Education law advice for families and students
Every child and young person has the right to a suitable education. We help you make sure that right is respected.
Your child’s school or support
- Special educational needs and EHC plans
- Exclusions and suspensions
- School admissions and appeals
- Disability discrimination
College and university issues
- Academic appeals
- Disciplinary and misconduct cases
- Complaints about your course or support
- Complaints to the OIA
When school or university gets it wrong, we help you put it right
Dealing with a council, school or university can feel overwhelming, especially when your child’s future is at stake. We explain your rights clearly and help you challenge decisions that aren’t right.
This page covers education law in England. Wales has a different system for additional learning needs, so please mention if you live in Wales.
Areas we cover
Choose a topic to see how we can help.
Special educational needs and EHC plans
If your child needs more support than their school can provide, an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan sets out the help they must receive. We help you request an assessment, check the plan is specific and right for your child, and appeal if the council refuses.
- Requesting an EHC needs assessment
- Challenging a refusal to assess or issue a plan
- Reviewing a draft or final plan
- Appeals to the SEND Tribunal
School exclusions and suspensions
Being excluded can seriously affect a child’s education and future. We check whether the school followed the law and its own policies, and help you put your case to the governors and, if needed, an independent review panel.
- Suspensions (fixed-term exclusions)
- Permanent exclusions
- Governors’ meetings
- Independent review panels
School admissions and appeals
If your child hasn’t been offered a place at your preferred school, you have the right to appeal. We help you understand the admissions rules and prepare a strong appeal.
- Understanding the refusal
- Preparing written appeals
- Appeal hearings
- In-year admissions
Disability discrimination
Schools and colleges must not discriminate against disabled pupils and must make reasonable adjustments. We advise on complaints and claims to the tribunal.
- Failure to make reasonable adjustments
- Unfair treatment linked to disability
- Exclusions linked to disability
- Tribunal claims
Student complaints and appeals
We help students challenge unfair decisions by colleges and universities, from academic appeals to disciplinary action and complaints.
- Academic appeals
- Disciplinary and fitness to practise cases
- Complaints about teaching or support
- Complaints to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)
Key deadlines at a glance
Many education decisions have strict time limits. Missing one can mean losing the right to challenge.
| What | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Council decides whether to carry out an EHC needs assessment | Within 6 weeks of the request |
| Final EHC plan issued | Within 20 weeks of the request |
| Appeal to the SEND Tribunal | 2 months from the council’s decision, or 1 month from your mediation certificate if that is later |
| Independent review of a permanent exclusion | Request within 15 school days of the governors’ decision |
| School admission appeal | The date given in your refusal letter, usually at least 20 school days |
| Disability discrimination claim against a school | 6 months from the discrimination |
| University complaint to the OIA | Within 12 months of the university’s Completion of Procedures letter |
General guidance for England. Always check the deadline in your decision letter, and contact us early if you’re unsure.
Meet your solicitor
Qamar Uz Zaman
[Qualifications, when you qualified, and your experience with education law.] You speak directly to Qamar, who understands how stressful these situations are for families.
- Your child at the centre
- Clear advice on your options
- Help with deadlines
- One point of contact
- English, Urdu and Punjabi
- SRA regulated
What families say
[Real client review from Google.]
[Real client review from Google.]
[Real client review from Google.]
Frequently asked questions
What is an EHC plan?
An Education, Health and Care plan is a legal document for children and young people up to 25 with special educational needs who need more support than is normally available. It describes their needs and the support they must receive, and the council is legally responsible for making sure that support is provided.
The council refused to assess my child. What can I do?
You can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. Before appealing, you’ll usually need to contact a mediation adviser and get a mediation certificate. We can help you decide whether to appeal and prepare your case.
Can a school exclude my child without warning?
A head teacher can exclude a pupil for disciplinary reasons, but the decision must be lawful, reasonable and fair. You must be told the reasons in writing, and you have the right to challenge it.
Do I need a solicitor for a school admission appeal?
Not necessarily, but advice can help you understand the rules and present your strongest case, especially for oversubscribed schools or children with particular needs.
Can my child’s school refuse to make adjustments for their disability?
Schools have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils. If they don’t, you may be able to complain or bring a claim. Time limits apply.
I’m a university student. Can you help with an appeal?
Yes. We can help with academic appeals, disciplinary cases and complaints, and with taking a complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator once the university’s own process is finished.
Tell us what’s happening
Give us a few details and we’ll get back to you within [one working day].
Prefer to talk?
- Phone
- +44 7925 273896
- Qamar@lcssolicitor.co.uk
- Office
- [Street address, Town, Postcode]
- Opening hours
- [Mon to Fri, 9am to 5:30pm]