Energy Crisis for schools: is 6 months enough?

Schools have concerns that the six-month support scheme relating to energy prices extended to them by Government will not be enough. Many schools have already committed to fixed term energy contracts with suppliers, and they do not know how this scheme will assist in those circumstances.

Government support

The new Energy Bill Relief Scheme will provide a discount to schools from 1st October 2022.

 The discount will be available to public sector organisations, such as schools, on existing fixed price contracts agreed on or after April 1 2022.

They will also apply to those signing new fixed-price contracts, those on “deemed” or out of contract or variable tariffs, and those on flexible purchase or similar contracts.

Those contracts which were signed on before the 1st April 2022 will not be eligible to receive support under the Government scheme as the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, BEIS states that they “would not have been exposed to the recent rises in wholesale prices”.

The initial scheme will run for six months but will be reviewed after three months. BEIS have confirmed that after the six months, there will be a targeted system focused on the most vulnerable industries.

Q&A:  Holiday pay following Harper Trust v Brazel

What are the facts?

Harper Trust employed Ms Brazel as a visiting music teacher on a year round contract, but for term times only.  Ms Brazel was only paid for the hours she taught, which could vary from week to week.

The Trust sought to calculate Ms Brazel’s holiday pay by using the ‘percentage method’ i.e. multiplying the hours she worked by 12.07% then by her hourly rate.  That sum was then paid as holiday pay.

Ms Brazel made a claim to the Employment Tribunal on the basis that she was, by using the percentage method, receiving less holiday pay than she was entitled to.

The case ultimately made its way to the Supreme Court, who unanimously agreed with Ms Brazel and confirmed that the 5.6 weeks holiday entitlement applies to both full and part-year workers and cannot be pro-rated based on hours worked.

Commercial contract considerations for Schools

More so than ever, schools and education establishments are taking over a greater proportion of the procurement of goods and services necessary for their effective operation, often through entering into commercial supply agreements and contracts.  It is estimated that after wages, schools spend more than £10bn per year on purchasing the supply everyday goods and services.

Safeguarding in Schools: KCSIE changes and OfSted’s approach

Safeguarding children is a hot topic and a huge undertaking.

Since the pandemic, it has become ever more evident that schools and educational establishments play a vital role in protecting young people. School, the one constant for some chaotic young lives, gives children an opportunity to be seen and heard.

When schools had to temporarily close their doors due to COVID, this placed the vulnerable at a greater risk of danger, and the repercussions are still being felt. In the Autumn 2021 term it is reported that 1.8m children missed at least 10% of school (persistent absence twice as high as before the pandemic) and those missing at least 50% of school amounted to 122,000 children.

DfE research (State of the Nation 2022) has proved a link between regular attendance at School/College, and positive wellbeing, highlighting the positive impacts of face-to-face learning. However, schools also hold very clear responsibilities to protect their pupils from harm within their school environment.

Upcoming Events:

Domestic & Economic Abuse – Implications and Issues for the Workplace

Join Laura McHugh, Employment Partner, after the conclusion of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month for a for a practical and timely discussion of the key issues employers should be aware of.

We will consider:

What is economic and financial abuse?

Why is this an employment law issue?

The impact of domestic and economic abuse on individuals and employers

The support employers should be offering – what does good practice look like?

To book your place on 2nd November at 10am click here