Cara Cowan Watts’ Post

The latest statistics from the Department for Education reveal that exclusions in state schools have reached record highs. In our latest blog post, Kate from our Legal Team explores the concerning increase in suspensions and permanent exclusions, disproportionately affecting pupils with special educational needs (SEN). Why are these numbers rising, and what can be done about it? Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/eKf-8c4C

What does the new schools bill mean for admissions? Sections 47 to 50 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to enhance cooperation between schools, including academies, and local authorities (LAs) in England regarding admissions and place planning. They aim to do this by giving LAs more influence over admission to schools for whom they are not the ‘admission authority’ - in particular, academies. Our Legal Director in the education team, Joanna Goddard, explores the key points in these Sections below. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4fXgRO6 #Schools #Academies #SchoolAdmissions

What is the point - more politicial grandstanding. What we need is a robut=st framework and the funding to put in the interventions and run the schools properly.

Our October education update was published yesterday. It features articles on the following:-  1. The new duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace and the EHRC’s updated guidance to help employers understand what reasonable steps they may need to take to comply with it; 2. Why a school was ordered to pay one of its former teachers £850,000 after it dismissed him for making a number of complaints about the head teacher; 3. Constructive dismissal and specifically, whether a support teacher had to exhaust the school’s grievance procedure, before asserting that the relationship of trust and confident has fundamentally broken down; 4. The increase in fines for taking children out of school during term-time Please have a read - bit.ly/3U9AXwy

Families in England now face higher fines for taking their children out of school during term-time without permission. This follows the 400,000 penalty notices that were issued in England for unauthorised school absences in the academic year 2022/23. The change aims to improve school attendance and ensure children receive a ‘consistent education’. How much could you pay for your child’s absence under the new rates? Get the full details in our latest education update: bit.ly/3U9AXwy #Education #Schools #SchoolAbsence

Our October #education #newsletter also includes articles on: * The new duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace and the EHRC’s updated guidance to help employers understand what reasonable steps they may need to take to comply with it; * Why a school was ordered to pay one of its former teachers £850,000 after it dismissed him for making a number of complaints about the head teacher; * Constructive dismissal and specifically, whether a support teacher had to exhaust the school’s grievance procedure, before asserting that the relationship of trust and confident has fundamentally broken down; Plus, our news in brief section summarises all other #HR and education news #schools and #colleges need know about. #legalupdate #educationsector #constructivedismissal #disability #discrimination #compensation #schoolabsence Irwin Mitchell

As Schools return back for the new academic year, OFSTED school grades have now been changed. Surely this is for the better and will make a fairer system of how schools will be judged in the future and giving more support to headteachers after the tragic death of Ruth Perry. #jdsrecruitment #education #educationrecruitment #recruitment #schools #school

Bill Alert! US House Bill HRES 1623 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the rate of chronic absenteeism in American schools must urgently be reduced, and for other purposes. Status: Bill Introduced Full Details: https://lnkd.in/ezAEk8cz Bill 118 HRES 1623, also known as the Chronic Absenteeism Reduction Act, is a piece of legislation that aims to address the issue of chronic absenteeism in American schools. Chronic absenteeism refers to students missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences. The bill expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the rate of chronic absenteeism in American schools must urgently be redu...

A way to stay informed and if desired to be active in the process

According to the most recent U.S. General Accounting Office report, two-thirds of U.S. school districts have facilities with physical barriers that may hinder access. Federal laws, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the ADA, require schools to ensure accessibility for all individuals. This means more than just meeting minimum requirements—it's about providing true accessibility. Read our blog to learn more: https://ow.ly/K6wv50T6AcO #Accessibility #Education #AutomaticDoors #FacilityManagement #AccessibleEducation