Education: Institutions (Schools)

The Department’s clients include MATs, sixth form colleges, maintained and independent schools. Team members serve clients across the UK via our network of regional offices. Team members include specialists in commercial, charity, real estate, education law, dispute resolution, regulatory (e.g. health & safety/data protection/immigration) and public law.

The team has worked on academy projects since the inception of the academy programme. We also continue to assist MAT clients with finding routes to sustainable growth as the sector matures, often being called upon to work with Trustees to develop action plans and represent their interests in interactions with regulators, e.g. Regional Directors and DfE. We have seen an increased demand from clients for assistance with challenging Ofsted grades and have been successful in achieving changes to draft Ofsted reports.

We understand the challenges which institutions face and the complex legal and regulatory issues involved in managing people. Our lawyers assist schools with the full range of HR issues that they face, including advising on industrial relations, equality, whistleblowing and complex grievances/disciplinaries. Our dedicated student team has significant experience of advising education clients in relation to the legal and practical issues arising in the student context (SEND, safeguarding, admissions and exclusions).

Our lawyers also regularly advise the independent school sector on mergers and acquisitions.