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Education & Judicial Review News
Parents often ask whether they need to attend their child’s Annual Review meeting and what they should do beforehand to make the meeting as useful as possible. In a recent video on our Education Law TikTok channel, Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner...
Parents often assume that Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) only apply to children in state schools. A common concern we hear is whether it is possible to apply for an EHCP if a child is already attending an independent school. In a recent video on...
Parents often contact us after receiving an amended Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for a phase transfer, particularly where Section I names a school they do not agree with. This can be especially stressful when deadlines are tight and a new academic...
Parents often ask how frequently therapy or support written into an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) should be reassessed, particularly where a child is receiving ongoing provision such as Speech and Language Therapy. In a recent video on our...
Watkins Solicitors has launched a new Education Law TikTok channel to answer questions from parents and carers navigating the SEND system. @watkinssolicitors.sen We are pleased to share that our Education Law TikTok channel is now live! In this first...
Plans to merge the 100-year-old Hotwells Primary School with Cathedral Primary prompted widespread concern among parents and carers, who feared the impact on their children’s daily schooling and long-term support. Watkins Solicitors’ Judicial...
This week, Emma Thompson, Solicitor in Watkins Solicitors’ Education Law Team, was invited to speak at Jigsaw Thornbury’s Tuesday Morning Drop-In Session. The session brought together local parents and carers from across South Gloucestershire to...
Through this collaboration, families can access guidance on appeals, parental rights, and the Independent Review Panel (IRP) process, helping them to feel more informed. Permanent exclusions can be distressing and often happen with little notice. Many...
Watkins Solicitors were delighted to take part in Blatchington Court Trust’s Parent and Professionals Conference 2025, held at the University of Sussex on Monday 22 September. The annual event brings together parents, carers, charities, and...
Today is FASD Awareness Day, part of FASD Awareness Month. On the ninth day of the ninth month, communities across the UK wear red to stand with children, young people and adults who live with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and to recognise the families...
This is set out in The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 (SEND Regulations) under regulation 2. The definition is a transfer from certain years in education to others such as: Relevant early years education to school; Infant school...
On 30 April 2025, Emma Thompson, Education Solicitor at Watkins Solicitors, joined a virtual webinar hosted by Bristol Autism Support in partnership with Autism Central. The session was designed to help parents and carers understand their rights and next...
Join Us for SEN Information Day for Parents in Devon – Friday, 13th June 2025 Navigating the complexities of Education, Health, and Care (EHC) needs assessments and plans can be overwhelming for parents of children with special educational needs. To...
Watkins Solicitors SEN Information Day at the Watershed, Bristol – A Day of Expert Guidance and Support On Friday, 25th April 2025, Watkins Solicitors hosted another successful SEN Information Day for Parents at the Watershed in Bristol, bringing...
As a parent, you may be navigating the SEND Tribunal Appeal process without the support of a legal representative. However, your appeal will be subject to the same Tribunal guidance that legal professionals must now follow. Although the new changes detailed...
When a child has special educational needs, parents rely on the Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) process to secure the right support. However, Local Authorities don’t always meet their legal responsibilities, leading to unnecessary delays and...
On Friday 21st March, family, friends, and colleagues came together in London to remember and celebrate the life of Keith Lomax – a passionate solicitor, campaigner, and advocate for justice. Jointly organised by Watkins Solicitors and Garden Court...
Pre-Action Protocols: Empowering Parents to Challenge Local Authority Delays in EHCP Provision Ensuring your child receives the right educational support is crucial, yet navigating the complexities of Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) can be...
Legal Victory Keeps Pencalenick SEND Boarding School in Cornwall Open for Vulnerable Pupils Watkins Solicitors has successfully supported a legal challenge that resulted in Cornwall Council reversing its decision to close the residential provision at ...
If your child or young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), you may receive a notice from your Local Authority stating that they intend to cease maintaining the plan. However is this the right decision? And what can you do if you disagree? ...
