Whilst schools continue their remarkable efforts to ensure that the educational provision for their pupils continues, we know many are also focussing on the impact on their staff.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has inevitably impacted children's preparedness to sit selection tests, and restricted parents' ability to attend regular worship to the extent required to meet faith schools' admission arrangements.
It is regrettable that from time to time within the academies and maintained schools sector, an employee may commit a criminal offence which leads to their removal from post.
Currently, parents can choose to defer taking up an offered and accepted place in Reception Year until their child reaches compulsory school age (CSA).
On 26 June 2020, the DfE launched a consultation seeking views on a revised version of the School Admissions Code (Code). The consultation will end on 16 October 2020.
A new Academies Financial Handbook (the Handbook) was published late last month and takes effect on 1 September. Readers will be pleased to know that this year's Handbook sticks to the 2019 structure and so will be familiar.
As chairs of trustees, principals/CEOs and clerks start finalising their timetable of meetings for the next academic year, this is often a sensible time to ensure that the trust's governance arrangements are working effectively...
The Cabinet Office has issued a new procurement policy note setting out guidance on how the public sector should work with suppliers to move towards long term sustainable public contracts following coronavirus (COVID-19).
In line with the duties as set out in Keeping Children Safe In Education 2019 (KCSIE), now is a timely reminder that schools must ensure that safeguarding remains at the forefront of everyone's mind in this particularly unusual time.
We have been working with academies and schools who have accessed the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for the private income streams, most notably for before- and after-school clubs or some nursery provision, as most staffing costs are publicly funded.
With some schools opening their doors in the coming weeks, many are wondering if they are able to enforce a requirement to use masks to protect staff and pupils alike.
