Education Partner - State Funded Schools Lead (Bristol)

Education Partner - State Funded Schools Lead (Bristol)
Location: Bristol
Type of Role: Permanent, Full-time (hybrid working)
Salary: Competitive Partner level package (dependent on experience)

A leading national education practice is seeking an experienced senior education lawyer to take on a strategic leadership role within its Regulatory, Risk & Resolution team. This is a rare opportunity to lead the state funded schools offering, advising academies, multi academy trusts and maintained schools on complex public law matters.

The Role
As the State Funded Schools Lead, you will act as a senior figure within the Bristol based education team, providing high level advice on public law issues affecting academies and state schools. Responsibilities include:

• Leading the state funded schools (AMS) practice
• Advising MATs, SATs and state schools on a broad range of public law matters
• Handling registration and inspection issues, admissions and appeals, governance and complaints
• Advising on SEND, discrimination, pupil discipline and safeguarding
• Managing investigations, decision making processes, civil claims and judicial reviews
• Supporting clients through critical incidents and risk management
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across regulatory, commercial and litigation teams
• Taking on a visible leadership role within a growing and dynamic national practice

Candidate Requirements
This role is suited to a senior education specialist with:

• Significant experience advising state funded schools, MATs and SATs
• Strong grounding in public law issues relevant to the education sector
• Expertise across key areas including:
• Registration and inspection
• Admissions and appeals
• Governance and complaints
• SEND and discrimination
• Pupil discipline and safeguarding
• Investigations and decision making
• Civil claims and judicial review
• Critical incident management
• An established sector reputation and strong professional network
• Excellent communication, leadership and relationship building skills
• Experience managing complex matters and working collaboratively across teams
• A following would be highly beneficial

Team & Platform
The successful candidate will join:

• A top ranked national education practice with a strong reputation across the sector
• A well established client base spanning the full education ecosystem
• A collaborative, non hierarchical culture with a genuine focus on people and relationships
• A dynamic team recognised in legal directories and sector publications
• A supportive environment with opportunities for visible leadership and strategic influence

Working Pattern

• Hybrid working model
• Expectation of 2-3 days per week in the Bristol office
• Flexibility around working arrangements to support work life balance

How to Apply

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact:

Email: oliviareed@chadwicknott.co.uk
Phone: 0117 917 1515 / 07711 799761

Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds. Adjustments can be made throughout the recruitment process to support individual needs.

*At Chadwick Nott, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture as well as supporting our large client network achieve the same. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications of all qualified candidates regardless of their age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, disability, culture or anything other personal characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity in the workplace. Where a level of experience is indicated, please note that this is only a guideline.*