Schofield Sweeney‘s education practice is recognised for providing ’quick, sensible and pragmatic advice’ to schools and academics, advising on a wide range of issues spanning land acquisition, employment law, education health care plans, and multi academy trusts. Karen Crutchley leads the ‘approachable and personable’ team, and has complementary expertise in commercial and IT matters, with particular knowledge of software licensing and hosting arrangements. Simon Shepherd is key to the practice, and, along with Annie Gray, has extensive employment experience. Tina Morris is noted.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Approachable and personable. Will explain things in both legislation terms but also practical terms, ensuring advice is appropriate, realistic and targeted to specific situations.’
‘Target advice to individual specific circumstance. Advice is comfortable. Will also help provide responses.’
‘The education practice offers quick, sensible and pragmatic advice and has unparalleled knowledge of the local educational context.’
‘Simon Shepherd is outstanding, as is Tina Morris.’
Key clients
- Carlton Academy Trust
- BMAT Education
- Wellspring Academy Trust
- Moorlands Learning Trust
- Attain Academy Partnership
- Enhance Academy Partnership
- Heckmondwike Grammar School
- Oasis Community Learning
- Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust
- The Crossley Heath School Academy Trust Limited
- Watergrove Trust
- Bronte Academy Trust
Work highlights
Assisted Watergrove Trust with its planned expansion with the conversions of two schools during 2024.
Advised Cumbria Education Trust on its continued expansion during 2024 as a further 3 academies transferred and successfully joined the Trust.
Continuing to support Carlton Academy Trust with the academy transfer of an academy subject to a DfE direction to re-broker from its existing Trust which was to formally disband and later dissolve.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Karen Crutchley
Other key lawyers
Simon Shepherd; Annie Gray; Tina Morris