Brighton Uni appoints Exeter law firm

The education team at Exeter law firm Browne Jacobson has been appointed to advise the University of Brighton on its school academies programme.

Through its sponsorship of the University of Brighton Academies Trust, the university intends to open a number of co-educational, non-selective infant, primary and secondary school academies in the Sussex area over the next 12 months.

Phase one of the project, which involves the opening of three primary school academies during the 2014/15 academic year, is already underway.

The Browne Jacobson team, led by education partner Julia Green, will advise on phase two which will see the establishment of one infant academy and a secondary school academy during the 2015/16 academic year.

Poundhill Infant School based in Crawley will accommodate up to 270 pupils and is expected to open in September 2015, whilst a fully sponsored secondary academy with 900 pupils in Sussex is scheduled to launch in January 2016.

The University of Brighton, through its five campuses in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings, provides higher education to over 21,000 students. Its School of Education has been educating teachers for more than 100 years, and has an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating for its early years, primary and secondary initial teacher training.

Last year Browne Jacobson was appointed by Winchester University to advise on the setting up of a Multi Academy Trust company and its role as a sponsor to a new 630 place primary school - Barton Farm Academy.

Browne Jacobson is regarded as one of the country’s leading advisers to the education sector by independent legal experts Chambers and Legal 500. Its team of over 40 lawyers and HR Consultants provides a wide range of services and support to over 1000 schools and academies nationally.

Julia Green, education partner at Browne Jacobson, said:

“We are seeing a growing interest in academies from the higher education sector which is encouraging. It allows universities to establish a deeper relationship between themselves and the schools in their area. In the longer term this will assist in raising pupil aspirations and ensure children have access to the education they need to equip themselves for the future whether or not they go onto higher education.

“We are delighted to be appointed by the University of Brighton which has a history of supporting the establishment of academies and its role as lead trust sponsor will see it help transform teaching and learning for pupils, academy staff and the community it serves.”