Seminar helps schools prepare for change

The region’s private schools need to be prepared for big changes - that was the message to head teachers from one of East Anglia’s leading law firms Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP at a special seminar held recently at Amberfield School in Nacton.

The seminar explored the far reaching implications of the forthcoming Charities Act which is due to become law next year. The new legislation will mean private schools will now have to demonstrate how they benefit the wider community. This could mean anything from opening up their facilities to the public to giving children from poorer backgrounds increased access to places.

Yvonne Spencer, solicitor advocate specialising in education law at Colchester-based Fisher Jones Greenwood said: “At present, around half of all private schools are registered charities but many could lose their charitable status if they fail to address how their schools satisfy the new test. We expect the government to issue new regulatory guidance on this issue some time in 2007.”

The seminar was the first in a series to be held over the next few months as part of Fisher Jones Greenwood’s Education Alliance advice service for independent schools which is run in partnership with WillisPalmer a consortium of social workers and counsellors. Legal experts not only discussed implications arising from the Charities Act but also changes in employment law, including age discrimination, and advised on ways in which independent schools can minimise the risk of litigation claims.

Senior Partner Tony Fisher from Fisher Jones Greenwood said: “The seminar was a huge success. Independent education is a constantly changing and highly regulated sector so it is very important private schools are aware of changes in legislation. The Charities Act, which has now received the royal assent, is a major reform of the law which will affect all charities. In the independent school sector it will have a substantial effect and we will be putting a lot of resource over the next couple of years into helping our clients who are registered as charities to ensure that they retain their charitable status.”

For details about Fisher Jones Greenwood’s next education seminar please contact Emma Nunn telephone 01206 835300.