Advice to independent schools and academies

They are very realistic and have an integrity which has won them their reputation and means that they get listened to.

Chambers UK
Education

Latest news & insights:

The education sector continues to be a challenging environment where both independent and state schools are seeking sustainable development plans to secure their futures in the market place and grappling with ongoing governance and regulatory issues.

Penningtons Manches Cooper is regarded as a national leader in this sector with strong cross-disciplinary teams comprising members of the corporate, commercial, IP, employment, dispute resolution, private client and commercial property departments.

We advise  both independent schools and academies. Our lawyers in this sector have in depth experience of working with both, and understand the importance of providing advice and support which is grounded in the cultural, commercial and governance factors facing the school. We work together to ensure that our advice is based on the wider issues faced by this sector as a whole. We recognise that communication is vital, and pride ourselves on being able to explain critical legal issues in an uncomplicated way, so that our clients can make decisions with confidence.

We offer expert advice on:

  • acquisition and outsourcing of goods and services
  • Charities Act 2006
  • commercial claims and risk management
  • disciplinary procedures and complaints involving students, parents and staff
  • employment law, including reorganisations and TUPE
  • governance and constitutional advice
  • immigration issues affecting students and their families
  • property investments and development strategies
  • property disputes and on the management of property portfolios
  • protection and commercialisation of all intellectual property rights
  • regulatory matters such as health and safety
  • treatment of overseas bequests and trusts

Recent work highlights

Parent contract

Preparing a parent contract for a leading independent preparatory school, ensuring its compliance with recent consumer protection legislation; and advising on contractual liability and authority of individual parents in the light of parental responsibility legislation.


Disciplinary process

Guiding an independent school through the disciplinary and appeal process to rebut the allegations a non-teaching employee who alleged that they had been dismissed for raising health and safety issues.


Academy conversion

Co-ordinating the conversion of Boughton Primary School Trust to academy status ensuring that all deadlines were met and critical points were explained to the client throughout.

Related expertise

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 419867.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP