Southwark schools bulletin

Welcome to the Southwark schools bulletin archive page. 

May 2026

Hello everyone,

I hope the extended Bank Holiday gave you a brief pause before the pressures of SATs, GCSEs, A-levels and other assessments start in earnest, alongside the other end‑of‑year demands made on schools. As always, I want to thank you for the care, leadership and commitment you continue to show to your communities and to inclusion across Southwark.

As promised, I wanted to share a brief update following the publication of the ‘Every child achieving and thriving’ schools White Paper. There is a significant amount of national reform information aimed at schools, so I hope this short summary clarifies the direction of travel. It also sets out what we are doing in Southwark in response to these changes.

Nationally, ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’, alongside the SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan, represents substantial whole‑system reform. This is not a series of small policy changes, but a re‑framing of how education, SEND and inclusion operate together as one system. The clear expectation is that SEND should be embedded within mainstream education, with a stronger focus on early support, removing barriers to learning, and shared responsibility for participation, attendance, achievement and belonging.

The reform programme is being driven by the Department for Education (DfE). Councils are required to submit local SEND reform plans by mid-June, followed by iterative updates during 2025/26. We are therefore preparing the required submission now, within tight national timelines. We are required to set a clear direction before all local detail is fully designed, reflecting limited national guidance. In practice this means we are working at speed to meet these conditions, while continuing to develop the work collaboratively. This is the start of our journey, not a final plan. It should also be noted that agreement of our local plan releases partial funding for the reforms.

I encourage you to come to one of roundtable events during June to help shape our local SEND reform plan submission for the DfE. More details are available via our registration form.

We will develop a co‑produced year plan for 2025/26, working closely with schools, parents and carers, children and young people, and partners across education, health and care. This reflects the reality that SEND reform requires whole‑system change and links directly with wider partnership priorities, including Best Start in Life, school improvement, attendance, behaviour and wellbeing. Bringing together the Southwark Learning Partnership, SEND Partnership Board and Good Start in Life Board around these shared priorities is central to delivering sustainable change.

We already have strong foundations, with a great deal of SEND and inclusion work underway across the borough, including the banding review, increasing the sufficiency of SEND placements, reviews of outreach services, and strengthened partnership working, including therapy provision. At the same time, I do not underestimate the challenges we all face – rising demand, the increasing complexity of need, and capacity pressures. Our approach to reform is therefore to increase capacity, improve alignment and strengthen what already exists. This sits alongside a continued commitment to investment through the banding review, releasing capacity, and making best use of the funding available. All SEND reform activity will sit within our existing SEND governance framework, which we will continue to develop to support wider and more meaningful co‑production across the partnership.

A key practical element of the reforms is earlier access to specialist expertise. You may have heard of the term Local Inclusion and SEND Sufficiency Offer (LISSO). LISSO provides a clearer, more joined‑up picture of how schools can access Educational Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and other specialist expertise earlier and more consistently, supporting inclusive mainstream practice and reducing unnecessary escalation. It aligns closely with the White Paper’s ‘Experts at Hand’ ambition and as part of the DfE’s SEND reform submissions, local areas are expected to clearly articulate their local inclusion and sufficiency offer. It is important that our LISSO is co‑developed with schools and partners – so it is practical, usable and sits alongside existing SEND and graduated response arrangements rather than adding complexity.

While the scale and pace of reform is significant, I am confident about the direction we are taking together in Southwark. We have strong schools, committed leaders and a partnership that is honest, reflective and ambitious for children and young people. By working transparently, building on what already works well and continuing to co‑develop solutions together, I am confident we can strengthen inclusive practice and support sustainability across the borough.

I am also pleased to let you know that our newly appointed Assistant Director for SEND, Cath May, will be starting on 8 June, bringing much needed additional capacity across the system. I know she will welcome the opportunity to meet you at the next Headteachers’ Breakfast Forum in June, where we hope to be able to share in more detail the co-designed reform plan. 

On that note, thank you to everyone who joined us for our Headteachers’ Breakfast Briefing on 29 April. This termly session for key updates and discussions on the issues shaping education in Southwark heard more about our first Southwark Learning Partnership Board and second Good Start in Life Strategic Partnership Board, including how the two boards work together to support school improvement, plus Early Years and Inclusion. I also took a deeper look at the ‘Every child achieving and thriving’ White Paper and SEND reforms as outlined above. All presentations are available on the Southwark Schools website.

We also touched on the reviews we are undertaking this year of the School Improvement service and the Behaviour Support service in order to explore service effectiveness, value for money and to ensure services are fit for the future, as agreed at Schools’ Forum in January.

Our school improvement survey will be sent to headteachers this half term. We strongly encourage you to respond as your feedback is essential to ensuring our service works for you and your schools. We will also be holding a focus group on Wednesday 10 June to explore key themes from the survey findings – all are welcome.

We are also holding a Maintained Schools Leadership Forum on the 5 June about our strategic approach to maintained schools and our support services – see below for more information.

Our next in-person Headteachers’ Breakfast Forum will take place on Wednesday 17 June, from 8.00am (for 8.30am start) to 11.00am. Please save the date.

Anna Chiva
Deputy Director for Children Services, Learning and Inclusion

Quick ask – if you don’t already, please share this bulletin with your relevant staff. We hope it’s packed with useful information that will help schools stay more informed.

Key updates

This month:

• Maintained Schools Leadership Forum – 5 June 
• Children’s Wellbeing and School Act receives Royal Assent
• SEND improvement
• Southwark’s Children Services have moved offices
• Resources for Autism: Short breaks venue needed for August
• Catch-up literacy support for disadvantaged pupils
• Roma health advocacy service in Southwark

Maintained Schools Leadership Forum – 5 June

On 5 June, 11.00am to 2.00pm, we are holding a leadership forum at our offices in Tooley Street for headteachers and chairs of governors from maintained schools. Invites will go out soon.

We know that headship has become ever more complex: increasing need, workforce pressures, financial constraints and a rapidly evolving national landscape all weigh heavily. Schools sit at the heart of this system, and the council as a responsible body, has a clear duty to listen and work alongside you to ensure our approach adds genuine value.

We’ve recently reshaped our approach to education and wider Children’s Services, both in response to national policy developments and to local learning about what schools need most from their local authority. This forum incorporates a strategy and design workshop and is an opportunity to set out clearly our strategic intentions, to be open about the changes we are making, and – crucially – to hear directly from you about risks, opportunities and priorities as we look ahead together.

The session will focus on:

• how our education‑related services and senior leadership are evolving to better support maintained schools
• looking forward together at SEND, school sustainability and pupil place planning, and the role of possible local authority MATs
• shaping our support and traded services, with an emphasis on co‑design with headteachers and chairs of governors
• our shared responsibilities for headteacher wellbeing, and the councils’ role within that system.

There will be time for questions, discussion and feedback throughout, followed by a networking lunch with stalls from our support services and a wellbeing offer for headteachers.

We very much hope you will be able to join us for what we intend to be the first of a renewed programme of engagement with Southwark’s maintained school headteachers.

Children’s Wellbeing and School Act receives Royal Assent

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act has now passed into law after a lengthy journey through Parliament. The Act brings together reforms across safeguarding, schools, children’s social care, and online safety, to make it easier to identify risks and prevent children from falling through the cracks.

To understand the impact of the Act on schools the NGA have written a detailed guide which is well worth reading. In summary, the Act:

• aligns state schools more closely, particularly on staff pay and conditions and removes the ability to opt out of the national curriculum once the revised version is introduced in 2028
• establishes the legal foundation for trust inspections, alongside new intervention powers where standards are not met
• introduces a new admissions framework
• requires schools to become phone-free environments
• aims to reduce inequality with free breakfast clubs in every primary school, a cap on the number of branded uniform items and expanded eligibility for free school meals to all households in receipt of Universal Credit
• provides the legal framework for new statutory guidance (in development) to support pupils with medical needs and allergies
• introduces a compulsory register for children not in school.

We have talked in previous bulletins about the Families First children’s social care reforms, the national programme designed to ensure children and families receive the right help at the right time through stronger early intervention, joined‑up support, and clearer safeguarding pathways. This will mean merging our Family Early Help and statutory social work services into a single Family Help service.

The Act puts into law the introduction of statutory multi‑agency child protection teams and of a single unique identifier for children across services needed for the successful implementation of the reforms. Those safeguarding changes in the Act relevant to schools are outlined in the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. 

We await further guidance on how and when the different elements will be implemented.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to two Southwark schools shortlisted at this year’s TES Schools Awards.   

Evelina Hospital School has been shortlisted for Specialist Provision School of the Year, while Jennifer Blake, from Kingsdale Foundation School has been shortlisted for London Specialist Provision School Leader of the Year.

This is fantastic news and well‑deserved recognition of their achievements. It also reflects the high standards of Southwark’s school community, with schools represented in two categories. We wish them every success on the 19 June.

SEND improvement

>> Southwark’s Annual SEND Conference – 26 June

St. Saviour's & St. Olave's School, SE1 4AN. Bringing professionals together from across services and provisions to share good practice, learn from one another, tackle key challenges and network, under the broad theme ‘What Works: Meeting all needs in mainstream settings’ with a focus on meeting complex needs.

Keynote speaker: Dr Pooky Knightsmith, autistic psychologist, writer and educator Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, Dr Knightsmith will explore what school feels like for neurodivergent learners and share practical, immediately usable strategies to support sensory needs, emotional regulation, executive functioning and social communication in mainstream settings.

The keynote will be delivered twice to ensure access for all attendees. Please book your place on either the morning or afternoon session:

• Morning session – 8:30am to 12 noon
• Afternoon session – 12:30pm to 4.00pm

>> SEND reform Government consultation – deadline 18 May 

The DfE’s consultation on their proposed SEND reforms ‘Putting Children and Young People First’ is explicitly seeking responses from schools, trusts, early years providers and post‑16 settings, as well as families and sector partners. Your contribution is essential in helping shape the future direction of the SEND system.

Please take time to review the open consultation document and submit your views through the official online survey.

As mentioned in my introduction, we are holding roundtable events during June to help shape our local SEND reform plan submission for the DfE. More details are available via our registration form.

>> SEND banding redesign

As the result of feedback from our public consultation, we have updated our banding descriptors and tested existing EHCPs against the new system. We are now developing a funding model that will assign specific funding amounts to each band of need, which we aim to agree at the next High Needs Sub-group this month, and then bring to Schools Forum in June. We hope to implement for the 2026/27 academic year. 

>> Ordinarily Available Provision

Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) is the support and resources that schools and educational settings should provide for all children and young people, including those with SEND, from within their existing resources. This support is available without the need for extra or specialised services and aims to promote inclusive practices.

We have co-developed a Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) for Southwark working collaboratively with education settings, council services and health colleagues, parents and carers, as well as children and young people.

We aim to launch for primary and secondary education settings this term, followed. by the development of the further guidance for other settings and education providers during 2026/27..

>> Review of SEMH support in mainstream schools

Thank you to everyone who took part in our review of social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) services. The aim of the review was to understand the graduated response in both primary and secondary settings, identify strengths, highlight gaps in provision, and inform future delivery models that better meet the needs of children and young people.

The consultation was taken up widely by schools, SEND support services, and social care with over 40 individual feedback sessions and meetings conducted over the last two months. 

We are currently working on recommendations before developing a detailed action plan. 

>> Resource base and special schools  

We are continuing to work with a range of schools to expand resource bases and increase special school places. We are confirming opening timescales with the capital team, with some provision expected to open in the autumn and spring terms. Further updates will follow over the summer.

Other updates

>> Southwark’s Children Services have moved offices 

Southwark’s Children Services, including our Youth Justice Service, have relocated from Sumner House and East Dulwich Road to our Queen Road offices. From 11 May face-to-face Child Protection Conferences will now be held at our office Queens Road 3, 1 Lugard Road, London SE15 2HG.

>> Resources for Autism: Short breaks venue needed for August

Resources for Autism is looking for a venue to host their targeted short breaks programme for autistic young people (aged 12 to 19) during the summer holidays. We require a space that is accessible, safe, and suitable for structured group activities. If you have a suitable space available, please email amy@resourcesforautism.org.uk.

>> Catch-up literacy support for disadvantaged pupils

The Children’s Literacy Charity provides targeted catch-up support for disadvantaged pupils. The 1:3 Literacy Lab supports Key Stage 1 children below expectations, developing phonics, oracy, fluency, comprehension, and writing. The 1:3 Reading Lab supports Key Stage 2 and 3 children, building vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and engagement, complementing classroom provision.

>> Roma health advocacy service in Southwark

Roma Support Group are a charity working with the Roma community, delivering health advocacy to Roma residents and supporting people with accessing health services in Southwark. To refer someone please contact simina@romasupportgroup.org.

Roma Support Group’s Mishto campaign supports schools to increase their understanding and engagement of Roma communities.

>> Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month art competition – deadline 22 May

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month is celebrated every June, helping to tackle prejudice, change the story, and amplify community voices. Roma Support Group are holding an art competition for all children aged 5 to 18 to help inspire young people and promote Roma heritage through creativity.

>> Free speech and language therapy – nursery service offer

A free service provided by the Evelina Speech and Language Therapy Service to help identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years settings. The team will come into your nursery over a six-week period to work alongside your designated 'Communication Champions'. For more information or to sign up to a virtual information session email sian.lister1@nhs.net.

>> HPV Vaccination for Year 8

HPV vaccination will be offered to Year 8 students during the Summer Term. This important vaccine helps protect against several cancers. Please support Kingston and Richmond NHS Trust by helping to schedule vaccination clinics and reminding parents to return consent forms promptly to ensure all students can be offered vaccination.

>> Measles update

Measles cases remain high across London, with most cases in unvaccinated children. The illness is extremely contagious and can lead to serious complications such as meningitis, blindness, and hearing loss. Phone 0300 303 0450 immediately if anyone at your school has measles for further advice. People with measles should stay away from school until four days after their rash started. Please send this message onto parents and carers.

>> Vaccination catch-up clinics

Protection from measles is best achieved through two doses of the MMR vaccine, which is safe, free, and available at any age. For any students who missed their MMR vaccination (or any other vaccination given at school) there are catch-up clinics running in May:

• 26 May, 10.00am to 2.00pm, Rye Oak Children and Family Hub, SE15 3PD
• 27 May, 10.00am to 2.00pm, Streatham Library, SW16 1PN

>> Apply for up to £3,000 to bring research alive in schools

The Royal Society’s Partnership Grants Scheme offers schools up to £3,000 to run an investigative STEM project with academic or industry partners. Available for students aged 5 to 18, including projects tailored for students with SEND. For help finding an academic or industry partner through SC1 London, please contact emma.dowley@southwark.gov.uk.

>> Free Central School of Ballet dance workshops and performances

The Central School of Ballet is building on last year’s Southwark programme with an exciting new offer, ‘Step Up to Dance’, including free in-school dance workshops and performances for Years 4 and 5 and new online dance resources supporting teacher CPD. Email maxine.buntingthomas@csbschool.co.uk for more information or register your interest.

>> London Wildlife Trust family workshops

Wildlife workshops, such as Terrific Trees, Plant Know How, and Exploring Lifecycles, for all the family funded by Southwark Council.  Aimed at primary aged children but bring older or younger ones too. Free with a £3 booking fee, but get in touch if that is too much to pay.

Governors

>> NGA webinar – What the schools white paper means for you

Hear NGA policy experts explain the new ‘Every child achieving and thriving’ White Paper and its implications for schools and trusts. The webinar outlines the key proposals and their impact on governance, changes affecting SEND, parental engagement, workforce recruitment, retention, and school structures.

What's on

>> Southwark Music Curriculum Festival – 13 May

2.15pm, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre. Children from schools across Southwark have been hard at work with our Southwark Music tutors, preparing for our celebration of their musical learning, creativity and talent. We hope you can join us. No tickets or RSVP required.

>> School Food Champion Workshop – 15 May

9.00am to 12.00pm, Southwark Resource Centre, SE17. Secondary schools are invited to nominate staff for a free half‑day workshop to strengthen whole‑school food practice. Participants will receive practical resources, specialist advice, a local network, and ongoing buddy support. Open to kitchen staff, teachers, teaching assistants and administrative staff. To nominate yourself or a colleague, please email kirtana.gunapalan@southwark.gov.uk.

>> Climate action and building upgrades workshop – 21 May

9.30 am to 2.00pm, 160 Tooley Street, SE1. Following the success of our first workshop, we are hosting a further day of climate action support, open to all Southwark schools. It will help you to develop a Climate Action Plan, plan next steps for upgrading your buildings and unlock funding. The session is designed for site managers, sustainability leads, governors and senior leaders. Register to attend.

>> Designated Teachers for Looked after Children conference – 3 June

12.30pm to 4.30pm, Canada Water Library. Southwark Virtual School’s Designated Teachers Conference will focus on end‑of‑year arrangements for looked after children and supporting effective transition planning.

The aim of the session is to keep the needs and lived experiences of children in care at the centre of practice with SpeakerBox, Southwark’s Children in Care Council, and Coram Voice’s Bright Spots Programme on the agenda. More information to follow.

>> Safeguarding neurodivergent children and young people – 10 June  

12.30pm to 1.30pm, online. Our next Safeguarding in Schools webinar delivered by CAMHS explores the invisible stressors that can lead to masking, shutdowns and meltdowns, common experiences in neurodivergent young people and frequently misunderstood or confusing to the adults around them. 

>> Free A New Direction for Primary Arts masterclasses with the CLPE

Together with the Centre of Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) these summer CPD masterclasses help teachers build their skills and knowledge to increase literacy in school using creative methods. Lunch and refreshments provided. View the brochure via the link above.

• Transforming Literacy through Poetry with Valerie Bloom – 17 June, 9.00am to 4.00pm
• Transforming Literacy through Drama with Kate Hopewell – 9 July, 9.00am to 4.00pm

>> Governor’s Forum dates for 2026/2027

Please hold the dates for next year’s Governors’ Forum in your diaries. Register to attend.

• 21 September, Zoom – 6.00pm  
• 19 January 2027, Zoom – 6.00pm
• 5 May 2027– 6.00pm, Tooley Street