The digital expenditure reporting return for the PE and sport premium for the 2025 to 2026 academic year opened on Friday 26 June 2026. You can find further details on how to access the return and supporting guidance on completing it.
Due to the forthcoming changes to PE and sport funding, DfE have significantly reduced the size of the return to make it less burdensome for schools and to collect only necessary information.
In line with the conditions of grant requirements, schools must complete their digital return and submit by 5pm Wednesday 30 September 2026.
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Early education partnerships application deadline 17th July. Please see the webinar slides attachedand the partnership guide.
The EEP supports collaborations between early years providers (nurseries, childminders, schools), the local authority, and potentially health or community organisations. The purpose is to improve access, quality, and consistency of early education for children, especially disadvantaged families.
In essence, the focus is on:
Shared practice - providers working together to improve teaching and learning.
Coordinated support - helping families access the right early education place.
Stronger transitions - smoothing the move from early years settings into school.
Better use of local expertise - pooling training, resources, and specialist knowledge.
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Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership is pleased to share with you the new Family Help Together - A Framework for Action which replaces the previous Thresholds Document. It is a multi-agency safeguarding framework designed to help professionals identify a child and family’s needs, it maps out the stages of risk and determines the type and level of support and intervention that may be needed by families.
Central to this framework are a new Blended Practice Model, Decision-Making Matrix, and associated indicators, which we are required to begin using from today, Wednesday 1st July 2026.
Our Blended Practice Model brings together four complementary approaches: our relationship-based practice as our overarching approach, supported three other pillars of restorative practice, trauma-informed practice, and safe uncertainty. This model will ensure children and families experience consistent, child-centred support across the whole system (pages 6-13).
The new Decision-Making Matrix has been designed to inspire confident and consistent decision-making in a timely manner. It will enable practitioners to build a full picture of a child’s lived experience and keep children safe (pages 27-33).
A video narrated by Shropshire’s children, and training is being planned and will be available to support you in implementing the framework.
In the meantime, we welcome your questions and feedback. There are likely to be several updates to this framework, so to ensure you are always using the most up-to-date version, please do not download this document, instead follow this link Family Help Together - A Framework for Action — Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership or search on the website.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to getting the framework to publication stage.
We look forward to implementing this new framework with you, receiving your feedback and improving the safeguarding of children and young people in Shropshire.
Please share widely.
Delegated Safeguarding Partners
Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership Business Unit
David Shaw Emma Whitworth Vanessa Whately
Director of Children’s Services Temporary Detective Superintendent Chief Nursing Officer
Shropshire Council West Mercia Police Integrated Care Board
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Thank you for your submission of teacher assessment data for
- Early Years Foundation Stage Profile
- Year 1 Phonics (including any Year 2 re-checks)
Summary reports of the data are now available within Perspective Lite and we ask that schools take this opportunity to check both headline and pupil level reports to ensure the data for your school is accurate in advance of our final submission to DfE. If we do not hear from you by the end of term we will assume the data is correct and we will include it in Shropshire’s submission to DfE.
You can access Perspective Lite via the following link. The username is the schools URN number.
https://perspective.angelsolutions.co.uk/perspective/login.aspx
For those schools who can’t log in please either follow the ‘forgotten password option’ or contact the Perspective Lite team directly who will then resend your login details. The contact details for that team is perspectivesupport@angelsolutions.co.uk
Local Authority and an ‘emerging’ National average will be accessible across all key stages. Please note the ‘emerging’ National is unofficial at this stage but can be used as a guide only. Published National data for EYFS and Phonics will be released in the Autumn term.
Any queries with your data please get in touch.
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
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School Based Nursery Capital Grant Phase 3 is now live (Funding available up to £1m)
(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.
- Schools are invited to share projects up to £1m, but DfE reiterate it must deliver value for money.
- Successful settings from Phases 1 and 2 can apply but must deliver more places in phase 3.
- No limit on the number of applications per local authority.
- Deadline to submit applications is 30th September 2026 at 5pm.
We are keen to speak with schools who feel they would like to offer further Early Years places benefiting their offer to parent carers.
If you are interested in the above, please email Dan.Steele@shropshire.gov.uk for more details including how to apply.
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Free School Meals – food voucher provision during school holidays
A reminder that the food voucher provision finished at May half term due to the ending of the Household Support Fund (HSF). An email was circulated to all headteachers on 13 May that included a letter for schools to share with families. If any schools require a copy of the email, please contact fsm@shropshire.gov.uk
Schools who subscribe to the Free School Meals Service Level Agreement
Key reminders:
Re-checking of the existing free school meals cohort
We have almost finished completing the re-checks of the existing cohort and will shortly be contacting schools regarding pupils where the re-check has indicated that they may no longer be eligible for free school meals in September and what the next steps are. This will include a letter for schools to share with those families.
Tier categories
For pupils approved under ‘Targeted FSM’, their eligibility and provision can start straight away, from the date we process their application. Their entitlement will be in place from that date and through to the end of the 2026/27 academic year. They will also be eligible for the HAF summer programme.
For pupils approved under ‘Expanded FSM’ (this is the new category from the start of the 2026/27 academic year), their free school meals provision will start from 1 September 2026. For pupils approved under ‘Expanded FSM’ their start date that you will see on the SAM portal is the date we have done the eligibility check and confirmed their eligibility under that criteria. When recording a pupil under ‘Expanded FSM’ on census, schools will need to record 1 September 2026.’
SLG
There is a free school meals information page on the SLG that includes copies of the most recent updates that we have shared with schools and an updated SAM user guide (a SLG login is required) Free School Meals | Shropshire Learning Gateway
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The summer holidays are fast approaching, and Shropshire Council’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme is offering to make the holidays unforgettable for eligible children and young people!
Fully funded by the Department for Education, the HAF Programme provides free holiday clubs and healthy meals to eligible families across the county from the 20th July to the 28th August and bookings are now open
Children aged 4 to 16 who receive benefits-related free school meals, or are referred by professionals due to them experiencing financial hardship, can join exciting activities like sports, crafts, cooking, and outdoor games in community venues across the county.
Taking part in the activities is free for eligible children and young people and each session includes a nutritious meal, with plenty of opportunities to learn about healthy eating.
Cllr Andy Hall, Portfolio Holder for Children & Education at Shropshire Council, added: “Shropshire Council is delighted to be able to offer the HAF Programme this Summer. It’s a fantastic opportunity for children and young people to enjoy fun activities, make new friends, and tuck into a delicious and healthy meal. We encourage all eligible families to check out what's available near them and book up early.”
Jo Cox, the HAF Programme Manager commented;
“Attending the HAF Programme is a truly special experience for children and young people, offering them so much more than just fun activities. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to feel included, cared for and supported, while making memories during the holidays. Every session is designed to help them flourish—whether they’re discovering new skills, gaining confidence, or forging friendships that could last a lifetime. And with delicious, wholesome meals provided, families can feel reassured knowing their children are developing healthy habits in a friendly and nourishing environment.
To check eligibility and to book, visit the HAF website . Eligible families will need a unique HAF code from their school or referral professional. All places must be booked in advance and eligibility checks will apply.
We would be grateful if schools could please share the attached with families in communications home.
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 Online sessions are running the week after. Schools can register for individual/multiple sessions. For more information, please visit WEX Tech Week - TechSheCan
The good news is that this is hopefully an easier read and more accessible – and can even be viewed on your mobile phone (as this is published publicly you can view on your personal device by scanning the QR code). |
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Please see our calendar of CPD from the Early Years Team for the first half term. These will soon be live on the Shropshire Learning Gateway, please sign up via the links. There is a mixture of online and face to face events, where possible it would be great to see attendees face to face.
01.9.26 - Online Childminders Q & A 18:30 - 19:00
22.9.26 - Online EY Network 09:30-10:30
22.9.26 - Online EY Network 19:00 - 20:00
14.9.26 - F2F Devising & Reviewing a High Quality Curriculum Workshop 13:30 - 16:00 VENUE: Guildhall, Chambers EY settings (PVI's/ childminders) £40 / Schools £80
29.9.26 - Online Talking Babies Cluster 09:30 - 10:30
14.9.26 - Online Devising & Reviewing a High Quality Curriculum Workshop 18:00 - 20:00 VENUE: Guildhall, Chambers EY settings (PVI's/ childminders) £40 / Schools £80
29.9.26 - Online Talking Babies Cluster 18:00 - 19:00
16.10.26 - F2F Evidence-Based Quality Interactions 09:30 - 12:00 VENUE: Guildhall, Chambers EY settings (PVI's/ childminders) £40 / Schools £80
15.10.26 - Online Evidence-Based Quality Interactions 18:00 - 20:00 VENUE: Guildhall, Chambers EY settings (PVI's/ childminders) £40 / Schools £80
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Shropshire Virtual School is pleased to offer Time to Reflect, a fully funded six-session CPD programme designed for Teaching Assistants (TAs), Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) and mentors who work directly with children and young people.
The programme will deepen understanding of SEND and promote relational approaches to supporting pupils in school. Topics include ADHD and Autism, Sensory Needs, Attachment and Trauma-Informed Practice, Emotion Coaching and Relational Practice, Anxiety and School Non-Attendance, and Preparation for Adulthood. Participants will gain practical strategies, increased confidence in supporting emotional regulation and wellbeing, and a certificate of completion.
Sessions are delivered in person at Guildhall on the dates within the flyer, one per half term, and it is essential that participants can attend all six sessions in full to gain the maximum benefit from the programme and ensure continuity of learning.
More details attached
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Richard Smith is offering his popular training again in September.
The first course is designed for experienced and new Computing Coordinators
● Social media ban: key messages for schools
● NEW National Curriculum resources developed over the summer. With guest speaker Stuart Davison (Oak National Academy).
● EYFS equipment and ideas to provide a key foundation for Computing in KS1
● Important changes to KCSIE document to share with staff and governors
● 5 free apps to support learning in the new academic year
● FlockXR update to support schools (Safe 3D coding environment)
You can book a discounted early bird ticket for the course on Wednesday 30th September 1.30-3.00 (£74 instead of £79) via
If you can't book online then please email amazingict@icloud.com and Richard will book you on manually
Reviews from Summer Update
'A great session, with lots of good stuff to think about and sort'
'I liked how everyone could contribute to a shared document to keep afterwards'
'KCSIE update and Scratch safety information was useful'
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