Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional

Expert school governance advice and clerking support👩🏻‍💻

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

I was delighted to work with @GovernorHub this summer to produce an article on start of year governance compliance. The first term can feel quite overwhelming. Plan ahead, work closely with your chair & school executives - and keep things simple & concise.
https://t.co/33OhHpyzfA

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

Under Natasha's Law: allergen and food labelling requirements, schools also have a duty to list ingredients on food that's prepacked for direct sale on school premises. This is outlined in the Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019. 

https://t.co/sDPIt0su1s

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

School food standards and labelling requirements

The government has announced a consultation to update school food standards, to help improve children’s health. The consultation closes on 12 June 2026. 

https://t.co/m3DqP82uMb

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

From 29 June 2026, all academies will be legally required to follow the school food standards, under section 31 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026.
School Food Standards: updating the legislative framework - https://t.co/MNMipbw7YY

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

DfE Q&A drop-in session:
Academies Chart of Accounts and Automation
Thursday, June 11  at 11 AM

Register for a question and answer drop-in session:
https://t.co/PWqkbeUKnS

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

Fraud awareness: good practice for education and training providers

DfE guidance to be used as a preventative tool & referral point when fraud is identified. Also includes counter-fraud policy, training links and signposts to external sources of support.

https://t.co/gzu8UIlNtq

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

Health and safety in schools - guidance from the @H_S_E on the responsibilities of both school / trust leaders and the governing / trust board.

https://t.co/LuotDDwYNT

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

Free breakfast clubs grant 2025 to 2026

The government has committed to offering a free and universal breakfast club in every primary school.
This documents sets out the grant conditions which will cover the national roll out of funding from April 2026.

https://t.co/stKVJqNTQx

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

The DfE has updated its statutory guidance on suspensions and permanent exclusions, with effect from 26 July.

The updates largely reflect technical changes linked to new legislation on off-site direction under the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act.

https://t.co/Lnfc1LtD4E

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

https://t.co/ywG1ryLUZQ

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

The Primary PE and Sport Premium will be ending at the end of the academic year. The new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will be operational from January 2027. Primary schools will receive a term’s allocation as a transitional payment to support moving to the new system.

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

Important safety warning for education settings:
Further to guidance on consumer products found to contain asbestos, all settings should follow the steps to safely dispose of the products listed on the OPSS Product Safety Alerts, Reports & Recalls page:
https://t.co/OLpuDK4045£o1

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

Today, Kirsty and I presented to Chairs & HTs at the Peterborough annual Governance conference. We spoke about the critical role of the governance profession and how our work links to board effectiveness. We were the perfect duo, thank you @PeterboroughCC for this opportunity! 💚

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

Updated guidance on free school meals and added additional information on evidence of eligibility for Universal Credit recipients. Includes model registration form & self -employment declaration for schools to share with parents.

https://t.co/mXANmFkWHw

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

@BristolSILead @robhalls Courtesy of Devine Education ❤️

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

Using pupil premium: guidance for school leaders - updated 11 May

Non-statutory guidance for school leaders and those involved in managing the use of pupil premium in schools, such as academy trust leaders, trustees and governors.

https://t.co/B1mOeGXecT

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

Academies consolidated annual report and accounts: 2023 to 2024
This report sets out the expenditure and performance of academies from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024.
This includes the sector’s:
•governance arrangements
•financial performance
https://t.co/xnQFPyLrpM

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

WhatsApp needs a scheduled send function 😬

👩🏻‍💻📲

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

Excited to be speaking at this year's Peterborough Governance Conference on 18th May. The conference seeks to explore the critical intersection between school improvement & governance and is open to Governors, Headteachers and Clerks of Pboro schools. Full programme to follow 📖

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

The DfE has advised that some trusts have received a letter presented as a DfE “National Regulatory Notice”. It includes a ministerial signature and claims there has been a data breach. This letter is fraudulent & trusts must report it to their DfE contact
https://t.co/xvxxG791jG

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

Summary for the 2024 to 2025 academic year (table 1)
8,499 organisations made an order in the 2024 to 2025 academic year which represents 41% of all eligible organisations. This figure is slightly lower than the 2023 to 2024
academic year, which saw 42% of organisations ordering.

[Laura Schneikert, School Governance Professional @VirtualMatters1]

Period product scheme: Management
Information 2024-25

The period product scheme was launched in Jan 2020 to ensure that no girls or women miss out on education due to their period. It covers all state-funded schools with female pupils in year 5 and above.
https://t.co/CZSifjDub5