be connected newsletter for education April 2019
In this edition we will connect you with a comprehensive selection of the very latest in legal updates, news and insight from the education sector.
In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the sector.
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Beyond system design - addressing the operational leadership challenges
We have recently published the latest report from our successful series of education sector roundtable events. We focused on the leadership challenges facing the sector and how the sector should respond to them.
Legal updates
Knife crime and school exclusions
Recent deaths following a wave of knife attacks has resulted in a renewed national focus on what more can be done to prevent the appalling escalation in knife-crime.
MAT summary evaluations
The scrutiny of multi-academy trust performance by Ofsted has undergone some 'operational changes'.
What duties do members of academy trusts have?
We are seeing increased interest and focus on the role and duties of members of academy trusts (Members). In this article, we review what duties they undertake and consider how these might be different from what they set out to be.
SEN admissions
A recent judicial review case taken by an academy trust against a local authority has provided some useful guidance for schools when dealing with requests to admit children with EHCPs.
Ofsted v Durand - outcome of the appeal
In 2017, we wrote about Durand Academy Trust’s (“Durand”) case against Ofsted and the High Court’s decision that Ofsted’s complaints procedure was unfair for those schools judged to require special measures or have serious weaknesses.
Schools and Raising Money for Charities
Times have changed and school fundraising is more high tech; Just Giving and GoFundMe accounts are common place. If you are raising money through either traditional or modern means, we consider the methods that you can continue to do so legally, and in compliance with charity law.
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The Schools Bill – law no more
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Recruiting school staff on a budget – top tips
Regardless of the outcome of ballots on industrial action, unless there is drastic change to funding for schools in relation to pay increases, it will be unusual to find any organisational budget that is not impacted by the current economic situation.
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Good governance essential to avoid falling foul of the ESFA
There’s been little evidence of interventions or financial management reviews this year and it appears the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has re-focussed on financial delivery. It’s also telling that there were no discernible changes to the reporting of financial irregularities in the Academies Trust Handbook 2022.
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Children's commissioner recommendations for SEND reform
The Children’s Commissioner, Rachel De Souza, has recently published a report “Beyond the labels: a SEND system which works for every child, every time”, which she intends to sit alongside the DfE’s SEND Review (2019) and SEND Green Paper (2022) and which she hopes will put children’s voices at the heart of the government’s review of SEND system.
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Top three training topics 2022-23
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Hair discrimination – stop pupils being unfairly singled-out for their appearance
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHCR) recently issued new, non-statutory guidance regarding the wearing of natural or protective hairstyles, specifically in reference to their representation in uniform, behaviour or standalone appearance policies.
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The role of benchmarking in setting pay in schools
Emma Hughes, head of HR services at Browne Jacobson, explains how CST’s updated executive pay report and the linked benchmarking service from XpertHR can help trust boards make robust decisions on pay.
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School complaint management - exploring a new way forward
There’s greater opportunity than ever for parents, carers and guardians to voice any concerns they have relating to their child’s education and for their concerns to be heard and to be taken seriously. While most staff in schools and academies are conscious of their legal duties relating to complaints management, many are struggling to cope with such a significant increase in the volume of complaints they must manage.
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