Complaints Against Schools Solicitors

When difficulties arise with your child’s education, you are likely to talk to your child’s teacher and in many cases the cause for concern will be resolved promptly and with little anxiety. However, there may be occasions when the concern is not resolved and it becomes necessary to express yourself by making a formal complaint to the school.

All schools are required to have a formal process that allows parents and guardians to raise complaints. The complaint process should be clear and transparent. As a parent or guardian, you have a right to complain. This must be responded to by the school in writing and the complaint procedure of the school should be freely available to you.

We only act on behalf of children and young people. We do not represent schools and colleges. Therefore, you can be confident that we are committed to achieving the best outcome for you.

Never forget the child is at the centre of the complaint and therefore the focus should be on resolving the complaint at the earliest opportunity and on an amicable basis. It is important that your child can continue their education and life as normal as swiftly as possible.

At IBB Law, we assist many parents with school complaints. It is often the case that a complaint can be resolved amicably through some form of alternative dispute resolution such as mediation and this is always preferable to having to resort to legal action.

If the issue remains unresolved, the issue can be escalated through complaint procedures all the way to the Secretary of State for Education.

Our in-house team at IBB Law are on hand to provide expertise, support and guidance for your complaint.

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. Arrange to speak to one of our specialist education law solicitors.

How to make a school complaint

Whether your child attends a state school or independent school, the school will have a complaints policy. This should be available online.

Our advice is that you make detailed notes in relation to your complaint before formalising it. Make sure your facts are clear and you have gathered together any documents which you consider are relevant to your complaint.

Set out your complaint to the school in chronological order identifying the sequence of events. This will make it easier for those considering your complaint to address it and respond. If at any stage there are conversations with others, make a note.

Complaints Against State Schools

The boards of all maintained schools, that is schools that are funded by a local authority, have a duty to establish procedures for dealing with complaints, with such a complaints procedure being published online.

Schools may have a general complaints policy and specific complaints policies to deal with particular areas, e.g. exclusion.

The complaints procedure should ensure that complaints are fully investigated and addresses on the points raised by the parents. If parents are not satisfied with the outcome they should be informed of their rights to escalate a complaint to the next level, stage 2.

Complaints should be resolved as efficiently and quickly as possible. Parents should be given realistic timeframes for when the matter will be dealt with.

Complaints Against Independent Schools

Paying for your child’s education is an investment in your child’s future. You will have expectations of what and how the school should support your child.

Independent schools should have a complaints policy that is in writing and available to parents. It should set out clear timescales for how a complaint will be managed, including for a complaint to the initially addressed on an informal basis to resolve the concern.

If the concern cannot be resolved, the matter will be escalated to the formal procedure. A formal procedure for a complaint against an independent school should include provision for a hearing where a panel will hear the complaint from the parents. The panel can make findings and recommendations, which should be recorded in writing.

Complaints against independent schools may range from disputes over fees, withdrawal of pupils, examination results, exclusion, standard of care and standard of accommodation, bullying or discrimination.

If the complaint cannot be resolved, you may have a claim for breach of contract. This will be a breach of the contract you entered with the school before your child started. The contract will contain all the terms and conditions relating to your child’s time at the school.

What is the cost of using a solicitor to make a complaint against a school?

We are able to offer a fixed fee initial consultation, by video.

Please 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.

At the fixed fee initial consultation by video we will hear your account of events which have led you to either making a complaint to the school or thinking about doing so. We will consider any documents you have, perhaps your letter of complaint and an initial response from the school and provide you with advice as to your legal position and your rights. If at the end of the initial fixed fee consultation we believe you have legal grounds for pursuing the complaint further, we will advise you what action and what options are available to you.

We will also advise you the likely cost of pursuing your complaint and the work required to achieve your objectives. We endeavour to be clear with our advice and clear with our estimate as to the likely cost involved. We understand how important cost is and therefore, in some circumstances we are able to offer you a fixed fee for any additional work, giving you the comfort and peace of mind as to exactly what you will have to pay, whatever the outcome.

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.”

“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 school complaints

The information given here is intended for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice.

To find out more about how our school complaints solicitors can help, 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.