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Academies & MATs

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

Will creative contractual strategies help deliver resilience in schools?

Thursday, 03 April 2025

The road ahead may be challenging, but with bold, innovative thinking, schools can position themselves to thrive in an unpredictable future.

Will creative contractual strategies help deliver resilience in schools?

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

DfE introduces new 'Form N' to streamline consent process for academies to open third-party operated nurseries on school sites.

Thursday, 03 April 2025

This is the result of the recent Labour push to make nursery places available, and the introduction of funding by the Department for Education (DfE) to facilitate this.

DfE introduces new Form N to streamline consent process for academies to open third-party operated nurseries on school sites.

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

Education policy changes: accountability reform

Thursday, 03 April 2025

The Labour government has introduced several significant policy changes with the aim of improving educational outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged and vulnerable children.

Education policy changes: accountability reform

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs Employment

Employment Rights Bill: recent amendments and where we are now

Monday, 31 March 2025

Since being introduced in October 2024, the Employment Rights Bill has undergone significant amendments, introducing new provisions and revising existing ones to enhance worker protections and clarify employer obligations.

Employment Rights Bill: recent amendments and where we are now

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

Updated support and intervention guidance

Wednesday, 18 December 2024

Prior to the publication of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill on 17 December 2024, the DfE had already updated its guidance entitled 'Schools Causing Concern' guidance as part of its wider strategy around school improvement and academisation.

Updated support and intervention guidance

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

New Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill introduced - what are the implications for academies and maintained schools?

Wednesday, 18 December 2024

The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (the Bill) was introduced to the House of Commons on 17 December 2024.

New children's wellbeing and schools Bill introduced - what are the implications for academies and maintained schools?

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

The School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document 2024: key changes

Monday, 02 December 2024

The Department for Education has published the 2024 School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document, which will come into force on 8 November 2024. The key updates focus on performance-related PPA time, and the 2024 pay award.

The School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document 2024: key changes

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

Education Policy update for Academies and Maintained Schools

Wednesday, 25 September 2024

The Government started the new school year with an announcement about changes to the Ofsted grading system. From 2 September 2024 all schools in England will no longer receive Ofsted single headline grades.

Education Policy update for Academies and Maintained Schools

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs Independent Schools

New law on sexual harassment to come into force in October

Thursday, 19 September 2024

Under the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023, schools will be under a new duty from 26 October 2024 to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of staff in the course of their employment.

New law on sexual harassment to come into force in October

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs Independent Schools

Handling confidential information in schools: key lessons from a recent case

Thursday, 19 September 2024

A recent judicial review brought by a headteacher sacked for sharing sensitive information, has underlined the importance of maintaining confidentiality in schools.

Handling confidential information in schools: key lessons from a recent case

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs Independent Schools

Making it compute - top tips for starting a successful IT system procurement project

Thursday, 19 September 2024

When procuring a new IT system, much of your success and avoidance of problems arising later on, will depend on how you approach the early days of the project - the tips below should help you to navigate those challenges.

Making it compute - top tips for starting a successful IT system procurement project

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs Independent Schools

Education Policy update

Thursday, 19 September 2024

Schools will be aware of the rather late publication of KCSIE 2024 on 2 September 2024. Most of the changes are light touch, however Schools will still need to be mindful that some of the content remains under review.

Education Policy update

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

A recent Ombudsman case concerning a school admission appeal decision

Wednesday, 17 July 2024

The Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman recently published a decision finding fault with East Riding of Yorkshire Council as the 'admission authority' for a school responsible for appointing an Admission Appeal Panel and arranging an appeal.

A recent Ombudsman case concerning a school admission appeal decision

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

Changes to legal duties on schools regarding pupil registration and attendance

Wednesday, 03 April 2024

At the end of February, the DfE announced a number of changes to the law relating to pupil registration and attendance.

Changes to legal duties on schools regarding pupil registration and attendance

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

New guidance for mobile phone use in schools

Wednesday, 03 April 2024

The DfE published guidance in February 2024 to help schools develop and implement policies to prohibit mobile phone use, along with other similar smart technologies, throughout the school day, including during lessons, breaktimes and lunchtimes.

New guidance for mobile phone use in schools