Southwark schools bulletin
Welcome to the Southwark schools bulletin archive page.
January 2026
Hello everyone,
Happy New Year! And welcome back. I hope you were able to take some well deserved rest over the break. I spoke with a family last week who reminded me that whilst the festive period is a time of enjoyment for many, it can bring additional pressures. The return to school offers stability, belonging, and care that are crucial for supporting children’s wellbeing and safety. Thank you for your leadership and for the work you and your teams do every day to safeguard, include, and inspire our young people.
As we usher in 2026, I have mixed feelings for the year ahead. The wider geopolitical context brings uncertainty, which will inevitably reverberate locally. The SEND reforms, however, should offer a positive opportunity to address the significant pressures facing families, schools and local authorities, although I am cautiously optimistic given the complexities and challenges in the system. If you haven’t already, you have until tomorrow (14 January) to take part in the SEND national conversation, ending with a panel discussion with the Schools Minster. See ‘What’s on’ for more details.
As I step into my new role, I am looking forward to working with you to create positive change in Southwark. On a personal note, I’m keen to develop my knowledge and increase my engagement with schools and education providers. My focus is on driving improvement to strengthen our approach in the delivery of timely, effective support. Central to this will be listening to your insights, shaping solutions together as we navigate the challenges ahead.
We are currently implementing our refreshed education leadership structure to strengthen the strategic capacity of our Early Years, School Inclusion and School Support services. I am happy to announce that Wendy Heller has been appointed to the position of Service Development Manager, Early Years. I would like to thank the headteachers who have kindly given their time to support these recruitment processes. Your professional judgement and experience has been invaluable.
Over the next two weeks, we will be recruiting to the Head of School Inclusion and Head of School Support and Admissions roles. Unfortunately, we were unable to appoint to the Assistant Director for SEND post, and we will therefore be readvertising this role. Much of the activity that I, and colleagues, have been working on over the last year or so will be culminating by the end of the summer term. This will have a positive impact on SEND provision but may mean some juggling of responsibilities is required.
We’ll keep you informed of our progress over the coming months as we continue to recruit to key posts.
Whilst we focus on strengthening our own leadership and capacity let’s not forget the excellent outcomes already being achieved across our schools. Southwark’s Schools Standards Report for 2024/25 is now available on our schools’ website, so please take time to read through the positive story it tells with 99% of Southwark schools providing a good or outstanding quality of education, rising to 100% of nursery, primary and special schools. Pupils in Southwark continue to outperform national averages at every stage of education, from the Early Years Foundation Stage to GCSEs and A-levels. This is something to be truly proud of.
It was wonderful to see Boutcher Primary School’s pupils on BBC London last week, showcasing their impressive artistic and speaking skills. The children have created a series of striking globe sculptures as part of the Triangle of Unity project, exploring heritage, climate change and identity, with a particular focus on the experiences of communities affected by the transatlantic slave trade. If you’d like to see their work the globes are now displayed in the grounds of Southwark Cathedral.
The Government announced in December the formation of a new Child Protection Authority in England as a response to long-standing gaps in multi-agency protection and accountability outlined in several recent reviews. It aims to help protect children from harms and other complex risks. A national consultation is currently seeking perspectives from front line workers until 5 March on the proposed functions and governance of the new body. Do share your views.
Finally, our next Headteacher’s Breakfast Briefing on the 21 January will, on this occasion, be held in person at our offices in Tooley Street. Our termly briefing, including updates on Ofsted, complaints and a look at how the children’s social care reform pilot could impact schools, will be followed by Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnership’s first cluster meetings. You’ll be able to meet your cluster, find out more about how you can work together and how you can get involved as a member or cluster leader. Please confirm your attendance by Monday 19 January.
Anna Chiva
Deputy Director for Children Services, Learning and Inclusion
Key updates
Support for young carers
A reminder that schools are required to include in their census submission whether a child is identified as a young carer. It is estimated nationally that within each school 1.4% of pupils are young carers. Our latest School Health Education Unit (SHEU) survey indicated this is higher in Southwark with 11% of primary school children and 8% of secondary school pupils identified as young carers.
The latest school census identified only 111 children as young carers in Southwark schools – meaning at least 80% of young carers in our schools are not acknowledged.
Southwark Young Carers provides emotional or practical help for a family member who has a long-term illness, disability, mental health problem, or an alcohol, drug, or substance problem.
Young carers are supported in schools, through workshops, and with respite activities. Working with school staff and other professionals, we aim to ensure young carers have access to the support they need and know they are not alone.
It is estimated that there could be up to three Young Carers per classroom, and 27% of young carers aged 11-15 miss out on school due to their caring role. However big or small your school, you will have young carers and they may need more support.
Imago works with schools to raise awareness, and help with the identification and support of young carers. Contact our Imago Hub to find out more –youngcarers@imago.community or 0300 111 1110.
SEND improvement
>> Southwark’s Annual SEND Conference 2026
We are delighted to announce that Southwark’s second, in-person, annual SEND Conference will be taking place on Friday 26 June at St. Saviour's & St. Olave's School, New Kent Road. Please save the date, more to follow.
>> Primary Behaviour Intervention Toolkit
Southwark is proud to announce the launch of its Primary Behaviour Intervention Toolkit. Together with the mental health charity Anna Freud, we have produced this evidenced-based toolkit, which 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.
We would like to recognise the tremendous effort a group of primary schools put into developing the content over the past year, led by Lisa Noel, Beormund Primary School and Maureen Thomas, Summerhouse Behaviour Support Service.
>> Review of behaviour support services
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. Olive Academies will be supporting this work – they are highly regarded and are currently working with central government on their SEND and alternative provision (AP) reforms.
Engagement with schools, Summerhouse, specialist partners, and multi‑agency teams will take place across the spring term. I will shortly be inviting colleagues to contribute. If you are keen to be involved please contact mohammed.ali@southwark.gov.uk and we will share with Astrid Schon who is leading the review.
>> Resource Base expressions of interest
We know the pressure mainstream schools are facing and we are increasing our specialist offer from September. We are planning to establish four to six new resource bases and are currently reviewing the expressions of interest already submitted before we kick-off the planning process with the relevant schools.
We are also considering increasing our special school offer for September. We will let you know more when we've reviewed our options.
On 11 December the Government announced £3 billion in additional national funding to create specialist school places for children SEND. We wait to see what this means for children and young people in Southwark.
>> Testing our new SEND Banding System – 16 January
As you know, we are asking all schools and settings to test the new banding system to help us assess its effectiveness and identify any further changes needed.
Following extensive engagement and co-production with education professionals across Southwark, and based on initial testing feedback, we have updated the outcomes and banding descriptors since our last request.
We aim to gather a representative set of testing and appreciate the pressures schools and settings are facing. Submissions so far have been lower than expected, so we are offering those who have not yet completed testing the opportunity to do so.
A public consultation for schools and settings to feedback on the new system will run from the 19 January to 15 February. Please contact annette.watson-morse@southwark.gov.uk with your questions.
>> Speech and language therapy survey – 30 January
We have been working closely with colleagues in Joint Commissioning to review the current speech and language therapy offer. Our aim is 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.
Please complete the survey in the link above and email to anima.thawait@southwark.gov.uk no later than 30 January to help us map any gaps in provision and identify where additional resources or support may be required.
The Joint Commissioning team will also be issuing this brief survey via email to all heads shortly with contact details for assistance if needed.
>> What Works in SEND survey
The What Works in SEND team (Universities of Warwick and Birmingham funded by the DfE) are conducting research to understand how state-funded mainstream schools in England organise and deploy staff supporting SEND.
>> Young Community Researcher training opportunity for students aged 14-18
Do you know young people who want to learn new skills towards their education and career, and are passionate about making a difference? Southwark Council are training young residents in Participatory Action Research, to help shape youth and play services. Please email siip@southwark.gov.uk or call 07934350801 to find out more.
>> Seasonal illnesses summary for headteachers
Seasonal illnesses are rising. Keep children off school for 24 hours after antibiotics (scarlet fever), 48 hours after sickness stops (norovirus), and three days after a positive COVID-19 test. Promote flu vaccination and hygiene. Full guidance in link.
>> Attendance, safeguarding, and inclusion webinars now online
The DfE has published a series of practical webinars packed with guidance on attendance, safeguarding, and inclusion. These short sessions are a great way to keep your team informed and up to date with national expectations.
>> Cost of Living support for families
We have developed a Cost of Living resource on our main council website which outlines a range of support available to help residents with food, energy bills, council-tax, and other essential costs this winter. Information can be translated into different languages using the translation option on the bottom right hand side of the page.
>> Supporting children and young people seeking asylum
The UK Trauma Council has designed a toolkit and evidence review for education settings supporting children and young people seeking asylum in the UK.
>> Refreshed ‘Reading Well’ self-help collection in all Southwark libraries
Southwark Libraries have refreshed their Reading Well scheme of free, expert-recommended self-help and health books and digital resources across 12 libraries, covering mental health, dementia, families, teens, and children. Six-week loan periods and no late fees are in place. Contact libraries@southwark.gov.uk with your queries.
>> Unlocking Reading for secondary school pupils
A new DfE-funded CPD programme to support struggling readers in secondary schools. All secondary state schools in England will be able to attend in-person training in the Spring Term and access a range of supporting online training modules.
>> 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 carbon emissions calculator designed for schools
Count Your Carbon is the nation’s first free, full-scope carbon emissions calculator, built in collaboration with nurseries, schools and colleges. It supports educational settings to calculate, understand, reduce and track your carbon emissions.
>> Join the National Education Nature Park programme
A DfE funded scheme to empower children and young people to make a positive difference to both their own and nature's future. Resources, support and guidance to embed climate and nature into learning in a way that suits your setting and learners.
>> Broadening horizons with the Central School of Ballet
Dance is a compulsory element of the National Curriculum for Physical Education at KS1 and 2. The Central School of Ballet offers KS2 CPD sessions, assemblies between April and June, and costume and dance workshops on the 3 and 6 July
designed to broaden horizons for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. Register your interest.
>> Adolescent Sure Start
Adolescent Sure Start offers face-to-face confidential support to young people living in Southwark aged 11 to 19 (up to 25 with SEND) and their parents and carers. The service runs five weekly drop-ins across Southwark.
>> Fostering Futures: Shape young lives beyond the classroom
Teachers and school staff already mentor, guide, and inspire young people every day. Fostering lets you use those same skills to transform lives. Please help us spread the word by printing and displaying our posters in and around your school. There is one for mainstream settings and another specifically for SEND schools.
Governors
>> Register with Governors for Schools to help fill governor vacancies
Having the right people around the table is a vital part of effective governance. Finding new volunteers is not always easy and recruiting from underrepresented groups can be particularly challenging. For those schools that are finding it difficult to fill governor vacancies Governors for Schools can help with a free matching service to connect you with the right people.
>> 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
>> Conversation with the Schools Minister on ‘effective’ SEND reform – 14 January, 6.00pm
Join the Schools Minister and a panel of experts for a live online discussion as part of a series of events focussed on SEND reform.
>> Southwark Schools Forum – 15 January, 2.00pm
The Southwark Schools Forum is a statutory body that advises the council on issues related to school budgets, like formula funding, contracts and provision for the education of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The Schools Forum meets face-to-face four to five times a year. Following each meeting, the papers will be published on our website and your forum representatives will share relevant information. If you have any questions, please liaise with them or contact the clerk to the forum, hayley.furniss@southwark.gov.uk.
>> Free Anna Freud webinar for Southwark Schools – 20 January
4.30pm, Is Belonging the Missing Piece in Educational Wellbeing? To register for a free place, please complete the eligibility form for a booking link and voucher code. Places will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
>> Governors’ Forum dates 2025/26
Please hold the dates for this year’s Governors’ Forum in your diaries. Please register your interest.
>> Gamifying Democracy: The Politics Project
The Politics Project offers training for teachers, featuring interactive games and activities to engage young people in conversations about politics and democracy.
>> Please share with your families: Southwark English Language Fair – 28 January
10.30am to 1.30pm, Thomas Calton Centre, Peckham. The English Language Fair helps migrant Londoners access adult education and employability support. To help support the event you can download flyers in nine different languages.
>> New date: SGA networking evening and Annual General Meeting – 12 February
6.00pm, Tooley Street. The SGA Annual General Meeting, originally scheduled for November, will now take place during our Networking Evening.
Our AGM agenda includes the election of new members, appointment of the Chair, review of the constitution and a governance case study. After the AGM, stay for an in-person networking session – a great chance to share insights, build connections, and explore governance in action. More details to follow nearer the date.