Education
In a constantly changing education landscape, it’s more important than ever that you have expert support and guidance from education lawyers you can trust. Our specialist team of award-winning lawyers and HR consultants understand the competitive, challenging environment in which you operate. You need robust, cost-effective advice that’s helpful, pragmatic and helps deliver effective solutions to the challenges you face.
We support the full range of education institutions in the sector, including schools of all structures (maintained, faith and independent), academies and multi-academy trusts (MATs), further education and higher education institutions (HEIs).
As one of the largest education teams in the country we deliver a comprehensive portfolio of legal and HR services. We also draw in expertise from across our full-service law firm to assist clients with their needs – from construction projects, employment issues and funding matters, to protecting intellectual property, health and safety, and disputes.
Featured experience
Outwood Grange Academies Trust
Supporting a consortium of leading school trusts - Outwood Grange Academies Trust, Harris Federation, Oasis Community Learning and Star Academies – on their successful bid for the DfE's Institute of Teaching tender with the contract providing them with over £120m of funding.
Greenwood Academies Trust
Working with Greenwood Academies Trust on the commercialisation and development of their innovative cloud-powered EdTech solution for 3-19 education providers through a subsidiary company, Our Learning Cloud.
Key contacts
Mark Blois
Partner
Bettina Rigg
Partner
Nick MacKenzie
Partner
Emma Hughes
Head of HR Services
Dai Durbridge
Partner
Julia Green
Partner
Richard Freeth
Partner
Heather Mitchell
Partner
Dominic Swift
Partner
Testimonials
“I could not recommend Browne Jacobson any more highly. The quality of the service, the rapid response time and the quality of the advice given to us is by far superior to what I have encountered elsewhere."
“Browne Jacobson has continued to provide ASCL, and our members running schools and colleges across the UK, with invaluable support and advice on a wide range of legal issues. We hugely value their expert professional input and their personable approach.”
“Browne Jacobson has remained at our side as our trusted advisers throughout the entire bidding process - providing sound legal, contract and governance advice. Having been awarded the National Institute of Teaching contract, they continue to support us as we establish and mobilise this new organisation.”
“Browne Jacobson’s sector knowledge and pragmatic advice has been key in allowing us to progress with our exciting growth plans’.”
Awards and accreditations
Latest insights and events
Online Event
Wellbeing and financial considerations – practical solutions for challenging times
Legal Update
be connected - Spring 2023
Legal Update
Teacher strikes – lessons learnt so far
Opinion
Can toilet facilities amount to sex discrimination?
Legal Update
New support launched to manage school complaints
Legal Update
Cyber security and data breaches
Legal Update
#EdCon2023 virtual event hailed a success
Online Event
Flexible working in schools webinar
Legal Update
What does the new Provider Access Legislation mean for schools?
Legal Update
High Court dismisses Welsh RSE right to withdraw claim
Opinion
Term-time school worker entitled to national minimum wage for unworked basic hours
On-Demand
Industrial action essentials: what you need to know
Legal Update
Education Software Solutions Limited breaks against the CMA’s intervention: A victory for freedom and flexibility in contracting for MIS services
On-Demand
The Subsidy Control Act 2022. Putting the new regime into practice
Legal Update
Safeguarding at scale report published
Legal Update
Trade unions announce plans to re-ballot members
Legal Update
Widespread industrial action now confirmed for schools
Legal Update
Industrial action and minimum service levels within education
Opinion
Consultation on holiday entitlement – part-year and irregular workers
Guide
FAQs - converting to academy status
Guide
FAQs - becoming a sponsored academy
Guide
FAQs - becoming an academy sponsor
Guide
FAQs – single academy joining a MAT
Legal Update
EdCon2023 launch: Thursday 12 January
Legal Update
The importance of understanding the transitional provisions under the Electronic Communications Code
Legal Update
Biodiversity Net Gain: positive for nature and an opportunity for landowners
Legal Update
Discrimination comes of age
Guide
#EdCon2023: Access a range of expert guidance and resources at our FREE virtual conference
Legal Update
be prepared for the 2022-23 academic year
Legal Update
Teacher Pay Survey 2022
Legal Update
The Schools Bill – law no more
In July, we published an update on the Schools Bill with the news that the proposed legislation relating to new academy standards and extended intervention powers for academy trusts would be removed. Last week, we received broader news of the dropping of the Bill, with education secretary Gillian Keegan announcing that it will not reach its third reading in the House of Lords.Legal Update
be connected newsletter for schools - Winter 2022
Guide
Recruiting school staff on a budget – top tips
Regardless of the outcome of ballots on industrial action, unless there is drastic change to funding for schools in relation to pay increases, it will be unusual to find any organisational budget that is not impacted by the current economic situation.
Guide
Good governance essential to avoid falling foul of the ESFA
There’s been little evidence of interventions or financial management reviews this year and it appears the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has re-focussed on financial delivery. It’s also telling that there were no discernible changes to the reporting of financial irregularities in the Academies Trust Handbook 2022.
Legal Update
Children's commissioner recommendations for SEND reform
The Children’s Commissioner, Rachel De Souza, has recently published a report “Beyond the labels: a SEND system which works for every child, every time”, which she intends to sit alongside the DfE’s SEND Review (2019) and SEND Green Paper (2022) and which she hopes will put children’s voices at the heart of the government’s review of SEND system.
Legal Update
Top three training topics 2022-23
As well as providing day-to-day support to help you focus on managing your settings, we also provide training and professional development on a range of topics to keep you and your staff up-to-date.
Legal Update
Hair discrimination – stop pupils being unfairly singled-out for their appearance
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHCR) recently issued new, non-statutory guidance regarding the wearing of natural or protective hairstyles, specifically in reference to their representation in uniform, behaviour or standalone appearance policies.
Opinion
The role of benchmarking in setting pay in schools
Emma Hughes, head of HR services at Browne Jacobson, explains how CST’s updated executive pay report and the linked benchmarking service from XpertHR can help trust boards make robust decisions on pay.
Legal Update
School complaint management - exploring a new way forward
There’s greater opportunity than ever for parents, carers and guardians to voice any concerns they have relating to their child’s education and for their concerns to be heard and to be taken seriously. While most staff in schools and academies are conscious of their legal duties relating to complaints management, many are struggling to cope with such a significant increase in the volume of complaints they must manage.
