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Southwark schools bulletin

Welcome to the Southwark schools bulletin archive page. 

June 2026

Neil Gordon-Orr , Schools bulletin header
Neil Gordon-Orr, Assistant Director, Education Access 

Hello everyone,

It has been a time of change at Southwark Council following last month's elections, with Southwark Green Party and Southwark Liberal Democrats forming a joint administration to run the Council. At the recent Annual Council Assembly meeting, Councillor Rebecca Corn was confirmed as the Executive Member for Education and Care and she will no doubt be wishing to speak and listen to Southwark’s schools over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, at a national level, guidance and initiatives continue to come through thick and fast from the Department for Education (DfE). As we’ve mentioned previously, the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act passed into law in April with major implications for schools and for council education and social care services. New and revised guidance has also been published on making significant changes to schools (including opening and closing schools), how to set up and deliver school-age childcare provision and statutory guidance on the suspension and permanent exclusion of pupils – with some strong messages in the latter about off-rolling and managed moves.  

Councils have until later this month to submit Local SEND Reform Plans following the closure of the Government's consultation on SEND Reform: putting children and young people first. We’ve been asked to set a clear direction before all local detail is fully designed. In practice this means we are working at speed to meet these conditions, while continuing to develop the work collaboratively for the longer term. Our first draft was submitted to the DfE in May and we’re currently working through their feedback. It is important we work as a partnership to think through our operational delivery, governance and accountability frameworks, so please do come to one of our roundtable events or send a SENDCo during June and early July to help shape our evolving plan together. Your insights will also help shape our new SEND Strategy. More details are available via our registration form. We’ll also be discussing at our next Headteachers’ Breakfast Forum on the 17 June (details below).

I wanted to also share with you the response from the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS), which we contributed to.

ADCS broadly welcomes the ambition to reform the SEND system, with strong support for a more inclusive, locally responsive system. They point out though that inclusion must be embedded in everyday practice, with schools supported to meet a wider range of needs through clear national standards, better access to specialist expertise, and more flexible funding. They stress that successful implementation will depend on aligned accountability and stronger partnership working, particularly with health, so that responsibility and decision-making are genuinely shared.

ADCS also warns that without sufficient investment, clarity of roles, and realistic timelines, reform could increase pressure without improving outcomes.

Southwark Schools Learning Partnership is moving forward. The partnership’s Board will be meeting next week to hear feedback from our partnership families and to plan the task forces that will address some of the issues you’ve raised. Thanks to all those who have attended partnership family meetings and have offered to contribute to the task forces.

We are reviewing our own school improvement service for maintained primary schools. A reminder that schools have been invited to a meeting on Wednesday 10 June (2.00pm to 3.30pm at our Tooley Street offices) for headteachers to discuss what’s working well in our school improvement offer and what they would like to see in the future.

Our Headteachers’ Breakfast Forum on the 17 June will be held at our offices on Tooley Street from 8.00am (for 8.30am start) to 11.00am. We’ll hear an update from James Page, RISE London Adviser, DfE, plus discussions on the Schools White Paper, SEND reform and our SEND Local Plan. Please register to attend.

On a personal note, I will be leaving Southwark this month having worked in the borough for more than 25 years. Much of my early work involved setting up Sure Start locally, and I am pleased that having held on to its Children's Centres while many councils were cutting back, Southwark is now in a strong position to deliver a great Best Start in Life programme based on similar principles of services working together at neighbourhood level to support children and families. What goes around... Wishing you all the best for the future and thanks for all you do for Southwark's children.

Neil Gordon-Orr
Assistant Director, Education Access 

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:

  • Fair Access Protocol
  • Free School Meals: Key changes from September
  • Health and safety concerns of play sand
  • Free water safety sessions, Years 5/6 and secondary schools
  • Temporary closure of Summerhouse until mid-June
  • Southwark Youth Parliament update
  • Apply for a £1000 Year 6 financial literacy education grant
  • Fully funded apprenticeships for TAs and SEND specialists
  • Southwark’s summer of Food and Fun holiday programm

Fair Access Protocol

>> Secondary School Fair Access Protocol – draft for consultation

Southwark Council’s Secondary School Fair Access Protocol has been reviewed and redrafted in the light of feedback from secondary headteachers, a review of protocols from other local authorities and research into best practice.

The draft protocol will be sent to all headteachers shortly. You are invited to review and provide feedback through your family groups, the SASH meeting in July, by email or by arranging a meeting directly with suzanne.wright@southwark.gov.uk.

The deadline for feedback is the end of the summer term but if you need longer, please let us know.

>> Primary School Fair Access Protocol

The Primary School Fair Access Protocol will be reviewed in the second half of this term. If you are a primary school headteacher who would like to help with the review, please contact suzanne.wright@southwark.gov.uk. Suzanne also hopes to attend family group meetings in June and July and is happy to discuss both protocols at those meetings.

Free School Meals: Key changes from September 

Important national changes to Free School Meals (FSM) eligibility come into effect from September. Key changes include the:

  • end of transitional protections for FSM
  • expanded eligibility for all pupils in households on Universal Credit
  • introduction of two categories: FSM Expanded and FSM Targeted
  • move to annual eligibility reassessments
  • new eligibility checking system (ECS) launched on 1 June.

Schools should also note:

  • eligibility checks and rechecks are expected to begin this month (June)
  • the auto-enrolment process will continue, with the next check in August
  • systems such as MIS and catering tills may need updating to reflect the new categories.

Secondary schools should be aware that pupils currently receiving Southwark’s free secondary meals will transition into the FSM Expanded category. 

Detailed guidance has been shared directly with all schools, with separate communications tailored by phase and school type (primary, secondary, maintained and academy). Schools should refer to these for full information and next steps.

Please share this update with relevant staff.

Other updates

>> Health and safety concerns of play sand

Early years and childcare providers need to be aware of an important emerging health and safety issue concerning play sand and toy products.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) have published guidance for consumers and businesses on consumer products containing asbestos.

The guidance provides information on disposal for both businesses and consumers, including early years settings, along with health information. Settings should review the linked list of contaminated products that are subject to recalls and where products are identified in the setting follow the guidance to ensure their safe removal.

>> Temporary closure of Summerhouse until mid-June

Summerhouse Behaviour Support Service has temporarily closed until mid-June to ensure that effective safeguarding practices and procedures are fully in place while their Headteacher is off work.

During this period, all new referrals to Summerhouse will be paused. We apologise for the impact this may have and recognise that this may cause additional pressure for schools and families. This is a temporary measure, and we will provide an update as soon as referrals can resume.

>> Free water safety sessions, Years 5/6 and secondary schools

With more hot weather expected we are offering free, practical water safety and drowning prevention sessions to help your pupils enjoy the water safely and avoid tragedy. Each session lasts two hours and runs between 9.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Thursday, during Drowning Prevention Week (13 to 20 June) continuing Mondays to Wednesdays after that. If you’re interested email phillippa.gillespie@southwark.gov.uk and paul.lambert@southwark.gov.uk with your school, year group(s), approximate pupil numbers and preferred dates and times.

>> Southwark Youth Parliament update

A new blog post on OneHub outlines Southwark Youth Parliament’s (SYP) future plans, while the details of the Youth Parliament Members for 2026, including their priorities, are now available online. Newly appointed members will soon elect a leader and deputy leader. Area-based forums are launching soon, giving young people the chance to share their views on key issues directly with SYP members. Schools are encouraged to support pupil participation. For more information follow us on Instagram @southwarkyouthparliament.

>> Apply for a £1000 Year 6 financial literacy education grant

In partnership with City AM, City Pay it Forward has raised funds from leading City institutions to help London primary schools prioritise financial literacy education. 

There are up to 68 school grants available for Southwark schools for their award-winning Year 6 financial education programme, including FREE lesson plans, teacher training and instructional materials. Please register to find out more.

>> Fully funded apprenticeships for TAs and SEND specialists

Opogo Education is working with schools across Southwark to support inclusive education through structured workforce development and SEND training.

The Apprenticeship Academy For Schools provides a practical pathway for volunteers and support staff to gain accreditation while helping schools build consistent, reliable, equipped staffing teams.

>> Southwark’s summer of Food and Fun holiday programme

The upcoming summer programme is free for children aged 4 to 16 years who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. The programme runs from Monday 20 July to Friday 28 August and will provide free, nutritious, and tasty food and fun physical activity sessions each day.

Bookings go live on Tuesday 30 June (link above). We will also be sending information to schools in June that can be used to further promote the programme to families.

>> 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.

>> MMR vaccination catch-up clinics

Measles cases remain high across London. The illness is extremely contagious and can lead to serious complications such as meningitis, blindness, and hearing loss. Protection 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) catch up clinics are running at Rye Oak Children and Family Hub, SE15 3PD on 17 and 24 June, 3:00pm to 5.00pm.

>> Free mandatory allergy and anaphylaxis training for schools

From September, all staff working with children will be required to complete training on identifying the signs of anaphylaxis and administering adrenaline. This free hour-long CPD-certified online training will help staff recognise, prevent and respond to allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

>> Sign up to the Green Schools Project’s climate education programme

Sign up for the 2026/27 programme with free resources, training, and support to help schools embed climate learning across the curriculum and empower pupils to take meaningful action. 

>> A career, a family and fostering: Tom’s story

During Foster Care Fortnight, we celebrated the life-changing impact foster carers have on children. In this video, Tom, who works full-time in the city, shares his experience of fostering two babies with his wife, Christina. He talks about why fostering as a man is important to him and the positive difference male role models can make in a child’s life.

Fostering is open to people from all walks of life. If you’d like to find out more about supporting a child or young person in Southwark, call 020 7525 0700 or email fostering@southwark.gov.uk.

We’re also offering a £2,000 reward for successful referrals of new foster carers. Together, we can provide safe, loving homes for Southwark’s children and young people.

>> Southwark Music Progression Portal

Our Music Progression Portal is updated regularly with new and exciting opportunities. Recent additions include The Old Vic’s 12 Choirs project, The Lion King Music Play Day, 'Inner Ear' Classical Music Summer School at the Royal Academy of Music, and for teachers, a range of fantastic CPD opportunities in June and July from our friends over at Bexley Music.

Governors

>> Desktop review of governing boards

As mentioned at our recent Governor Forum, we will be undertaking light-touch desktop reviews of governing boards across Southwark’s schools. These reviews will cover key governance areas and provide supportive feedback where needed. Further details, including next steps and reporting arrangements, will follow shortly.

>> Do you have vacancies on your governing board?

Schools are encouraged to register with Governors for Schools, a free service that matches skilled volunteers to boards. We also maintain a pool of applicants recruited through our website – contact selina.mcclure@southwark.gov.uk to find out more. Standard recruitment checks and appointment processes still apply.

>> PE and sport premium funding for primary schools

Please ensure the DfE’s PE and sports premium reporting form is completed and the required information is published on your school’s website by 31 July. Governing boards should review, scrutinise, and confirm the funding has been used appropriately, before submission by the deadline.

What's on

>> 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.

>> Celebrate Climate Week – 20 to 28 June

Climate Week celebrates the climate action and sustainability projects taking place in schools and the wider community. For climate action guidance, resources and funding opportunities join Southwark's Climate Action Schools Network. Free events and activities are available across London.

>> Schools Safeguarding Forum – 2 July

9.00am to 12.30pm, Tooley Street, Light continental breakfast. Hear updates from social care, the Police and other Southwark services. There's no need to sign up – just come along. 

To ensure the information delivered on the day is directly relevant to your experiences and needs, we are asking all schools to please complete this short survey sharing your feedback about what's working well and the challenges of partnership working by 12 June.

>> Governor’s Forum dates for 2026/2027

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