About

Provided by Eversheds Sutherland

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.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Education: Institutions (Schools) - UK-wide

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Eversheds Sutherland offers substantial expertise in education law, including matters relating to pensions, admissions, data protection and freedom of information. The team counsels a range of education clients and has significant experience handling academy transfers and conversions. It is steeped in all facets of governance and regulatory compliance, as well as the full spectrum of contentious matters.

Work Highlights

  • Eversheds Sutherland advised a multi-academy trust on the conversion of a Hub School from a local authority-maintained school to an academy.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Ben Wood
2
Ben Wood
2
Band 2

Ben Wood frequently assists multi-academy trusts with academy conversions and employment issues. He is experienced in handling executive pay reviews, parental complaints and employment tribunal proceedings involving discrimination claims.

Ben always provides timely, practical and sound legal advice.

Ben Wood provides excellent advice, is very approachable and responsive.

Ben is absolutely superb in every area, we cannot rate him highly enough.

Ben is brilliant and always pragmatic in his advice. He understands the situations we are facing.

Ranked Lawyers at
Eversheds Sutherland

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

UK-wide

Education: Institutions (Schools)

Ben Wood
2
Ben Wood
2
Band 2

Members

Provided by Eversheds Sutherland

Ben Wood

Ben Wood

Head of Department

Charlotte Tanikal

Nicola Bennison

Clients

Provided by Eversheds Sutherland

ACS International Schools

Batley Multi Academy Trust

Beacon Multi Academy Trust

Busy Bees Nurseries Limited

Caterham School

Frontier Learning Trust

Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South

LEAD Academy Trust

Nova Education Trust

Oaks Park High School

The Harmony Trust

The Wensum Trust

Twyford Church of England Academies Trust

Industries

Provided by Eversheds Sutherland

Global educational businesses

Independent schools

Maintained schools

Multi academy trusts