Latest news - January 2025
Welcome Back to a Bright New Year!
We hope you had a restful and joyful break with your families and loved ones. As we step into 2025, we are filled with excitement and anticipation for the year ahead.
Our 1decision team is especially eager to embark on new initiatives, and we're thrilled to share that our CEO, Hayley Sherwood, is at the forefront of the inspiring Lessons4Life campaign. Mark your calendars for the 21st of January, when Lessons4Life will be making its mark at the Houses of Parliament. If you haven’t yet joined us in supporting this impactful campaign, you can explore the four key recommendations and learn how we're advocating for greater support for schools here.
This year, we have even more exciting plans in store! Expect new content tailored for primary schools, an array of assemblies to inspire and engage pupils, and additional resources for nurture groups. As always, we remain dedicated to supporting schools through both our free service and our subscription service, ensuring we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Let’s make 2025 a year to remember!
The 1decision Team
Supporting Pupils in Settling Back to School
Attention all Primary Schools!
After a break from school, we understand how children can return dysregulated and therefore it's vital we have the tools in place to engage pupils and reinforce positive behaviour. Specifically designed to aid your school’s behaviour curriculum, we have created four assemblies featuring interactive videos, each with the aim of supporting pupils to:
• Prepare for the school day
• Behave respectfully
• Feel safe
• Act responsibly
One for you or a fellow educator? Check out these assemblies in the Assembly Portal within your 1decision account now!
Children's Mental Health Week
Children’s Mental Health Week is next month, and our team are working hard in the studio to create engaging content for this year’s theme: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself.
This assembly will be available for customers and non-customers. For more information, see page 3.
Programme Updates
New Notifications Tab
Discover the new notifications tab within your 1decision school account! Stay informed with the latest updates, resources, and announcements all in one place. Head over to the Notifications tab today to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
Topics by Year Group
Schools can now navigate 1decision topics more easily for individual year groups, with our new dedicated section within the Primary portal area.
Why Have We Made This Update?
Whilst we have always provided support for individual year group delivery, we introduced this new area to make planning easier and more intuitive for teachers. By organising topics by year group, we aim to provide clearer guidance on when to teach each topic, ensuring lessons are age-appropriate and aligned with curriculum goals. This helps you to deliver the best learning experience for your pupils.
Don’t worry, if you’re familiar with navigating the topics within modules, this still remains accessible which gives you full flexibility to utilise 1decision however you wish.
Our Partner Updates
Lessons4Life Are Heading to the House of Lords!
On the 21st January, members of the Lessons4Life team will join decisionmakers and MPs at the heart of our government to advocate for the prioritisation of personal development and PSHE in education.
They will be highlighting the urgent need for increased funding and support to help schools deliver better outcomes for children.
As we complete our research and prepare the white paper to underscore the significance of this initiative, we encourage schools to take action by signing the petition and lending their voice to this vital cause.
The Lessons4Life Podcast
A Must for PSHE Leads!
Last month, we unveiled a very exciting podcast series powered by 1decision. Hosted by the delightful Gabby and Marnie, aged 8 and 10, this series brings a fresh perspective as the duo interviews professionals from across the country to explore why PSHE is such a crucial part of education. With their curiosity and charm, Gabby and Marnie are sparking important conversations that engage listeners of all ages.
This January, we’re thrilled to launch episodes featuring the brilliant Ross McGill, widely known as Teacher Toolkit, and Pete Read from Persona. These insightful discussions promise to inspire and inform, showcasing the importance of personal development in schools.
Don’t forget to share your feedback and let us know who you’d love to see the girls interview next – perhaps Becky Francis? Your suggestions could help shape our future episodes!
Listen to the Lessons4Life Podcast on YouTube or Spotify. TO FIND OUT MORE Click here TO
Sector News
Better Resilience is the Solution
A recent BBC article discusses the increasing emphasis on building resilience among children to address rising mental health concerns.
Experts suggest that while awareness of mental health issues has grown, fostering resilience is crucial for young people's well-being.
They advocate for a balanced approach that combines mental health literacy with resilience-building strategies, emphasising the role of supportive communities, schools, and families.
Click here to read the full article
Unpicking the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill
The latest blog from the Children's Commissioner highlights necessary improvements to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
It welcomes the school attendance register but calls for stronger protections, including regulating illegal care placements, improving safeguards against assaults on children, and ensuring better support for home-educated pupils.
The Commissioner also advocates for schools to become statutory safeguarding partners and emphasises the need for a childfriendly version of the Bill to stress the prioritisation of children’s rights, safety, and voices in future legislation.
Click here to read the full blog.
Key Insights on Ofsted Reform from Sir Martyn Oliver
A Schools Week round-up outlines key takeaways from Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver’s discussion with MPs on proposed inspection reforms.
He supports replacing one-word ratings with detailed report cards focusing on leadership, curriculum, and inclusivity.
Oliver emphasises safeguarding should be judged as "met or not met" rather than with qualitative terms. He highlights serious issues in the SEND system, advocating its reform over increased safeguarding checks.
Additionally, he opposes a fully independent complaints process, citing burdens on schools.
These insights may shape future Ofsted policy.
Click here to read the full insights.
Current 1decision Catalogue
Packed with hundreds of engaging resources, videos and lesson plans, our 1decision catalogue is ready and waiting to help support you in teaching and developing young minds.
Children's Mental Health Week Assembly
1decision are currently finalising a free assembly for schools to use during Place2Be's Children's Mental Health Week in February.
This year's theme is 'Know Yourself, Grow Yourself' and the assembly will provide children with the opportunity to think about how they might like to grow this year - whether that's taking up a new hobby, practicing mindfulness, or becoming more confident.
To be the first to find out when the assembly goes live, complete the registration form here.
In the Spotlight Special Offers
Pearson National Teaching Awards 2024
We’re pleased to share that The Willow on Broadwaters in Haringey, who have been a loyal customer of 1decision since 2018, have some very special news in the form of Headteacher Dawn Ferdinand! Dawn was recently awarded Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School at the Pearson National Teaching Awards 2024.
Dawn told her local press; “I feel truly honoured to have achieved the Gold Award, especially knowing there are countless headteachers across the country doing remarkable things. As I mentioned on The One Show, it is my ‘village’ of pupils and their families, my incredible staff, my friends and family that share the credit for my success. Most of all I’m thrilled to have achieved this for the Broadwater Farm community. It’s for them that I raise this award high and shout from the rooftops ‘Look what we have achieved!’.”
Read more about Dawn and her success here
Do you have an inspirational story you'd like to share?
Get in touch today: info@1decision.co.uk
Dates for your calendar
January 2025
15th – World Religion Day
24th – International Day of Education 27th – International Chocolate Cake day (a 1decision office favourite)
February 2025
3rd - 9th - Children's Mental Health Week
6th - Time to Talk Day 11th - Safer Internet Day
14th - International Book Giving Day 17th – Random Acts of Kindness Day
Introduce us to your cluster group! Share 1decision resources to receive a £150 voucher for your school. Face-to-face cluster groups require a minimum of five schools.
Refer a school and earn £75! If you’re a fan of what we do and recommend our award-winning resources to schools and trusts, they’ll benefit from a 10% discount and you will receive a £75 Amazon voucher!
Visit: www.1decision.co.uk/ recommendation for more.
Half Price Early Years when added to your Primary programme!
Take advantage of our latest interactive games and create the building blocks for PSHE with this offer.
Contact info@1decision.co.uk for more details.
Claim 50% funding for SchoolTV subscription.
Take PSHE to the next level by adding SchoolTV to your personal development programme.