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Dear Colleagues,
Welcome back from the half term break. This week's education update is below which includes the attachment for PANS/PANDA.
Best wishes,
John
John Rowe
Head of Education Quality and Safeguarding
john.rowe@shropshire.gov.uk
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Shropshire are part of the Learn and Grow Together Early Years Stronger Practice Hub. As a part of this, we have access to funded support for our Early Years Settings and Schools. Please find more information in the attached leaflet. The team will also be present at the upcoming Early Years Conference so will be able to tell you more!
Learn & Grow Together support flyer-2.pdf
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The Shropshire Maintained Schools SharePoint page is now live. You will have received the email shown below. You must click on the link on this email the first time you access the site. Once you have accessed the page for ease of returning to the page in future please bookmark the page in your browser or add it as a shortcut on your desktop.
The Shropshire Maintained Schools SharePoint pages will provide a vehicle for improving communication between schools and the local authority (LA). On this page you will find links to school visit documentation and other information about our maintained schools. LA Advisers and Associate Headteachers can upload their Notes of Visit so that we can all access information gathered about schools and share this information with schools we support. Schools will also be able to upload securely information about their school (for example SDP, SEF, etc.) to share with LA Advisers.
This SharePoint page will also provide a single point of contact to access information from both national bodies such as the DFE and Ofsted, as well as local authority specific information such as Safeguarding, SEND, and the Shropshire Learning Gateway.
There will also be a link to frequently asked questions that will be populated overtime by advisers with current on trend questions that are at the forefront of leaders' minds.
If you experience any issues accessing the site, please contact john.demmerling@shropshire.gov.uk
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The Home Office are reviewing and updating their current Prevent duty training products and are keen to hear from as many Prevent Practitioners and Frontline Staff as possible, to help them to identify where they need to make improvements. They have designed a very SHORT SURVEY (approx. 5 minutes), which will run until the 5th November, so your feedback can shape the new provision.
Please take 5 minutes of your time to complete a survey and help us to shape the Home Office’s future Prevent duty training provision. You don’t need to have completed Home Office Prevent training to take part, the survey doesn’t just seek feedback on the current training package.
Survey links:
FRONTLINE STAFF** applying the duty, please use this link: Home Office Prevent Training Survey for Frontline Workers:1. Section 1: About you - Home Office Prevent Duty Training Survey for Frontline Workers
[**Note: people applying the duty as part of their daily role, e.g. teachers, social workers, frontline health workers, frontline policing]
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I am delighted to invite you to attend and represent your service at our SEND Meet & Chat session being held at Raven House, Market Drayton as part of our hub offer.
Date: Tuesday 17th November 2026.
Time: 13:00 – 15:00 (with 30 minutes either side for set-up and pack away)
Location: Raven House, Market Drayton. TF9 3AH
This session is focused on families and parent carers in the centre of Shropshire; however, all are welcome to attend. Additional sessions will also be organised across other localities throughout the year.
Early Help recognises the value of these events in strengthening professional partnerships and providing a platform to offer families in our community a wide range of support. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where families can connect, access support, and have their questions answered.
Please share this invitation on your social media platforms and with your colleagues or other services that may benefit from attending.
Please email karen.langford@shropshire.gov.uk to confirm who will be attending.
Thank you for your continued support, and I hope you can join us at Raven House.
Kind Regards
Samantha Wenlock
Early Help Locality Team Manager - North and SEND lead.
SEND MEET AND CHAT DROP IN RAVEN HOUSE 2026.png
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Earlier this summer, Baroness Smith, Minister for Skills, wrote about the opportunities created by the UK’s return to the Erasmus+ programme in 2027.
We are now approaching the application window which is set to open in November 2026 and run until February or March 2027. We want to ensure that all eligible institutions are aware of this and do not miss the chance to apply.
As a reminder, there is a significant amount of money available, with around £70 million for schools, £105 million for vocational education and training, £20 million for adult education, and £30 million for youth activities. Organisations can also access a significant pool of Erasmus+ funding managed directly by the European Commission for policy and cooperation partnership projects.
Think pupils working with a partner school in Spain on a climate project, youth groups bringing young people from different countries together to learn new skills, or adult learners gaining practical experience and skills through an overseas placement.
Early preparation, such as partnership-building and local coordination, will be essential. Applicants do not need previous international experience to take part, and institutions of all sizes and types can get involved.
What can you do to prepare?
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Familiarise yourself with the programme Explore the Erasmus+ programme website to understand the opportunities available across the different areas of the programme. You should also sign up to British Council’s newsletter to remain up to date with the programme and attend one of their free webinars.
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Consider your local approach Think about how Erasmus+ could support priorities in your area. You can contact British Council directly for tailored support.
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Make effective use of DfE resources Contact DfE via Erasmus.ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk to request access to useful resources that will support you with your engagement efforts.
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Make effective use of DfE resources Contact DfE via Erasmus.ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk to request access to useful resources that will support you with your engagement efforts.
Erasmus+ survey
To help us better understand the sector’s interest in Erasmus+ and tailor support in a manner that is most helpful, we welcome your input into a short survey to tell us whether your trust intends to apply for Erasmus+ funding.
Yours Sincerely,
Emma Shaw Head of EU and Erasmus+
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Big Listen for Youth – helping shape the future for young people in Shropshire
As part of National Youth Work Week, Shropshire Council is launching the Big Listen for Youth.
We want to hear directly from young people about what it is like growing up in Shropshire — what they value, what can make life more difficult, what they would like to see more of and what they want adults and decision-makers to understand.
What young people tell us will help shape the work currently underway to strengthen Shropshire’s offer for young people, including our understanding of local need, future priorities and how young people are involved in decisions that affect them.
Schools have an important role in helping us hear from a wide and diverse range of young people.
To support participation, we are providing ready-to-use session plans, including:
a general group/PSHE session;
an accessible version for young people with SEND and communication needs.
Schools will also receive two links:
1. Big Listen individual survey
Young people can complete the survey themselves and share their own individual views.
Shropshire Youth Offer 2026 Survey
2. School Group Voice Return
Following a class or group session, schools can submit the main themes that came through from the discussion, including what young people value, what they would like to change and what they want adults and decision-makers to understand.
Big Listen for Youth - Schools/Group Voice Return
The two routes complement each other — the individual survey gives young people the opportunity to express their own views, while the School Return helps us capture the richer discussion and themes emerging from groups.
The Big Listen will remain open for 6–8 weeks, giving schools flexibility to build participation into PSHE, tutor time, pupil voice activity, SEND provision or other suitable opportunities.
Most importantly, this is not simply about gathering responses. We want young people to know that what they tell us will be listened to and used to inform what happens next.
You Said → We Heard → What Happens Next
Thank you for helping young people across Shropshire have their voices heard and influence the work being developed for their future.
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This month, BBC Radio 2's Owain Wyn Evans will be cycling through all four UK nations to support BBC Children in Need.
On Wednesday 11 November, day 3 of Owain’s challenge, he will be cycling from the Wirral to Welshpool, via Shropshire, and the BBC is hoping to get as many people as possible to support Owain on his route.
A detailed route, including timings and a location tracker, will be available online on the morning of Owain’s journey. It is currently expected to include Whitchurch centre, Whixall, Wem, Bomere Heath, Battlefield and Shrewsbury centre.
If you and your pupils would like to support Owain, you can keep up to date with his plans on the BBC’s dedicated webpage:
BBC Radio 2 - Children in Need on Radio 2 - Owain's 4 Nations Cycle Challenge
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Wednesday, 4 November, 1:30 pm
All Age Face-to-Face SEND and Inclusion Network (North)
North Shropshire: Kidzone Oswestry
Wednesday, 4 November, 1:30 pm
Come and join us at our face-to-face SEND and Inclusion Network meeting. This is an all-phase event to give you the opportunity to network with SEND and Inclusion colleagues from your local area.
All Age Face-to-Face SEND and Inclusion Network (North)
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Please see the booking details and save the date for a regional conference on Stop Child Sexual Abuse on 2nd February 2027.
The event is free to attend, but as it is a regional conference, places are likely to fill quickly, so please book your place as soon as possible to secure attendance.
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Understanding and supporting children and young people who may have experienced early developmental trauma or attachment difficulties.
On behalf of Shropshire Virtual School, the Shropshire Educational Psychology Service will provide delegates with an understanding of the theory and neuroscience behind early child development and the importance of nurture on the developing brain. It focuses on how to support teachers and key adults to interpret and understand the children and young people’s behaviours through an early developmental lens and explore strategies to support the pupils they work with. The aim of the session will be to empower school staff to feel able to support these pupils through the power of relationships and providing a safe and secure place for these children and young people to be educated.
Three Dates available: 7.12.26, 1.3.27 (online) and 24.5.27 (Face to Face, The Lantern)
Time: 09:30-12:30
Venue: Online
Booking Link: Level 1 Attachment Training 2026-27 Booking Form
This course is free for those supporting a Looked After or previously Looked After child.
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Explore how trauma, attachment and a child’s journey to
permanency can shape behaviour, emotions and learning, with practical strategies to help children feel safe and regulate their emotions.
Flourish - Shropshire VS Flyer (3).pdf
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Multi-Agency breakfast and network event.
Celebrating attachment / trauma-responsive and nurture practice in Shropshire
A multi-agency networking and breakfast event for School Leaders, Designated Teachers for Looked After Children/PLAC, Social Care, Early Help & LA Education colleagues
NOTE TO HEADTEACHER: Please make sure your DT attends essential professional sessions as part of their compliance with guidance
Multi-agency Breakfast and Network event.docx
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PANS and PANDAS are rare condition that arise from an unusual immune response following an infection, resulting in neurological (thinking and movement) and psychiatric (mental health) symptoms that can have a significant impact on a child's life. Although awareness is growing, PANS and PANDAS remain under-researched and are often misunderstood. See link for further information:
Understanding PANS and PANDAS.pdf
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Please see the attached flyer for details of training courses during online safety week. |
Online Safety Week Autumn 2026 with Richard Smith from AmazingICT
Monday 23rd November to Friday 27th November
A week of events for staff and Governors to help face the challenges to Safeguarding through the use of digital devices both in school and at home. Richard is the named person who Shropshire safeguarding officers refer schools to for internet safety advice. These courses will be certificated to support your CPD records.
Content to include:
1. The 6 new digital literacy available to schools (linked to NEW curriculum)
2. Update of the ‘Smartphone Free Childhood’ pact for parents
3. Essential Online Safety updates and policy mandates within KCSiE 2026
4. AI Literacy and techniques for supporting greater understanding
5. Five techniques to develop ‘online kindness’
6. The role of acting and drama in delivering Online Safety messages
Options:
Monday 23rd November am: Online Course for staff 9.30 - 11.00 via Teams
Monday 23rd November pm: Face to Face Course for staff 4.00 - 5.30 at Severn Training and School Alliance, Brookside Central training room, Telford. TF3 1LP
Tuesday 24th November: Online Course for Governors 6.00 - 7.15 via Teams
Wednesday 25th November: Face to Face Course for staff 4.00 - 5.30 at Broseley C of E Primary School, Dark Lane, Broseley TF12 5LW
Thursday 26th November: Face to Face Course for staff 4.00 - 5.30 at Oxon Primary School, Racecourse Lane, Shrewsbury, SY3 5BJ
Friday 27th November: Online Course for staff and Governors 9.30 - 11.00 via Teams
All course cost £79 (including resources and certificate)
Limited places: Book now directly with Richard Smith via amazingict@icloud.com or via 07527464322
Please see Select tickets – Inclusion in the DNA: Practical Lessons for Schools Shaping Their Inclusion Strategy – Zoom for more details.
Our schools play a vital role in preparing young people not only for academic success, but also for life’s challenges. We are pleased to share details of a new initiative available to schools across the area designed to strengthen resilience, promote wellbeing and equip pupils with practical strategies to navigate change and adversity.
The Pathways to Resilience programme offers a blend of interactive sessions, peer support activities and staff training, ensuring that resilience-building becomes part of everyday school life.
Through building tools for resilience and emotional wellbeing early, young people feel supported to:
- engage in education for better outcomes
- develop a secure sense of self
- feel connected and a sense of belonging in their community
- thrive and live a fulfilling life
Teachers and school leaders have access to planning and resources to deliver these approaches into the curriculum and pastoral care.
On-demand training allows the training to be accessible to all schools: staff can access training at convenient times and costs are kept low, with no annual subscription fees.
The programme has already been delivered in TMBSS’s medical centres and Primary with positive results seen in self-regulation and lesson engagement and is now being implemented into development plans for these centres within the service.
Schools interested in taking part can contact Elle Riley, Specialist Teacher at TMBSS (riley.e@tmbss-shropshire.org.uk) for further information and visit www.pathways-to-resilience.co.uk to register their interest.
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