Education Solicitor

We can help Admissions Authorities when parents or guardians appeal against a decision not to admit their child(ren) to an academy. We find that most appeals relate to Reception and Year 7 admissions but they are by no means limited to those year groups.

Appeal hearings must be clerked by an independent person, with the necessary qualifications and training. The clerk assists and supports an Independent Admissions Appeals Panel of people hearing each appeal.

Hay & Kilner can provide this clerking service and manage the wider process on a fixed fee basis.

The team can assist and advise organisations in respect of Permanent Exclusions whether that is advice on the process or the decision itself or where that decision is subject of an appeal or legal challenge. As with admission appeals we provide full clerking services for Independent Review Panels on a fixed fee basis.

Training for Independent Panels
It is the Admission Authority’s responsibility to ensure that all members of the Independent Admissions Appeals Panel are adequately trained before they participate in appeal hearings. We can provide comprehensive in-house training courses (full or refresher) to existing or potential members of Independent Admissions Appeals Panels. We offer fixed-fee packages and can deliver the training either in person or virtually.

Huge numbers of people are employed in roles related to education. Our employment lawyers can assist in managing those people and making them as effective as possible, including by advising in relation to:

• Performance management
• Disciplinary issues
• Absences
• Grievances
• Flexible working
• Discrimination
• Whistleblowing
• Settlement agreements

We also provide a fixed price employment law service, backed by insurance protection. HR Key provides a solution to the headaches faced by employers of all sizes when dealing with the complexities of employment law and the ever increasing burden of compliance.

Educational establishments hold a great deal of sensitive data about their staff, pupils and families. That data needs to be managed carefully and protected – we can provide advice and guidance as well as compliant policies.

Schools are no different to most other legal entities – they have suppliers, “customers” and legislation to comply with. We can assist with disputes arising from, for example, supply contracts, property issues and admissions.