be connected newsletter for higher education - April 2021
In this edition of our higher education newsletter, we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the higher education sector.
Welcome to be connected our quarterly update for Higher Education Institutions.
We aim to provide content that offers you real value and relevant, useful information from our national team of legal and HR experts.
be connected is your space. Please help us to help you by providing your feedback and letting us know what you would like to see featured in a future edition.
In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the higher education sector.
Legal updates
Keeping your spinouts spinning
With an estimated two in five spinouts ceasing activity between their fifth and tenth anniversary of trading, in this article Senior Associate Sam Sharp considers what makes for a successful spinout.
Risk management in digital transformation for universities
Digital transformation is accelerating in the sector, as universities recognise that they must embed digital experiences into their curricula to remain competitive. With students expecting seamless integration of the systems they use for learning, the new digital environment creates a number of challenges for IT departments. In this article, one of our newest Partners, Sophie Ashcroft, considers the fundamentals of good design and planning, contract governance, data security and systems integration to help institutions manage their risk.
Gradings without exams – arrangements for the Class of 2021
Assessment arrangements for those due to finish their level 3 studies in 2021 are being finalised at present. The impact on students, parents and schools is significant as everyone struggles to avoid a repeat of last year. The impact of the system on the HE sector is significant both in terms of timing and quality of data impacting on the selection process for students who are looking to progress to their university of choice.
First universities publish their modern slavery statements
Subject to meeting a four step criteria, every commercial organisation in the UK is now required to publish their annual modern slavery statement.
With the first universities having now published their statements, Ray Silverstein looks at the new process that is anticipated to ‘radically enhance transparency’ in rooting out modern slavery practices.
Remote learning and managing its accidental impact on energy contracts
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced HEIs to move exclusively to remote learning but, longer term, HEIs will no doubt be looking at the benefits of continuing with remote learning and/or a hybrid of in-person and online learning.
When considering whether to make that move, institutions should consider the potential knock-on effect it can have on their energy contracts. In this article, Senior Associate, Chloe Poskitt explains more.
Responding to supplier administrations
The financial pressure that many companies are currently under may prove insurmountable. The financial support schemes cannot go on indefinitely and, when they are removed, it is likely that we will see the number of insolvencies increase.
Following the administration of Gaia Technologies, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of ICT services to UK schools and universities, we look at the options that are open to you, including engaging in the creditor processes.
Webinars and online events
10 – 14 May
Universities Human Resources Annual Conference
Join us at UHR’s annual conference, where we welcome Tracey Hulme and Sukhvinder Singh to discuss how the University of Wolverhampton’s Race Equality Charter is delivering impact.
13 May
University spinouts and joint ventures – developing your in-house expertise
In this one-hour webinar, our IP and corporate specialists will look at how spinouts and joint ventures are providing significant commercial opportunities for universities to capitalise on their research and innovation expertise.
8 – 10 June
PraxisAuril 2021 conference
Come and meet the team! We will be online throughout this four-day conference to discuss how we can support your institution.
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.
Related expertise
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
Biodiversity Net Gain — Government publishes consultation response
Legal Update
New support launched to manage school complaints
Legal Update
Cyber security and data breaches
Legal Update
#EdCon2023 virtual event hailed a success
Guide
Public procurement: key facts and compliance considerations
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
Press Release
Browne Jacobson’s intellectual property lawyers ranked experts in World Trademark Review guide 2023
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
On-Demand
The Subsidy Control Act 2022. Putting the new regime into practice
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
Legal Update
be connected newsletter for schools - Winter 2022
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
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.
On-Demand
The UK's green agenda - the outcomes of COP27 and actions since COP26
Guide
Setting up a trading subsidiary – a guide for academy trusts
We’re pleased to collaborate with Lloyds Bank, who recently asked us and audit and risk specialists Crowe UK to offer guidance that academy trusts would find helpful when considering setting up a trading subsidiary.
Legal Update
DfE Trust Capacity Fund
The DfE has published new guidance and opened the application process for window two of the Trust Capacity Fund (TCaF) for 2022/2023, with a fund of £86m in trust capacity funding focused particularly on education investment areas.