Articles

The start of the 2026/27 academic year brings another substantial package of legal, regulatory and guidance changes for independent schools.

Some changes take effect from 1 September 2026 and require immediate action. Others are already in force but may require schools to revisit their policies and practice, while several significant reforms remain on the horizon.

We highlight some of the key areas independent schools should have on their radar as the new academic year begins.

The start of the 2026/27 academic year brings another substantial package of legal, regulatory and guidance changes for academies and maintained schools.

Some changes take effect from 1 September 2026, others have already come into force during the year, and a further programme of education reform remains on the horizon.

Against that backdrop, we highlight some of the key areas schools should prioritise as the new academic year begins.

The EAT has confirmed that employment tribunals are not generally required to consider human rights arguments about freedom of expression where the claimant has not relied upon them.

The Department for Education has now published the 'for information' version of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026, ahead of it coming into force on 1 September 2026.

The increase in the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) employer contributions to 28.68% required governing bodies to make difficult decisions. Those decisions were rarely straightforward.

A significant new right for trade unions to access workplaces comes into force on 30 October 2026, and the Government has now finalised the Code of Practice that will govern it. Schools should prepare for how they are going to approach this from a strategic and logistical perspective.