Summer term primary and secondary headteacher briefings are scheduled for next week via Teams,

Links are available on the SLG

Primary (16th or 17th June, 1.30-3.00pm)

Primary headteacher briefings 2025-26 | Shropshire Learning Gateway

Secondary (18th June, 1.30-3.00pm)

Secondary headteacher briefings 2025-26 | Shropshire Learning Gateway

KCSIE - Part 2 (2025) ‘Use of school or college premises for non-school / college activities’ states that schools and colleges must ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to keep children safe.

Please find attached some guidance when arranging Holiday Club Provision on site. 

We have also created a Microsoft Forms to enable us to know where these Holiday Clubs are taking place for monitoring purposes. We would be grateful if schools could please complete the short mform below.

Shropshire Holiday Club Provision – Fill in form

Thank you, Education Quality Safeguarding Team

Please see below reminder of key stage assessment deadline dates.  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.

Phonics reminder -   alongside the Year 1 cohort for this summer’s phonics check,  any Year 2 pupils who either did not meet the expected standard, were absent or disapplied from the check in the June 2025 phonics collection are required to retake the screening check. If the disapplication remains relevant the pupil should be returned as disapplied again in Year 2.

Submission arrangements

Once all results have been populated and checked within your schools MIS system, please create the relevant CTF and upload via S2S.

SIMS Support - For schools that subscribe to the service, guidance notes and instructions will be available on the Shropshire Learning Gateway, please follow the link below, or via their ‘Teams’ channel:

https://www.shropshirelg.net/shropshire-ict-including-sims-guidance/sims-guidance-notes/primary-keystage-assessment-notes-2026/

For schools who do not subscribe to the service, or use other MIS systems, should be able to obtain the relevant guidance direct from your software provider.

KS2 teacher assessments data needs to be submitted direct to the STA via the NCA Portal  by Friday 26^h June 2026.

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 (MTC) administration window is from Monday 1^st to Friday 12^th June 2026 and will be accessible via DfE Sign-in. This collection is managed within the DfE portal. Schools are able to download the final CTF which can be imported into a schools MIS.

Any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch. As always we appreciate your support and co-operation during this busy period.

Regards

Emma Price, Senior Data and Reporting Analyst, Learning & Skills, Business Intelligence and Insight Team

Tel: 01743 254451

E-mail: emma.price@shropshire.gov.uk

The Schools Age Children's Ordinarily Available Provision document is now available on the SLG.

Resources to Support Inclusion | Shropshire Learning Gateway

Major sporting events such as the World Cup can act as moments of heightened visibility for tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) and domestic abuse. Football itself does not cause abuse; however, evidence from frontline services highlights that factors often associated with these periods — including increased alcohol and substance use, gambling activity, financial pressures, heightened emotions and disrupted routines — can increase risk for some victim‑survivors. Research by the University of Lancaster shows violent domestic abuse incidents increase by 38% when England loses football matches. Rates are also 26% higher when the team wins or draws. The World Cup therefore presents an important opportunity for organisations, services and communities to promote respectful behaviour, challenge harmful norms, and ensure support and help pathways are visible and accessible to anyone who needs them.

Shropshire Council’s Domestic Abuse Prevention Team would like to share this media pack, digital image for sharing on social media challenges and Poster for display to help services and organisations across Shropshire, raise awareness, and promote support services during the World Cup period. If you have any questions or enquiries please contact Charlotte Howell via charlotte.howell@shropshire.gov.uk.

The next Educational Visits Co-ordinators Network meeting to be held on 26^th June at 2pm will concentrate on the new evisits2 platform for all offsite and Educational visits, that is being adopted by the LA from September 2026. The new platform is easier to use, layout easier to follow with a number of training videos to help support users.

I am also looking for school volunteers to trial the new programme via Sandbox with hopefully some constructive feedback in time for the Network meeting. For all those currently using evisits1 your accounts will be automatically transferred across to the new system. Anyone wishing to volunteer to trial the new evisits 2 programme please contact me via dave.thorley@shropshire.gov.uk.

Thank you to everyone who has distributed the follow-up survey to education settings so far. This is an important part of the SEND and AP Change Programme evaluation and we really appreciate your help.

We have started to hear from settings and would really appreciate hearing from more. Their feedback is essential to gathering an updated view of education settings experiences over the past 12 months, including any changes in inclusive practice, access to support, and partnership working. It will play a key role in understanding how support for children with SEND and AP needs is evolving over time.

The closing date for this survey is 26^th June 2026, and we would be grateful if you could send a reminder to education settings and ask them to complete it before this date. We have provided some text below, including the link to the survey, for you to share with education settings in your area:

Dear educational colleagues,

We recently contacted you about a follow-up survey being completed as part of the SEND and AP Change Programme evaluation. The Department for Education (DfE) has commissioned BMG to carry out an independent follow-up survey to understand the experiences and views of education settings in local areas participating in the SEND and AP Change Programme. The evaluation is being carried out by three organisations: ICF, BMG and Fortia Insight.

Some settings may have taken part in a similar survey last year. This follow-up survey is an opportunity to share your updated experiences over the past 12 months, including any changes in inclusive practice, access to support, and partnership working.

The closing date for this survey is 26^th June 2026, and we would be very grateful if you, or the member of staff with responsibility for SEND and/or AP provision (for example, the SENCO), could take part before it closes. You can access it using this link: https://surveys.bmgresearch.com/wix/p787050355804.aspx

If you are not the most appropriate person to respond, please do pass this invitation on to the relevant colleague in your school or setting (for example, the SENCO or equivalent lead).

Paul Cunningham

Local Implementation Unit | Local Accountability and Improvement Division

SEND and Alternative Provision Directorate | Families Group

Department for Education | St Pauls Place | Sheffield | S1 2JF

We wanted to draw your attention to the Unlocking Reading programme, which is fully funded by the Department for Education and completely free for all state-funded secondary schools in England. Please see the information below and thank you to those who have already signed up.

New dates available - book your school's place!

Over 60% of secondary schools in England have now engaged with the programme and the feedback from those who have attended the in-person sessions has been incredibly positive.

Training Details

The half-day in-person session is designed for two delegates from your school - we recommend a senior leader and your Reading or Literacy Lead. It will give them the practical strategies and whole-school framework they need to support struggling readers and make a meaningful difference to reading outcomes across your school.

What the session covers:

• What the Science of Reading tells us about how pupils learn to read
• How to lead whole-school reading support, including an introduction to a reading audit tool
• Reading assessment and intervention considerations for secondary settings
• Practical next steps for rolling out Unlocking Reading across your school

In-person sessions:

• Cambridge (Quy Mill Hotel) – 16 June
• Manchester (The Studio) – 18 June
• London (Leonardo Royal Hotel - Tower Bridge) – 1 July
• Birmingham (The Studio) – 1 July
• London (Goodenough College - King’s Cross) – 8 July
• Leeds (The Studio) – 8 July

Booking link: Unlocking Reading Training | FFT

Online Sessions:

Science of Reading – 22 June (3.45pm -4.45pm)

Introduction – 23 June and 6 July (3.45pm -4.45pm and 10am – 11am)

Whole School Reading Strategy – 25 June (3.45pm – 4.45pm)

Assessment – 1 July (3.45pm – 4.45pm)

Intervention – 13 July (3.45pm – 4.45pm)

Portal link for online training: Unlocking Reading Portal

Kind regards

West Midlands Regions Group

Shropshire SENDIASS is inviting school leaders, parent carers, and young people to join our new Advisory Group to help shape and improve the service.

For school leaders and professionals

We are looking for school leaders and SEND professionals who can bring system insight, strengthen partnership working, and help us improve how SENDIASS is promoted and embedded across education, health and care pathways.

👉 Apply here: Professional Advisory Group Application (SENDIASS) – Complete the Form

Please share with your school community

We’d really appreciate your support in sharing this opportunity:

• With parent carers via your school newsletter (parent carer PDF) Get in touch  
• With pupils and students as a chance to have their voice heard and make a difference for other young people (young person PDF)  Complete the form

For parent carers and young people

• Parent carers can help shape how SENDIASS supports families
• Young people can join a group to improve services and make their voices heard

👉 Find out more and get involved:   https://shropshiresendiass.com/#advisory-board

How did we do? Your feedback helps us improve our service and ensure we meet the needs of children, young people, and their families.  

Please take a few minutes share your experience here. 

As part of the statutory duties under the Equality Act 2010, school leaders are required to take ‘proactive and reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment of their staff, from both colleagues and third parties, such as parents, visitors and contractors.

Proactive measures include implementing appropriate measures such as policies, training, risk assessments and reporting mechanisms.

With reference to the school’s agreed Bullying & Harassment Policy, this 3-hour session aims to update and refresh Headteachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver staff training* across their school workforce. 

Offered face-to-face, online or as an on-demand webinar, these sessions will be delivered by members of the Schools HR Advisory Team. 

NB. the on-demand webinar will be made available at the end of September 2026 

*the staff training materials are available on the SLG and via the MS Teams channel

Please indicate your preference to attend one of these sessions via the following link:  Training for School Leaders: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Join us for the launch of the Miss Kendra approach and resource. A completely FREE trauma informed resource to use with children aged 4-12 years on Monday, 15^th June from 4.00-5.00pm via Microsoft TEAMS. To book your place please e-mail Sue Stoddart – sue.stoddart2@taw.org.uk

Suitable for Headteachers, ELSAs, Mental Health and PSHEE Leads.

This resource is available to all practitioners working with children & young people across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.

It can be used as a universal offer with all children and young people or as an intervention.

It is appropriate for pupils in mainstream schools, specialist settings and those attending alternative provision.

The resources are appropriate for those working with children & young people in school settings, beyond school or in the family home.

Expected outcomes:

• A whole staff understanding and commitment to trauma informed practice.
• A trauma informed culture in your setting.
• A trauma informed policy for managing behaviour
• An audit of the current wellbeing provision in your setting
• A wellbeing governor/trustee
• A vision with wellbeing at the heart of it
• A trauma informed curriculum, where wellbeing interventions are valued
• The school promotes wellbeing in the community
• The stigma of mental health is constantly challenge

The Miss Kendra resource will support:

• The statutory Relationships and Health curriculum 2025
• The Fundamental British Values 2014
• Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Working Together

United National Convention on the Rights of the Child 1991

• Article 19 (protection from violence, abuse and neglect) Governments must do all they can to ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and bad treatment by their parents or anyone else who looks after them.
• Article 39 (recovery from trauma and reintegration) Children who have experienced neglect, abuse, exploitation, torture or who are victims of war must receive special support to help them recover their health, dignity, self-respect and social life.

You will receive a set of training slides for staff and the Miss Kendra resources to use directly with children and young people.

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EBSNA continues to be a growing concern across education settings, and we know how vital it is for staff to feel equipped, confident, and supported in their role. That's why we’re excited to share our refreshed EBSNA Layered Learning CPD Package. This package offers practical, reflective, and trauma informed approaches to understanding and supporting children and young people (CYP) experiencing EBSNA, while also prioritising staff wellbeing.

Introductory half day session (£95) - Thursday 25th June 2026, 9:30am-12:30pm

• Part A: Consolidating Understanding - Build a foundational understanding of what EBSNA looks like, why it occurs, and its impact. Explore trauma-informed whole school responses and the protective factors that make a difference.
• Part B: Reflective Thinking - Consider how your interactions, expectations, and relationships affect CYP experiencing EBSNA - and how this work impacts you. A supportive space for reflective professional practice.
• Part C: Resources and Signposting - Discover practical strategies and tools, including My Journey - BEC’s resource to help CYP share their experiences and shape the support they receive. Reflect on provision, practice, and your own wellbeing.

NEW half day session (£95) - Wednesday 24th June 2026, 9:30am-12:30pm

• Part D: Sharing Effective Practice - Developed with Barnardo’s colleagues and services, this new session goes beyond theory. Learn from young people, educational settings and partners about what works and what helps CYP and families to re-engage in education and explore how you can transfer these approaches to your own setting.

Full day session (£190), including parts A, B, C & D - Thursday 11th & Tuesday 16th June 2026, 9:30am-4:30pm

Invisible Backpack Package

Every child brings more than we can see. The Invisible Backpack Package helps staff recognise the needs and experiences children carry with them and respond with empathy, structure and consistency. The Invisible Backpack Package is a one‑day training package for individual schools/settings or individuals working with babies, children and young people (BCYP).

What the training covers:

• Part 1 - Consolidating Understanding 
  • Why relational approaches matter for BCYP and staff
  • The Invisible Backpack metaphor
  • The impact of early experiences on behaviour and development
• Part 2 - Approach and Environments, and Part 3 - Strategies and Action Planning
  • Case studies and examples from UK schools/settings
  • Practical relational approaches, environments and strategies
  • Opportunities to reflect upon staff wellbeing
  • Reviewing strengths and “even better if…” opportunities
  • Creating sustainable whole‑setting change

Training Options

• Train the Trainer (£495 per individual school/setting) - Wednesday 17th June 2026, 9:30am-4:30pm
• Individual Professional Development (£190 per person) - Thursday 9th July 2026, 9:30am-4:30pm

Find out more and book your place today - be part of improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

If you’re interested in any of the training opportunities but are unable to attend the above sessions, please email us to register your interest and be notified of future dates - becommunity@barnardos.org.uk

STEP Satisfaction Survey for School Leaders

We value your feedback on the professional development and support provided by the STEP Teaching School Hub over the past year (Deadline 3rd July). Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and help us improve our services.

Shropshire and Telford Education Partnership (STEP) School Leader Satisfaction Survey 25-26 – Fill in form

Thank you for your time and input.

The STEP Team