Academies, MATs & Schools

New Guidance on Searching, Screening and Confiscation - What Schools Need to Know

Thursday, 22 March 2018

The DfE has released updated advice in relation to Searching, Screening and Confiscation. What are the key points from it?

New Guidance for Schools on Searching, Screening and Confiscation

New Legislation - Can Schools Validly Grant New Tenancies of Property from 1 April 2018?

Thursday, 22 March 2018

Many academies use their property assets to generate additional income to supplement the core funding they receive. In addition, many academies operate from sites which are made up of buildings constructed many years ago and/or have inherited sites...

Renewal of Fixed Term Contracts and Unfair Dismissal - A Cautionary Tale for Schools

Thursday, 22 March 2018

Does the fact that an employer complies with the Fixed Term Employees Regulations 2002 necessarily mean it acted fairly when deciding against the renewal of a fixed-term contract?

How to Handle Difficult Conversations at Work

Thursday, 22 March 2018

Anyone in a role managing staff within their school will face difficult conversations from time to time. Whether it's talking to someone in your department about their work not quite being up to standard, managing team dynamics or dealing with...

Was it Fair to Dismiss a Head Teacher for Failure to Disclose Relationship with a Sex Offender?

Friday, 23 March 2018

Yes, held the Supreme Court in the recent case of Reilly v Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. An employment tribunal had been entitled to find that the dismissal was in the range of reasonable responses.

Was it Fair to Dismiss a Head Teacher for Failure to Disclose Relationship with Sex Offender?

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

Is the Level of Senior Leaders' Pay Appropriate in Academy Trusts?

Wednesday, 31 January 2018

We have recently seen increased scrutiny of senior executive pay across the public sector (particularly in relation to the remuneration awarded to some university vice chancellors).

Is the Level of Senior Leaders' Pay Appropriate in Academy Trusts?

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

Emergencies - When Can You Close the School?

Thursday, 25 January 2018

The drop in temperatures and snow flurries in December caused many schools to close for a day or two. We set out some key considerations for schools dealing with emergencies, like snowy weather, and what to consider when thinking about closing the school.

Emergencies - When Can You Close the School?

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

EU Citizens, Brexit and Your School

Thursday, 25 January 2018

Before Christmas, the first phase of negotiations on Britain's exit from the EU were agreed in sufficient enough detail to allow the talks to move forward. One of the topics covered was the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in.

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

Altering or Developing Your School Site

Thursday, 25 January 2018

Academies may need to carry out alterations to their premises or develop their sites for a number of reasons including repairs, expansion of the site to accommodate more pupils and as a result of Big Lottery or Condition Improvement Funding.

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

Carillion insolvency - Is Your School Affected?

Thursday, 25 January 2018

The recent announcement that Carillion had started insolvency proceedings has received a lot of media attention. Carillion provided services to over 800 schools including school meals, cleaning and maintenance as well as large capital build projects.

Carillion insolvency - Is Your School Affected?

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

Greater Scrutiny on Section 19 Minibus Permit Applications

Wednesday, 22 November 2017

The regulations that govern school minibuses are complicated and the consequences for non-compliance can be incredibly serious.

Greater Scrutiny on Section 19 Minibus Permit Applications

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

Considering Acquiring Another Academy?

Wednesday, 22 November 2017

By carrying out thorough due diligence on the property and the operation of any potential new academy...

Articles & Blogs Academies & MATs

Update on Gender Pay Reporting

Wednesday, 22 November 2017

The Department for Education (DfE) became the first government department to comply with its obligation to publish data on the gender and bonus pay gap.