04 Jun Schools as charities: legal and regulatory update Fri
07 Jun The New Art of Headship Tue
11 Jun Introduction to VAT for schools Tue
18 Jun Questions that Heads should be asking their team about VAT policy and detail Tue
18 Jun So you want to be a bursar? Tue
25 Jun Holiday Pay Update Fri
28 Jun Gender Questioning Pupils - unpacking the guidance, law and best practice Fri
28 Jun VAT on school fees update More Upcoming Events
Welcome to ISBA’s Weekly Bulletin 11. These bulletins will be sent to ISBA members regularly with the very latest on operational and regulatory issues impacting independent schools. If you have a question you would like us to answer in this bulletin please email us or call us on 01256 330369.
If you missed our last bulletin it is available here.
This week we have published ISBA’s updated template zero hours employee and worker contracts. The contracts have been updated to reflect the new arrangements for holiday pay for those working irregular hours that apply in respect of holiday years commencing on or after 1 April 2024. In summary, under the new Regulations, holiday accrues at the rate of 12.07% of the actual hours worked in a pay period for those working irregular hours or for part of the year. Broadly, schools will be able to choose from two systems of holiday pay:
- They can either pay holiday pay when holiday is taken, calculated at the rate of a week's pay for each week's holiday; or
- They may choose to use rolled-up holiday pay, a practice whereby a worker’s hourly rate is enhanced to incorporate an element for holiday. Rolled-up holiday pay must be paid as an uplift of 12.07% of the employee's remuneration for work done. Under this arrangement, workers must still be allowed to take their holiday entitlement but will not be paid at the time they take it.
The contracts provide alternate clauses covering both options and the zero hours employee contract can also be tailored depending on whether the employee is engaged to work term-time only, in which case a school may wish to designate that periods of accrued holiday are taken during school holidays, or year-round.
We have updated the guidance note dealing with the holiday clause to provide further explanation. It is important to note that the new rules only apply to leave years starting on or after 1 April 2024. For most schools, this is likely to mean that the changes will not have practical effect until September 2024 (assuming the leave year corresponds with the academic year). We have made this clear within the guidance note.
We have also updated the contracts generally to accord with the updates made this year to the teacher and support staff contracts.
Source: Harrison Clark Rickerbys
AVIVA has stated that the scheme Annual Management Charge (AMC) on its APTIS proposition is about to be reduced by one basis point. AVIVA is able to do this because of the significant number of schools now using APTIS.
This is good news for APTIS members. For a member in the ‘My Future’ default, the reduction will represent a lowering of scheme AMC from 0.26% to 0.25% and the Total Expense Ratio (TER) from 0.30% to 0.29%.
The change will be effective from 1st July, for all current members as well as any schools joining APTIS after that date.
This move reflects AVIVA’s ongoing commitment to offering significant value for money for members of APTIS. It has already agreed with ISBA that it will have on-going reviews to reflect the growth of the APTIS arrangement.
If you’d like to know more, or if you’d like any more information, just get in touch with your usual Aviva contact, who’ll be pleased to help you.
Source: AVIVA
Crowe is offering its popular virtual trustee essentials course again, for all trustees navigating a role during an ever-changing economic and political environment. The course will provide strategic oversight and bring a broader perspective and skillset to support your team in achieving its aims. For more information and to register click here.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are providing a free webinar on the duty to manage asbestos in buildings, which will cover the legal requirements on schools and responsible bodies, the risk to health and how to safely manage asbestos.
The webinar is to be held on 15 May 2024, 10:30 – 12:00. Register here.
Did you know that the ISBA ‘primary contact’ for each school (usually the bursar/similar) has ‘administrator’ rights to update the school’s ISBA contact list via the website? To do this, the primary contact logs into the ISBA website and under ‘My Account’ on the top right of the page, selects ‘Other staff contacts’.
There are brief instructions at the top of the ‘Other staff contacts’ page about adding a new starter, removing a colleague who has left, or updating an existing team member’s details.
Please remember if you are giving someone web access, or amending someone’s login, you must copy/retain the username and password to give to the individual – the system does not send their login information automatically. Another top tip - if your new team member is joining the school from another independent school (which may also be an ISBA member school), please check or request the ISBA team add that person for you by emailing isbaoffice@theisba.org.uk.
If a person is already on the database, ISBA will move them from their previous school to their new school, thereby keeping their school history and training record intact on one audit trail and preventing duplication. If you have any questions, please do let ISBA know.
Please note the ISBA advice and guidance email address has now changed to: adviceatISBA@theisba.org.uk
Could you provide some clarification on the recent statutory attendance guidance for schools?
Statutory attendance guidance, Working Together to Improve School Attendance, was issued in February and is applicable to independent schools (with the exception of some provisions). An updated template attendance policy incorporating the new guidance will be available in the reference library later this term.
Further statutory attendance guidance, Sharing Daily Pupil Attendance Data, was issued in April but this is not applicable to independent schools and there is no requirement for independent schools to routinely share daily attendance data with the DfE.
Do you have a template for a business case for withdrawal from the TPS?
Here is a link to the Business Case for Change of Pension Arrangements. It was written in June 2023, so you will be able to update some of the figures now that the new employers’ contribution rate has been announced. There is no mention of industrial action – which is now a common theme endured by many schools in consultation – and we would recommend either including the possibility and impact of striking teachers in your assessment, or as a separate note to the Board.
We also have a raft of pension guidance to help schools navigate the consultation and withdrawal from TPS, including:
- TPS Options for Schools
- Teachers' Pensions (TPS) Options and Consultation Summary - Full List of Template Documents and Guidance
- TPS Consultations and Trade Unions
Do you have any information on why banks are not processing payment from Russian citizens who are not on the sanction list?
The amendment to Regulation 17A is now being implemented having come into force at the end of last year as discussed in the OFSI blog:
“This amendment prohibits UK banks from processing payments previously processed by designated banks (meaning banks designated specifically under regulation 17A) or which are intended for a designated bank. So, if a UK bank receives funds that have been routed from or via a designated bank, directly or indirectly, the UK bank should not process the transaction even if the account holders sending and receiving the funds are not designated for the purposes of the asset freeze or otherwise sanctioned.”
Regarding prohibition from management (s.128) checks, Employer Access is due to be replaced later this term. From then on prohibition from management checks can be carried out as follows:
- Check the publicly available list of individuals prohibited from management or government of schools here; OR
- If you are applying for an Enhanced DBS with Barred List for the individual you can put ‘Child Workforce Independent School’ in the position field on the application form and the certificate should then tell you whether there is a s.128 direction in place.
ISBA Annual Conference 2024 – Book Your Place Now
Bursars and their teams can book day delegate tickets at ISBA’s upcoming annual conference from 20 – 22 May 2024 at the ICC, Wales. We've discounted the price for any second or subsequent day delegate bookings for colleagues from the same school.
The conference offers a selection of professional development sessions for support staff to choose from, hosted by expert speakers who will share tips and advice on the latest issues affecting the independent school sector from financial planning, mergers and acquisitions, the new inspections framework, digital strategy, sustainability, HR (neurodiversity in the workplace, discrimination, flexible working and wellbeing), safeguarding, marketing and communications (and much more!). See the full programme and find out more about the ICC as a venue by listening to our podcast.
If you have an issue you’ve been grappling with for some time or one that has just popped up in your in-tray, this event will help. There’ll be numerous opportunities to network with peers and the chance to relax at our annual dinner hosted by popular comedian Marcus Brigstocke on Wednesday 22 May.
You’ll also get to visit our largest exhibition yet of suppliers to the sector, and for the first time this year we’re offering you the chance to book a place for any member of staff to come for the day to visit the exhibition free of charge. This is an unmissable opportunity to see over 180 companies supplying a huge variety of services all under one roof. To book free places for Tuesday exhibition tickets click here and for Wednesday click here.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Webinars
Details of the webinars in our professional development programme for the summer term are listed below and are available to book here. More webinars will be added to the summer term programme so please watch this space for more details each week.
If you missed any from the spring term all of our free of charge webinars are recorded and are available to view in the multimedia section of the ISBA reference library.
- 4 June 2024 from 11.00 – 12.00: Schools as Charities: Legal and Regulatory Update
Aimed at schools that are run by charities, Elizabeth Jones from Farrer and Co will provide a legal and regulatory update focused on charity law and regulation.
- 6 June 2024 from 09.30 – 10.30: A Changing Market: How Should independent Schools Respond?
Richard Harman, chief executive of AGBIS, John Murphie, chief operating officer of ISBA, and Chris Fairbank, director of communications, HMC, will address the changing landscape within which independent schools are likely to be operating over the next year. Book your place.
- 7 June 2024 from 11.00-12.00: The New Art of Headship
Russell Speirs and Lucy Robins will share the findings of RSAcademics’ recent Art of Headship Report, looking specifically at the changing nature of leadership in UK independent schools and what this means for bursars.
- 11 June 2024 from 11.00 – 12.00: Introduction to VAT for Schools
This session is designed for schools which have yet to become VAT registered. Chris Bentley-Mawer, finance director at Eastbourne College, will cover the process for becoming VAT registered, and how to set up or reorganise internal accounting systems and administrative processes for managing VAT.
- 18 June from 14.00-15.00: Questions that Heads Should be Asking their Team about VAT Policy and Detail
The session will provide headteachers and their senior leadership teams with an overview of policy on VAT and assist them in monitoring the school fee debt levels and required pupil numbers to remain viable. Speakers include John Murphie from ISBA and Kieran Smith and Josie Morgan-Jones from Crowe UK LLP.
- 25 June 2024 from 11.00-12.00: Holiday Pay Update
Oliver Daniels and Rachel Parkin of HCR Law will provide an essential update on the latest government consultation and developments in relation to holiday pay. They will confirm the latest position, looking at the impact of recent legislative changes and the steps schools should be taking to prepare ahead of September 2024.
- 28 June 2024 from 11.00 - 12.00: VAT on School Fees Update
Kieran Smith and Josie Morgan-Jones from Crowe UK LLP will cover some of the issues and challenges around VAT for schools. The session will include information on how VAT impacts schools, when returns are due and which areas of the school services and estate are VAT chargeable. Understand what actions are needed now in order to prepare for potential VAT legislative change. This session is for all schools and will assume that the school will be VAT registered and paying VAT on school fees from April 2025.
- 28 June 2024 from 14.00-15.00: Gender Questioning Pupils - Unpacking the Guidance, Law and Best Practice
James Garside from VWV will offer his insight into the current legal frameworks on gender questioning pupils and how to apply them in practice. The session will explore the [final] DfE guidance, law and current thinking to support and assist independent schools in navigating an area of legal and practical complexity.
Data Protection Basics (for Independent Schools) Online Course - 27 June 2024 from 09.30-13.00
This half-day course provides a practical approach to understanding data protection in the independent school setting. Naomi Korn Associates will guide you through key areas of compliance, such as data subject requests, data protection principles, and response strategies to data breaches. Cement your knowledge of the UK's data protection legislation whilst learning skills which will help you navigate data protection in real-world scenarios. This course is suitable for delegates working at any level within the independent school sector with limited previous training or experience in data protection matters.
Cost: £258 including VAT. Please book your place here.
So you Want to be a Bursar?
- Sessions 1 and 2 on Tuesday 18 June at 11.00 - 12.15 and 16.00 – 17.15
- Sessions 3 and 4 on Thursday 20 June at 11.00 - 12 noon and 16.00 – 17.00
This course is for those looking to become a bursar or a member of the support staff management team who are not currently working in the independent school sector and are looking to progress their career.
Online safer recruitment course
ISBA’s online Safer Recruitment course is available exclusively for our members, priced at £60 per person. Booking details are here and those attending may attend the self-paced course which lasts for approximately two to three hours depending on knowledge. The online course will benefit those new to recruiting, individuals selected to conduct interviews and require revision or a three yearly update.
The online course is designed to ensure school staff are able to safely recruit new staff and comply with safeguarding regulations, Keeping Children Safe in Education and of course, most importantly, ensuring that young people learn in a safe environment. The course includes a range of commissioned videos from experts in the safeguarding field, including legal expert David Smellie from Farrer & Co.
You will get a CPD certificate on completion of the course, and the content is suitable for all staff and governors involved in the recruitment and interview process.
Smaller Schools Regional Meetings (Summer Term 2024)
ISBA will be holding a series of free, in-person meetings for smaller schools (250 pupils and under) in the summer term to cover updates on employment law, governance, school strategy, financial management, communication strategies and current questions from schools.
Please book your place for a session near you by following the relevant links below.
9 May 2024, Westbrook Hay School, London Rd, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RF
Regions: Reading and Surrey
Time: 14.00 – 17.30
To book for this meeting click here.
Maximum 20 places.
14 June 2024, Lady Barn House School, Schools Hill, Cheadle SK8 1JE.
Regions: North West, West Midlands, East Midlands, Wales
Time: 10.00 – 13.30
To book for this meeting click here.
Maximum 40 places.
19th June, Homerton College, Hills Rd, Cambridge CB2 8PH
Regions: East Anglia, Kent, East Midlands, East London
Time: 14.00 – 17.30
To book for this meeting click here.
Maximum 40 places.
The ISBA Business Directory continues to grow as more and more companies join this invaluable online resource which provides details of suppliers and professional advisers to independent schools across the country. It offers schools the opportunity to search for specialist suppliers across the UK quickly and easily.
The directory provides suppliers to the sector the chance to demonstrate the commitment they have to quality service to independent schools and to highlight any special offers or discounts they may have for ISBA member schools. The directory is fully searchable by business type, region or by location of the supplier. We do hope you find an opportunity to make use of the directory and that it will help you find the right solutions for your school.
If you’re starting to plan summer or longer-term projects why not check the directory now to see whether there are suitable companies in there for you and don’t forget we’d love to hear from you if you have a favourite supplier you’ve used or currently use, whose services you feel other schools might be interested in and would benefit from being in the directory. Please do drop us a line with their details to office@theisba.org.uk
ISBA has weekly podcasts designed to be easy ‘on-the-go’ listening via Spotify, Buzzsprout, Apple and the multimedia section of the ISBA website. Recent episodes have included:
- ISBA annual conference IT panel preview with Gary Henderson
- Quickfire updates and FAQs answered
- Increasing market share and enhancing awareness of self and others with Audrey Pantelis and Duncan Murphy
- ISBA tool updates, reasonable adjustments, fire and rehire and holiday pay with Rachel Parkin
- Navigating change and coming out on top with Jo Twiselton
- ISI inspections, inspected with Durell Barnes and Neil Walne
- How smart is your bus platform? Pre-conference special with Luke Ryan of Zeelo
- How’s your influence? Pre-conference special with Trudy Lewis
- Edtech insights with Class Technology Solutions
- Fire and rehire, navigating difficult conversations
- Is flexible working the key to boosting performance and teacher wellbeing?
- Budget updates, BSA/ISBA conference, allergies and flexible working
- Getting to know the ICC Wales with Danielle Bounds
Summer term regional group meetings will take place as follows:
- 6 June at 2pm - North West, details TBC
- 11 June at 1.30pm – North East, face-to-face meeting at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (Wakefield Grammar School Foundation)
- 12 June at 9am - East Midlands, details TBC
- 13 June at 10am – Solent, face-to-face meeting, Princes Mead
- 17 June, time TBC – Surrey, face-to-face meeting, Daneshill
- 19 June at 10am – EABA, face-to-face meeting, Homerton College
- 26 June at 9.30am - Severn & Avon, details TBC
- 27 June at 9.30am - West Midlands, details TBC