News & Insights
Fair Unbiased Sensitive Schools. Political FUSS?
1 March 2022
Political impartiality in schools, DfE guidance 17th February 2022.
Political impartiality in schools is DFE ‘Guidance’ unlike their ‘Statutory guidance’ for RSE. Nonetheless, the existing legal duties of LAs, schools, governors, and academy trustees are described in some detail. Reference is made to the Education Act 1996, Human Rights Act 1998, Education and Skills Act 2008, and Equalities Act 2010. Prevent duty ‘Statutory guidance’ and Teacher’s standards ‘Guidance’ are also mentioned.
A fine time is not always had in the great outdoors
28 February 2022
The BBC report that a Gateshead school has recently been fined £30,000 for involving pupils in a dangerous mountain hike back in March 2020. It is easy to be wise after an event, but Mountain Leadership requires more than wearing a cagoule. Experience, training, and preparation are absolutely vital.
Copyright Exceptions in Education
16 February 2022
As part of the learning process education providers often use copyright materials to instruct students, the law provides several copyright exceptions for education.
New OFSTED Handbook - Changes For the Good
11 February 2022
I trained for Section 5 OFSTED inspection when the Common Inspection Framework (CIF) was in place. At that time outcome data felt paramount.
Mental Health - What Is the Cost of Mental Health? Is That the Right Question?
10 February 2022
Do we only value and prioritise the visible and measurable? Does it require financial impact to promote attention and action?
Changes to the Rules Relating to Proof of Sickness Notes
7 February 2022
The temporary change to the rules on when an employee is required to provide a sick note has now ended.
An Introduction to Me - Imogen Steele, Education Paralegal
1 February 2022
My journey to joining PHP Law has been both unconventional and with hindsight almost predestined.
Important Dates for Academy Conversions - (May - July 2022)
31 January 2021
The Department of Education are strict with these deadlines and if they are not met, there is a high chance that the conversion will be delayed.
Speaking at the School Data Conference 2022… Russell Holland, Barrister and Partner at PHP Law!
27 January 2022
PHP’s Partner Russell Holland is due to speak at the School Data Conference on Thursday 10th February.
Dates for Academy Conversions - (January - April 2022)
25 October 2021
The important dates in 2022 and deadlines schools in the process of converting to academy status must meet.
Important Dates for Academy Conversions
15 September 2021
The Department of Education are strict with these deadlines and if they are not met, there is a high chance that the conversion will be delayed.
Jordan Colledge - One Year at PHP
7 September 2021
My first year at PHP has flown by. Looking back at when I started, I cannot believe how much my role has changed to fit in with the growth of PHP.
Inspection Updates. Where is the governance?
25 August 2021
OFSTED have been busy with updates this summer. There is an understandable focus on EYFS changes nationally.
Public Examinations in 2021 and 2022
18 August 2021
As you would expect, there is a great deal of speculation surrounding exams for the 2022 cohort.
School and Trust Governance During COVID-19
29 July 2021
The DofE recently released a paper on how governors and trustees handled different challenges brought about by COVID-19.
Ban on Commercial Evictions Extended until March 2022
22 July 2021
The commercial rent moratorium was due to end on 30 June 2021; however, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay extended the moratorium for business tenants to continue until 25 March 2022.
The Academy Trust Handbook
21 July 2021
This year, Baroness Berridge has sought to ensure the regulatory framework under which academies operate protects children’s education and the proper use of public money.
Stamp Duty Land Tax upcoming changes . . .
10 June 2021
Due to the pandemic, the government announced a temporary stamp duty holiday. The holiday raised the stamp duty threshold from £125,000 to £500,000 in June 2020.
Can I exclude a child who has special educational needs?
9 June 2021
Where a child has (or may have) SEN, then the position needs extra careful consideration of disability discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
A day in the life . . . Darren Henson
01 June 2021
“There is no such thing as a typical day at PHP law, with each day being different to the last”. Darren Henson tells us about his first few weeks at PHP.