Southwark schools bulletin
Welcome to the Southwark schools bulletin archive page.
February 2026
Hello everyone,
I hope you’re all looking forward to a well-earned half-term break this month. Fingers crossed this deluge rolls back for the week so we can enjoy some fresh air without having to don our waterproofs.
I wanted to use this bulletin to highlight the number of national reform programmes impacting our sector. These changes bring both opportunities and challenges that can only be met by strengthening how we work together.
The Government has made the Best Start in Life one of their key commitments for this parliamentary term, with an ambitious plan to increase numbers of children achieving a good level of development (GLD) by 2028. All local authorities have been asked to produce a new Best Start in Life Local Plan to be published by the end of March. We know that delivering our new statutory target – 79% of children achieving a GLD – will require a whole system response across education, health and care.
A little unhelpfully the Government’s timeline for publication doesn’t give us the opportunity to undertake the level and depth of joint work and engagement we would like. I can assure you the local plan’s first action will be to do that engagement and make sure that our actions are driven by the experts in schools.
We also spoke at our recent Headteachers’ Breakfast Briefing about the Families First Partnership Programme – children’s social care reforms. The programme’s principal aim is to remove handovers in the help and safeguarding system to create a seamless offer of support for children and families, merging targeted early help services with statutory safeguarding teams.
In future, we won’t have a separate Family Early Help service and statutory social work teams in Southwark, just one integrated Family Help service. We are taking a test and learn approach, starting last month with three pilot teams working in the central East area of the borough. We want to align these new services to specific local areas, so teams can build stronger relationships with schools, and schools can have greater influence.
Lastly, I’m sure we’re all eagerly awaiting the Schools White Paper that is expected to set out significant reform to the SEND system, in particular. We have recently received a letter about the Department for Education’s (DfE) high‑level plans to support local areas in further developing inclusive practice. Please do take the time to read this. In anticipation of this work, the DfE will be working with the council, the NHS South East London Integrated Care Board and wider partners to develop a Local SEND Reform Plan. This work will begin through the SEND and Inclusion Partnership Board, although the governance arrangements may need to be reviewed as more details emerge about the purpose and scope of the programme.
It’ll come as no surprise that there have been representations made at a national level asking the DfE to be cautious about trying to drive through three significant and interlinked reform programmes all at the same time. Nonetheless, we can all agree reform is necessary. It’s an exciting time to test our strengthening partnership and I for one am particularly excited about exploring how we meet that challenge together.
Finally, I wanted to introduce you all to a new member of my team. I am delighted to welcome Jason Smith to the role of Estates and Asset Management Officer.
I think it’s fair to say that from a Children’s Services perspective we’ve not been as effective as we need to be in offering our maintained schools the right estates support. Jason started with us in January and brings with him a wealth of experience managing sites, facilities and contracts to support schools.
Some of you will already have met Jason at our Headteachers' Breakfast Briefing. He will be contacting all our maintained schools to arrange visits over this term, or you can extend an invite by emailing him at CSEstatesAssets@southwark.gov.uk.
Mike Crowe
Assistant Director, Transformation and Operations
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:
- Headteachers’ Breakfast Briefing
- Southwark Schools Partnership discussions
- Things to celebrate
- SEND improvement updates and Southwark’s Annual SEND Conference
- Southwark Youth Parliament elections – 9 to 13 March
- Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership's child sexual abuse audit
- Free School Meals updates and Pupil Premium Boost
Headteachers’ Breakfast Briefing
Thank you to everyone who attended our Headteachers’ Breakfast Briefing on the 21 January. We had an impressive turnout that created a lively and purposeful atmosphere. As well as hearing regular updates, there were interesting presentations on strategies to reduce your complaints workload, the Fair Access Protocol for primary schools, as well as an introduction to the Families First Partnership programme. You can read the presentations from the Forum on our Schools’ website.
Following the briefing, attendees engaged in their Partnership Family discussions, sharing ideas and challenges in a genuinely collegiate spirit as new connections between schools were made. Feedback was positive, with many participants commenting on how valuable it was to come together. This was a meaningful step towards building a stronger, more connected leadership community as part of our Southwark Schools Partnership.
Our next Headteachers’ Breakfast Forum will be on the 11 March under the theme of inclusion/exclusion – save the date. There will also be an opportunity for you to work together again in your Partnership Families.
Things to celebrate
Several of our schools have received a letter from the Education Minister, Bridget Phillipson MP, congratulating them on their excellent outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and recognising the dedication of staff and hard work of the pupils. Schools are encouraged to share their experience and effective practise through working with other schools through partnerships and networks.
Twelve schools have also been selected to open their doors for the RISE (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence) Open Education Fortnight, 9 to 20 March. This is a collaborative initiative showcasing exemplary practice in London schools to boost professional development, focusing on attendance, inclusion, reception year quality, and attainment. This is a great opportunity to visit other schools and network in Southwark and beyond.
St Francis Catholic Primary School, Peckham is celebrating as their former pupil Peter Babudu has recently been appointed Baron Babudu. As the schools says his remarkable achievement is a source of pride not only for the school but for the whole community. The school looks forward to hopefully welcoming him back in the future to congratulate him in person. Well done!
SEND improvement
>> Please share: SEND Banding System – public consultation
A public consultation for parents, carers, schools and settings to feedback on the new banding system will run from the 19 January to 22 February. Please contact annette.watson-morse@southwark.gov.uk with your questions. Please share with your relevant staff.
>> OAP working party – express your interest by 9 February
Following feedback received at the Headteachers’ Breakfast Forum last Spring, we now have a full working draft of the Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP). We would like to thank everyone for their contributions – they have been invaluable in shaping this draft.
We are now inviting schools to join a working party to review and refine the draft further. If you are interested in being part of this collaborative process, please get in touch: grace.jackson@southwark.gov.uk.
>> Speech and language therapy survey – 10 February
We want to secure a joint commitment from both the Integrated Care Board and the council to co-fund provision, ensuring better value and meeting the needs of our young people.
While we have reviewed expenditure from both the High Needs Budget and the Integrated Care Board, an important missing piece is understanding what schools are currently purchasing and for what purpose.
Can you and your school business managers complete the survey in the link above and email to anima.thawait@southwark.gov.uk no later than 10 February to help us map any gaps in provision and identify where additional resources or support may be required.
>> Save the date: Southwark’s Annual SEND Conference – 26 June
We are delighted to announce Southwark’s second annual SEND Conference, taking place at St. Saviour's & St. Olave's School, SE1 4AN.
Building on the success of our last event, this conference will be an opportunity to bring 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.
The conference is aimed at all education settings, including Early Years, primary and secondary schools. In a change to last year’s conference, this will not be a full-day event. You will have the option to attend in-person either a morning or afternoon session, up to a maximum of 20 places per school or setting. More information will be available nearer the time, but if you have a query, please email mohammed.ali@southwark.gov.uk.
>> SEND Portal on the schools website – request for feedback
We have redesigned our SEND information on the Schools website to make it more useful to you, overseen by the Skilled and Competent Settings Operational Group. This is very much work in progress, with more useful content in the pipeline, but we’d love to know if the new structure works for you or if there’s anything else you’d like to see included: SouthwarkEducationCommunications@southwark.gov.uk
>> Primary Behaviour Intervention Toolkit
Please take a look at our new Primary Behaviour Intervention Toolkit, created together with the mental health charity Anna Freud, and a group of primary schools led by Lisa Noel, Beormund Primary School and Maureen Thomas, Summerhouse Behaviour Support Service.
This evidenced-based toolkit aims to support teachers and school staff to better meet the needs of children with behaviours that challenge, and to implement behaviour management strategies, interventions, and techniques.
>> Reminder: Review of behaviour support services
As we mentioned last month, we are undertaking a comprehensive review of our behaviour support offer, with the aim of strengthening early intervention, reducing our reliance on crisis led responses, and aligning more closely with the graduated response.
If you are keen to be involved please contact mohammed.ali@southwark.gov.uk and we will share with Astrid Schon, from Olive Academies, who is leading the review. Please share with your SENCOs so they can help shape this service offer.
Other updates
>> Southwark Youth Parliament elections – 9 to 13 March
We want all secondary schools and other educational establishments from Key Stage 3 to 5 to be take part in elections. For an overview of our plans, including our offer to you, please follow the link above. If your school hasn’t signed up yet it’s not too late, but you need to act fast and complete our registration form.
>> Southwark SCP sexual abuse audit – deadline 20 February
For designated safeguarding leads and practitioners: Please help the Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership (SCP) complete a multi-agency audit of responses to child sexual abuse as part of their response to the National Child Safeguarding Panel’s report ‘I wanted them all to notice’. Information collected through this form will help the partnership understand current confidence levels in Southwark and consider their future approach.
>> Free school meal expansion and end of transitional protection
From September 2026 households that get Universal Credit, above the £7,400 income cap, will qualify for benefits-related free school meals. Currently, households who get benefits-related free school meals are protected if their household circumstances change and they are no longer eligible. This protection will end from September 2026. More guidance will be sent to schools soon.
>> Remember to register FSM pupils for a Pupil Premium boost
In October 2024, we implemented free school meals auto-enrolment, which means we can check which pupils can be, but are not currently, registered for FSM. This process happens three times a year, ahead of each Census. Pupil lists do not need to be rechecked; please make sure you register pupils when you receive them. Any questions contact schoolfood@southwark.gov.uk.
>> KS2 data returns – change in process
The School Food team usually collects KS2 data returns three times a year, as well as a separate collection for top-up funding. To simplify the ask from schools, from this academic year we are collecting in three periods – October (as usual), February/March (aligned with the top-up funding), and in May (as usual). Please continue to submit these through Southwark Stats when requested.
>> Top up funding for FSM 87%+ and special schools
For the third year in a row, we are able to offer schools additional funding aligned to free school meals uptake, as well as to special schools. Whilst for the past two years this was set at 90%+, this year you can apply if your FSM uptake is 87% and above. Snapshot data will be required from two periods – February and March. We will also be able to offer special schools top-up funding again. We will send out more information on how to apply for both opportunities soon. Any questions contact schoolfood@southwark.gov.uk.
>> £2000 worth of free reading resources – deadline 27 February
Bookmark’s Roots to Reading programme offers eligible schools £2,000 of completely free reading for pleasure resources, including a diverse selection of 200 new, high‑quality books suitable for children aged 4 to 10, training, and support.
>> Sign up to Southwark Climate Action Schools Network
Access funding guidance, climate education resources and expert advice to develop and deliver your school's Climate Action Plan.
>> Free school sessions across Southwark’s parks
The London Wildlife Trust are providing hands-on nature lessons directly linked to the national curriculum in your local green spaces, including Burgess Park, One Tree Hill, Camberwell Old Cemetery, Nunhead Cemetery and more. To book or for more information email tbrodie@wildlondon.org.uk.
>> Free support from Climate Action Advisors
By joining Let’s Go Zero, schools in England can access free, tailored advice from experts to help green England’s school buildings, transport, menus and more.
>> Free becoming a doctor/dentist lectures series – deadline 9 February, 2.00pm
The King’s College online London Medicine and Dentistry Lecture Series helps build understanding of the opportunities and challenges of being a doctor or dentist and guidance on the application process.
>> New BBC Bitesize media literacy series
To help teens separate fact from fiction online BBC Bitesize has launched ‘Solve the Story’, a six-part media literacy series designed to equip students, teachers, and schools with practical tools to tackle misinformation and disinformation.
>> Show your support for the Loved & Wanted campaign
The Mayor’s Loved & Wanted campaign reminds every Londoner that they are valued and belong in our city. Schools already play a vital role in creating welcoming spaces, and we’d love your help to amplify this message. By using campaign materials, you can help make children and families feel safe, included and proud of their community.
>> Supporting children beyond the school gates
Children and young people in Southwark need safe, loving homes – and teachers and school staff already have skills that can make a real difference beyond the classroom. Fostering is flexible, with different lengths of placements available, from short-term to longer-term care. We work closely with prospective carers to understand what’s right for you and match you with the right child. You can also receive a £2,000 reward for successfully referring a friend to foster. Call 020 7525 0700 or email fostering@southwark.gov.uk.
Governors
>> New complaints guidance for parents and schools
The DfE, with Ofsted and ParentKind, has released new complaints guidance for parents and schools. The two documents – School guide to parent complaints and Parent guide to school complaints – are designed to provide a checklist to resolving concerns quickly, easily and positively.
>> Southwark Governors' Association (SGA) – management committee members needed
We need more governors to join the SGA management committee to keep our schools thriving. The SGA is a great forum for governors from maintained and academy schools in Southwark, meeting once a term to discuss important issues. We have seven vacancies and would love for you to join us. We're excited to relaunch the SGA this autumn and your participation is key to our success. Please self-nominate if you’re interested.
What's on
>> Join the Fizz Free challenge! February
We challenge your school to give up fizzy drinks for February. Prizes include a Decathlon voucher. Find out more and register for free resources such as the posters, calendars and certificates on our website.
>> Southwark Governors Association AGM and networking evening – 12 February
6.00pm, Tooley Street. Elections, constitution review, quiz, governance case study, plus sandwiches and refreshments. No need to register in advance.
>> National School Governors’ Awareness Day – 12 February
Join leading experts and experienced governors to explore what good governance looks like today. Packed with practical insights, fresh ideas and networking. Open to governors, trustees, leaders and those considering the role. You can register for individual sessions.
>> Help Shape the new SEND Best Start Family Hub – 13 February
9.30am to 11.30am. We’re excited to be developing the new Ann Bernadt SEND Best Start Family Hub, designed to bring services together and make support more accessible for children and families with SEND.
While the building is currently being brought up to standard, we want to start shaping how the space will work in practice – and your insight is essential.
Join us for a practical, discussion‑based workshop as part of the next Southwark Professionals Network Meeting and help us determine how the new Ann Bernadt SEND hub can best support families in the future and which services need to be in place to make this work. Refreshments provided – please register you interest.
>> Gamifying Democracy: The Politics Project – 18 February
1.00pm, online. The Politics Project offers training for teachers, featuring interactive games and activities to engage young people in conversations about politics and democracy.
>> RISE: Focus on mainstream inclusion conference – 24 March
9.30am to 3.30pm, Tower Bridge. Free DfE mainstream inclusion conference for secondary school headteachers, senior leaders, and colleagues who lead on inclusion and/or SEND across schools, trusts and local authorities.
>> Governors’ Forum summer date – 6 May
6.00pm, online. Please register in advance for this meeting