In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the sector.
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Legal updates
Head of Education, Mark Blois celebrates 25 years of being an education lawyer
Mark Blois, Browne Jacobson’s national Head of Education, is marking a notable anniversary, an incredible 25 years as an education lawyer.
The new academic year 2021/22 will see the 25th anniversary of the start of Mark’s career as an education lawyer. As he reaches this major milestone Mark reflects on his professional journey and some of the achievements of the Browne Jacobson team he founded and has led.
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Civil claims in schools
Civil claims are an ongoing area of concern for schools, with the potential for financial and reputational implications. In this article, claims specialist Katherine Langley explores some of the more common types of personal-injury and non-injury claims that arise in a school setting.
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Updated guidance on Covid-19 vaccinations for 12 to 15 years olds
Yesterday, the Department of Health and Social Care announced that young people aged 12 to 15 are to be offered a Covid-19 vaccine. In this article, our health and safety experts share their advice to school leaders.
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Teacher assessed grades and proposed changes to assessment in 2022
During the summer break, students were issued with their final teacher assessed grades in GCSE, AS, A Level and other qualifications, with the vast majority achieving exceptional grades.
Schools and students alike should be rightly proud of their successes, particularly given the severe disruption caused by the pandemic.
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Building leaders for the future
Following the controversy of the 2016 white paper Educational Excellence Everywhere and the subsequent shelving of it in short order in October 2016, the policy landscape has been extremely quiet in education sector terms.
This goes far wider than academy policy, with the 2015, 2017 and 2019 general elections, together with Brexit, meaning there has been little bandwidth for a considered education policy.
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HR and employment Covid-19 FAQs for schools and academies – September 2021
With many Covid-19 restrictions now removed we have prepared a new set of employment and HR-related FAQs to support you as the new academic year gets underway.
They cover key topics including vaccines, wellbeing and managing anxiety and long Covid.
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Terminating a contract: what steps do you need to take?
Ending a contract can be a tricky task, especially when you don’t know where to begin. Contracts can be lengthy, wordy and a puzzle at times. The good news is, whether you’re dealing with a catering, cleaning or other service or goods contract, the approach to termination largely remains the same.
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Bill introduced to Parliament to enable Ofsted to have powers to inspect MATs
A former teacher and MP on the current Commons Education Select Committee, Jonathan Gullis, has introduced a bill to give Ofsted the power to inspect Multi Academy Trusts.
It comes after Ofsted’s Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman advised the committee earlier this year that Ofsted is constrained by only being able to carry out individual school inspections rather than inspections of MATs.
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Information Tribunal supports school’s position to refuse an FOI request for assessment data of other students
Following the awarding of qualifications based on determinations made by staff at examination centres over the past two years during the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of students and their parents have sought to challenge the awards.
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New EduCompli courses now live!
Many of you are already using EduCompli, our innovative and engaging online staff-compliance training platform. Written by our expert lawyers and HR advisors, the all-staff courses are fun, engaging and easy to use, include built-in case studies based on real life examples and provide detailed reporting to highlight knowledge gaps across your school or trust.
In response to demand, four new courses have been launched for the 2021/22 academic year:
- Staff Code of Conduct
- Staff and social media risks
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Whistle-blowing
The existing Data Protection and Child Protection modules have also been updated with new case studies, new rounds and refreshed questions throughout.
For further information about EduCompli and to sign-up for a complimentary trial visit the EduCompli web page.
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Upcoming events
Regional HR forums – autumn term. Each forum will run from 10am to 12 noon. To register to attend, click here.
- Birmingham – 5 October
- Manchester – 6 October
- Nottingham – 12 October
- London – 13 October
- Exeter – 14 October
Register now >
Save the date
FAIRE – access to legal careers
Browne Jacobson is once again delighted to work in partnership with Young Professionals to revolutionise social mobility and access to careers in the legal sector.
FAIRE 2.0 will be taking place virtually on 27 and 28 October 2021 and is open to all students between the ages of 16 and 19 who are considering a career in law (and other industries). Please encourage your staff to keep an eye out for further information from Young Professionals (including the registration link) that will be issued shortly.
Find out more
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Can your students help to make the Midlands greener and better?
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This is their chance to shape theirs and the region’s future, to voice their opinions and meet with influential people.
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