Advice For Schools News What's New

What’s New? Summer Term Training Courses and CPD For Schools

It’s the Summer term! So that means time to start prepping for September… We all know that...

Advice For Schools

Telling the Story – Our Response to the Recent Ofsted English Report

Here’s an important overview of the latest Ofsted English report and what your school must consider to...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Safeguarding Issues in the News – Downplaying Abuse and Neglect

Downplaying Abuse and Neglect – If we call lots of things “abuse,” do we downplay the concept...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Safeguarding Issues in the News – Channel 4’s ‘I am Andrew Tate’ and How it Relates to Your Setting

Both teachers and students will likely have heard of Andrew Tate, along with his rise and subsequent...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Tricky Safeguarding Topics and How to Tackle Them

Even as a DSL, it’s ok to admit that there are topics we don’t feel as comfortable...

Advice For Schools News

Cookathon 2024 – Encourage a healthy approach to food and nutrition with SFE, Mondelez International and a very special guest!

In partnership with Mondelez International, we’re delighted to share that our Health for Life Cookathon will be...

Advice For Schools News What's New

What’s New? Spring Term Training Courses and CPD For Schools

Happy New Year! Let’s make 2024 the best yet! A whole new year means a whole new...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 – what might it mean for us?

SFE Safeguarding Adviser, Jo Perrin, discusses the main updates to Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, and...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Addressing the Silent Crisis: Children Missing in Education

SFE Adviser, Lucie Welch, discusses children missing in education and the safeguarding risks presented, whether these are...

Advice For Parents Charity News

Big Give Update

At the end of November, Services For Education took part in our very first Big Give #ChristmasChallenge,...

Advice For Parents Advice For Schools

Encouraging a Sustainable, Proactive Approach to Healthy Eating Within Your School

With our Cookathon fast approaching, Education Adviser and Health for Life lead, Helen Grundy, shares her top tips...

Advice For Schools

Skills for Life: How to Develop a Reading Culture in Schools

Discover how to develop a reading culture in schools to help build a positive community, improve vocabulary...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Emotional Abuse – Supporting Victims and Spotting the Signs

Safeguarding Adviser, Lucie Welch, discusses the signs of emotional abuse, the impacts, and how to support children...

Advice For Parents Advice For Schools Charity Music News

SFE’s Magical Music Moments of 2023

The festive season has once again arrived and we’re reaching that wonderful time of year where we...

Advice For Schools Leadership

NPQs: A Guide to Choosing the Right School Leadership Programme for You

Leadership-led education helps develop schools and sustain standards. Explore what NPQs are available to help progress teachers’...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

How Do We Measure Success in Safeguarding – Qualitative and Quantitative? 

Jo Perrin has written this blog to get you thinking about the types of data we hold...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

eCrime: How Teachers Can Combat Cyberbullying

With the rise of cyberbullying, we explore its definition and provide some practical advice on what teachers...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Updates to Ofsted’s School Inspection Handbook

Safeguarding Adviser, Jo Perrin, Provides an Overview of the Key Changes to the School Inspections Handbook, in...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Supporting Children Experiencing Bereavement

SFE Safeguarding Adviser and Emotional Health Expert, Lucie Welch, shares some of the key ways to support...

Advice For Schools News Press Release

“Think beyond phonics,” says education adviser for English

A former Deputy Head Teacher is encouraging primary school teachers to “think beyond phonics” and to consider...

Advice For Parents Advice For Schools News

Israel-Palestine: Educating During a Crisis

SFE Religious Education Adviser Dr Simone Whitehouse-James Responds to the Current Crisis in Israel/Palestine, Sharing Key Messages...

Advice For Schools Music

Striking the Right Note: Key Talking Points from Ofsted’s Music Subject Report

Helen Brookes provides a vital overview of the main points and thoughts of Ofsted’s music subject report...

Advice For Schools

The Writing Learning Journey: Key Elements of an Effective Writing Curriculum

With writing being one of the most hard-hit areas post-pandemic, English Adviser, Emma Mudge, has been investigating...

Advice For Schools

The Reading Framework 2023 Summary

Discover the key points from the Department for Education (DfE) Reading Framework 2023 to ensure your primary...

Advice For Schools News What's New

What’s New? Autumn Term Training Courses and CPD For Schools

Welcome Back! We hope you had a wonderful summer and are raring to go for the term...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

How to Make this Your Best Year for Safeguarding Yet

Safeguarding adviser, Lucie Welch, discusses how to hit the ground running this September with regards to safeguarding....

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Domestic Abuse

SFE Safeguarding Adviser, Lucie Welch, discusses domestic abuse, its effects on children and how to support children...

Music

Youth Proms 2023 – Talent, Passion & Determination

75 school-based ensembles featuring 2000 pupils, 22 central ensembles with 1000 children and a primary gala choir...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Poverty or Neglect? Understanding The Signs

SFE Safeguarding Education Adviser, Lucie Welch, has created a free resource for schools discussing the difference between...

Advice For Schools News Safeguarding

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 Updates

You’re likely aware that The Department For Education has recently released the draft of its new statutory...

Advice For Schools Charity Music News

Why is Music Important in Schools and What Can You Do to Prioritise it?

Discover why music education in schools is important under the National Plan for Music Education, with benefits...

Advice For Schools

Mental Health, Trauma and Toxic Stress – How Can We Support Our Children?

Education Adviser, Lucie Welch, shares the significant impact of trauma on children’s development and mental health and...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Top 10 Tips for Teacher Stress

It’s no secret that stress and anxiety amongst teachers in the UK is a prominent and growing...

Advice For Schools News

Exciting Opportunity for Primary Schools: Take Part in a 1stClass@Number Research Project

Our interventions team are delighted to be facilitating the intervention training for the further EEF evaluation of...

Advice For Parents

11 Activities To Do With Children In Birmingham, This Easter

I don’t know about you… but Easter has crept up pretty quickly on me this year! And...

Advice For Schools

8 Teacher Training Application Tips

Our Fantastic SCITT Leader, Lucie Welch, Shares Her Top Tips For Those Applying For Initial Teacher Training...

Advice For Parents Advice For Schools

6 Fun Science Activities To Do With Kids In Birmingham

Searching for the perfect educational day out? Then look no further. Our list of family-friendly science activities...

Advice For Schools Music

The Power of Music to Change Lives: A National Plan for Music Education

Deputy Head of Music Service at Services For Education, Adam Hickman, provides a summary of the refreshed...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Language, Disconnect and Safeguarding Culture

Jo Perrin, Safeguarding Adviser at Services For Education, discusses the impact of language on FGM education, with...

Advice For Schools

The Importance of Vocabulary Acquisition in Primary Schools

Explore the nature of vocabulary acquisition in a post-pandemic world, why it’s important to a child’s development...

Advice For Schools

A Personal and Professional Look into Your ECT Induction

Services For Education Advisers, Simone Whitehouse-James and Helen Grundy provide a complete ECT induction guide for the...

Music News

Come Together Everybody – A Song Project supported by the Lunar Society

SFE is pleased to share this original song, Come Together Everybody, inspired by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s...

Advice For Schools News What's New

What’s New? Spring Term Training Courses and CPD For Schools

Happy New Year! Here’s to a brilliant 2023. At Services For Education, the Spring Term is bursting...

Advice For Schools

The New Agreed Syllabus For Religious Education

Religious Education adviser Simone Whitehouse-James, from Services For Education, played an instrumental role in the creation of...

Advice For Schools

Improving Pupil Progress Using Assessment

With the evolution of digital learning and the ever-changing demands of the education system, discover the current...

Advice For Schools

Testing in a Testing Time

After two years with no testing for schools, there have been many changes following the coronavirus pandemic....

Advice For Schools News Partners

FGM Education and Language Study For Secondary Schools – We Need Your Input

Services For Education are conducting a new study in partnership with University of Birmingham and BAFGM, ​aiming...

Advice For Schools News

Access Arrangements – Levelling the Playing Field

It is the responsibility of every School and college to ensure that all students have equal opportunity...

Advice For Schools

How Can Primary Schools Better Support Student Health?

Discover why improving health education in primary schools is important and some actionable tips to ensure you...

Advice For Schools News What's New

What’s New? Autumn Term Training Courses and CPD For Schools

Welcome to the new academic year! At Services for Education, our School Support is growing, and we...

Advice For Schools

The Importance of Religious Education (RE) in a School’s Curriculum

Discover the new 2022/23 locally Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Birmingham and why it is important...

Advice For Schools

Why Teaching Resilience is Critical to Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Schools

Discover why building children’s resilience can play a crucial role in improving the state of social and...

Advice For Schools

Managing Anxiety in Children and Also Young People

Anxiety in children and young people is a growing concern for schools and colleges across the UK....

Advice For Schools

5 Benefits of Digital Learning for Teachers

Digital learning is changing the way students learn and teachers teach. Discover why it is important and...

Advice For Schools News

Services For Education are delighted to once again be the Appropriate Body on behalf of Birmingham Local Authority

Register your ECT with us in readiness for the forthcoming academic year 2022/23. We have a highly...

Advice For Schools Meet the Team

How Music Education Needs to Evolve in the Post-Pandemic Era

As we plan for a life beyond the pandemic, what does the future of music education hold...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Addressing Harmful Sexual Behaviour in Education

With sexual abuse in schools creating a myriad of challenges, Independent Consultant and Trainer of KLM Consultancy,...

Advice For Schools

The Latest Teacher Assessment Updates for 2021/22

Make sure your school and teaching colleagues stay aligned with the latest teacher assessment updates for the...

Advice For Schools

Key Changes to Ofsted Inspections from September 2021

Before your next Ofsted inspection, make sure you and your colleagues read this summary of changes to...

Music

Jazz with James

SFE Brass are pleased to introduce this exciting series focusing on developing improvisation and jazz techniques. Whether...

Music

Warm Up with the SFE Brass

SFE Brass are pleased to introduce this exciting series of warmups to help support your development in...

Advice For Schools

Reflecting on 20 Years in Education

How has education changed in the UK over the past 20+ years, and what are the biggest...

Advice For Schools Meet the Team

How the Challenges to Pupils Make PSHE and RSHE a Priority for Schools

How can teachers and leaders create PSHE and RSHE programmes that handle the ever-changing challenges in society...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

“Contextual Safeguarding”

In this blog post Jo Perrin, Safeguarding Adviser at Services For Education will be looking at safeguarding...

Music

SFE Brass Blab

SFE Brass are pleased to introduce this exciting series of interviews with stars from across the brass...

Advice For Schools News

Changes to Induction – Early Career Framework 2021 Updates

The Early Career Framework (ECF) 2021 update ensures early career teachers (ECTs) focus on learning the most...

Advice For Schools News

Essential Back-to-School Teacher Support and Guidance

Every academic year, there are many challenges to think about. Discover the latest updates and valuable teacher...

Advice For Schools

Future Forward 

It only seems like yesterday when we reached the end of term and were reflecting on the most challenging year in the...

Advice For Schools News

DfE Issues the New Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021 Guidance

As we have become accustomed to each year, summer sees the arrival of the updated Keeping Children...

Advice For Schools Music

A Music Perspective on Developing Subject-Specific CPD Strategies

Teachers should always have access to high-quality and engaging Continuing Professional Development (CPD)/professional learning to enable them...

Advice For Schools

Why Your School Should Prioritise Training and CPD This Year

As we enter into the last half term of this year, we inevitably reflect on what has...

Music Success Stories

The show had to go on…

In normal times, our team of 250 people would have been teaching music to 38,000 Birmingham schoolchildren...

Advice For Parents Advice For Schools Music

“Beautiful Tone, Beautiful Heart” – New Instructional Videos For String Players

“Beautiful tone, beautiful heart.” So said Sinichi Suzuki and we agree that finding and enjoying your own...

Advice For Parents Advice For Schools Music

SFE Summer Brass Academy Soloist Showcase

Welcome to our soloist showcase, which forms part of this year’s Summer Brass Academy! The performances have...

Advice For Schools Music

5 Reasons Why Music Should Be Important to Your School [VLOG]

At Services For Education, we know that music can be quite literally transformational for students, their families...

Music News

Going Global – our first steps…

One of the enduring memories of the pandemic will be the extent to which we have used...

Music News

Education Charity Chair Retires After Nine-Years’ Service

Martin Chitty, Chair of Birmingham-based Services For Education, is retiring from the role after nine years in...

Advice For Schools News

Services For Education Launch New Prospectus for Schools

Services For Education are really pleased to announce the launch of their new 2021/22 Prospectus: View and...

Advice For Schools

A Recovery Curriculum: Roadmap to Recovery

Publication of the Government roadmap for our journey out of lockdown gave a welcome sense of hope...

Advice For Schools Music

7 Ways to Make the Most of Whole Class Instrumental Teaching in Your School

‘At the age of nine I was given the chance to learn to play the violin. The...

Advice For Schools News

Re-imagining Disadvantage – Reflecting on the Past Year

Covid-19 has disrupted everything that we knew to be normal – the roll-out of the vaccine programme...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

4 Safeguarding Updates You Need to Know About This January

Happy New Year. I know it has been a rocky start, but here’s hoping for a better...

Advice For Schools

5 Ways to Promote the Emotional Wellbeing of Your Staff in the EYFS

We know that ‘emotional wellbeing’ is at the forefront of our minds when working with children in...

Advice For Parents Advice For Schools

8 Ways to Look After Yourself Over the Festive Period

I think it’s a pretty big understatement to say that 2020 didn’t turn out the way we...

Advice For Schools Music

7 Top Tips For Subject Leadership in Music

Music is one of the few subjects that combines the creative, physical, intellectual and emotional parts of...

Music News

Lifeline Grant is Music to the Ears of Birmingham Charity

Award-winning Birmingham-based Services For Education, whose continuing work with Birmingham schools during the pandemic has been widely...

Advice For Schools

Getting On-Entry Assessment ‘Right’ in the EYFS

We know that getting assessment right in the EYFS is important, but it is so crucial that...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

It’s Time for PSHE and RSE to Step into the Limelight…

For those of us working in the fields of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Relationships...

Advice For Schools News

SFE Guidance For Schools approved by the Public Health Department – Birmingham

Following the guidance released by the Department for Education, SFE have published our: SFE Guidance For Schools...

Advice For Parents Advice For Schools Music

Which Instrument Should You Learn? (Part 2)

SFE Music School are pleased to introduce our new, exciting videos! A couple of weeks ago, we...

Music News

New Year, New Options at the SFE Music School

Paul Douglas, the Head of the SFE Music School and Deputy Head of the Music Service reflects...

Advice For Schools

A Recovery Curriculum: Ready to Progress?

A key part of the return to school is how we create the best environment, not only...

Advice For Schools

Why is Effective Transition in EYFS So Important in these Unprecedented Times?

We know that ‘transition’ is a process not an event but why is it so important to...

Advice For Schools

A Recovery Curriculum – Beyond the Re-Opening of Schools

There has been much written and said about the need to prioritise the meeting of pupils’ social,...

Advice For Parents Advice For Schools Music

Which Instrument Should You Learn? [New Videos]

SFE Music School are pleased to introduce our new, exciting videos! These are designed to introduce you,...

Advice For Schools Safeguarding

Back to School: How Can We Best Support Children?

Journeys forward are always shaped by where you’ve been. The last three months have created a scenario...

Advice For Parents

Yum Yum Veg

Yum Yum Veg… these aren’t the usual words associated with eating vegetables … but why not? Even...

Advice For Parents Music

5 Steps to Re-energizing as a Brass Student

With the current social distancing measures across the country, brass students everywhere have had their usual musical...

Advice For Schools

5 Top Tips for Early Years (0-5) Teachers to Share with Parents

Being both a parent and teacher at this time has really made me reflect on what parents...

Music News

SFE Ensemble Members Update – May 2020

We thought it would be useful to share some updates with you from the SFE music team:...