Dear Headteachers,

Welcome to the last Heads Up before the October Half Term break.  

Firstly, I wanted to share the exciting news that when Heads Up returns after the break it will have a new look and feel that we sincerely hope you will find more useful than the current format.  

We have taken the decision to stop using the platform that is currently being used and deliver the newsletter entirely through the Mailchimp platform. This won’t be a big change for you in terms of receiving the newsletter as it is already distributed through Mailchimp and, as such, no action is required from you to continue receiving it.  

The other big change for Heads Up is the day that it will be going out, which we are changing from a Friday afternoon to Wednesday, which means the next issue of the newsletter will be in your inboxes on Wednesday 7 November 2023.  

We are still very keen to include relevant content that you send us in Heads Up and the new deadline for this will be lunchtime on the Tuesday before the next publication date. For first issue, this will be 12 pm on Tuesday 7 October 2023;  

When you are sending us content, it would be really helpful if you could ting about where they should sit under our new categories: Guidance and Policy, Events and training and Reminders. Any stories, thoughts or comments on Heads Up can be emailed to: Headsup@warwickshire.gov.uk  

There are a few stories that I would like to bring to your attention in this week’s issue of Heads Up: 

For early years colleagues, have you signed up to Ofsted’s new early years blog? Here you can find out more about developments in the early years sector. They will use the blog to raise awareness and promote a better understanding of education and care in children’s early years. Read more: https://headsup.warwickshire.gov.uk/heads-up-27-october-2023/securing-the-best-start-to-life/ofsteds-new-early-years-blog-1 

October's SEND Newsletter is here to bring you all the latest news on special educational needs and disabilities in Warwickshire. Read more: https://headsup.warwickshire.gov.uk/heads-up-27-october-2023/supporting-inclusion-for-send-and-vulnerable-groups/octobers-warwickshire-send-newsletter-is-here 

Warwickshire Legal Services are holding their annual training for schools on 14th November 2023. This year, the event will take place at Warwick Racecourse and will run from approximately 9:15am – 3:30pm. Find out more: https://headsup.warwickshire.gov.uk/heads-up-27-october-2023/celebrating-warwickshires-family-of-schools/wls-training-event 

The Schools Library Service and Warwickshire Libraries are delighted to invite you to sign-up for our eighth annual Year 4 Reading Celebration. Find out more: https://headsup.warwickshire.gov.uk/heads-up-27-october-2023/child-friendly-warwickshire/year-4-reading-celebration 

All that is left for me to do is wish you all a safe, happy and well-deserved half term break when it arrives. 

Best Wishes  

Johnny Kyriacou 

Director for Education Services