Having trouble viewing this content? View in browser Cambridgeshire Schools Newsletter Christmas HAF Programme: 22 December 2025 - 2 January 2026 We’re pleased to confirm that the Christmas HAF Programme will run during the above dates. Eligible children can access up to 16 hours of funded holiday
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Cambridgeshire Schools Newsletter



Christmas HAF Programme: 22 December 2025 -   2 January 2026

HAF logo

We’re pleased to confirm that the Christmas HAF Programme will run during the above dates. Eligible children can access up to 16 hours of funded holiday clubs and family experiences.

Bookings open on 10 November 2025, and eligibility vouchers will be shared with families in receipt of benefits-related free school meals.

 

We’re also delighted to share that, as part of the government’s Best Start in Life initiative, funding for the HAF Programme has been confirmed for the next three financial years, starting from 2026/27.

Pinpoint - Cambridgeshire's parent carers' forum

Pinpoint is the local Parent Carer Forum and hub for information, signposting and events for all things SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). Navigating the landscape of SEND can be daunting for parents and carers - which is why making sure they have the right support is key to helping their child or young person thrive. 


Pinpoint is passionate about making sure parents feel informed, supported, and connected. The Pinpoint Tii Hubs offer monthly, online peer support - a space to meet other parents who truly understand the journey. Weekly, in-person Parent Connect sessions are also run across Cambridgeshire, giving families a warm welcome, a cuppa, and a chance to chat. And when it comes to expert knowledge, Pinpoint's information sessions offer trusted guidance from professionals who know what matters most. Together, it all adds up to support that’s consistent, compassionate, and completely free. 


For more information and how to book: Pinpoint Events

Important message for headteachers and SENCOs from the Cambridgeshire Statutory Assessment Team Strategic Manager

As part of our ongoing quality assurance journey, we are currently reviewing documentation related to statutory processes. As part of this work, we are looking to pilot revised annual review paperwork for use in the review of Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans.


We plan to trial this paperwork during this second half of this term and are seeking a number of education settings to volunteer to use the template and provide feedback in the New Year. Your input will be invaluable in helping us shape a more effective process that will support the QA work we are doing, with the aim of improving the quality of our EHC Plans.


If you are interested in taking part, please contact me at katy.blessett@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, and I will be happy to share the template with you.


Katy Blessett

Statutory Assessment Team Strategic Manager

Vaccination catch-up clinics for school 'flu immunisation programme

Vaccination UK is providing some local catch-up clinics for children who missed their 'flu vaccination at school. Please help to publicise these clinics, especially to families which did not take the vaccination up when it was administered in school. Details of the Cambridgeshire clinics are below:

School Vaccination UK Cambridgeshire Catch-up Clinics

For Early Years teachers: Developing your home learning offer with 50 Things to do before you're 5

As Early Years practitioners, we play a pivotal role in shaping the early experiences of young children. 50 Things to Do Before You're Five offers a valuable resource to support families. 

 

It provides a curated list of 50 fun, low or no-cost activities designed to foster children's development through play, language, and exploration. By supporting parents to integrate these play-filled activities into their daily routines, you are strengthening your home learning offer, promoting families' engagement in meaningful interactions that support development.

 

Please find the multi use resource here: EYFS Practitioners Home Learning 50 things

  • The first page provides ideas for integrating 50 things into your home learning offer, with a spotlight on Baby week (14th- 20th November)
  • The second page is designed for you to share with families, showcasing free activities that support child development and parental wellbeing.

Your linked Early Years adviser can further advise with strengthening your home learning offer for families. Or, you can explore further resources, information and CPD, on the 'Supporting Home Learning' Learn Together webpage.  

Training and events

 

Training provider: CCC


SIS – Supporting SEND in Maths - Maths tab
For Maths subject leaders, SENDCos, Assessment leads and senior leaders – Tuesday 18 November 2025 – 1.30pm until 4.00pm – Over Community Centre. £75 per person for LA schools and £85 per person for Cambridgeshire academies or out of county schools or independent schools.

SIS – English Conference: From the Ground Up – Building Firm Foundations in Primary English – English tab
For English subject leaders, KS1 & KS2 teachers, school leaders – Wednesday 19 November 2025 – 9.00am until 4.30pm – Delta Hotels Huntingdon. £130 per person for LA schools and £150 per person for Cambridgeshire academies or out of county schools or independent schools.

SIS – Supporting SEND in English - English tab
For English subject leaders, SENDCos, Assessment leads and senior leaders – Monday 24 November 2025 – 1.30pm until 4.00pm – Over Community Centre. £75 per person for LA schools and £85 per person for Cambridgeshire academies or out of county schools or independent schools.


What should an RE curriculum look like?

Wednesday 19 November 2025,  3.30 to 5pm, via Teams. Cost £29 for LA maintained schools, £39 for academy schools. This course will look at what should be included in a good RE curriculum for primary schools.


How to access resources for Judaism

Tuesday 25 November 2025, 4pm to 5pm. For all schools both primary and secondary. Anna Silver from the Board of Deputies of British Jews is holding a free webinar introducing the resources available to all schools.


Single Central Record Training (book under Developing Leadership courses tab)

Friday 16 January, 11am to 12pm. Virtual course: £35. Audience: Headteachers, senior leaders,  administrative staff and governors who are required to update, review or audit the SCR.


Critical incidents and Martyn's Law (book under Developing Leadership courses tab)

Friday 6 March, 9.30 to 11.30am. In person, Sunley House, Papworth. £70. Audience: Headteachers, senior leaders, business managers.


Early Years Foundation Stage Leadership. For Early Years leaders in schools. Wednesday 26th November 2025. 15.30 – 17.00. Online. Members £10.80 or Non-members £18.

 

Early Years and Year One mixed aged teaching. For teachers who have a mixed-age Reception and Year One class. Tuesday 2nd December 2025. 13.15 – 16.15. Sunley House, Papworth Everard. £32.40 and Non-members £54.

 

Understanding Childrens Interactions and Behaviours. For all staff working in the Early Years. 10th December 2025. 13.30 – 16.30. Online. Free.


Training provider: Diamond Education and Professional Learning


Preparing for Year 2 Teacher Assessment

Primary Y2 Leads, 15th January 2026, 14:00 – 16:30

Face to Face Winhills Primary, St Neots - £60

English Subject Lead Days
Primary English Subject Leads, 28th January 2025, 9:30 – 15:00
Face to Face Winhills Primary, St Neots - £95

Maths Subject Lead Day
Primary Maths Subject Leads, 25th March 2025, 9:30 – 15:00
Face to Face Wintringham Primary, St Neots - £95


Training provider: Science Learning East


Climate change in primary science
For Primary Teachers. Wednesday 19th November, 13.00 – 16.00. Venue: Histon & Impington Brook Primary School. £75

Tricky to teach topics – KS4 Electrolysis
For Secondary Teachers. Wednesday 26th November, 15.30 – 17.00. Online webinar. £25

Forces in Primary Science
For Primary teachers. Wednesday 10th December, 15.30 – 17.00. Venue: Histon & Impington Brook Primary School. £45

Quick links

SEND Information Hub (Local Offer)

SEND OAP toolkits - Learn Together

Cambridgeshire Learn Together

Cambridgeshire County Council

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Teaching School Hub

Early Years, Childcare, and School Readiness Service

Knowledge Hub

Cambridgeshire Schools Newsletter – Learn Together

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