Noticeboard

Noticeboard - 6 March 2026

This week’s Noticeboard includes a message from James Thomas, key information on the anticipated ILACS inspection, guidance for the upcoming pre‑election period, and other important updates for schools.

This week's noticeboard includes: 

 

A Message from James Thomas

My Key Message

This week we hosted a high level delegation from the DfE to discuss the government’s priorities for children and Birmingham’s readiness to deliver.  Sir Kevan Collins has just been appointed in a new role as Delivery Adviser to support the Schools White Paper delivery, with a focus on SEND reform and local authority engagement, and it was a great opportunity to discuss with him their key objectives and where he placed the emphasis.  Obviously the SEND reforms took up much of our focus, and together with Health colleagues we were able to give a cautiously positive welcome for what has been set out, as well as realism about the challenge in gaining the trust of all parents and settings in what has so often been described as a broken system.  We were able to send a positive message about the strong foundations for continual improvement that we have built in Birmingham, rooted in partnership and collaboration.

The White Paper is not only about SEND, even if that has grabbed all the headlines.  Kevan talked up the strong focus upon valuing a broad curriculum and one that includes enrichment activities; the need for all schools to focus upon improved attainment of those cohorts of children that too often fall behind (disadvantaged children – especially white working-class children – and children with special educational needs and disabilities); and he spoke about the wider importance of inclusive schools in which children feel that they belong, citing the evidence that all children do better in inclusive environments – as the White Paper states “high standards of attainment and belonging can go together”.

Those are ambitions that I am very happy to support.  The one proposal that made me sigh, because we have been here before… more than once… is “putting collaboration at the heart of the system by moving to all schools being part of school trusts, including new trusts established by local authorities or area partnerships, which are rooted in their community and equipped to innovate for all children.”  I have yet to hear the DfE articulate in any detail what this means or what they expect to happen by when – and will continue to press those questions including when meeting Sue Lovelock, the DfE Regional Director next week.

As the system leader for Birmingham’s education provision, we will be doing more thinking about how we can support all schools to understand and prepare for all these proposals over the next three years as the government seeks to pass primary legislation and implement these changes.  We do have time to think together carefully about how they will work best for our children and our local system, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the All Schools Webinar on 19th March as we start to do that.

ILACS Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services

Ofsted will inspect Birmingham City Council children’s services under the ILACS framework within the current inspection window. ILACS inspections are unannounced and we will receive short notice.

Birmingham’s last ILACS inspection in 2023 found services to be good. Under the ILACS framework, councils judged good are normally inspected through a short inspection as part of routine continued assurance. Ofsted confirms the inspection type and timing based on its ongoing risk assessment and intelligence.

What this means for schools

A Schools HMI forms part of the ILACS inspection team. Inspectors may request factual information about a small number of individual children and young people. This may include children in care, care leavers, elective home educated children and children missing education. If this happens, we may need to contact schools at short notice to confirm accurate and current information. Any requests will be specific, time limited and proportionate.

What we need from you now

No immediate action is required. We very much appreciate and thank you in advance for responding promptly if asked for factual information. Requests are most likely to be directed to one of the following roles: designated safeguarding lead, designated teacher for children in care, SENCO, attendance lead or admissions lead.

We will provide an immediate update once formal notification is received and will communicate any required actions through our usual channels.

Queries

Please direct any queries to: BCCCFLANO@birmingham.gov.uk

Reference documents

ILACS framework: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspecting-local-authority-childrens-services/inspecting-local-authority-childrens-services

Birmingham ILACS 2023 report: https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50214110.

Contact to schools from media/journalists

If a school is contacted by a journalist or media outlet, it’s important that all staff follow Birmingham City Council guidance. Please share the following information with your staff teams who could receive this type of contact.

Schools should not make any comments; instead, staff should ask the journalist or caller to share their name, which media/press team they represent and take contact details (email and telephone contact). Please also record the date and time of the contact and any information which is shared with you.

Upon receiving a contact, schools must contact the Birmingham Press Office by emailing: bhamcitycouncilpressoffice@birmingham.gov.uk and education@birmingham.gov.uk.

Please share the key information taken above.

Support will be provided on an individual basis. 

School Wars Social Media Campaign Briefing for Parents and Carers

We have been made aware of a social media campaign called school wars with a list of red schools pitted against blue schools urging students in each of the schools to combine as one team in getting involved in physical assault with points for beating someone up from the opposite team of schools and extra points for filming it or robbing a child.

Schools in Birmingham are aware of the campaign which is being promoted on social media with no indication at present that this will take place. Schools are offering the necessary guidance and reassurance to children to refrain from getting involved and are being reminded to report any information and concerns to their school immediately. We are also sharing some helpful guidance for parents and carers to support your child as below:

How you can help:

  • Speak with your child about staying away from any gatherings linked to this trend and the potential risks involved.
  • Continue to uphold a vigilance in respect of your child's mobile phone use.
  • Encourage your child to report any information or concerns through your school’s safeguarding reporting system.
  • If parents and carers hear or see anything worrying, including online posts, please report this to the police via 101, and notify the school as soon as possible.

Our priority, as always, is ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all our students. Thank you for your continued support in helping us address this matter promptly and responsibly. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your school.

Finally, please feel free to reach out to me for any further information via email at Wasim.Arif@birmingham.gov.uk. 

Upcoming Pre‑Election Period – Local Elections 2026

Birmingham City Council will enter the official pre‑election period (previously known as ‘purdah’) from 9am on Friday, 20 March 2026, ahead of the local elections taking place on Thursday, 7 May 2026.

During this period, all Birmingham City Council–related communications – including those issued by Birmingham maintained schools – must comply with statutory restrictions on publicity and remain strictly non‑political.

Please ensure that no school communication (newsletters, websites, social media, events, or publicity) includes:

  • References to political parties, politicians, or election candidates
  • Any content that could be interpreted as supporting or opposing a political view
  • Material relating to politically sensitive or controversial issues
  • Photographs, quotes, or appearances involving election candidates

Schools can continue sharing routine operational information; however, anything that could be perceived as political must be avoided until after polling day.

If you are unsure whether planned content is appropriate, please seek advice before publishing by contacting: SchoolImprovement@birmingham.gov.uk

Schools Finance

VAT reimbursement Claims from Schools

Please ensure all School VAT reimbursement claims have been submitted for the current financial year.

Please see below the link to the template, website with training video for assistance in completing, and timetable for submission.

Day-to-day financial operations | Day-to-day financial operations | Birmingham City Council

March 2025/26 Cash Sheets

 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. 

Schools Closure of Accounts 2025/26

Deadline for the year end submission is 20th March 2026.

The closure of accounts guidance and year-end templates are available to view by using the following link: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50379/finance_in_schools/3153/year-end_procedures

The first training session on how to complete the return was held on 25 February, and the recording will be available to view on the above page shortly.

For any queries regarding the guidance and workbook please contact: SchoolsFinance@Birmingham.gov.uk.

Access Budget Training – Recording Now Available

The recording of the recent Access Budget Training session is now available.
You can watch it anytime using the link below:

Budgets for schools in Birmingham | School budgets and financial planning | Birmingham City Council

If you have any questions following the session, please get in touch via sfs@birmingham.gov.uk.

Schools Financial Services – SLA Documents Issued

The Schools Financial Services (SFS) Service Level Agreements (SLAs) were sent out via email on Friday of last week.

To ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted delivery of services, completed SLA forms must be submitted no later than:

27th March 2026

Submitting your forms by the deadline enables us to plan effectively and ensure your school’s financial services continue without disruption.

If you have any enquiries regarding the SLAs for Financial Services, please contact us at: SFS@birmingham.gov.uk. 

Outstanding schools’ invoices

For any schools not receiving statements of outstanding invoices, or requiring copies of outstanding invoices, please contact Revenues.CIS@birmingham.gov.uk.

As always the team is happy to support, if there are any queries please e-mail schoolsfinance@birmingham.gov.uk. 

Pay and Policy Compliance

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

  • BCC Pay Policy update
  • Continuous Service Dates
  • Contract end dates for Teachers in April 2026
  • Contract end dates for Term time only Support staff
  • April milestones: Support staff pay progression/ Annual Leave and TTO calculations                                  
  • 6 month increments for newly appointed support staff
  • Support staff pay on appointment
  • Assurance checks – data requirements
  • Assurance Data returns - March 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.

Healthy Schools: Upcoming Lunch & Learn Webinars

The Healthy Schools team have some exciting Lunch & Learn webinars coming up! These sessions are open to all school staff and are designed to help you inspire pupils to be more active.

Inspiring Activity with the TCS Mini London Marathon in Schools

The TCS Mini London Marathon in Schools is a fantastic way to motivate children and young people to get moving, while giving your school the chance to host an exciting event linked to a major national sporting moment. 

Join this session to learn how your school can take part and explore the free resources and opportunities available.

Date & time: Wednesday 11 March, 12:30pm
Register: Inspiring activity with the TCS Mini London Marathon in Schools event

Big Walk and Wheel 2026 & Bikeability

The Big Walk and Wheel encourages pupils to make active journeys to school, helping to build healthy habits in a fun and engaging way.

Bikeability provides high‑quality cycle training for children and can be delivered directly in schools.
Come along to this session to find out more and learn how your school can get involved.

Date & time: Monday 16 March, 12:30pm
Register: Big Walk and Wheel 26 & Bikeability

If you’d like to receive updates about future Lunch & Learns, please email: healthyschools@birmingham.gov.uk

The Daily Mile Mental Health Toolkit

FAO: Primary Schools

A brand-new Mental Health Toolkit is now available for schools, created by The Daily Mile Foundation in partnership with SAMH.

Designed with teachers, the toolkit includes simple, practical activities to support children’s emotional wellbeing through movement. It’s free to access for all schools 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 your Mental Health Toolkit: https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/7UG4-FN4/registrationform

Schools are also encouraged to sign up to The Daily Mile to access resources and assembly slides/videos to encourage daily movement opportunities in their school - Home | The Daily Mile

Arrangements for the Offer of Year 7 Places on 2 March 2026 

FAO: Head Teacher/Admissions Staff within School 

Information about the arrangements for secondary school offer day has been posted on the council's website www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions and has also been emailed to Year 6 parent/carers this week.

This will set out the process for the offer of secondary school places on Monday 2 March 2026.

Offer emails will be sent on Monday 2 March 2026 and we expect that parent/carers will receive their emails by 4:00pm - the exact time will depend on their email service provider.

Parent/carers will also receive their child’s offer by letter from 2 March 2026.

To ensure consistency for all families, waiting lists in Birmingham will not be made available until Monday 23 March 2026. Waiting list information will not be available before that date.

Applications received after the final closing date (31 October 2025) will be considered after applications received on time and processed after 2 March 2026.

If you have any further queries, then please do not hesitate to email admissions@birmingham.gov.uk. 

School Admissions Update

After a successful Secondary Offer Day, the School Admissions team have now started processing late applications received between 1 November 2025 and 1 March 2026 in date order. This prompt start aims to support Birmingham secondary schools in maximising their offers.

Important: In line with the local authority’s co-ordinated admissions scheme, schools should not make direct offers to families that approach them. Schools that are found to be undertaking this practice will be required to retract the offer in line with the School Admissions Code (2021) to ensure transparency and fairness.

School Admissions will generate waiting lists on 23 March 2026. Waiting list information will not be available before that date. This is to allow families time to consider offers made and submit any refusals to the local authority by the deadline of 16 March 2026. Parents who have applied for non-Birmingham schools should make enquiries with the relevant local authority regarding the operation of their waiting lists.

Finally, to ensure safeguarding, if you are aware of any families who have not submitted an application for their child to start secondary school in September, please advise them to apply online as a matter of urgency by visiting https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions

Further information about the late application process is also available on the council’s website www.birmingham.gov.uk/lateapplications alternatively, parent/carers can email admissions@birmingham.gov.uk. 

TCS Mini London Marathon in Schools event plus Big Wheel & Walk 26 and Bikeability – Healthy Schools Lunch & Learn webinars

FAO: All school staff

The Healthy Schools team have some exciting Lunch & Learn webinars coming up. They are open to all school staff and designed to help you support pupils to get more active!

Inspiring activity with the TCS Mini London Marathon in Schools event

The TCS Mini London Marathon in Schools is a great opportunity to inspire children and young people to be physically active and to host a great event at your school that connects pupils with a large-scale national sporting event. Join this session to find out how you can take part and discover free resources and opportunities for your school.

Date & time: Wednesday 11th March at 12.30pm

Register: Inspiring activity with the TCS Mini London Marathon in Schools event

Big Walk and Wheel 26 & Bikeability

Big Walk and Wheel inspires pupils to make active journeys to school. Bikeability is a cycle training initiative for children, and it can be delivered at schools. Come along to this session to learn more and find out how your school can get involved with them!

Date & time: Monday 16th March at 12.30pm

Register: Big Walk and Wheel 26 & Bikeability

To receive emails about upcoming Lunch & Learns, contact healthyschools@birmingham.gov.uk. 

Oral health in schools – tell us what you think!

Public Health professionals working to improve oral health in Birmingham want to understand more about oral health in schools and your insight is valuable!

By completing this short survey, you’ll help identify the oral health challenges pupils face and the types of resources that would be most useful for schools.

Your input will shape new resources to support schools and improve pupils’ oral health.

The survey only takes up to 10 minutes and is open to all school staff across Birmingham. Make sure you submit your response by 5pm on Monday 23rd March 2026. 

Any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on: HealthySchools@birmingham.gov.uk.  

Invitation to join our Education Safeguarding DSL Reference Group

BCC Thriving Children & Families Division is inviting Designated Safeguarding Leads working in Birmingham schools to join a new Education Safeguarding Reference Group.  This is an opportunity for you to help influence, shape and guide how we deliver safeguarding support for schools across the city. 

Your insight will make a real difference to ensuring that our offer meets the needs of children, families, and the education settings that support them. 

What will the group do?

  • Review the findings of the section 175 assessment and advise on priorities for safeguarding in education settings 
  • Review and guide the development of our safeguarding offer for schools and settings.
  • Share best practice and identify emerging opportunities and challenges.
  • Provide feedback on resources, networks, training, and support materials

Meetings will take place once per term via MS Teams and will run for approximately 90 minutes.

Feedback will inform the priorities of the BSCP Safeguarding in Education Group which is currently co-chaired by a Birmingham head teacher, Nigel Attwood. 

If you are interested, please email to ssi@Birmingham.gov.uk to let us know a bit about yourself and why you would like to join the network by completing the Expression of Interest form for which the link is below by the 19th March 2026. We will then be in touch with the initial meeting date.  

Expression of interest form - to join Education Safeguarding DSL Reference Group | Birmingham City … 

In the meantime, thank you for your continued commitment to keeping children safe.   

Opportunity for Senior Education Leaders to join the new Multi‑Agency Child Protection Team

Birmingham Children's Trust is inviting expressions of interest from senior education leaders across Birmingham schools to join our newly established Multi‑Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT).  Further information on MACPTs can be found here

This is an exciting 12-to-18-month opportunity to help shape and strengthen the child protection offer across the city. We are building a collaborative model that brings together the expertise of education, social care, police, health and wider partners — and we want experienced school leaders to play a central role.

Who we are looking for

We welcome expressions of interest from senior leaders who have:

  • Significant safeguarding leadership experience within an education setting
  • A strong understanding of multi‑agency working
  • The ability to contribute strategic insight and operational leadership
  • A commitment to improving outcomes for children and families across Birmingham

What the role offers

  • The chance to influence and co‑design a citywide child protection approach
  • Close partnership working with safeguarding professionals across agencies
  • Opportunities to deepen experience and understanding of complex safeguarding
  • Flexible working arrangements can be considered with backfill

How to express interest

If you would like more information on this opportunity, please contact: razia.butt@birmingham.gov.uk.

Please submit a brief expression of interest (link is below) outlining your safeguarding experience, leadership background, and what you hope to bring to this multi‑agency role by the 19th March 2026.       

Expression of interest form - for senior education leaders to join multi-agency child protection te… 

Combined Secondary / Secondary Special / POST-16 Curriculum Group Meeting

BOOK VIA BESS: Combined Secondary / Secondary Special / Post-16 Curriculum Group Meeting | Birmingham Education Support Services

Virtual: Face to Face

Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins

Date: 11th March 2026

Time: 10.00am-12.30pm

Venue: Ark Victoria Academy Talbot Way, Small Heath, Birmingham B10 0HJ

Facilitator: Ayisha Ali (Senior Education Advisor)

Audience: School leaders/ PSHE/RSHE Pastoral leads/DSLs

Curriculum group meetings have been established by our Senior Education Adviser, Ayisha Ali, within the Thriving Children and Families Directorate.  These meetings aim to foster collaboration with schools across Birmingham.

The primary goal is to create sustainable networking opportunities for sharing effective classroom practices and addressing curriculum challenges identified in the Section 175 Safeguarding Audit.  Additionally, these meetings aim to navigate complex global issues and their impact on young people.

These themed groups empower teachers to enhance their confidence in teaching, learning and assessment, particularly in the essential areas of Keeping Children Safe in Education.  This ensures that key safeguarding principles are integrated into curriculum resources.

The objectives of the curriculum groups include:

  • Addressing challenging curriculum issues and exploring strategies for the classroom
  • Serving as a strategic link in a supportive role between schools and the Safeguarding Team
  • Identifying strengths and opportunities for curriculum development in educational settings
  • Representing the educational perspective within the safeguarding sector
  • Cultivating effective partnerships to provide ongoing support for schools
  • Offering a platform for schools to exchange best practices with other Birmingham institutions
  • Facilitating discussions on how to best assist schools in navigating difficult issues

This term, we will focus on the following themes:

Understanding FGM in the Secondary Phase: Your Voice and Practice

Led by Ayisha Ali and Professor Janette Littlemore (UoB)

We will consider how FGM is addressed within the secondary phase and gather your perspectives on what is appropriate, sensitive and effective for older pupils, particularly in relation to safeguarding, respectful relationships and wider contextual risks. We are also working closely with Professor Jeannette Littlemore and her team at the University of Birmingham, who leads the LEAF (Language in Education About FGM) project, a research initiative exploring how the language used in FGM education affects how young people understand, discuss and respond to this issue. They would welcome participation from schools to help strengthen the evidence base and ensure communication approaches reflect the needs of Birmingham’s communities. If any schools are already delivering lessons or awareness work around this topic, we encourage you to bring examples to the meeting so we can share best practice.

Developing Virtues and Voices: A Whole School Approach to Personal Development

Led by Ela McSorley- Ark Victoria

This session will explore how we use contextual factors to help shape the Personal Development curriculum work at Ark Victoria. We will demonstrate and share how our strategy for developing character and virtues literacy supports to address and tackle discrimination. This includes our work alongside external partners such as Bold Voices, Citizens UK, Diversity Role Models and Flair Education, whose expertise supports us in addressing gender-based harm, promoting respectful relationships, and empowering students to challenge inequality.  

Health and Safety – Risk Assessment Made Easy

As the academic year continues to unfold, let’s keep safety at the top of our list. We have a new visual aid/guide which shows you how simple it can be to assess workplace risks and protect yourself, your team, and those around you who may be impacted.

Risk assessments are simply a careful examination of what, in your school/establishment, could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm.

It involves:

  1. Looking for anything that could go wrong (hazards).
  2. Thinking about who could be harmed and how.
  3. Evaluate the risk and decide on precautions to.
  4. Recording the findings and implement them.
  5. Review and update – Things change so keep it current

In short: A risk assessment helps you spot dangers, understand the risks, and take sensible steps to prevent accidents and ill health.

The visual aid/guide is suitable for posting on notice boards to provide a simple reminder of the process. A copy is available to download on BESS or alternatively please contact the Health and Safety Team Enquiries:schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk. 

Early Education Entitlement - Working Hours Places

Children from 9 months - 3 years old can access 30 hours working entitlement a week.  3–4-year-olds can access universal hours (15) and working hours (15). 

For children to access a working hour funded place in Summer, parents must have received an eligible code on or before 31st March 2026.

The local authority cannot fund codes that have a validity start date of/ on or after the 1st of April.

It is the childcare providers responsibility to check the date on the code before offering a working hours place. You must do this by entering the code on ECS and then check the validity start date of it to make sure it is eligible for the current term:

https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/oefe/birmingham/la/schools

You must check the date before allowing the child to access any working hours for the term.

Further information about working hours and validating codes can be found on the BCC document website:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RfNczGD8H5vCJRYpjezp6_KnmCwSFWJs?usp=drive_link

If you have any queries regarding working hours entitlement, please email earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk.

Early Education Entitlement - Working Entitlement for Foster Children

Foster parents can apply for working entitlement for their 9-23 month old, or their 2-, 3- and 4-year-old foster children, if they are in paid employment outside of their foster care role.

These applications cannot be made via the usual route of the Best Start website and have to come directly to the local authority. The foster carer or social worker should email earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk for an application form. The Social Worker and Birmingham Virtual School Advisor have to be in agreement that the application is in the best interests of the child.

The same deadlines apply - they must have a code by 31st March 2026 in order to access working hours from April 2026 for Summer term. If you are aware of any looked after children that might be eligible for working hours extended entitlement, please signpost them to earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk

3- & 4-year-olds would qualify for 30 hours (universal and working element) as long as their code is eligible. 

Any 2-year-old who is eligible for the working and disadvantaged elements, must access 15 hours of each to make 30 hours.

As with all working hours codes you will still need to validate the code on ECS before agreeing the start date. You must do this by entering the code on ECS and then check the validity start date of it to make sure it is eligible for the current term:

https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/oefe/birmingham/la/schools  

Further information about working entitlement and validating codes can be found on the BCC document website: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12cq6RnLio2Z8CgDv2CvAwbtbN4Bi62SF.   

DAF - Early Education Entitlement

Disability access fund – Is a one-off annual payment of £975 (from April 26) for each eligible child per in your setting. 

  • DAF can be claimed once per year, which can help with children’s education and support. 
  • You must ensure that any child who you claim DAF for is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance
  • There is a section on the parental declaration form which must be completed for eligible children.

You can make a claim on your headcount claim on portal; you should only make one claim per year (April-March).   

You can apply for all age groups and entitlements.  Children do not need to access their full entitlement in order for you to claim disability access funding.

Children in receipt of EYPP or ISEY funding does not qualify them for Disability Access Fund.  Only children in receipt of DLA will be eligible for DAF.  Please ensure you retain evidence of DLA (for a minimum of 6 years).  Failure to provide this during audit will result in clawback.

Please speak to your parents to find out if children are eligible.

If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact: earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk.  

 

This entry was posted by Dawn Evans on 27/02/2026.

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