Dan Rosenberg
Partner, Education & Public Law Solicitor
English
Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunals are designed to be as parent-friendly as possible, but they can still be really daunting and the process isn’t always straightforward depending on your child’s needs.
Before the pandemic, the Tribunal would be held at a venue within 2 hours of your home, to make it easier for you to attend. But since the outbreak of Covid-19, most SEND Tribunal hearings have moved online, which might be easier for you or present another challenge. Moving forward, the Tribunal have said that they hope to continue to offer online hearings in addition to face-to-face hearings.
We have represented many parents and people with SEND at virtual and in person hearings. Our Education Law specialists can give you advice where you need it or represent you through the entire process.
If you need help with any part of attending a SEND Tribunal hearing, get in touch today and we can tailor our services around your specific needs.
We're rated‘Excellent’Download our free, practical Guide to School Place Appeals, which explains everything you need to know about appealing a school’s decision not to give your child a place. The guide includes information for both primary and secondary school places.
These are just general tips that anyone going through the school admissions appeal process should think about. For advice tailored to you, get in touch with our experts to give yourself the best chance of winning your appeal.
A school admissions appeal can be daunting. When considering your argument:
Before the Hearing, the admissions authority should have given you a date that you need to give them any additional information by. You should make sure you say everything you want to in this information, so you can get ahead when giving all of the evidence you need to at the appeal hearing.
Ask your school what categories the children who got in were accepted under, so you know what a successful school place looks like. This should help you know what to say, applying these categories to your own circumstances.
When arguing your case, it’s easy to get frustrated and upset, especially when the stakes are high. But remember you’re arguing for a school place not against the school. Our team are experienced in finding the balance between arguing your case and keeping a good relationship with the school.
We can look at your situation and give initial advice on your situation and arguments that may assist an appeal for just £360 (VAT Included).
The package is for a full hour of work which includes:
We can tailor our advice to you and your child so you can go into the process knowing exactly what to do. We will always be open and honest with you about your child’s chances of getting a school place.
Our Education Lawyers have helped many people with school admissions appeals and we can help you through the entire process if you want us too. Read about just a few of the people we have helped.
We helped a child’s parents bring a judicial review and a positive ending in a case where the Local Authority were failing to provide suitable education.
Legal Aid for First Tier Tribunal Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) appeals is only available through the telephone gateway. This is known as ‘legal help’ and only covers the preparation of a SEND appeal up until the final hearing.
We helped a mother gain a placement for her child in her preferred school during a Judicial Alternative Dispute Resolution (JADR) Hearing, in a disagreement over travel costs.
"This is the 2nd time that we have used Simpson Millar to help us with an SEND post 19 placement appeal. We were well informed of the process, and were in no doubt that we were being very well represented at tribunal. Communication was clear and easy to understand. And we knew that everything was being done to support us and give us the best chance possible of succeeding - which we did, twice."
Richard
Client
Aside from a limited number of exceptions, Grammar Schools are the only schools in England and Wales that can admit children based on their academic abilities.
It might be really scary if your child or children isn’t admitted to the right school. At the end of the day, every parent will want what’s best for their child, even more so if they have additional needs, meaning there are more requirements as to the best type of school that suits them.
Aside from a limited number of exceptions, Grammar Schools are the only schools in England and Wales that can admit children based on their academic abilities.
Fill in the form below to get in touch with one of our dedicated team members, or call our team today on: 0808 239 9764
