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."

Mr. Ian Jones was interviewed by the Guardian about school appeals and the now common place use of lawyers by parents in school appeals, Mr Jones (who may have been incorrectly reffered to as Ian Carter) said "Parents want to know when they need to move house to secure the best place at schools. They want to know how close they have to be to the school to guarantee a place, and they dont want a margin of error ... They want advice on how to get it right from the beginning". Mr Jones went on to say that many parents felt they needed the representation to navigate the complex and emotionally charged process of school appeals. He then said "they feel the system is stacked against them and they need support to get through it".

Reported in the Guardian thursday 23rd October 2008 on page 6.

School appeals don't always go in the parents' favour.  One of our direct access barristers, Ian Jones, has recently received several requests for advice from parents who have represented themselves and lost their appeal.  Generally, the decision of the independent appeal panel is final and binding on parents and schools alike.  Only in rare circumstances can the result be set aside, either after pursuing a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman or by an application for judicial review.  Otherwise, seeking legal advice after the hearing will be too late.

 

Ian Jones, direct access barrister specialising in school appeals and education law.

The number of school appeals seems to be on the rise this year.  Ian Jones, one of our direct access barristers, is receiving record numbers of enquiries from parents whose children have been refused entry to their chosen school.  Some parents want help with their written statement of case, while others choose full representation at the appeal hearing.  Anyone wanting further advice should visit Ian Jones' school appeals website.  Parents need to be quick, however: Ian is already taking bookings into September.

 

Ian Jones, Direct Access Barrister specialising in School Appeals and Education Law.

School appeals seem more popular than ever this year.  Only a week after launching his own school appeals website, barrister Ian Jones is receiving dozens of calls from anxious parents who have been refused a place for their child at their preferred school.  Ian says "I've been asked about everything from nursery admissions to judicial review, as well as lots of calls about primary and secondary school admission appeals."  Ian Jones is one of a growing number of barristers at New Walk Chambers who carry out work directly for members of the public under the direct access scheme.  The direct access barristers at New Walk Chambers are: Robert Rees, Ruth Manning, Ian Jones, Simon Reed and Karl Prosser.

 

Written by Ian Jones, Barrister at New Walk Chambers specialising in school appeals and education law.