Noticeboard

Noticeboard - 9 October 2025

This week’s Noticeboard includes Sue Harrison’s weekly message, updates from the Schools Finance team, a reminder that Primary School Applications are now open, information from Public Health on the Supervised Toothbrushing Programme, and more.

This week's noticeboard includes: 

A Message from Dr Sue Harrison, Executive Director of Children and Families

Dear Colleagues

In the aftermath of the tragic attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, many of us are still processing the shock and sorrow of such violence. Our thoughts remain with the families and communities affected, and with our Jewish colleagues here in Birmingham and beyond.

As educators and leaders, we know how important it is to offer reassurance and support to our children and young people during times like this. We shared guidance and resources with you on Friday to help support your school communities during this difficult time, and I hope you found them helpful. However, if you or your teams need anything further, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you.

In the spirit of hope and resilience, I’m pleased to share some uplifting news. King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls and our SEND team were officially shortlisted for the Co-Production Initiative of the Year Award by NASEN (National Association for Special Educational Needs) for their inspiring student-led project, 'Outside the Box'.

This powerful initiative has become a platform for exploring neurodiverse conditions, encouraging inclusion, and promoting positive mental health. It showcases the creativity, empathy, and collaboration of students in raising awareness and fostering understanding within their school community.

Although we didn’t take home the award at Friday night’s NASEN Awards ceremony, it was a fantastic evening celebrating the incredible work being done to support children and young people with SEND across the country. We were delighted to receive a Certificate of Recognition for the school’s efforts, a wonderful acknowledgment of the impact and dedication behind the project. We’re so proud to see Birmingham represented on the national stage and many congratulations to all involved from King Edward’s, Birmingham Parent Carer Forum and BCC.

We love hearing about the brilliant things happening across our schools, so please do keep sharing your good news with us. Whether it’s awards, achievements, community projects or pupil successes, we’re always keen to celebrate and showcase the great work you’re doing.

Reception school applications are now open for children turning 4 before 31 August 2026. You’ll find a full article in this week’s Noticeboard, but I wanted to highlight how important it is that we all help spread the word, especially to families who may need extra support with the process. Late applications are much less likely to secure a place at one of their preferred schools, so please do encourage families to apply before the deadline of 15 January 2026.

Thank you, as always, for your continued care, leadership, and commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and inspiring learning environments for all our children and young people.

With my very best wishes

Sue

Schools Finance

Updated October 2025 Cash Sheets

The updated cash sheets as of 01 October 2025 can be found here:

We hope you find this useful in reconciling the monthly instalment as well as grant payments the authority will pay during the financial year. 

If you have trouble accessing the file, you may need to save the spreadsheet to your personal desktop, then unblock the file by right clicking, properties, and clicking unblock and applying changes. 

Exclusion: The Money Following Excluded Pupils

The Money Following Excluded Pupils (MFEP) Protocol applies to all maintained and academy schools in Birmingham. It is based on the School and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2015, which require adjustments to the budget shares of schools when a pupil is permanently excluded. The purpose of these funding adjustments is to ensure that there is funding available to support the ongoing education of the excluded pupil. Birmingham City Council's legal duties to children of compulsory school age who may not receive suitable education due to illness, exclusion, or other reasons. It is based on several pieces of legislation and statutory guidance, including the Education Act 1996, the Equality Act 2010, and the Children and Families Act 2014.

This was taken to Schools Forum in December 2024. Where it was proposed and agreed that the exclusion from 1 January 2025 will be recouped and passed on to the relevant body. Schools Forum Report

Schools finance has now prepared the data for Spring term and will be making deductions via the October cash sheet for maintained schools. The team will also be raising invoices for the academies in due course.  Please note there might also be recoupment of this financial year’s funding as the child would have been the at setting on the census day and would have attracted funding. Basic funding as well as Pupil Premium (Free School Meal, Post LAC and Service Child element only) will be recouped. 

Any queries should be directed to the SchoolsFinance@Birmingham.gov.uk mailbox in the first instance. 

CFR Training and Framework

In September 2025, schools were given training on the Consistence Financial Reporting framework.  For those of you who were unable to attend or if you would like to recap, please see the link to the training.  Also provided is a link to DfE framework.

Access Training

In September 2025, schools were given training on the Access budgeting tool.  For those of you who were unable to attend or if you would like to recap, please see the link to the training.

3-Year Budget Plan Update

The deadline to submit the updated 3-year budget plan has been extended from 31 October 2025 to 31 December 2025.  The submission must include the pupil number report, 3-year CFR report and the KPI reports from Access.  Early submission is welcome. 

Barclays – Locking Fraud and Scams Out – Top Three Fraud Threats and More

Barclays are hosting a webinar on Friday 24 October from 11:00-11:45.

This session will help you understand the top three threats facing organisations, how to stop scams before they start, and the tools available to strengthen your defences. Locking fraud and scams out - top three fraud threats and more - 1733484

Their experts will discuss:

  • Top three threats – with real-world examples and lessons you can use straight away
  • Smart defences – the latest tools, tips and resources
  • A spotlight session on Barclays Chat
  • Live Q&A with Barclays fraud specialists.

REMINDER - Consultation 2025/26: Scheme for Financing Maintained Schools

Consultation Dates: 18 September to 10 October 2025

Local authorities are required to publish their scheme for financing maintained schools which sets out the financial relationship between the local authority and the schools they maintain.

The Department for Education (DfE) issues statutory guidance for local authorities on schemes for financing schools. The DfE guidance lists the provisions which a local authority must, should or may include. Local schemes need not follow the exact format used in the DfE guidance, except for the text of directed revisions. The DfE guidance is updated annually.

Issue 16 was published on 27 March 2025 and can be found at: Schemes for financing schools - GOV.UK

In making any changes to the scheme, the local authority must consult all maintained schools in their area and receive the approval of the members of their schools forum representing maintained schools.

 The local authority has reviewed the current scheme, which was last updated in 2017/18, to ensure that all sections are still appropriate or amended where necessary. The updated scheme can be found: Scheme for the financing of maintained schools (Draft) | Birmingham City Council

If you have any comment regarding the updated scheme, please email schoolsfinance@birmingham.gov.uk by 10 October 2025

If a response is not received it will be assumed that the school has no comment to make and agrees the updated scheme.

The timetable for this consultation is as follows:

  • 18 September-10 October 2025: Consultation with maintained schools
  • 13 October: Responses reviewed
  • 23 October: Schools Forum approve scheme
  • 24 October: Scheme Published

Oracle Transition for Schools

Thank you again for your commitment to ensuring a smooth transition away from Oracle. While no new information will be added, all documents will remain accessible for a few weeks at the following links:

Please note that the Oracle School Relationships Manager role, along with its email and phone contact, ended on 30th September. Schools should now refer to the contact details provided in the ongoing statutory duties document and the key contacts list included in the final updates linked above.

Free NPQ SENCO Places in Birmingham

Birmingham City Council has 40 fully funded places for the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for SENCOs. 

Birmingham City Council deliver the NPQ SENCO course in partnership with University College London (UCL). The course is ideal for current SENCOs, assistant SENCOs and teachers interested in developing expertise in SEND or undertaking a SENCO role in the future.

The special educational needs coordinators (SENCO) National Professional Qualification became the mandatory qualification for SENCOs from September 2024. The 18 month programme is DfE funded for teachers and school leaders at eligible schools and organisations in England.

Registration is now open for the Autumn 2025 cohort. Please register with the DfE NPQ Registration Service portal and choose UCL IOE as your Lead Provider to complete the course in Birmingham.

The registration service will confirm if you are entitled to a DfE scholarship based on your school details.

If you have any questions about the Birmingham NPQ SENCO course please email: npqsenco@birmingham.gov.uk  

You can find out more about the programme on the Local Offer website

Consultation on Admissions Arrangements

Birmingham City Council’s proposed school admissions arrangements, including the published admission numbers for its Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools, and the coordinated admissions scheme for Schools and Academies for the 2027/2028 academic year, are now available for consultation and viewing.

The consultation period runs from Monday, 6 October to Monday, 17 November 2025.

The proposed admissions arrangements, published admissions numbers and coordinated scheme can be viewed here: Proposed admissions arrangements 2027.

As part of the consultation process, any comments regarding the above can be made at the Birmingham City Council consultation website during the consultation period: BeHeard.

We’d be grateful if Birmingham schools could share details of this consultation in their weekly or monthly newsletters, so that parents/carers of current pupils who may be interested are aware.

For any questions regarding the consultation please contact: admissionsconsultation@birmingham.gov.uk

Have Your Say – Youth Transformation Fund Survey for Young People

Birmingham City Council, supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), is carrying out an important review of youth services and young people’s needs across the city.

We need your help to make sure young people’s voices are heard.

If you work with or teach young people aged 10–25, please encourage them to complete this short survey about the support and activities available in their area.

This survey is part of a national review taking place in 8 local authority areas, including Birmingham, and is supported by the National Youth Agency (NYA). The findings will help shape future youth services and ensure they meet the needs of young people.

Thank you for taking the time to support this work – your help is vital in making sure young people’s experiences and ideas are part of the conversation.

Preparing for Winter: preventing and managing infectious diseases in schools

Webinar hosted by the Birmingham City Council Public Health Division and Birmingham Community Healthcare School Aged Immunisation Service - Wednesday, 15 October 2025 at 16:00-16:30

Winter is always a busy time for schools, especially when winter bugs and illnesses start impacting classrooms – whether that’s dealing with pupils who are unwell or even managing staff absences.

This webinar will run through the key public health information and actions staff should be aware of this winter. This will include:

  • How to manage cases or outbreaks of infectious disease in school settings
  • How settings can work to prevent winter illness in pupils/staff:
    • Through immunisations (including the school-based flu immunisation programme)
    • Through infection prevention and control measures (including cleaning, handwashing, etc)
  • How to pass on the right information to local UK Health Security Agency Health Protection teams, and when to seek further support.

To register please click here Preparing for winter: preventing and managing infectious diseases in schools

Supervised Toothbrushing (STB) Programme

FAO: Early Years Settings and Primary Schools (Reception year)

We greatly appreciate your ongoing commitment to supporting children’s development and wellbeing. With this in mind, we are pleased to share an update on an important public health initiative designed to promote children’s oral health and overall development - the Supervised Toothbrushing (STB) Programme.

About the Supervised Toothbrushing Programme

The STB Programme is a national initiative led by the Department of Health and Social Care in partnership with the Department for Education. It aims to address the high prevalence of tooth decay among young children, particularly in areas where oral health outcomes are poorest.

The programme targets children aged 3-5 years and involves supervised daily toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste in early years settings and schools. This activity complements, rather than replaces, toothbrushing at home. Participating children will also receive a toothbrush and toothpaste to take home each term. Evidence shows that this simple, consistent routine can significantly reduce tooth decay.

Why This Matters

Oral health remains a significant concern for young children in Birmingham, especially in our most disadvantaged communities. Currently, over 25% of five-year-olds in the city have experienced tooth decay. This can lead to pain, disrupted sleep, reduced self-esteem, and missed time from school or nursery - as well as time off work for parents.

By participating in the STB Programme, your setting will play a vital role in reducing health inequalities and improving long-term health outcomes for children.

Programme Rollout in Birmingham

Birmingham City Council has secured funding to implement the STB Programme across targeted early years settings and Reception classes in primary schools. The first deliveries of toothbrush packs are expected in September 2025, with the programme launching in selected settings during the autumn term. The rollout will be phased over several years.

We are currently finalising delivery plans to ensure the programme is introduced in a way that is practical, sustainable, and supportive for all involved.

How the Programme Will Work

  • The activity supports the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements, particularly in promoting health and self-care.
  • Targeted settings will be contacted directly by the Public Health team or a designated representative.
  • Face-to-face training and support will be provided to ensure staff feel confident in delivering the programme.
  • All necessary resources and materials will be supplied.
  • Daily brushing will be supervised by a member of staff - this does not need to be a teacher.
  • Ongoing support will be available, including a dedicated point of contact for any queries.
  • We will follow up after implementation to provide additional guidance and address any challenges.

See the Programme in Action

To get a sense of what supervised toothbrushing looks like in practice, please watch this short video: Brilliant Brushers

Contact

We understand that introducing new routines can be challenging, especially during busy periods. Our aim is to make this process as smooth and supportive as possible - you will not be doing this alone.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact the Birmingham City Council Health Protection Team at: hpteam@birmingham.gov.uk

Thank you for your continued dedication to helping children grow, thrive, and stay healthy.

Reception School Applications Are Now Open!

Reception school applications are now open for children turning 4 before 31 August 2026.

Please help us spread the word to parent/carers and families you work with.

It’s important for families to apply on time as late applicants are less likely to be offered a place at any of their preferred schools.

Thank you for your support in raising awareness of the process.

Please support those parents who may need additional support completing their application forms.

Pupil Place Planning – Proposals to Reduce PAN for 2026 Entry

In order to help address the sustained impact of surplus primary places and lower intakes in schools, we have reduced PANs at several of our maintained schools. We are currently seeking a proposed PAN reduction at the following maintained schools:

  • Adderley Primary School – reducing from 60 to 30 for reception 2026.
  • Thornton Primary School – reducing from 120 to 90 for reception 2026

The business case will be sent to the Schools Adjudicator in due course for consideration. We will publish the outcome of the decision.

We continue to discuss reductions of PANs for Reception 2027 entry. Community and VC school PANs are currently being consulted on with a decision due in Spring 2026. If you are an academy and would also like to discuss proposals for Reception 2026 please also get in touch.

For further information, please contact Education Infrastructure: ediplaceplanning@birmingham.gov.uk

Early Education Entitlement

2 Year Funded Place

To all maintained nursery schools

Before a disadvantaged 2 year Early Education Entitlement (EEE) place is offered, please ensure that the 2 year old child is eligible. A parent (or provider on the parents behalf with permission) should complete an eligibility application to confirm eligibility by using this link: https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/oeye/birmingham  

Every application generates a code or reference number - it's important you keep a note of this code for audit purposes. If the code is eligible then a place can be offered. However, the eligibility checker does not always confirm eligibility so if it doesn't, you will need to view evidence of eligibility, complete the Eligibility Override Request Form (on BCC's Google Drive) and email it to: earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk.

Once the EEE team has amended the application to eligible, you will receive email confirmation so that the place can be offered. For children starting before headcount, please ensure you submit any override requests on or before 1st October. You should not offer places or submit claims for children whose eligibility has not been confirmed. For children starting after headcount, please follow the flexible or exceptional agreement process.

Disadvantaged 2 year olds can get an EEE funded place if they live in England and meet the 2 year eligibility criteria which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds.

If providers would like to promote 2 year funding to parents, please feel free to use this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jagU4sv9LE.

For the new working entitlement for 2 year olds, please refer parents to the Childcare Choices.

Termly Census Claims

This notice applies to all providers of early years funded (Early Education Entitlement) places - Maintained Schools and Nurseries, Independent Schools and Academies.

Every term you are required to submit your early years child data onto Collect for your Census submission.

Your final DFE authorised Census submission is used to calculate your early years payments so it is imperative that you submit your claim in full and accurately.

You must ensure that all children have the correct number of funded hours recorded against them. Children with zero funded hours against them (even if you have recorded a number of hours at the setting) will not receive any funding - we can only calculate funding where there are funded hours recorded.

For working entitlement claims you will need to submit their eligibility codes. You must ensure any codes are eligible for the term you are claiming the working hours. To ensure a code is eligible you must validate the code on ECS: https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/oefe/birmingham/provider  

For children eligible for the 2 year disadvantaged funding, Free School Meals and EYPP you must have eligible codes recorded on the signed parent declaration forms. We may request these codes to confirm eligibility.

The terms and conditions of funding detailed in the EEE Provider Agreement, including information about working entitlement claims, checking eligibility and the parent declaration forms, can be found on BCC Google Drive - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12cq6RnLio2Z8CgDv2CvAwbtbN4Bi62SF

Contact Information

Cyber Hygiene for Early Years - Free Online Session

Thursday, 16 October 2025 at 19:00. 

You are invited to attend a free online session: Learn how to keep your early years setting safe from online dangers at our Cyber Hygiene event - it's all about protecting your little ones.

Would you leave your nursery keys under the doormat? In this 90-minute live session, Lucy Lewin shows early years leaders how to close their digital doors and strengthen cyber hygiene. Learn simple, low-cost ways to protect your data, staff, and families - from safer photo sharing to secure offboarding.

You’ll leave with practical tools, including a Cyber Hygiene Checklist, 30-Day Action Plan, and Offboarding Template, to embed digital safeguarding in everyday practice. 90-minute session on Cyber Hygiene for Early Years: Protect your setting from digital risk, and we’ve got expert guests from Active8 joining for the Q&A.

Why now:

  • Practical, safeguarding-first guidance (not techy)
  • Off boarding checklist, 30-day action plan, staff poster
  • Focus on passwords, photos, personal devices, and insider risk

Book your place here: Cyber Hygiene for Early years: Protect your setting from digital risk Tickets, Thu 16 Oct 2025 at 19:00 | Eventbrite

For queries or further information please contact: earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk

Sector Consultation: Review of Early Years Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (EY SENIF)

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the recent sector consultation sessions to review Birmingham’s Early Years Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding, known locally as ISEY.

It was especially encouraging to see colleagues from primary schools with nursery classes in attendance. From December, these providers will be able to submit applications, so your involvement is particularly timely.

We were delighted by the number of attendees who volunteered to join working groups to help review the ISEY application form and scoring process. If you’ve expressed interest, you should already have received an invitation, and we’re looking forward to working with you.

Once the revised form is agreed, it will be shared widely to ensure all eligible providers are ready to use it for December applications. We’ll also be offering a dedicated session for primary schools with nursery classes who are new to the process.

You can access the PowerPoint slides from the consultation sessions via the following links:

For any queries or further information, please don’t hesitate to contact Karen Jones at Karen.a.jones@birmingham.gov.uk or Catherine Payne at Catherine.a.payne@birmingham.gov.uk.

Governors Financial Assurance Template

FAO: Headteachers, School Business Managers, Bursars

You will recall that in previous years, the Governors Financial & Governance Report templates that schools are required to submit twice yearly, were updated last year, to become one document – Governors Financial Assurance Checklist.

Following a further review of documents that are required to be submitted to the local authority, it was concluded that much of the content of this checklist, is also contained in the annual SFVS return.  For this reason, it has now been agreed that schools will no longer be required to complete this checklist.

Schools are reminded however, to ensure that they regularly review and complete the SFVS which is still required to be submitted annually.

If you have any queries please contact Sabrina Bryan at Sabrina.Bryan@birmingham.gov.uk. 

You're Invited: HEADS TOGETHER – Inspiring Futures

A collaborative forum on Education, Employability & Innovation

Thursday, 6 November 2025 09:15-14:00 at Aston University Conference Centre, Aston Street, Birmingham B4 7ET

Join us for a thought-provoking and energising event bringing together leaders, educators, and changemakers to shape the future of learning and work in our region.

Key Themes & Speakers:

  • Education Leadership: Tackling recruitment and retention challenges – Prof. Colin Diamond, University of Birmingham
  • Skills Gap: Aligning education with employer needs – Helene Dearn, WMCA
  • Futures Readiness: Adapting to the AI revolution – Alex Zarifeh, ATLP
  • Reflections: Insights and next steps – Joanne Roney, BCC

RSVP by 18th October to: jemima.waltho@rigbygroupplc.com

We look forward to welcoming you!

*Please note that the programme and speaker line-up may be subject to change. 

Promoting Student Mental Wellbeing in Life Transitions: the role of relationships

FAO: All school-based staff, especially pastoral leads, teachers, support staff, SENCOs, and senior leadership shaping relational environments

Thursday, 23 October at 16:00. 

This session centres on mental wellbeing in children and young people, exploring how supportive relationships, across families, friendship groups, and school systems, can nurture resilience during key life transitions. Grounded in systemic pedagogy, it will offer practical insights for growing connected and emotionally supportive learning environments.

Register your place here: Promoting student mental wellbeing in life transitions: the role of relationships. 

For queries or further information please contact: HealthySchools@birmingham.gov.uk

 

This entry was posted by Dawn Evans on 02/10/2025.

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