Independent Schools

Emma Swann assists maintained schools, academies, independent schools and colleges on a wide range of issues.

Highly regarded for representing various independent schools in a wide range of matters, including Teachers’ Pension Scheme withdrawal, sensitive safeguarding issues and the issue of national strike action, HCR Law’s education department is adept in transactions, trustee advice, data protection, employment and specialist education sector legal and regulatory counsel.

The relationship with us goes back a long way, and the service HCR provides in the more ‘traditional’ areas such as employment and education remains first-rate. But what has been especially pleasing is the way that, as our ambitions and vision have broadened, so too has HCR’s ability to support us on our journey. Of course I’m thinking in particular about our international plans and discussions – it’s no exaggeration to say that we couldn’t have come as far as we have without your tremendous support, expertise and sage advice. Thanks.

 

The team at Harrison Clark Rickerbys helped Farlington School in so many ways. They provided us with excellent legal and technical advice regarding the sale of our school, but they went beyond that. When our school first recognised that it needed to take action to preserve its future, Kate was able to set out our options clearly and then ultimately find us a number of potential partners to purchase our school. She went on to advise us on the different offers made, which enabled us to choose the best purchaser. HCR introduced us to our ultimate purchaser, an established world-class group of schools, Bellevue Education, who were aligned with our own high standards. Kate’s team then negotiated a deal structure which provided the best possible outcome for the charity and the school.

HCR go far beyond being normal legal advisors with the ongoing support they provide, any day of the week and at any time of the day. They built a strong bond with our school’s management team and worked with us to get the best for our school and its pupils. We are delighted with how things have turned out. If any other schools are in a similar situation we would definitely advise them to use HCR.

HCR were appointed to act as our advisors in what appeared to be a straightforward transaction. Having asked around, their name kept coming up as real experts in the education market, a particularly lively place just now.

They found a solution to enable us to do the right thing by the school. It wasn’t just an excellent technical solution. What really impressed me was that they have all the bases covered, and they developed a nose for how we work and fitted in perfectly. The governors didn’t get everything right first time, but thanks to HCR, we did finish up in the right place. Invaluable.

Yesterday’s training was excellent and really useful. Thank you very much for organising such a worthwhile day.” The day is one of our most popular events and gives delegates an update on topics such as employment law, safeguarding and data protection law.