KALE Update - Wednesday 30th September 2026
REPRESENTING
SEND
The updated KALE website aims to articulate our specific role in ‘Supporting leaders to drive change in the SEND system’. Your feedback would be greatly welcomed.
The SEND and Inclusion Working Group met recently. You can find a copy of the minutes here. In summary, the group talked about:
- School Inclusion Strategies
All schools will develop their own statements but there will be support. KCC are running a ‘Writing Your Inclusion Strategy’ webinar on 8th October. This is one in a programme of webinars being provided by KCC, details of which are on Kelsi here . The webinar will be recorded so that it can be watched to inform discussions at Community of Schools meetings in the autumn term. - Update on the KCC Area Inspection and Local Area SEND Reform Plan
The Area Inspection report was published on 18th September. KCC have not yet had feedback from DfE on the Area Reform Plan submitted in July. - Experts at Hand
A small group of leaders have been invited by KCC to a meeting on 1st October to begin the process of developing the model and the process for development - Funding models
Colleagues expressed their frustrations about the lack of clarity on next steps regarding the proposed funding bandings and the pressure on schools to meet need without resource. A group of leaders (signatories on recent letter led by David Whitehead) are hoping to meet with Craig Chapman shortly to discuss the points raised in the letter. - Priority issues facing schools
Members of the working group began to identify the key challenges around which KALE can support by seeking clarity and involvement in decision-making. These include:
- Year R transition
- Funding models
- Last minute directions
- SRP funding complexity
- Experts at Hand model development, including Health service engagement
- Delays in getting responses from KCC to questions raised
- Impact on staff well-being of the current position and uncertainty
- Excessive cost of NMISS
Leaders from KALE and KSENT followed the working group with a meeting with Craig Chapman on 17th September. The whole-day meeting was initiated with the intention of defining the ways in which the sector and KCC may work more productively together to manage change. It was a wide-ranging meeting, during which the priority issues were shared, and we are now working on an update to share with everyone as soon as possible.
You can learn more about KALE’s work on SEND, as part of our Strategic Priorities 2026/27, here.
CONNECTING
KALE Annual Conference
You may have noticed that we’re not inundating you with KALE Conference promotion, as we usually would be at this time of year.
We are very sorry to announce that we will not be hosting our annual conference this year. After some careful consideration, it was agreed with the increasing financial pressures in schools, we are unable to run our usual conference in a way which is affordable for all school leaders to attend. The good news, however, is that there are plans in development for new, focused and affordable sessions throughout the year for colleagues to come together.
We look forward to sharing details in the near future.
KALE/GLP/Ifield School Inclusion Breakfast
KALE, GLP (Gravesham Learning Partnership) and Ifield School successfully hosted their first collaborative event.
Colleagues were greeting with breakfast refreshments, which included granola bars freshly prepared by the Link-19 College students.
We also heard from a number of local speakers, who each shared some of their work, which can support both special and mainstream schools in the Area.
- Imago
- Dandelion Time
- Kooth
- Kent EP Service
- Estuary Academy
- Early Help
- PRG
- Mandy Braisted - Ifield School
- Adam Lowing - GLP
- Chris Norwood – KALE
Click here to view the PPT slides from the morning.
SUPPORTING
Welcome to KALE Webinar
KALE are delighted to welcome colleagues to a short webinar to reintroduce ourselves. Hear about the work of KALE, learn more about your representatives, how we support colleagues across Kent, as well as our priorities for this academic year.
Please click here to register for this free webinar.
New Headteacher Welcome Event
We are delighted to once again co-host a new Headteachers welcome event with KCC, on 2nd October 2026 at Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel, Maidstone.
The first part of the morning (8.15am-11.15am) will be hosted by KCC and the second part (from 11.30am - 12.30pm) by members of KALE.
Please note: You are most welcome to join the KALE event, even if you do not attend the KCC event beforehand. Together these sessions are an opportunity to meet and network with other Headteachers and to explore how both KCC and KALE can support you.
The KALE session will be a great opportunity to:
- Hear more about the KALE community, how you can connect with colleagues and how they can support you.
- Meet other new HTs and share experiences of early Headship.
- Sign up for coaching support and network sessions available to you through KALE.
- Consider how to get the most from working with your mentor.
- Learn more about the broader professional development offer open to you.
The overall purpose is to ensure that every new Headteacher feels welcomed, valued and engaged as members of KALE. The event is open to anyone appointed since January 2026 and includes those new to headship as well as those appointed to a new school. We do hope you will join us at the welcome event.
All newly appointed headteachers since January 2026 should have been contacted by both KALE and KCC, however if you, or you know of someone who may have been missed, please contact us. You can read a copy of the KALE welcome letter, here.
Menopause Ambassador Training
Thursday 15th October 2026, 3.00pm-4.00pm
Online
Back by popular demand, KALE is hosting another cohort of Menopause Ambassador Training.
We are delighted to welcome back Sally Bolton, a health and fitness coach, specialising in menopause health and accredited by Henpicked.
This online training is designed to educate a small number of employees to become Ambassadors within their organisation.
The role of a Menopause Ambassador;
- Act as a point of contact and promote staff wellbeing
- Inform and educate about signs and symptoms
- Signpost staff to support
- Share experiences and de-mystify the menopause
- Create a healthy culture and de-mystify the menopause
Spaces are limited, so don’t delay booking!
Click here to learn more, and how to book
World Menopause Month
October is World Menopause Month. The month is dedicated to increasing understanding of menopause as a natural life stage and addressing its associated health challenges, promoting support available and combating stigma; breaking the taboo and misinformation surrounding menopause, promoting open discussion and better health and wellbeing.
The KALE Menopause Working Group have collated some useful facts and resource links (attached) for you to share with your staff. Why not pop this on your staff notice board?
KALE are dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing in the workplace and are pleased to offer a range of free resources to help schools support staff members navigating menopause
By providing tools that educate and raise awareness, KALE aims to foster an empathetic and informed school environment where staff can thrive despite the challenges menopause might bring.
Click here to view some of the key resources offered by KALE
Partner Updates
Leigh Academy Trust Update
The latest LAT update can be viewed here.
Gravesham Learning Partnership Updates
Details of upcoming GLP events can be found here. Please note that these events are all open to non GLP members for a small fee.
Important Dates - Term 1
KALE North & West Area Board Meetings | 29th September 2026
KALE East & South Area Board Meetings | 30th September 2026
Welcome to KALE Webinar | 1st October 2026
KALE/KCC New Headteacher Welcome Event | 2nd October 2026
National Headteacher Association Network Meeting | 13th October 2026