With particular expertise advising foundation bodies, such as religious dioceses and historic school foundations, Winckworth Sherwood LLP supports various clients including both religious and non-religious MAT establishments in education matters, HR and employment, property and capital projects, as well as academy conversions. The practice is led by Andrea Squires who has a strong track record in academy conversions and advises on religious matters in schools. Theresa Kerr covers parental issues, in particular relating to religious freedom, as well as safeguarding and exclusion. Employment expert Aida Smajlovic is experienced in employment tribunal claims, especially in reputation-sensitive matters. The education-related employment work is well supported by Harry Brown.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘I would strongly recommend this team to personal contacts looking for a responsive, reliable and very knowledgeable employment firm. They have fantastic expertise in schools employment cases and their clients feel in very safe hands.’
‘Harry Brown is a pleasure to work with - extremely personable, hard-working and gets results. Cassandra Hurley - pragmatic and efficient, very client minded.’
‘Aida Smajlovic, and Harry Brown are both outstanding employment lawyers. Aida is tenacious in pursuit of her clients' best interests. Harry is a really capable and personable lawyer who is able to provide sensible advice. Andrea Squires is also an excellent education lawyer.’
‘The whole team are excellent, giving careful and well calibrated advice to schools facing unprecedented. Probably the best I know. The star of the team is Tracey Elridge-Hinmers - bringing a lifetime of judgment to bear. Unflappable good sense. Theresa Kerr also excellent.’
‘I am very grateful for the support from Winckworths. The capabilities of the team and understanding of the Education sector and the challenges we face are outstanding.’
‘The team are brilliant however Aida Smajlovic is exceptional. I always value her support and advice. She goes over and above and always respond timeously.’
Key clients
- St Paul’s CoE VA Primary and Nursery School
- Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools
- St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust
- St Martin-in-the-Fields High School
- Maiden Erlegh Trust
- Palmer Catholic Academy
- Bourne Education Trust
- Kent Catholic Schools Partnership
- Church of England Education Office
- A Catholic Primary School, South London
- Harpur Trust Litigation
- Governing Body of St Giles School
- Lime Trust
Work highlights
- Act for St Paul’s CofE VA Primary and Nursery School and six named individual Respondents in defence of this incredibly complex and challenging employment tribunal claim for disability discrimination, failure to make reasonable adjustments, victimisation, harassment, whistleblowing, personal injury and unfair dismissal.
- Assist Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools in March 2023 following threats of strike action by the NEU against academisation plans.
- Acted for St Thomas CAT in defence of a substantial, multi-faceted employment tribunal claim made by a Teaching Assistant involving nine separate heads of claim.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Andrea Squires