Southwark schools bulletin

Welcome to the Southwark schools bulletin archive page. 

October 2025

Hello everyone,

Following last week’s abhorrent attack in Manchester, I wanted to begin by extending our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of those affected, to the Jewish community and to everyone affected by this attack.

Many of you will have also seen the recent public statement by the Council’s Deputy Leader Councillor Jasmine Ali in relation to the marches that took place in September in London. I would also like to extend these words from the Chief Executive of the Council, Althea Loderick, to our school community:

“I want you to know that we stand strong and united against all hate and division. I am so proud of the diversity of Southwark and the people we serve – and I reiterate our support for all faith communities. We will not let the fear and division that these attacks aim to provoke, tear us apart from each other.”

The borough has a proud history of standing up for fairness, dignity, and inclusion, and we recognise the ongoing impact living and working in such challenging times has on our children, young people, families, and school staff. London Plus and the London Communities Emergencies Partnership (LCEP) have compiled a list of support available in London for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, resources promoting community cohesion and solidarity, and support for staff and colleagues. Schools can also join the Schools for Sanctuary Network supporting practice and engagement to build safer, kinder schools and communities.

Last week’s autumn census gives us important insight into our schools and pupils. One thing we do know is that there will be fewer children attending Southwark schools than in previous years as pupil numbers continue to fall. To help us find a way forward last month we held our second Southwark Pupil Places Planning Seminar to share our latest data with leaders from academy trusts and diocesan education bodies and to discuss the common challenges facing us. Our presentations on pupil number projections and lessons learned from Southwark's experience of managing falling pupil numbers in primary schools make for important reading.

The statutory census return from the Council now also includes the numbers of children missing education or being electively home educated. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020 the numbers of home educated children in Southwark has almost doubled from around 220 to 390. Some children’s learning flourishes at home but for others it is less a positive choice than a last resort. We await the outcome of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill going through Parliament as this is expected to introduce new measures around home education. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns about elective home education you can contact our Children Not in School team: electivehomeeducation@southwark.gov.uk.

There is an increasing national focus on early years outcomes with the Government’s launch of the Best Start for Life strategy over the summer. This includes the ambition that 75% of five-year-olds in England have a good level of development by 2028. In Southwark, the figure currently (2024) stands at 69.9%. We expect a local target for Southwark to be confirmed by the Department for Education (DfE) in November. The DfE has also announced that from 2026 individual schools’ Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) data will be published on the Analyse School Performance platform and included in Ofsted’s Inspection Data Summary Report (IDSR). The EYFSP Handbook has been updated  to reflect these changes.

At the other end of spectrum you may have seen that the Government has announced, as part of the upcoming Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, a proposal that schools will play a greater role in ensuring every pupil has a clear post-16 destination. We await the detail of what this means for schools.

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 2026/27 – these are the same as for neighbouring boroughs, Lambeth and Lewisham.

Thanks to everyone who attended our Headteachers' Breakfast Briefing in September. If you couldn’t attend, please visit our website for slides from the briefing. As mentioned in the last bulletin we are particularly proud of our KS2 results this year, which you will find more information about in the slides. However, Year 1 phonics attainment remains a challenge for many schools. If you’re aiming to raise attainment in phonics this year, please tap into the excellent and expert support from the Wandle English Hub who offer free training, audits, some matched funding and a partner programme. We know many of you are trying to close achievement gaps in the early years. Your EYFS leaders may find this ‘Strong Foundations –The best start in life’ video on the Ofsted Academy site helpful.

Hold the date for the next in-person Headteachers’ Breakfast Forum on the 19 November where we’ll hear, amongst other discussions, an update on reforms from Ofsted’s John Kennedy, Assistant Regional Director for the London region.  

Neil Gordon-Orr
Assistant Director, Education Access and Statutory Services 

Key updates

SEND improvement

>> Alternative Provision Needs Analysis – return by 13 October

As mentioned in September’s bulletin, we want to better understand current demand and spend on Alternative Provision (AP) across all secondary, including special, schools in Southwark. A big thanks to those of you who kindly shared their AP provider and financial information earlier this year – we now need some extra information.

We have worked with Catherine May (St. Saviour's & St. Olave's School) and Blon Byrne (Notre Dame Catholic Girls' School) to develop a simple excel template. Could you please complete and return to mohammed.ali@southwark.gov.uk by Monday 13 October. You should ONLY complete the template if you use, or have used, Day 6 and/or AP, including if housed in another school.

>> New EHC needs assessment and Annual review forms

New statutory forms for requesting an EHC needs assessment and undertaking an Annual Review are now available to use. There are two versions of each form – one is intended for the Early Years through to Year 4, the other from Year 5 onwards.

January 2025 forms will still be accepted until April, but SENCOs should be aware that using these forms may result in more questions from caseworkers to make sure we have all the necessary information.   

As mentioned in last month’s bulletin we are also now following a new process for submitting Annual Review documentation. Training about both processes is available.

To make sure that every child, young person, and family is getting the right help, at the right time, we have co-created feedback forms with Southwark Independent Voice. You can find out more, including posters to use in your school, on the schools website.

>> Southwark Independent Voice

Southwark Independent Voice (SIV) is a group of parent volunteers working to ensure that families of children and young people with SEND in Southwark are heard, supported, and empowered. If your school is holding an engagement event for parents and carers SIV would be happy to attend to talk about the support they provide. Please email info@southwarkiv.co.uk to find out more.

>> SEND capital funding, up to £15,000 support for eligible projects  

Our SEND Capital Funding programme is aimed at helping schools enhance their inclusive learning environments for pupils with SEND by funding small-scale capital projects. Eligible projects may include classroom adaptations, long-term assistive technology, accessibility improvements, lighting upgrades for visual impairments, and soundproofing to reduce noise levels. You must be able to demonstrate that your project directly impacts children with SEND. 

>> Promote Southwark Council’s Supported Internships

Supported internships are a structured study programme based primarily at an employer for young people aged 16 to 25 with an EHCP. Southwark Council offers supported internships in Southwark's libraries, leisure centres, and parks and working with the council's SEND Service. Please help promote this opportunity by sharing our poster with your students.

>> Submit your KS2 Free School Meals uptake by 29 October

Please make sure to share your Key Stage 2 Free School Meals uptake on Census Day if you have not done so already. The form has been updated to streamline the information we ask from schools, so please read the guidance carefully before submitting. Contact schoofood@southwark.gov.uk if you have questions.

>> Access school food support from School Food Matters

Through the free School Food Action programme busy schools are being supported by a dedicated school food expert to either write a school food policy and action plan, or to deliver existing ones. Additionally, your staff will receive free role-specific training. You can find out more about our support, training and funding offers on our updated School Meals Transformation Programme webpage.

>> Free VegPower resources and activities

We are working with VegPower to get more Southwark schools involved in their fun and engaging programmes: Eat Them To Defeat Them, Growing to Love, Full of Beans and Attack the Snacks which provide free learning resources, lessons plans and posters. Register your school to find out more.

>> School Food Procurement Framework

The new Southwark School Food Procurement Framework helps nurseries and schools tender catering services. It provides access to trusted suppliers, supports high-quality and cost-effective provision, reduces admin, enables tailored contracts, and is free to use – with no cost for using the framework or officer support during tendering. To find out more contact kirsty.salmon@southwark.gov.uk.

>> Let’s Transform School Food

Maha Khan is undertaking PhD research comparing school food policy in Southwark, Slough, and Bracknell — unpicking why pupils avoid school meals and how schools work with their councils. To join the study to share your challenges, celebrate successes, and shape change contact maha.khan.2020@live.rhul.ac.uk.

>> Does your school have a nursery? Help low-income families by promoting the Healthy Start scheme

Healthy Start provides money for food and milk to families on certain benefits. If your school wants to help promote this scheme please contact adrian.allen@southwark.gov.uk.

>> Climate action support for schools

The DfE guidance is that schools should have a Climate Action Plan and Sustainability Lead in place by 2025. Sign up to our Climate Action Schools Network to receive guidance, funding and resources to deliver climate action.

Climate ED is a charity offering primary school workshops about climate science and climate action suitable for years 4, 5 and 6. If you’re interested email contact@climateed.net.

>> Southwark Music Progression Portal

Keep up-to-date with new and exciting music opportunities in Southwark such as the National Youth Jazz Orchestra October Holiday project with She Got Brass at Woolwich Works and Cre8tiv Short courses featuring DJ skills and music production with Ahmad Dayes.

>> Attendance and inclusion support    

As we all strive to enhance attendance rates and support our students' education, it is crucial that we understand and implement the DfE’s statutory guidance 'Working Together to Improve School Attendance' effectively. To support you we have collated a number of resources on our schools' website.

Governors

>> Become a school Governor and make a difference

We’re looking for committed, people across Southwark to join school governing bodies. Governors help shape school strategy, support leadership, and make a real impact. It’s a great way to give back and grow your strategic skills as well as contributing to your community. Interested? Email governor.services@southwark.gov.uk or fill in the online application form.

>> 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.

>> Governors – update your diversity data

Please update your details on your ‘Personal Information’ page in GovernorHub to help complete your board diversity report. This information supports schools, and academy trusts in meeting DfE guidance on collecting and publishing diversity data for governing boards and committees.

>> Governors – the importance of having a school email address

All boards are strongly encouraged to ensure they have a school-issued email address in place for their governance role. This is to support safeguarding, GDPR compliance, professionalism, and accountability. If you do not yet have a school email address, please speak to your headteacher and IT support team to arrange one.

What's on

>> Safeguarding in Schools webinar: Young People and Substance Use – 14 October

4.00pm to 5.00pm. Learn about the trends, effects, and risk of youth substance use. Develop sills in open conversations, providing effective support, harm reduction and early intervention.

>> Launch webinar: Build your Climate Action Plan with Action Builder – 14 October

4.00pm to 5.00pm. Retrofit Action for Tomorrow’s (RAFT) Action Builder is a powerful new platform to help you understand how to improve and decarbonise your school buildings, create climate action plans, explore funding, and engage your community. A limited number of Southwark schools are being offered 1:1 support from experts to access the tool and accelerate climate action. 

>> Training for secondary schools: Autism and girls

Our Autism Support Team is offering an online webinar for secondary school staff exploring the history of Autism research and how this relates to gender. We will learn about different ways that Autism may present in children, with a particular focus on girls, and participants will gain an understanding of how to support Autistic girls in school. Please register to attend.

• 23 September, online – 1.30pm to 3.15 pm
• 15 October, online – 9.30 am to 11.15am

>> Testing the new SEND Banding System Q&A – 21 October 

We are asking all schools and settings to test a new SEND banding system, the system used to allocate funding to schools and early years settings. To help you with this process we have organised a drop-in Q&A session.

>> Free SEND October Half-Term sports and activities sessions

Tuesday and Thursday, 2 to 4 pm, for ages 5 to 25. The Southwark Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity Network are running a variety of activities at Southwark Park Sport and Athletic Centre during the October half-term. If you have any questions, please email disability.inclusion@AccessSport.org.uk

>> Anti-Bullying Week 2025 – 10 to 14 November

The Anti-Bullying Alliance has created free teaching resources to help pupils get ready to use their Power for Good to prevent bullying. The week will kick off with Odd Socks Day, with adults and children being encouraged to wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.

>> Governors’ Forum – 6 May 2026, 6.00pm

Please hold the dates for this year’s Governors’ Forum in your diaries. Please register your interest.

>> DfE Prevent in education: Training for governors and trustees in schools – 3 December

5.00pm. The Prevent duty requires schools to ‘have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism’. As a governor, your role is one of oversight.