Chambers Blog

 A school admissions policy has been reinstated this week after a High Court ruling. Drayton Manor High School had earlier been ordered by the Schools Adjudicator to change its admission policy because ‘it indirectly discriminated against children form disadvantaged backgrounds'. However, the High Court has now ruled the Adjudicator's decision unlawful.

Ian Jones, a barrister specializing in school appeals and education law at New Walk Chambers, comments: "The Schools Adjudicator has a team of barristers to trawl through and find fault with school admission policies. Most schools, especially voluntary-aided/ church  schools, do not have any legal advice when they draw up their admissions policy. Parents are placed in an even more difficult position." Mr. Jones adds:  "Any school needing to review its admissions policy should seek professional advice at any early stage."

School appeals are a specialist area of work for one of our barristers Mr Ian Jones. Most secondary school places have now been allocated and primary school places are being announced at the moment. Many parents are already contacting Ian Jones for advice. Some need help writing the appeal statement, while other parents want to be represented at the appeal hearing. Ian Jones has launched his own website www.school-appeal.org.uk. This gives details of the service provided for:

• School admission appeals
• Exclusion appeals
• Special educational needs (SEN)
• Pupil discipline
• Staff employment matters
• School governors
• Disability discrimination
• Scholarships, awards & grants

Written by Ian Jones, Barrister at New Walk Chambers, specialising in Civil Law.