Q:

Do you know where I can hire a solicitor to challenge a private school admission refusal of my speech delayed child (sibling)?

My younger daughter (3y 9mo) has Speech delay and is on the ASD pathway. I tried to get her a place in her big sisters school but they were oversubscribed. I've gone through the schools complaint procedure and their reason for denying my speech delayed daughter a place has changed at each stage of the process. They were a non-selective school but since I accused them of SEND discrimination (during the assessment: they were giving verbal instructions to my daughter) and then refusing her a spot for not following those directions. The school now claim to be academically selective. Their school policy documents state they are non-selective. My older daughter goes to the school and I would like the younger one to join her.

They are oversubscribed this year and say they've refused other children who are more academically able than my younger daughter. At this point, the head teacher is being perfectly kind and polite but digging her heels in on the matter. I need to take things to the SEND Tribunal and I would like legal representation to look over my case in detail. There is a lot of documentation on the matter including more recently, a letter from the proprietor claiming my daughter's cognition is the reason they have not admitted her into the school and not the lack of capacity they earlier claimed. They are lying, the only reason she hasn't gotten in is because of her SEN and other factors.

For further context, there are SEN children at the school some with worse delays than my daughter presents with. I've looked around several schools in the area, both state and private and this school is truly the best option for her. The teachers are lovely, but the head teacher is stubborn.

I need legal representation please. It is clear that the school will not change their position except the Tribunal ask them to do so. Who do you recommend please. I cannot manage sending my girls to two different primary schools. Or where do you think I can find someone to represent me.

Thank you.

TD

T D
19 Dec 2024

A: SenseCheck

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  • 20 Dec 2024
  • Yes

    Simple

    Any of the lawyers with a profile on here should be able to help you or point you to someone who can but you could start by approaching the partners at Talem Law (I think the link is in their bios).

    Rachel Amos

    Rachel Amos
    Support SEND Kids