Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 3rd October 2025

The link to the Online safety information can be found on the school website under the heading “Parent and carers area”, then “online safety” from the dropdown menu.

Positive Behaviour Workshops:

We use the PBS approach in school, and I received the following information which may be of interest to parent/carers:

“Skills for People charity is running Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Workshops for families. I am getting in touch as we have had spaces come up for our workshop starting in North Shields next week and thought you may have some families that are interested in attending.

These sessions are for parents or family carers who might be feeling a bit worried about their young person’s behaviour and want to come up with strategies to support them. We introduce PBS, talk about how all behaviour happens for a reason, and focus on a good quality of life for them and their loved ones.

They are ran by family carers like myself, so tend to be a really supportive space for attendees to come along and chat with people who understand how tricky these things can be at times, but are very much about understanding and supporting our wonderful young people to be themselves, not changing them. The workshops are free to attend, and we provide lunch (yay)! Booking is essential, and participants must attend all three sessions to complete the course.

Please note our funding criteria means the workshops are for parents or family carers who have a child or young person in their life (under 18) who is either autistic, has a learning disability, or is waiting for a diagnosis of either autism or a learning disability.

Our upcoming North Tyneside workshop will be at the Riverside Family Hub (Minton Lane, North Shields, NE29 6DQ) in October, but families are welcome to attend whichever location or sessions work best for them, they are not limited by their postcode, so I have attached a flyer with all our other upcoming dates too.

I would really appreciate your support in getting this out to those who may benefit, so thank you in advance. Feel free to pass this on, or post on your social media pages, and if anyone has any questions, they can contact me directly.”

See details below.

Useful Vision:

Useful Vision have a fab programme of events running this autumn with SOME spaces remaining!

Check out their post shared below with all the information on what is available plus booking link

LIMITED SPACES LEFT FOR ALL ACTIVITIES

Exciting adventures await this autumn Useful Vision !

From pumpkins to pantos and basketball — we’ve got some fab activities for visually impaired children & families across the North East.

The Urban Factory; South Shields

Based in Hebburn, The Urban Factory offers a bespoke training facility for Cheerleading, Tumbling and Parkour.

They have recently expanded their existing SEND sessions with staff who are experienced in working with children with additional needs.

We’ve got some BIG news…our TUF Ability programme is growing!

We have an exciting NEW SESSION to add to our TUF

Ability schedule on a Friday evening!

TUF Ability sessions are planned by Lindsay and Sharon who have extensive experience of working with children with additional needs.

Join us for TUF Ability every:

Wednesday – 1:00 – 2:15pm (Under 5’s)

Friday – 4:15 – 5:30pm (All primary school aged children)

Saturday – 12:30 – 1:45pm (All primary school aged children)

Don’t forget: Sessions are drop-in, there is no need to book, just £3.50 per child.

North East Family Fun:

Not SEN specific; visit their Facebook page for other ideas

 FREE Events in the North East for Kids & Teens this Weekend

4 & 5 October

North East England

4 Oct – (ad) FREE Drop In Radio Making Workshop at Blyth Pavilion

4 Oct – FREE Eco Fest at Sunderland Museum & Winter Garden

4 Oct- FREE Create an Egyptian Obelisk Model at Oriental Museum Durham

4 & 5 Oct – FREE Monster Trail with FREE Sweet Treat at Druridge Bay Country Park

4 & 5 Oct – FREE Ghost Trail with FREE Sweet Treat at Tyne Riverside Country Park

4 & 5 Oct – FREE Shildon Model Railway Exhibition at Locomotion

5 Oct – FREE Mini Train Rides in Exhibition Park (donations welcome)

Please visit my North East Family Fun website and click my ‘What’s On in October’ post for more info about these events + loads of ideas for things to do this month.

Always check details with venues direct before heading out as events can change.

Preston Park Playground

I’ve just noticed that it now has a changing place! Copied from North East Family Fun. I have checked the museum website, and a carer can go free but proof of eligibility is required. I would suggest checking with them as to what is required.

Preston Park Playground

This is a brilliant spacious playground which is fab for mixed ages groups.

There’s something for everyone from tyre swings and tree top climbing frames and nets to tube slides, toddler swings, accessible equipment, see-saws, boppers and sensory play. There’s a sand pit with diggers too.

I love the new communication board!

The on -site cafe overlooks the playground and has received a makeover so is nice and fresh and there are toilets including a changing places toilet (9am – 5:30pm).

Loads of green space to run around and gorgeous views across Tees Valley.

Free parking and a bus stop outside/ 12 min walk from Eaglescliffe Railway Station.

You’ll also find a skate park, mini railway, woodland walk, butterfly world and Preston Park Museum on site so it’s very easy to make a day of it (check opening hours and admission charges).

Postcode TS18 3RH

Beacon Hill Film Academy

I am just emailing to let you know that our BFI Film Academy course starts at the end of October and time is running out to apply for a FREE place.

The FREE filmmaking course is open to SEND young people (16-19 or adults 20-25 with an EHCP or equivalent)

Places are limited so they must apply for a place by attending one of our taster sessions – must be booked in advance.

I’ve also attached a flyer to this email to share, if you can help us to spread the word via your networks.

Please contact me if you have any questions

Donation:

This week we received a very generous donation from the family of a former colleague. We will have discussions to ensure that it is spent in a way that benefits all students and is in line with the families wishes. More details to follow.

100 Club.

Finally hoping that the forms to join the 100 club go out this week. Please consider joining and inviting your friends and family to do so too. £12 = entry into 12 draws, done in 2 batches of 6. 50% of takings go to support FoPHS, the remaining 50% is divided by 12 = a winning cash payment. 100 numbers taken = £600 for FoPHS and £50 for each of the 12 winning numbers.

You can pay by cash, BACS, cheque or QR code. If choosing QR, remember to reset the “tip” to justgiving to zero at the checkout.

Christmas cards: Thank you for your orders. Here are a few examples of the students work.

 Facebook page:

This is a closed group for family and friends of Percy Hedley School, where you can share news and updates about school life. It is not for external professionals who may be working with families. To join, you need to answer the question stating your link with school.

Please note: this group is for sharing news and updates about school life and is not intended to discuss any issues around individual students, and as such all comments are moderated. If you have a particular issue or concern, please contact school directly on 0191 216 1811