Education

Education establishments have always needed to adapt and the sector is experiencing fundamental shifts yet again. We can help you deliver the best possible outcome for your organisation, whatever changes you face.

You will be supported by lawyers who have sector experience, who understand the issues that you face and who are able to proactively support you in addressing them. Our education services cover the full range of legal needs which affect education clients including:

HR and employment support
Academy conversions including land aspects, funding agreements and commercial transfer agreements
Governance matters and company secretarial support
Incorporation of umbrella trusts
Education law / student matters including disability discrimination, SEN, safeguarding, admissions and exclusions and parental complaints
Freedom of Information
Judicial reviews
Data protection
Resolution of contractual disputes with third parties
Commercial advice
Advising school companies on the local authority’s roles
Land and building matters

IM Educate

IM Educate is our product for clients in the education sector, offering training and bespoke legal services. Find out more about the different products available on our IM Educate page.

Our Clients

Our national team of education specialists have comprehensive experience with the unique situations faced throughout the education sector. Our education solicitors advise:

Nurseries
Schools
Academies
Free schools
Independent schools
Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs)
Colleges
Universities
Individual teachers and governors

We work with senior leaders, business managers and board members and we speak your language. With strong legal advice behind your decisions, we can help you achieve your education vision with successful outcomes for your governance, leadership and management.

We are also proud to work closely with partners within the education sector and can connect you with services including finance, HR operations, payroll administration, occupational health and facilities management. Together we offer comprehensive support and insight that goes above and beyond traditional legal services.

Contact our Education lawyers - 0808 271 2602

Looking for someone specific?

Or visit the Education team page.

Key Contacts

Our key contacts our all experts in their fields. Feel free to email or phone them to find out how we can help your business.

Employment +

Jenny Arrowsmith

Partner

Tel. +44(0)113 218 6446

Mob. +44 (0)771 866 8646

jenny.arrowsmith@irwinmitchell.com

View full profile page

Business Development +

Rachel Hetherington

Business Development Manager

Tel. +44 (0)121 203 5355

Mob.

rachel.hetherington@irwinmitchell.com

View full profile page

Commercial +

Laurence Gavin

Partner

Tel. +44 (0)114 274 4605

Mob. +44 (0)791 872 4939

laurence.gavin@irwinmitchell.com

View full profile page

Public Law & Judicial Review +

Polly Sweeney

Partner

Tel. 0370 1500 100

Mob.

View full profile page

Real Estate +

Rebecca Huston

Associate Solicitor

Tel. +44 (0)124 381 3286

Mob. +44 (0)758 713 3125

rebecca.huston@irwinmitchell.com

View full profile page

Recent Work

Maltby Learning Trust

Advising on the growth as a multi-academy trust and significant learning provider in its community including governance, real estate, charity law and commercial matters

George Dixon Academy

Guiding the academy through HR challenges such as dealing with poor performance and introducing performance-related pay structures

Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts

Providing pragmatic, cost-effective advice and empowering proactive decision-making to a number of schools and MATs on a wide range of topics including employment and HR, restructures, serious disciplinary cases and property/estate matters

Association of Colleges

Advising over 300 members of the association on employment law issues via a helpline and providing up-to-date templates, policies and handbooks

Disability Discrimination Claim

We helped a secondary school reach an out of court settlement for a disability discrimination claim regarding fixed-term exclusions for behaviour

Testimonials & Client Feedback

We truly value the feedback we receive from both our clients and legal accreditation societies, such as The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

"The team is responsive and reliable and puts its relationships with clients at the heart of the organisation."

Legal 500, 2020

"Clients receive an excellent service from Jenny Arrowsmith and her team, which builds strong relationships with the establishments it advises... The group really does become an invaluable part of the team."

Legal 500, 2020

“You have done sterling work on our behalf for which we thank you. I am already recommending you should anyone be in need of your services.”

MD of regional property agent

We Work Nationally

We have offices in major cities throughout the UK and our lawyers can arrange to visit you or your business in person if necessary. We also have international capability, with global links to other legal specialists.

- Gatwick
- Glasgow
- Leeds
- London

Enter your postcode to find your nearest office.

Awards & Accreditation

We’re proud of the recognition we’ve received for our business legal work. For a list of awards and accreditations, please visit our awards page.

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Education

IM Educate

Our Clients

Key Contacts

KEY CONTACTS

Jenny Arrowsmith

Partner

Partner

Rachel Hetherington

Business Development Manager

Laurence Gavin

Partner

Polly Sweeney

Partner

Rebecca Huston

Associate Solicitor

IM Educate

Case Study - Claim Against School Dismissed

Recent Work

Related Services

Testimonials & Client Feedback

We Work Nationally

Awards & Accreditation

Request A Callback