May
23
Written by:
FJG
23/05/2006 14:43
The sale of one of Colchester’s most well-known and popular independent schools
has now taken place with the help of leading law firm Fisher Jones
Greenwood.
Oxford House School in Lexden Road has been purchased by the Cognita Group of
Schools which is chaired by former Chief Inspector of Schools Chris Woodhead.
The school which is housed in an imposing Victorian building dating from 1877,
caters for approximately 120 pupils aged from two and a half to 11 years old and
was founded in 1959 by the Spendlove family.
A team of education, employment commercial and property experts at Fisher
Jones Greenwood, led by Senior Partner Tony Fisher acted for the Spendloves
during the sale of the school and building.
Tony Fisher said: “There are naturally a number of sensitive issues when an
established family business changes hands, and the transaction had its
complexities. We have a specialist team which has provided advice and assistance
to a number of independent schools, and we were very pleased that the process
went so smoothly and speedily.”
Headmaster Paul Spendlove who will be acting as a consultant to Oxford House
School, until the end of the summer term said: “Tony and his team managed the
whole process magnificently. The school has been in my family for many years, so
there have been mixed emotions during its sale, but the Fisher Jones Greenwood
team helped enormously by acting with not only the utmost professionalism but
also with a human touch. It has been vital to ensure that there is continuity
and minimum disruption for pupils, parents and staff. We are delighted that
Oxford House will continue in much the same vein with a strong emphasis on
providing an ideal environment in which children can achieve their very
best.”
Cognita has pledged to retain the identity and ethos of Oxford House School.
The group also owns the neighbouring Colchester High School in Wellesley Road
and both schools will share the same principal David Wood, who began his
teaching career at Oxford House.