The law and practice referred to in this article or webinar has been paraphrased or summarised. It might not be up-to-date with changes in the law and we do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided at the time of reading. It should not be construed or relied upon as legal advice in relation to a specific set of circumstances.
We have a dedicated, talented and passionate Education Team at Stone King. Spread across all our offices nationwide, our team of specialist lawyers offer local support with the strength that comes from being part of a national firm which is top ranked by Chambers and Legal 500 and rated in the Top 200 by The Lawyer. We have over 80 education sector lawyers focussed on supporting our education clients, with an ability to draw on the expertise of the wider firm.
- Supporting colleges in both positive and challenging situations
- Helping with key stakeholder communications and conducting negotiations, including the ESFA at local and national levels, the OfS, Ofqual and Awarding Bodies
- Negotiating funding arrangements, such as with DfE and Combined Authorities
- Student related issues
- Shared and managed services
- Collaboration/joint venture arrangements, social enterprise initiatives and place-based solutions
- Mergers
- Commercial contracts - e.g. with suppliers and employers
- Education contracts - e.g. apprenticeships and subcontracted provision
- Procurement
- Subsidy control
- Employment law
- HR advice
- Immigration advice
- Equality and diversity advice
- Estates issues - land sales, purchases, taking and granting leases, estate management
- Construction and facilities management
- Information law (data protection and freedom of information)
- Project management
- Innovative cost effective packaged services, including:
- governance support
- employment law and HR retainers
- legal retainers
- governance support
- Many post-reclassification refinancing arrangements, including complex arrangements for a large college involving refinancing of commercial loans post-reclassification and agreeing terms with central and local Government
- Successfully arguing for policy change to better support collaboration between colleges and schools
- Governance reviews across a full range of colleges nationally
- Apprenticeship contractual arrangements with apprentices and employers for several colleges
- Proforma contracts for the delivery of subcontracted provision for several colleges
- Advising on sixth form college academisation projects
- Supporting a number of Institutes of Technology
- Negotiating capital grant agreements across the country
- Disaggregation and double-merger of a college in distress
- Due diligence and legal advice for Boards in relation to various mergers
- Supporting a college in its plans to help rescue another college in distress, including advising on due diligence, structure and risk
- Negotiating with awarding bodies and the OfS in relation to issues which threatened the ability of a college to deliver certain higher education qualifications
- Advising several colleges on managing highly financially distressed situations, including in relation to governor duties
- Advising on senior employee/senior post holder issues
- Advising on the merger of an Awarding Body with a parent charity
- Conducting a complex GDPR compliance audit for a college across five sites
- Putting in place appropriate contractual and governance arrangements between a college and its service company as part of a new group structure
- Advising on a novel governance structure for a group which incorporates a college, multi-academy trust and private training provider
What our clients say
"Stone King have a depth of knowledge and experience in further education that enables a full consideration of risks, which are delivered in the context of what actually happens in real life."
Chambers feedback 2025
What our clients say
"The lawyers have an excellent knowledge of the sector and a willingness to respond flexibly to emerging needs."
Chambers feedback 2025
What our clients say
"Stone King have delivered excellent advice and support throughout."
Chambers feedback 2025
What our clients say
"All the lawyers I have met at Stone King have been professional and trusted advisors."
Chambers feedback 2025
What our clients say
"First and foremost they are excellent lawyers - they know the charity and education sectors really well."
Chambers - 2019
What our clients say
"Highlighted for its 'depth of expertise in education', Stone King LLP attracts praise for its 'extremely good response times' and 'outstanding level of service'."
Legal 500 - 2019
What our clients say
“I feel fellow school leaders need to be made aware that there is an absolutely brilliant company out there who will provide those key services at very competitive rates”
C A Wakefield - Maldon's Community Academy
What our clients say
Stone King is "probably the best education firm in the business," and "they lived up to the recommendations we received". Another source adds: "They've got undoubted expertise and good geographical coverage - a leading player."
Chambers - 2014
What our clients say
"They are excellent, the personalised service is superb as they understand our circumstances and advise appropriately."
Client feedback in Chambers - 2016