Wiltshire Council libraries are hosting a packed programme of family-friendly events this May, with baby and toddler sessions, free books and activities designed to support children’s early development alongside author talks and local history events. Families with young children are being encouraged to head to their local library, where Baby and Toddler mornings are taking...
Tag: Wiltshire Council
Wiltshire set to boost SEND provision with £4m investment
Wiltshire Council’s cabinet is set to consider accepting £4.08 million in capital funding from the Department for Education (DfE) to create new high-needs places for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the county. The funding would support a major expansion of specialist provision, helping more children access the support...
Car Seat Check Events
Parents, grandparents and other carers who carry babies or young children in their vehicles can have a free fitting check as well as independent advice on choosing and using the best seat for their child(ren), vehicle and family circumstances. 21 April: Morrisons, Warminster; 22 April: Morrisons, Devizes; 23 April: Lidl, Chippenham. Manufacturers Cybex will also...
Sheldon School in Chippenham recognised for support for young carers
Sheldon School in Chippenham has been formally recognised for its work supporting pupils with caring responsibilities after achieving the Young Carers in Schools Award. The award highlights the school’s proactive approach to identifying young carers early and making sure they receive the support they need throughout their education. Young carers are children and young people...
Free school holiday swimming for eligible children starts this Easter
Families across Wiltshire are being encouraged to dive right in this Easter, as free school holiday swimming returns for eligible children. Wiltshire Council has confirmed it will offer free swimming to all primary and secondary school pupils who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals, starting from the Easter holidays and continuing throughout the year....
Wiltshire schools urged to join Great British Spring Clean 2026
Schools across Wiltshire are being urged to take part in the Great British Spring Clean 2026, a nationwide campaign that invites local communities to help tackle litter and protect the environment. Running across the UK from 13–29 March 2026, the Great British Spring Clean is the country’s biggest mass litter-picking movement. Organised by Keep Britain...
Could fostering be your New Year’s resolution in 2026?
Wiltshire Council is urging local residents to make 2026 the year they transform a young person’s life by becoming a foster carer. As many families set resolutions for the year ahead, Wiltshire is asking people to consider a goal with life-changing impact – offering a safe and loving home to a child who cannot live...
Wiltshire families reminded to apply for September 2026 primary school places by 15 January
Wiltshire families are being reminded that there is just over a month left to apply for primary school places for children starting school in September 2026. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2026. Applications can be submitted online via Wiltshire Council’s website or by using a paper form available from the council’s Customer Services Team...
Wiltshire marks 16 Days of Action with focus on young people’s relationships
A campaign focusing on raising awareness of healthy and unhealthy relationships among under-18s and supporting the prevention of domestic abuse is being launched by Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council to mark this year’s 16 Days of Action campaign. Running from 25 November to 10 December, the campaign aims to help children and young people...
100 volunteers making a difference in young people’s lives in Wiltshire
Wiltshire Council is celebrating a significant milestone, with 100 Independent Visitors now matched with children and young people who are in care or have experienced care. Each volunteer offers kindness, consistency and a reliable presence in a young person’s life. The 100th volunteer to join the scheme is Sarah Atkinson, who has recently been matched...
Parents urged to apply for secondary school places before 31 October deadline
Wiltshire Council is reminding parents and carers of children currently in Year 6 that the deadline to apply for secondary school places for September 2026 is fast approaching. All applications must be submitted by Friday 31 October 2025 to ensure the best chance of securing a preferred school and parents and carers are encouraged to...
Wiltshire Council launches powerful new film highlighting the life-changing impact of foster carers
Wiltshire Council is celebrating the incredible difference that foster carers can make in a child’s life through a moving new short film, The Run, released this week. The film follows Tom, an 11-year-old boy whose love of running becomes a symbol of resilience and hope. At first, we see Tom running to escape — from...
Wiltshire Council shares new research that shows swimming boosts children’s wellbeing
Wiltshire families are being encouraged to make the most of local swimming lessons, as new research from Swim England’s #LoveSwimming campaign highlights the wide-ranging benefits for children’s wellbeing, confidence and learning. The findings show that swimming lessons offer far more than a vital life-saving skill. Parents reported that lessons help children build confidence, focus and...
Join Wiltshire Council webinar to discuss the support available for families of children struggling to attend school
Wiltshire Council is inviting parents and carers of children and young people experiencing Emotional Barriers to School Attendance (EBSA) to join a webinar this October, focused on ways to help them re-engage with their educational setting. This session will offer practical advice, highlight available support, and give parents and carers the chance to ask questions...
FUEL programme in Wiltshire celebrates summer success – and secures extended funding
More than 1,700 children and young people enjoyed fun, food and friendship through Wiltshire Council’s FUEL (Food, Unity, Energy, Laughter) holiday programme this summer. Funded by the Department for Education (DfE) since 2021, the scheme provides free access to activities, nutritious meals and healthy eating education for children eligible for benefit-related free school meals. Since...
Back to school: top tips to help children start the new school year with confidence
As the summer holidays come to an end and families are preparing for the return to school, Wiltshire Council is sharing practical advice to help children and young people settle in smoothly and start the year positively. Top tips to be ready for school include: Check immunisations If you are not sure your child has...
Story Garden Summer Reading Challenge launches across Wiltshire libraries
Wiltshire Council libraries are launching this year’s Summer Reading Challenge with a new theme – Story Garden – to help children aged 4 – 11 explore their imagination, build reading confidence, and discover the joy of books over the summer holidays. Children can sign up for free from ‘Super Sign-Up Saturday’ on 5 July, with...
Wiltshire Council launches creative poster competition to promote cleaner communities
Wiltshire Council is inviting young residents to get creative this summer with a brand-new art competition aimed at encouraging responsible dog ownership and keeping the county’s public spaces clean and welcoming for all. The ‘Leave only Pawprints competition, run by the council’s Dog Warden team, asks children aged 5 to 14 to design eye-catching posters...
Wiltshire Council takes to the roads to encourage more foster carers to come forward
Wiltshire Council’s fostering team is touring the county this Foster Care Fortnight asking people to take the leap and foster for their local council. Monday 12 May marks the start of Foster Care Fortnight with this year’s theme The Power of Relationships. The team will be joining key events, markets, shopping centres and libraries among...
Wiltshire Council commits to Taking Action on School Journeys programme
Wiltshire Council is helping more schoolchildren around the county to get to and from school safely, with its Taking Action on School Journeys programme. The programme, which is open to all Wiltshire schools with an up-to-date travel plan, offers grants to provide infrastructure such as cycle or scooter storage on school sites, as well as...
Young people from across Wiltshire have a try-mendous time at Bath Rugby
Wiltshire Council has partnered with the Bath Rugby Foundation to provide an unforgettable experience for young people from across Wiltshire. On Sunday 2 February, 22 young people from Salisbury and Trowbridge were at The Recreation Ground, home of Bath Rugby Club, for their match with Bedford Blues. The children, who enjoy the council’s weekly Doorstep...