Disability discrimination in schools

Alex Line analyses a recent Upper Tribunal appeal concerning disability discrimination in schools. Read more
SPOTLIGHT

A zero sum game?

The number of SEND tribunal cases is rising and the proportion of appeals ‘lost’ by local authorities is at a record high. Lottie Winson talks to education lawyers to understand the reasons why, and sets out the results of Local Government Lawyer’s exclusive survey.

  NEWS

Mar 04, 2024

Judge rejects challenge to council declining to conduct EHC assessment

The High Court has rejected a challenge against a council’s decision not to undertake an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment, after the local authority had expressed the view that the claimant was aged approximately 10 years older than his claimed age of 17.

  FEATURES AND ANALYSIS

February 22, 2024

A zero sum game?

The number of SEND tribunal cases is rising and the proportion of appeals ‘lost’ by local authorities is at a record high. Lottie Winson talks to education lawyers to understand the reasons why, and sets out the results of Local Government Lawyer’s exclusive survey.
February 22, 2024

‘Suitable’ vs ‘Appropriate’

Olivia McGonigle looks at the lessons to be learned from a recent Upper Tribunal ruling in relation to naming schools in EHC plans.
February 22, 2024

EHCPs and home education

Is it lawful for an EHC plan to specify home education – and if so, how? Katherine Anderson examines a recent Upper Tribunal ruling.
February 09, 2024

School redevelopment and noise concerns

The Planning Court has rejected a judicial review challenge to the grant of planning permission for the redevelopment of a new site for a school. Meyric Lewis KC and Charles Streeten explain why.

  MORE NEWS

Jan 18, 2024

Carry out enhanced DBS checks for all councillors considered for appointment to committees with education or social services functions, minister tells unitary and upper tier councils

Local Government Minister Simon Hoare has written to the leaders of unitary and upper tier authorities in England calling on them to adopt as best practice enhanced criminal record checks provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service for all councillors being considered for appointment to any committee which discharges education or social services functions.

  MORE FEATURES

December 19, 2023

Permanent exclusion checklist for schools in Wales

To help schools to understand the formalities and technical issues that need to be taken into account when a pupil is permanently excluded from a maintained school in Wales, Al Hussain and Trish D’Souza have put together a permanent exclusion checklist.
November 28, 2023

Public sector consultations

Matthew Wyard, Jim Hirschmann and Rosa Thomas analyse the framework concerning the duty to consult in public law. [1]
November 28, 2023

Education sector contracts

Amba Griffin-Booth provides her top ten tips on how to get education sector contracts right.
October 06, 2023

Teachers and one-off comments

Was it fair to dismiss a teacher for making one inappropriate comment to a pupil? That was the issue the tribunal had to determine in a recent case. Joanne Moseley examines the outcome.
September 27, 2023

Property contracts and public law principles

David Shakesby looks at the lessons to be learned from a dispute between a further education college and a district council over the planned sale of an empty and unused property.
September 26, 2023

Religious belief and secular education

Richard Collier considers an unusual, complicated and interesting case which confronts the delicate conflict between religious belief and inclusive secular education.
September 22, 2023

Unpacking community contributions

Rohini Vekaria analyses recent developments in relation to community contributions, in particular in relation to education and healthcare.
September 01, 2023

Schools and concrete safety

The Government has launched an inquiry into the use of historic building material RAAC in schools. Colin Jones looks at the key considerations for educational institutions.