Education

We believe in education as a force for good in society.

Education is vital for everyone; it’s a force for social change. That’s why we work with you in partnership, investing in your values and moral purpose – the reason you educate. We aim to make a positive impact in society and we’re as immersed in the policy context as we are in the law.

We rank in the Legal 500’s top tier for schools, and we have more than 30 years’ experience in education.  We work with nurseries, schools and multi-academy trusts, as well as institutions in further, higher and adult education. Beyond that, we’ve worked with regulators, local authorities and awarding bodies.

How we help

We’re a full-service firm, so we can offer every legal service you could need. We can help establish, merge, federate, transfer, restructure or convert an institution. We help with governance and constitutions.

We deal with everything from inspections, disciplinary procedures to FOI requests. We’ll also protect your intellectual property as well as dealing with visas and immigration. We help prevent and resolve disputes, from governance and other organisational issues with shareholders, to disputes with suppliers and other third parties.

 

 

We also have the specialist expertise to help you thrive in the fast-growing EdTech sector. We’ve advised EdTech clients on everything from commercial contracts to intellectual property.

Whatever you need, we’ll be there to support and advise you.

Recent work examples include:

  • Advising a well-established French higher education group on entering the UK market and registering with the Office for Students.
  • Providing restructuring advice to an independent schools group.
  • Advising a large further education provider, which is also a registered charity, on its governance review and on the impact of ONS reclassification of statutory further education colleges into the public sector.
Explore

Briefing for Charities & Social Enterprises | 18 August

Our weekly roundup of news and updates from across the sector. To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic. Investigations and complaints The Fundraising Regulator has published the results of its investigation into two community interest companies, Atoma Union CIC and Youth Works Union CIC.  …
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Briefing for Charities & Social Enterprises | 11 August

Our weekly round up of news and updates from across the sector. To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic. Charity Commission Beacon cyber security incident A cybersecurity incident has affected Beacon CRM, a widely used customer relationship management platform in the charity sector. The …
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OfS revises freedom of speech guidance following Sussex v OfS

On 5 August 2026, the Office for Students (OfS) has published revised regulatory guidance on freedom of speech and the incoming complaints scheme for higher education providers (HEPs). Influenced by de facto legislative changes since the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 was enacted, and the judgment in Sussex v OfS, the guidance now …
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Briefing for Charities & Social Enterprises | 4 August

Our weekly roundup of news and updates from across the sector. To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic. Government news The Chancellor John Healey has announced that the Budget to move “power and money out of Westminster, and into every postcode around Britain” will …
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Department for Education consultation on statutory guidance for ‘gender questioning’ children: call for responses

The Department for Education (DfE) has opened its annual consultation on updates to its “Keeping children safe in education” (KCSIE) statutory guidance, which will include a new section on ‘gender questioning’ children. Schools and colleges, teachers and leaders, parents and young people, charities and support groups, will have valuable experience and views, which may be …
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“We work with a range of solicitors at Bates Wells and all of them are knowledgeable and work together as a team to provide specific, tailored advice.”

Education, Chambers 2024

‘The Team immediately understood the organisation and brief, even before we met for the first time. Different members of the team were able to assist with different aspects of our requirement, and it felt like each individual was very knowledgeable on our organisation.’

Education, Legal 500 2024
Meet our team