Articles
Allergy safety in schools: speed read on what schools need to know about the new DfE guidance
10 Jul 2026The Department for Education (DfE) has published new guidance in relation to allergy safety in schools.
Managing data protection complaints in academies: navigating Section 164A and the three-stage complaints procedure
09 Jul 2026On 19 June 2026, Section 164A of the Data Protection Act 2018 introduced a formalised framework for how organisations, including schools, must handle data protection complaints. While the statutory requirements themselves are relatively procedural in nature, their interaction with existing school complaints frameworks, particularly the ISSR Part 7 parental complaints procedure, raises important practical questions.
In this article, we set out our view on how academies can most effectively manage these overlapping regimes, ensuring compliance while preserving fairness and operational efficiency.
DfE publishes revised guidance on suspensions and permanent exclusions
09 Jul 2026The Department for Education (DfE) has published a revised version of its statutory guidance Suspension and Permanent Exclusion from maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England, including pupil movement, which comes into force on 26 July 2026.
Supervised roles and regulated activity: implementation from 1 September 2026
09 Jul 2026The Crime and Policing Act 2026 removes the supervision exemption from regulated activity. This change, which primarily affects volunteer arrangements, comes into force on 1 September 2026.
Managing data protection complaints in schools - navigating the Independent School standards
11 Jun 2026From 19 June 2026, Section 164A of the Data Protection Act 2018 introduces a formalised framework for how organisations, including schools, must handle data protection complaints. While the statutory requirements themselves are relatively procedural in nature, their interaction with existing school complaints frameworks, particularly the ISSR Part 7 parental complaints procedure, raises important practical questions.
In this article, we set out our view on how schools can most effectively manage these overlapping regimes, ensuring compliance while preserving fairness and operational efficiency.
Recovering possession of school accommodation - what schools need to know
11 Jun 2026The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (the Act) came into force on 1 May 2026 and will change the way in which schools manage their residential property portfolio which is let on a tenancy.
With the abolition of section 21 "no fault" notices, unless the tenant is happy to vacate voluntarily, schools will only be able to terminate a tenancy through service of a Section 8 Notice in reliance on one of the possession grounds set out in Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988. These grounds cover a range of scenarios including non-payment of rent and illegal activity by the tenant at the property.
For many schools, ground 5C will be one of the most important tools available. We will comment on this further below in order to help schools put themselves in the best position to obtain possession when required.
