England - London • Public sector
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Education: schools

Farrer & Co

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As a ‘leading light in the field of education and schools’, Farrer & Co works with a diverse client base that encompasses independent schools and associations and offers ‘pioneering guidance in areas such as safeguarding and EDI’. In addition to its widely recognised safeguarding expertise, the team is also well-equipped to handle cross-border commercial matters, with lawyers regularly advising on partnerships and school openings, mergers, and trade marks. Increasingly, the firm also assists clients with their attempts to challenge the results of ISI and Ofsted inspections. Practice head Jonathan Eley often advises on high-profile employment matters, including strike action and crisis management, and frequently works with vastly experienced safeguarding specialist David Smellie, employment lawyer Alice Yandle, and former barrister Katie Fudakowski to handle complex safeguarding, SEN, and equality issues. Sam Macdonald continues to be a highly recommended specialist for restructuring and governance matters, and Paul Jones is a key contact for commerical contracts and partnerships. Maria Strauss is particularly noted for her expertise in safeguarding investigations.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Our counsel at Farrers understand the unique needs and culture of our school in a way that is unlike any other legal firm I have worked with. They are highly responsive and can be relied upon to give timely, thorough and helpful advice. Their knowledge of safeguarding issues in education is second to none.’

  • ‘Katie Fudakowski is a fountain of knowledge, especially as it pertains to safeguarding issues in education. When we work with her, we feel that we are in very good hands and that we are getting top-of-the-line legal advice.’

  • ‘Their depth of knowledge is unparalleled and the overall quality of their team is consistently impressive. Their special expertise in safeguarding matters is hugely valued.’

  • ‘Paul Jones stands out as he has a long experience of the independent schools sector and is aware of forthcoming changes in legislation that will affect the operation of schools. An intricate and sensitive area for schools which he handles with knowledge and clear direction.’

  • ‘Alice Yandle is an excellent lawyer and a fantastic all-round operator. Her client care skills are superb: She takes great trouble to get to know the client well, both the institution and the individuals who work there. She always goes above and beyond for her clients, fights hard for them when needed, and is always strategic in her approach. I am confident that she will continue to be a really valuable asset to the firm and the sector.’

  • 'A market leading team with strength in depth and partners who are sector leaders. You get a quality service from Farrer & Co, and their sector insights are valuable.'

  • ‘Expert knowledge, particularly in safeguarding, anti-racism and equalities law. Kind, reassuring manner with gravitas and confidence.’

  • ‘Farrer & Co is not only a leading light in the field of Education and Schools, they are frankly stellar. They know the DNA of schools inside out and play a hugely influential role in pioneering guidance in areas such as Safeguarding and EDI. Principled but pragmatic, intellectual and innovative, we feel fortunate to have them working alongside us and understanding our community as well as they do.’

Key clients

  • Alleyn’s School
  • Alpha Plus Group
  • Benenden School
  • Bryanston School
  • Charterhouse
  • Cognita
  • Danes Hill School
  • Downe House
  • Dulwich Prep School
  • Eton College
  • Grey Coat Hospital
  • Hampton School
  • Harrow School
  • Highgate School
  • Independent Schools' Bursars Association
  • King’s College school Wimbledon
  • Latymer Upper School
  • Magdalen College School
  • Manchester Grammar School
  • Marlborough College
  • Methodist Independent Schools Trust
  • Nottingham High School
  • Shrewsbury School
  • St Catherine’s School Bramley
  • St George’s College Weybridge
  • St Mary’s School Ascot
  • St Paul’s Girls School
  • St Paul’s School
  • The Bury Grammar Schools
  • The Mill Hill School Foundation
  • The Perse School
  • Tonbridge School
  • Uppingham School
  • Wellington College
  • Westminster School
  • Winchester College

Work highlights

  • Advised Shrewsbury School on its collaboration with Tutor Impact for the opening and operation of a new, premium international boarding school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
  • Advised City of London Freeman's School on an agreement with international partner schools for the delivery of the School’s virtual GCSE and A-Level programme.
  • Advised the Independent Schools' Bursars Association (ISBA) on the drafting and annual updating of the ISBA Model Parent Contract, which is used by independent schools across the UK and which is widely regarded as the model for best practice in the industry.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
David Smellie
Hall of fameFarrer & Co
David is head of the Employment team. He has wide experience of advising commercial and institutional clients including newspapers, magazines, banks and academic establishments. David advises on restructuring and redundancy programmes and on the complexities of the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations, as well as handling industrial disputes, team moves and individual cases. He is a regular author of Croner’s publications and writes chapters for both Butterworths Commercial and Tolley’s Personnel precedents. David was runner-up in the Employment Lawyer of the Year award sponsored by the Insiders Guide to Employment Lawyers and is given a four star rating in the same guide. He is rated as a leading expert in the field by both Chambers and Legal 500.
Sam Macdonald
Hall of fameFarrer & Co
Sam is the Head of the Schools Group. He advises charities and other not-for-profit institutions on all aspects of UK charity law and related tax law. He also advises philanthropists on structures for giving and the establishment of charities, and overseas organisations on their engagement with the British and European charitable sectors. Sam represents the firm on the Charity Tax Group and the Charities' Property Association, and is a member of the Charity Law Association.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Alice Yandle
Farrer & Co
Alice is a Partner in the Employment and Safeguarding teams. Alice advises corporate, institutional and individual clients on contentious and non-contentious employment issues. Her work includes providing strategic advice to employers and senior employees on the conduct of employment litigation and securing settlement, disciplinary and grievance proceedings, the drafting and negotiating of contracts of employment and settlement agreements, redundancy exercises, team moves, and drafting policies and procedures. Her clients include schools, higher education institutions, financial services providers and senior executives.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Jonathan Eley

Other key lawyers

David Smellie, Sam Macdonald, Alice Yandle, Katie Fudakowski, Paul Jones, Maria Strauss

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