Education Partner – State Funded Schools Lead (Bristol)

Overview

In this role you will lead the state funded schools practice within a premier national education team, shaping advice for academies and state schools on complex public law matters. You will partner with MATs, SATs and schools, guiding governance, risk and dispute resolution while acting as a visible, strategic leader. This opportunity combines high-stakes advisory work with cross-team collaboration to elevate client outcomes and drive the national practice forward. You will help ensure robust handling of incidents, investigations and regulatory challenges, contributing to the firm’s mission and sector reputation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the state funded schools (AMS) practice
• Advise MATs, SATs and state schools on public law matters
• Manage registration and inspection issues, admissions and appeals, governance and complaints
• Consult on SEND, discrimination, pupil discipline and safeguarding
• Oversee investigations, decision making processes, civil claims and judicial reviews
• Support clients through critical incidents and risk management
• Collaborate with regulatory, commercial and litigation teams
• Provide visible leadership within a growing national practice

Key requirements

• Significant experience advising state funded schools, MATs and SATs
• Strong grounding in education sector public law
• Expertise in registration and inspection, admissions and appeals, governance and complaints
• Experience with SEND and discrimination, pupil discipline and safeguarding
• Experience with investigations, civil claims and judicial review
• Proven leadership, communication and relationship-building skills
• Experience managing complex matters across teams
• Following would be highly beneficial

• leadership
• communication
• relationship building
• public law (education)
• registration and inspection
• admissions and appeals

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