Our faith-based based education expertise includes advising many Christian foundations, including those from Church of England, Catholic, Methodist and Quaker traditions. We also advise a broad range of other faith-based schools, including those with Jewish, Islamic and Sikh foundations. Most importantly we recognise the need to provide advice that is sympathetic to the particular religious context and ethos, including especially the interplay of Civil Law with relevant religious rules.

We advise both maintained and independent schools and have been involved in leading cases relating to faith school matters such as admissions, exclusions, employment, curriculum and dress code issues. Many of these issues have a significant context related to religious law.

We have significant experience of the Academies Sector (notably with Multi Academy Trusts) and have independent recognition as the leading practice in this area.

Issues we regularly advise on:

  • Admissions
  • Exclusions
  • Special Educational Needs
  • Employment and HR
  • Governance
  • Academy conversion, including multi-academy trusts, collaboration and merger
  • Trust and Foundation conversion
  • Umbrella Trusts
  • Property and construction purchases and projects
  • Commercial contracts
  • Intellectual Property
  • Faith Designation
  • Transfer of Control Agreements
  • Hive out from Religious Foundations

The Faith Schools Team is led by Stephen Ravenscroft and Lee Coley supported by dedicated members of the team in each specialist area of law.

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.