Employment Law Masterclass - Wednesday 19 November 2025 (Online)

This course is for: Experienced Heads and Senior Leaders who already have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of employment law and are looking to deepen their knowledge of more complex, real-world staffing challenges. It’s ideal for those in leadership roles who are responsible for managing staff and employment-related decisions — and who want to stay informed, confident, and proactive in navigating nuanced legal issues in schools.

Description

What will you gain by attending?

Practical insight into complex employment law issues

Confidence in handling sensitive staffing situations, such as harassment, long-term illness, changing contracts, and controversial staff conduct.

Clarity on evolving legal expectations, including new government legislation and what it means for your school.

Real-world strategies through interactive case studies that reflect challenges you’re likely to face as a school leader.Discuss current financial challenges facing independent schools

Tools to make informed decisions — and to know when to seek specialist advice before issues escalate.

Course Programme

Time	Session
09.30	Welcome and introductions
	Session 1: Setting Boundaries and Managing Conduct The ‘Boundaries of Banter’ – the evolving rules as to what is now acceptable (and unacceptable) language in the workplace Harassment – the employer’s (new) duties Expressing controversial views – a valid reason for disciplining/dismissing staff?
	Session 2: Contracts, Changes & Compliance Changing Contracts – Do you have discretion to change staff’s duties? Contracts and notice – What if staff leave without giving proper notice? Redundancies – avoiding pitfalls when addressing the prospect of reducing staff numbers
	Break
	Session 3: Managing Health, Absence & Disability How to address long-term illness – and disability Understanding obligations and best practices for supporting staff while managing operational needs
	Session 4: Legal Liability & Legislative Update Gender Reassignment/Trans Rights: Is the law now clear for employers? A detailed review of the Labour Government’s plans – and the major Employment Rights Bill
12.30	Close

Speaker Biography:

Philip Lott is a specialist and practitioner in Employment Law. Having spent many years as the ‘in-house’ Senior Solicitor with a major education union, Philip now designs and presents lively, incisive - and essentially practical - courses and training events for managers and HR staff, primarily in the Education world.

Participants find his interactive and energetic approach both enjoyable and effective. His clients include: the Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association (UCEA), the Universities Human Resources Association (the UHR), many ‘old’ and ‘new’ Universities, the Girls’ School Association, the Head Masters’ Conference, Cancer Research UK - and Lloyd’s of London.