In this week's noticeboard: 

Key Message

• Message from Martin Fitzwilliam - Interim Director of Schools and Employability

Important Updates, Deadlines and Actions

• Fair Access Protocol consultation – closing 18 June
• Birmingham Virtual School Post‑16 Transition Conference – 25 June
• Bring it on Brum! – Summer 2026
• Support request: Early Help mental health survey
• Free Breakfast Clubs – what you need to know
• Sales of obsolete/scrap IT equipment
• Schools Finance – Paying in cash (banking arrangements)

Opportunities for Pupils and Students

• Have your say: Birmingham 2050
• Art of the Mind: Visualising Brain Health (Aston University event)
• Birmingham Schools Model Climate Conference 2026

Training and Development

• Free training for school staff: Systemic Narrative Practice
• Free online sessions for school staff (Ella Baker School of Organising)
• Birmingham School Safety Training
• School Duty Holder and Asbestos Management Plan Training

Services and Support

• Legal Advice for Maintained Schools
• Could solar save your school thousands? (webinar)
• Bursaries for Peer Mediators in primary schools

Message from Martin Fitzwilliam, Interim Director of Schools and Employability

This week I attended the brilliant launch of Best Start Brum – Birmingham’s Best Start in Life Strategy, led by Helen Ellis and Lyndsey Trivett. It was a strong reminder that the best start in life is not a single programme, service or moment. It is built through the relationships, routines and opportunities that surround children from their earliest years and continue as they grow.

The phrase “best start” rightly takes us to the beginning of a child’s life. But it also speaks to the work that happens every day across our schools and settings. Children need strong starts in many different ways꞉ a strong start to life, a strong start to nursery, a strong start to school, and a strong start to each day. They also need support to reset after a difficult week, and during key moments of change such as moving class, changing setting or beginning to think about their future.

Although not all connected with the DfE Best Start in Life strategy, much of this work is so familiar that it can be easy to miss its significance. A warm welcome at the gate. A calm start to the day. Breakfast for a child who needs it. A lunchtime that helps pupils feel settled. A conversation with a family. A routine that helps a class move smoothly into learning.

None of these things sits apart from education. They are part of the conditions that help children attend well, concentrate, build relationships and take part fully in school life.

We know that children learn best when they feel safe, known and ready. That readiness is built through many small acts, repeated consistently by many different adults. It can be seen in the way a child is greeted, the way a concern is noticed, the way a family is supported, and the way staff keep going with patience and care even when the work is demanding.

Best Start Brum reminds us that no single part of the system can do this alone. Families, schools, settings, health partners, early years colleagues, community organisations and council services all have a part to play. When those parts connect well, children are more likely to feel secure, supported and ready to learn.

Across Birmingham, this work happens every day, in classrooms, corridors, playgrounds, dining halls, offices and reception areas. It happens through teachers, teaching assistants, pastoral staff, lunchtime supervisors, office teams, site teams, governors, leaders and partners all playing their part.

Often, the things that make the greatest difference are not dramatic. They are steady, thoughtful and human. They help a child feel noticed. They help a family feel listened to. They help a young person believe that school is a place where they can belong, contribute and succeed.

Thank you for the care, consistency and professionalism you bring to this work. The strength of Birmingham’s education system is built through these daily acts of commitment. Together, they help children and young people get the best possible start, keep going when things are difficult, and look towards their future with confidence.

Martin

Bring it on Brum! Summer 2026 

An exciting programme of FREE holiday clubs is available for children and young people aged 4–16 who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. 

Clubs will run throughout the summer holidays from Monday 20 July to Friday 28 August 2026 (excluding weekends and Bank Holidays). 

Bookings open from Monday 29 June 2026 via the Bring it on Brum! website. 

Full programme details have been shared directly with headteachers, and with nominated school leads who have confirmed they are responsible for the programme. 

For any questions about sharing information with parents and carers, please contact SchoolCensus@birmingham.gov.uk. 

For general enquiries about the Holiday Activities Programme, please contact Birminghamholidayactivities@streetgames.org. 

Support request: Early Help mental health survey

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT) is asking professionals to complete a short survey to help shape its Children and Young People Early Help mental health services.

The survey takes around five minutes to complete and closes on 28 June 2026.

Complete the survey: CYP Preventative and Early Mental & Emotional Help - External Stakeholders Engagement 

Free Breakfast Clubs – what you need to know

Over 10 million breakfasts have now been served through the national Free Breakfast Club programme.

All schools with primary-age pupils will be expected to offer a free breakfast club, with national rollout planned from 2027.

If your school is not yet part of the programme, now is the time to start preparing:

• familiarise yourself with the requirements and how free breakfast clubs work in schools
• complete the preparation survey so support can be shaped around your needs
• consider with staff, parents and pupils how best to implement a club in your setting, including space, food and activities, and links to existing wraparound provision.

Free breakfast clubs can improve attendance and punctuality, support families with the cost of living and give children a positive start to the day.

Support is available, including practical tools, peer networks and advice from experienced schools.

You can submit a query to the national programme team here: Contact Us - Free breakfast clubs programme

Sales of obsolete/scrap IT equipment

FAO Maintained Schools: Headteachers, Bursars, Finance and Admin Staff

HMRC is currently reviewing Birmingham City Council’s VAT arrangements, including how VAT has been applied to income and expenditure in schools. As part of this, it has been identified that VAT has not always been charged on the sale of obsolete or scrap IT equipment. The council has therefore been asked to review all such sales made by schools between April 2022 and March 2026.

Maintained schools are asked to review their records and complete the relevant form, confirming whether any sales were made, whether VAT was charged, and, if not, providing the value of those sales by month.

Please also ensure that VAT is applied to all sales of obsolete or scrap IT equipment from 1 April 2026.

The form can be accessed here: School sales of IT equipment | Birmingham City Council

Completed forms should be returned to vat@birmingham.gov.uk by 15 July 2026.

All maintained schools are required to complete a return, including a nil return where no sales have taken place. If you have any queries or need support, please contact vat@birmingham.gov.uk.

Schools Finance

Paying in cash – banking arrangements for schools

Schools banking with Barclays can pay in cash either at a branch (using a paying-in slip) or at a Post Office using a deposit card.

If you need a replacement deposit card, contact Barclays on 0800 027 1316 (Option 2).

For any queries, email: SchoolsFinance@birmingham.gov.uk

Have your say: Birmingham 2050

Millennium Point is inviting schools and young people across the city to help imagine Birmingham’s future.

Their Birmingham 2050 campaign asks one simple question:

What do you want Birmingham to look like in 2050?

They’re encouraging creative responses in any digital format – for example:

• drawings or artwork
• short videos or animations
• photos or written pieces

Each entry just needs a short explanation of what it represents.

This is a great opportunity for pupils to share their ideas, be creative, and have their voices included in shaping the future of the city.

Submissions are open to everyone with a connection to Birmingham – including schools, young people, families and community groups. No experience or expertise is needed, just an idea.

Entries close Friday 17 July.

Find out more and how to take part: Visit the Birmingham 2050 website

Family-friendly arts and science event at Aston University

Art of the Mind: Visualising Brain Health will take place at Aston University Students’ Union on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 June. You can find out more here: Art of the Mind event details

Join Art at the Heart CIC during Healing Arts Birmingham week for a fun, hands-on creative experience inspired by brain science. Suitable for children, young people and families, no experience is needed.

Participants can get involved in creating colourful shared artwork inspired by how our brains connect, and explore a giant interactive “Brain Dome” installation. Schools are encouraged to share with families and come along to get creative together.

Save the date: Birmingham Schools Model Climate Conference 2026

Secondary schools are invited to take part in this year’s Birmingham Schools Model Climate Conference – a UN-style “Model COP” event delivered with InterClimate Network and Birmingham City Council, and sponsored by Acivico Group.

• Wednesday 18 November 2026, 09:00–15:00
• Council Chamber, Birmingham City Council

Following last year's successful event, students will represent countries in simulated climate negotiations, helping build skills in public speaking, teamwork and critical thinking.

The day will also include a green careers fayre and a climate Q&A with local leaders.

Further details will follow when bookings open. Places are limited, so schools are encouraged to plan ahead.

Free training for school staff: Systemic Narrative Practice

Birmingham primary and secondary schools are invited to take part in a free 5-day training programme delivered by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Taking place between June and November 2026 at the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), the programme supports staff to use systemic and narrative approaches in everyday conversations, wellbeing support and multi-agency work.

Participating schools will also receive 12 months of monthly supervision/consultation to help embed approaches and support work with pupils, families and staff.

The programme is aimed at colleagues working in pastoral, SEND, safeguarding, attendance and wellbeing roles. Places are limited.

Training dates: 23 June • 14 July • 29 September • 13 October • 3 November
(10am–4pm at the MAC)

To request a place, email: parveen.kaur4@nhs.net

Free online sessions for school staff

Ella Baker School of Organising is offering a series of free 90-minute online sessions (via Zoom):

• Building a strong local democratic tradition – 17 June
  Supporting communities to move from disengagement to active participation
  Register
• Transformative conversations – 1 July
  Practical techniques for having constructive conversations across differing views
  Register

Birmingham School Safety Training

A range of training courses is available for school, academy and nursery staff, covering key areas of health, safety and educational visits.

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

Legal Advice for Maintained Schools

Schools maintained by the Council will usually be provided with Legal Advice and Support on certain matters without charge to the School Budget as follows:

• Personal Injury claims (e.g. slips, trips and falls) where the Council’s insurance services are involved;
• School Admissions Advice where the Local Authority is the Admission Authority;
• Administering and clerking maintained School Exclusion Reviews;
• As part of a subscription to another Council service, for example School and Governor Support. This legal advice will usually be limited to a fixed period of time, e.g. 60 minutes or as set out in the service level agreement with that service, and schools will be advised of costs should further advice be required thereafter.

For employment legal matters, schools are required to follow the advice of their own HR Advisers, but must also seek the advice of the Local authority in accordance with the procedure found here: BCC Statutory Duties and Ongoing Compliance and Assurance Role as the Employer in Schools | Birmingham City Council in order to avoid charges being applied to the school budget.

For all other legal matters, such as Disability Discrimination Claims, Litigated matters (judicial review, debt recovery, contractual disputes), commercial transactions (including Information Law questions e.g. DPA or FOI) and any other matter where the school is receiving advice directly, schools will be charged in accordance with Legal Services Terms and Conditions which would be explained in a client care letter at the beginning of the matter. Schools are separate legal entities and are entitled to seek legal advice on these matters from outside the Council, but should be aware of the circumstances as set out in the Fair Funding Scheme where Schools may be responsible for paying ‘legal costs’ (as defined in the scheme at 10.4.3) from the School budget. Legal Services charge out rates are very competitive when compared with private legal firms.

Academies can engage Legal Services to provide advice but there will always be a charge for these services.

Legal enquiries can, in the first instance, be directed to: educationlegal@birmingham.gov.uk

Could solar save your school thousands?

Schools are invited to join a free webinar on Thursday 2 July 14:00-14:30  to explore how solar energy can help reduce electricity costs, access funding opportunities and support sustainability goals.

The session will provide an overview of how schools are already benefiting from solar, with practical insights to help inform future planning.

Join the webinar here: Solar for Schools: Funding, Savings & Support for schools across the West Midlands

Bursaries available to train Peer Mediators in Birmingham primary schools

Peacemakers, a West Midlands-based educational charity, is offering bursaries for primary schools to introduce a Peer Mediation Plus scheme from autumn 2026.

Peer mediation helps children resolve playground conflicts independently, reducing staff intervention and supporting a calmer school environment.

The programme includes a pupil workshop, three days of training for up to 24 peer mediators, and staff training to support the scheme.

For more information, visit Primary Pupils – Peacemakers or contact libbs@peacemakers.org.uk.