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Education Providers

We advise the education sector on procurement, governance, strategy, estate management and infrastructure projects. Our work includes major development and construction, the transfer of assets and real estate and the full range of commercial contracts relating to the operation of schools, colleges and universities.

We focus on schools construction and whole school infrastructure projects working on many school PFI projects, complex academy transfers, school expansion programmes and strategic projects focused on schools improvement and statutory duties. Our team members are used to dealing with project-specific issues that require a bespoke solution within the confines of a standard construction contract, for example where there are co-located facilities or where there are complex site issues.

We have experience in advising governing bodies who wish to change status, from community to foundation and acquire trusts, including in anticipation of sponsored academy conversion. We therefore have a full appreciation of the issues and concerns of governing bodies.

Key Contacts

Work highlights

  • Advising local authorities on school expansion programmes to meet statutory pupil place planning requirements.
  • Advising a London borough on the redevelopment of a community special school in relation to the change of use of adjoining land and implications arising from the construction contracts and associated delays.
  • Advising local authorities on the academy conversion of PFI schools needing improvement following Ofsted inspections including negotiating the Commercial Transfer, School and Principal Agreements, and the deeds of variation.
  • Advising local authorities on education-related schemes, including development of new school premises and existing facilities in relation to S106 agreements linked to new housing schemes and Council-led schools expansion programmes.

Between December 2024 and February 2025, the Government consulted on proposals to introduce measures to strengthen the standards and conduct regime for local authorities in England. Currently, the standards and conduct framework for local authorities, as set out in the Localism Act 2011, requires every local authority to adopt a code of conduct, which must…

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This article seeks to provide contracting authorities (CAs) with the knowledge and guidance that they need to procure an open framework under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23). The introduction of the PA23 has given CAs access to new commercial tools designed to make public procurement more flexible, transparent and outcome focused. One such innovation is…

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Sharpe Pritchard LLP acted on behalf of East Sussex County Council in progressing a Compulsory Purchase Order (“CPO”), Side Roads Order and Bridge Scheme to enable the delivery of the Exceat Bridge Replacement Scheme, as confirmed by the Secretary of State for Transport on 7 October 2025. The confirmation of the CPO, together with the…

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To find out how we can help you, please contact us today