In case you missed it: 2024 autumn term education updates
Jill Donabie, partner, and Ryan Douglas, paralegal, both in our education team, summarise some of the key recent education guidance updates to help you prepare for 2025.
Conversion grant removed
The academy conversion support grant will end on 1 January 2025.
Schools are only eligible for the grant if they are part of a group of 3 or more schools joining the same academy trust. To remain eligible, an application for the grant must be made by 20 December 2024.
You can find out more details on the conversion grant here.
Skills England
The Government has announced the establishment of a new arms-length body, Skills England.
Skills England is being established to bring together key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade.
While currently a shadow body within the Department for Education (DfE), there are plans for Skills England to be fully established next year.
You can find out more about the plans for and role of Skills England here.
ESFA functions to move into DfE
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will close, and its functions will be moved to the DfE.
The Government has taken the view that this will benefit education providers by giving them a single point of contact within the Government for financial management and support.
You can see the Government’s announcement here.
EHRC publishes guidance and documents on the duty to prevent sexual harassment
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published new technical guidance, an eight-step guide, a checklist and action plan for employers to assist them in complying with their duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
You can find the EHRC’s guidance here and the checklist/action plan here.
Employment Rights Bill Factsheets
The Government has published factsheets on the Employment Rights Bill. The Bill will overhaul employment rights and employers need to be aware of the changes that will come into force once the Bill is finalised and passed.
Consultation on some of the Bill’s provisions closed w/c 2 December.
You can find the Bill factsheets here.
Get Britain Working White Paper
The Government has released its White Paper, Get Britain Working. The White Paper sets out the Government’s plans to decrease unemployment and upskill the workforce.
Education is a critical area to boost employment and the White Paper sets out various educational motives throughout.
You can find the White Paper here.
School Support Staff Negotiating Body reinstated
The School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) will be reinstated by the Government.
The SSSNB was abolished in 2010 but the Government is introducing legislation to bring the body back in efforts to deliver its plan to “Make Pay Work”.
You can find out further information on the SSSNB’s reinstatement here.
For more information, please contact Jill using [email protected] or 0191 211 7933.