This week’s noticeboard contents:

• Message from James Thomas, Interim Executive Director of Children & Families

Important Updates

• Cyber Security in Schools: Phishing Email Reminder
• Shape a New Department for Education Secondary School Service (DfE School Profiles)

Deadlines and Actions

• Schools Finance – System Balances: Action Required
• Attendance and Inclusion Conference June 2026: Inclusion Gallery – Call for Entries
• 2026 Early Years Transition Events – Book Your Place
• Early Years Leads: Summer Cluster Surgery – Book Your Place
• Sign Up to Healthy Schools – Win Tennis Tickets
• Healthy Schools Lunch & Learn: Safer Travel Policing Team
• Wraparound Childcare Delivery Opportunity – Grendon Primary School

Training and Research

• Free DfE‑Funded Training for School Business Professionals
• First Aid/Fire Marshall/Educational Visits Courses
• Primary Schools Invited: Menstrual Education Research
• Opportunity to Take Part in Youth Mental Health Research – YOUTHreach

Opportunities for Pupils and Students

• Call for Student Applications – Young Women into Leadership (You WIL) Summit 2026
• NSPCC Youth Online Safety Group

Events, Challenges and Competitions

• The Big School Workout: Live with Joe Wicks – Mental Health Week
• R Team Design Competition – Veolia 
• Birmingham 2026 Miles Challenge

Key Message from James Thomas

Dear colleagues

On Wednesday our Education Board held its summer term meeting with a primary focus upon Early Years Foundation Stage, as well as School Improvement Updates and an open discussion about the White Paper. The Board is at the heart of our systems leadership approach to children’s education in Birmingham, bringing together all the lead stakeholders to share responsibility for understanding our children’s progress and where we need to focus our improvement effort. The Board is being assisted in doing that effectively through the quality of data that it is receiving, and the richness of that evidence base is at the heart of the quality of Board discussions and resulting actions.

So for children’s achievement of a Good Level of Development at Early Years Foundation Stage we were able to unpick the multiple factors at play – that whilst Birmingham’s levels of poverty are key to understanding why we lag behind national benchmarks, in fact the progress of children receiving FSM is far ahead of those national comparators and should be celebrated. At the heart of consideration of early years is the need to have impact as early as possible, certainly way before children are reaching Reception: the work starts pre-birth and the focus upon support to parents to understand the fundamental significance of attachment and stimulation flows through into infancy; the strong evidence of improved outcomes for children who have taken up their Early Education Entitlement justifies a cross partnership effort to drive up that take-up and ensure parents understand that this is not about day care, this is about education that will impact their children’s future life chances; and as the Best Start in Life strategy is refreshed, it is already clear that we need a system that integrates the healthy child programme with early education. Of course schools still have a key role to play too!  And the granular analysis of performance at school and district level will help us to identify and share best practice and unlock all the potential of school to school support.

As a collaborative enterprise, the Education Board is dependent upon the input of all parts of our system and their lead representatives, and I am grateful for everyone’s commitment to working together. It is also a place where we strengthen relationships across the system, with space to share learning and innovation – and I’m grateful to Claire Henebury, Chair of the Birmingham Early Years Network, for educating me on the eight senses that we all have, not just the five I had always assumed…!

Finally, I’d like to recognise values‑led leadership in action. Last week, Razia Butt, Director of Thriving Children and Families, was nominated for the Racial Equity Network Dinner (REND) Outstanding Achievement Award 2026, which celebrates leaders making a meaningful impact in advancing racial equity across education and children’s services. Razia’s thoughtful, compassionate leadership and her commitment to championing anti‑racist practice continues to make a real difference across our school communities. A well‑deserved recognition, and an excellent example of the values we strive to uphold across our system.

James

Cyber Security in Schools: Phishing email reminder

We’ve recently seen an increase in phishing emails being shared between schools. Some of these may come from genuine school email addresses that have been compromised.

These emails often:

• Use the school name as the subject
• Include a “view” or “download document” link
• Contain vague or minimal wording

Staff are encouraged to take extra care with emails from other schools, especially if they include links. If something doesn’t look quite right, avoid clicking and seek advice.

Further guidance is available via the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC): Cyber Security in Schools - Practical tips for everyone working in education

Any concerns should be reported to your IT provider.

Shape a New Department for Education Secondary School Service  

Please share the information below with your family networks.

The Department for Education (DfE) is trialling a new online service called School Profiles, designed to help parents and carers explore and compare state secondary schools in England.

School Profiles brings together key information about schools in one place, including:

• school policies
• curriculum and extra‑curricular activities
• academic performance information

The aim is to make it easier for families to explore secondary school options ahead of applying for a place.

If you are a parent or carer of a child who will be moving from primary to secondary school, you can visit the School Profiles beta website and explore the school information available: https://beta.schoolprofiles.education.gov.uk/gateway/welcome/BIR

By exploring and using the service, parents and carers help the Department for Education understand how the site is used and what can be improved before it is made available nationally.

This is a Department for Education trial. It is not a Birmingham City Council service. Feedback is gathered directly by the Department for Education through use of the website.

Schools Finance

System Balances – Action Required

Birmingham City Council is currently undertaking a review and correction of system balances over the coming months. To support this work, Keystone Knowledge has been commissioned to carry out the required activity on our behalf.

If your school is contacted as part of this process, the main points of contact will be:

• Mary Oluwaseun – Birmingham City Council
• Stephen Mitchell – Keystone Knowledge

All schools are asked to complete the short online form linked below to support the balances review.

Please complete the form by Wednesday 29 April 2026: https://forms.office.com/e/pP2b6ibRRG?origin=lprLink

Thank you for your cooperation and timely response, which will help ensure the work is completed accurately and efficiently.

If you have any queries, please contact: schoolsfinance@birmingham.gov.uk

Attendance and Inclusion Conference June 2026: Inclusion Gallery – Call for Entries

We’re inviting Birmingham schools and settings to contribute to the Children and Young People’s Inclusion Gallery at the Attendance and Inclusion Conference taking place in June.

Pupils can submit up to three simple visual pieces (photo/drawing + short caption) showing:

• what helps them feel happy, safe and that they belong, or
• what inclusion in Birmingham looks like to them.

Deadline: Friday 15 May 2026
See the poster here for full details and how to enter: Inclusion Gallery poster

A great opportunity to amplify pupil voice and showcase inclusion in your setting.

For any queries or further information, please contact Ann Scott, Partnership Inclusion Manager at Ann.Scott@birmingham.gov.uk

2026 Early Years Transition Events – Book Your Place

Early years providers, Reception class teachers and school SENCOs are invited to attend Birmingham’s free annual Early Years Transition Events, supporting a smooth move to Reception for children starting school in September 2026.

These face‑to‑face district‑based events give early years settings and schools the opportunity to:

• share information about children moving into Reception
• discuss transition arrangements and documentation
• arrange visits between settings
• access advice from professionals including Area SENCo and Speech and Language Therapy teams

Which event should you attend?

• Early Years Providers: attend the event in the district of the child’s new school
• Reception Teachers & School SENCOs: attend the event in your school’s district

If you’re unsure which district applies, use the government constituency postcode search before registering: Government’s Constituencies Search

Register for your district event:

• Hall Green & Moseley District
• Erdington District
• Yardley District
• Northfield District
• Sutton Coldfield District
• Edgbaston District
• Hodge Hill & Solihull Norths District
• Ladywood District
• Selly Oak District
• Perry Barr District

We look forward to welcoming you at one of the 2026 transition events.

Early Years Leads: Summer Cluster Surgery – Book Your Place

Early Years Leaders working in Birmingham primary schools, school‑based nurseries or maintained nursery schools are invited to attend the Summer Early Years Consultant Cluster Surgeries.

These termly sessions are led by local authority Early Years Consultants and provide a supportive space to:

• explore key Early Years practice topics
• share experiences and challenges
• connect with colleagues across Birmingham
• build strong professional relationships that support better outcomes for children

You can attend any Cluster Surgery, regardless of your district

Upcoming Summer Cluster Surgeries

North Cluster – Exploring Safer Sleep
(Perry Barr, Sutton Coldfield & Erdington)

• In person – 29/4/2026 at 9.30am to 11.30am
• Online – 30/4/2026 at 6pm to 7.30pm

Central & East Cluster – Supporting Children with EAL in Early Years
(Ladywood, Hodge Hill, Solihull North & Yardley)

• In person - 20/5/2026 at 9.30am to 11.30am
• Online - 20/5/2026 at 6pm to 7.30pm

South Cluster – Best Start in Life (BSiL) Family Hubs
(Hall Green, Selly Oak, Northfield & Edgbaston)

• In person - 14/5/2026 at 10am to 12pm
• Online - 14/5/2026 at 6.30pm to 7.30pm

In‑person places are limited – early booking is recommended

More Early Years CPD Opportunities

A wide range of free professional development events for Early Years practitioners and leaders is available across Birmingham: www.birminghamearlyyearsnetworks.org/events

Sign up to Healthy Schools – Win Tennis Tickets!

Sign up to the Healthy Schools Framework for a chance to win 35 centre‑court tennis tickets for pupils at the Lexus Birmingham Open on Tuesday 2 June 2026 (including access to the school activation zone).

Complete an Expression of Interest form by 5pm on Friday 8 May 2026 to be entered into the prize draw.

The Healthy Schools Framework is a free self‑assessment tool that supports whole‑school health and wellbeing, provides practical resources, and helps gather evidence for Ofsted. Download our information pack or watch our webinar to learn more.

For more information, contact: healthyschools@birmingham.gov.uk

Open to state-funded schools (including academies) within Birmingham City Council local authority. Eligible schools that have already submitted an Expression of Interest or are registered on the Healthy Schools portal will be entered automatically. 

Healthy Schools Lunch & Learn: Safer Travel Policing Team

School staff are invited to join our Healthy Schools Lunch & Learn webinar – Safer Travel Policing Team: Feel safer, be safer, stay safer on Thursday 30 April 2026 at 12.30pm.

The session will explain how the Safer Travel Policing Team works across the West Midlands to keep public transport safe, including how to report concerns, build confidence when travelling, and access support for schools. This includes assemblies and workshops, support for Year 6 transition to secondary school, and safer travel sessions for secondary pupils and staff.

Register here: Safer Travel Policing Team – Feel safer, be safer, stay safer

Email healthyschools@birmingham.gov.uk to join the Healthy Schools mailing list and receive details of future Lunch & Learn webinars.

Wraparound Childcare Delivery Opportunity – Grendon Primary School

Grendon Primary School in Kings Heath, Birmingham, is seeking a quality Wraparound Childcare provider to deliver Before and After School provision for fee‑paying parents of primary‑age children, from January 2027.

The successful provider must:

• be Ofsted‑registered at the time of opening
• have experience delivering high‑quality wraparound childcare
• be willing to work in line with the school’s ethos and become part of the Grendon Primary School community

The appointed provider will also have the opportunity to apply to Birmingham City Council Wraparound Childcare Start‑Up Funding.

Grendon Primary School will use a formal application process to appoint the provider.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026

For further information or to express an interest, please contact the Head Teacher, Mrs Helen Ridley, at: hridley@grendon.bham.sch.uk

Free DfE-Funded Training for School Business Professionals

The Department for Education (DfE) is offering fully funded, in‑person training for School Business Professionals (SBPs), delivered nationally by the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL). The programme supports SBPs working in maintained schools, academies and trusts and aims to strengthen leadership, financial management and operational skills.

A series of practical, face‑to‑face sessions covering key topics, including:

• Integrated curriculum and financial planning (ICFP)
• Financial planning & budgeting assumptions
• Procurement
• Strategic planning and operational leadership
• HR & flexible working
• Leadership and leading change
• Professional development

• Open sessions are running across all nine DfE regions and are free to attend on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
• Closed sessions can be arranged by a trust, local network, or group of schools – you choose the topic, provide the venue, and ISBL delivers the training (also fully funded).

Training is being delivered now through to March 2027 as part of the national DfE programme.

To find out more or book a place please visit the ISBL website: www.isbl.org.uk/regional-in-person-training-sessionsdfe, or contact SBP.Policy@education.gov.uk.

First Aid / Fire Marshall Courses / Educational Visits Courses (EVC)

Please book courses via the BESS Website using the appropriate link. For general enquiries please contact:  schoolsafety@birmingham.gov.uk.

Primary Schools Invited: Menstrual Education Research

FAO All Primary School Staff

Period Education UK is working with primary schools to help develop new, curriculum‑aligned menstrual education resources. Teachers and school leaders are invited to take part in a short research study sharing their experiences of menstrual education, including what is currently taught and what support or resources would be helpful.

Participation involves either a 30‑minute one‑to‑one interview or a small group discussion, which can take place online, by phone, or in person.

To take part or find out more, please contact Jess Harvey at j.e.harvey@swansea.ac.uk.

Opportunity to Take Part in Youth Mental Health Research – YOUTHreach

YOUTHreach is a mental health research study for young people aged 12–25 who are currently receiving some form of emotional or psychological support and experiencing difficulties with their feelings. The study explores different types of mental health support, including support from friends, schools, GPs, or youth mental health services such as walk‑in centres.

Participants will be asked to complete online questionnaires four times over one year, with each taking around 30–60 minutes. As a thank you, participants will receive shopping vouchers totalling up to £90.

Educators and parents may wish to share this opportunity with young people who may be interested. To find out more or to take part in the Birmingham study, please contact the research team at youthreacheu@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

If urgent support is needed, please contact 999 or 112 in an emergency, or NHS 111 for non‑emergency advice. Additional support services are available at: the-waitingroom.org.

Call for Student Applications – Young Women into Leadership (You WIL) Summit 2026

Applications are now open for the Young Women into Leadership (You WIL) Summit 2026, an online leadership programme for girls aged 14–16 attending Birmingham schools. The summit will run from 20–27 July 2026 (excluding the weekend), with a deadline for applications of 12 June 2026.

The You WIL Summit is delivered in partnership with Birmingham City Council, the University of Birmingham, and the British Council, and gives young women the opportunity to hear from inspiring female leaders from a wide range of sectors. Previous speakers have included senior figures from politics, public service, media, sport, and international organisations.

Participants will take part in 2‑hour interactive online sessions each day, exploring leadership themes such as politics, business, sport, STEM, and the creative industries. Throughout the week, students will work in small international teams to develop a presentation, which they will deliver to a panel on 27 July.

For further information and to request an application form, please contact: Europe.Int@birmingham.gov.uk

NSPCC Youth Online Safety Group

The NSPCC is looking for young people aged 12–15 to join its Voice of Online Youth group – a national group helping to shape how children are protected online.

Members work alongside influential decision‑makers, advise the NSPCC and government, and tackle real online safety issues affecting young people today. They also gain valuable skills in public speaking, campaigning and teamwork, with opportunities to attend events, workshops and residentials across the UK.

No previous experience is needed, just a genuine passion for making the online world safer for children and young people.

Membership lasts 18 months, with travel, accommodation and reasonable expenses covered.

Young people apply online, and parents/carers complete a separate consent form.

Application deadline: Friday 22 May 2026

Find out more and apply: Voice of Online Youth Group - apply here!

The Big School Workout: Live with Joe Wicks for Mental Health Week

Primary schools across the UK are set to get moving for Mental Health Awareness Week as renowned fitness coach Joe Wicks leads The Big School Workout – a nationwide live event hosted by Katie Harrison from Picture News.

Taking place on 14 May 2026 from 2:15pm to 2:45pm, the session will be broadcast live from a primary school in Surrey, bringing pupils together for a fun, energetic and inclusive workout designed to boost physical activity, mental wellbeing and whole-school engagement.

Thousands of schools across the country are expected to take part simultaneously, highlighting the powerful link between movement and mental health, from improving mood to building resilience in children.

The event is suitable for all primary pupils, and participation is simple. Schools can register for free access to the live workout and accompanying teaching resources via Picture News.

R Team Design Competition – Open to Birmingham Primary Schools

The R Team Competition, run by Veolia, is now open to primary schools across Birmingham. This is a creative and engaging opportunity for pupils to design a character to join the “R Team”, encouraging them to reflect on sustainable behaviour change around reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling.

This simple activity can be easily integrated into the citizenship, science, geography, or art curriculum, making it a flexible and curriculum‑linked learning opportunity.

Schools can find out more about Veolia and the competition, access the submission template, and complete the application form via the Veolia website: https://www.birmingham.veolia.co.uk/community/primary-school-r-team-competition

Veolia is also offering a free assembly to introduce the competition to your school. To arrange this, please contact Isla Sutton at isla.sutton@veolia.com.

There is no minimum or maximum number of pupils who can take part from each school. Applications close on 22 May.

Birmingham 2026 Miles Challenge

FAO All Primary School Staff

Primary schools across Birmingham are invited to take part in the Birmingham 2026 Miles Challenge, a free, whole‑school activity challenge inspired by the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships. Created by the London Marathon Foundation and Run:ED, the challenge is inclusive, quick to organise, and suitable for all pupils.

The challenge begins on 6 May. Schools that register now will receive information in time to prepare.

Find out more and register here: Birmingham 2026 Miles Challenge

For queries, please contact healthyschools@birmingham.gov.uk.