Leading local law firm handles sale of popular independent school

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.