Special Cases

Help for Parents

Some parents will have difficulty accessing the admissions system.  However, neither the parents nor their children should be disadvantaged by this.  The system can be daunting and your local education authority should help parents who may have difficulty.  This help should come from a Choice Adviser.  This is a person whose job is to help parents who may find the admissions system difficult.  Primarily this help is for parents whose children are entering secondary education.  However, local authorities have the discretion to also offer this to parents of childnre in primary education.

The Choice Adviser should be entirely independent from the admissions team.  If you have had access to the Choice Adviser from your local authority, he or she should also be offering you support through the appeals system.

For more information you should contact your local education authority.

Special Educational Needs

There are many reasons why your son or daughter may need additional support during their education.  However, not every child with special needs is given a Statement of Special Educational Needs.  If your son or daughter is being given additional support at school, but does not have a statement, then you have the same rights as other parents in the admissions process.  If you are refused a school you must be allowed to appeal to an admissions appeal panel.

If your son or daughter has a Statement of Special Educational Needs from your local authority, then you do not have access to the school admission appeal system.  Your Special Needs Support Officer should talk to you about which school is suitable for your child and should take your preference into consideration.  Many children with a Statement do not need to attend special schools.  Some mainstream schools are resources to deal with specific needs.  It may be that such a school is resourced to meet your child's needs.  However, your child's needs may be able to met in most mainstream school.  If this is the case, your request for a specific school should be met. 

If the local authority will not provide the school that you want you have the right to appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal. 

Exclusions

If your child has been excluded from his or her school you have the right to appeal against this.  Even if this is a fixed period exclusion (for a few days), you can appeal.

When your child is sent home from school, you should receive a letter stating the reasons for the exclusion, how long the exclusion is for and how you can appeal against it.  If the exclusion is permanent you should be contacted by your local education.

There are guidelines on what support should be given to your child in order to ensure that they continue to receive an education. 

The system for appealing against the exclusion should be explained to you by the school / local education authority.  In the first instance you would appeal to the school's governing body.  If this is not successful you can have your appeal heard by an independent appeal panel.  The Advisory Centre for Education is a charity which has a very informative website and can offer telephone support to parents.

If your son or daughter has been excluded and you want some support, we are happy to talk to you to discuss any support you may need.