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Public Sector Insights – Disability discrimination in education
Trish D’Souza, a Legal Director in the Education sector, and Jo Corbett-Simmons, a Legal Director in our Commercial Litigation team, delivered a session for schools, local authorities and academy trusts on Disability discrimination – how to recognise potential claims.
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Schools and claims by pupils for victimisation
A school has successfully defended a claim for victimisation brought by a sixth former. Susanna Bennett explains how.
Extra curricular programmes of education and residential placements
Martha Glynn and James Dix set out the key points from a recent Upper Tribunal decision on whether a young person should have a waking-day curriculum and a residential placement.
What next for SEND law ?
Lauren Fullerton and Arran Dowling-Hussey look at what will happen next for SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) law.
Pupil behaviour and disability discrimination
Holly Littlewood considers the “reverse” burden of proof in claims for discrimination arising from disability under section 15 Equality Act 2010.
How schools should manage PFI contract expiry
Michael Winder offers his top tips to schools and local authorities for how to manage PFI contract expiries.
Handling novel, contentious and repercussive transactions
The Department for Education has issued guidance published on novel, contentious and repercussive transactions. Katharine Robinson sets out the key points for colleges and academy trusts.
Staff misconduct and employment policies
Alexandra Addington looks at the lessons to be learned from a recent Court of Appeal ruling that without a 'no touching' policy it was unfair to dismiss an Ofsted inspector for brushing rain off pupil.
The cost of free childcare
Siân McGibbon summarises an important recent High Court judgment considering the lawfulness of imposing mandatory “top-up” charges on parents accessing free early years education.
Understanding Section 19 of the Education Act 1996
Joe Orme-Paul and Sophie Orger look at the issues for schools and academies around the duty in section 19 of the Education Act 1996.
From classroom to spa
A headteacher was recently given a green light to stay in the profession despite going on a school-time retreat. Alexandra Addington looks at the decision.
Use of AI within schools in Wales
Trish D'Souza and Claire Archibald examine the proposed review by Estyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales, of the use of AI within schools.
Errors with school exclusion processes
A recent school exclusions case has confirmed that ‘substance over form’ is key, writes Hayley O’Sullivan.
Changes to admissions
What does the new schools bill mean for admissions? Joanne Goddard explains.
Disability discrimination or fair dismissal?
An autistic teacher was dismissed for sending abusive emails to colleagues. Alexandra Abbington looks at the Employment Appeal Tribunal’s ruling.
How should a school or trust approach a Data Subject Access Request?
More and more it is commonplace for schools and academy trusts to receive Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) from parents, either for themselves or on the behalf of their child. Liam Ellwood explores what a DSAR might look like, and how a schools or trust should look to deal with it in the first instance.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: an overview
Katharine Elliot, Claudia Hyde and Siân McGibbon set out the key provisions in the far-reaching Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Securing special educational provision
The High Court has provided important guidance on the ‘absolute duty’ to secure special educational provision, writes Ollie Persey.
Child criminal exploitation and permanent exclusion from school
The Administrative Court has considered the extent possible child criminal exploitation can impact a school’s decision to permanently exclude. Leon Glenister explains the ruling.
Schools and gender questioning
Silence persists on gender questioning guidance for schools. Will it be next week, next year or is it on hold indefinitely? Hayley O'Sullivan reports.
New guidance for intervention in schools
The Department for Education (DfE) has now released new guidance relating to the support and intervention for schools, following the scrapping of single-word judgements. Katie Michelon and Anna Fellows set out the key points.
The scale of the SEND challenge for local authorities
Amrita Hurst and Callum Scott consider the latest issues faced by local authorities when it comes to the provision of SEND support to children and young people.
School exclusions guidance: managed moves
Philip Wood looks at how managed moves between schools should operate.
The price of discrimination: school ordered to pay £850,000 to an autistic teacher who it viewed as a 'persistent complainer'
Jo Moseley considers the lessons schools and colleges can learn from a recent tribunal decision which involved an autistic teacher who was dismissed after making a number of complaints about various aspects of his employment over a three year period.
Adding pupils to the admissions register
When should a school add a pupil to its admissions register? Hayley O’Sullivan explains.
The inquisitorial jurisdiction of the First-Tier Tribunal (HESC)
An Upper Tribunal judge has handed down an important ruling on the inquisitorial jurisdiction of the First-tier Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) in relation to EHCPs. Benjamin Harrison sets out the key points.
Disposal of school land and Secretary of State consent
For certain land transactions involving school land, including granting leases to third parties, you may be required to obtain consent from or notify the Secretary of State (SoS). New freedoms have also been introduced in the September 2024 Academy Trust Handbook relating to finance leases. Andrea Squires, Zahraa Ilmass and Sonia Din look at the key points.
Updated school attendance guidance: the key points
Andrea Squires and Theresa Kerr examine the Department for Education's revised guidance on school attendance and set out what’s new for pupils with SEND and part-time timetables.
Academy conversions and school rolls
The Court of Appeal recently handed down judgment rejecting a London council’s attempt to close one of its primary schools that is in the process of becoming an academy. Alan Bates explains why.
Protected beliefs and pronouns policies
The Employment Tribunal has found that 'XYchromosomeGuy' who objected to his local authority employer's pronouns policy was fairly dismissed. Jo Moseley looks at the lessons from the case.
The duty to secure special educational provision
The High Court has reaffirmed that local authorities are under an ‘absolute duty’ to secure special educational provision and granted a mandatory order. Ollie Persey explains why.
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