Academy schools

Meeting your employer obligations

If you’re already an academy school, you’ll be aware of your obligations as an employer. If you’re thinking of converting to academy status, make sure you’ve got all your bases covered. Putting the right procedures in place now could save you money in the longer term.

We can help

NatWest Mentor helps academy schools get to grips with the duties and liabilities they face as an employer. From recruiting new staff to dealing with grievances, disciplinary procedures and dismissals – we’ll help you manage your employment risks effectively.

Employment Law & HR

We can help you to decide appropriate employment terms and conditions for your new staff, and draft suitable contracts. We’ll help you implement disciplinary, grievance and whistleblowing procedures – and give you 24 hour telephone support if you need it.

We can also offer ‘hands-on’ help with a range of issues, including:

Recruitment and interviewing
Disciplinary investigations and hearings
Dismissals and agreed departures
Grievances and appeals

Don't forget - your existing staff will have kept their terms and conditions intact due to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE). We can help you shape the terms and conditions you need for new and existing staff you employ as you take your School forward.

Find out more about NatWest Mentor Employment Law & HR

Training

As an Academy School, you may have to deal with HR or Health & Safety related activites you and/or your staff have not come across before - or have previously been able to rely on your local authority to advise on.

We specialise in training in employment law, HR, health & safety and environmental issues, covering a range of key topics including:

Effective absence management
Holding disciplinary and grievance meetings
Managing your team’s performance
Equalities and diversity

Find out more about our Training courses and how they could help your School.

When things go wrong

No matter how careful you are, there’s always a chance that you’ll needs to defend yourself against an employment tribunal claim. In the year 2009-2010, the Tribunal Service accepted 236,100 claims* - an increase of 156% on the previous year.

Our Disputes and Litigation service can help – resolve disputes; negotiate agreements and represent you at a tribunal if necessary.

What's more, if you subscribe to one of our services, you are fully covered for up to £1 million of cover for legal expenses - including representation. You will be covered for most employment tribunal awards, provided you seek and follow our advice.

Common Questions

Need more help? Have a look at the questions we are asked most often.

Protect yourself and your School

Talk to NatWest Mentor today and take the next step in ensuring your Academy is covered.

Calls may be recorded for training, monitoring and evidential purposes. Any information we exchange during a call may be used in the assessment of a future claim.

*Source: Employment Tribunals Service

Please note - Academy Schools content applies to England & Wales only.