Education Noticeboard - 10th July 2025

Firstly I must say congratulations to the incredible young changemakers who celebrated at the Make a Change Awards Night, your compassion and leadership are shaping a brighter future for Telford & Wrekin! Your inspiring projects show the power of youth to build stronger, more connected communities.

It is also fantastic to share two good news stories that have been sent into us this week. A big well done to the students at The Seeds for transforming Sunnycroft’s allotment into a vibrant, cross-curricular haven—your creativity, teamwork, and dedication are truly blooming!

Congratulations must also go to the pupils of Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge CE Primary School for representing your school with pride and curiosity during an unforgettable trip to Wimbledon—what an inspiring way to broaden horizons and build lifelong memories.

There is just one more week until the end of term so please share your good news stories and photos with us before you break up. Please send your submissions to: education.noticeboard@telford.gov.uk

In other news, bids can now be made for schools up to £10,000 through the Accessibility and Inclusion Capital Fund to support projects that improve access and inclusivity—submit your bid by 24 October 2025 as per the instructions below.

In our CPD article this week we are delighted to confirm that the majority of the delegate fees are staying the same in 2025-26, and therefore there has been no increase on the 2024-25 prices. The only course remaining for the current academic year is detailed below so please ensure to sign up where you can.

Final reminder that the Telford flag competition closes this week – at 5pm on Friday 11 July. There’s still a chance for a child/young person to win a £250 arts and crafts voucher for their school. Entries should be sent to flagcomp@telford.gov.uk

Keep going, the end of term is nearly here!

Best Wishes,

Simon

Simon Wellman

Director: Education & Skills

News

Telford & Wrekin Council champions Plastic Free July

This July, Telford & Wrekin Council is proud to support Plastic Free July, a global movement that empowers millions to be part of the solution to plastic pollution, and is calling on residents, businesses and communities to take the challenge and make simple swaps to reduce single-use plastics in their daily lives.

During the month, the Council will be sharing tips, resources and information to help residents make simple swaps to reduce their use of single-use plastic.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Sustainability, said:

"Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Single-use plastics often end up in our rivers, oceans, and green spaces, where they harm wildlife, pollute ecosystems, and contribute to climate change. By reducing our reliance on these materials, we not only protect our local environment here in Telford and Wrekin, but also contribute to a global effort to safeguard the planet for future generations.

“We’ve made great progress in reducing our own plastic use as a Council, but we know there’s more to do. Plastic Free July is a fantastic opportunity for everyone—residents, schools, and businesses—to get involved. Whether it’s switching to a reusable coffee cup or saying no to plastic straws, every small action adds up to a big impact."

As well as encouraging residents to make simple swaps, during the month Telford & Wrekin Council will be lobbying big manufacturers on behalf of Telford and Wrekin Plastic Free Task Force, to encourage them to reduce plastic packaging and adopt sustainable alternatives, and will also be approaching local manufacturers in the borough to see how the task force can better engage with them in the future.

Telford & Wrekin Council has already taken bold steps to lead by example and is working hard to remove as many single-use plastics from day-to-day operations and activities as it can, replacing them with sustainable alternatives.

The Council’s efforts include:

Continuing to remove single-use plastics from all council-run buildings and services, including recently switching advertising posters from plastic- to paper-based.
Switching to sustainable alternative cleaning and catering products, such as changing from single use plastic tubs to reusable recycled plastic ones.
Installing water fountains at Council offices and leisure centres to encourage the use of refillable bottles.
Reviewing single-use plastic used in Care and replacing them with sustainable alternatives where possible.

Telford & Wrekin Council is also a co-ordinating member of the Telford & Wrekin Plastic Free Task Force, a partnership of local organisations, schools, and businesses working together to reduce plastic waste across the borough. The Task Force:

Supports local businesses and organisations in identifying alternatives to single-use plastics.
Provides guidance and resources to help organisations and businesses make sustainable changes.
Encourages collaboration between manufacturers, retailers, and community groups.

Businesses, schools and organisations in the borough are encouraged to join the Task Force and become part of a growing network committed to protecting the environment and promoting a circular economy.

Residents and businesses can find tips, resources, and inspiration to take the Plastic Free July challenge at www.plasticfreejuly.org

To learn more about the Council’s sustainability work and how to join the Plastic Free Task Force, visit: Sustainable Telford & Wrekin

Inspirational young people honoured at ‘make a change’ awards night

Nine community youth-led projects were celebrated at this year’s Make a Change Awards Night, hosted at Telford Minster, recognising the creativity, compassion and leadership of young people across the borough.

The event was made even more special by the presence of local celebrities who generously gave their time and advice to support the young people - many of whom are following the very same paths these stars once walked.

By sharing their experiences and offering encouragement, they not only inspired the next generation but also helped to elevate the spotlight on the work being led by the borough’s youngest entrepreneurs.

Fitness trainer and TV presenter Lish Crutchley compared the event, IBF Intercontinental Featherweight Boxing Champion Liam Davies, handed out awards to his hometown neighbours from Donnington Youth Club and the army welfare team while Adam Purnell, also known as the Shropshire Lad - a fire cooking chef - provided words of encouragement, drawing on his experience as former Abraham Darby School pupil and youth worker when presenting to the Nigerian Telford Community and Dawley Youth Club.

Cabinet Member for Communities & Civic Pride said: “These young people are a credit to our borough. Their ideas are bold, their energy is inspiring, and their commitment to making a difference is exactly what our communities need. I’m proud to support them as they bring their visions to life.”

Each winning group received up to £2,000 to deliver their project, supported by the Building Safer & Stronger Communities programme and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The 2025 Winning Projects were:

Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby – Wellbeing Festival Led by 20 well-being ambassadors, this project will host a vibrant festival featuring yoga, Zumba, arts and crafts, healthy eating, and a tech-free zone. The event aims to promote healthy lifestyles and build leadership and teamwork skills. The long-term vision is to establish a Hab’s Healthy Hub to serve the wider community. Winners: Morgan, Alex, Theo, Ethan and Teyah

Arleston Youth Club – Community Gardening Young people will transform a space at Arleston Community Centre into a thriving garden, learning to grow fresh produce while developing responsibility, patience and teamwork.
Winners: Charlie, Evie-Rose and Paige

Chinese Cultural Centre – Cultural Exchange & Environmental Action This project empowers young people to lead workshops and performances that celebrate Chinese heritage and promote intercultural understanding. It also includes plans for an environmental project culminating in a visit to the House of Lords in 2026.
Winners: Annabel, Winsome, Nicholas, Tracy, Grace and Taras

Donnington Youth Club – Growing Together A disused area will be transformed into a vegetable patch and wildflower garden, with produce used in the community café.
Winners: George, AJ, Summer, Edward and Davey

Army Welfare Service – Military Youth Open Day An open day for young people from military families will help reduce isolation and build new friendships through activities and support services.
Winners: Lizzie, Jasmine, Joe, Alfie and Salote

Elevate Youth – Independence Me Building on last year’s success, this project supports young people with autism to develop life skills and confidence through accessible resources and workshops.
Winners: Bray (recipient), Anna (worker)

Hub on the Hill – Youth Space Transformation Funding will help redesign the youth club space into four zones: cooking, quiet, gaming and activity, tailored to young people’s needs. Winners: Kelsi, Jack and Alice

Dawley Youth Club – Cooking Club Young people will learn to cook healthy three-course meals using ingredients from the community garden, promoting nutrition and independence. Winners: Hayden, Lainey and Brooklin

Nigerian Telford Community – Come Together Youth Festival A multicultural festival featuring five themed zones will bring together diverse communities through performance, innovation, sport and creativity.
Winners: David, Kendra, Melody and Emma

The evening also celebrated the legacy of last year’s winners, including CultureKind, Flavour Town, Stop the Clock, Elevate Youth, and Dawley Youth Club. Their projects have continued to grow, inspiring new ideas and deeper community connections.

From dragon dances in care homes to environmental days and inclusive workshops, the Make a Change programme is part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s wider Building Safer & Stronger Communities initiative — a borough-wide effort to create safer, healthier and more connected neighbourhoods.

The programme is proudly funded through this initiative with support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which helps local communities thrive by investing in people, places and skills.

If you’re a young person with a big idea, a community group looking to make a difference, or simply someone who wants to support youth-led change, we’d love to hear from you.

To find out more about how to get involved or support the programme, contact Telford & Wrekin Council’s Building Safer & Stronger team at saferstronger@telford.gov.uk

Good news Stories

The Seeds School

‘For the past two years the school has had the incredible opportunity to team up with The National Trust to take over the development of an allotment space situated at the 1800’s Victorian property, Sunnycroft. As part of this opportunity a select group of students have designed and developed their dream outdoor space.

The gardening group have completely redesigned the allotment and have undertaken and utilized significant cross curriculum skills from art to physical activity, mathematics, construction, catering, PSHE and finally mindfulness. All to create a functioning allotment whose purpose is to grow beautiful flowers that can be cut and displayed around the school, along with fresh fruit and vegetables that can be used in catering lessons in the future and even herbs and plants for the use in hair and beauty treatments in our school salon!

The end of Spring 2025 saw our group experience the joys of watching their first blooms flourish – with a cacophony of colour from tulips, daffodils and hyacinths (which were the talk of the allotment!)

As the lazy, hazy, summer days approached – our year 11 class undertook the gruelling task of creating a new raised bed for their younger peers to enjoy and nurture in the years to come, with handmade obelisks and freshly planted runner beans, tomatoes and sweetpeas, the summer allotment is a riot of growth and colour.

For our returning students, the academic year ahead at the allotment will be a chance to reflect on all the wonderful mental and physical health benefits gardening has, and how this has impacted their own personal growth.’

Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge CE Primary School in Telford - Local Primary Pupils Enjoy Day at Wimbledon

On Sunday 6th July, eight children and three staff members from Coabrookdale and Ironbridge CE Primary School, set off on an unforgettable trip to the world-renowned Wimbledon Championships.

Meeting early at Wolverhampton train station, we began our journey to London by train - a first for several of the children. Navigating the bustling streets and experiencing the London Underground gave the children a first-hand taste of city life and built their confidence in exploring unfamiliar environments.

Once at Wimbledon, the excitement and atmosphere were something truly special. Seated in Court No. 2, the children were able to watch live tennis matches, witness professional players in action, and become part of an international sporting tradition. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that inspired awe, wonder, and admiration.

It wouldn’t have been Wimbledon without a shower of rain - but, true to form, we stayed dry and undeterred thanks to our perfectly placed seats!

This enriching opportunity forms part of our school’s commitment to widening children’s horizons and supporting their personal development. Through experiences like this, children are encouraged to explore the world beyond their immediate community, develop independence, and build cultural capital - helping to prepare them for life in modern Britain.

One child shared:

"I’d never been to London before and didn’t know what to expect. I learned how to use the tube and loved watching the tennis – it made me think I could do something like that one day too!"

The day was filled with smiles, learning, and memories that will last a lifetime. We are incredibly proud of the way the children represented the school - showing responsibility, respect, and curiosity throughout the day.

Access & Sufficiency

Accessibility and Inclusion Capital Fund

Introducing the Accessibility and Inclusion Capital Fund – Apply Now

Telford & Wrekin Council is pleased to launch the Accessibility and Inclusion Capital Fund, inviting schools to apply for capital funding of up to £10,000 per project. This initiative supports minor works that improve the accessibility and inclusiveness of school environments, particularly for SEND pupils. This is to support the national agenda on making learning environments a place for all pupils to thrive.

The fund is open to:

Maintained schools and academies within the borough
Special schools and alternative provision settings

Eligible projects may include:

Installation of ramps, handrails, or hoists
Creation of sensory or quiet rooms
Accessible toilet and hygiene facilities
Modifications to improve physical access to classrooms or playgrounds
Acoustic improvements

How to Apply: Schools must complete the Accessibility and Inclusion Capital Bid Form and submit it by 24 October 2025.

Further information and the application form is linked below. For further information please contact the School Organisation team at: school.organisation@telford.gov.uk or call 01952 380903 /01952 388136

Click here for Accessibility and Inclusion Capital Fund Application Form

Click here for Accessibility and Inclusion Capital Fund Framework

Public Health and Health & Wellbeing

Changes to asthma training for schools

Asthma training for all schools across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin will be moving online from 1 September 2025.

The Tier 1 training, which has been clinically and educationally accredited by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, will replace the training currently provided by school nurses.

The nationally approved course will provide schools with consistent training and flexibility where staff can complete it at any time.

To support schools and school nurses through this change, there will be drop-in sessions for people to find out more information or ask questions. These sessions are scheduled on 17^th, 18^{th and} 24th September at 16.00pm. If you are interested in attending one of these sessions, please contact helen.white12@nhs.net

The link to the Tier 1 training can be found here Schools Asthma Training The course is free of charge, with a certificate awarded on completion.

School nurses will continue to support schools and their asthma champions to implement the school asthma policy and the asthma friendly schools programme.

We would encourage all schools to join the asthma friendly schools programme. The benefits of becoming an asthma friendly school are:

Improving asthma awareness and management within the school.
Improving support to students with asthma, encouraging an inclusive environment.
Supporting responsibilities for the health, safety and wellbeing of students and staff.
Ensuring the implementation of current and best practice asthma management strategies.
Demonstrating the school’s self-evaluated status and commitment to Asthma Friendly strategies to its community.

If you would like to start the process of becoming an asthma friendly school, please contact helen.white12@nhs.net

CPD

CPD courses to the end of the Summer Term 2025

We are pleased to announce that the new 2025-26 CPD Booklet is now live on the Telford Education Services website!

We are delighted to confirm that the majority of the delegate fees are staying the same in 2025-26, and therefore there has been no increase on the 2024-25 prices.

The only course remaining for the current academic year is detailed below.

As always, you can book places by completing and returning a CPD booking form to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk

School Attendance Surgery (AST 005)

Friday, 11 July 2025

10am to 12noon

In addition to the courses run by Telford & Wrekin Council which are advertised in our CPD booklet, you may also wish to look at the range of courses run by other local providers, whose web links are detailed below:

AmazingCPD

Severn Training Schools Alliance

Please may we take this opportunity to thank you for your participation in our courses this year and wish you all the best for a wonderful summer break! We look forward to seeing you again in September!

Thank you and very best wishes, the CPD Team!

Telford & Wrekin’s Annual Leadership Conference for Headteachers, Principals and CEO’s – an opportunity to place an early booking!

The Annual Leadership Conference for Telford & Wrekin Headteachers, Principals and CEO’s is taking place Wednesday 22 October 2025 from 8.45am to 1pm, including lunch on departure.

We are delighted to announce details of our key note speaker – Richard Gerver – one of the world's leading thinkers on human leadership and organisational transformation. Richard’s biographical details are included in the accompanying flyer.

The focus of the conference will be inspiring leadership and will build on the success of last year’s event, which was attended by virtually all schools in Telford & Wrekin.

The event will also provide an opportunity to share data on the performance of our schools across the borough, comparing to regional and national data, looking at trends over time and identifying hot issues. The presentation will include school performance data, SEND, CiC, Fairshare, attendance, exclusions and suspensions and will help to focus strategic networking discussions on the range of issues challenging our schools.

The Partnership Board is delighted to welcome all Headteachers, Principals and CEOs to this event. There is also some space for Deputy Heads to attend too, but we ask that they only attend alongside their Headteacher, and not as a replacement.

The delegate fee for this event remains competitively priced at £70 per person, with a discounted offer of £120 for two delegates from the same school, including lunch and all refreshments. The event is priced to simply cover costs and to hopefully encourage maximum attendance from all of our schools.

To secure your place/s please send a completed CPD booking form to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Click here for flyer

Free webinar on the teaching of Judaism, offered by the Board of Deputies of British Jews – 14 July 2025

For the attention of senior and middle leaders, RE Teachers, RE Leads (both primary and secondary)

The Board of Deputies (BoD) of British Jews have asked us to share the following training opportunity with Telford & Wrekin schools.

This Zoom session is available free of charge and will provide teachers with an opportunity to ask anything which will help them to better understand, or to teach, Judaism.

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86011287321?pwd=aX6CT0SXbx9hreqIsF26AFK53p72Al.1

Meeting ID: 860 1128 7321 Passcode: 676203

The BOD have also asked us to share details of their website, where you can find information about the Judaism Living Experience Exhibition and other resources https://bod.org.uk/issue-areas/education/

Please note that this information, which is shared without recommendation, has been kindly provided by the Board of Deputies of British Jews. It is hoped that the training may be of interest to teachers, of not only RE, but other subjects as well.

Please contact Anna Silver, Education Officer for the BoD, if you have any questions or suggestions - anna.silver@bod.org.uk

Sue Dyson on behalf of Telford & Wrekin SACRE

Energize Shropshire

Discover how Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin is supporting movement in schools

We’re inviting school leaders across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin to explore our 2024–25 Impact Report, which highlights our work with the local education sector to make physical activity a part of every child's day.

From the Creating Active Schools framework and School Games to the Opening School Facilities programme, Energize has been working closely with local schools to:

✅ Boost physical activity levels in and beyond the school day

✅ Support whole-school approaches to movement and wellbeing

✅ Create inclusive opportunities for all pupils to be active

✅ Open up school spaces to the wider community

This year’s report features real examples of schools making change - led by passionate teachers and supported by our team.

📖 Read how we’re helping schools build healthier, more active environments: 👉 Explore Our 2024–25 Impact Report | Improving Lives in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

Together, we can create a culture of movement that supports both learning and lifelong wellbeing.

If you have any questions, please contact Harry Cade, Head of Performance & Learning at Energize STW, by email: Harry.Cade@energizestw.org.uk

Other Information and Resources

Happy Healthy Active Holidays is live!!!!

Summer 2025 runs from 19^th to 31^st August

HHAH is bigger than ever with a variety of activities across Telford this summer.

Bookings are live now so don’t miss the chance to take part in this summer of fun! Children are entitled to 16 short sessions and 8 long days over the holidays.

We also have family fun days taking place with loads of activities to take part in and prizes to be won. No credits are required for the family fun days.

To register for HHAH please visit HHAH.Telford.Gov.Uk, once eligibility has been confirmed you will be able to go on and book your child’s place.

Click here for HHAH Sessions Week 1 to Week 6

SHaW Maths Hub - Links to funded opportunities

Funded opportunities with SHaW Maths Hub

Please click on the links below for further information and booking…

Primary Teaching for Mastery Teaching for Mastery (Introductory)

Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Mastering Number at KS2

Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (Early Career Teachers) - second and third years of teaching

Secondary

Maths Subject Leaders

Securing Foundations at Year 7

Developing Fluency with Multiplicative Reasoning at KS3 (Year 7)

Teaching for Mastery - Improving collaborative planning and lesson observation

Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (non-specialists)

Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (Early Career Teachers) - second and third years of teaching

Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Assistants

Contact Email address:

operations@shawmathshub.co.uk

Awareness Dates

Disability Pride Month - July 2025

Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to raise awareness of disabilities, start positive conversations and celebrate the diversity and differences of the disabled community.

The first Disability Pride Day was celebrated in Boston, Massachusetts on October 6, 1990. The first Disability Pride Month was celebrated in 2015 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Disability Pride Month celebrates people with disabilities, their culture, identities, and contributions to society.

Disability Pride Month | Disability charity Scope UK

Bastille Day (France) 2025 will be celebrated on Monday, July 14, 2025

This national holiday in France marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, a key event in the French Revolution. A day of national pride and historical significance, this glorious occasion is celebrated with grandeur, not just in France, but all around the world.

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