Schools HR Policy Changes (April 2025-March 2026)
On this page you can reference a list of our new policies or policies that have had significant updates between April 2025 and March 2026.
Please note that the comments below highlight major updates and there may be additional minor changes not mentioned in the notes. This list also does not include MGN or template updates; these would have been updated in line with the relevant policies.
If you would like to be informed of new policies and employment law updates as they come out, we also share these in our quarterly HR Newsletter. Click here to find out how to sign up to our HR Newsletter.
Pay
- Model Pay Policy (using performance related pay) - updates to additional payments, TLR for Sept 25 & 26, and clarification for LA schools to not sanction pay progression in absence & capability
- Model Pay Policy (no performance related pay) - updates to TLR for Sept 25 & 26 and clarification for LA schools to not sanction pay progression in absence & capability
Click here to go to our Pay page
Managing attendance capability and misconduct
- Capability Policy - removed withholding of increment when a warning is issued
- Attendance Policy - removed withholding of increment when a warning is issued
- Disciplinary and Dismissals Policy - “13.5.4 The employee must be given a date by which to provide any documentation to support their case (five working days).” Updated to three working days.
- Sickness Absence Policy All Staff - updated teachers' phased return
Click here to go to our Managing attendance capability and misconduct page
Family Friendly Working
- Maternity Leave (Support Staff) - updated to include new Neonatal Care Leave
- Maternity Leave (Teachers) - updated to include new Neonatal Care Leave
- Maternity/Adoption Support Leave for Support Staff Only - updated to include new Neonatal Care Leave
- New - Carer's Leave Policy
- New - Fertility and Assisted Conception Leave
- Adoption & Surrogacy Leave Policy (Teachers and Support Staff) - updated to include new Neonatal Care Leave
- New - Fostering Leave Policy
- Shared Parental Leave - updated to include day one rights and that Paternity leave can be taken after a period of shared parental leave
- Paternity Leave (adoption and birth) Support Staff - updated to include day one rights, Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave, and that Paternity leave can be taken after a period of shared parental leave
- Paternity Leave (adoption and birth) Teaching - updated to include day one rights, Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave, and that Paternity leave can be taken after a period of shared parental leave
- Parental Leave - updated to include day one rights
Click here to go to our Family Friendly Working page
Code of conduct and whistleblowing
- Whistleblowing Policy for Academies and MATs - includes sexual harassment
- Whistleblowing Policy for Local Authority Maintained Schools - includes sexual harassment
Click here to go to our Code of conduct and whistleblowing page
Recruitment and selection
- Fixed Term Contracts Policy - clarification to right to appeal and continuous service considerations
Click here to go to our Recruitment and selection page
Induction and probation
- Probationary Period Policy for Support Staff - added clarification of governor/trustee review stage if I termination of employment is recommended by the line manager
Click here to go to our Induction and probation page
Holidays and leave
- Authorised Special Leave - updated to include Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave and previous clarification on dependants and parental bereavement leave
Click here to go to our Holidays and leave page
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I)
- ED&I Policy - updated intersectionality graphic
Click here to go to our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) page
Job Evaluation
- Job Evaluation Policy - updates to timescales and new process
Click here to go to our Job Evaluation page
Safety, health and wellbeing
- Severe Weather Policy - several additions and clarification added
- New - Smoking and Vaping Policy
Click here to go to our Safety, health and wellbeing page
Ending and leaving employment
- Flexible Retirement Policy (support staff) - clarification on contract changes, when a request is accepted/refused, and tax implications
Click here to go to our Ending and leaving employment page
Pocket Policy
- New - Developing your cultural competence Pocket Policy