Unfortunately, children are sometimes excluded from school and this can have a devastating effect on a child’s education. Not all school exclusions are proportionate or justified. If your child has received a fixed term exclusion of over 5 days or a permanent exclusion, then you have an automatic right to appeal the school’s decision.
Dealing with your child’s school exclusion
We appreciate that your child’s education is of paramount importance. Dealing with an exclusion can be distressing, especially when your child’s behaviour and conduct is called into question. We can let both the school and the local authority know that we are involved, request that the local authority convene an appeal panel and represent you at the hearing.
Our Education Law solicitors can appeal permanent exclusions and fixed term exclusions of over 5 days to the governing body of the school. There are two levels of appeal:
- A meeting convened by the school’s Governing Body
- An independent Appeal Panel hearing convened by the Local Authority
Our specialist lawyers are able to work through the school’s evidence, set out your grounds clearly and concisely and work through the relevant guidance methodically, quoting from the Guidance when relying upon it.
If you are unsuccessful at the governors meeting we can then take the matter to the independent appeal panel for consideration by 3 panel members who are independent from the school.
Important things to consider
Ask your child to write down, in his or her own words what happened at school on the day of the exclusion and then go through the school’s version of events with your child.
If there are inconsistencies or you feel that the exclusion is unwarranted, unfair or an overreaction to what your child says happened, then you should contact a specialist solicitor for further legal advice.
If your child has received a fixed term exclusion of over 5 days, or a permanent exclusion, you should tell the school that you wish to appeal this decision and ask that the school convenes a governor’s meeting to hear your appeal in the first instance.
For our fees, please visit the Education Law Fees page.
Why use Fisher Meredith?
Fisher Meredith is an award winning London law firm with offices in Richmond, Surrey and Kennington, London. Our Education Law solicitors have an outstanding reputation for acting on behalf of individuals with highly successful results.
For 35 years, Fisher Meredith has developed a reputation for being approachable and “going the extra mile” for its clients whilst maintaining ethical and socially responsible standards.
Our Education Law solicitors have years of experience in helping parents successfully appeal against their child’s school exclusion.
Fisher Meredith is ranked as a Tier 3 firm in the Legal 500 for practising Education Law.
What should I do now?
If your child has been excluded from school, and you wish to appeal against the decision, our Education Law Department can provide you with quality advice to achieve the best possible outcome.
For initial advice or to arrange a meeting with one of our solicitors, please contact our helpline on 0800 014 7445.
