Negligence Claims Solicitors

A child’s formative years are incredibly important. Unfortunately, a school’s failure to provide adequate protection or educational care can have a long-term impact on their development, opportunities, and overall happiness.

Please note that we do not act on behalf of schools, colleges or universities. We only act on behalf of pupils and students.  Our team are dedicated and committed to helping pupils, students and their parents, to ensure their child performs to the best of their ability.

Please also note that we are only able to take on cases on a privately paying basis. If you are unable to privately fund your case, or you looking for general guidance on what actions you can take to protect you or your child’s education rights, you can contact Citizens Advice.

What is School Negligence?

The legal principle of negligence has developed through a series of cases over the last 150 years. In the education context school negligence may arise in the following circumstances:-

• where a pupil or student suffers physical injuries due to the school or individual staff member failing to take adequate steps to protect a child being injured. An example may be where a student is carrying out an experiment in a chemistry lesson, which results in chemicals burning their skin, due to inadequate protective steps taken by the school.

Where a pupil or student has received sub standard teaching. It may be the case that the child was taught the wrong syllabus or the teacher taught the correct syllabus but not to the correct level.

• Pupils “left behind” in the classroom.,
• Students sitting the wrong examination paper.
• Failing to follow-up on non-attendance or truancy.,
• Lack of support for special educational needs or disabilities that has resulted in lost opportunities as an adult.

As a consequence of school negligence, a child may suffer physical injury that may have long-term consequences for their ability to learn and general health, or due to their special educational needs not being addressed, not reaching their full potential. This could have lifelong consequences on their capacity to work.

Cases of educational negligence are treated with the seriousness they deserve. These are meticulously constructed. If you intend to pursue a negligence case against an educational body, whether school or college, it is essential that you seek out the right legal advice for your situation and the circumstances that surround the case.

Our team at IBB Law specialise in the research, support, and level of professional guidance required to make the best case possible and to pursue an outcome that you seek.

School negligence claims and college negligence claims are frequently complex because of the factual matrix and several strands of law requiring consideration. Where special educational needs provision is part of a negligence claim, there may also be overlapping claims for special educational needs and or an Equality Act claim.

Responsibilities for the school are not limited to classroom teaching. Legal responsibility of schools and teachers extends to ensuring the safety of pupils during break times and lunchtimes. The duty of care of schools also extends to school trips. Whatever activity is undertaken the principle remains the same, i.e. those responsible for the school trip are under a continuing duty to take reasonable care to safeguard the health, safety and well-being of their pupils.

One of the most important factors to consider is the collation of the evidence that forms the backbone of your case. This should be assembled before any claim is brought.

What legal fees do I have to pay for School Negligence?

We offer an initial fixed fee consultation meeting, by video, so you can explain to us your school negligence or college negligence enquiry. This is also an opportunity for you to provide us with any documentation you have, so we have a good understanding of the background.

We will provide legal advice during the consultation meeting. If we consider you have good grounds for pursuing a school negligence claim, we will outline the options available to you and what you may be able to achieve if you decide to pursue a school negligence claim.

The consultation meeting is on a fixed fee basis. If you would like us to advise after this meeting, to pursue a school negligence claim, we will provide you with an estimate of the likely cost and explain the work necessary to achieve the desired outcome. We aim to be clear as to the work we will undertake and to provide you with a realistic cost estimate. If you want to learn more about our services or if you have additional questions about your situation, please contact us directly to discuss your case in confidence.

Time limits for School Negligence Claims

If a pupil or student suffers injury at school, or out of school for which the school is legally responsible, the child is able to bring a claim any time up until three years following their 18^th birthday. However, it is sensible to bring the claim as early as possible after the school negligence has caused injury so that important evidence is not lost and recollections of the circumstances remain clear in the mind of the pupil, student and those who witnessed the event.

It is similarly important that where a student has experienced below standard teaching that action is taken immediately to address the issue and to ensure that the pupil receives appropriate support to enable them to achieve their full potential at the time of sitting examinations.

Therefore, whatever the nature of the school negligence do not delay seeking legal advice, to ensure your son or daughter receives the justice and education they deserve.

What others say about IBB’s specialist education solicitors

“We needed an urgent consultation about an educational issues we had with the school. We were very impressed by Celia Whittuck with whom we had the consultation; we were able to ask questions and discuss our situation and we were very happy with the way Celia Whittuck handled our conversation-we felt listen to and that she provided the help we required, thank you!”

“Thank you so much for all your work on this. I have heard from staff and parents that safeguarding is now a huge priority for the school, so I feel that the action we took has had the desired effect.”

“Hi Celia.  To say I am so thankful and happy with this outcome is an understatement.  The best best news.  Thank you again.”

“We can’t thank you enough for your expert assistance throughout this case and we particularly appreciated the clarity and kindness you showed in every communication. The matter could have escalated very unpleasantly except for your intervention, for which we are extremely grateful.”

“From the outset, they listened and guided me through my options. I have been struck by the consistency in their process, their professionalism and empathy. Their strengths have definitely been in their willingness to collaborate with other legal professionals in order to give you the best possible chance of success. They don’t shy away from meeting online, so I really feel understood and cared for.”

“Very personal service where nothing is too much trouble. Prompt in all responses and no stone left unturned to advise thoroughly ensuring the best decision is made. Impressive high standards in all aspects of service. I can’t rate them highly enough.”

“I believe IBB Law Education Team have shown themselves to be true to their word. They have collaborated with me in terms of what to expect at each stage of my case. Their practice is transparent and open, and they are clear and concise regarding the fees.”

“The experience was excellent. I was able to sort out my issue in less than a month with the help of the team at IBB Law. Right from the beginning of contacting the firm, I was provided with all the support and communication with the team was also very smooth. I am more than happy to have contacted the firm. I would definitely recommend IBB Law to anyone that is going through a similar situation as mine.”

“IBB offer unrivalled skill and expertise when it comes to education law matters. They are very well-placed to represent students in all types of public and private law claims against universities. They also do a lot of work in the school sector, in particular when representing parents in claims against independent schools. They are knowledgeable in the main areas of law that cut across these and associated areas of the education sector. Given their level of experience in these areas, they also have a very good practical understanding of the education sector and are geared towards achieving good practical outcomes for their clients.”

“The gold standard team for higher education work. IBB is one of my main instructing solicitors and I always feel completely confident that they will do an excellent job for the client. The cases are meticulously prepared, and they are very client-focused and practical in their approach.”

“Very empathetic and attentive to each individual client’s needs. I felt heard and understood for the first time by professionals. The team was easy and quick to communicate with and the whole process made me feel at ease.”

“My matter was dealt and over with quite quickly with a happy outcome.”

“IBB offer an excellent education law service, with particular expertise in higher education matters.”

“Celia Whittuck is a star individual. She has gained considerable experience in education law and has excellent strategic litigation strategy, particularly for civil claims against independent schools and universities, and internal complaints and appeal processes in relation to these institutions. She puts the client’s outcome at the heart of what she does and has a track record for achieving good results.”

“Growing education law team focusing on higher education law matters.”

“Celia Whittuck is a phenomenally dedicated solicitor and a real delight to work with.”

“Focused and determined education team.”

“Celia Whittuck has a growing reputation in the area.”

“I wish give my heartfelt thanks to education team at IBB Law for assisting me through a very peculiar education matter, with specific regards to and commendation for Victoria Denis, the solicitor who had represented my matter.”

“Victoria successfully assisted me through an issue.”

“Throughout the months Victoria represented my matter, Victoria always gave me clear and detailed counsel and helped me explore all the options in terms of what action Victoria and I myself was able to take.”

“Victoria was attentive with keeping me updated in her correspondence.”

“Ultimately, the expeditious success of the matter speaks volumes to Victoria’s ability to navigate a rare and perplexing matter, especially as the matter took place in a transnational context.”

“Victoria empowered me to both move forward with my home life in the United States and to amicably resolve my affairs.”

The Education Law Team at IBB is ranked by Legal 500. Legal 500 describe themselves as the leading guide to law firms and solicitors across the UK.

Celia Whittuck at IBB is ranked by Chambers and Partners. Chambers and Partners say of themselves: “Our rankings are the most thoroughly researched and independent on the market. Each one is assessed by our dedicated team of experienced researchers using our unrivalled research methodology, which includes tens of thousands of one-to-one interviews every year.

“If you are buying legal services in the UK and need reliable recommendations on the best law firms and solicitors, our rankings, editorial and analysis will provide you with the information you need to make the most well-informed decision when it matters.”

Get clear legal advice and support for dealing with negligence claims

To find out more about how we can help with your school negligence claims or college negligence claims, please contact Kinjal or Rachael, our education law legal administrators, on 01895 207 961, or by email at educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk. They can arrange a fixed fee consultation and send you a link to our online booking suite, where you can choose a day and time most convenient for your meeting with the specialist education solicitor.