School Discipline Issues

At IBB Law, our solicitors provide expert legal guidance and representation for parents and their children facing school discipline issues. If your child has been unfairly disciplined, excluded, or subjected to discriminatory treatment, our specialist education solicitors can advise on the best course of action.

We can assist with challenging exclusions, supporting appeals, and providing representation in cases involving special educational needs (SEN) or disability discrimination. Our education law solicitors can also help you navigate school policies, ensuring that disciplinary actions are lawful and proportionate.

Where necessary, our school discipline solicitors will liaise with schools, local authorities, or education tribunals to advocate for a fair resolution.

We will help you understand your rights and options and provide reassurance during what can be a stressful time.

Our team of specialist education lawyers only act on behalf of pupils, students and their parents. You can be confident that we will do all we can to achieve the best outcomes for you and your child. We do not represent schools, local authorities or school governing bodies.

Call today to discuss how we can help with school discipline issues.

To find out more about how our school discipline 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.

Kinjal and Rachael can arrange a fixed fee online consultation and send you a link to our online booking suite.   You can choose a day and time most convenient for your meeting with the specialist education solicitor.

At that online consultation, the solicitor will listen to your experience and consider any documents you have before advising what action can be taken to address the disciplinary decision taken by the school.

How can IBB Law’s school discipline solicitors help you with school discipline issues?

Legal advice on school disciplinary procedures

If you or your child are facing school disciplinary issues, our specialist education solicitors can provide expert legal advice.

We will offer guidance on whether the school is following the correct procedures and can advise on matters such as exclusions, suspensions, and allegations of misconduct. If a decision appears unfair or unlawful, we can help you address this through formal complaints or an appeal.

We will communicate with your school, local authority, and, if necessary, the tribunal on your behalf to resolve the matter with as little stress to you and your child as possible.

Representation for school exclusions and suspensions

Our school discipline solicitors can provide expert legal representation for parents and students facing school exclusions and suspensions.

We can assess your situation and offer advice on the school’s procedures and whether their decisions are fair, lawful, and proportionate. We can also advise you on making a complaint to the school.

If your child has been excluded, we will help challenge the school’s disciplinary decision through the school complaints process, the local authority or the tribunal, where necessary. We regularly deal with school exclusion, both in state schools and in independent schools.

We also support families in cases involving special educational needs (SEN) or discrimination.

Challenging unfair disciplinary decisions

Challenging an unfair disciplinary decision at school can be daunting, but our school discipline solicitors can provide the legal expertise needed to navigate the process.

We can review your circumstances, advise on whether the decision complies with school policies and the law, and outline the best steps for appeal.

If necessary, we can support your family in hearings before the school governors, ensuring a fair and balanced review.  We can also advise on appealing school decisions, whether they be related to safeguarding, exclusion or behaviour.

In cases involving discrimination or special educational needs, we can escalate matters to the local authority or tribunal.

Legal support for students facing misconduct allegations

Facing a misconduct allegation at school can be stressful for both students and parents. Our education solicitors can provide specialist legal support, ensuring that disciplinary procedures are fair, transparent, and compliant with school policies and the law.

We will review the evidence for the allegations and the school’s policies and procedures, advise on possible defences, and support you in school hearings or appeals. If the allegations involve complex issues such as discrimination or safeguarding concerns, we can escalate the case to the relevant authorities.

Our school misconduct solicitors will aim to protect your rights, minimise any long-term consequences, and work towards a fair resolution of the situation.

Addressing discrimination in school disciplinary cases

Discrimination in school disciplinary cases can have serious consequences for students, particularly those with special educational needs (SEN) or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

Our education solicitors can provide expert legal support by assessing whether your child has been treated unfairly due to factors such as disability, race, or gender.

We can challenge discriminatory exclusions or sanctions, liaise with the school and the local authority, and escalate cases to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) if needed.

Advocacy for special educational needs (SEN) students in disciplinary matters

Students with special educational needs (SEN) are entitled to fair treatment in school disciplinary matters, but their needs are not always properly considered.

Our school discipline solicitors can help ensure that the school take into account your student’s SEN and meet their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

We can challenge exclusions or sanctions that fail to consider your child’s additional needs, negotiate reasonable adjustments, and represent you in appeals or tribunal proceedings.

We aim to work towards fair and appropriate resolutions that prioritise your child’s education and wellbeing.

Judicial review and tribunal representation

Our school discipline solicitors provide expert legal representation for judicial reviews and tribunals, ensuring that students and parents can challenge unlawful decisions made by schools or local authorities.

Judicial review allows families to contest decisions that are unfair, procedurally flawed, or in breach of the law. Our solicitors can assess the merits of your case, prepare a legal argument, and represent you in court if a dispute can be amicably resolved with the school.

For education tribunals, such as those handling special educational needs (SEN) disputes or school exclusions, our school misconduct solicitors can advocate on behalf of your family, presenting evidence and ensuring a fair hearing.

Common questions about school discipline issues

What are school discipline issues, and how can solicitors help?

School discipline issues refer to situations where students face disciplinary action, such as exclusions, suspensions, or other sanctions. These issues can become complicated, especially if a student has special educational needs (SEN) or may be facing discrimination.

Our school discipline solicitors can help by ensuring that schools follow correct procedures and that disciplinary decisions are fair and lawful. We can provide legal advice on challenging school exclusions, represent you in appeals, and address any concerns related to discrimination or SEN.

Can I challenge my child’s school suspension or exclusion?

Yes, you can challenge a temporary or permanent exclusion. If your child has been permanently excluded, you’ll be invited to a review meeting with the school’s governors, which must take place within 15 school days.

Should the governors uphold the exclusion, you can request an independent review through your local council (or the academy trust if it’s an academy). The governors are required to provide instructions on how to proceed with this request.

If your child has special educational needs (SEN) or you suspect they may, you can request a SEN expert to attend the independent review meeting. Make sure to include this in your application.

If you believe your child has been discriminated against, you can take your case to court or tribunal within six months of the exclusion.

You can also make a claim to a first-tier tribunal if you believe the discrimination is related to a disability.

When should I contact a solicitor for a school discipline issue?

If you are facing a school discipline issue, you should contact a specialist solicitor at the earliest opportunity.

We will review the details of your case and offer advice and guidance on the best course of action to take for you and your child to get the matter resolved and ensure they have access to a quality education.

What others say about IBB’s specialist education solicitors

“We needed an urgent consultation about an educational issue 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 listened to and that she provided the help we required, thank you.”

“My son was falsely accused of some very serious misconduct issues. The wording, the process and the suspension were all terrifying and intense. We needed support in formulating our responses so we could challenge what was happening to my son and us as a family. Victoria Denis at IBB Law was fantastic. She was extremely professional and knowledgeable and calmly guided us through our options. She helped us clarify our responses and was an enormous support. I am grateful to IBB Law for their help at a time when I didn’t know where to turn. I think together, we saved my son’s life, and he will live to have a positive future.”

“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.”

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

“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.”

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

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“I wish to give my heartfelt thanks to the 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 were able to take.”

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

“Celia Whittuck has an excellent breadth of knowledge and is very responsive.”

“She is amazing.”

Celia has taken a particular interest in ensuring that the appropriate educational outcomes are achieved. Her commitment has been unwavering.”

“Celia Whittuck has been helpful, understanding, respectful and responsive.”

“We can’t thank you enough for your expert assistance throughout this case, and we particularly appreciate 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.”

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.”

Call today to discuss how we can help you with school discipline issues

To find out more about how we can provide legal help with challenging school disciplinary decisions, please contact Kinjal or Rachael, our education law administrators, on 01895 207 961 or by email at educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.

Kinjal and Rachael can explain how we can help you and direct you to our online booking suite so you can book a consultation meeting with one of our specialist education lawyers at a day and time convenient to you.