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Cambridgeshire Schools Newsletter

Our great English Challenge experience

Children from a variety of Cambridgeshire schools competed in the Year 6 English Challenge Finals. Our school, Pendragon Primary, was lucky enough to be chosen. We competed in three different rounds, working as a team to answer challenging questions about books, authors and grammar.

We really enjoyed our time competing, especially in the Trail Round. In record time, we correctly solved an anagram, deciphering the name of one of our favourite book characters! Working as a team, we also identified book characters based on their picture. It was a competitive event and a great way of meeting new people and learning new things; we even learnt that a group of frogs is called an Army!

We would like to thank the Cambridge English team for hosting this event.

Written by, Arsh, Teddy, Ellie and Maisie

From Pendragon Primary School

Impact of family imprisonment on children - HMP Littlehey visit for schools

Invisible Walls Family Service at HMP Littlehey would like to invite schools to an information session about the impact of family imprisonment on children. Often these children are a hidden group and you may have children in your school who are affected that you do not know about.

Monday 7 July 2025, HMP Littlehey, from 1.30–4.30pm

Find out more by downloading this Invisible Walls Schools Visit flyer

Places are limited to 20 and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

If there is a lot of interest in this session more will be run in the future. Anyone who is interested in attending can email Jacqueline.caress@justice.gov.uk.

Supporting the mental health and workplace wellbeing of CCC school leaders

Further and ongoing support graphic Offer Booklet

The Primary Offer booklet graphic shared in the last newsletter article included reference to Dedicated Supported Leadership Time. But what does this mean?

Dedicated leadership time should be an ‘essential’ as opposed to a ‘desirable’, yet carving out this time can be challenging. Through a series of half-termly 50-60 minute coaching/mentoring and support conversations, Headteachers and Senior Leaders have a structure on which to base their dedicated time. The commitment to this sort of support for headteachers can be woven into appraisal discussions in order to support workplace wellbeing.

I have been using a coaching/mentoring approach for over 20 years, working with leaders to provide both support and challenge. I have experience at all levels of school leadership as well as extensive experience supporting schools as an adviser in Cambridgeshire; this is complemented by additional qualifications as a Mental Health and Suicide First Aid Instructor.

Juliet Adloune (Professional Development and Improvement Adviser)

Summer HAF Programme

The summer Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme is operating between 24 July and 29 August. Eligible pupils can attend a participating holiday scheme for up to 64 hours, fully funded. A daily meal and engagement in enriching experiences is offered. This is also a helpful funded childcare opportunity for parents where applicable. Eligibility vouchers are issued to parents/carers on 9.6.25 by email and/or text.

Further details: HAF@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Fun at Easter down the Spinney

It was a fun filled Easter down at the Spinney (Wisbech Adventure Playground) with lots of families and young people attending the sessions. The Spinney also delivered HAF sessions. On offer over the half term period were lots of activities like a childrens bingo , making paper flower baskets and painting suncatchers. The children enjoyed some cooking and outdoor games with lots of arts and crafts in between . With an average 100 children attending per day and exceeding 150 on some days, it was a great success. The Spinney team was pleased, too, to welcome lots of visitors from surrounding towns and villages.

Early Years Foundation Stage Profile Assessment 2025

Please send the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile results to the LA no later than Tuesday 24th June.

To support schools and settings with this year’s EYFS Profile submission, the Early Years Childcare and School Readiness Service have produced the following Sway to share with EYFS teachers and school leaders: EYFS Profile Assessment 2025.

You will find information about:

- Key documents and helpful resources

- Guidance for completing and submitting the profile

- Key changes for 2025

- Headteacher responsibilities

- Moderation opportunities

If you have any queries about EYFS Profile assessment, please contact sarah.hellary@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, Early Years Improvement Adviser.

`Starting Reception' definition

The new Starting Reception definition provides resources and tips for parents to help their children transition smoothly into school life. As a Local Authority, we will be adopting this definition across Cambridgeshire, encouraging all partners working with families to use and share the information. The website includes a downloadable PDF which can be shared directly with parents as part of your transition communications. In the coming weeks we will be working to add local links and further signposting.

Exciting opportunity for 18 Cambridgeshire Primary Schools to join PINS - Strengthening Neurodiversity Support in Schools project

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) Year 2 Project, an innovative 12 month initiative aimed at enhancing support for neurodiverse children within our primary schools.

Working, with health and education specialist workforces taking part in PINS will give your school access to five days’ worth of specialist input designed to help you support neurodiverse children with their sensory, learning, communication, and mental health needs. The programme runs from April 2025 to March 2026 and offers training for staff, support with leadership, culture, and school policies, helping you demonstrate your commitment to your duties under the Equality Act, boost attendance, support pupil outcomes, and manage staff workload. PINS also aims to strengthen and support partnership approaches between parent carers and schools with the hosting of three coffee morning events over the course of the project.

Next Steps:

Cambridgeshire Primary schools can express their interest by emailing kathy.stansbie@cambridgeshire.gov.uk by Friday 23 May 2025. Selected schools will then be notified and asked to complete an online self-assessment survey with support from the PINS team by Friday, 30 May 2025. Schools will also be asked to distribute a parent carer survey to school’s parents and carers. From the areas of need identified through the survey, the PINS team will work with schools to finalise and agree their support menu/interventions and schedule dates by Thursday 19 June 2025.

For more information, or if you have any questions and/or want to express your interest, please contact the Project Manager via email at kathy.stansbie@cambridgeshire.gov.uk by Friday 23 May 2025.

Free half term Water Safety event for Cambridgeshire - Friday 30 May

This event is open to families and school staff in Cambridgeshire. Following another tragic high profile incident with a young person in Nottingham, we are asking for your help promoting this free event to families in Cambridgeshire (using the text below). The focus of the event in on helping to make young people and families aware of how to be safe when operating in open water.

Grafham Water Centre is inviting you to join in with free water and land based activities, where you’ll be joined by Gemma Hunt, presenter of CBeebies' Swashbuckle, a BBQ, and a chance to meet and hear from some of the centre’s partners and supporters, including fellow teams from Cambridgeshire County Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and Magpas Air Ambulance.

Bookings can be made through the portal here: https://lnkd.in/ga4Hwvrg.

#gwc #ccc #watersafety #mayhalfterm

School Capacity (SCAP) Survey 2025

The Place Planning team are updating schools’ physical capacity data for the 2024/25 return to the DfE which informs future capital funding for the Council. Please review the figures in the spreadsheet sent to your school in the week beginning 12 May. If it reflects your school’s capacity as of 1 May 2025, no action is needed. If there’s been a change since May 2024 (e.g. building work or classroom removal), let us know by Friday, 6 June 2025. A reminder will be sent on Tuesday, 3 June. Thank you for your support.

Year 5 teachers invited to participate in RSC Rehearsal Room Writing Programme efficacy trial

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is collaborating with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) to assess the impact of rehearsal room approaches to teaching Shakespeare on Year 5 pupil writing.

Find out more about the trial here: RSC RRW School Information Sheet 2025

A Day of Welcome - Friday 13 June 2025: Building a Culture of Welcome for People Seeking Sanctuary

A Day of Welcome (EYFS-KS4) is an annual day of solidarity and learning in schools that aims to build a culture of welcome and understanding for people seeking sanctuary.

Celebrated by over 550 schools in 2024, it supports teachers in kickstarting Refugee Week by providing 50+ FREE resources and activities for pupils of all ages, FREE live events and FREE Refugee Education resources for teachers. Resources are available to use throughout the year.

A Day of Welcome - Schools of Sanctuary

A Day of Welcome is developed by Norfolk teachers in partnership with UK Schools of Sanctuary and Anglia Ruskin University.

Evidence Bites `Extra' - `Primary Reading Simplified'

‘Primary Reading Simplified’ A Meaningful Approach to Post-Phonics Reading lessons with Christopher Such, teacher, school leader and leading reading expert, Thursday 22nd May, 4.30 – 6pm

Target Audience: Primary and Secondary Reading and Literacy Leads, teachers, Headteachers, Senior Leadership

Venue: Westwood Primary School, Maple Grove, March, PE15 8JT

The East Cambs & Fenland Evidence Network for Schools invite you to join us for Evidence Bites ‘Extra’ - an ‘extra slice’ of Chris Such following his fantastic talk last October. Gain valuable insights and discover practical strategies to apply in your school settings.

Meet up with local colleagues for informal, professionally energising, evidence-informed CPD

Tickets only £12 each.

For more information, please contact: blayfield@robertarkenstall.co.uk

Evidence Bites #8 - `Needed for some but benefitting all'

‘Needed for Some but Benefitting All’ – delving into what makes up effective CPD to support adaptive teaching with Amjad Ali, author of SEND in Schools, an experienced SENCo, senior leader and education trainer.

Thursday 19 June, 5pm - 7pm

Venue: Soham Village College, Sand St, CB7 5AA

Target Audience: SENCos and Inclusion Leads, Primary and Secondary Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Senior Leadership, Headteachers, everyone welcome!

The East Cambs & Fenland Evidence Network for Schools invite you to join us for Evidence Bites #8 - informal, affordable CPD event with an inspiring and engaging speaker. Gain valuable insights and discover practical strategies from Amjad to apply in your school settings.

Meet up with local colleagues for informal, professionally energising, evidence-informed CPD

£16 a ticket or use the code MULTI for discount on extra tickets.

For more information, please contact: blayfield@robertarkenstall.co.uk

Training and Events

SIS – English Conference - From the Ground Up – Building Firm Foundations in Primary English - Conference Tab

For English Subject Leaders, Senior Leaders, KS1 and KS2 Teachers – Wednesday 19 November 2025 – 9am until 4.30pm - Delta Hotels Huntingdon. £130 per delegate

British Gymnastics Teachers Trampolining Award – Refresher

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

Audience: KS3/4 secondary PE staff

Exploring Gender

Wednesday 4 June 2025, 2pm-3.30pm. Online. £40 subscribing schools, £50 for non-subscribing schools.

Audience: All staff in primary, special and secondary schools

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion for Primary, Special & Secondary Schools

Wednesday 11 June 2025, 3.30pm-5.30pm. Online. £40 subscribing schools, £50 for non-subscribing schools.

Audience: PSHE Leads, Senior Leaders and Governors.

Practical ideas for teaching evolution in primary science

For Primary Teachers. Thursday 5 June 2025, 3.30pm – 4.30pm.

Remote delivered. £20