Search

The September edition of Families First News has now been published. Find out how to make a nomination for our 2025 Families First Awards and register for one of our Working Together in Early Help events, and much more. This newsletter brings together, service updates, news, events and training opportunities from across the Families First Partnership.

We’re delighted to invite your school to take part in the Armed Forces Covenant Christmas Art Competition, a creative initiative celebrating the contributions of our Armed Forces community.

This year’s theme is “Christmas in the Armed Forces”, and we’re encouraging students to reflect on what the festive season might mean for service personnel and their families. 

The City of London Police are running a series of FREE webinars for schools which your school may find useful: 'Cyber security awareness & introduction to cyber choices' and 'Cyber resilience in education – for governors and senior leaders'.

The annual data collection calendar has been produced for the new academic year, along with the autumn tern summary for the primary, secondary and special phases.

With GCSE mocks, re-sits and A Level study ahead, this autumn is the perfect time for students to strengthen knowledge, boost confidence and refine exam skills. Our live, online booster sessions are designed and delivered by subject specialists, giving students the focused support they need to succeed. 

Hertfordshire's SEND Toolkit has been updated for 2025-26 with a contemporary design and improved accessibility features. The free toolkit is an essential resource supporting schools and SENCOs to deliver high quality SEN provision; packed with helpful information, useful tools and resources and links to a wide range of national and local guidance.

HFL Education has reviewed and enhanced its Early Years training offer so that it works harder for you. As part of a complete CPD review, we have been listening closely to what matters most to you: training that’s timely, cost-effective, and delivers real impact. 

For some young people, parents and carers, the thought of filling six weeks of school holidays can be daunting, especially when household budgets are stretched. Feel-good activities that nourish wellbeing don’t need to cost a fortune though and quite often, the simplest of activities like preparing a healthy meal, or a having a kickabout in the local park, followed by a simple picnic can give everyone an amazing wellbeing boost. Take a look at the help and advice available over this summer.

As schools explore how AI might be used as a tool to enhance education and improve efficiencies, it is crucial to integrate it thoughtfully and responsibly. For many this will include developing and implementing a policy.  HFL has provided guidance for maintained primary schools and settings implementing AI.

The spectacular Knife Angel sculpture is coming to Welwyn Garden City town centre (close to the train station) between 1st-30th October 2025. The sculpture, made from over 100,000 seized blades, was specifically created to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour whilst solidifying our critical need for social change. A critical part of the campaign is engagement with school children and so we need your involvement by visiting the Knife Angel and activities, and for pupils to become anti violence ambassadors.