This week's noticeboard includes: 

• A Message from the Children and Families Senior Leadership Team
• Schools Finance
• Schools Budget Access Training
• Pay and Policy Compliance
• Introducing CREC: Supporting Birmingham's Best Start Early Years Strategy
• Birmingham Virtual School News - Stay Connected! 
• Children's Mental Health Week: Promoting 'Space' Free Text Support for Young People
• New Mental Health Toolkit for Schools from the Daily Mile and SAMH
• Duke of Edinburgh's Award - Free to attend Birmingham Conference
• 2026 Signet Ring Design Competition
• Schools Cricket Day - 23 April 2026 (Invite from the ECB)
• Young Women into Leadership Online Summit
• Peace Education Support for Schools
• BCHC Plus School Nursing Support

A Message from the Children and Families Senior Leadership Team

Dear colleagues 

We’re pleased to welcome Milo Perkins, who joins the School and Governor Support team from Monday 2 February. Milo brings experience from both the public sector and academy trusts and will be supporting schools to strengthen governance and maintain high standards. 

Our Interim Director of Schools and Employability, Martin Fitzwilliam, recently visited Newman University as part of our work with local initial teacher education (ITE) providers. Newman continues to be an important contributor to Birmingham’s teacher supply, supported by strong facilities and a broad professional offer. With recruitment remaining a challenge for many schools, maintaining close links with ITE providers through placements, mentoring and early engagement offers a practical way of strengthening future staffing pipelines. We will continue to work with local providers to support a sustainable teacher workforce for the city. 

Thank you to colleagues who have taken part in the Inclusion Charter Roadshows over recent weeks. These sessions have focused on sharing the draft Charter and gathering valuable feedback from school leaders. The response so far has been very positive, with broad agreement on the direction of this work. 

The Inclusion Charter is a new shared framework being coproduced with schools, practitioners, families and young people. It will set out clear and consistent expectations for inclusive practice across Birmingham and support delivery of the Inclusion Strategy 2023-2028. The Charter aims to help ensure every child and young person can belong, matter and thrive in their setting. 

A new Core Offer is also in development to give schools straightforward routes to guidance, specialist support and professional learning. The Core Offer is intended to provide clarity and consistency, making it easier for schools to understand what support is available and how to access it. 

Our thanks extend to the headteachers on the Education System Leader Strategic Advisory Group, whose contributions have been instrumental in developing this work. Their guidance and challenge have helped refine the direction of the Charter and the Core Offer. We would especially like to acknowledge Simon Harris from Wilson Stuart Special School and Colin Townsend from the University of Birmingham School for their ongoing support and insight. 

Both the Inclusion Charter and the Core Offer will be officially launched at the Attendance and Inclusion Conference on 16/17 June.  Please save the date, and further information will follow as the programme develops. 

Finally, as we mark Children’s Mental Health Week (9-15 February), a reminder that young people across Birmingham and Solihull can access free, confidential support whenever they need it. Anyone feeling low, anxious, or overwhelmed can text ‘Space’ to 85258 to connect with a trained mental health professional – a service available to all ages, at any time.  

With kind regards 

Schools Finance

Closure of Accounts 2025/26

The draft closure of accounts guidance and year‑end templates for 2025/26 were published last week and are available here: Year-end procedures | Birmingham City Council

The initial briefing on the year‑end procedures has been rescheduled to 9 February, 10:00–11:00am.
Join the session using this link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/35989842012089?p=mY9SjACNIINYlCQKwO

Further training sessions on completing the returns will take place on 25 February, 3 March and 4 March 2026. Full timings and access links are set out in the guidance.

For queries, please contact: SchoolsFinance@birmingham.gov.uk

Schools Finance Timetable

The Schools Finance Timetable has been updated for the next rolling 12 months. Please ensure all deadlines are noted, as reminders may not always be issued.

You can access the timetable here: Finance Timetable for Schools 2026-2027

It is also available on the council’s website: Day-to-day financial operations | Birmingham City Council

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

School Budget Access Training – Upcoming Sessions

Birmingham City Council is offering online training sessions for schools using Access Budgets. These sessions will provide an overview of key functions to support your budget-setting and monitoring processes. The training will cover:

• Inputting your budget
• Monitoring payroll
• Running and printing reports
• Setting up users

You are welcome to join either session. Please select the date that suits you and use the link below to join the meeting:

• 23 February 13:00-14:00 School Budget Access Training
• 3 March 09:00-10:00 - Schools Budget Access Training

Pay and Policy Compliance

This month’s (February) Pay and Policy Compliance briefing provides important updates on:

• BCC Pay Policy update 
• Continuous Service Dates 
• Contract end dates in February 
• Notice periods for Teachers to resign and leave at Easter
• April milestones - now is the time to review annual leave/TTO calculations 
• Assurance Data returns - February 2026

The full briefing can be found here: Compliance | Birmingham City Council

Please take a moment to read through these points carefully. They are essential to ensuring we remain compliant and informed.

For any questions or queries, please contact the Pay and Policy Compliance Team directly at pay.compliance@birmingham.gov.uk.

Introducing CREC: Supporting Birmingham’s Best Start Early Years Strategy

We’re pleased to share an important update about how Birmingham is strengthening support for our youngest children.

Birmingham is developing a new Best Start Early Years Strategy as part of the national Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life programme. This strategy will help bring together everyone who supports children aged 0-5, including early years settings, schools, health teams, family hubs, and community services.

We have asked CREC (Centre for Research in Early Childhood) – a Birmingham-based organisation with national expertise – to help lead the development of this strategy. CREC will be working with partners across the city to:

• Create a shared vision for Birmingham’s youngest children
• Identify key priorities and areas for improvement
• Co-produce the strategy with professionals, families, and community partners
• Lay the groundwork for future projects that will turn the strategy into action

This is a big opportunity for Birmingham to build a clear, joined‑up plan that reflects the strengths and needs of local families. Improving early years outcomes, including children’s readiness for school, is a major priority for the city.

Over the coming weeks, CREC will begin speaking with partners and gathering insights from across Birmingham. You may be invited to take part in:

• Workshops
• Sharing data or local knowledge
• Focused discussions
• Co‑production activities with families

Your involvement will be vital. Working together as one system is the only way we can make sure every child in Birmingham gets the best possible start.

If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Birmingham Virtual School News - Stay Connected

Birmingham Virtual School publishes a newsletter throughout the academic year, sharing updates on activities, events and opportunities for children in care across Birmingham.

Each edition celebrates achievements, showcases talents and highlights the work of the Virtual School in supporting young people and the professionals who work with them.

You can find the latest Spring Edition and previous newsletters here: Latest news from Birmingham Virtual School

Any suggestions for future articles, or to share success stories, resources or strategies, please email: BirminghamVirtualSchool@birmingham.gov.uk.

Children’s Mental Health Week: Promoting ‘Space’ – Free Text Support for Young People

During Children’s Mental Health Week (9–15 February) and throughout the year, schools are encouraged to promote Space, a free and confidential text service offering in‑the‑moment mental health support for children and young people across Birmingham and Solihull.

Young people can text ‘Space’ to 85258 to connect with a trained mental health professional for support with issues such as anxiety, low mood, exam stress, friendships, relationships, or any other worries affecting their wellbeing.

Key features of the service:

• Free, confidential and available on any mobile phone
• In‑the‑moment support, day or night
• Suitable for young people who may prefer texting over talking
• Ability to signpost to local mental health services, including Talking Therapies, Crisis Cafés and NHS 111 Option 2

Since launching in August 2025, the service – a partnership between Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Shout, the UK’s first 24/7 text support service – has supported nearly 700 people, with around 28% of users aged 17 or under.

Schools may wish to share this information with pupils, parents, carers and staff as part of their wider Children’s Mental Health Week activities.

More information is available on the Trust’s website: : Mental Health Text Support Service - Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

New Mental Health Toolkit for Schools from the Daily Mile and SAMH

FAO: All staff at primary and special schools

A brand-new mental health toolkit is now available for schools, created by The Daily Mile Foundation in partnership with SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health).

Designed with teachers, the toolkit includes simple, practical activities to support children’s emotional wellbeing through movement. It’s free to access and perfect for classroom or PSHE use.

The toolkit includes:

• Conversation cards 
• Movement-based mental health activities 
• Breathing and reflection exercises 
• Word games and mood boards

Register here to access the toolkit: Mental health toolkit for schools

You can find out more about the Daily Mile here.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Birmingham Conference

Educational Visits Coordinators (EVCs), DofE Managers and Leaders are invited to attend Birmingham’s first DofE Conference, facilitated by the Council’s Health and Safety Team and Educational Visit Advisers.

The conference will focus on updates, good practice, safety and guidance related to the DofE programme, with a particular emphasis on the expedition section. It is suitable for experienced staff, new DofE Managers, and schools looking to develop or expand their DofE provision.

This event also counts as a half‑day CPD activity for those holding Mountain Training awards. (To register, see your Tadah account).

Event details
Venue: Boundless Outdoors, Bell Heath, Quantry Lane, Stourbridge, DY9 9UU
Date: Friday 27 February 2026
Time: 10:00–14:00
Light lunch and refreshments provided.

This is a free event, but registration is required: https://app.tickettailor.com/events/educationvisitadviceguidance/2055532

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

2026 Signet Ring Design Competition – Now Open (KS2–KS5)

Birmingham schools are invited to take part in the 2026 Signet Ring Design Competition, delivered in partnership with AUEA and Goldsmiths. There are separate entry bands for Key Stages 2–5.

A simplified workbook and supporting resources are available, including:

• Printable student booklet (A3 or double‑sided A4)
• Video design guide
• Entry form
• History guide
• STL files of a 3D signet ring

All resources are available here: https://augi.co.uk/study-at-augi/respository

Entry deadline: 1 May 2026
Entries can be emailed, delivered to AUEA, or collected from your school.

For queries or further information please contact: jewellery@auea.co.uk

Schools Cricket Day – 23 April 2026 (Invite from the ECB)

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is inviting schools across England and Wales to take part in Schools Cricket Day on Thursday 23 April 2026, marking 50 days until the start of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Schools are encouraged to embed cricket across the curriculum for the day – from simple cricket‑themed activities and assemblies to games with classmates or even serving a “cricket tea”. All activities are welcome and entirely flexible.

Schools that sign up will receive a range of digital resources to support the day, with early registrants gaining access to exclusive materials and the chance to win unique, money‑can’t‑buy experiences.

Sign your school up and get involved in this national celebration of cricket: Register your interest here.

Save the Dates – Young Women into Leadership (You WIL) Summit 2026 (Online)

Dates: 20-27 July 2026
Who can take part: Girls aged 14-16 in Birmingham schools
Deadline: Early July

The You WIL Summit is an online leadership programme where young women hear from inspiring female leaders across politics, business, STEM, culture and media. Previous speakers include senior figures from the BBC, Care International, and Birmingham City FC Women.

Participants work in international teams on a joint project and receive a certificate on completion.

Previous feedback:
“It inspired me to hear from women who achieved their dreams.”
“It helped me communicate and share my ideas more confidently.”

For more information, email Europe.Int@birmingham.gov.uk.

Peace Education Support for Schools

Peacemakers, a West Midlands–based peace education charity, provides a range of programmes and training to support children’s social and emotional development, conflict resolution skills and peaceful school environments.

Schools can explore their current offers, resources and support options directly via the Peacemakers website:
www.peacemakers.org.uk/primary-schools or getting in touch directly at info@peacemakers.org.uk.

BCHC Plus – Extra School Nursing Support

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust offers additional School Nursing support for schools needing extra help with pupil health and wellbeing.

Support includes:

• Health & wellbeing curriculum input
• Advice on health‑related issues in school
• Liaison with GPs and other professionals
• Health education and promotion

For more information, contact the team directly: Tel: 0121 466 6266 or Email: bchc.bchcplus@nhs.net

www.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk/bchc-plus-school-nursing