Back to School: Academies Update Webinar – Estates, Funding, and Employment Law
Warneford Consulting will be taking part in the upcoming Back to School: Academies Update Webinar, hosted by Moore (South) Accountants. The online event will take place on Thursday, 25 September, from 10:00 to 12:30 GMT+1.
The webinar is designed for school leaders, business managers, and multi-academy trust (MAT) teams, providing updates on audits, accounts, governance, estates management, and employment law.
Key Highlights
Moore (South) will cover:
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Audits and Compliance: Key trends from last year’s audits, recommendations, and areas of non-compliance with the Academies Trust Handbook.
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Academies Accounts Direction: Preparing for external audit and understanding updates to the Academies Accounts Direction.
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Governance Changes: Key amendments to the Academies Trust Handbook that schools and trusts need to be aware of.
Estates Management and Funding
Tim Warneford and James Smurthwaite of Warneford Consulting will present on estates management and funding strategies, including:
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Prioritising SCA Funding for MATs: How trusts can implement an internal bid system or centralised premises team approach, how bids are graded, and how results are communicated.
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Creating an Estates Strategy: Integrating estates planning into budgets and long-term strategy to avoid overspend or emergency works.
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Alternative Funding Options: Exploring funding avenues beyond DfE allocations to maximise investment in school estates.
Their session will provide practical guidance to help trusts make informed, strategic decisions about estates and funding priorities.
Employment Law Updates
Natasha Letchford and Sophia Zand from Wilsons Solicitors will provide updates on the Employment Act and future legislation, covering:
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Unfair dismissal considerations
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Family friendly policies
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Sexual harassment and whistleblowing
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Flexible working arrangements
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Zero-hour contract implications
These sessions will help school leaders stay up to date with key employment law developments affecting staff management and compliance.
Join the Webinar
This 2.5-hour online webinar is an ideal opportunity for MAT leaders, school business managers, and trust boards to gain practical insights into estates management, funding, audits, and employment law.
Date & Time: Thursday, 25 September | 10:00 – 12:30 GMT+1
Location: Online
Warneford Consulting looks forward to sharing expertise and supporting trusts in navigating the challenges of estates planning and funding, ensuring schools remain compliant and strategically prepared for the year ahead.
