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Home / Expertise / Independent Schools
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Independent Schools

We understand that independent schools require legal advisors who are able to support you in every aspect of your school’s operations, conscious that the legal and regulatory issues facing independent schools are wide ranging and subject to change.

Our Education Team has the experience and expertise to help schools navigate and manage these matters with confidence.

We are able to provide expert legal advice to the governing bodies and senior leadership teams of independent schools on all matters ranging from operational issues to governance and risk management. The firm is proud to count a number of leading independent schools as clients and we would be pleased to meet you to discuss how we may support you as well.

WE CAN ADVISE ON

Drawing on expertise across the firm, we share knowledge and experience to offer an integrated service ranging from governance and HR advice to mergers and collaborations and exploring opportunities overseas.

Our expertise includes advising on:

  • CHARITY LAW AND REGULATION
  • COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS
  • DATA PROTECTION
  • DISPUTE RESOLUTION
  • EMPLOYMENT AND IMMIGRATION
  • FRANCHISING
  • FUNDRAISING AND TRADING
  • GOVERNANCE AND CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
  • INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
  • INSOLVENCY AND RESTRUCTURING
  • MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
  • PENSIONS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • RISK AND REPUTATION MANAGEMENT

We often take the role of trusted adviser to the governing bodies of our clients, both advising on matters of the law and providing practical advice based on our education experience to assist in the implementation of the school’s strategic plans.

Members of our team are governors themselves, and we offer bespoke training to governing bodies on their legal roles and responsibilities, as well as on more specific topics such as fundraising, data protection and HR matters – do get in touch if you are interested in finding out more. (We have also worked closely with AGBIS to provide them with a Model Governance Manual for schools).

EXPERIENCE

Some examples of our experience include:

 

  • 1 Fundraising and bursary charitable foundations

    Establishing fundraising and bursary charitable foundations as well as restructuring networks of significant associated bursary funds (most recently in relation to the establishment of a foundation and the transfer of multiple bursary funds to that foundation, amounting to approx. £30 million).

  • 2 Royal Charter & Public Schools Act schools

    Advising high profile independent schools governed by Royal Charter or the Public Schools Act on complex constitutional and governance mattes, including recent liaison with the Privy Council to substantially update a School’s Statutes.

  • 3 International franchising projects

    Advising on international franchising projects, unpicking a franchising project for one of the oldest schools in the world, requiring quick action to ringfence risk in Singapore and India as well as managing the involvement of a Japanese investment house, and recent advice to a well-known school on the cessation of its activities in China.

  • 4 Governance and constitutional reviews

    Carrying out ‘root and branch’ governance and constitutional reviews for schools, including liaising with the Charity Commission to update the charitable objects of a school.

  • 5 Teachers’ Pension Scheme

    Advising a number of schools on withdrawing from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, including advising on communications with affected members of staff and trade union representatives.

  • 6 Employment law and HR matters

    Assisting schools on a range of employment law and HR matters, including advising on disciplinary allegations against staff, settlement agreements, , the scope of reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, drafting employment and HR policies and successfully defending Employment Tribunal claims.

  • 7 School Estates

    Advising on the basis on which schools hold and can deal with properties in their estate, including the provision of security of land in financing arrangements and recent advice to a school whereby we obtained expedited Charity Commission consent to the sale of land to a connected party.

  • 8 Charity Commission

    Liaising with the Charity Commission on behalf of schools, including recently helping to successfully navigate the governors of two schools through detailed Charity Commission enquiries.

  • 9 Commercial contracts

    Commercial contract advice to schools, including in relation to decision to waive required fee payments in lieu of notice and advice on parent contracts.

Testimonials

‘BDB Pitmans stands out for its ability to advise on complex charity concerns and compliance issues, making it a go-to firm for independent schools.’

Legal 500

‘The Charity relies upon the expert team in this practice to provide sound, commercial advice at a good price and with an ability to respond quickly where needed.’

Legal 500

‘Practice head Penny Chapman has an excellent reputation in charity law; she advises independent schools and other charitable education institutions on governance, constitutional and regulatory matters.’

Legal 500

Speak to our Independent Schools lawyers about how we can help you

To discuss how our Independent Schools lawyers can help you, please get in touch.
View our A-Z on Independent Schools here.
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Our Offices

London
One Bartholomew Close
London
EC1A 7BL

Cambridge
50/60 Station Road
Cambridge
CB1 2JH

Reading
The Anchorage, 34 Bridge Street
Reading RG1 2LU

Southampton
Grosvenor House, Grosvenor Square
Southampton SO15 2BE

 

Reading
The Anchorage, 34 Bridge Street
Reading RG1 2LU

Southampton
Grosvenor House, Grosvenor Square
Southampton SO15 2BE

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© BDB Pitmans 2024. One Bartholomew Close, London EC1A 7BL - T +44 (0)345 222 9222

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