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Cambridgeshire Schools Newsletter

Christmas HAF Programme: 22nd December 2025 - 2nd January 2026

Eligible pupils can access up to 16 hours of funded holiday scheme and family experiences during the Christmas HAF Programme. A daily meal and participation in enriching experiences with peers is offered.

Bookings opened on 10 November 2025, and eligibility vouchers were emailed and sent by text to families in receipt of benefits-related free school meals. Please display our publicity poster on your school noticeboard.

Additional eligibility criteria details - click here to request a booking code (school staff only).

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

Emergency and weather related closures letter

As you will have noticed the temperature has dipped! Please find below, a letter for Headteachers/Principals in all Cambridgeshire schools, regarding emergency and weather related school closures for 2025 - 2026.

Emergency and weather related school closures letter

Phil Nash (Senior Adviser for Leadership)

Important: warning of dangerous social media `craze'

A dangerous social media trend has seen several students hospitalised for ingesting copper sulphate—a bright blue chemical commonly used in science labs.

A recent Incident in Oxfordshire saw three pupils at Lord Williams’s School in Thame admitted to hospital after allegedly adding copper sulphate to their water bottles during a science lesson: The Independent - children poisoned in school science lab.

Copper sulphate is widely used as a fungicide and algicide, but ingestion—even in lesser amounts—can be harmful. Swallowing copper sulphate can damage body tissues, blood cells, the liver, and kidneys. Symptoms typically include vomiting, diarrhoea (sometimes bluish green), abdominal pain, and dehydration.

Schools are advised to:

Get Cycling project for EYFS and Year 1 children

Get Cycling in Schools is a funded programme created by The Bikeability Trust, the experts responsible for the Bikeability cycle training. This new programme equips primary-school teaching staff to deliver cycle skills to their EYFS and Year 1 pupils, in PE lessons or during extracurricular provision. 

Staff training is free, takes just half a day, and is available for up to two staff per school. Your school will also receive six balance bikes and helmets to enable all pupils, regardless of whether they own a bike, to take part. 

To take part, visit the Bikeability Get Cycling website.  

Mayor's Day Out application information reminder for headteachers and school offices - deadline Sunday 30 November 2025

The Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority's `Mayor's Day Out' project offers funding to support schools to undertake external visits across all key stages, including 6th forms. This is to remind you that applications are due by Sunday 30 November.

Please find all of the relevant documents below:

Mayor's Day Out letter to headteachers

Mayor's Day Out project details letter with link to application form

Mayor's Day Out destination prospectus

If you have any further questions (not covered within the documents) please contact Matthew Gunn (Head of Service, Cambridgeshire Music)

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

BEAT offers School Professionals Online Training (SPOT) to increase understanding of eating disorders

SPOT is a free online learning resource for schools' professionals.  The platform has been designed to help support those working in a school setting to understand eating disorders and build confidence when speaking to pupils about mental health. This includes those training to work in a school setting.

Making sure children and young people feel comfortable talking to staff about eating disorders can:  

What can I do on SPOT?   

By accessing SPOT, you will be taught how to spot the early signs of an eating disorder, talk to a pupil exhibiting them, engage their families, and support them to seek medical assessment. The online platform encompasses different features including: 

Learn – Gain key skills to give your pupils the best possible support through bite sized interactive e-Learning modules and webinar videos delivered by expert clinicians. There are also downloadable resources in the form of lesson plans and access to school policy templates.

Engage – Share and gain knowledge from an inspiring community that is here to help you learn through role specific workspaces, and the resources section where you can find helpful videos, podcasts and articles.

SPOT is currently fully funded for all primary, secondary and sixth form schools/colleges in the United Kingdom. 

Hatch a plan for enrichment and learning!

the happy chick company logo

The Happy Chick Company specialises in providing an ethical, trouble free, hatching experience for schools and nurseries. 

The company offers a ten day programme, providing a powerful source of nurture and enrichment to children's education and life experience. It supports SEMH, enhances wellbeing, encourages empathy, teaches responsibility and aids science, literacy and numeracy, and more.

Please call The Happy Chick Company on 07954 175252 for more information.

Military Preparation College of Training - MPCT

The MPCT is the largest military preparation college in the UK. The colleges are unique in the respect that they are all run by Veterans, who have helped thousands of learners pass phase 1 training to join the Armed Forces, with 92% of students passing phase 1 training having attended one of their courses. 

The number having not attended one of the 39 MPCT military colleges across the UK is 50%. The courses are also designed to help develop and prepare young people for wider employment opportunities such as the emergency services.

Find out more here: MPCT Cambridge

School seeking experience with having medical assistance dogs in schools

Martin Bacon Academy is exploring the possibility of having a medical assistance dog in school full time. If you have any experience of this in your primary or secondary school, they would love to hear from you. 

If you would be able to speak to the school about your experience with this, please contact Sarah Louise (slouise@martinbacon.academy)

PECT offers free Climate Action conversations for schools

Does your school have a Climate Action Plan in place?

In 2022, the DfE brought out their Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, which requires all schools to have a plan in place by 31st December 2025.

As a local environment charity, PECT's Climate Education can help to ensure as many schools as possible in Cambridgeshire feel confident about climate action. Therefore, PECT is offering schools a free 30 minute climate conversation to support you in making this happen. It doesn't matter if you have a plan in place already or haven't started yet, PECT would love to hear from you and offer their expertise to ensure progress of your existing plans or to get you started on your journey.

Just email hello@climateeducation.co.uk to book your conversation.

Training and events

Training provider: CCC

SIS – Preparing for Assessment – Core Training Offer tab
For assessment leads and senior leaders – Thursday 27 November 9.30am until 12 pm – Over Community Centre. OR Friday 28 November 9.30am until 12pm – Online. £75 per person for LA schools and £85 per person for Cambridgeshire academies or out of county schools or independent schools.

SIS - Unpicking the End of KS2 Teacher Assessment Framework for Writing – English tab
For English subject leaders and year 6 teachers. Session 1 Purpose - Wednesday 3 December 2025 – 3.45pm until 5.15pm – Online. Session 2 Spelling Wednesday 10 December 2025 - 3.45pm until 5.15pm – Online £65 per person per session for LA schools and £75 per person per session for Cambridgeshire academies or out of county schools or independent schools.

SIS – Preparing for the MTC – A Whole School Approach - Maths tab
For maths subject leaders, assessment leads, year 4 teachers and senior leaders – Thursday 4 December 2025 – 1.30pm until 4.00pm – Sunley House. £75 per person for LA schools and £85 per person for Cambridgeshire academies or out of county schools or independent schools.

Single Central Record Training (Book under Developing Leadership Courses Tab)
Audience: Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Administrative staff and Governors who are required to update, review or audit the SCR.
Friday 16 January 11.00-12.00
Virtual course, £35

Critical Incidents and Martyn's Law (Book under Developing Leadership Courses Tab)
Audience: Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Business Managers
Friday 6 March 09.30-11.30
In person, Sunley House, Papworth, £70

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion for Primary, Special & Secondary Schools
27th November 2025, 1.30pm-3.30pm OR 10th June 2026, 3.30pm-5.30pm. Online
Cambridgeshire Schools can attend for free. Schools from Peterborough and other counties may also attend. Cost £40 for Licence holders of the Primary Personal Development Programme, £55 for non-licence holders
Audience: PSHE teachers

Resolving Conflicts at Playtimes for Midday Supervisors
2nd December 2025, 1.45pm-2.45pm or 11th February 2026, 11am-12pm. Online
Cambridgeshire Schools can attend for free. Schools from Peterborough and other counties may also attend. Cost £40 for Licence holders of the Primary Personal Development Programme, £55 for non-licence holders
Audience: Midday supervisors and any staff supporting children at lunchtimes

RSE Briefings – RSE for SEND in Secondary/Special Schools
4th December 2025, 3.45pm-4.45pm. Online
Cambridgeshire Schools can attend for free. Schools from Peterborough and other counties may also attend. Cost £40 for Licence holders of the Primary Personal Development Programme, £55 for non-licence holders
Audience: Secondary and Special leaders, PSHE leaders, classroom teachers, support staff or governors

Secondary PSHE Leaders’ Network Meetings
10th December 2025 AND 16th March 2026, 3.45pm-4.45pm
Cambridgeshire Schools can attend for free. Schools from Peterborough and other counties may also attend. Cost £40 for Licence holders of the Primary Personal Development Programme, £55 for non-licence holders
Audience: Special & Secondary PSHE Leaders and other school leaders responsible for Personal Development, Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing and other such areas

New to working in early years foundation stage for teachers in schools

Teachers working in early years foundation stage within a school. This is a two-part course with an additional recommended visit to the setting with an Early Years Lead Practitioner. 14th January 2026 (Sunley House, Papworth) & 18th March 2026 (Online). Members £52.40. Non-members £87.

Exploring the role of a teaching assistant in early years foundation stage

For school-based teaching assistants working in early years foundation stage. This is a two-part course with an additional recommended visit to the setting with an Early Years Lead Practitioner. 21st January 2026 (Sunley House, Papworth) & 25th March 2026 (Online). Members £32.40 and Non-members £54.

Enhancing early writing and improving outcomes in the early years foundation stage

27th January 2026. 13.00 – 16.00. Sunley House, Papworth. Members £27 and Non-members £45.

Music Technology in the Primary Classroom
For all staff delivering music, how to use different technology in the classroom. Thursday 19th March 2026 16:00-17:00. £40 (or £20 is survey completed)

Getting the Most Out of Your Instrument Trolley Webinar
For all staff delivering music and using instruments. Tuesday 19th May 2026. 16:00-17:00. £40 (or £20 when survey completed.)

Training provider: The ICT Service

Copyright (and wrong) - avoiding poor practice and consequences

Tuesday 21 April 2026, 10:30 – 11:00

Data Breaches: Mistakes and how to avoid them

Thursday 26 February 2026, 10.30 to 11.00

Clarifying Consent and Legitimate Interest
• Wednesday 11 March 2026, 10.30 - 11.00am

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

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

Focus4TAPS
For Primary Teachers. 3 days starting Wednesday 14th January, 09.30 – 15.30. Venue: Sawtry Village Academy. £450

KS3 Chemistry – Acids, Alkalis and Bases
For Secondary Teachers. Monday 26th January, 16.00 – 17.30. Online webinar. £25

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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