HSE issues a fine after teacher left injured after being run over by delivery van

In February 2016, a teacher was stood in front of St Andrew's College in Cambridge when a delivery driver employed by St Andrew's Tutorial Services Ltd, failed to spot the teacher and reversed over her. The delivery driver only stopped his delivery vehicle after members of the public alerted him to the incident. The teacher sustained multiple fractures and crush injuries; it has been reported that her head was just inches away from one of the tyres.

School Risk Assessments Uncovered

When defending a claim arising out of an accident in an educational setting one of the first questions a lawyer will ask is 'where is the risk assessment'? Thorough and detailed risk assessments which have been acted upon are instrumental in defending claims for personal injury.

The Dangers Of Veganuary

As the Christmas blues settle in on 1 January 2020 and we all reflect on the amount of food and drink consumed over the festive period, now is the time to take on the first challenge of 2020 in what has become widely known as 'Veganuary'. This is a challenge that entails eating an entirely plant-based diet in an attempt to detox our bodies and do something for the planet in return!

There is no doubt that this topic sparks much debate, particularly in a diverse work environment amongst the more carnivorous of us all. However, could this be a recipe for disaster i.e. future Tribunal claims?

‘A practical guide to GDPR for Schools’

by Forbes Solicitors

Data protection compliance needn’t and shouldn’t get in the way of

education, safeguarding or effective school management. A sensible compliance plan, supporting documents and clear procedures on what to do if there’s a data breach or a subject rights request can head off a lot of the problems that often arise in dealing with information about pupils, parents, staff and governors and manage the risk of fines or claims.

Written by the specialist Information Law team at well-known Education Law advisors Forbes Solicitors, this book sets out practical guidance and suggestions based on experience of advising schools and colleges on their policies and practices before during and after the change to GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Read a FREE chapter / more information / pre-order online (quote GDSC7399 for your exclusive 10% discount):

http://www.lawbriefpublishing.com/product/gdprforschools/

Benefit of Government Risk Protection Arrangement now available to Local Authority Maintained Schools

The Government recently announced the extension of the availability of the Risk Protection Arrangement (“RPA”) to Local Authority Maintained Schools.  The RPA is currently only available to Academy Trusts.  It commenced in September 2014 on an opt-in basis as an alternative to commercial insurance schemes to help reduce the cost to the public purse of protecting academies from risk.  Prior to launching the RPA, the cost of commercial insurance to academies was £49.93 per pupil.  Under the scheme on launch in 2014 the costs of insurance was £25 per pupil.  A further reduction has been possible over time, reducing the costs per pupil to £18 for the 2019/2020 academic year.  It is hoped that by extending the RPA to Local Authority Maintained Schools, the associated cost of insurance for those schools can be reduced. 

New insight into and guidance on child sexual abuse in schools

The Independent Schools Council recently commissioned a report by Farrer & Co into the impact of historical child abuse cases and the lessons that can be learnt to increase awareness and inspire practice change to minimise risk to children in the future.  The report titled “Child Sex Abuse in Schools: Lessons from history, guidance for the future” consists of an in-depth analysis of historic cases, identifying the various risk factors leaving individual children open to abuse and suggesting methods that can be implemented by schools to minimise risk moving forwards.