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Cambridgeshire Schools Newsletter

Summer reading challenge - an adventure through reading and nature at the library this summer!

The 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, Story Garden, is all about children exploring the magical connection between stories and nature, and the library service has thousands of amazing books and activities to make this happen over the summer holidays: Summer Reading Challenge | Cambridgeshire County Council

Please look out for an email from your local library with further information and an offer to deliver a promotional assembly in your school. Or you can contact me and I can put you in touch with your nearest library: louise.aldridge@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Education Directorate Communication Feedback

The Education Directorate is reviewing how we communicate with our school settings. We want to ensure there are sufficient channels of communication and that the right information is shared with the right people, in the right place and at the right time.

Please complete the form by Friday 11 July

To achieve this we are inviting input from our schools on how effective the current approach and existing channels are at communicating information to you. We also welcome any thoughts or suggestions on new methods or channels of communication.

The form (below) is for Headteachers, School Business Managers and Chairs of Governors to complete. Thank you for your time.

Education Communication Feedback Form

Action: access the assessment services for the 2025 RBA

School staff involved in the administration of the reception baseline assessment (RBA) can now use DfE Sign-in to:

Access the ‘Assessment service: start an assessment’ as soon as possible to:

- complete training

- familiarise yourself with the assessment content

- ensure your devices can connect successfully

- access modified guidance

- manage accessibility settings

Access the ‘Assessment service: manage your school’s assessments’ in advance to:

- register pupils

- record reasons for pupils not taking the assessment

- complete the headteacher’s declaration form

- view and download narrative statements

Please also refer to the full collection of RBA guidance

PE and School Sport Premium

We are pleased to share with you the news that the Primary PE and sport premium has been confirmed for 2025–2026.

The DfE has confirmed that the current formula for funding allocations is to be retained, with eligible primary schools receiving £16K + £10 per child.

Updated conditions of grant have not been published yet, but please visit the DfE webinar explaining imminent changes to the statutory reporting protocols:

AFPE Digital reporting form webinar video

For further advice about the Premium, and all things PE, please contact Ian Roberts (pe.adviser@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Little Wandle Taster Session - Trumpington Park Primary

Thinking of moving to Little Wandle?

Come and look inside one of our Champion Schools (Trumpington Park Primary) at a Little Wandle Taster morning from 9:30am to 12pm on 9th July.

Who should come?

School or Trust leaders interested in finding out how Little Wandle works.

You will

Hear from school leaders about their Little Wandle journey
See reading and phonics lessons in the school
Learn about the principles and pedagogy of Little Wandle
Understand what comes as part of a Little Wandle membership
Explore the resources

For places, please email working@littlewandle.org.uk

Staying safe around dogs - free live Zoom event

Live Zoom event - staying safe around dogs

Join eight of the UK’s leading animal charities in an interactive, fun event exploring staying safe around dogs – whether at home, in the park, or visiting friends.

Perfect for KS2, this online event will equip your class with the knowledge and awareness to make positive choices around dogs in everyday life.

The event is repeated on two days so simply choose your preferred date:

Wed 16 July 1.15 – 2pm

Thurs 17 July 1.15 – 2pm

Book you class their free space here now: Keeping Children Safe Around Dogs - England/Wales Primary School Event Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Cambridgeshire Virtual School - Remit Survey 2025

Calling all headteachers, DTs and DSLs ...

We would be grateful if you could complete this survey which has been sent out to all Cambridgeshire education establishments, from Early Years through to Post 16 settings.

We are keen to gain an understanding of your setting's awareness, knowledge and interaction with the Virtual School, as well as your understanding of the different cohorts of children and young people which fall within our remit.

Please complete the survey (below) by Friday 18 July 2025

Virtual School Remit Survey 2025

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity - Bridge the Gap Walk 2025

ARHC's 25th `Bridge the Gap' walk will take place on Sunday 14 September 2025

Upto three under-16s can join in for free with each paying adult. You can join supporters of the charity for a walk on a brand new route featuring a selection of Cambridge colleges, including access to many college gardens which are usually closed to the general public.

Sign up to raise money for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill.

Wraparound childcare `Keeping in Touch' visits

The Early Years, Childcare and School Readiness Service offer a complimentary keeping in touch visit to all wraparound childcare settings. This focuses on best practice guidance and support. An Early Years and Childcare Adviser will contact the head teacher to arrange this visit.

Schools can purchase a membership package, offering more in-depth support focussing on quality development here.

To contact advisers directly, please email:

Lucy Jones: lucy.jones@cambridgeshire.gov.uk (Cambridge City, South Cambs and Hunts) Michael Holt: michael.holt@cambridgeshire.gov.uk (East Cambs and Fenland)

Training and Events

British Gymnastics Teachers Trampolining Award – Refresher

10th July 2025, 9am-3.30pm. St Ivo School, St Ives. £179

Audience: KS3/4 secondary PE staff

PE for Primary ECTs & Inexperienced Teachers

13th November 2025, 9.30am-4pm. Papworth Village Hall, Papworth Everard. Cambridgeshire maintained school £140, all academies and non-cambridgeshire maintained schools £162.

Audience: ECTs and those teachers returning to the profession in the primary phase who want to develop their understanding of the national curriculum of PE, health and safety implication and how to deliver high quality PE, EYFS, KS1 & KS2

Special & Secondary PSHE Leaders’ Network Meeting

23rd June 2025 – 1.30pm-3.30pm. Online. Cambridgeshire Special/Secondary Schools (maintained and academies) can attend for free.

Audience: Special and Secondary PSHE leaders and other school leaders responsible for Personal Development, Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing and other such areas.

Anti-Bullying Briefing: Preventing Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic (HBT) Bullying

23rd September for Primary/Special Schools, 25th September for Secondary/Special Schools. Online. 3.45pm-4.45pm. These courses and briefings are funded by Public Health and are free to all Cambridgeshire schools. Multiple people from each school may attend. Colleagues may sign up to attend ‘live’ or to receive the recordings

Audience: Primary, Special and Secondary leaders, PSHE leaders, classroom teachers, support staff or governors

Building the Mental Health and Relationships Programme in your school

7th October – 1.30pm-4.30pm. Sunley House, Papworth Everard. Cambridgeshire Schools (maintained & academy) can attend for free.

This course will outline the two key resources ‘Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation’ and ‘Promoting Healthy Friendships’. These resources are available free to all Cambs primary schools.

Audience: PSHE leads, Wellbeing Leads, Mental Health Leads, senior leaders