Back to school – preparing for a potential phased reopening of schools - 18 May 2020
This webinar looked at the implications of phased reopening of primary schools and explore some of the immediate issues’ schools are likely to experience.
This webinar took place on 18 May and is now available on-demand.
Schools in England have been closed other than to the children of key workers and children who are classified as vulnerable since 20th March as part of the management of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the government announced that primary schools in England may be able to begin a phased reopening for pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 from 1st June at the earliest. Furthermore, the government’s stated ambition was for all primary school children to return to school before the summer for a month if feasible.
In this webinar Browne Jacobson’s Head of Education, Mark Blois discussed the implications of this development and explore some of the immediate issues’ schools were likely to experience with colleagues Stephanie McGarry, Julia Green, Ian Deakin and Emma Hughes. In particular, this webinar focused on the most important considerations around:
- health and safety in school
- staff resourcing and employer obligations
- parental expectations and concerns
The webinar saw the launch of Browne Jacobson’s ‘Back to School’ resource pack.

Speakers

Mark Blois
Partner
Mark is the National Head of our Education team. He is a leading expert in education law and governance and has been recommended as a Leader in his field for almost twenty years in ‘Chambers’ and ‘Legal 500’. ‘Chambers’ ranks him one of only two lawyers ranked in Band One nationally for recommended schools lawyers. ‘Legal 500’ includes him in their 'Hall of Fame', which highlights law firm partners who are 'at the pinnacle of the profession'.
mark.blois@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)115 976 6087

Julia Green
Partner
Julia specialises in education law advice to schools, academies and colleges including statutory conversions of all types and property issues ranging from easements to development agreements.
julia.green@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)330 045 2796

Emma Hughes
Partner
Emma is the Head of HR Services and manages the team responsible for providing HR consultancy services to a range of clients across multiple sectors.
emma.hughes@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)330 045 2338
.jpg)
Stephanie McGarry
Partner
Stephanie specialises in regulatory law with a particular focus on the issues affecting the education sector. Stephanie advises on policy drafting ranging from consumer protection to mental health and wellbeing.
stephanie.mcgarry@brownejacobson.com
+44(0)115 908 4113