School leaders are invited to attend an online briefing on Wednesday 9 September, 4.00pm–5.00pm, to receive an update on Shropshire’s extensive Children’s Transformation Programme. This follows the previous updates that have been provided at headteacher briefings, safeguarding network meetings and the briefing provided on 13^th July on SEND.

This brings together a significant programme of change across children’s services, including important developments relating to safeguarding, SEND. These updates are substantial and will have implications for schools, settings and wider partnership working.

We would strongly encourage headteachers, principals, CEOs, senior leaders and safeguarding/SEND leads to attend where possible, so that schools are fully informed about the direction of travel, key priorities and next steps.

This initial briefing will be followed by fortnightly update briefings (each Wednesday), providing regular opportunities for school leaders to stay informed, ask questions and understand how the programme is developing.

Further details, including the joining link, will be available on the Shropshire Learning Gateway.

Dates have been set for primary and secondary headteacher briefings for 2026/27. I will send a further reminder about dates next term together with dates for the maintained schools forum.

Autumn Term

13th and 14th October (primary) and 15th October (secondary) (1.30-3.30pm)

NB - The 14th October meeting will be face to face in the Council Chamber, Guildhall, Shrewsbury

Spring Term

9th and 10th February (primary) and 11th February (secondary) (1.30-3.30pm)

Summer term

15th and 16th June (primary) and 16th June (secondary) (1.30-3.30pm)

In addition, our link Senior HMI will provide an Autumn Ofsted update for school leaders with some key messages. I will share a date in the new year for this.

The Shropshire Children Achieving and Thriving in Education Strategy (previously referred to as the Education Excellence Strategy) was approved by Shropshire Council cabinet last week. It now goes forward for approval by full council in September.

The strategy will help Shropshire Council meet the objectives of its corporate and improvement plans by better fulfilling the council’s statutory education responsibilities and supporting pupils across the county to achieve and thrive – regardless of the school or setting they attend. It sets out how we will engage with schools and settings of all types and strengthens the support provided to maintained schools.

Thank you to the school and trust leaders that engaged with the consultation exercises or provided feedback.

You can read a copy of the current version here.

The E-Visits2 system launches in the first week in September. This provides improved functionality and an enhanced user experience to the E-Visits platform that is currently being used.

Please be aware that any trips and visits organised for 2026/27 that are presently on the E-Visits1 system will need to be completed and authorised by the end of term as this won't transfer to the new system unless all authorisation steps have been completed.

For any queries, please contact dave.thorley@shropshire.gov.uk

Please see the attached document for further details of the Everyone’s Invited programme available for all Shropshire Schools supporting secondary school aged pupils. Delivery can begin from September 2026 and booking is open now.  

Yesterday an email was sent to all headteachers asking them to provide an update of their school emergency contacts by completing our online form (School Emergency Contacts | Shropshire Learning Gateway).

The personal information that we collect, i.e. names and telephone numbers, will only be used in cases of emergency when it could be shared with other relevant authorities – police, fire service, water provider etc. It is acceptable to provide the number of your security company (e.g. Taybar) for premises related issues, however the Council does need an emergency number for the headteacher in case of safeguarding issues etc.

The form doesn’t save your progress, so please don’t close down the page/window before submitting.  The deadline for submission is the end of this week (Friday 17^th July 2026).

The provision of this information will ensure that our records are up to date and will enable contact to be made in case of emergency.  If you have any queries relating to the form, please email educationimprovementservice@shropshire.gov.uk.

Further to our previous communication relating to the free school meals changes in September, we have now completed the re-check process of the existing free school meals cohort.

The results will be showing on your SAM portal - you can search by selecting ‘Eligible for FSM’ and current tier ‘blank’ and that will bring back all pupils with the status ‘Eligible for FSM’ (Targeted and Expanded).  You can also add ‘Current Tier’ and filter for ‘Expanded’ or Targeted’ tiers to bring back separate lists for each tier category.

We have contacted schools individually regarding cases where the re-check process identified pupils who may no longer be eligible for free school meals in September, with a letter to pass on to those families.  These pupils will be showing in the SAM portal, with the FSM status of ‘Cancelled’ and a date after 24 June 2026. 

We will be providing some guidance notes regarding the recording of information in MIS systems.

Reminders:

• The ‘current’ cohort of FSM pupils (in the 2025/26 academic year) are eligible under the transitional protections until 31/08/26 and they are also eligible for the HAF summer provision (this is the ‘snapshot’ list that schools took prior to 23 June).
• The new re-check and application process from 24 June onwards is to determine eligibility and the new tier categories for the 2026/27 academic year.
• 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.
• Continue to remind families of the criteria expansion and for new applications to be submitted before September so that they can be assessed ready for the start of the next academic year.  We will continue processing applications throughout the summer.
• NRPF applications - where schools have pupils in receipt of free school meals under the NRPF criteria, schools need to re-assess those applications manually before September.  The ECE checking system cannot be used for these applications.

If you have any queries, please send them to fsm@shropshire.gov.uk.

Under Regulation 238 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, anyone—including school staff—can administer adrenaline in an emergency to save a life, even without formal medical training.

Schools can legally purchase spare AAIs without a prescription for use in emergencies under the current regulations. However, the expectations that schools will hold 'spare' AAIs has been strengthened under current guidelines.

Some schools have reported challenge from pharmacies when they have attempted to purchase these where pharmacists are unaware of the law. For any schools that wish to use a supporting letter from Shropshire Council to purchase an AAI, please see the attached which hopefully helps in this situation.

Benedict's Law letter supporting purchase of AAI.pdf

Despite the increased expectation on schools by DfE, there is no additional resource to meet the cost of AAIs.

This has been raised with DfE as part of the consultation.

The Allergy Team have a link and a form to register the school to obtain cost price of AAIs which may be cheaper than those available from pharmacies. Please follow the link below and click on download instructions.

Buy cost-price spare adrenaline pens | The Allergy Team

We’re excited to announce that Lumi Nova is available to families in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin in partnership with Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust from 1st July 2026. 

Professionals working with young people and families in the area are invited to join us at a Lumi Nova Discovery (45 minute webinar) to learn more about Lumi Nova:

Lumi Nova Discovery Registration  (multiple dates available)

What is Lumi Nova? 

Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage is a digital therapeutic mobile game supporting children with fears, worries and anxiety. Designed for children aged 7-12 years, Lumi Nova helps them reflect on their feelings, build resilience, and learn lifelong skills to self-manage their worries via a fun intergalactic adventure.

Watch this short animated video to learn more:Lumi Nova Introduction Video

Sharing Lumi Nova with families: 

Lumi Nova will be instantly accessible via self-sign up from 1st July 2026.  Families can be signposted to luminova.app/shropshire to register without the need for a referral. 

The Lumi Nova Digital Resource Kit is available to support signposting: Request yours here! 

If you have questions or would like to book a presentation, email the team at  luminova@bfb-labs.com.

Please see the attached flyer for the update.

COT Letter and infographic June 2026.pdf

Dear Colleagues,

We would be grateful if you could help raise awareness of the upcoming MenB vaccination programme for eligible young people by sharing information with students, parents/carers and staff as appropriate which will commence 13th of July, 2026

Please see the resources attached

2026.06_MenB_Eligibility_4x5 3 (1).jpg

Accessing the MenB vaccine:

Eligible individuals can book a MenB vaccination appointment through participating community pharmacies via the NHS website:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-a-menb-vaccination-appointment/

Thank you for your support in promoting this important vaccination programme.

From 30th June 2026, Kooth will no longer be available for CYP within Shropshire & Telford. In order to prepare for the closure we have closed new registrations for the service on Monday 1st June 2026.

Please be assured that any users who are already registered and using the service will continue to be able to do so until the 30th June. We will also ensure that anyone currently receiving structured support has a planned ending of their care.

We have been advised that anyone needing support should be provided with the following organisations and information as alternative sources of support which can be found at:

CAMHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

As we start to remove our service provision from the local offer please can we ask for your support with the following things:

- Cease the promotion of the availability of Kooth across Shropshire & Telford

- Cease signposting to Kooth.com as new registrations will no longer be possible from 1st June

Finally, we just want to thank you for all your support and collaboration. We have wholeheartedly enjoyed working with you all, seeing and supporting the amazing work that you all do to support the community.

If our situation changes in the future and we are able to relaunch our services we will be back in touch to let you know.

The Kooth Team

Dates for Safeguarding in Education Training/Networks are now available to view and book at: Safeguarding in Education Training | Shropshire Learning Gateway.

The page also contains a link to Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership Webinars available throughout the Autumn Term for Using the Family Help Together Framework in Everyday Practice . These have been set up following on from the publication of Family Help Together: A Framework for Action (which as of 1.7.2026 replaces the previous Thresholds Document). We strongly recommend that any Designated Safeguarding Leads/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads/Pastoral Leads who are not attending our DSL Training/Networks in the Autumn Term attends one of these webinars.

Education Quality and Safeguarding Team

Learning and Skills

Website: Safeguarding and Child Protection | Shropshire Learning Gateway (shropshirelg.net)

Richard Smith is offering his popular training again in September (with no price increases)

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). Plus a-Z of AI booklet.
• 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 30^th September 1.30-3.00 (£74 instead of £79) via:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/computing-coordinator-update-autumn-2026-from-richard-smith-at-amazingict-tickets-1992930608097?aff=oddtdtcreator

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'

Jim from Scanning Pens will be visiting local customers across the region and is keen to hear how schools and services are getting on with their C-Pen devices.

This is a great opportunity to:

• Share feedback on your current Scanning Pens and C-Pen products
• Ask questions and discuss best practice
• Book a free, in-person training session for staff
• Access refresher training for existing users or introductions for new colleagues

Whether you're new to the C-Pen range or would simply like to ensure you're getting the most from your devices, support is available at no cost.

If your team would be interested in a visit or training session, please get in touch with jim@scanningpens.com and suggest a few suitable dates and times.

Encourage families to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge in their local library with plenty of FREE activities and events running through the summer.  The Summer Reading Challenge offers fun ways to encourage reading during the summer giving children the chance to earn a medal and certificate when they have completed their goals.

Schools Newsletter LIbrary.docx

This month’s Early Years Newsletter is now available to view via the link below.

https://lnks.gd/3/3Xh8LdR