Legal
Visiting music teachers and holiday pay
A leading independent school has recently won against claims brought by a number of visiting music teachers (VMTs) for holiday pay under the Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR). Caitlin Anniss reports
The claimant VMTs worked at the school teaching music to pupils on a one-to-one basis or in small groups. The hours worked varied from term to term, according to demand from pupils for lessons in particular instruments.
Safety in numbers
It is a time of increasing difficulty for schools of all types. Government austerity is tightening around funding and this is most likely to continue. Can schools find safety in numbers? Con Alexander reports
One of the principal routes that schools are choosing as a way towards increased security and funding, and in some cases higher educational standards, is federation. This article will focus on the state sector, and will consider why schools might federate, and what forms that federation may take.
Cyberbullying is a safeguarding issue
Yvonne Spencer reflects on the growing problem of online abuse
Adolescence has always been a time when many young people struggle to cope with pressures from their peers over appearance, behaviour and relationships. The growth in IT and social networking presents new challenges for schools trying to help young people to achieve their potential during this difficult period.
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Property swap issues for academies
When converting to an academy, there are aspects of property conversion that can often prove more difficult than might be expected, writes John Steel
Many schools do not have comprehensive records about the ownership of their site. It is often the case that the school property is not held in the correct ownership, often because the property has not been properly transferred on the previous occasion that the school has changed status.
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Data security
The subject of schools and data security has been in the news recently following a number of high-profile incidents. Doug Locke and Andrew Gallie look at what can happen when things go wrong and what schools can do to mitigate the risks
A school in Oldham was reported to the Information Commissioner (the UK's data protection and privacy regulator) after the theft of a laptop containing unencrypted information from a teacher’s car.
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Retiring attitudes
Currently, the decision about someone's retirement date ultimately rests with the employer. However, following a Government review into the national default retirement age, this is all set to change. Naseem Nabi reports
In 2006, the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations ("the Regulations") were introduced to prohibit discrimination in employment based on age. This was uncontroversial except for the introduction of a default retirement age (DRA); previously an employer could set its own retirement age.
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Websites and the law
There are common legal stumbling blocks when designing and using websites. Elizabeth Davis and Karen Gibson provide advice on how to get it right
Websites are an important information and brand-building tool. Yet they can fall foul of a number of legal requirements such as accessibility, general content and liability and data protection.
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The personal touch
Schools handle a lot of information about pupils, parents and staff. New technology brings new challenges and often it can be difficult for schools to know whether they are complying with the law when handling personal information. Doug Locke reports
Quite apart from any damage or distress caused to affected individuals, getting the law wrong can have serious consequences for a school. The Information Commissioner (who is the regulator responsible for compliance with data protection and related law) has been given the power to fine organisations up to £500,000 for serious breaches.
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Fast-tracking to Academy status
In May this year, the newly in post Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, announced new legislation that would fast-track the process to convert to academy. He also invited every maintained school in the country to convert to an academy. Chloe Brunton reviews the plans
The academies programme has now been extended to primary schools, special schools and grammar schools, with a focus initially being on those schools which have been judged by Ofsted to be outstanding. These schools will be automatically 'approved' for conversion with the intention that a large number of them will convert in September 2010, with the exception of special schools who will be delayed until September 2011.
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For the community
Community interest companies can help you to promote your community projects without taking on charitable status, writes Chloe Brunton
In a recent article, (http://se.ludwood.info/strategic/legal/trading_companies.html), we reviewed using a school's assets to:
• further its duty to promote community cohesion; and
• tap into additional revenue streams.
In seeking to do either of these things, schools may encounter community interest companies (CICs).
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Maximising the use of your school's assets
Your facilities offer potentially good lettings income, but beware, writes Chloe Brunton
This article, which is aimed at governing bodies of maintained schools and academies, considers how to make best use of your school site to:
• further your duty to promote community cohesion; and
• tap into additional revenue streams from commercial users: without diverting attention from your school's primary purpose of educating the young people you are responsible for and ensuring that the position of the school is protected.
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A licence to teach international students
Many independent schools are looking to international markets to increase their pupil numbers. Joy Hankins and Adrian Pashley report on the rules governing licences
Although many schools are aware that to teach pupils from overseas they must obtain a sponsor licence under the immigration rules, many schools are not actually up-to-speed with how to navigate the application process and are not fully aware of the obligations placed on their school once a licence has been granted.
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Working together for success
Schools are increasingly seeking ways to collaborate in new ways, write Chloe Brunton and Yvonne Spencer
In the past few years there have been rapid increases in the number of schools working together with new and innovative models to drive up standards. The benefits for all schools involved are wide-ranging as schools share their professional expertise and resources to improve academic achievement and attainment and securing the Every Child Matters five outcomes for their students.
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