Education Services
Our education team can offer independent schools a complete legal service. Our team is led by Nick Rowe and includes specialists across the full range of issues that independent schools may encounter.
What we offer
Advice on the following
Good governance is at the heart of a good school and increasingly under scrutiny by the Charity Commission. We advise on the duties, powers and potential conflicts for governors and look beyond the law to advise on what is good practice. We regularly undertakes governance reviews and bespoke training provided in house for governing bodies and leadership teams.
- Charity and education law issues
We advise on the range of issues particular to independent schools from pupil discipline to compliance with the independent school regulations. Our team includes specialists advising schools on the full range of charity law issues including fundraising, trading companies, constitutional reviews and the implications of the Charities Act 2006 on charitable status and public benefit.
Employment issues are the most common legal concern for schools. We advise on contentious and non-contentious employment issues and have a vast amount of experience of successfully representing schools at the employment tribunal. We recognise the issues confronting a school when reorganising its workforce and providing career opportunities for its rising stars. We have extensively advised on the appointment process for new staff and the developing vetting and barring regime. We draft and review employment contracts and policies and provide a complete range of bespoke documents.
Our property team advise on the full spectrum of property matters from routine boundary issues and purchases to planning issues, estate management and large construction projects. We advise on major financing arrangements and the charity law issues involved in such property transactions.
We work with schools to ensure that all commercial arrangements and requirements are properly in place. This includes advising on contracts with suppliers and parents, data protection, IT and protecting the school brand. We also have wide experience of advising on joint ventures and collaborations.
A merger between two schools – particularly when one or both are charities - can be a very different transaction to a conventional merger of businesses. Out team advises on the full process of mergers and acquisitions and through experience and knowledge of the school sector is able to offer a service tailored to the needs of independent schools.
Independent schools face an increasing raft of regulatory requirements including child protection, equal opportunities, disability discrimination and health and safety. We have specialists in these areas who work with schools to find practical solutions. Increasingly parents threaten legal action in situations where a robust internal process will minimise risk and promote mediation.
About the department
Our team is led by Nick Rowe, who has expertise which covers a full range of issues that independent schools may encounter. The team has many years experience of working with and understanding the particular needs of independent schools and we offer our clients practical advice that is informed not only by a thorough understanding of the law but by an in depth knowledge of the sector.
For further information please contact Nick Rowe on:-
Maitland Walker Tel: 01242 285855
Maitland Walker Fax: 01242 285856
Email: nick.rowe@maitlandwalker.com