Education

Endeavour’s specialist education team, led by partner Paul Bury, provides a wide range of legal services to educational establishments in both the public and private sector.  We have experience of advising nurseries and playschools, schools, further education colleges and charities / organisations in the third / not-for profit sector. 

Private sector education

In respect of the private sector, we can provide the following support and advice:

• Reviewing terms and conditions, policies and other contractual issues between   schools and parents as well as other providers
• Employment issues relating to teaching and non-teaching staff
• Disciplinary issues, including expulsions and exclusions
• Recovering unpaid school fees
• Property issues relating to freehold and leasehold properties as well as planning law issues and the related Charities Act issues
• Health and safety and child protection
• Parent / pupil complaints
• Transfer of ownership, governance and changes to the constitution of charities which own independent schools

Public sector education – conversion to academies

The firm has a particular interest in schools which are applying for conversion to academy status and can advise on all stages of the process.  Being a member of the UK200 Group Academy Forum, we have access to the most up-to-date information and advice from a range of firms who have advised on over 50 separate conversions.  Our membership gives support to schools in the following areas:     

• The terms of the funding and transfer agreements 
• How to negotiate and deal with the transfer of the employees from the old school to the new TUPE issues
• How to secure the land, assets and contracts of the old school 
• The continuing provision of services from the local authority and other providers (eg SEN, waste disposal, catering etc) 
• Establishing the opening position with regards to transfers from the Local Education Authority 
• Financial and reporting requirements 
• Assistance on taking the financial and accounting processes, management and reporting in-house including IT Systems selection and software 
• Director and Trustee Responsibilities (under the Company and Charities Acts) 
• Risk management and governance 
• General advice on which bank to use 
• Guidance on key board policies required under charity law 
• Responsible officer training 
• Review of internal controls 
• VAT advice 
• Assisting with the accounting treatment of pensions valuation.

For our fact sheet on the conversion process, please click here.

For further information, please contact Paul Bury at p.bury@endeavourpartnership.com

Go back