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Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Schools’ Legal Update 2025
Thursday, 06 March 2025
09:30 - 14:35 ( 5 hours 5 mins )
In Person
Join leading education lawyers and experts as they guide Northern Ireland school leaders through key updates in employment law. From GDPR and workplace bullying to AI, gain practical tips you can implement now—and get your questions answered in our ‘Tricky Questions’ session.
Schools legal update
Event details
About the event?
-
6 Hours Duration
6th March -
In Person Corr's Corner Hotel, Newtownabbey
£295.00 + VAT
In Partnership With
Overview

Essential Employment Law Update for NI School Leaders

Join us as we gather leading education lawyers and experts together to provide Northern Ireland school leaders with updates on the latest trends, changes, and upcoming developments in employment law.

Strikes, Agnew and Stormont's revival - it’s been a year of change for NI employment law – are you up to date on what it means for your school?

Join us as we gather leading education lawyers and experts together to provide Northern Ireland school leaders with updates on the latest trends, changes, and upcoming developments in employment law.

From GDPR, and workplace bullies to AI,  we’ll get you up to speed on the law and give you practical tips that you can implement NOW!

And, as an added bonus, bring your employment law questions and have them answered by our experts on the day in the ‘Tricky Questions’ session.

Programme

A detailed look at Northern Ireland Schools' Legal Update...

Here's what to expect throughout the day.

Time
Session
09:30 am
Legal Island Welcome

Christine Quinn, Knowledge Partner, Legal Island, welcomes delegates to our 2025 event. 

09:35 am
Welcome and Introduction

John Trueman, Director of ASCL Northern Ireland introduces the event.

09:45 am
The NI Schools' Employment Law Update

Agnew, Stormont's revival and the ‘Good Jobs’ consultation - it’s been a year of change for NI employment law. Find out the latest developments relating to:

  • School Complaints Policies

  • ‘Good Jobs’ Employment Bill

  • Draft Programme for Government

  • Working Time Regulations 
     - Teaching staff
     - Non-teaching staff

  • Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave)

Seamus McGranaghan, Director, O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors provides detailed notes and a checklist of recommendations to help keep you up to date and out of tribunal.

NOTE: This session will consist of what our speaker considers to be the most important developments in employment law relevant to school leaders at 6th March and may differ from the above topics.

Seamus mcgranaghan 2021
Seamus McGranaghan Director, O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors
10:20 am
Q&A with Seamus McGranaghan, Director, O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors
Seamus mcgranaghan 2021
Seamus McGranaghan Director, O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors
10:30 am
Break

Grab a tea or coffee and network.

10:50 am
Rights, Rules, and GDPR: the Data Protection Round-up

Technology has many benefits but also has many drawbacks when incorrectly used or when it seemingly interferes with a school’s ability to properly teach or govern.

In this session, Aisling Byrne, Partner A&L Goodbody (NI) LLP, Employment & Data Protection considers these technology-related issues in Northern Ireland’s schools:

  • How can you ensure critical information is shared appropriately while respecting privacy law?

  • Discover best practices for managing sensitive student information, ensuring it is handled with care and confidentiality.

  • What should be included in your policies and procedures that not only complies with legal standards, but also fosters a safe and supportive atmosphere for all students and staff?

  • Recent relevant Data Protection Developments.

NOTE: This session will consist of what our speaker considers to be the most important developments in data protection law relevant to school leaders on 6th March and may differ from the above topics.

Aisling byrne
Aisling Byrne Partner
11:25 am
Q&A with Aisling Byrne, Partner, A&L Goodbody (NI) LLP
Aisling byrne
Aisling Byrne Partner, A&L Goodbody (NI) LLP
11:35 am
Your Complete Guide to Supercharging School Leadership and Teaching with GenAI

In this dynamic session, discover how Generative AI software, like Adobe Express, and Large Language Models, like ChatGPT, can rapidly enhance the skills of your entire school community - from senior leadership to newly qualified teachers, and every pupil too.

Nicole O'Connor of Digi Know This will explore practical ways to integrate Gen AI into daily operations and teaching, helping you to unlock new potential across your school before the end of this academic year.

12:10 pm
Q&A with Nicole O'Connor, Digi Know This
12:20 pm
Lunch Break

Enjoy something to eat (light lunch is provided), stretch your legs, and network with your peers.

13:20 pm
From Schoolyard to Staffroom: Bullies in the Workplace

Bullies don't just disappear after school ends—they can surface in surprising places, even in the workplace. Join us for an insightful session where we examine the nuances of workplace bullying, specifically tailored for the education sector in N. Ireland.

Helen O'Brien from Beyond HR will discuss:

  • Workplace bullying – what it is and what it is not
  • Proactive strategies to prevent bullying incidents and promote a culture of respect and inclusivity
  • Responding to and managing bullying situations and maintaining professional relationships within the school
Helen O Brien
Helen O'Brien Beyond HR
13:55 pm
Q&A with Helen O'Brien, Beyond HR
14:05 pm
The Tricky Questions

This is your chance to put your tricky questions to the employment law experts.

Seamus McGranaghan of O’Reilly Stewart and Aisling Byrne of A&L Goodbody return to answer your tricky questions from throughout the day! Submit one now via email or raise it on the day.

If you have a tricky question of your own, drop us a line before the event and we'll put it to the team. Email gosia@legal-island.com

14:35 pm
Closing remarks from John Trueman, Director, ASCL
John Trueman
John Trueman Director, ASCL
Testimonials

Feedback that speaks volumes...

Here's what our previous attendees had to say about Northern Ireland Schools' Legal Update.

"Well prepared, well delivered, well resourced, well presented. The contributors were knowledgeable but ensured that the delivery style and content was accessible."
Graham Montgomery Headmaster, Royal School Armagh
"Very clear and useful information, both verbal and written. I hope I don't encounter all these potential problems but feel better equipped to deal with them should that day come."
Vivien Moorhouse Principal, Leaney Primary School
"Very appropriate content."
Sean Sloan Principal, Abbey CBS Newry
"Excellent speakers and information topical and well delivered."
Roisin Bell Employment Relations Manager, Labour Relations Agency
"The information was concise, relevant and well -presented. the organisation by ASCL and LI was very good."
David Carruthers Headmaster, Coleraine Grammar School
"I liked the expertise of the presenters - I certainly learnt a great deal; covered relevant areas."
Chris Peel Headmaster, Sullivan Upper School
Presenters
Explore the presenters on the day
Aisling Byrne Partner, A&L Goodbody (NI) LLP
Aisling Byrne Partner, A&L Goodbody (NI) LLP
Aisling byrne

Aisling Byrne is Partner in A&L Goodbody's Employment & Incentives group in Belfast and has over 20 years of experience in advising on employment and equality law. Aisling advises on contentious employment litigation, employment aspects of commercial transactions and procurement.

Seamus McGranaghan Director, O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors
Seamus McGranaghan Director, O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors
Seamus mcgranaghan 2021

Seamus McGranaghan qualified as a Solicitor in O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors in 2003 and is an experienced Commercial Lawyer dealing with employment, commercial and education cases.

He has experience in the Industrial Tribunal representing both Claimants and Respondents and has provided seminars in relation to particular areas of employment law. Seamus is the only member of the Education and Law Association in Northern Ireland. He specialises in advising schools and colleges on policy matters, employment issues and student welfare. He is also responsible for the Education Law Quarterly Review.

In addition to having contributed at Legal Island’s Education Updates since 2010, Seamus in association with Legal Island provides a live “Employment Law @ 11” webinar on the first Friday of each month, dealing with all aspects of Employment law affecting Northern Irish employers.

Helen O'Brien Beyond HR
Helen O'Brien Beyond HR
Helen O Brien

Helen has over 42 years of experience, including 35 in HR consultancy and 7 as an HR manager at a national company. She specializes in all aspects of HR, from employment documentation and advice to training, consultancy, and representation at Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunals. Helen’s wealth of experience makes her a trusted and valuable expert in the field of HR.

Nicole O'Connor CEO, Digi Know This
Nicole O'Connor CEO, Digi Know This
Nicole O Connor Digi Know This

Nicole, CEO of Digi Know This, is a Digital Learning Specialist partnering with Adobe and Apple to empower educators in effective technology use. A former Education Manager at CCEA and school ICT Coordinator, she shares a wealth of experience with local and global education communities.


Passionate about giving teachers a voice in AI conversations, Nicole contributes to the Digital Enlightenment Forum, advocating for critical thinking in tech-driven classrooms. Her talent for making complex topics engaging helps schools confidently navigate the fast-paced digital landscape.

John Trueman Director, ASCL
John Trueman Director, ASCL
John Trueman

John graduated with a degree in music from Newcastle University, before completing teacher training at Durham University. He went on to specialise in Educational Assessment, undertaking a masters in the area at Durham University.

John worked as a music teacher in the North East of England before taking up post as a Director in a large 3-19 Academy in Northumberland. In 2015, he moved out of the classroom and began working for the NI Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). Within the Northern Ireland awarding organisation, John held a number of key positions, most recently with responsibility for Standards and Assessment Development as part of the senior leadership team. 
 
John took up his role as Director of ASCL Northern Ireland in September 2023.

Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing...

In Person
£295.00 + VAT