Over the Summer, new updates and guidance has come out which schools are advised to note and ensure have been addressed. We have reviewed the recent changes in guidance and legislation and below are some key things to check at the start of the new academic year. 

PREVENT wording – permissive environments 

Ensure your policy has been updated to reflect the new wording changes in the Prevent guidance. There has been a shift in the Prevent duty that the ideological causes of terrorism should be addressed, as well as the prominence of ensuring that schools are not a “permissive environment” for radicalisation and terrorism.  

Schools are also advised to review your digital technology standards, with the new guidance recognising that pupils are more engaged in a digital world than ever before, including greater access, with the guidance now noting that terrorists “are not typically organised into formal groups…but informal online communities”. 

With the recent Far-Right riots, schools may want to include this in to staff training as well as your PSHE curriculum lessons. 

Attendance 

The new Working Together to Improve School Attendance guidance came into effect in August, despite being published back in February. The new guidance has been updated to reflect recent legislative changes including: 

• revised attendance and admission registers, new codes  
• changes in leave of absence and information-sharing laws under the 2024 regulations 
• clarification on schools’ roles regarding health issues 
• expectations for attendance champions, including the requirement to inform youth offending teams of unexplained absences. 

The new guidance also introduces a national framework for penalty notices and renames “parenting contracts” as “attendance contracts”. 

Alternative Provisions 

Alternative Provisions 

Additional clarity has been provided in the most recent KCSIE, 2024 section on ‘Alternative Provision’. This confirms that the school continues to be responsible for the safeguarding of pupils placed in alternative provision and should be satisfied that the placement meets the pupil’s needs.  

Gender-questioning children 

The guidance did not update this section, but has identified that it is under review. The KCSIE 2024 states schools should take a cautious approach, as there remain many unknowns, factors and vulnerabilities to consider in this area.  

In December 2023 a consultation was launched on draft guidance to support schools, colleges, teachers and leaders. The KCSIE 2024, has also drawn from the CASS review, regarding clinical help and advice. The key points from the KCSIE 2024 around gender-questioning pupils include: 

• Gender Questioning Children Guidance: KCIE 2024 references the draft “Gender Questioning Children” guidance, which provides specific recommendations for schools on how to support pupils exploring their gender identity. 
• Clinical Help and Advice: Schools are encouraged to advise families of gender questioning children to seek clinical help and advice. This could involve consulting professionals such as psychologists or gender specialists. 
• Individual Needs: Schools should consider the broad range of the child’s individual needs, including their emotional, social, and academic well-being, when providing support. 
• Partnership with Parents: Schools should work in partnership with parents and carers to ensure that the support provided is appropriate and meets the child’s needs. 

For additional information you can visit the external sites including the Trans and Non-binary Education network. 

If your school would like support in reviewing its safeguarding procedures, TT Education provides comprehensive safeguarding compliance reviews for schools and Academy Trusts, including Central Trust Reviews. Contact us for more details at TT Education or visit our services page.