be connected newsletter for education - September 2020
In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the sector.
In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the sector.
be connected is your space – it is important that the mix of content offers you real value and relevant, useful information. Please help us to help you by providing feedback and comments. What would you like to see featured in the newsletter – and would you like to be part of a future edition – click here to let us know!
Legal updates
Summer 2020 examination results – managing student/parental concerns
Following the A-Level and GCSE results being based on centre assessed grades (CAGs) and made available to students, Ofqual updated its guidance on appeals and concerns about malpractice.
Staffing Matters
To help you navigate the people challenges during this unprecedented period, Head of HR Services Emma Hughes and Mandy Coalter, Founder of Talent Architects have put together this guidance.
It draws upon the experience and practice of many schools preparing for full opening in September 2020 and covers the key staffing matters that may result as schools prepare to fully re-open.
New Keeping Children Safe statutory guidelines come into force
On Tuesday the 2020 Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance came into force. In this short summary, Senior HR Consultant Gill Martindale outlines the key changes that you need to be aware of and puts forward five recommendations to keep your pupils safe.
Managing pupil behaviour
The majority of pupils have returned to school, it may well seem a very different place and adapting to being back in a school setting will not come easily to some. Experiences during lockdown may well have impacted on behaviour and this may present on return to school.
‘Test and Trace’ managing data in times of Covid-19
As schools reopen for pupils and staff, a number of questions are being raised concerning steps that must be taken should an individual who has been on the school site be confirmed positive for Coronavirus.
New year, new academies financial handbook
On 1 September 2020 the latest iteration of the Academies Financial Handbook (AFH) came into force. Use this opportunity to go beyond the headline technical changes and reflect on how your trust is doing on the underlining issues that the changes seek to address.
The fiduciary duties of academy trusts members
In advance of our October Webinar on effective Boards, we revisit this article published by Nick MacKenzie earlier in the summer that looks at the limits of trust members powers.
Consultation continues on Schools Admissions Code
It’s not too late to have your say on the latest School Admissions Code; the guidance which clarifies and seeks to improve the school admissions process where children are admitted to school in-year.
10-month CPD programme for DPO’s starting soon
With the first three cohorts of our new DPO development course due to start on the 14th September, it’s not too late to sign-up. Delivered by our GDPR expert Dai Durbridge, the virtual course covers everything DPOs need to keep themselves up to date throughout the year.
Webinars and online events
Back to School webinar series
As a follow up to our Back to School webinar series, our HR and legal experts outline the four things you must do in preparation for the re-opening of your schools. We also discuss the use of PPE in the classroom and reiterate the importance of good listening and communication skills.
Available online - watch, share and keep informed today.
- Health and Safety musts - with Steph McGarry
- Communicate well and listen to your staff – with Ian Deakin
Looking back, moving forward - a celebration of the 150th anniversary of state education
Online event - 14th September 2020
Join the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Gavin Williamson, Dame Julia Cleverdon, Sir Michael Barber and the recently appointed President of the CBI Lord Karan Bilimoria to launch a year of celebration for those delivering education.
A reflection on education policy – a unique discussion with 12 former Secretaries of State
Online event - 17th September 2020
Hosted by the BBC’s Education Correspondent Branwen Jefferys special guests including Baroness Nicky Morgan, Kenneth Clarke QC, Michael Gove, Justine Greening and Lord David Blunkett will come together to reflect on past successes of education, the unintended consequences of past policy, and to envision what still remains to be done.
Effective Board and Members meetings; Covid-19 and beyond
Webinar - 6th October 2020
Education Partners, Nick MacKenzie and Dominic Swift, discuss the approach to members and board meetings in the 'new normal', considering the benefits of virtual meetings.
Back to School – September planning webinar
Schools in England were closed other than to the children of key workers and children who are classified as vulnerable from 20th March as part of the management of the coronavirus pandemic. As part of the relaxation of lockdown measures many primary schools in England began a phased reopening for pupils from 15th June.
Join us where members of the Education team will be discussing the key legal and HR issues facing schools planning for reopening in September.
HR and education policies for academy trusts
Complete set of statutory education and HR policies for £1,750 with optional annual update service.
Follow us
Legal and HR services for education LinkedIn page
Stay up to date with news and insights from our specialist lawyers and HR consultants.
You may be interested in...
Online Event
Wellbeing and financial considerations – practical solutions for challenging times
Legal Update
be connected - Spring 2023
Legal Update
Teacher strikes – lessons learnt so far
Opinion
Can toilet facilities amount to sex discrimination?
Legal Update
New support launched to manage school complaints
Legal Update
Cyber security and data breaches
Legal Update
#EdCon2023 virtual event hailed a success
Online Event
Flexible working in schools webinar
Legal Update
What does the new Provider Access Legislation mean for schools?
Legal Update
High Court dismisses Welsh RSE right to withdraw claim
Opinion
Term-time school worker entitled to national minimum wage for unworked basic hours
On-Demand
Industrial action essentials: what you need to know
Legal Update
Education Software Solutions Limited breaks against the CMA’s intervention: A victory for freedom and flexibility in contracting for MIS services
Legal Update
Safeguarding at scale report published
Legal Update
Trade unions announce plans to re-ballot members
Legal Update
Widespread industrial action now confirmed for schools
Legal Update
Industrial action and minimum service levels within education
Opinion
Consultation on holiday entitlement – part-year and irregular workers
Guide
FAQs - converting to academy status
Guide
FAQs - becoming a sponsored academy
Guide
FAQs - becoming an academy sponsor
Guide
FAQs – single academy joining a MAT
Legal Update
EdCon2023 launch: Thursday 12 January
Legal Update
The importance of understanding the transitional provisions under the Electronic Communications Code
Legal Update
Biodiversity Net Gain: positive for nature and an opportunity for landowners
Legal Update
Discrimination comes of age
Guide
#EdCon2023: Access a range of expert guidance and resources at our FREE virtual conference
Legal Update
be prepared for the 2022-23 academic year
Legal Update
Teacher Pay Survey 2022
Opinion
Rising Employment Tribunal backlog
Legal Update
The Schools Bill – law no more
In July, we published an update on the Schools Bill with the news that the proposed legislation relating to new academy standards and extended intervention powers for academy trusts would be removed. Last week, we received broader news of the dropping of the Bill, with education secretary Gillian Keegan announcing that it will not reach its third reading in the House of Lords.Legal Update
be connected newsletter for schools - Winter 2022
Guide
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.
Guide
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.
Legal Update
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.
Legal Update
Coming of age
Official statistics show that 15,336 claims which included a complaint of age discrimination were received at the Employment Tribunals between March 2020 and March 2021.
Legal Update
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.
Opinion
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.
Legal Update
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.
