School admissions, SEN, exclusions and education rights

Schools and education law in England covers admissions, exclusions, special educational needs, and university disputes. This hub explains the school admissions appeal process and the 20-school-day deadline, the SEND Code of Practice and EHC plan process, school exclusions and independent review panels, the SEND Tribunal, home education and elective home education notification, free school meals eligibility, school transport, university complaints to the OIA, student finance disputes, and the new T Level qualifications. Where Scotland or Northern Ireland uses a different framework (such as ASN in Scotland) we point readers to the right route.

18 guides in this section

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Primary and Secondary School Admissions

How catchment areas, oversubscription criteria, and the application process work.

Appealing a School Place Decision

Independent appeal panel process, valid grounds, and how to prepare your case.

SEN Support in Mainstream Schools

The graduated approach, the SENCO's role, and what schools must provide.

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)

How to request an assessment, what each section A-K means, and how to challenge a refusal.

Challenging a School Exclusion

Fixed-term and permanent exclusions, governing body review, and Independent Review Panels.

Home Education in the UK

Your rights, council requirements, and what a "suitable education" looks like.

Step-by-step guides

Follow a guided process from start to finish for common situations.

Getting a Child's EHCP from Scratch

8 steps

Prepare with a checklist

EHCP Pre-Assessment Checklist

All guides in this section

Primary and Secondary School Admissions

How catchment areas, oversubscription criteria, and the application process work.

Appealing a School Place Decision

Independent appeal panel process, valid grounds, and how to prepare your case.

SEN Support in Mainstream Schools

The graduated approach, the SENCO's role, and what schools must provide.

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)

How to request an assessment, what each section A-K means, and how to challenge a refusal.

Challenging a School Exclusion

Fixed-term and permanent exclusions, governing body review, and Independent Review Panels.

Home Education in the UK

Your rights, council requirements, and what a "suitable education" looks like.

Free School Meals Eligibility

Income thresholds, Universal Credit eligibility, and transitional protection until 2025.

University Complaints and the OIA

Internal complaints procedure, Completion of Procedures letter, and the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.

Disputing Student Finance Decisions

Overpayments, eligibility, appeals to the Student Loans Company, and the Independent Assessor.

School Attendance and Fines

When £80 penalty notices are issued, prosecution risk, and grounds to challenge a fine.

School Transport Entitlement

Statutory walking distances, low-income protections, SEN transport, and how to dispute a council refusal.

SEND Tribunal Appeals

How to appeal LA decisions about EHC plans to the First-tier Tribunal — eligibility, the 2-month deadline, mediation, and the hearing process.

Student Loan Plan 5

The new Plan 5 loan terms for English undergraduates from August 2023: £25k threshold, 9% repayment rate, 40-year write-off period, and how it differs from Scotland/Wales/NI.

Childcare Provider Closures

Your rights when a nursery or childminder closes — fee refunds, transferring funded hours, the council sufficiency duty, and finding a new place fast.

EHCP Refusal and Re-Assessment

Sections A-K of an EHC plan, three refusal points, mediation and SENDIST appeal — 95% success rate at tribunal.

School Exclusion Appeals

Governing body review, Independent Review Panel (IRP), SENDIST disability discrimination route, and section 19 alternative provision duty.

School Transport: Entitlement and Appeals

Section 508B statutory entitlement, walking distance test, SEN transport, extended low-income rights, and the two-stage council appeal.

University Complaints: OIA Process

Office of the Independent Adjudicator process, Completion of Procedures letter, £58,500 maximum award, and what is excluded.

Frequently asked questions

Can I appeal if my child does not get into our preferred school?
Yes. You have the right to appeal to an independent admission appeal panel. You usually have at least 20 school days from the offer date. The panel will consider whether the admission criteria were applied correctly and whether the prejudice to the school of admitting your child outweighs your case.
How do I get an EHCP for my child?
Request a needs assessment from your local authority. They have 6 weeks to decide whether to assess. The full process from request to final EHCP must be completed within 20 weeks. You can request an assessment yourself; you do not need the school to do it.
Can I home educate my child without telling the council?
You do not need permission to home educate, but if your child is already at school you must inform the school in writing to deregister. Local authorities can ask informally about your provision but cannot demand to inspect your home unless they have grounds for a School Attendance Order.
What happens if I do not pay a school attendance fine?
The £80 penalty rises to £160 if not paid within 21 days. If still unpaid after 28 days, the council can prosecute you in the magistrates' court. The maximum fine is £2,500 plus possible imprisonment for very serious cases.

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Disclaimer

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always check official sources and seek qualified help where needed.