Autumn 2020

Welcome to our Autumn education bulletin.

Recent months have demanded significant flexibility from schools as part of the nation's covid-19 front line response. That demand has often been last minute and confused, but schools continue to rise to meet the challenge. Throughout, colleagues at Wrigleys have regularly posted updates to our education news and covid-19 news page providing guidance and clarity for school leaders on the rules and restrictions which have been introduced. In this bulletin we include commentary on the continuing safeguarding obligations, and the duty to provide remote learning, alongside school governance updates.

Wrigleys' employment webinar series, replacing our summer annual conference, was attended by many schools, and recordings of each session are now available on our website. Wrigleys' governance webinar series has just begun, replacing our annual governance conference (now in its 29th year!).

Keep an eye out for Wrigleys education webinar series which will start in the new year.

What does the remote education direction mean for schools and trusts?

The Secretary of State has directed that remote education shall be a legal requirement. So what does this mean for schools and trusts?

Background

The Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, has issued a temporary continuity direction, in exercise of his powers under the Coronavirus Act 2020, requiring schools to provide remote education to pupils. The direction is accompanied by an explanatory note which schools must have regard to when complying with the direction.

What is the direction?

Schools must provide remote education where a pupil's travel to or attendance at school would be contrary to guidance published by the Department for Education (DfE) or Public Health England or prohibited by legislation. In other words, where a class, group of pupils or individual pupil need to self-isolate or there are local, regional/tiered or national restrictions requiring pupils to remain at home, schools are expected to provide those pupils with immediate access to remote education.

When from?

The direction has effect from 22 October 2020 until the end of the current school year, unless the requirement is ended sooner by a further direction.

To view the full article please click here.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.