Having trouble viewing this content? View in browser

Cambridgeshire council and Learn Together logos

Cambridgeshire Schools Newsletter

Education Inclusion Family Advisor (EIFA) Service news

From January 2025 the Education Inclusion Family Advisor (EIFA) service will move towards virtual support for schools and families across Cambridgeshire wherever virtual support is appropriate. Your school’s linked EIFA will still offer group support (workshops and drop ins) to parents in your schools, but this will be offered virtually in the first instance.

This decision has not been taken lightly but has been made to ensure equitable service to the growing population and number of Cambridgeshire primary schools. This decision also takes account of Cambridgeshire County Council's drive towards carbon net zero.

The EIFA service will continue to offer face to face support to individual parents/carers where this is necessary, based on individual circumstances. Finally, please be assured that the offer to schools and families is not reducing, but rather changing to take account of current circumstances.

Christmas HAF Programme

Please remind eligible families that the Christmas HAF Programme is operating over the school holidays. Eligible pupils can book 16 hours fully funded at a participating holiday scheme or family experience. There are even more family experiences offered this year – some places remain in selected experiences – see our Provider Directory for details.

Eligibility vouchers are reissued by email to parents/carers on a weekly basis if unopened.

Additional eligibility criteria codes can be requested - click here

Contact the HAF Team for further information: HAF@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

New Education IT System - Liquidlogic Early Years and Education System

Cambridgeshire’s Education Service will implement the Liquidlogic Early Years and Education System (EYES) in August 2025 to support its Vision and Inclusion for All Framework. The new IT Case Management System, now in the design phase, will enhance collaboration between parents and schools, improve information flow, and simplify access to services for vulnerable families. By consolidating education, social care, and early help records onto a single platform, integrating education management with the authorities existing social care and early help IT system, EYES will facilitate better outcomes for children and young people through cohesive working practices and improved visibility.

We will be provide more information for schools in the new year including demonstration / engagement sessions, however please contact Fiona Tuffs, Education Programme Manager if you have any immediate questions.

News from Cambridgeshire Music

Expanding Music Education Resources

A small amount of national funding has been provided to enable Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Music Education Hub to procure music resources in addition to those available through existing loan schemes. It will help us with purchasing decisions if you can provide your view on the kinds of resources needed to support access to music in your school/area. Please respond by 12th December via this Music Resources Survey. After the closing date we will analyse responses and write to schools in the New Year with information about available resources and which additional ones are going to be procured.

Developing Music Education Provision for 2025-26

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Music Education Hub is gathering information to help plan programme investment for the next academic year. It is important to hear from schools and families about perceived gaps in music education opportunities at a local level so that we can include this in analysis of all information, consider the priorities and focus support on key issues. Please encourage feedback to be provided by Wednesday 18 December via this Music Education Needs Survey 2024-25. In the New Year we will provide information about the assessed priorities to all schools and partners.

Upgrading Access to Pianos in Schools

Collaboration with our partner, Millers Music, has enabled a scheme to be developed to rehome good pianos that have been donated into schools that need them. The Piano Equals project provides support to assess and identify suitable instruments and you can register your interest at any time via this Piano Equals Application

Opportunity to hire space to external tuition providers

Recent conversations with external tuition providers have highlighted that they are often stretched to find adequate room hire to carry out their 1-to-1 tuition. This frequently leads to children having to travel further and delays to provision starting. They have enquired about room hire within schools. In response to this, we are asking primary schools to complete the following form which asks for some basic information including indicative daily cost for hire of the space you may have available. Following competition of the form, any further arrangements and agreements will be between yourselves and the suppliers. https://forms.office.com/e/R2XdnLk2nH

Mayor's Christmas Card Competition

As the festive season approaches,all primary school pupils in the region are invited to

take part in a special competition to design the Mayor’s Christmas card for this year.

Here’s how it works:

The competition is open to all primary school children across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Pupils are encouraged to draw their best Christmas card design, which celebrates the joy and magic of the holiday season.
Once complete, scan or take a photo of their designs and email them to mayorsoffice@cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk by Friday, 6th December.

Please download the entry form here: Mayor's Christmas Card competition form. The winning design will be selected and announced on Monday, 11th December, and will proudly feature as the Mayor’s official Christmas card for 2024.

We hope you’ll share this opportunity with students and encourage them to unleash their creativity. We look forward to seeing the wonderful artwork from children across our community.

Free Healthy Relationship courses for parents

The Family Hubs Team are running courses in January and February to support parents who would like to improve the relationship with their partner or ex-partner.

Face to Face and online courses are available.

Free of charge. Parents Booking Form.

Schools with their own swimming pools

Has your school got its own swimming pool?

I have been approached by several swim schools and providers seeking potential venues for delivering lessons during the Summer of 2025 (holidays and/or weekends and/or half term?). Knowing the cost implications of maintaining pools, this could be an opportunity to recoup some costs for schools, and may open up the opportunity of then teaching through September. It could also save lives by getting more children in the water!

If you are interested, or for further information, please contact me.

Ian Roberts – Lead Adviser PE & Sport

PE and School Sport Conference 2025 - Wednesday 21 May 2025

Date for Diaries

We are excited to confirm that the Cambridgeshire PE conference will be in St Ives on 21 May 2025. The Event Title is When everyone is included, everyone wins!’ and the focus is about the power of PE and sport in overcoming disadvantage.

Schools will be encouraged to develop understanding of the enablers, barriers and opportunities for increasing physical activity across inequality groups, and will be challenged to create an environment where all young people are valued and can participate confidently with their peers.

More extensive details will follow soon.

For further information please contact Ian Roberts

Training and Events

SIS - Unpicking the End of KS2 Teacher Assessment Framework for Writing – Assessment Tab

For Year 6 Teachers, English Subject Leaders & schools expecting moderation in 2025. Session 1 (of 4) Wednesday 4 December 2024, 15:45– 17:15. Online. £35 per session for Cambs LA schools & £45 per session for academies and out of county schools.

SIS - 1stClass@Number 2 – Maths Intervention Tab

For Class teachers and Teaching Assistants. Session 1 of 5. Monday 13 January 2025, 09:15– 15:30. Stanton House. Teachers attend the morning with Teaching Assistants staying all day. £775 per session for Cambs LA schools & £850 per for academies and out of county schools.

SIS – Leading Improvements in Phonics - The Core Training Offer Tab

For English and Phonics Leads. Wednesday 22 January 2025, 13:30 – 16:00. Over Community Centre. Free to schools who have purchased Element 2 of the Primary Offer or £65 per session for Cambs LA schools & £75 per session for academies and out of county schools.

Managing Allegations and Low-Level Concerns (Book under Leadership and Management of Safeguarding Tab)

Audience: Headteachers, Senior Leaders who respond to allegations or complaints.

Wednesday 11 December 13.30-14.30
Virtual course, £35

Developing and evaluating your safeguarding culture (Book under Leadership and Management of Safeguarding Tab)

Audience: Headteachers, Senior Leaders who want to develop a school culture where safeguarding is an evident priority.

Monday 13 January 11.30-12.30
Virtual course, £35

Dealing with Challenging Parents (Book under Leadership and Management of Safeguarding Tab)

Audience: Headteachers, Senior Leaders who respond to challenging parents.

Monday 20 January 09.00-10.30
Virtual course, £55

Peterborough SACRE Primary RE Conference

25 places available for the Peterborough RE conference for Primary Teachers – 2nd December 24, 8.45am -3.45pm, at the George Alcock Centre. Cost £20.

Body Image for Primary Schools

11th February 2025, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Online. £40 subscribing schools, £50 for non-subscribing schools.

Audience: PSHE leads and KS2 teachers in primary schools.

Drug & Alcohol Education in Primary & Special Schools

12th February 2025, 3.30pm-5.30pm. Online. £40 subscribing schools, £50 for non-subscribing schools.

Audience: All staff

Exploring Gender

25th February 2025, 3.30pm-5pm or 4th June 2025, 2pm-3.30pm. Online. £40 subscribing schools, £50 for non-subscribing schools.

Audience: All staff in primary, special and secondary schools

Level 5 Certificate in Primary School PE Specialism/Level 6 Award in Primary School PE Subject Leadership

6/8 dates starting 4th March 2025 – 9.30am-4.30pm. Sunley House, Papworth Everard. £1125/£1400

Audience: PE Leads and all teachers in primary school PE. It is also ideal for HLTAs, Tas and sports coaches employed in schools.

Managing Students in a Fitness Room

9th December 2024, 9.30am-4pm. Neale Wade Academy, March.

Cost: £155 each, additional teachers from the same school £155 (including resources)

Audience: Specialist secondary and special school PE teachers

What Ofsted Expects of PE? What PE can expect of Ofsted?

27th January 2025, 1.30pm-4.30pm. Sunley House, Papworth Everard. Cambridgeshire Maintained Schools £93, All Academies and Non-Cambridgeshire Schools £111

Audience: PE teachers, subject leaders, SLT for all schools and settings.

Early Years and Year One – Mixed Age Teaching

For Teachers who have a mixed age class of reception children and year one. Wednesday 27 November 2024, 13:15-16:15. Cambridge FA Headquarters, Histon Football Club, Impington. Early Years Members £27, Non Members £45

Exploring the Role of a Teaching Assistant in the EYFS

For School-based teaching assistants in EYFS. Wednesday, 8 January 2025 or Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 13:30 – 16:30. Sunley House, Papworth Everard. Early Years Members £36, Non Members £60

A Package for Practitioners in EYFS Aiming for Excellence

For Teachers and Teaching Assistants working the in Reception. Tuesday, 15 January 2025, 13:30 – 15:30. Manea Community Primary School. Early Years Members £18, Non Members £30.

Music to develop language & communication with SEND children

for any member of staff working with SEND children. Monday 20th January16:00-17:00 The Nene Infant & Nursery School, Wisbech. £30

Using the voice: a guide

For any teacher leading singing and wanting to develop skills in using the voice. Tuesday 28thth January 2025 16:00-17:30. The Grove Primary School Campkin Rd, Cambridge CB4 2NB. Free

Making Effective Use of Your TA

For class Teachers, 16th January 2025, 13:30 – 15:30

Face to Face Winhills Primary, St Neots - £60

Preparing for Year 2 Teacher Assessment

For Year 2 Teachers, 28th January 2025, 13:30 – 16:00

Face to Face Winhills Primary, St Neots - £60

Moderating Year 6 Writing

For Year 6 Teachers, 24th April 2025, 13:00 – 16:00

Face to Face Winhills Primary, St Neots - £60

NATRE network meeting for all RE teachers

Wednesday 4th December 16.00 – 17.15 at Robert Arkenstall Primary, Haddenham.

Free of charge to all schools