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Thought Leadership Series
From Judicium Education HR and Neo People Payroll
Welcome to People Matters - a bold, people-first thought leadership platform that challenges convention, encourages new thinking, and explores the real issues shaping the education sector today. Specifically designed with schools and trusts in mind, this is a space for leaders and change-makers to explore the people, policy, and payroll issues shaping the sector, share ideas, challenge thinking, and build confidence through change.
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Conversations for the unapologetically curious...
Upcoming People Matters Webinars
Fixing the DBS Gaps in HR Practice: How Inconsistent Checks Can Lead to Uncontrolled Risk
Tue 7th Jul 2026 | 10:30
Join us for our next People Matters webinar, where we'll explore the hidden risks in DBS and Social media checking, what implications this has on HR practices and why it is important for schools and trusts to get this right.
We created the People Matters thought leadership platform because leaders in education deserve an honest space that understands the pressure they face, encourages new ideas, and supports them through the most difficult parts of people leadership."
Emily Atherton | Business Director - People & Payroll
Resources & Reports
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Read our detailed guide based on the insights from our People Matters webinar on the 2026 pension changes
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Read our detailed guide based on the insights from our People Matters webinar on Litigation.
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Read our detailed guide based on the insights from our People Matters webinar on the New Tax Year.
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A practical guide for schools and trusts dealing with unresolved conflict. When issues become difficult to manage, this guide helps identify when a different approach may be needed and how mediation can support a positive, constructive resolution.
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A practical leadership and governance guide to help schools and trusts identify priority workforce and employment risks, strengthen oversight, and plan next steps with confidence.
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A concise step-by-step guide on how to prepare and present your business case for HR, Payroll and Pension systems
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Insights report based on the findings from our People Matters webinar on: Understanding the Employment Rights Act 2025
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Insights report based on the findings from our People Matters webinar on: Developing strategic vision: Leading with purpose and confidence.
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Detailed guide based on the People Matters webinar: Developing Strategic Vision: Leading with Purpose and Confidence
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For Leaders in education, managing the appraisal processes effectively is key to achieving positive outcomes for your members of staff and their development, as well as succession planning and leadership.
Blogs
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In this blog, we consider how the new protections and obligations for employers under the ERA will impact schools/trusts using fixed-term contracts, zero-hours arrangements and casual worker agreements, and how to prepare for the forthcoming changes.
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Rising workloads, increased responsibilities, and a lack of support all contribute to declining retention and the strengthening of MAT culture. Read our latest blog to learn how you can start closing the gap.
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The ERA is introducing increased worker protections and in this article we will focus on the forthcoming changes to unfair dismissal and how to prepare. From January 2027, the qualifying period for ordinary unfair dismissal claims will reduce from two years to six months. At the same time the cap on the unfair dismissal compensatory award will be abolished.
Because conflict in schools rarely begins with one big dramatic moment, and is far more likely to grow slowly through strained conversations, crossed wires, unspoken frustration and small disagreements that never quite get repaired, it can be surprisingly easy for a situation to become serious before anyone fully realises quite how far it’s gone.
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People sit at the heart of every education setting. In this blog, we explore the People and Payroll Hierarchy of Needs and why getting the basics right is essential for building a thriving, supported workforce.
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The ERA has introduced increased worker protections, and in this article, we will focus on the new protections for sexual harassment. From 6 April 2026, sexual harassment disclosures will be protected under whistleblowing law, and by October 2026, employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment, including liability for third-party actions.
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In this blog, we will explore effective strategies that school and academy trust leaders can use to attract top talent and sustain a strong, successful team for ongoing success.
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Over the coming months, we’ll unpack key changes, timelines, and practical steps your HR or leadership team in a school or multi-academy trust (MAT) should take now to be ready. In this post, we explain the key employment changes coming into force in April 2026.
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The latest ERA implementation explains the imminent changes to trade union legislation, and several things that schools, trusts and colleges should do now to prepare.
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When teachers or other essential staff are absent, it can have a profound impact on pupil learning outcomes. This blog explores the impact and offers you strategies for improvement.
Case Studies
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Read our latest case study on Eko Trust and how Neo have leveraged their payroll systems.
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Griffin Schools trust now sees its HR services as being focused on people strategy, getting the best out its current staff and ensuring that the trust’s people needs can be met in the future.
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Cornovii Trust was established in 2022 after the merger of two successful smaller trusts. Read how the trust's 500+ payroll system has now been streamlined with the help of Neo People.
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Holy Family Catholic MAT (HFCMAT) was established in 2012 with the aim of raising standards and achievement for all of its 3,600 students. A year ago, the Trust began to look at restructuring.
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Looking for compliance support too?
Head over to Sofa Sessions and continue the conversation...
If you’re looking for more practical, compliance-led support, Judicium offers a wider programme of webinars to help you stay confident, consistent, and up to date.
Alongside People Matters, you can tap into sessions focused on the day-to-day compliance essentials including statutory updates and best-practice processes for when time is tight and the stakes feel high.
Whats New | HR