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.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Key from a legal perspective was having solicitors with a thorough knowledge and expertise necessary for the type of transaction proposed, a commercial understanding of the important matters, being able to work at speed, to work collaboratively and successfully for our benefit, and with multiple third-party stakeholders and commercial organisations that would be impacted by the proposed transaction. Bates Wells displayed very significant expertise in all these areas, to the very strong benefit of our organisation.’
‘The Bates Wells team was led by Jean Tsang, who is very knowledgeable in the merger transaction that we were handling. She also gave full involvement and delegated responsibility where appropriate.'
Key clients
- Noddy’s Nurseries
- Longacre School
- Mulberry Schools Trust
- PACT Educational Trust
- Hove Learning Federation
- St John the Divine Primary School
- Olive Academies
- KisharonLangdon
- Lighthouse Harmonize Education Trust
- Brunswick Park Primary School
- Reach to Teach
- Queens Street Group
Work highlights
Successfully advised Hove Learning Federation on a proposal to transfer its two maintained primary schools to join Aurora Academy Trust.
Advised Longacre School, a charitable independent school, on its merger with Bridewell Royal Hospital Foundation (which already owns and runs Barrow Hills School and King Edward’s School, Witley).
Advising St John the Divine Primary School in relation to Lambeth Council's decision to close the school and amalgamate it with a nearby school.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Jean Tsang
Other key lawyers
Mark Traynor; Matthew Smith; Lucy Mclynn