Southwark schools bulletin

January 2025

Hello everyone, 

Welcome back to a new term! I hope everyone had a restful break and has come back ready for year ahead. 

The first week was a whirlwind of activity as we held our inaugural SEND and inclusion conference 'Beneath the Behaviours', hosted by St. Savior’s and St. Olave’s and codesigned with Maureen Thomas, Headteacher of Summerhouse, and Lisa Noel, Headteacher of Beormund Primary School. A staggering 370 people from primary schools across the borough attended. It was wonderful to see the energy and positivity throughout the day as people engaged in the multiple workshops. The feedback has been extremely positive with many schools asking for more training and letting me know that their teams are “alive with energy and ideas” now. Thank you to those who could attend for engaging with the event. Of course, we know not everyone could come along and we will reflect on this so we can improve for next time.  

We had some incredible keynote speakers, including the behaviour expert Marie Gentles, and Siobhan Garrett from Trauma Informed Schools UK. They powerfully reminded us of the impact that trauma has on young people, both biologically and emotionally, and the key role that teachers and teaching support staff have in alleviating this. A privileged position to be in, but one that can be difficult to navigate. We also discussed the core concepts of 'no shame, no blame' and wellbeing, both equally important, but we know we need to 'put our own gas masks on first’ before we can help others. That’s why taking time for yourself, if only for two minutes, can increase our emotional resilience.

I found this really powerful, particularly as we start the year, as it feels achievable although it’s something I know I don't do often enough.  

It was a sharp post-holiday awakening to be reminded that we are now in the SEND Area Inspection window. The SEND Inspection is a three-week process, once the call is received, and is about 'assessing' how we support SEND in Southwark as an area. Many of us will have our own views about inspections, but I am reconciled that the work we do should be what is right for our young people and their families, not driven by inspection. Whilst we know our SEND and inclusion support is tackling increasing need with limited funding, I truly believe that we can only meet this challenge working together, with curiosity and understanding. In that vein, I look forward to working with you and I hope the rest of the term gets a little warmer. 

Anna Chiva
Assistant Director, SEND

Key updates

>> SEND banding redesign

As part of our work to modernise our funding approach a banding redesign is underway, to ensure that schools and settings receive the appropriate funding to support their children and young people.

Three task and finish groups have been established (Headteachers, SENCOs and Early Years). Please visit our website to find out more or email Emma.Ferrey@southwark.gov.uk.

>> Free school meals auto-enrolment to run again for January

In October, using existing benefits data, we identified 694 pupils entitled to, but not registered, for free school meals, unlocking £655,000 additional Pupil Premium funding. We will carry this out again in January and May. Can schools ensure they register additional pupils sent to them on Census, to ensure the correct Pupil Premium is allocated.

>> Extra funding for school’s exceeding free school meals uptake of 90%

Allocations for the Mayor’s Universal Free School Meals are based on an uptake rate of 90%. Provision is again being made for schools exceeding 90%. Guidance can be found on the GLA’s website. Please return to schoolfood@southwark.gov.uk by 14 March.

>> Express interest for fully funded training course for school chefs

We are again funding the Chefs in Schools’ Chef Educator programme, a free 10-week course for school catering staff. This is now open to all schools and the council can meet the cost of chef cover. Email louis@chefsinschools.org.uk to express your interest for February and May.

>> Flu and norovirus are causing rising illness and school absence

To help protect your school community:

• remind parents to exclude children from the setting if they have symptoms of respiratory illness or diarrhoea/vomiting

• encourage staff and students to be up-to-date with their vaccines

• download UK Health Security Agency’s winter guidance pack

• report any outbreaks (more than 2 cases) to region@ukhsa.gov.uk and PublicHealth@southwark.gov.uk.

>> Become an Operation Encompass collaborator

Operation Encompass aims to reduce the long-term impacts of domestic abuse by providing early intervention and support. When the police attend incidents of domestic violence or abuse where children are directly or indirectly involved, they notify the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) at the child’s school before the start of the next school day to make sure the child gets the immediate support they need. 

If your school wishes to be an Operation Encompass collaborator please email a generic DSL email address for your school to MD-BoroughPublicProtectionDesk@met.police.uk.

>> Free DfE Prevent in Education training

The Department for Education (DfE) is offering virtual training on the implementation of the Prevent duty for those in dedicated safeguarding or Prevent roles.

In addition, the London Regional Prevent Coordinator also runs sessions on a regular basis including: Prevent Induction/Refresher; Introduction to Incels; Online Platforms and Extremist Content; and Gaming and Extremism.

>> New guide to the Incel online subculture

Educate Against Hate has recently published a guide to Incels for those teaching Year 10 and above explaining what the Incel online subculture is and the signs that a young person may be engaging with it.

>> Southwark Collaboration – Working on our new RE curriculum

Our collaborative RE pilot was established to shape a new approach to Southwark RE and pedagogy. A new locally agreed syllabus and curriculum resources are currently planned to be launched this year for implementation in 2025/2026. Schools are asked to continue following our current locally agreed syllabus (Newham) until then. 

The next RE Coordinators Subject Network Session has been rescheduled for the 11 February. Please register for more information.

>> Register with Governors for Schools to help fill governor vacancies

Having the right people around the table is a vital part of effective governance. It's a continuous cycle that begins with evaluating your board’s current and future needs and building an effective team. 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.

>> Get involved in shaping public health Theatre in Education workshops

Southwark’s Public Health division would like to commission Theatre in Education workshops as part of our creative health offer to address some of the key health issues facing Southwark’s children and young people. From mental health, healthy living and safety, to relationships, screen time and phone use, we are keen to develop an initial programme with schools. If you would like to take part in initial discussions to shape the programme with the potential of being part of a steering group if funding is secured, please contact Chris.Billington@southwark.gov.uk.  

>> Send video questions to the crew of the Fram 2 space mission 

The Blue Marble Project is a unique opportunity to send twelve video questions from primary and secondary schools to the crew of the Fram2 space mission, who will answer them while in space. The deadline is the 7 February.

>> Evelina School Nursing – update on The Lancaster Model survey

The Lancaster Model is an approach to early intervention that immediately assesses people’s needs. During the autumn term, we asked 714 Year 9 pupils complete a health and wellbeing questionnaire across seven schools showing that 115 pupils who requested help and support were seen for a one-to-one follow up by a member of the school nursing team.

This term we are focusing on rolling out the Year 6 questionnaire to ten primary schools across the borough.

Visit our website for information on the school nursing offer, including the confidential health text messaging advice line for parents and young people (11-19), ParentLine and ChatHealth.

>> A reminder of the role of associate members

Associate members are appointed based on their specific expertise and experience to help with the effective governance and success of a school. They can be appointed to the governing body of any maintained school for anything between one and four years.

>> Making Southwark’s streets cleaner, greener and safer for everyone

Young people told us about their environmental concerns. They want cleaner streets, better air quality, and less noise pollution and more space to play and green spaces. Our new Streets for People plan sets out how we will transform streets and communities.

>> Resources

• Get our free resource to help with new DfE climate action requirements.

• Ootiboo designs fun, engaging ways for children to connect with three core topics: real-life learning; health and wellbeing; climate change and adaptation.

• Blue Monday children's wellbeing resources helps children think about how they can look after themselves when they are feeling down.

• Free PSHE Association ‘The sleep factor’ resources (KS1-5 and post-16) New and updated lesson packs with Evelina London Children's Hospital. Claim membership before accessing.

What's on

>> Southwark Adult Learning Service’s Careers Fair – 30 January

11.30am to 2.30pm, Thomas Calton Centre, Peckham. Meet and speak with up to a dozen local training providers and employers including social care, NHS, horticulture and electrical contractors.

>> Celebrate LGBT+ History Month in February

In 2025 Schools OUT is celebrating its 50th year and 20 years of UK LGBT+ History Month with the theme Activism and Social Change. If you are planning on celebrating please register on their website. Stonewall and Twinkle can also help with the development of LGBT+ support in schools.

>> Children's Mental Health Week – 3 to 9 February

This year’s theme is Know Yourself, aiming to equip and empower children and young people to embrace self-awareness and explore what it means to them.

>> PSHE, RSHE, Citizenship and Healthy Schools Network Meetings

Primary session – 6 February, 4pm

Secondary session – 10 February, 4pm (virtual) 

An opportunity for colleagues to network, share good practice and collaborate with other school leaders, key experts and providers, as well as develop an understanding of current issues and practice.

>> Learn how to make a school climate action plan – 6 February – 4.30pm

Learn how to create a climate action plan for your school – and pass the new requirements from the DfE. We will walk through our new free resources for schools, including our school climate action guide and ready-made template, along with speakers from Let Go Zero and the Climate Ambassadors.

>> Join us for the Southwark Governance Awards – 13 February – 6pm, Tooley Street

We are excited to honour our longstanding governors and those who have supported our schools through challenging times. The evening will feature a keynote address on wellbeing by Jackie Sweeting from the National Governance Association (NGA). Refreshments provided.

Let's come together to celebrate the dedication and hard work of our governors and governance professionals. We look forward to seeing you there!

>> Headteacher’s Breakfast Forum – 12 March – 8.30am, Tooley Street

8:30am to 11:00am. Headteachers briefing with speakers from the DfE and ISOS Partnership. This is a valuable opportunity to hear from key stakeholders on issues that impact all Southwark’s young people and network with colleagues. All are welcome to attend regardless of their school’s designation. Please register in advance.

>> Free Youth Mental Health First Aider training  – 13 and 14 March

Two-day MHFA course open to education staff in state funded Southwark schools.

>> Free family learning activities, Thomas Calton Centre, Peckham 

Southwark Adult Learning Service run a wide variety of fun and relaxing activities for families with school aged children to learn a new skill or enjoy being creative together. These activities are free. For more information email adult.learning@southwark.gov.uk

>> Southwark’s Adolescent Sure Start drop-ins

Adolescent Sure Start is a service that works with young people age 11 -19, or up to 25 for those with SEND, to enrich the lives of adolescents and their parents, provide direct work or signpost families to relevant services for support.

The service runs four drop-in sessions:

• Monday, Kingswood Arts – 2.30pm to 5pm

• Tuesday, 1^st Place Children and Family Hub – 2.30pm to 5pm

• Wednesday, Brandon Library – 2.30pm to 5pm

• Friday, Tenda Road South Bermondsey – 2.30pm to 5pm

>> We want to help celebrate the amazing work of our schools! 

Share your stories with us, tell us about the excellent work you and your pupils are doing and help us to promote awareness and share best practice across our schools and the wider borough. You can email your stories to southwarkeducationcommunications@southwark.gov.uk.