Welcome to the latest edition of Heads Up!
Naturally the Schools White Paper, ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ is already generating a lot of discussion. We provide some initial analysis below. We will be exploring the impact of the new guidance and proposed legislation in more detail at our in person Education Conference on 29th April. Other topics to be covered will include: making collaboration work, expansion through new provision looking at nursery provision and opening a resource unit, governance challenges, safeguarding compliance and the use of AI in complaints. We will also be providing a comprehensive HR and employment update. We will shortly be circulating a full agenda and details of our guest speaker panel. Please register your attendance now as spaces are limited.
Every Child Achieving and Thriving & SEND Reforms – At a Glance
On 23 February 2026, the Government published the long‑awaited Schools White Paper, accompanied by a separate document, ‘SEND reform: putting children and young people first’, which outlines key proposals for reforming the SEND system. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the plans aim to make mainstream schools more inclusive and “deliver better life chances for children”. There is a great deal to digest, and we are still reviewing the proposals in detail. In this article, we highlight some of the key measures and offer our initial insights, reflecting on SEND in particular. This is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of all proposals. Click here to continue reading.
Schools white paper: A plan for parent complaints
The government’s consideration of the impact of parental complaints on schools is a positive step in tackling this difficult issue. Many schools are committed to resolving legitimate concerns efficiently, effectively and with mutual respect. Proposals in the White Paper, such as updated harassment guidance and examples of effective home–school partnership agreements, are welcome. Click here to continue reading.
Proposed amendments to Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026
On 12 February 2026, the Government launched a 10 week consultation, closing on 22 April 2026, on proposed amendments to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) which will be operational from 1 September 2026.
Whilst there are some proposed changes to all parts of KCSIE for September 2026, this article will focus on the main proposals concerning gender questioning children and the enhanced role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead, (DSL), especially when dealing with the rise in child-on child abuse including harassment and violence, and other forms of violence to include knife-crime. Click here to continue reading.
An overview of the new guidance on “Restrictive interventions, including use of reasonable force, in schools”
The Department for Education (DfE) has released new guidance titled “Restrictive interventions, including use of reasonable force, in schools”, which will take effect from April 2026. This comprehensive framework replaces the previous Use of Reasonable Force (2013) guidance and introduces significant new duties for schools across England. It applies to all school types—maintained, non‑maintained, independent, academies, alternative provision academies, maintained nursery schools, and pupil referral units—as well as local authorities. Click here to continue reading.
The common issues in dealing with parent governors and how schools should respond to these issues
Parent governors play a key role in representing the parent community on school boards, whilst contributing to strategic decisions relating to a school’s direction, and overall long-term success. There are many benefits to having parent governors on school boards, such as first-hand experience from a parent’s perspective, insight into the needs and concerns of pupils and parents, and an ability to strengthen communications between school leaders and families, building transparency and trust within the broader school community. Click here to continue reading.
Mental Capacity: Key considerations in relation to those with special educational needs
In supporting those with special educational needs, Schools may be confronted with and have to consider a pupils mental capacity. In general terms, young people are assumed to have capacity to make decisions regarding their daily life, including what education an individual should receive
What happens where there is a question mark in relation to an individual’s ability to make such decisions? Who can/should make those decisions? How should those decisions be made? What decisions should be made? What safeguards are in place? Click here to continue reading.
UK immigration and UKVI Enforcement: What Your School Needs to Know
Over the last 12 months, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has intensified its enforcement activity to unprecedented levels, with 1,948 sponsor licences revoked between July 2024 and June 2025—more than double the previous year’s total of 937. The Home Office has made clear that they are seeking to double these numbers over the next 12 months. This surge reflects a strategic shift toward intelligence led compliance, where HMRC, PAYE, Companies House and SMS data are actively monitored to identify salary discrepancies, unreported changes, and gaps in record keeping. Issues such as underpayments and failure to provide promised work remain common drivers of revocation. With illegal working arrests also rising by 51% year on year, it is clear that enforcement will continue at this heightened level. Click here to continue reading.
The Employment Rights Act: Key Changes and What Schools Need to Know
The Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025) received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025 to become law. A phased implementation during 2026 and 2027 is anticipated and it is therefore important that schools and MATs start to prepare for the changes. Our Schools HR team considers key changes affecting the education sector and the importance of preparing for these changes now. Click here to continue reading.
Case Updates: Developments since For Women Scotland – What Schools Need to Know
Following the Supreme Court’s decision in For Women Scotland in April 2025 on the definition of “sex” under the Equality Act 2010 (“the EA 2010”), there has been a lot of discussion regarding school policies on access to single sex facilities. The long-awaited Equality and Human Rights Commission (“EHRC”) updated statutory Code of Practice remains in draft form and at the consultation stage. To put that into context, the updated guidance following For Women Scotland was promised by the summer of 2025. Click here to continue reading.
Companies House Requirements for Academy Trusts and Incorporated Charities
We would like to draw your attention to the upcoming deadline in connection with the new requirement for identity verification at Companies House. As you will have heard, Companies House now requires identity verification for all new directors of companies and PSCs, as well as members of LLPs. The new regime was introduced on 8 April 2025 when voluntary identity verification was introduced. There is a 12 month transition period during which existing company directors, PSCs and members of LLP’s will need to verify their identities. This started in Autumn 2025 and will end in Autumn 2026. However, Academy Trusts and incorporated charities should be aware of a further upcoming deadline. Click here to continue reading.
Our teams welcome a conversation about any of these matters and hope you enjoy reading this edition of Heads Up!
Contact us:
As always, if you need support with any matter, please do contact our helpdesks:
- School Support helpdesk: 0345 070 7437 or email schoolsupport@wslaw.co.uk.
- Schools HR helpdesk: 0345 026 8690 or email SchoolsHR@wslaw.co.uk.
- SEND Support: email sendsupport@wslaw.co.uk.