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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.

Solar farm construction contracts are in focus following fascinating insights into the continuing global uptake and expansion of renewables, and particularly solar, within the 2025 mid-year report of Ember, a global energy think tank. Headlines include renewables overtaking coal,  for the first time ever,  to be the leading source of global electricity production and solar…

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Sharpe Pritchard LLP, one of the UK’s leading public law firms, has once again achieved outstanding recognition in the Chambers and Partners UK 2026 Guide, securing top rankings across multiple practice areas and for several individual lawyers. Sharpe Pritchard’s 2026 Chambers Rankings In the latest Chambers results, Sharpe Pritchard: Maintains Band 1 rankings in Electoral…

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Sharpe Pritchard and DAC Beachcroft appointed to Crown Commercial Service Legal Panel for Government (RM6360) Sharpe Pritchard LLP has been appointed as a supplier on the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Legal Panel for Government framework (RM6360) under Lot 1 – Core Legal Services.* This appointment reinforces our longstanding commitment to the public sector and our reputation…

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