Education Associate

VWV Law; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Office-based 2 days/week

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

VWV is seeking a solicitor at associate or senior associate level with education and public law experience to advise education providers on admissions, exclusions and appeals, safeguarding, SEND and equality matters, and to handle complaints and regulatory issues for schools and FE providers.

The role offers a hybrid model with office presence for several days per week, enabling cross-referral opportunities, a collaborative culture, and a path to specialise and advance within the education

Qualifications

• Experience in education law and public law is preferred.
• Experience at associate or senior associate level.
• Knowledge of admissions, exclusions, and safeguarding is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Advise education providers on admissions, exclusions and appeals.
• Manage student behaviour and disciplinary issues.
• Advise on safeguarding, SEND and equality matters.
• Handle complaints and claims, including court/tribunal work.
• Guide schools through registration, inspection and regulatory compliance.
• Provide incident management and reputation protection support.

Skills

Education law

Public law

Associate level

Education

Solicitor (England & Wales)

Job description

The Role

As a team we undertake a wide range of contentious and non‑contentious work for education providers. We cover the whole education ecosystem: early years, independent schools, academies and maintained schools, as well as further and higher education providers, special schools and online providers. Many of our clients are nationally‑ and internationally‑renowned schools and school groups and much of our work is driven by legal and political developments in our key sectors, which means that no two days are ever the same!

Your caseload will likely include advising on admissions, exclusions and appeals, managing student behaviour and disciplinary issues, safeguarding, special educational needs and disability (SEND) and equality matters, handling complaints and claims (including court and tribunal work) and guiding schools through registration, inspection and regulatory compliance. You may also provide critical incident management and reputation protection services and specialist corporate support.

This is a real opportunity to specialise in a fast‑paced and evolving sector which will set you apart from many of your peers and enable you to advance your career at a pace that you dictate.

About You

Whilst we're open to hearing from a variety of lawyers with education experience, for this role we anticipate that you're most likely working at associate or senior associate level and are particularly interested in candidates with public law experience. We know that education work is niche and for this reason we don't expect you to have gained experience in all of the elements listed within the role.

Perhaps you're with a national practice and feel overlooked; maybe you're in a small boutique firm and are looking for a firm with greater education law expertise – either way, here at VWV you'll enjoy being part of a team whose success is an integral part of the firm's.

Where will I be working?

Whilst we work to a hybrid model, for this role we would like you to work from one of our offices for at least 2 days of the week. In this way, you'll benefit first‑hand from our warm and friendly culture as well as facilitate cross referral opportunities from your colleagues in other teams. We are of course happy to discuss any specific requirements of hybrid working with candidates on an individual basis.

Benefits

• Structured career‑level programmes across core business areas to prepare you for promotion opportunities and career advancement.
• Inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity, where everyone, regardless of background, can reach their full potential.