Neuroscience says: Skills and memory are secured through repetition and application. Experience says: Without application, vision and purpose statements are forgetful irrelevant words. Schools are about preparation for life. We must not forget the people our strategies seek to serve.

Conferences South West, in partnership with PHP Law, are delighted to host the inaugural South West Facilities Managers, Estate Management and Site Managers Conference, which will take place at Exeter College’s award-winning Future Skills Centre on Thursday, 22nd June 2023.

When GDPR came into force, there was a big emphasis on the risks of eye-watering fines from the ICO. In reality, the risk is from absent blatantly poor practice leading to some form of harm, but the risk of a fine from the ICO is low. The ICO is more likely to make a record where breaches are minor.

Local Authorities are at risk of fines where there is a failure to implement alternative education. When a child cannot attend school for whatever reason, the local authority has a legal obligation to assess and provide alternative education to ensure that a child is provided with a suitable education to meet their needs.

A recent Schools Week article has highlighted some of the challenges that online checks are causing schools and the need for improved guidance. When Keeping Children Safe In Education (KCSIE) was updated to include online checks as part of the recruitment process, I was concerned it would create something of an industry and potentially create additional risks for schools.

‘Deep Learning’ is not the latest education fad with the lifespan of an education secretary, et al. The deep learning described here is the name of a ‘new’ technology with significant impact, for better or for worse.

To inform School Leaders and Academy Trusts of the upcoming advisory board meetings scheduled for 2022 - 2023 and where to find the meeting preparation templates.

We are delighted to have been ranked as a Leading Firm in The Legal 500 UK. In addition, three of our Partners, Laura, Antony and Russell, have been ranked as Recommended Lawyers.

The Government’s new statutory guidance on school exclusions comes into force this week. The guidance, which comes into effect on Thursday, 1 September 2022, contains some important changes from the previous 2017 guidance.

Recent action by Apple to keep unwanted activity out of its systems reminds us of the need to update technology to stay safe regularly.  These security issues are well publicised by the BBC and others. Irrespective of the technology provider, we need to spend our time applying updates.

Following the ongoing increase of recruitment and retention problems within UK schools, it is more important than ever to consider ways that schools can incorporate added flexibility into their roles. With the forever growing demand on job roles within schools, staff experiencing high levels of stress and many other sectors offering an increasing variety of flexible working options, a noticeable staff shortage is occurring within schools.

Following on from my serious accident, parents have told me of suicidal issues involving their children, requiring significant CAMHS involvement. In relief, another mother has told of their appreciation for the school where she’d moved her child. The new school seemed to have seen the needs of their child in a way the previous school had not, despite requests.

The School’s bill is the first major piece of legislation for schools since 2016. Russell Holland and Sophie Naddermier examine some of the key points.

An extremely sad case has been widely reported in the media arising out of the tragic suicide of Natasha Abrahart. This case highlights the importance of the Equality Act 2010.

With exam season fast approaching, schools and parents need to be aware of exam access arrangements. Pupils who have learning difficulties and disabilities may qualify for help in the form of reasonable adjustments in exams.

The government published its long-anticipated SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) Review Green Paper, Right Support, Right Place, Right Time, on the 29th of March 2022.

15 April 2022

Schools have a tough job keeping children safe. Information safeguarding can be a fine balancing act full of destabilising demands and difficult judgment calls.

The use of live facial recognition cameras by the Police is controversial. Schools considering facial recognition a ‘convenient’ way to manage school meal payments have met significant resistance.