Noticeboard

Noticeboard - 16 October 2025

This week’s Noticeboard features a message from Dr Sue Harrison, plus updates on Schools Finance, the Equal Pay Programme, and the latest SEND and Inclusion Bulletin, along with more opportunities and resources.

This week's noticeboard includes: 

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

Dear Colleagues

As we continue working together to support Birmingham’s children and families, it’s always a pleasure to hear about the brilliant work happening in our schools. From creative classroom learning to enriching extracurricular activities, your efforts help pupils grow, thrive, and feel proud of their achievements.

This week, we’re delighted to spotlight Lindsworth School, which has been invited to a prestigious event at the House of Commons on Thursday 13 November, hosted by the Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza.

Only a handful of schools have been selected, and we’re proud that Birmingham children will be among those representing their peers at a national level. The event will focus on ending child poverty, following the Commissioner’s powerful report, ‘Growing up in a low-income family: children’s experiences'. Huge congratulations to Headteacher Kate Beale and the team at Lindsworth, and to all those schools selected – we look forward to hearing all about it.

Black History Month is underway, and we know many of our schools are marking it with thoughtful, creative, and inspiring activities. If you're looking for ideas or resources, the BBC has a fantastic collection that might support your planning: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/articles/zjwf8xs#zjxxfdm. We’d love to hear about how you're celebrating in your school, so please do share your stories, photos, or highlights. We’re always keen to showcase the brilliant work happening across our schools in our updates to colleagues and BCC staff, who really enjoy seeing what you’re up to.

Schools will have received our annual Severe Weather letter, which outlines BCC’s recommended arrangements for school closures in the event of severe weather. We hope this supports Headteachers in managing unpredictable circumstances in the best interests of pupils, parents, and staff. You can access the letter here: School closures in the event of severe weather.

We’re also pleased to share the latest SEND and Inclusion Bulletin, which is packed with updates and opportunities to get involved. This month’s edition includes:

  • Parent carer feedback from the recent GROW SEND Community Day
  • SENAR updates, including caseload reallocations
  • A call for your input as we review Birmingham’s Local Offer
  • Highlights from the Communication and Autism Team
  • Insights from the recent Improving Developmental Assessment Pathways workshop

You can read the full bulletin here: www.birmingham.gov.uk/blog/sendinclusion.

To all those celebrating Diwali on Monday, 20 October, we send our warmest wishes for a joyful and peaceful Festival of Lights.

Thank you once again for your unwavering commitment to Birmingham’s children, young people, and families. Your work makes a real difference every day, and we deeply appreciate all that you do.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead.

Sue

Schools Finance

Early Years Funding Notification and Calculator 2025/26

Schools Finance has produced an updated Early Years Funding Notification and Calculator tool to support schools in identifying the breakdown of their funding payments against the various Early Years factors. The updated calculator tool can be used by schools to forecast their termly actuals based on their census figures prior to it being calculated by the LA, which can then be compared against the actuals once calculated. The spreadsheet will be updated at the end of each term and can be accessed via the following link: Early years funding notification and calculator.

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

Equal Pay Programme

Schools Where BCC Is the Employer

Headteacher Update Briefings

All Headteachers in schools where BCC is the employer should have received an email with a pre-recorded version of the briefing that took place this week, along with a clean copy for information.

We will keep you updated on implementation.

Non-Teaching Staff Webinar: Introduction to Job Evaluation

Tuesday 21 October at 08:45-09:15  repeated at 15:30-16:00. Teams links have been sent via email to school leaders.

A pre-recorded version will be available from Tuesday 21 October for school leaders to use and/or distribute as appropriate.

Please email eppschools@birmingham.gov.uk if you are not receiving these emails and/or if you have a school leader/Business Manager who would like to be added to the distribution list for schools where BCC is the employer.

Schools Where BCC is Not the Employer

We are happy to add colleagues to our mailing list for Equal Pay Programme updates. If you have emailed us already, no further action is needed. If you would like to join the distribution list, please use the following link to provide your details, which will remain open until 1 November 2025.

If you would like to sign up for future updates for schools where BCC is not the employer, please register your details here: Sign up for EPP Updates for schools where BCC is not the employer. 

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Please don't hesitate to contact the team at eppschools@birmingham.gov.uk if you have any queries or require further information. 

SEND and Inclusion Bulletin - October 2025

The latest SEND and Inclusion Bulletin, delivered by Helen Ellis, Director of SEND and Inclusion, is now live. It shares key headlines, updates, and important information from across the service: SEND and Inclusion Update - October 2025.

 This month’s bulletin includes:

  • Parent carer feedback from the recent GROW SEND Community Day
  • SENAR updates, including caseload reallocations
  • A call for your input as we review Birmingham’s Local Offer
  • Highlights from the Communication and Autism Team
  • Insights from the recent Improving Developmental Assessment Pathways workshop

If you would like to be added to the distribution list to receive future notifications or have suggestions for topics you’d like to see in upcoming bulletins, please contact the team at localoffer@birmingham.gov.uk.

Deadline for Year 7 and 14-19 Admissions - September 2026

This is a reminder that parents/carers residing in Birmingham have until 11.59 pm on 31 October 2025 to apply through the Birmingham City Council  website www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions for their child’s secondary or 14-19 school place. 

Further information, as well as the admission arrangements to support parents/carers with making their preferences, can be found on our website. Advice and guidance is also available from Children's Services on 0121 303 1888.

Thank you for your support in publicising the process as parents/carers who apply late are less likely to be offered one of their preferred schools.

WellComm Data Collection

FAO:  Primary Schools and Nursery Schools

WellComm is the approved screening tool in Birmingham, and it supports a consistent universal approach to assessing and supporting children’s speech, language and communication needs. We ask each setting to share their termly screening data with us so that we can track the impact of the WellComm screening tool. For schools and nursery schools we collect your Wellcomm data via an online form each term. The Autumn term data collection form is now available.

The deadline for the form to be submitted is 31 December 2025.

You can complete the survey at this link.

To assist you in completing this we are holding two online sessions to demonstrate how to use the WellComm data spreadsheet to collate your screening results and track children’s progress. We will also demonstrate how the spreadsheet will assist you in completing the online WellComm data collection form. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and be signposted to practical support if required. Please use links below to book onto your preferred date.

Thinking About Developing Early Years Provision in Your School?

Childcare Works is the Department for Educations delivery partner, supporting Local Authorities, providers and schools to deliver the expansion of the early years entitlements and wraparound childcare programme.

A School-based Nursery (SBN) is a form of early years childcare provision located on a school site, which supports children to get the best start in life. Take a look at the free Childcare Works resources available to schools who have, or are considering developing their SBN provision. 

Key resources can be accessed via the Childcare Works HUB, a one-stop-shop connecting you with useful and reliable content, using the following links:

DfE Capital Grant

The Government has launched phase 2 of the School-based Nurseries programme which aims to support projects to offer new childcare places in 2026/27. To support the launch of phase 2, which places an increased focus on supporting families from disadvantaged areas to access early years childcare provision, the DfE has opened applications for the Capital Grant which is designed to support state-funded primary schools with expanding or creating on-site nurseries. The deadline to apply for this grant is 5pm 11 December, and you can find out more details on the grant process here: School-based Nursery Capital Grant 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK

From Passion to Profession – Early Years Apprenticeships Await!

Are you passionate about nurturing young minds and ready to take the next step in your Early Years career?

Whether you're supporting children’s development or leading early years provision, our Early Years Apprenticeships offer a structured path to professional growth and nationally recognised qualifications.

Available Apprenticeship Levels:

  • Early Years Practitioner – Level 2
  • Early Years Educator – Level 3
  • Early Years Intervention Practitioner – Level 4
  • Early Years Lead Practitioner – Level 5

What’s in it for you?

  • Develop essential skills in child development and early years pedagogy
  • Learn effective strategies for supporting children’s learning and wellbeing
  • Build your confidence and professional credibility in early years’ settings
  • Connect with peers and mentors across BCC early years teams
  • Shape your future and contribute to high-quality early years provision

This is more than just training – it’s a journey to becoming the early years professional you aspire to be.

If you'd like to learn more before applying, join one of our upcoming information sessions to explore the apprenticeships and ask questions. Register your place here: Early Years Apprenticeship Information Session – 3 November 2025, 4:00pm – 4:45pm

Ready to Advance Your Early Years Career? Speak to your manager and submit your Expression of Interest at this link.

For more details, please reach out to the Apprenticeship Team at apprenticeships@birmingham.gov.uk. 

Don’t miss your chance to grow your skills and shape the future of Early Years education in BCC!

Ready to Inspire? Teaching Assistant and Teacher Apprenticeships Open for Applications!

Are you passionate about education and ready to take the next step in your teaching career?

Whether you're supporting classroom learning or leading educational delivery, our

Teaching Assistant and Teacher Apprenticeships offer a structured path to professional growth and qualification.

Available Apprenticeship Levels:

  • Level 3 Teaching Assistant
  • Level 6 Teacher Degree Apprenticeship

These programmes are tailored for individuals working in educational settings who aspire to deepen their knowledge, enhance their teaching practice, and gain nationally recognised qualifications while continuing in their current roles.

What’s in it for you?

  • Develop core teaching and support skills
  • Learn effective classroom management and pedagogy
  • Build your confidence and professional credibility
  • Connect with peers and mentors across BCC schools
  • Shape your future and contribute to excellence in education

This is more than just training – it’s a journey to becoming the educator you aspire to be.

If you'd like to learn more before applying, please join an upcoming information sessions to explore the apprenticeships and ask questions. Click below to register for the information session of your choice:

Ready to Advance Your Teaching Career? Speak to you manager and register your expression of interest at this link.

For more details, please reach out to the Apprenticeship Team at apprenticeships@birmingham.gov.uk

Don’t miss your chance to grow your skills and shape the future of education in BCC schools!

Be Empowered Workshops – Early Support Programme for SEND Parent Carers

These free workshops are designed for parent/carers of children and young people of any age, with any additional need – diagnosed or not. They offer practical support through times of change, whatever stage of the journey you’re on.

We’d appreciate your help in sharing this with your parent/carer networks.

In-person: Evolve Centre, 99 Glover Street, B9 4EN
Every Wednesday, 5 November to 17 December 2025 at 10:00–13:00

Online via Zoom:
Every Monday, 10 November to 15 December 2025  at 10:00–13:00

Book by 30 October 2025: Be Empowered Workshop Booking Form

For more information, please contact: Christine Legore – christine.legore@birmingham.gov.uk or Nathalie Messanvi – nathalie.messanvi@birmingham.gov.uk

Free places available: Anna Freud’s Autism and Wellbeing Training Programme

FAO: KS2, KS3 and KS4 staff in mainstream primary and secondary schools

Anna Freud is offering free, funded places on a two-day autism and wellbeing training programme for school staff.

This two-day course was developed by autism experts, with resources co-produced by neurodivergent people. On the course, you’ll increase your understanding of neurodivergence and how to support the mental health of your autistic students. You’ll also learn about:

  • The impact of autism myths and stereotypes
  • Communication and sensory differences
  • The causes and impacts of masking, meltdowns and shutdown, and autistic burnout
  • Promoting wellbeing for autistic students and staff.

Funded places are available for staff from mainstream primary and secondary schools working in KS2, 3 or 4. Participants will attend one in-person and one online training day and receive three mentoring sessions to support implementation in their school. Each school that completes the programme will receive £150 to support participation.

Upcoming sessions:

Once booked, you’ll receive an MOU outlining what is required of participating schools, along with Anna Freud’s responsibilities and commitments. It involves an agreement to be completed by your headteacher, agreeing to participation in the programme.

For more information, please email autism.schools@annafreud.org.

ICT for Education Conference - 7 November 2025

See the latest classroom and school technologies and hear expert speakers! 

The ICT for Education conference programme reaches Cranmore Conference Centre, Solihull on 7 November 2025. This event is free to attend.

Computing teachers, Digital Leaders, School Leaders, Local Authority education professionals, School IT professionals from all sectors are welcome to join us as our expert speakers look at the use of technology in schools, and the importance of computer science in preparing students for their progress in education and for life and work in the 21st century. Visit our exhibition of recognised technology suppliers who will display and demonstrate their products and services. Come and meet them and hear how they can make a difference in your school.

Conference sessions will address:

  • An update on AI in education;
  • The importance of Digital Literacy;
  • The Digital Dilemma and the importance of media literacy;
  • First Steps in Coding - Laying the Foundations;
  • The transformative power of Ed Tech for SEND pupils, free resources available to teachers to inspire and motivate students
  • and much more!

Please register your place here: https://www.ictforeducation.co.uk/conferences/solihull-conference-07-11-2025/

Big Ideas presents: Stories Behind the Poppy – The Battle of the Atlantic

Open to pupils aged 8-14 – Thursday, 6 November 2025

The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous battle of World War II, a vital connection which brought supplies from North America to keep the people of the United Kingdom from starvation; it stands as an ultimate example of allyship between Canada and the UK.

On Thursday 6 November, Big Ideas is hosting free, digital workshops for schools across the UK and Canada as part of its Stories Behind the Poppy programme.

Students will learn about the history of the Battle of the Atlantic and take part in creative commemoration activities.

Please register your class for a 45-minute workshop here:

For more information, please email remembertogether@big-ideas.org

 

This entry was posted by Dawn Evans on 13/10/2025.

About

Recent posts

Archives

Tags