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 are well-placed to provide bespoke solutions to the most complex of issues and we are appointed to the National Education Legal Services Framework.
Our dedicated unit focusing on schools construction and whole school infrastructure projects has worked 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 the Education and Skills Funding Agency is making a contribution to the capital costs, where there are co-located facilities or where there are complex site issues.
We have extensive 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.
Case highlights
- 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.
- We are retained by the ESFA to provide commercial and procurement advice including advising on its multi-million pound procurement of training providers to deliver apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers.
- 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.
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