Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the UK’s intelligence, security and cyber agency, is running its annual Christmas Challenge for children aged 11-18 on 11 December. The challenge puts science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to the test and encourages students to think laterally and work as a team, while showcasing some of the skills they might need to become a spy. Schools can register now to get early access to the puzzles.

Teachers will also receive a pack of lesson resources, printable certificates, and a good luck message from GCHQ Director Anne Keast-Butler. A coordinated day of puzzling will take place on 11 December, with schools encouraged to share their progress on social media.

With Christmas fast approaching you'll be looking forward to your Christmas party with friends and colleagues.  Take precautions to protect yourself against spiking and read 'Stamp Out Spiking' on how to report a spiking incident. 

Join one of the Regional Roadshow Online Webinars to have your say on the Curriculum and Assessment Review:

Tuesday 5th November - 4pm start or Thursday 28th November - 1pm start

The review panel are inviting people to share their ideas for potential improvements to the curriculum and assessment system, what works well with the current system and details of anything that doesn’t work

To book a space on one of the webinars please register here.

For information on the review please see here

The government has published its call for evidence for its wide-ranging review of the curriculum. Open now until the 22nd of November you have eight weeks to have your say. See schools week article "Curriculum review launched: What schools needs to know" for more information and click here to fill out the consultation

This years White Ribbon Day, on the 25th Novemeber, theme is  "It Starts with Men".  This White Ribbon Day they are encouraging men to hold themselves accountable to women and to each other, so we can affect positive behaviour change to transform harmful cultures. Gender Equality is key to making this culture change happen. Gender equality is achievable if men and boys understand and assume their responsbility as allies. To access resources for White Ribbon Day including working with young people please click here.

Your views are needed to help shape the Pupil Wellbeing Survey in the future! Gloucestershire County Council will be recommissioning the Pupil Wellbeing Survey (PWS) in 2025, in time for the next survey in spring 2026. They would like to hear from education staff in schools, colleges and other settings to gain your feedback, both positive and negative, to help improve the survey for future use at their Education Focus Group virtual event on Tuesday 12th November 15:30-16:30 on Microsoft Teams. Please e-mail maria.arthurs-hartnett@gloucestershire.gov.uk to be sent an invite for the Event.

On the 5th of February 2025, Now and Beyond will bring together expert-led workshops, tailored resources and live broadcasts for those aged 4-18 in educational settings across the UK.

Registrations are open now here which will give you full access to their free resources for the upcoming festival!

The DfE fully funded grant worth £1,200 for Senior Mental Health Lead Training dead line is 31st December 2024. 

For full conditions of the grant please see here Senior mental health lead training: conditions of grant for the 2024 to 2025 financial year - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

For more information on the Senior Mental Health Lead training the Anna Freud centre provides and to apply for the DfE funding please see here Senior Mental Health Lead training | Anna Freud

Anna Freud is one of many approved providers to do the training with. Full list of providers is available here DfE assured senior mental health lead training courses (publishing.service.gov.uk)  

Firstly, Let's Move with Naomi and Nigel

The BBC has released four resources for use in the school hall or classroom to deliver dance within key stage 1 PE lessons. Each 20-minute film is themed around a topic, such as space or the oceans, and presented by well-known children’s television presenters, Naomi Wilkinson and Nigel Clarke (pictured). The films include a fun warm up where the children copy Naomi and Nigel’s movements and this is followed by examples of dance movements for the children to try and build on during passages of music. Children are encouraged to use their imaginations throughout and the films finish with a whole-class cool down. To access them click here.

and then Primary Steps on Demand

The Royal Ballet School has launched a digital arts programme aimed at encouraging movement and exercise among children aged 7 to 11. Research from Sport England suggests that four million children do not complete 60 minutes of daily physical activity and NHS figures show that almost one quarter of children are classified as obese at the end of primary school. The programme – entitled Primary Steps on Demand – aims to develop both physical and mental health, motor skills, social skills and pupils’ confidence and problem-solving abilities. It is in an on-demand format, bringing dance education from the Royal Ballet School to children in primary schools. Materials include video classes, lesson plans, pupil resources, and advice and support. Click here to find out more

On the 23rd Sept, the Chancellor announced that up to 750 state funded schools with primary aged pupils will begin delivering free breakfast clubs from April 2025. Funding will allow these schools to run free breakfast clubs for their pupils in the summer term (Apr-July 2025) as part of a test and learn phase to inform delivery of a national rollout. Schools that are interested to find out more about becoming an early adopter can sign up here to be notified as further information is available.

Full Information can be found here. 

The WE WANT YOU outreach programme supports young people ages 12-15 in discovering future health and social care careers in Gloucestershire, by providing inspiring in-person workshops to help students to reflect on the skills and personal interests that they have which can be matched to a future career.

Visit their page on Partnerships for more information. 

Karen from the Talk about Trust attended our Conference in June and gave this feedback: "I attended your workshop on vaping at this year's Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning conference, and I thought it was brilliant! I found your session so powerful and important that I've added it into our PHSE plan for next year."  

Read the Talk about Trusts Newsletter to find out more The Talk About Trust Newsletter for Teachers and Youth Professionals - August/September 2024

The NHS Gloucestershire Asthma Team are looking into the current management of asthma in schools across the county. We would be very grateful if you could complete this questionnaire. The feedback you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence.  It will be stored securely and only used to improve this service. Thank you in advance for your responses. 

Please click here to complete the questionnaire. 

Please click here to view AFS resources. 

Visit Grassroots' Youth Suicide Prevention Hub to access useful advice and tips on how to speak to and support a young person who maybe feeling suicidal.

The Office for National Statistics released the latest crime statistics for England and Wales, and the findings on knife crime are particularly shocking.

We're seeing a disturbing return to over 50,000 annual offences, highlighting the urgent need for action.

"It is important to remember that these are not just statistics; they represent shattered lives and devastated families" Patrick Green, CEO of The Ben Kinsella Trust, says. 

View the full report. 

Crimestoppers is the independent charity that gives people the power to speak up and stop crime, 100% anonymously. We can be contacted by phone and online, 24/7, 365 days a year. We also give advice on how to protect the people you care about from crime.

Our service is unique and designed to protect your identity - no one has ever been identified after giving information.

We won’t ask your name or for any personal details. Your call will not be recorded. We cannot trace your call, device or location. The only person who knows you contacted us with information is you. And your information can make a real difference.

Visit our Partners page for more information.

Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage is an engaging child-led, parent/guardian supported therapeutic intervention that can be used on most smartphones or tablets free for all Gloucestershire families. 

It facilitates graded exposures (the active ingredient of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) with psychoeducation to empower 7-12 year olds with mild to moderate needs to learn to self-manage fears, worries and anxiety.

Young and novice drivers are more likely to be involved in road accidents than more experienced drivers. They are more likely to be involved in accidents at high-speed, in the dark, when overtaking and when negotiating bends. They are also more likely than experienced drivers to be at fault for collisions. To download the Young Drivers pack click here 

For more information click on the pledge webpage

The new head of Ofsted has launched the ‘Big Listen’ to hear from everyone they work with, and, most importantly, to hear from, children and young people. Ofsted are keen to hear from children and young people who have care experience to hear more about their experiences of Ofsted inspections. This includes schools, college, local authorities and children's homes.

Coram Voice are holding sessions as part of the ‘Big Listen’ for children and young people aged 11-17 in care to talk about their experiences and views of Ofsted. It is open to all children and young people with care experience, whether they have taken part in an Ofsted inspection or not.

Click here to find out more information and sign up to a session.

A new lesson plan to teach Key Stage 2 children how to have Restorative Conversations

Restorative practice is a set of principles and practice that encourages children to take responsibility for their behaviour by thinking through the causes and consequences. In partnership with Aardman, this lesson teaches children how to take a restorative approach to equip them with the skills, values, and attitudes to develop, maintain and strengthen relationships, within both their immediate environment and the wider community. Understanding how to have restorative conversations will enable them to communicate positively and effectively when managing conflict.

myHappymind is an award winning programme for schools & nurseries, families and organisations. It is delivered by class teachers across 5 modules, all designed to develop critical knowledge and habits that support children’s mental health. This means that children can develop a toolkit of resources to use when they need to. For further information on the pilot click here

The number of children using vapes has tripled in the last three years and there is strong evidence to suggest that cheap and easy-to-use disposable vapes are partly to blame.

Our research shows that in 2023, around 69 per cent of vapers aged 11 to 17 in Great Britain were using disposable vapes, up from 7.7 percent in 2021. This is extremely worrying given the unknown long-term health impacts and the addictive nature of the nicotine in vapes.

While vaping can play a role in helping adult smokers to quit, the NHS advises that you shouldn’t take it up if you don’t already smoke– and children should never vape.

Look here at what we’re doing to prevent children from vaping and smoking to protect their health, both in school and out.

Climate change and sustainability in education: 5 Steps we're taking

Education is a key tool in the fight against climate change.

The Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy was launched in 2022 and its aim is for the UK to be the world-leading education sector in sustainability and climate change by 2030 – our annual progress update is available here.

Click Here for five steps being taking to make the education sector more sustainable and prepare all young people for a world impacted by climate change.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, the Minister for Schools and the Minister for Skills have written to schools and colleges (17 October 2023) to provide advice on how to respond to the Israel-Hamas conflict in the classroom. Read the post here

Download new resources here and watch Teenage Vaping:  What's the Harm? on BBC iPlayer (UK only)

Together with local community organisations, Active Gloucestershire has been working across the county to support children and young people’s wellbeing through physical activity. The "Activity on Referral" is now running in its 3rd year with the aim to support the mental health of young people through community-based activities. The program provides young people with access to a diverse range of activities that foster social connection, fun and many opportunities to develop resilience.  Read more here

Watch the "Activity on Referral" video.

School is the best environment for pupils to learn in. Being in school helps keep children safe and supports them to reach their potential, while being surrounded by teachers and friends.

The Department For Education are committed to tackling the factors causing children to miss school. Here, they tell you what you need to know about school attendance.  

Click here to read more about 'ghost children'.

It's the question almost every parent worries about the most. Just how safe is your child online and on social media?  BBC Wales Investigates explores your children's safety in Snaptrap: Is your child safe? Watch on BBC iPlayer now.

Key facts: To be eligible for a free place, your family must live in Gloucestershire and include one child aged 5-12 who is above their ideal healthy weight.

Refer a Client to BeeZee Bodies

All pupils should be helped to fulfil their potential. Reasonable adjustments can help level the playing field by minimising the disadvantages that pupils with disabilities might face compared with their peers.  On Neurodiversity Celebration Week and Sign Language Week, we tell you everything you need to know about reasonable adjustments and how they can help disabled pupils in schools.  Read the new post:  https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/03/17/what-are-reasonable-adjustments-and-how-do-they-help-disabled-pupils-at-school/

Co-produced by young people and researchers from the University of Bristol and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, ‘EDUCATE’ will help you teach students about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and provide reassurance about receiving the vaccine — which is usually offered to teenagers at school as part of the national vaccination programme.    For more information click here   and to Download the resource 

Being active can have a hugely positive impact on children’s physical and mental health.

That’s why we’re setting out how important it is for all pupils to have access to at least two hours of PE and school sport per week. Announced on International Women’s Day, our plans also make it clear that girls and boys should be able access the same sports.  Download the full report here

For Free Resources  Click Here

After the outbreak of war in Ukraine in early 2022, we all saw how the resulting conflict impacted tens of thousands of children through separation, loss or bereavement. Bear Us In Mind was launched to provide early intervention to support those children and the adults in their lives.

Whether you’re a teacher, teaching assistant, Head, Governor or a supporting adult from the child’s school or local community, Bear Us In Mind is designed to help you be a compassionate and confident thinking partner for a child when it’s most needed. Download the complete Bear Us In Mind toolkit guide here.  To receive your 'bear in a box' email ghll@gloucestershire.gov.uk 

Mental Health e-learning - Children and Young People's Mental Health

This short course will provide you with information and guidance to help support the young people you work alongside.

The course will introduce you to some common mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties, and will provide you with practical examples that you can use to help you to recognise and respond to children’s emotional health and wellbeing.

“It’s not about getting the answer you want, but listening to the one you get.”

A 90-second Aardman animation called ‘Consent’ will be used as a teaching resource in schools across Gloucestershire to help young people understand consent and boundaries.

The Education Hub has published on their blog a new post "How we are supporting schools and colleges to be energy efficient"

If you're aged between 11 - 19 and want confidential, friendly, helpful advice, text a school nurse on 07507 333 351.

https://www.ghll.org.uk/mental-health/5-ways-to-wellbeing/5-ways-song-and-resources/

Newent Community School have made a video with pupils alongside people living with Dementia

Tic+ - you are not alone, we're here for you

https://ticplus.org.uk/

Managing transitions

Resources to help children cope with transitions and change

Mentally Healthy Schools- Changes and transitions can bring up complex emotions in children. Resources for younger and older pupils all about dealing with change, and potential transitions, at the end of the academic year.

Following a challenging time, we’ve put together a series of resources focusing on community recovery and helping you to bring your school back together. Click Here

Lost For Words

ADVICE FOR CHILDREN ABOUT HOW TO COPE WITH GRIEF - aims to help young people through grief.

The book is made up of quotes, advice and corresponding emojis crowd sourced exclusively from children bereaved from birth to late teenage years.

"We've really benefitted from being involved with the Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning partnership, and being able to use a lot of their resources and support."

Matthew Morgan 
Headmaster, Sir Thomas Rich's School

How does the process work?

Read our Ten Steps to gaining and maintaining Healthy Schools/Healthy FE status

The Gloucestershire Healthy Schools / FE accreditation process have been carefully designed to support schools through the process

Read more about our Review Tool.

Good oral health is very important for children’s health and wellbeing and being shown how to properly brush teeth and being encouraged to do so regularly will have a positive impact on not only children's health and wellbeing but also school attendance and attainment. See this handy toothbrushing song from the big brush club you could share with your class