be connected newsletter for education - July 2021

In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the sector.

02 July 2021

In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the sector.

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Legal updates

Building Bulletin 100 consultation - fire safety in schools

Following the Grenfell Tower fire and wider work on fire safety standards, the Department for Education has issued a call for evidence as part of its review of the Building Bulletin 100 ‘Design for Fire Safety in Schools’.

In this article, Associate Daisy-May Coster-Hollis outlines the key aspects of the revised regulations that apply to nursery schools, primary and secondary schools including sixth-form colleges, academies and city technology colleges, special schools and pupil referral units.

Getting to grips with the direction of travel - the new Model Articles

For the first time in five years, on 30 June the Department for Education updated the Model Articles for use by mainstream academies, special academies, 16 to 19 academies, alternative provision academies, free schools and studio schools.

In this article, Nick MacKenzie goes beyond the headline technical changes to reflect on what is driving the changes and discusses why trusts must seriously consider how the underlying issues and direction of travel may impact on how they operate in practice.

Teacher assessed grades – exploring practical challenges when preparing for appeals

This year’s GCSE and A-level results are due to be released in just over a month. Schools will have already undertaken a huge amount of work as part of the process for determining this year’s qualifications.

However, Senior Associates Vicky Hatton and Daljit Kaur advise that now is not the time to slow down. Keep going, if you can, because much can still be done now to help avoid or mitigate the forthcoming burden of reviews, appeals and challenges that could arise as a result of this year’s approach.

School Admissions Code 2021 – what you need to know

Following its initial publication in May, the 2021 School Admissions Code (subject to parliamentary approval) will be in force from 1 September 2021.

In this article, Partner Richard Freeth highlights the key changes in relation to looked after/previously looked after children and in-year admissions. He also outlines changes in relation to fair access protocols that you should be aware of.

New intermediate and advanced CPD courses for DPOs starting soon

Join GDPR expert Dai Durbridge and fellow DPO peers this autumn, as two new CPD programmes for Data Protection Officers commence. The new 10-month intermediate and five-month advanced courses, delivered virtually covers everything DPOs need to keep themselves up to date throughout the year.

Book your place today >

Academy Trust Handbook 2021

Effective from 1 September 2021, the ESFA have published their latest edition of the Academies Financial Handbook, now to be known as the newly titled Academy Trust Handbook.

In this briefing, newly promoted Legal Director Lydia Michelson-Yeates offers her thoughts and reflections on three key themes that trustees and executive teams may wish to consider as a result of the revisions.

Early Careers Teachers

On 1 September 2021 significant changes will come into force in relation to the induction of newly qualified teachers, including the change of terminology to Early Careers Teachers (ECTs).

All schools and trusts employing ECTs will need to update their related policies and supporting documentation.

Trust executive salary benchmarking research

The first national salary benchmarking survey for executive leaders in school trusts is underway.

We, and the Confederation of School Trusts are delighted to support the survey commissioned by independent HR solutions provider XpertHR, with the findings expected to enable trusts to make fair, evidence-based decisions about executive reward.

Advocacy in Action: Female Genital Mutilation Protection Orders

Over the last few months, our team of qualified barristers have been reflecting on their extensive experience at hearings before the courts and at tribunals nationwide to identify the key issues that are relevant to education providers, and share the lessons that can be learnt from these.

In this article, the fifth in the Advocacy in Action series, the team consider the issue of Female Genital Mutilation Protection Orders and the importance of acting promptly.

Top tips

Responsibilities towards students identifying as Non-Binary

An increasing number of students now identify as non-binary. Anyone identifying as transgender is expressly protected from discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. However, it is not clear whether these protections extend to those identifying as non-binary.

Following a landmark employment tribunal decision in 2020 that suggested that non-binary people should qualify for protection under the Equalities Act, Senior Associate Hayley O’Sullivan shares her top tips for supporting non-binary and transgender pupils in a school setting.

Upcoming events

School admissions code 2021 5 July, 10am - 10.45am

We highlight the key changes that, if approved, will impact the way in which your admissions system will need to operate.

During this online event, admissions experts Richard Freeth and Philip Wood will discuss how these changes will ultimately affect your decision-making, particularly in relation to supporting vulnerable children and in-year admissions.

Grades without exams: explore practical challenges when preparing for grade appeals 7 July, 3.30pm - 4.15pm

In the final of our three-part ‘Grades without Exams’ webinar series, we will explore practical challenges when preparing for grade appeals and managing data requests.

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EduCompli – the compliance training app from Browne Jacobson

It’s never too early to be thinking about your training needs for the new academic year.

EduCompli is a fun and engaging way to evidence that you are meeting your statutory staff training obligations. Intuitive and simple to use, the GDPR and Child Protection courses can be played anytime, anywhere and on any device.

Find out more >