarding a new multi-agency Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) consultation pathway, designed to support professionals across STW who are working with children and young people experiencing severe impairment due to ARFID. ARFID is when someone avoids certain foods, limits how much they eat or does both. Beliefs about weight or body shape are not reasons why people develop ARFID.

The pathway will be open from 1 June for education settings make a consultation request and the attached provides more info on this.

Asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in children. In the UK,
1 in 11 children live with this potentially life-threatening condition.

Schools have a clear duty under legislation to keep children with asthma
safe in their care and ensure they can fully take part in school life.  An Asthma Friendly School meets this duty of care while giving families confidence that their child will be safe, supported, and fully included.

Please see the attached flyer for more details.

4 All Foundation is a charity that delivers local, accessible activities, projects and initiatives  to support the needs and aspirations of communities across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and the surrounding areas. Their mission is for everyone to have the opportunity to overcome barriers in order to thrive.

The charity have a vacancy for a trustee

For more information, please visit https://www.4all.foundation/vacancies/trustee for details

Please take this opportunity to complete the form and let us know your thoughts on our Early Years CPD Offer for 2026-2027

Early Years Settings and Providers in Shropshire – Fill in form

Thank you, The Early Years Team

Following the strong engagement with our national RISE Reception webinar programme last year, DfE are pleased to be hosting our next series during the summer term 2026.  These sessions will focus on EYFS profile assessment, transitions into Reception, and preparing high quality Reception provision, offering practical, evidence‑based support aligned with recent guidance:

Mastering the EYFS Profile Assessment – Wednesday 10 June 4pm

Setting up for Reception success ahead of September – Wednesday 17 June 4pm

Supporting smooth transitions into Reception – Wednesday 24 June 4pm

To register for these webinars, please use this link.

Richard Smith is delighted to be joined by Emma O’Carroll to outline appropriate use of AI. The session is from 1.30-3.00 on 24th June.

Book your place here. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/computing-coordinator-update-summer-2026-from-richard-smith-at-amazingict-tickets-1988306810193