Pastoral Support for Schools.

Pastoral Support for Schools: Admissions, Exclusions & Appeals.

Our team of Pastoral Education Solicitors have years of experience supporting schools, academies, and staff in a variety of legal and behavioural matters.

Lanyon Bowdler can help you with issues such as:

School admissions & school admission policies

We are able to advise schools and academies on compliance with admissions law and the School Admissions Code of Practice and School Admissions Appeal Code of Practice. This includes specialist legal advice on:

  • Determining admission arrangements;
  • Drafting your school admissions policy;
  • Oversubscription criteria; and
  • Admission appeals.

We can support you to avoid or manage referrals to the Schools Adjudicator or parental complaints to the EFA.

Behaviour/bullying

Our education team is experienced in supporting schools dealing with behaviour and bullying incidents and can work with you to manage risks to seek to avoid any such incidents. This support includes:

  • Drafting or updating your behaviour policy;
  • Drafting your anti-bullying policy including cyber-bullying; and
  • Advice on appropriate sanctions.
Exclusions

As a maintained school or academy, we can support you in complying with statutory guidance on exclusions. This advice covers:

  • Advising on fixed term and permanent exclusions;
  • Drafting or reviewing your exclusions policy;
  • Representation at an Independent Review Panel; and
  • Advising on challenging IRP decisions.
Complaints

Academies must have in place a written complaints policy for parents that complies with the Education Independent School Standards Regulations. Our education team can work with your school to support you in dealing with complaints from parents and other members of the public. This includes:

  • Drafting a parental complaints policy;
  • Drafting a complaints policy for members of the public;
  • Advice on managing complaints (including dealing with vexatious and unreasonable behaviour);
  • Support at the formal panel stage; and
  • Advice on referrals to the EFA.
Governance

The DfE has highlighted the importance of effective governance in its new Governance Handbook. At Lanyon Bowdler, we are experienced in advising schools on governance issues, including on conversion. We are currently working with SGOSS on a handbook for academies that considers the key responsibilities of governors and provides case studies from academy trusts. The support we can offer includes:

  • Establishing a single academy or MAT;
  • Converting a single academy to a MAT;
  • Expanding a MAT;
  • Establishing a Free School;
  • Advising governors on their responsibilities as charity trustees and company directors; and
  • Drafting and revising Schemes of Delegation
Special educational needs

We are able to support schools providing an education to pupils with SEND and in situations where placements are being sought at your school. We can help with:

  • Drafting a SEND policy;
  • Advice on seeking an assessment or EHC Plan;
  • Advice on complaints relating to SEND pupils; and
  • Referrals of a local authority’s decision to place a child at your school to the Secretary of State,
Safeguarding

The importance of ensuring your pupils wellbeing is of course fundamental and at Lanyon Bowdler we are well placed to support you in managing any safeguarding incidents. Our support covers:

  • Drafting safeguarding policies;
  • Advice on parental requests for information;
  • Advice on the Prevent duty; and
  • Managing allegations against staff.
Testimonials

What our clients say.

Since dealing with Lanyon Bowdler they have been diligent, efficient and at all times very helpful along with being structured in dealing with matters, fees and clarity on all levels. Thank you.

Michael
via ReviewSolicitors

I was clearly informed of progress step by step. The service you provided was very good.

Peter Weston
Shrewsbury

All work carried out effectively and efficiently.

Hubert Jones
via ReviewSolicitors

An excellent service with solicitors that you can talk to and who give you a clear understanding of all necessary legal implications and interpretations.

Eric
via ReviewSolicitors

From start to finish we had excellent service. Friendly, approachable and professional.

Carl Gittins
via ReviewSolicitors

Very clear, concise advice and guidance, easy to understand.

Ian Jamieson
Telford

Good service provided throughout with clear communication throughout with all options explored.

Lee

I can thoroughly recommend the highly professional and supportive service received over the last few months.

Heather
via ReviewSolicitors

Responsive, supportive, approachable, clear and empathetic.

Lisa Thacker

Professional and prompt communication. Supportive and client focused.

Lisa Thacker
Jennifer M Whittall Ltd

Whenever I have had need to contact Lanyon Bowdler I have always received a fast, concise and friendly response.

Lee Mortimer
UK Case Management

Definitely would use Lanyon Bowdler again if I need the use of a solicitor.

Mark Bowkett
via ReviewSolicitors

Smooth and efficient service from very professional firm.

Tim
via ReviewSolicitors

We were particularly impressed with the quality of work, the speed and excellent communication.

Allenby Douglas Ltd
Oswestry

Very friendly and approachable. Very good advice

Ivor Brown
via ReviewSolicitors

Great Service; Lanyon Bowdler were excellent from the outset. Straightforward and easy process. I just sat back and waited.

Paul Rowe
via ReviewSolicitors

Clear guidance.

Derwin College
Oswestry

Everything has been professional, efficient and courteous throughout and we are very pleased, both with the service and with the eventual outcome of our case. Everything was first class and exceeded our expectations. Thank you again for providing such splendid service. It is really appreciated.

Mr N J & Dr S J Browne
Llanfyllin

What to do next?

If you would like a no-obligation chat about your legal needs, please contact a member Education Law team directly or complete our online enquiry form. We will be happy to talk to you.

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Gráinne Walters
Gráinne Walters
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Jemma Groves
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