I have been fortunate to provide education advice to schools for many years. I have also delivered training to Heads, Teachers, Governors, LEA officers and Appeal Panel Members. Providing these courses is always a pleasure. Education law changes so quickly that staying abreast of developments is always a challenge - but a fascinating one.
These courses are legally robust, and practically based. All of these courses consider what should be done, but they go further and look at how things can be done to ensure compliance with the rules. Processes change from school to school, from county to county but the over arching rules usually remain the same.
Admission Appeals - Training on the 2010 Code of Practice for Presenting Officers.
What is prejudice, and how best can it be demonstrated? What to include in your statement about the school? The appeals process has become more legalistic and more onerous on the presenting officer. Google and the internet combined with Ombudsman decisions and case law have all had their impact on presenting the schools case. We will also look at how to prove prejudice when the appeal numbers are small or it is a mid term application. By examining the law behind the process, the requirements of the code and the expectation of panel members this course will assist in the preparation of a great case.
Admission Appeals - Training for Clerks
The Code requires that all clerks are suitably trained - but does not explain much more than that. This course goes all through the Code of Practice and looks at real life examples of complexities that can arise. It examines the role of the clerk and the role of the panel and chair. How to manage challenging panel members, presenting officers and parents and when to intervene. What to include in decision letters and how to respond to the Ombudsman or Secretary of State for Education after appeal complaints.
Admission Appeals - Training for Panel Members and Chairs
The training requirements of the Code apply to panel members, even those who have been sitting for a number of years. This course specifically addresses the mandatory requirements. The course will ensure that panel members understand their obligations and responsibilities when hearing appeals. It will look at the type of questions that are appropriate, where boundaries should be drawn and what not to ask. The importance of clear decision making and good reasons for the decisions will be delivered in a practical way with case examples worked through.
Chairing Appeals - Training for Panel Member Chairs
A specially designed course for all panels chairs - new and experienced. The role of the chair can be pivotal to the smooth running of the appeal. The Code suggests that special training may be useful for chairs and in practice it ahs proven to be the case. By making sure the chair focuses on what is relevant, manages parents and other panel members effectively ensures quicker, more effective and less challengeable decisions.
The Equality Act - what it means for schools and pupils
A guide to the impact of the Equality Act in schools. Schools want to give all children the best opportunities. This course ensures you are clear what your obligations may be. How to meet them and how to demonstrate that you have met them. Complaints about a school's action or inaction can be stressful, time consuming and very frustrating for everyone. The morning session looks at the law and processes, the afternoon is a case study to highlight real life issues and responses.
Governors and School Discipline
Changes are afoot - confirmation of the new rules on excluding pupils are awaited. However it is clear that the Governor's Disciple Committee will be the final stage of parental appeals against heads decisions in many cases. It is therefore vital to get this stage right. Under the old system any flaws at this stage could be remedied by an Independent Panel, no more.
That will only leave Judicial Review - and that is an area where legal aid will remain. Judicial Reviews easily run to thousands of pounds and an innocent procedural error could be very costly. This course examines the regulations that underpin the governors' deliberations, best practice for managing the who process and an examination of necessary time limits, documentation and correspondence.
Data Protection, Access to Records, Freedom of Information and Schools
Schools all have obligations to comply with information gathering and keeping. There are many myths about Data and Confidentiality which this training course examines and breaks down. Compliance and understanding of the rules so much easier. It protects schools against complaints to the ombudsman, Secretary of State for Education, Information Commissioner and even in court proceedings.
Schools may be faced with requests from the Police, parents, social services and pupils themselves.
By looking at the core duties, responsibilities and exemptions this course enables schools to become more confident in what they have to disclose, what they may disclose and what they must not disclose.
Investigations
It is a sad fact of life that investigations into pupil behaviour, accidents and incidents at school, allegations about staff sometimes staff capability issues are all too common.
Drawing on my experience of handling complex litigation, allegations and of clerking literally hundreds of appeals this course looks at how best a school and the senior management team can provide legally robust, time effective investigations into all possible areas of conflict.
The course looks at the differences between civil litigation that a school may face, for example and injury on school premises. What is good evidence for an exclusion, can witnesses be anonymous? How to manage allegations about staff and how to be sure of your paperwork if the case goes further.
Attending a Court or Tribunal - The Professional Witness
No one ever wants to be a witness. However much you are in the right, being a witness is a traumatic experience. This course examines the various jurisdictions and considerations for you giving evidence. From the criminal court, to the civil courts, employment tribunals and even exclusion and appeal settings this course prepares you for them all.
By drawing on my own experience of preparing witness statements and preparing people to actually give evidence you can be confident that from the minute you step into court you will be prepared and ready to give the court the very best possible evidence.
Disability, Discrimination and the Equality Act - What every school needs to know
The duties imposed by the Equality Act 2010 have replaced much other earlier legislation. It is absolutely vital that heads, senior school managers and governors understand their new responsibilities.
This course examines what these responsibilities are, what policies need to be in place to comply, and what needs to be done if a claim is made against the school.
The course will also examine guidance available to parents who wish to bring a claim, and case studies will be considered.
Specific details on all the above courses are available, and these can all be delivered in school, or to a group of schools which may be very cost effective. Each course is also open to delegates to book individual places, which enables you to meet and discuss issues with other professionals. Course groups are kept to a maximum of 12 delegates.
In school courses cost £600 per day course. The school provides the venue, arranges the projector and prepares the course documentation. No refreshments are included in this cost.
The day delegate rate is £150 for the first delegate, or two may attend for £225, and each subsequent booking from a school is £100 per additional person. This includes the documentation pack and refreshments including lunch.
At the point of booking you receive a separate terms and conditions agreement.
The above costs are exclusive of VAT.
Call us now for our full timetable of training events