Head Teachers

News and updates

1. Important: Change to the language community from the published offer

Please note that there has been a change to the published languages community offer. The subject leader session will still run as planned and as advertised - see below:

Date & Time: Thu 22 Oct 2026 at Essex Primary

13:15 – 15:15 for subject leads – Essex Primary

Booking link: https://forms.gle/oVTiPiNbfcytWsci8

However, the sessions for teachers were advertised in error and will not be running this year.

We have updated the booking form, offer booklet and languages subject page with this information, but it would be helpful if you could also pass this message on to your Languages Lead.

2. Our revised offer booklet

As mentioned above we have updated our offer booklet - the latest one is always available here: https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/our-offer

For those of you who like a downloadable pdf version, remember that this can be accessed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HlSvnUhWYKQ7xU3sjBJ_CC9Mi4oZrRdP/view

3. London RISE Open Education Fortnight - Scott Wilkie & Hallsville Open Days

As part of the London RISE Open Education Fortnight, two Newham Learning schools, Scott Wilkie and Hallsville Primary Schools, are opening their doors. 

Mon 02 Nov 2026, 09:30 - 12:30 @ Hallsville Primary School, Radland Rd, London E16 1LN

Booking link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pc1zH5qNfUNG_j-tKYNk6pmA04emK_TPf763V6H8Nxs/edit

Thu 05 Nov 2026, 09:15 - 12:00 @ Scott Wilkie Primary School, Hoskins Cl, London E16 3HD

Booking link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeSzruviR3j9sUz3kU81IPUcg8FHcifNUE7q3aqrhQVrg3nQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Thu 12 Nov 2026, 09:15 - 12:00 @ Scott Wilkie Primary School, Hoskins Cl, London E16 3HD

Booking link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_d9NoVUlS6xrIAy8JV_K_cKy4sdpgUoOow1c9gfpFQiTnYQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

4. From the KIT meeting: Schools forum dates and documents

The Newham Schools Forum committee details can be found here: https://mgov.newham.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=1341

The dates of future meetings of the Newham Schools Forum can be found here: https://mgov.newham.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=1341

The next two meetings are on 14 Dec 2026 and 18 Jan 2027.

5. From the KIT+ meeting: Richmond Maths Project

In the HT KIT+ meeting, Dr Wayne Harrison from WhatWorked Education described how school can get involved in a free maths peer tutoring trial - The Richmond Maths Project

We've added a project folder with the slides from the session and the guide with how to sign up to take part in the trial. This can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aMYgEmUjt5TUxewowHmU0jCE2k9ddr-H?usp=sharing

It has been confirmed that the intervention can be run as an after school club activity.

We've also put this in the 'news' section of the dedicated NL Maths Community page: https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/subjects/mathematics

6. From the Maths Hub - Autumn 2026 Newsletter

The Maths Hub have released their Autumn 2026 newsletter. It is available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v5hHKK2LflKl2Rrzg3ffMmHZUhUvSJpA/view?usp=drive_link

7. Calendar and links for events (reminder)

If you are keen to keep up-to-date with Newham Learning Events, Newham Learning member schools can request access to our calender. This includes links to online events, booking links etc.

You can also view this on our dedicated webpage: https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/our-offer/calendar-of-events

In order to see the calendar you need to have requested access first: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=bmV3aGFtbGVhcm5pbmcub3JnQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ

Please note: the NL KIT meeting link is the same each week.

8. Sustainable Citizenship Awards (reminder)

Our Early Years Community is supporting schools to achieve the Sustainable Citizenship award. Details of this can be found here: https://www.omep.org.uk/esc/. You can also express an interest in the award by completing this form here: https://forms.gle/J81JWYsssGD7fqBf8.

You can also find out more about this and book onto our Early Years Network meetings, the first of which takes place on 13 Nov 2026 by visiting this community page: https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/communities/whole-school-communities/eyfs-community

9. Contact details for each community

We hold some contact details for many of our communities. We have now completed compiling the information from each of our separate communities. We will send an email directly to Head Teachers later this week with the details we hold. Please review this when it comes and let us now by reply any staff member who has left. Please also ask new staff members who haven't already to sign up. This will help the right information reach the right person in your school.

10. From Teacher Writers

Have you got something to say about education?

Teacher Writers help teachers and leaders get their articles published. They are looking for articles on aspects of Primary leadership.

Please send an email containing some proposed article titles and a one-line summary for each article.

Email andy@teacherwriters.com

N.B. This is for Primary school leaders in the UK only.

Upcoming events

1. Languages Network

Date & Time: Thu 22 Oct 2026 at Essex Primary

13:15 – 15:15 for subject leads – Essex Primary

Booking link: https://forms.gle/oVTiPiNbfcytWsci8

2. NL HT KIT+ meetings

following the usual NL updates from approx 10:00 - 10:15, the KIT+ runs from approx 10:15 - 11:00

Thursday 22 Oct 2026 - Guest speaker - Emma Sheppard

The Maternity Teacher, Paternity Teacher = Cradle to Classroom

https://www.mtpt.org.uk/cradle-to-classroom-fliers

Thursday 05 Nov 2026 - Extra meeting in place of LBN KIT, which now takes place 19 Nov 2026 @10:00

The rescheduled discussion on How to compare schools fairly using Schools Like Yours from FFT.

Thursday 12 Nov 2026 - Guest speakers - Jennifer Marshall and Paul Smith

The Independent Federation of Safeguarding - https://www.ifs-safeguarding.co.uk/ and

Inclusion UK - https://inclusion-uk.com/

Other events and programmes

1. From the Chartered College of Teaching (reminder)

As part of the Rethinking Curriculum series of webinars, the latest focuses on including pupil choices.

Rethinking Curriculum – How to include your pupils in curriculum choices

Tue 20 Oct 2026, 16:00 - 17:00

To attend this free webinar, you need to register here: https://chartered.college/event/rethinking-curriculum-how-to-include-your-pupils-in-curriculum-choices/

News and updates

1. Calendar and links for events

If you are keen to keep up-to-date with Newham Learning Events, Newham Learning member schools can request access to our calender. This includes links to online events, booking links etc.

You can also view this on our dedicated webpage: https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/our-offer/calendar-of-events

In order to see the calendar you need to have requested access first: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=bmV3aGFtbGVhcm5pbmcub3JnQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ 

2. Sustainable Citizenship Awards

Our Early Years Community is supporting schools to achieve the Sustainable Citizenship award. Details of this can be found here: https://www.omep.org.uk/esc/. You can also express an interest in the award by completing this form here: https://forms.gle/J81JWYsssGD7fqBf8.

You can also find out more about this and book onto our Early Years Network meetings, the first of which takes place on 13 Nov 2026 by visiting this community page: https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/communities/whole-school-communities/eyfs-community

3. Climate conference 

Thank you to the schools that attended the Sustainability and Climate Action Conference last week. It was a highly successful event with great networking opportunities and valuable information shared by a range of passionate partners. 

Please read through the slides included in this email and get in touch if you need any further information or support. We will be sending another email to schools in the community which outlines support for schools in completing their Climate Action Plans.  You can access the presentations here:

4. From the Art Matters network

We’ve got some exciting news to share with you. We’ve been offered a space to hold an Art Matters exhibition at the London College of Fashion in Stratford from the 18th-23rd of January 2027. The London College of Fashion team have kindly agreed to offer us the space for free and to install the exhibition making it affordable for us. The gallery is a fantastic space that is open to the public and overlooks the Queen Elizabeth Park and we envisage running a series of free bookable creative workshops for schools to take part in during the week. The exhibition would be open on Saturday 23rd of January for families to visit.

The exhibition would be a smaller one than previous ones at University of East London and we envisage hanging work in a cross-school Royal Academy Summer Show style where we would group work thematically. If you were to take part we would ask you to select a small group of high quality existing works from across your school to represent the breadth of activities across your year groups. The resulting exhibition would be a celebration of the rich activity that goes on in your schools

We are at the initial stages of this project and would like to gauge interest within the next couple of weeks. If you would like to take part in this project please fill in this expression of interest form by Friday 16th of October: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=xClkjH8We0e4y3fugnWNESgqokinyqZPhZN2ncLJOORUN1hYVlpKRTVTTzhUR1RVNkpTU0ZET1Y5VS4u&route=shorturl

If we are able to proceed we’ll organise an online meeting to discuss next steps.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

5. Contact details for each community

We hold some contact details for many of our communities. We have almost completed compiling the information from each of our separate communities. We intend to send an email directly to Head Teachers later this week with the details we hold. Please review this when it comes and send any updates by replying to the email directly. This will help the right information reach the right person in your school.

6. From the KIT meeting 

In addition to the message sent out by email following the HT KIT meeting on Thu 08 Oct 2026, Mindspark have provided a copy of the presentation used at the meeting, and some other interesting links related to MindSpark, including two of our schools talking at the celebration of impact event.

Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1njciEUOJbhjndPdTK8eWIzVzmSaGNDiG/view?usp=drive_link

• St Helen's Talk at MindSpark Celebration of Impact Event

• Kingsford talk at MindSpark Celebration of Impact Event

• MindSpark Impact Report

• MindSpark School Awards

Upcoming events

1. Geography Network

Date & Time: Tue 13 Oct 2026, 13:15 - 15:15 at Selwyn Primary

Topic: Subject audits, action planning plus development area

Booking link: https://forms.gle/Pxt6X8RL8WqcDZjg7

2. Deputy Head Teacher Community

Date & Time: Thu 15 Oct 2026, 13:00 - 15:00 at Godwin Junior

Topic: Curriculum Framework

3. Newham Learning Community Leads meeting (Newham Learning Leads)

Date & Time: Thu 15 Oct 2026, 16:00 - 17:00 online

Leads will receive a separate invitation

4. Languages Network

Date & Time: Thu 22 Oct 2026 at Essex Primary

13:15 – 15:15 for subject leads – Essex Primary

Booking link: https://forms.gle/oVTiPiNbfcytWsci8

5. NL HT KIT+ meetings

following the usual NL updates from approx 10:00 - 10:15, the KIT+ runs from approx 10:15 - 11:00

Thursday 15 Oct 2026 - Guest speaker - Dr Wayne Harrison from What Worked Education

Get involved with a trial of the National Tutoring Programme - https://interventions.whatworked.education/maths-peer-tutoring-programme

Thursday 22 Oct 2026 - Guest speaker - Emma Sheppard

The Maternity Teacher, Paternity Teacher = Cradle to Classroom

https://www.mtpt.org.uk/cradle-to-classroom-fliers

Thursday 12 Nov 2026 - Guest speakers - Jennifer Marshall and Paul Smith

The Independent Federation of Safeguarding - https://www.ifs-safeguarding.co.uk/ and

Inclusion UK - https://inclusion-uk.com/

Please note that in a change to the schedule to accommodate a guest speaker, the discussion on How to compare schools fairly using Schools Like Yours from FFT https://schoolslikeyours.ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/ will now be recorded as a webinar to view at your own convenience.

Other events and programmes

1. From the Chartered College of Teaching

As part of the Rethinking Curriculum series of webinars, the latest focuses on including pupil choices.

Rethinking Curriculum – How to include your pupils in curriculum choices

Tue 20 Oct 2026, 16:00 - 17:00

To attend this free webinar, you need to register here: https://chartered.college/event/rethinking-curriculum-how-to-include-your-pupils-in-curriculum-choices/

2. For Trainee Teachers (and those supervising/mentoring them) - reminder

From the Chartered College of Teaching, - free access to articles for student teachers https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/449V-Y4D/high-quality-teaching-resources-for-students-and-ects

3. Also from the Chartered College of Teaching - reminder

As part of our four-year Mission 44-funded project, Increasing Diversity in ITT, we have developed a free certified online course in partnership with Being Luminary and Chiltern Learning Trust.

This online course, aimed at educators, leaders and mentors working in initial teacher training in UK contexts, explores the systemic barriers faced by trainees from global majority backgrounds when applying for and completing training, and provides language, tools and frameworks for embedding equity in teacher training.

Members can access this course for free and free guest membership is available to complete the programme. Sign up here: https://chartered.college/diversity-in-itt-course/

This programme is also listed on our Equity and Staff Development Special Interest Groups -

• https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/communities/special-interest-groups/equity

• https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/communities/special-interest-groups/staff-development

Please encourage your staff to visit these pages directly to keep up to date with developments.

News and updates

1. Newham Neighbourhoods

Following a discussion with HT colleagues, matters concerning the neighbourhoods surrounding schools have been raised with the local MP. Their office has responded, thanking colleagues for raising this and highlighted that these have been raised with the council. Further information will be provided regarding the response.

2. Contact details for each community

We hold some contact details for many of our communities. We have almost completed compiling the information from each of our separate communities. We intend to send an email directly to Head Teachers later this week with the details we hold. Please review this when it comes and send any updates by replying to the email directly. This will help the right information reach the right person in your school.

3. Newham Learning Board meetings 

The first Newham Learning Board meeting will take place on Friday this week. Board members have been sent invitations and papers will be added to the agenda later today.

• Fri 09 Oct 2026, 13:00 - 15:00 @ West Ham Church Primary

Upcoming events

1. Maths Network

Date & Venue: Tue 06 Oct 2026

13:15 – 15:15 for subject leads at Star Primary

15:45 – 16:45 for subject teachers – online

Booking link: https://forms.gle/wVHSzjCwPicn6R947

2. Geography Network:

Date & Time: Tue 13 Oct 2026, 13:15 - 15:15 at Selwyn Primary

Topic: Subject audits, action planning plus development area

Booking link: https://forms.gle/Pxt6X8RL8WqcDZjg7

3. Deputy Head Teacher Community

Date & Time: Thu 15 Oct 2026, 13:00 - 15:00 at Godwin Junior

Topic: Curriculum Framework

4. Newham Learning Community Leads meeting (Newham Learning Leads)

Date & Time: Thu 15 Oct 2026, 16:00 - 17:00 online

Leads will receive a separate invitation

5. NL HT KIT+ meetings

following the usual NL updates from approx 10:00 - 10:15, the KIT+ runs from approx 10:15 - 11:00

Thursday 08 Oct 2026 - Guest speaker - Belinda Edington

Discussing executive functions, a central pillar to the Y6-Y7 transition community

Thursday 15 Oct 2026 - Guest speaker - Dr Wayne Harrison from What Worked Education

Get involved with a trial of the National Tutoring Programme - https://interventions.whatworked.education/maths-peer-tutoring-programme

Thursday 22 Oct 2026 - Guest speaker - Emma Sheppard

The Maternity Teacher, Paternity Teacher = Cradle to Classroom

https://www.mtpt.org.uk/cradle-to-classroom-fliers

Thursday 12 Nov 2026 - Guest speakers - Jennifer Marshall and Paul Smith

The Independent Federation of Safeguarding - https://www.ifs-safeguarding.co.uk/ and

Inclusion UK - https://inclusion-uk.com/

Please note that in a change to the schedule to accommodate a guest speaker, the discussion on How to compare schools fairly using Schools Like Yours from FFT https://schoolslikeyours.ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/ will now be recorded as a webinar to view at your own convenience.

Other events and programmes

1. For Trainee Teachers (and those supervising/mentoring them)

From the Chartered College of Teaching, - free access to articles for student teachers https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/449V-Y4D/high-quality-teaching-resources-for-students-and-ects

2. Also from the Chartered College of Teaching

As part of our four-year Mission 44-funded project, Increasing Diversity in ITT, we have developed a free certified online course in partnership with Being Luminary and Chiltern Learning Trust.

This online course, aimed at educators, leaders and mentors working in initial teacher training in UK contexts, explores the systemic barriers faced by trainees from global majority backgrounds when applying for and completing training, and provides language, tools and frameworks for embedding equity in teacher training.

Members can access this course for free and free guest membership is available to complete the programme. Sign up here: https://chartered.college/diversity-in-itt-course/

This programme is also listed on our Equity and Staff Development Special Interest Groups -

• https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/communities/special-interest-groups/equity

• https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/communities/special-interest-groups/staff-development

Please encourage your staff to visit these pages directly to keep up to date with developments.

News and updates

1. Peer Review Triads

Thank you to schools for signing up for our various forms of Peer Review (including Peer Learning Visits, School Study Visits and the more formal Peer Review)

Dave Clark has been collating this information and will email schools at some point this week regarding allocated groups. If your school has signed up, please look out for this email.

2. Newham Learning Offer

There have been some small tweaks to our offer booklet, ensuring the links to the KIT meeting have been updated and to include the booking link for maths, which had been omitted. The latest version will always be available at: https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/our-offer

With the update, we've had to remove the previous link to the pdf version (for those who like cutting and pasting). The latest can pdf version of the booklet can be accessed here instead: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HlSvnUhWYKQ7xU3sjBJ_CC9Mi4oZrRdP/view?usp=drive_link

3. From the last KIT meeting

In the last KIT meeting we also had some updates about inspection. Many of the changes were covered in this blog from Ofsted back in June: https://educationinspection.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/12/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-september-2026-updates-to-education-inspections/

The new IDSR format with similar schools are available. To see examples of these, visit the links below:

• Primary: https://idsr.ofsted.gov.uk/exampleprimary

• Secondary: https://idsr.ofsted.gov.uk/examplesecondary

One of the main new additions is that there have been some similar schools added to help understand the context of your school, however it is noted on this DfE page that this data will "not be used to make grading decisions." - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/similar-schools-model-for-attainment/similar-schools-model-for-attainment-overview

This article from Schools Week highlights that ethnicity not included ‘on legal grounds’ - https://schoolsweek.co.uk/similar-schools-concern-as-location-not-a-factor-in-new-ofsted-model/

To understand the average impact of ethnicity on attendance, this article has some useful comparisons: https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/education-skills-and-training/absence-and-exclusions/absence-from-school/latest/

To help understand the average impact of other factors, e.g. SEND on attendace, this report from the Centre for Social Justice (p14) shows comparisons from a few years ago: https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CSJ-Absence_Tracker.pdf

There will be a follow up to this in our next HT KIT on Thursday 08 Oct looking at the Schools Like Yours tool from FFT Education Datalab.

4. Contact details for each community

We hold some contact details for many of our communities. We had planned to send this email out last week, but the information has taken a little longer to compile than expected. We intend to send an email directly to Head Teachers later this week with the details we hold. Please review this when it comes and send any updates by replying to the email directly. This will help the right information reach the right person in your school.

Upcoming events

1. Newham Climate Action Conference

Date: Tue 29 Nov

Agenda: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NSupsfXHSaiLhCvMRIv2eLQMt_uGL6gX/view?usp=drive_link

Booking link: Eventbrite.com/e/newham-schools-sustainability-conference-tickets-1990633583635

2. NL KS2-3 Transition Community

Date & Venue: Thursday 1st Oct, 12:30 @ Kingsford Community School

Booking link: https://forms.gle/mvmpSsk53QPYR4pe7

For details of upcoming events, you can access the Newham Learning calendar here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=bmV3aGFtbGVhcm5pbmcub3JnQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ (please request access if you don't already have it)

3. Maths Network

Date & Venue: Tue 06 Oct 2026

13:15 – 15:15 for subject leads at Star Primary

15:45 – 16:45 for subject teachers – online

Booking link: https://forms.gle/wVHSzjCwPicn6R947

4. NL HT KIT+ meetings

following the usual NL updates from approx 10:00 - 10:15, the KIT+ runs from approx 10:15 - 11:00

Thursday 08 Oct 2026 - How to compare schools fairly using Schools Like Yours from FFT https://schoolslikeyours.ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/

Thursday 15 Oct 2026 - Guest speaker - Dr Wayne Harrison from What Worked Education

Get involved with a trial of the National Tutoring Programme - https://interventions.whatworked.education/maths-peer-tutoring-programme

Thursday 22 Oct 2026 - Guest speaker - Emma Sheppard

The Maternity Teacher, Paternity Teacher = Cradle to Classroom

https://www.mtpt.org.uk/cradle-to-classroom-fliers

Thursday 12 Nov 2026 - Guest speakers - Jennifer Marshall and Paul Smith

The Independent Federation of Safeguarding - https://www.ifs-safeguarding.co.uk/ and

Inclusion UK - https://inclusion-uk.com/

Please note that the proposed discsusion around academy trusts structures has been moved to later in the term

Other events and programmes

1. An update from the London District East Teaching School Hub - last chance to apply

Out of 450 scholarship places we are down to our last few.

Final participants need to apply by Monday 28th September at the latest: 

• We have 4 places left on NPQSEND with Ambition.     Apply here

• We have 1 place left on NPQSL with Ambition.    Apply Here

Best Practice NPQs: 

• We have 11 funded places left on NPQSL: Leadership NPQs | Best Practice Network

• We have 10 funded places left on NPQH: Leadership NPQs | Best Practice Network

• 6 funded places on NPQSEND: Apply Here

• 8 funded places on Leading Teaching: Apply Here        

• 12 funded places on Leading Teacher Development: Apply Here

We also have paid for places left on our Ambition programmes on: 

• • Leading Behaviour and Culture £899*

  • Leading Teaching £899*

  • Leading Literacy £899*

  • Leading Primary Maths £899*

  • Leading Teacher Development £899*

  • Leading Teaching £899*

• Please note any fees are paid directly by the school to Ambition. Apply Here

2. A reminder - Talk for Writing and Take One Book Open Mornings - Lyndsey Miller, AHT at Hallsville Primary School

These sessions offer a firsthand look at how we embed these powerful, text-based approaches across our school to drive engagement, boost literacy standards and inspire a deep love of reading and writing. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to see live classroom practice, observe pupil engagement, and discuss implementation strategies with our leadership team.

Please see our upcoming dates and booking links below:

Take One Book Open Mornings - flyer

• Autumn Term: Tuesday 29th September 2026 — Book Here

• Spring Term: Tuesday 22nd January 2027 — Book Here

• Summer Term: Tuesday 22nd June 2027 — Book Here

The cost per session per person is £75.

You can find out more here: https://members.justimagine.co.uk/reading-open-morning-at-hallsville/

Talk for Writing Open Mornings - flyer

• Autumn Term: Monday 5th October 2026 — Book Here

• Spring Term: Tuesday 19th January 2027 — Book Here

• Summer Term: Tuesday 15th June 2027 — Book Here

The cost per session per person is £75.

You can find out more here: https://www.talk4writing.com/school-event/open-morning-22-2/2026-10-05/

Places are limited to ensure a high-quality experience for all visiting colleagues so we encourage early booking via the Google Form links above.

News and updates

1. Newham Learning Offer

The final version of the Newham Learning Offer booklet has been published. There are still some unconfirmed dates in a couple of areas, so a revised version may be published later. To view this, please visit: https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/our-offer

If you prefer a pdf version (e.g. to help with cutting and pasting), this can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HlSvnUhWYKQ7xU3sjBJ_CC9Mi4oZrRdP/view?usp=drive_link

2. From the last KIT meeting...

Slides from KIT meeting on 17 Sep 2026. You can view these here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qRewA_TpDvpkcQ8A8LWohUyPvgdo1fjZ/view?usp=sharing

Attendance: There was a DfE video shared recently about the changes to free school meals. You can view this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoJyFoOEBMg&authuser=0 (also added to our Attendance SIG). There is also written guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools-and-local-authorities/free-school-meals-guidance-for-local-authorities-local-authority-maintained-schools-academies-and-free-schools

Teachers (and some other staff) in schools can access the Blue Light Scheme, which has signficant discounts on online and in person shopping. There is a small cost of £5 for two years. Details can be found here: http://bluelightcard.co.uk/en/teacher

You may also wish to visit these pages on changes to recent legislation:

• Benedict's Law (allergies) - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stronger-protections-for-children-with-allergies-in-school

• Martyn's Law (protection of premises against terrorism) - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/martyns-law-for-education-settings

• Pupil images on websites - https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/image-guidance-for-education-settings

3. Newham Learning Board meetings 

Newham Learning has revise the NL Board meetings for this year.

The dates are:

• Fri 09 Oct 2026, 13:00 - 15:00 @ West Ham Church Primary

• Thu 04 Feb 2026, 13:00 - 15:00 @ West Ham Church Primary

• Thu 20 May 2026, 13:00 - 15:00 @ West Ham Church Primary

The AGM will take place on Wednesday 30 Jun, 13:00 - 15:00, venue TBC

Invitations have been sent directly to Newham Learning Board Members last week. All Head Teachers will receive an invitation to the AGM. Please look out for the invitations.

4. Contact details for each community

We hold some contact details for many of our communities. We plan to send an email directly to Head Teachers later this week with the details we hold. Please review this when it comes and send any updates by replying to the email directly. This will help the right information reach the right person in your school.

Upcoming events

1. Newham Learning KIT meeting

Date & Time: Thursday 24 Sep 2026 @ 10:00 via Zoom

Joining link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87488459606

2. NL Computing meeting

Date: Tue 22 Sep 2026

• 13:15 – 15:15 for subject leads at Ellen Wilkinson Primary

• 15:45 – 16:45 for subject teachers - online

Booking link: https://forms.gle/TCs9An5XUGrSqxwb6

3. NL EY to KS1 Transition Network

Date: Tue 22 Sep 2026, 16.00 - 17:00 Online introduction

Booking link: https://forms.gle/NWynzVNSYPiFuRLF9

4. The Chartered College of Teaching - free webinar

Date: Tue 22 Sep 2026, 16:00 - 17:00

Topic: Rethinking Curriculum – How can we ensure a curriculum nurtures wellbeing and belonging?

To register: https://chartered.college/event/rethinking-curriculum-how-can-we-ensure-a-curriculum-nurtures-wellbeing-and-belonging/

5. NL Curriculum, Assessment and Teaching community

Date: Thu 24 Sep 2026, 16:00 – 17:00, online

Topic: Curriculum design principles

Booking link: https://forms.gle/cJpEoByAvUZZNCo96

6. Newham Climate Action Conference

Date: Tue 29 Nov

Agenda: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NSupsfXHSaiLhCvMRIv2eLQMt_uGL6gX/view?usp=drive_link

Booking link: Eventbrite.com/e/newham-schools-sustainability-conference-tickets-1990633583635

7. NL KS2-3 Transition Community

Date & Venue: Thursday 1st Oct, 12:30 @ Kingsford Community School

Booking link: https://forms.gle/mvmpSsk53QPYR4pe7

For details of upcoming events, you can access the Newham Learning calendar here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=bmV3aGFtbGVhcm5pbmcub3JnQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ (please request access if you don't already have it)

Other events and programmes

1. Talk for Writing and Take One Book Open Mornings - Lyndsey Miller, AHT at Hallsville Primary School

These sessions offer a firsthand look at how we embed these powerful, text-based approaches across our school to drive engagement, boost literacy standards and inspire a deep love of reading and writing. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to see live classroom practice, observe pupil engagement, and discuss implementation strategies with our leadership team.

Please see our upcoming dates and booking links below:

Take One Book Open Mornings - flyer

• Autumn Term: Tuesday 29th September 2026 — Book Here

• Spring Term: Tuesday 22nd January 2027 — Book Here

• Summer Term: Tuesday 22nd June 2027 — Book Here

The cost per session per person is £75.

You can find out more here: https://members.justimagine.co.uk/reading-open-morning-at-hallsville/

Talk for Writing Open Mornings - flyer

• Autumn Term: Monday 5th October 2026 — Book Here

• Spring Term: Tuesday 19th January 2027 — Book Here

• Summer Term: Tuesday 15th June 2027 — Book Here

The cost per session per person is £75.

You can find out more here: https://www.talk4writing.com/school-event/open-morning-22-2/2026-10-05/

Places are limited to ensure a high-quality experience for all visiting colleagues so we encourage early booking via the Google Form links above.

1. Newham Learning KIT meeting

Date & Time: Thursday 17 Sep 2026 @ 10:00 via Zoom

Joining link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87488459606

Please remember that you can access the Newham Learning calendar here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=bmV3aGFtbGVhcm5pbmcub3JnQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ (please request access if you don't already have it)

2. Peer Review - Dave Clarke, Associate Director of Newham Learning

Dave Clarke is now leading the Peer Review groups.

Many schools have already signed up, but in case you have missed it, please visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe77IROH6Mqg8qsADD84taXwqQtjDFI66OVQyheo0wdhoL6Cg/viewform?usp=publish-editor  by Thursday 17th September. You may wish to review the different options on page 11 of the offer booklet here before choosing : https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/our-offer.

3. Updated Newham Learning Offer Booklet

A reminder that our full offer can be found in the flip book available at: https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/our-offer

We are due to upload the final version this week. This will have booking links for all sessions available directly from the booklet. It will also have links to sign up for updates for each community. This means that colleagues can sign up to get updates directly from the community leads.

4. Talk for Writing and Take One Book Open Mornings - Lyndsey Miller, AHT at Hallsville Primary School

These sessions offer a firsthand look at how we embed these powerful, text-based approaches across our school to drive engagement, boost literacy standards and inspire a deep love of reading and writing. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to see live classroom practice, observe pupil engagement, and discuss implementation strategies with our leadership team.

Please see our upcoming dates and booking links below:

Take One Book Open Mornings - flyer

• Autumn Term: Tuesday 29th September 2026 — Book Here

• Spring Term: Tuesday 22nd January 2027 — Book Here

• Summer Term: Tuesday 22nd June 2027 — Book Here

The cost per session per person is £75.

You can find out more here: https://members.justimagine.co.uk/reading-open-morning-at-hallsville/

Talk for Writing Open Mornings - flyer

• Autumn Term: Monday 5th October 2026 — Book Here

• Spring Term: Tuesday 19th January 2027 — Book Here

• Summer Term: Tuesday 15th June 2027 — Book Here

The cost per session per person is £75.

You can find out more here: https://www.talk4writing.com/school-event/open-morning-22-2/2026-10-05/

Places are limited to ensure a high-quality experience for all visiting colleagues so we encourage early booking via the Google Form links above.

5. Newham Learning Board meetings 

Newham Learning has provisionally set NL Board meetings for this year.

The dates are:

• Fri 09 Oct 2026, 13:00 - 15:00 @ West Ham Church Primary

• Fri 05 Feb 2026, 13:00 - 15:00 @ West Ham Church Primary

• Fri 21 May 2026, 13:00 - 15:00 @ West Ham Church Primary

The AGM will take place on Wednesday 30 Jun, 13:00 - 15:00, venue TBC

Invitations will be sent directly to Newham Learning Board Members this week. If you are a board member. All Head Teachers will receive an invitation to the AGM. Please look out for the invitations.

6.  Contact details for each community

We hold some contact details for many of our communities. We plan to send an email directly to Head Teachers later this week or early next week with the details we hold. Please review this when it comes and send any updates by replying to the email directly. This will help the right information reach the right person in your school.

7. Updates and previous messages

Most updates sent out via this email will also be added to this page. This means that if you have missed an update, struggle to find this email or you have colleagues that would also benefit from reading this, they can also see these updates.

To view these, please visit: https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/communities/head-teachers

Please note that you will need to drop down the bulletins by clicking on the down arrow next to the date.

1. The Newham Learning Calendar is up-to-date with details of events, which start as early as next week with an English community meeting. The calendar is shared with many of you, but if you don't yet have access, please see the link via WhatsApp or email to request access if you don't have it already.

2. Please remember the Newham Learning website - https://www.newhamlearning.co.uk/. This has lots of useful pages for colleagues with specific responsibilities (e.g. special interest groups) and could form part of a CPD plan for colleagues taking on new responsibilities this year.

3. Please also remember that the LA KIT meeting (which are included in the Newham Learning calendar) takes place on Thursday 10 September at 10:00 and the first Newham Learning HT KIT takes place on Thursday 17 September at 10:00.