Browne Jacobson LLP‘s education practice is recognised for advising a variety of schools and academies on a wide range of issues such as school mergers, data protection, safeguarding, OFSTED investigations and discrimination cases. The practice is led by Nick MacKenzie, who has significant experience in the education sector and specialises in corporate and governance advice, splitting his time between London and Birmingham. Charlotte Antoniou has extensive expertise in advising maintained schools, academies, multi-academy trusts and various other bodies in data protection, SEN issues and exclusions. The Nottingham-based Mark Blois handles various governance matters, whilst Polly O’Malley advises on the employment matters in the education sector. Dai Durbridge, in Manchester, specialises in safeguarding and data protection issues. Julia Green left the firm in 2025.

Farrer & Co has a robust reputation in the education sector, representing a number of independent schools and other associations in various education law issues. The department is well equipped to handle a wide range of matters such as school mergers and closures, safeguarding, sensitive issues regarding gender identity and overseas school expansions. Maria Strauss leads the practice and has extensive experience in the sector, with a particular focus on employment and safeguarding matters, while Jonathan Eley advises on crisis management as well as complex parent, pupil and employment matters. David Smellie has expertise in safeguarding, and Sam Macdonald focuses on school mergers and closures. Other key members of the team include commercial contracts specialist Paul Jones, who has experience in employment tribunals, and Alice Yandle, who has a wide education practice. Katie Fudakowski has returned to the self-employed Bar.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys is reputed for the depth of its expertise in the education sector, with the practice team being well experienced in an array of education matters, including safeguarding, school mergers, teachers' pension schemes and employment issues. The Cheltenham-based Kristine Scott spearheads the practice and has a wealth of experience in child protection and safeguarding matters, including advising schools on disability discrimination, pupil exclusions and parental complaints. Oliver Daniels and Rachel Parkin are employment law specialists and handle matters related to teacher pension schemes and strike actions. Real estate specialist Morgan West focuses on a variety of property matters in the education sector, and Paul Watkins' practice includes safeguarding, compliance and data protection work. The team was further strengthened with the arrival of charities partner Rachel Gwynne from Shakespeare Martineau LLP in December 2024.

Praised by its clients for being ‘exceptional, knowledgeable and pragmatic,’ the education practice at Stone King LLP represents both state schools and independent schools, advising on a wide range of educational issues. The practice is co-led by experienced partners Jean Boyle, who specialises in employment matters in the sector, and Tom Morrison, who takes point on governance and contractual negotiations. Graham Burns ‘ practice focuses on mergers, while Laura Berman has expertise in SEN issues and safeguarding. Harriet Broughton has a particular focus on whistleblowing and discrimination claims, and Stephen Ravenscroft has significant experience in school conversions and academy transfers. The team is further supported by Nicola Andrews.

VWV has a strong track record in the education sector, advising both academies and independent schools on an array of different educational matters. These include school conversions, mergers, international school projects and sensitive issues such as discrimination and harassment allegations. Two experienced partners head the practice: Barney Northover, who has a special focus on governance and school restructuring, and Chloe Brunton, who advises academies and maintained schools on school reorganisations. Other key members of the team include Tabitha Cave, who leads on safeguarding matters; Alice Reeve, who works on diversity and inclusion issues; and Andrew Gallie, who specialises in data protection matters. The team is further enhanced by property specialists Robin Rajanah and Jon Durham, and employment specialists Richard Hewitt, Sian Champkin and James Garside.

Doyle Clayton offers a wide range of services in the education sector, and the team is well versed in handling safeguarding matters, restructurings, SEN issues, employment matters, discrimination issues and parental complaints. The experienced Simon Henthorn leads the practice and advises on all aspects of education law, with a special focus on employment and safeguarding matters. Amara Ahmad advises nurseries, primary schools and colleges on SEND issues and safeguarding. Rose Smith has experience in employment matters in the sector, while Anna Blackden is a highly experienced immigration specialist who advises on matters related to student sponsor licensing. In January 2025, James Murray was promoted to partner.

The experienced team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has extensive expertise in the education arena, and advises multi-academy trusts, sixth-form colleges and local authorities on a range of matters such as staff employment, artificial intelligence, discrimination, teacher pensions and school conversions. The practice is co-led by experienced partners Ben Woods and Diane Gilhooley, who both have extensive experience in governance and employment matters. Nicola Bennison has notable expertise in equality and diversity matters and has advised on freedom of speech issues, while Charlotte Tanikal leads on the real estate elements of school matters. Alison Oldfield advises academies and schools on contentious work and risk management issues. Other key members of the team include corporate specialist Nathan Lucas, Laura O’Brien and Thomas Pollitt.

Moore Barlow has strong experience in the education sector and advises numerous independent schools and sector associations on the full spectrum of educational issues, including strike action, school mergers, closures, disability discrimination and staff pensions. The team is led by the Guildford-based Joanna Lada-Walicki, who has in-depth experience in the sector and specialises in high-profile employment issues and pastoral issues, while Gordon Reid handles M&A matters. Ben Collingwood leads the SEN and safeguarding practice, while Olivia Stanton has a particular focus on employment matters. Paul Ridout has significant experience advising independent schools and faith schools.

The education team at Winckworth Sherwood LLP regularly represents religious dioceses and historic school foundations and advises on an array of matters, including school conversions, religious discrimination, school closures and employment matters. The practice is led by Andrea Squires, who advises catholic dioceses and education charities on school reorganisations and mergers as well as governance reviews. Employment specialist Aida Smajlovic advises on disciplinary procedures, dismissals and breach of contract. Theresa Kerr has a broad education practice which includes SEND, safeguarding and data protection work, with a particular focus on complex parental complaints and discrimination claims. Penny Reid heads the school investigations team and handles matters relating to criminal activities, safeguarding issues and governance challenges.

Representing multi-academy trusts and independent schools, the education department at Bates Wells advises on a range of education matters in the school sector, including immigration, restructuring, and governance reviews. Jean Tsang leads the practice and has extensive experience in school mergers, closures and school restructurings. Mark Traynor has experience acting for education clients, including free schools and academy trusts, on real estate matters. Matthew Smith specialises in discrimination, data protection and freedom of information challenges related to the school sector, while employment expert Lucy Mclynn advises schools on staffing matters with a focus on safeguarding.

Lee Bolton Monier-Williams has particular expertise representing religious schools and dioceses as well as schools in an array of matters, including school closures, complex site transfers, disability discrimination and data protection. The practice is spearheaded by Howard Dellar, who has extensive experience representing maintained schools and diocesan boards of education. Ian Blaney brings ecclesiastical law knowledge to the team and advises on land transfer and school reorganisations, while real estate expert Nishita Gudka advises schools on general property matters, acquisitions and sales and lettings.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has a deep expertise in the education sector, advising schools and colleges on a broad range of education matters such as employment, governance, safeguarding, SEN and discrimination cases. The practice operates under the leadership of the Reading-based Gemma Woodhouse, who advises education clients on contentious and non-contentious employment matters and safeguarding. Immigration specialist Hazar El-Chamaa has significant experience advising educational establishments on child student visas. The team is supported by Victoria Spires and Laura Nichol, who have in-depth experience in the employment sector.

Blake Morgan LLP offers advice on a broad range of education matters, including school mergers, SEN issues, governance and discrimination cases. The practice is led by the Cardiff-based Matthew Smith, who advises schools on contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Joanna Rees leads the construction practice in the schools sector, while Eve Piffaretti focuses on safeguarding and mental health matters.

The education team at Sharpe Pritchard LLP advises and represents local councils in a wide range of matters in the school sector, such as public finance initiatives, school expansions, complex land transfers and governance issues. Tim Farr heads the practice; Farr specialises in procurement and has advised DofE on commercial matters related to apprenticeship training in state schools. Justin Mendelle advises on all aspects of construction law in the education sector, and Catherine Newman handles academy conversions. Employment expert Julie Bann has extensive experience advising on discrimination disputes, while Raechel Slattery focuses on commercial and procurement issues.

Shoosmiths LLP’s education department advises on a range of education matters, including school mergers, investments, construction and SEN issues. The practice is led by experienced private equity expert Amit Nayyar, the Solent-based Sean Wright and corporate specialist Daniel Shilvock, in Birmingham. Mehar Patel advises on acquisitions in the school sector, while Ali Triptree focuses on financial transactions.