Noticeboard - 22 May 2025

Welcome to this week's noticeboard containing a message from Dr Sue Harrison; Oracle Transition for Schools, Schools Finance and Equal Pay Programme Updates and more. Wishing you a relaxing and well-deserved half-term break.

Included in this week's noticeboard:

Message from Dr Sue Harrison, Executive Director of Children and Families

Dear colleagues

We hope this message finds you well.

We understand how incredibly busy this time of year is for schools, and it’s become clear that many of you have found it difficult to commit to attending our upcoming headteacher event. With that in mind – and with your priorities at the forefront – we’ve made the decision to postpone the event to a later date in 2025.

We want to extend our sincere thanks to those schools who had already signed up. We truly appreciate your support and enthusiasm, and we’re sorry for any disappointment this change may cause.

Our aim is to ensure that as many of you as possible are able to benefit from the event, and we’ll be in touch soon with a new date that we hope will better suit your calendars.

Thank you for your understanding and continued engagement.

With my very best wishes for a relaxing and well-deserved half-term break.

Sue

Dr Sue Harrison - Executive Director of Children and Families

Oracle Transition for Schools

A  link to a recording and accompanying slides from the Headteacher/School Business Manager Drop-in session on Wednesday, 21 May can be found here: HT/SBM Drop in session - 21 May 2025.

The meeting was attended by a number of BCC leaders and officers from areas impacted by the Oracle transition, as well as those involved in the ongoing statutory responsibilities that 番茄社区 City Council retains as the employer. We want to ensure you have prompt access to the recording, which contains valuable insights and a helpful Q&A session.

The latest updates can be found at the following links: 

For any queries or further information please contact the team at oracleschoolsrelationship@birmingham.gov.uk and they will be pleased to assist.

Thank you for your ongoing support. 

Schools Finance

Schools banking with Barclay's Stop Cheque Process 

Should your School bank with Barclay's, the LA are supporting with the processing and monitoring of Cheques that require a stop for any reason. 

Please use the document in the below, to complete for a Cheque Stop and return it to the team at schoolsfinance@birmingham.gov.uk with the subject line 'stop cheque' followed by School name.

/downloads/file/30311/barclays_stopped_cheque_template

App Levy Payments in Schools

Schools alongside pension contributions and payroll, are required to pay into the Apprentice Levy. Please ensure your payroll providers are aware, and align the correct PAYE code to your school. 

Guidance on App Levy pay is available in the below downloadable link: /downloads/file/30342/apprenticeship_levy_responsibilities_for_schools

If you have any questions about the App Levy, please reach out to earlycareers@birmingham.gov.uk

Schools Closing Balances 2024/25

An Updated version of the link previously provided (15.05.2025) is below.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank schools for embracing the new year end process, timetable and attending the drop-in sessions.  The overall process has been remarkably successful and would not have been possible without schools being on board.

We are now able to confirm the closing balances for both revenue and capital for all maintained schools, nurseries and the PRU. 
Where workbooks did not balance, where possible, BCC will have made adjustment(s) against CFR code I08 and E19.

The year end closing balances are provided here: /downloads/download/6775/schools_carry_forward_cfr_2024_to_2025_balances

Guidance on how to interpret the tabs is provided within the document and should be read in conjunction with the closing figures. 

Local Finance Systems at schools
Schools must ensure that their final closing balance within their local finance system mirrors the closing balances provided by BCC.  Any differences will need be identified in 2025/26 and colleagues in BCC Education Finance can support you to do this. 

Submitting the CFR to the Department for Education
BCC will shortly be submitting closing balance for each school to the Department for Education (DfE).  The closing balances for 2024/25 are now final and cannot change.  Any differences will need to be picked up in 2025/26.

Equal Pay Programme 

Update for Schools where BCC is the Employer

Proposed Reshaped Pay and Grading Structure

Governing Body Meetings and Decisions:

Many thanks to colleagues for your support with seeking Governing Body Approval for BCC’s proposed reshaped pay and grading structure.

We have asked schools to complete two separate Microsoft forms:

Form 1: 

This is to let us know when your Governing Body is meeting to discuss the proposal and we have the vast majority of returns. Many thanks to you all. For those who have not notified us, we would be very grateful if you could complete the very short form using the link above.

Form 2:

This is to record the outcome of your Governing Body discussion. The form initially appears to only have 5 questions but further questions will appear once you have completed the top section! If you have met but have not yet returned the form, please do so using the link above.

Payroll Provider Updates:

We have asked that schools do not approach payroll providers at this time regarding proposed changes to the pay and grading structure. This is intended to reduce workload for schools and to avoid crossed wires regarding implementation of the proposed changes.

We are in dialogue with payroll providers and will be issuing a specification that outlines in detail the changes, in order for them to be able to fulfil school instruction once we have both collective agreement and Governing Body Agreement.

Our aim is to do all we can to minimise workload for schools, especially given the hard work already being undertaken to make the transition to your new providers. Once we have clarity on individual payroll provider requirements we will be able to update you on next steps.

If you are approached by your payroll provider with queries or concerns, please signpost them to eppschools@birmingham.gov.uk and we will follow up directly with them.

Job Evaluation

School Meetings:

As shared through Headteacher Forums, consortia and Headteacher meetings, we will be scheduling small group meetings with Heads and Business Managers / JE Leads to take place next half term. We will be in touch after the half term break with further details.

Thank you all again for your support during what will have been an incredibly intense half term. Wishing you all rest and relaxation over Half Term.

Eid-ul-Adha and Exams

This year, Eid-ul-Adha will fall during the exam period. Whilst we appreciate this is a time for religious observance for many pupils and staff, full attendance for exams remains mandatory as exam boards do not offer alternative arrangements for religious holidays.

Thank you for the continued support schools provide in ensuring all Year 11 students are present and well supported during this crucial examination period. 

For more information on Eid-ul-Adha please visit: 

Early Education Entitlement

Termly Census Claims

This notice applies to all providers of early years funded (Early Education Entitlement) places - Maintained Schools and Nurseries, Independent Schools and Academies.

Every term you are required to submit your early years child data onto Collect for your Census submission.

Your final DFE authorised Census submission is used to calculate your early years payments so it is imperative that you submit your claim in full and accurately.

You must ensure that all children have the correct number of funded hours recorded against them. Children with zero funded hours against them (even if you have recorded a number of hours at the setting) will not receive any funding - we can only calculate funding where there are funded hours recorded.

For working entitlement claims you will need to submit their eligibility codes. You must ensure any codes are eligible for the term you are claiming the working hours. To ensure a code is eligible you must validate the code on ECS:  

For children eligible for the 2 year disadvantaged funding, Free School Meals and EYPP you must have eligible codes recorded on the signed parent declaration forms. We may request these codes to confirm eligibility.

The terms and conditions of funding detailed in the EEE Provider Agreement, as well as information about working entitlement claims, checking eligibility and the parent declaration forms, can be found on EYMIS:

  • Username: PVI2 (please note this is a capital i not the number one)
  • Password: PVI2year (please note this is a capital i not the number one)

If you have any queries about funded places please email earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk

Tax Free Childcare - are you signed up?

As a childcare provider you can help childcare to be more affordable for parents. If you sign up to be a Tax Free Childcare Provider, parents can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of their children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year).

Childcare providers need to be registered with a regulatory body e.g. Ofsted or the DFE

To sign up to tax free childcare providers should visit: 

It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete your registration.

Once a provider has signed up to tax free childcare a parent would be able to find them on the system within approximately 2 working days and can then pay the provider direct from their tax free childcare account. 

What do you need?

To sign up you should be the main contact for your business. You’ll be able to set up a ‘delegate’ to manage your account for you during the process.

You’ll need your:

  • 11-digit user ID from your invitation letter
  • bank account details
  • your business postcode (the one registered with your regulator, for example Ofsted / DFE)

Letters with the 11-digit user ID are sent out automatically by HMRC when settings register with their regulatory body e.g. Ofsted.

If you did not get a letter or have lost it please contact the HMRC helpline – 0300 123 4097

Parents should be signposted to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk for information about how they can sign up to receive tax free childcare:   

Parents can use tax free childcare with the 15 hours and 30 hours schemes.

Wraparound Childcare

番茄社区 All Schools and Wraparound Care Providers!

Are you looking to connect with others in the education and childcare sector? We're compiling a comprehensive list of schools and wraparound care providers who are interested in being contacted by potential partners.

By adding your details, you'll open doors to new collaborations, opportunities, and valuable connections. Whether you're looking to host a provider in your school to deliver wraparound care 番茄社区 or you’re a provider looking for a base location, this is the perfect chance to get involved!

Sign up today to be included!

  • To add your details to the list, please select the relevant form. Closing date 13th June 2025.
  • Let’s build a strong, supportive community together!

For further details please contact WAC@番茄社区.gov.uk

Neurodivergence Deep Dive

FAO: SENCo/Headteachers/Teachers/Teaching Assistants

番茄社区 Council’s Public Health Division are completing a Neurodivergence Deep Dive (in-depth needs assessment) focusing on health and wellbeing inequalities associated with ADHD, autism, dyscalculia, dyslexia, and dyspraxia in 番茄社区.

Each deep dive includes lived experience and an analysis of local and national strategies, data, 番茄社区, and epidemiology, considering wider determinants of health such as education, employment, and transport. The aim is to identify unmet needs, any gaps in provision, or inequalities, while highlighting examples of best practice. The research is used to develop recommendations for action, each owned by a relevant stakeholder (e.g., wider council, NHS, West Midlands Combined Authority).

Lived experience is vital to each deep dive as it provides personal insights, a voice to individuals who are seldom heard, and helps to create meaningful and informed recommendations. For the neurodivergence deep dive, the perspectives of educational professionals are invaluable, so we would greatly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts through our Professionals (e.g., educational professionals) BeHeard Questionnaire by Friday, 27 June 2025: .

Thank you in advance for contributing your thoughts and helping to make a difference!

Help Shape the Future of Work Permits for Young Performers in 番茄社区!

We’re currently redesigning the 番茄社区 City Council’s work permit process – moving from paper forms to a new, streamlined online system. This process is essential for children who take part in work such as acting, modelling, or other performance-related roles.

To make sure the new system works well for everyone, we’re looking for:

  • Teachers and Headteachers who are involved in supporting work permit applications
  • Parents whose children may need a work permit for performance-related work

Your insights will help us create a smoother, more user-friendly experience for families, schools, and employers.

What’s Involved?

  • A 45-minute one-to-one online session via Microsoft Teams
  • You’ll preview the new online form and share your thoughts
  • Sessions are available on the following dates and we’ll arrange a time that’s convenient to you: Monday 2 June; Tuesday 3 June; Wednesday 4 June

We’d really appreciate it if you could also share this opportunity with parents at your school.

Interested or have questions? Contact: Indu.Kaila@birmingham.gov.uk

Thank you for helping us improve this important service!

Bursaries Available to Train Peer Mediators in Primary Schools

is a small West Midlands based educational charity dedicated to sharing skills and strategies to grow peace in schools and communities.  They have nearly 40 years’ experience equipping pupils and the adults who work with them with the skills, knowledge and attitudes to build peace.  

They’re offering training with significant bursaries to help schools set up a Peer Mediation Plus scheme in Autumn 2025/Spring 2026. Peer mediation is conflict resolution for young people by young people. On offer is:

  • A workshop for the year group(s) mediators will be selected from, exploring what mediation is.
  • Three full days of training for up to 24 children selected to become mediators. They are trained to mediate disputes that happen in the playground. This means staff spend less time responding to problems that arise and creates a more peaceful school environment. The trained mediators develop skills for life, which ripple through the school.
  • This scheme also includes training for lunchtime and classroom staff about mediation and conflict resolution, in order to ensure maximum success of your scheme.

For more details visit  or contact Libbs Packer at Libbs@peacemakers.org.uk

German Career Roadshow - University of 番茄社区 - 12 June 2025

What (professional) opportunities are there if you learn German at school or university? German Studies at the University of 番茄社区, in partnership with the Goethe-Institut, is hosting a German Career Roadshow on 12th June 2025, a free event taking place on our main Edgbaston campus. The event provides insight into the relevance of German in professional life. 

The Career Roadshow is open to all and will feature a Careers Fair with representatives of German and international companies and organisations, talks on careers with German in Germany and the UK, information and advice on studying German at university, as well as dedicated sessions for teachers of German.

School students and their teachers are especially welcome.

Registrations are still open for the afternoon session (1.30 pm - 4.45 pm). Please follow the link to register:  or for further details contact Nadine Sturm at n.sturm@bham.ac.uk

This entry was posted by Jaspal Shambi on 19/05/2025.