Education: Institutions (Schools) | UK

Browne Jacobson offers a stellar education practice providing in-depth advice and support to a wide range of schools and academies across the country. The team is particularly well-known for assisting with academy conversions and various issues concerning students, including work relating to safeguarding, exclusions and placements. The team also regularly assists clients with governance and data protection matters, as well as Equality Act and discrimination claims. The firm works in close partnership with a number of sector organisations, including the National SEND Forum, the National Association for Special Educational Needs and various Roman Catholic dioceses.

Farrer & Co is an outstanding firm, handling the most high-profile and complex education matters for independent schools and academies. The firm houses an impressive bench of education specialists and a dedicated child protection unit. It possesses market-leading expertise in charities law and constitutional issues affecting the education sector. The firm is excellent at defending sensitive and contentious matters and offers leading expertise in overseas collaborations and expansions, as well as data protection issues.

VWV has a highly respected education team with considerable expertise in sensitive matters, including safeguarding issues. The team regularly provides advice on a range of complex issues faced by both multi-academy trusts and independent schools. It also demonstrates strength in data protection, employment and charity law matters. The team is noted for pastoral advice on the legal risks faced by schools, covering pupil welfare, inspection readiness and regulatory compliance.

HCR Law has a dynamic education group with particular experience in child protection, employment law and school mergers. The team is adept at handling data protection issues and real estate transactions, in addition to contentious matters such as disability discrimination and unfair dismissal claims. It frequently advises independent schools and multi-academy trusts, as well as leading school sector associations and representative bodies.

Moore Barlow possesses a deep understanding of employment law, pastoral care and commercial issues faced by schools. The team is particularly praised for its expertise in matters intersecting with education law, such as data protection, IP and all manner of disputes. The firm is well known for its extensive independent school client base and is recommended for advice on parental complaints, disability discrimination claims and safeguarding issues.

Womble Bond Dickinson is a leading firm with extensive expertise across a wide range of issues affecting providers, including safeguarding, construction and employment. The team is also adept at assisting with academy mergers and the re-brokerage of multi-academy trusts. The firm advises a full spectrum of clients, from independent schools and academies to government agencies and departments, and combines deep sector knowledge with a national full-service platform.

Winckworth Sherwood has a busy education practice, acting predominantly for religious schools and organisations, including Catholic dioceses, Church of England Diocesan Boards of Education and faith groups. The team performs consistently well in high-profile education matters relating to the Prevent duty. It has notable expertise in academy conversions.