Noticeboard

Noticeboard - 03 July 2026

This week’s Noticeboard brings together key updates, actions for schools, and a range of opportunities, alongside information and support available.

In this week's noticeboard: 

Key Message 

Important Updates and Actions

Funding, Opportunities and Consultation

Events and Learning Opportunities

Services and Support

Message from Martin Fitzwilliam - Interim Director of Schools and Employability 

Dear colleagues

At this time of year, schools across Birmingham are busy with some of the moments that children remember long after they have left the classroom. Sports days, performances, educational visits, celebration events and transition days all require significant planning and effort, but they play an important role in helping children build confidence and make lasting memories.

These experiences remind us that education is about much more than academic achievement. They help children discover new interests, try new things and develop a sense of belonging within their school community.

It was also great to see Birmingham and the wider West Midlands so strongly represented in this year's Tes Schools Awards. Congratulations to Heartlands Academy, winners of Secondary School of the Year, and to Headteacher Sophia Haughton for her national recognition. Congratulations too to Ark Tindal Primary Academy, shortlisted for Primary School of the Year, University of Birmingham School, shortlisted for Inclusive School of the Year, David Karim, Headteacher at E-ACT North Birmingham Academy, shortlisted for Headteacher of the Year (State), and Prince Albert Community Trust, shortlisted for Inclusive Trust of the Year.

These achievements reflect the excellent work taking place across our city's schools every day. While awards rightly celebrate success, they also shine a light on the dedication of school leaders, teachers and support staff who help children and young people thrive.

Thank you for everything you do, not only to help children achieve academically, but also to create the opportunities and experiences that can stay with them for a lifetime.

As we head into the final weeks of term, thank you for your continued hard work and commitment. I hope you enjoy celebrating the achievements of your pupils and seeing first-hand the impact of everything you have helped them achieve this year.

Best wishes

Martin

Martin Fitzwilliam
Interim Director of Schools and Employability

Education Finance

Payroll Report Request

Action Required: Submission of Cumulative Payroll Report 2025/26

All schools are requested to submit a Cumulative Payroll Report for the 2025/26 financial year by Friday 10 July 2026.

Please follow the guidance in the link below, selecting the instructions relevant to your payroll provider: Payroll report request guidance

Once completed, please email the report to FinanceClosedown@birmingham.gov.uk, using School Payroll – [School Name] as the subject line.

Thank you for your cooperation and prompt attention to this request.

Barclays – Access Amendment Form

The Barclays Online Amendment Request Form has been updated for compliance. Please use this for future amendments: Barclays online amendment request form | Birmingham City Council

For any queries please contact schoolsfinance@birmingham.gov.uk

Quarter 1 Training

Following the Quarter 1 training for Schools’ Quarterly Returns, a recording of the session, along with a template and guidance can be found here: Financial monitoring and management for schools

The deadline for submission is 15 July 2026.

For any queries, please contact schoolsfinance@birmingham.gov.uk

Cash Sheet: July 2026/27

Updated cash sheets are available here:

These cash sheets support reconciliation of monthly instalments and grant payments made during the financial year.

If you experience difficulty accessing the spreadsheet, please:

  1. Save the file to your local desktop
  2. Right click the file and select Properties
  3. Click Unblock, then Apply

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

School Admissions

Closure of Admission Rounds – September 2026 Intake

From 11:59 pm on 31 July 2026, parent/carers will no longer be able to submit late applications or a change of preference(s) for Reception Class, Year 2 to Year 3 (infant to junior) transfer, Secondary transfer (Year 6 to Year 7), or Year 10 transfer.

School Admissions will continue to process all applications submitted before the end of July. Any applications received after this date will be managed via the in-year admissions process.  After 31 July, families will no longer be able to submit online applications for any of the above rounds and will instead need to contact schools when they re-open in September to submit direct in-year applications, as part of Birmingham’s in-year admissions process.

Important: As late applications and changes of preferences received up to 31 July will continue to be processed over the summer, schools are advised to view or download their updated offer lists via the Schools’ Portal at the end of August 2026 in preparation for the start of the new academic year.

Secondary School Transfer – September 2027

All Birmingham maintained Primary, Junior, and All-Through schools will receive a letter next week for distribution to current Year 5 pupils who do not have an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). The letter contains key information about deferred entry and children being taught outside of their normal year group. Therefore, it is important that this letter is shared with all children attending your school who were born between 01/09/2015 - 31/08/2016. If you have not received the letter by Friday 10 July 2026, please email admissions@birmingham.gov.uk

Parent/carers who reside in Birmingham can submit an online application from 1 September 2026.  The national closing date is 31 October 2026. Full application guidance will be available on the Council website www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions from 1 September 2026.

Parent/carers with children who reside outside Birmingham should apply through their own Local Authority (the one they pay their Council Tax to).  If they are unsure which Local Authority they should apply to, they can find the correct council here: Find Your Local Council

We kindly ask schools to:

  • promote the application process;
  • support families who may find the process challenging; and
  • ensure your school website is up to date, including details of your prospectus and information about any open days, evenings, or online events.

Finally, please coordinate with neighbouring schools so your open sessions do not clash, and ensure all open events take place before the final closing date for applications on 31 October 2026.

Thank you for your continued support.

Pay and Policy Compliance

This month’s (July) Schools Compliance briefing provides important updates on:

  • BCC Teacher pay policy 2025 update - This has now been formally agreed.
  • Pay on Promotion- New policy for support staff
  • Contract end dates for Teachers leaving 31 August 2026  
  • Contract end dates for Term-Time Only support staff  
  • Schools converting to Academy Status  
  • School Group Size Calculation – Updated Guidance
  • Overpayment Policy - Reminder 
  • First Aid allowance for support staff – Upcoming changes
  • Important Change to Regulated Activity and DBS Checks for Volunteers
  • Use of Approved Contract Templates and Retention of Signed Contracts 
  • Consequences of Non-Compliance 
  • School Compliance Review and Ongoing Process Development 

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

School-Based Nursery Capital Programme – funding opportunity for schools

The Department for Education has launched Phase 3 of the School-Based Nursery Capital Programme, offering eligible state-funded schools the opportunity to increase early education places (0 to 4 year olds) within existing provision or create new early years provision on school sites where there is unmet local demand. Funding is available for capital works to refurbish or repurpose existing school spaces.

Schools interested in exploring this opportunity should contact Kevin Caulfield at Kevin.Caulfield@birmingham.gov.uk and Rebekah Horton at rebekah.horton@birmingham.gov.uk to discuss their proposal, eligibility and the application process.

Changes to Free School Meal Eligibility and the Holiday Activities and Food Programme

The government has announced changes to free school meal eligibility from September 2026, which will have implications for eligibility for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, known locally as Bring it on Brum!

To support planning for future HAF delivery, Birmingham City Council is asking schools to complete a short survey on how these changes may affect eligibility within their setting.

Further information about the changes and the purpose of the survey is provided within the form: Changes to Free School Meal Eligibility September 2026 and the HAF Programme 

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by 21 July 2026.

Your feedback will help us better understand the likely impact of the changes and support future planning for HAF activity provision across the city. Thank you. 

Primary schools: Peer Mediation Plus bursaries available

Primary schools can now access significant bursaries to introduce a Peer Mediation Plus scheme in Autumn 2026. Delivered by Peacemakers, a West Midlands educational charity with nearly 40 years’ experience, the programme trains pupils to help resolve playground conflicts, building confidence, communication skills and a calmer school environment. The package includes pupil workshops, peer mediator training and staff training to support the scheme’s success.

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

Join the Services For Education KS2 Moderation Team (2026–27)

Services For Education School Support Service, commissioned by Birmingham City Council, organises, manages and delivers statutory KS2 assessment duties.

The application process opens in September, and colleagues can register their interest in advance by emailing sharon.noble@servicesforeducation.co.uk. Applicants will then be contacted with further details nearer the time.

Further information about the role is available on the moderation page: Statutory Assessment Moderation and Support - Services For Education

Birmingham Schools Model Climate Conference 2026 – registration now open

Secondary schools are invited to register for the Birmingham Schools Model Climate Conference 2026, taking place in Birmingham City Council’s Council Chamber on Wednesday 18 November 2026.

Following the success of  last year's event, the conference returns to give students a unique opportunity to represent countries from around the world and take part in simulated climate negotiations inspired by the UN COP process. Working together to tackle global environmental challenges, students will develop valuable skills including public speaking, teamwork, negotiation and critical thinking, while experiencing first-hand how decisions are debated and made within the heart of Birmingham’s local democracy.

Alongside the conference, students will have the opportunity to explore future pathways at a green careers fair and put their questions directly to local leaders during an interactive climate Q&A session, ensuring young people’s voices are heard on issues that matter to them.

The event is generously sponsored by Acivico Group. Schools may bring one or two groups of 4–6 pupils, accompanied by a member of staff.

To find out more and secure your place, visit: Birmingham Climate Conference 2026 - InterClimate Network

Free STEM event for Year 5 and 6 pupils – Forces in STEM 2026

Bookings are now open for Forces in STEM 2026, a free STEM event taking place at RAF Museum Midlands on Wednesday 23 September 2026. Delivered in partnership with the Royal Air Force Youth STEM team, the event gives Year 5 and 6 pupils the opportunity to take part in hands-on STEM activities, meet industry exhibitors, enjoy a live science show and explore future careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.

To find out more and book free tickets, visit the Forces in STEM webpage. For enquiries, email forcesinstem@rafmuseum.org.

No Platform Policy - guidance for schools now available

Birmingham City Council's updated No Platform Policy is now available via the Council's Prevent webpages. The policy supports the Council's Prevent responsibilities and includes a model framework for schools, providing guidance on managing external speakers, venue bookings and events, alongside advice on carrying out proportionate due diligence where concerns may arise around extremism, hate or intolerance. It is designed to help schools balance freedom of speech with their safeguarding and Prevent duties.

Schools and settings may wish to review the guidance and consider how it could support their existing policies and procedures.

Links:

Hot weather guidance for education settings

Following last week's hot weather and with further high temperatures possible next week, the Department for Education is encouraging schools and settings to review their contingency arrangements and consider any measures needed to help keep children, young people and staff safe while maintaining attendance.

Further guidance is available below:

Additional School Nursing support for schools

Schools can access additional School Nursing support through BCHC Plus (Traded Services), delivered by Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The service complements the NHS core school nursing offer and provides dedicated support for a range of health and wellbeing needs, including curriculum input, health promotion, advice on health-related issues affecting pupils, and liaison with healthcare professionals.

To find out more or discuss your school’s requirements, contact the BCHC Plus team on 0121 466 6266 or email bchc.bchcplus@nhs.net.

NDP Autism Assessment Service - Opt-In Pilot

Due to increasing waiting times, with some children waiting over two years, alongside high non-attendance and changing family circumstances, an opt-in process is being introduced to ensure the waiting list reflects families who still want an NHS autism assessment, while prioritising safety and equity.

Families waiting more than 104 weeks will be contacted and asked to confirm if they wish to remain on the list. If no response is received within the set timeframe, the child will be discharged. Partner services are asked to support vulnerable or high-risk families, encourage prompt responses, highlight any safeguarding concerns or barriers, and reinforce that opting in does not mean an immediate assessment.

The approach will be piloted with 100 families. Contact details will be checked, and families will receive clear information, reminders, and accessible response options. Safeguarding will always be reviewed, and vulnerable children will not be automatically discharged without a clinical review.

Reinstatement will only occur in exceptional, evidenced circumstances. Children will not routinely be reinstated and will not return to their original waiting list position unless agreed by a clinical or operational lead.

The aim is a fair, safe, and accurate waiting list.

For any questions or queries, please contact: bchc.ndpcommunications@nhs.net.  

 

This entry was posted by Sahdiya Khatoon on 25/06/2026.