WEIGHTMANS
Education legal specialists
Weightmans’ education specialists have an in-depth understanding of how schools operate, the unique challenges that educators face and the level of service schools require.
We act for a diverse profile of hundreds of schools, including independent schools, academies, Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) local education authority maintained schools, and further education colleges. We have links with Local Authorities which informs our approach.
HR Rely – employment legal advice when you need it
Through our HR Rely service, our dedicated employment team offers a wealth of specialist, sector-specific knowledge and experience to help you resolve any employment or personnel issues arising in your school, while providing guaranteed cost certainty. Recent examples include:
· Design and review of school policies, procedures, and contracts
· Advice around atypical working arrangements, such as term-time only contracts – and common problems such as working out annual leave and pay entitlements.
· Staffing issues including grievance, discipline, capability, and attendance management (including advising on confidential/sensitive issues arising from senior staff member grievances).
· Advising on staff concerns following complaints and/or threats made by parents.
· Staffing projects including restructuring and redundancy
· Best practice advice around information sharing, GDPR and Data Protection.
· Preparing and defending complex employment tribunal claims involving unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, protected disclosures, and many other issues.
· Advising on employment issues arising from Academy conversion and creation of Multi Academy Trusts (MATs)
Additional specialist support
We have broad experience in supporting Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) with complex and strategic issues arising from funding opportunities, TUPE and the challenges that can arise when responding to government policy. We have a specialist SEND team who routinely advise on relevant issues and prepare and conduct claims in the First Tier SEND Tribunal. When concerns arise, our specialist Safeguarding team can advise on emergency measures and the legal framework. Our Education lawyers frequently work with schools to defend discrimination and breach of statutory duty claims.
Several of our team are former Local Authority lawyers, and others have undertaken secondments in the education/children’s services departments of local authorities. Many of our staff are Governors of schools. We appreciate the daily pressures that schools contend with and can support you to with the multiple challenges of managing a successful and efficient educational environment.
Links for more information:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/weightmans/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/weightmans