Staffing matters – guidance and FAQs for the full opening of schools in September
This guidance aims to assist school leaders to navigate the people challenges that may come with the full opening of schools in September.
This guidance has been co-written by Emma Hughes, Head of HR Services at Browne Jacobson and Mandy Coalter, Founder of Talent Architects.
It draws on the experience and practice of working with many schools preparing for full opening in September 2020.
More than anything, September is going to be a time for creative thinking and flexibility. School leaders will expect staff to flex their duties and possible working hours and in return staff should be able to expect a certain degree of flexibility back in return. It’s going to be a time of working together to solve problems in order that pupils can return, that educational provision can be delivered with little to no compromise and more than anything, staff and pupils are safe and cared for.
Added to that, school leaders need to build trust by becoming excellent consultative communicators. Never before have school leaders needed to balance the absolute need to deliver high-quality education onsite and remotely with the resource challenges that can come with a pandemic.
The spring and summer terms have been extremely challenging so it is important that governors and trustees are looking out for their school leaders, ensuring that a break is planned in over the summer. Some school leaders will need to be encouraged to do this when the temptation is to keep on planning for September. Furthermore, school leaders should encourage their staff to take a break too.
This paper aims to assist school leaders to navigate the people challenges that may come with the full opening of schools in September.
We strongly recommend that you read the Government guidance and information provided. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any queries that arise following further Government announcements.
.cta-download-button {cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; padding-top: 9px; background: #b40838; border-radius: 0px; color: #fff; overflow: hidden; position: relative; margin-left: 5px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; border: #b40838; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; width:100%; text-align:center; line-height: 40px; max-width: 320px; margin-top: 30px; } .cta-download-button:hover{ background: #91082e; line-height: 40px; } .cta-download-button a, .cta-download-button a:visited, .cta-download-button p a:hover {color:#ffffff !important; text-decoration:none;}.cta-download-button {cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; padding-top: 9px; background: #b40838; border-radius: 0px; color: #fff; overflow: hidden; position: relative; margin-left: 5px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; border: #b40838; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; width:100%; text-align:center; line-height: 40px; max-width: 320px; margin-top: 30px; } .cta-download-button:hover{ background: #91082e; line-height: 40px; } .cta-download-button a, .cta-download-button a:visited, .cta-download-button p a:hover {color:#ffffff !important; text-decoration:none;}
Contact
Emma Hughes
Partner
emma.hughes@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)330 045 2338
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Podcast - #EdInfluence
#EdInfluence podcast (series 4): In conversation with inspiring leaders
Legal Update - Be Connected (schools)
Be Connected: Schools and academy trusts July 2025
Legal Update
Consultation on the new School Support Staff Negotiating Body
Guide
KCSiE 2025 guidance: What schools need to know
Legal Update
Unveiling the hidden pitfalls in IT contracts
Press Release
Browne Jacobson’s School Leaders Survey shows exclusions and suspensions at an all-time high
Legal Update - Employment Rights Bill
The Employment Rights Bill: Is it here yet?
Legal Update - School leaders survey
Survey shows growing dissatisfaction with government policy amidst financial uncertainty
Online Event
AI at the coalface: Navigating the practicalities in education
Legal Update
Academy Trust Handbook 2025: Managing public money
Opinion
Updates to academy trust governance: A missed opportunity?
Legal Update
Executive pay and the Academy Trust Handbook: Clarity, challenge and good governance
Legal Update
New DfE AI guidance: A welcome start, but needs further development
On-Demand
School exclusions: A review of the latest developments and looking to the year ahead
Opinion
Pride Month: A time to review DEI
Guide
Legal project management: A cornerstone in operational delivery of inquiries
Legal Update
Data (Use and Access) Act 2025: What schools and trusts need to know
Opinion
Employer redundancy guide: Sourcing alternative employment
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson delivers record-breaking growth as strategic vision drives exceptional performance
Legal Update
What might the public inquiry on child sexual exploitation look like
Legal Update
DEI in school governance: Key themes and insights
Opinion
Spending Review: Setting the stage for UK investment
Guide
The socio-economic duty: Shifting mindsets for true social mobility
Press Release
Spending Review 2025: Browne Jacobson lawyers respond to Chancellor’s announcement
Press Release
Browne Jacobson’s School Leaders Survey illustrates concerns over financial resilience ahead of spending review
Legal Update
ESG and sustainability report: Rethinking communication and credibility
Press Release
Majority of UK organisations remain committed to sustainability and ESG, says new research
Opinion
Addressing the gender pay gap in school trusts
Legal Update
The OfS agrees a settlement with Leeds Trinity University
Press Release
Browne Jacobson’s latest School Leaders Survey to focus on schools exclusions and early years funding
Press Release
UK-EU reset deal: Comments from Browne Jacobson experts
Opinion
Disciplinary procedures and mental health: Employer considerations
Legal Update
Supporting mental wellbeing in the workplace: Practical steps for businesses
Legal Update - Be Connected (higher education)
Be Connected, higher education: Spring 2025
Published Article
Learning from Europe: Funding models for UK schools infrastructure
Legal Update - Be Connected (schools)
Be Connected: Schools and academy trusts, May 2025
Legal Update
New novel, contentious and repercussive transactions guidance
Legal Update
Unpacking the new guidelines for alternative provision: Practical steps for education institutions and providers
Opinion
EHRC releases guidance for employers after Supreme Court ruling on definition of woman
