Legal advice

School transport provision: An overview

What does the law expect of schools and local authorities in providing transport to pupils? How can schools challenge unsatisfactory arrangements? Nabil Dance tackles the legal requirements and practical elements that schools should be aware of

The SEND Tribunal: Preparing for a hearing

The SEND Tribunal specialises in hearing SEN appeals and disability discrimination claims concerning children in schools. What does it have the power to do? How can headteachers prepare for an appeal or claim? Nabil Dance answers these key questions

School admissions and exceptional SEND cases

Sometimes schools are compelled to admit pupils with exceptional SEND that they cannot meet because the local authority insists on the placement. Nabil Dance outlines how schools can respond in these difficult and often sensitive circumstances

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Disability discrimination law explained

Disability discrimination and equality legislation have greatly strengthened the protection of pupils against discriminatory treatment since the mid-1990s. Nabil Dance provides a basic introduction to some rules and how they affect primary schools

Parental complaints: How to respond and resolve problems

What is the best approach to handling written complaints from parents? What are the common mistakes that primary schools make during the complaints procedure? Nabil Dance provides a concise analysis and some practical tips on how we can respond effectively

Flexible working: How can it work for your school?

Over the last 18 months more school staff will have worked flexibly than ever before, but what does flexible working actually mean in the school context? Louise Hatswell looks at employment law, best practice and offers some guidance for employers

Covid-19: Managing and supporting your school's staff

With increased staff absence due to Covid-19, increased anxiety among our colleagues, and an ever-changing landscape, supporting and managing our teaching colleagues is a priority for school leaders this year. Employment law expert Jane Hallas offers some tips

GDPR: One year on...

GDPR recently celebrated its first anniversary, but there is still confusion in schools about data duties and obligations. Richard Skipper provides clarity on some common problems

Are you aware of fraud?

Figures suggest that discovered fraud in the schools sector was in the region of £1 million last year. Expert Dave Verma offers eight easy steps schools can take to lower the risks

Staying compliant

What do you really have to do to stay compliant this year? Do you know the real requirements from the myths? Marianne Pope puts some commonly (mis)understood expectations to the test

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Primary schools selecting by stealth

With more schools becoming their own admission authorities there are increasing concerns about the complexity and exclusivity that the new system is creating – with one report suggesting that more than 1,500 primaries are now highly socially selective. Suzanne O’Connell looks at the evidence

The risks of social networking

Social media has brought a new way of communicating into our schools. It has also brought a risk of us sharing too much. Suzanne O'Connell seeks expert advice for school leaders

The hunt for LGBT equality

What can schools do to meet their legal requirements and ensure staff are treated equally, irrespective of sexuality. Legal expert Paul Maddock advises.

What does the Equality Act mean for schools?

The Equality Act 2010 replaced nine major pieces of legislation and should make it easier for school leaders and governors to understand their legal responsibilities and tackle inequalities in education. Bill Bolloten explains

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Data protection – legal advice for schools

A survey of 1,000 schools has found that around half have inadequate policies on data protection and security. Expert Ros Foster looks at the challenges facing schools and the need for many to update their policies and practices on managing data

Academies: Where does the buck stop?

The academies programme has reached primary education, but under this new system, who is responsible for our schools and what happens when things go wrong? We look at an increasingly confusing view of accountability

Deciphering data protection laws

Is your school meeting its obligations under the Data Protection Act? Law expert Paula Williamson looks at the new tougher penalties for breaching data protection law and what schools need to do to get compliant

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