Southwark schools bulletin

Welcome to the Southwark schools bulletin archive page. 

October 2026

Hello everyone,

The new term is now well under way, accompanied by some welcome autumn sunshine, amidst a sprinkling of rain, and the familiar sense that the pace has picked up quickly. With several reforms taking shape and a busy round of strategic meetings, often covering similar ground from different perspectives, there is a great deal for us all to absorb and navigate. I have particularly valued being out in schools – the highlight of my week was being interviewed by a school’s Student Council. It was a timely reminder of why this work matters, with some tough questions about whether ‘we’ will be replaced by AI, bringing into sharp focus some of the wider challenges we are seeing in the news about its rapid development (see our guidance on Google search and AI safety below). Change increasingly feels like part of everyday life, but it is still important to give ourselves the time and space to manage it well, support one another and stay focused on what we need to achieve for children, young people and families in the months ahead.

Positively, our provisional Local SEND Reform Plan has been agreed by the Department for Education (DfE). Although there is more work to do collaboratively to agree our final plans, agreement means that we’ve secured the additional funding needed to support implementation.

With this in mind, as part of the next phase of co-production of our Local SEND Reform Plan, we are inviting headteachers and SENCOs to help shape our Experts at Hand offer through three roundtable sessions. The upcoming workshops, each held from 10.00am to 12 noon, will focus on:

• 20 October – Accessing EAH support: how can we ensure support from EAH is effectively communicated to schools and easily accessible?
• 10 November – Working protocols: how will schools and EAH work together to understand needs, deliver and review EAH support?
• 8 December – Training and inclusion development offer: how can we strengthen support for schools to deliver OAP and Inclusion Strategies?

These workshops are part of an ongoing programme of engagement and co-production with further sessions taking place throughout the year, including opportunities to test and refine approaches within neighbourhoods. If you would like to attend any of these workshops, please complete our registration form.

In September I attended our Good Start in Life Board which meets every quarter to help join-up Southwark’s universal and prevention offer for our most in need children and families with colleagues from across the Council’s services, health system and voluntary and community sector. I was particularly interested in an analysis by our public health colleagues’ ‘Neighbourhood needs for partnership prevention’ which tries to understand and explore the factors that shape the health, development, and overall life chances of children and young people in Southwark.

Broken down by the Council's five Multi-Ward Areas (MWA) the analysis will inform how support can be provided, identifying where provision may need to be tailored to support the local needs of residents and to inform neighbourhood health planning. It provides a clear picture of how the needs of children and young people vary across the borough. For example, the East Central MWA, comprising Old Kent Road, Nunhead and Queens Road, Peckham, Peckham Rye and Rye Lane, has the highest rate of EHCPs borough-wide. In North-West Southwark (Borough and Bankside, London Bridge and West Bermondsey, St George’s, and Chaucer) during 2024/2025, over half (53.8%) of children attending a state-funded Southwark School were eligible for free school meals, the highest proportion of any multi-ward area.  

In contrast, the South MWA (Dulwich Wood, Dulwich Hill, Dulwich Village, Goose Green, and Champion Hill) demonstrates overall lower levels of need compared to the rest of the borough. However, inequalities remain in specific wards. Understanding these local differences will be critical as we design future services and deliver our local SEND reforms. As soon as the final report is published we’ll share this with you.

At our Southwark Education Partnership (SEP) meeting last week we discussed a number of opportunities for headteachers and senior leaders to influence service design, have a say in how funding is spent and participate on boards. These include:  

• developing proposals for SEND projects using Experts at Hand funding (as mentioned above)
• representation on the Summerhouse Advisory Board
• exploring models for Primary Behaviour Support
• exploring models for School Improvement
• representation on the Cross System Inclusion Group.

To find out more, please see our short summary. If you are interested in being involved with any of the above, please contact your school family lead (a reminder of key contact details were sent to headteachers last week). These will also be discussed at your next partnership family meeting.

I know we have only just started the school year but I’m sure you’ll be planning ahead. Southwark has now confirmed school term and holiday dates for 2027/28 – these are the same as for neighbouring boroughs, Lambeth and Lewisham.

Another date for your diary this year is Southwark’s Transition Day on the 30 June. Most Southwark secondary schools will be holding their Year 7 induction days on this date, providing an important opportunity to support pupils as they prepare for the next stage of their education.

It was great to see so many schools at our online Headteachers’ Breakfast Briefing in September. We heard an overview of our progress and assessment results for 2026, looked at our project to clarify the statutory responsibilities between schools and the Council, a were given a preview of the WONDE school data management system, plus updates from SEP and Schools Forum. You can read all the presentations on our schools’ website.

Our next in-person Headteachers’ Breakfast Forum will be on the 18 November, kindly held at Alfred Salter Primary School, SE16. We’ll hear, amongst other discussions, an update from Jude Wilson, Ofsted’s Senior HMI for the London region, so please do register to attend. 

Anna Chiva
Deputy Director for Children Services, Learning and Inclusion

Key updates

• Google search and AI safety
• SEND Reform Leadership Opportunity – closing Friday 16 October
• Updated Information Sharing Duty guidance
• SEND Tribunal – listings during school holiday period pilot
• School Aged Childcare Sufficiency Survey 2026 – deadline 17 October
• LIIA London Schools Inclusion Network
• Maths and English tuition for Years 4 to 6 pupils from low-income households
• Benedict’s Law and arrangements for spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) within schools

>> Google search and AI safety

A question was recently raised with us about the safety of Google Search for children following the introduction of AI Overview and AI Mode. In response, LGfL has provided safeguarding and technical guidance for schools including a block-by-default, allow-by-exception approach for AI tools. A recent assessment by Common Sense Media rated Google Search’s AI Overview and AI Mode as presenting an ‘Unacceptable Risk’ for children and young people. Please take a look at our Schools’ website for an overview ad LGFL’s advice including their Policy Toolkit providing practical support for developing a whole-school approach to AI.

>> SEND Reform Leadership Opportunity – closing Friday 16 October

Are you passionate about creating a more inclusive education system where children and young people receive the right support, at the right time, in their local community? We are seeking an experienced system leader to shape and deliver Southwark's Experts at Hand approach and the wider development of an inclusive continuum of SEND provision in the borough. 

Follow the link above to find out more about this exciting role or contact cathrine.milmine@southwark.gov.uk. Expressions of Interest are open until Friday 16 October. 

>> Updated Information Sharing Duty guidance

The government has published updated Information Sharing Duty statutory guidance, which came into force on 30 September. It changes the way all agencies should approach information sharing, removing many perceived barriers. A key point is that agencies must share information where it is relevant to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of a child, not only in Child Protection instances, but also where concerns relate to early help, prevention and unmet need (other than in extremely limited circumstances). This means parental consent is not required for information to be shared, including for purposes of Early Help referrals, but it remains good practice to ensure families are informed of all safeguarding actions and supported to understand the reason and legal basis for these. Families can still choose whether to engage with support offered. GDPR and data protection obligations still guide how information should be shared.  

>> SEND Tribunal – listings during school holiday period pilot 

Appeal cases are already being listed during the school holiday period, however, as demand increases the HM Courts and Tribunals Service are trialling additional listing opportunities during school holiday periods to support the timely progression of appeals and reduce waiting times for children, young people and their families. The pilot is due to commence during the October half term holiday and will continue for six months, covering the Christmas holiday period, February half term and Easter holidays. As part of this pilot, some hearings that are already listed may be brought forward and relisted to an earlier date during one of the school holiday periods. Where this occurs, parties will be notified in the usual way and provided with details of the revised hearing date. 

The pilot will also look to list some case that may require a specialist witness. We recognise that hearings during school holidays may require additional planning for some parties.

>> School Aged Childcare Sufficiency Survey 2026 – deadline 17 October

To ensure there is sufficient, high-quality childcare provision before school, after school and during school holidays we recently circulated a survey on school aged childcare provision. However, due to a potential issue with the original form and a low response rate, an updated survey has been issued. Schools will need the number of children attending breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday childcare provision to complete the survey.

>> Benedict’s Law and arrangements for spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) within schools

NHS South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) is working to establish a centrally funded model for the provision of spare AAIs to schools. Current planning assumptions are that schools will not be required to purchase spare AAIs themselves, as the ICB intends to fund and coordinate supply arrangements. We therefore ask that schools do not purchase additional spare AAI pens in anticipation of Benedict’s Law requirements at this stage. Further details will be communicated once the final delivery plan has been agreed.

In the meantime, schools should continue to maintain existing arrangements for pupils with prescribed AAIs and ensure that individual healthcare plans remain up to date.

>> LIIA London Schools Inclusion Network

London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LIIA) has launched a new London-wide Schools Inclusion Network to support school leaders in preparing for SEND Reform and the Schools White Paper. The network will provide opportunities to share inclusive practice, explore emerging policy, collaborate with peers and system partners, and strengthen leadership for inclusion across London. The first meeting Is on the 13 October, 10.00 to 11:30am. Please register your interest via the ink above.

>> Maths and English tuition for Years 4 to 6 pupils from low-income households

Tutors United, a charity on a mission to end the attainment and employability gap through the power of community-based tutoring for primary school children from low-income, migrant and refugee backgrounds, at no cost to families. In-person Unity Wharf, SE1 2BH, Monday to Friday 4.00pm and 5.00pm.

>> Free Tackling Antisemitism in Education scholarship programme

Free, accredited, fully online professional development programme funded by the DfE and delivered by Palace Yard. The programme aims to give teachers and staff working in schools, colleges and universities an in-depth understanding of antisemitism and provide the tools to deal with it.

>> Fully funded social impact programme

The SuperKind Social Impact Programme is fully funded for 2026/27. The ready-to-use programme builds pupils’ belonging, confidence, engagement and skills through meaningful social action, with lessons, assemblies and resources included.

Funded places are limited and allocated first come, first served. Register using code DELANCEY.

>> Youth Voice Matters Art Competition

Youth Voice Matters is an annual conference designed and delivered by and for children and young people with SEND aged 11 to 25. The theme of this year’s conference is Celebrating Joy and all submitted artwork will be showcased at Youth Voice Matters 2027 on 18 February.

>> New free ONS resources to support data literacy

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has launched eight free curriculum-linked resources to help teachers bring data to life in the classroom. Developed with subject specialists, they support teaching in Economics, Business Studies and Geography but can also be adapted for other subjects. The resources include ready-to-use presentation slides, student toolkits and teacher guides.

>> Help shape the UK’s first Democratic Education Framework

Take part in the pilot of the UK’s first Democratic Education Framework, developed by the Electoral Commission and The Politics Project. Participating schools can assess their current provision, access support and resources, share feedback to shape the framework’s future development, and be entered into a £500 school resources prize draw if they sign up before half-term.

>> Free British Museum Korea exhibition education tickets

Three school exclusive mornings set-aside for the British Museum’s new Korea exhibition this autumn.

Governors

>> Donna Muir – maternity leave update

Eileen Bryan is now leading the Governor Services team while Donna Muir is on maternity leave. Eileen joins Southwark with extensive experience in education and local authority leadership, including roles as a Senior Education Adviser and Assistant Headteacher. She looks forward to working with governors, trustees and clerks to provide high-quality support, advice and guidance.

To make sure you have consistent access to the service, we have also introduced shared email addresses so that your queries can be directed to the appropriate member of the team.

• General queries: services@southwark.gov.uk
• Head of Service: HeadGovernorServices@southwark.gov.uk
• Governor training queries: governortraining@southwark.gov.uk

>> Safeguarding Spotlight – updates to KCSIE 2026

Our recent Safeguarding Spotlight session, led by Emma Geiringer, Safeguarding in Schools Lead, provided governors with an overview of the latest updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026 and their implications for governing boards. For those unable to attend you can watch a recording of the session (Passcode: 9Pv^@AWV).

What's on

>> Vaccinations in schools: Support for educators webinar – 14 October

4.00pm. Schools are invited to attend this NHS England webinar to learn how they can support vaccination programmes and improve uptake among pupils

>> Safeguarding in schools ‘Tackling Misogyny in Schools’ webinar – 22 October

12.30pm to 1.30pm, online. Southwark's Youth Justice Servicewill share practical tools, activities and approaches schools can use to explore male identities, social media, the manosphere and healthy relationships with young people, based on their new gender specific group-work programme for boys, 'Real-Talk'.

>> RISE Open Education Fortnight Encore – 2 to 9 November

Following the success of the RISE Open Education event last spring, the RISE Team is offering London schools a second opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. Colleagues can use the interactive map and booking system to find relevant sessions. Please share with colleagues.

>> Community cohesion webinars – 5 November to 8 July

Culham St Gabriels' Trust has recently launched materials and webinars to support schools in thinking about how they promote the Freedom of Religion and Belief, starting with the ‘Exploring mutual respect and tolerance in education’ webinar on 5 November.

>> Interfaith Week for Schools – 8 to 15 November

This year’s theme is ‘Lighting the Way to a Shared Future’ in celebration of the belief that, even in challenging times, communities can come together to build understanding, trust and friendship and drawing on the symbolism of light across faiths and traditions, including Diwali, which takes place on the first day.

>> Schools Safeguarding Forum – 26 November

 9.00am to 12:30pm, Tooley Street. DSL, DDSLs and school leaders are invited to attend our Safeguarding Forum to hear key safeguarding updates from Children’s Social Care and other key partners. Key an eye out for more information shared in our weekly safeguarding bulletin. 

>> Oracy Leadership Conference – 15 January

Keynote speaker: Geoff Barton, Chair of the Oracy Education Commission. The conference will provide an excellent opportunity for school leaders to explore effective approaches to developing oracy across their schools, share best practice, and learn from sector experts. Look out for further information and booking details shortly.

>> Governor’s Forum 2027

Our upcoming 2027 Governor’s Forum dates for your diaries:

• 19 January 2027, Zoom – 6.00pm. Please register in advance to attend.
• 5 May 2027– 6.00pm, Tooley Street