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Education Law Solicitors
Watkins Solicitors is a long-established, multi-award-winning law firm, founded in 1998, with a national reputation for specialist SEN Education Law advice. Our dedicated Education Law team focuses on supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), working with families across England at some of the most important moments in a child’s education.
We are ranked number one in the UK for Education Law on ReviewSolicitors, based on independent client feedback, and are widely recognised for our specialist expertise in SEN, Education, Family and Public Law. Our work is consistently acknowledged through regional and national awards, reflecting our legal excellence and our long-standing commitment to supporting children with additional needs, their families and the SEND community.
Our Education Law team specialises in guiding parents through the complexities of SEN law, including EHCP assessments, provision, placements and appeals. We provide clear, compassionate advice to help parents understand their rights and the options available to secure appropriate support for their child. If you are concerned that your child’s special educational needs are not being properly met, our specialist Education Law solicitors are here to listen, advise and support you.
If you would like to discuss your child’s situation, our Education Law team offers a free initial conversation to help you understand your options. You can contact us by emailing info@watkinssolicitors.co.uk or calling 0117 939 0350.
We specialise in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and are nationally recognised for our work supporting children and young people through every stage of the EHCP process. Alongside SEND matters, we also advise on wider education law issues where a child’s access to suitable education is at risk.
Our Education Law team supports families across England with:
Whatever the issue, our Education Law solicitors provide clear, compassionate advice focused on practical outcomes, helping parents understand their rights and take confident steps to secure the education and support their child needs.
If you are dealing with an EHCP assessment, appeal, annual review or placement concern, our Education Law team can advise you on next steps and timescales. Email info@watkinssolicitors.co.uk or call 0117 939 0350 to speak to a member of the team.
Choosing the right solicitor can make all the difference in achieving a positive outcome for your child. What sets Watkins Solicitors apart is our expertise, strong national reputation, community work, a dedicated focus on education and SEN law, a compassionate client-centred approach, and a proven track record of real results for families. See our client reviews here.
Navigating the SEN process can feel overwhelming for parents. Our nationally recognised SEN Education Law team has decades of experience supporting children with special educational needs to secure the help they are entitled to. In the past year, our team achieved a 97% success rate in Education, Health and Care Plan appeals.
We have a strong track record of helping families obtain EHC needs assessments, secure properly drafted EHCPs, and challenge inadequate provision or unsuitable school placements. We regularly support parents whose children have autism, ADHD, dyslexia, learning difficulties, physical impairments, or complex needs, and who are not receiving the support they require in education.
Our Education team is led by Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner at Watkins Solicitors, who has over 25 years’ experience specialising in Special Educational Needs and education law. Beverley is multi-award-winning and widely recognised for her expertise in complex EHCP cases and SEND Tribunal appeals.
Families across England trust us to guide them through complex SEND disputes with clarity and care. If you would like advice, contact our Education Law team at info@watkinssolicitors.co.uk or on 0117 939 0350.
All parents want the best school for their child, but if you have been denied a place at your preferred school, we can help. Watkins Solicitors has a long and successful track record representing parents at school admission appeal hearings across England.
Our Education Law team can assist with all types of state school appeals, including academies, local authority schools, faith schools, grammar and selective schools, and more. We will:
Admissions appeals can be challenging to win, especially for infant classes where strict size limits apply. We will give you an honest assessment of your case and advise on the best strategy. If an appeal is unsuccessful, we can also advise on next steps, such as complaints to regulatory bodies or, in some cases, a legal challenge via judicial review. Our goal is to leave no stone unturned in securing your child’s education.
Facing a school exclusion is distressing for both child and parent. Whether your child has been permanently excluded or suspended for a fixed period, you have rights to challenge the decision.
Our Education team can step in at any stage of the process. We will ensure the school and governing body follow the law and that your child is treated fairly.
Our exclusion law services include:
Exclusions should always be a last resort for a school. At every step, we stand by your side to fight for your child’s right to an education in a suitable environment.
If your child has been excluded and you need urgent advice, please contact our Education Law team as soon as possible. Early advice can make a significant difference to the outcome. Email info@watkinssolicitors.co.uk or call 0117 939 0350.
If your child is experiencing severe bullying, harassment, or any failure in care by the school, it may require legal action to ensure their safety and wellbeing. We help parents raise formal complaints against schools or local authorities and pursue all available remedies. Every school is required to have a complaints policy, and we can guide you through that process from drafting an effective complaint letter to escalating the issue if it is not resolved at school level.
In cases where a child has been treated unfairly due to a disability or special need, we are experienced in handling disability discrimination claims. Schools must make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils and cannot discriminate in admissions, exclusions, or the services they provide. If you suspect your child was excluded, bullied, or not given support because of a disability, our team can assess whether a claim under the Equality Act is possible.
Watkins Solicitors is committed to keeping costs fair, transparent and manageable. We offer private funding arrangements, fixed fees for many education matters, and payment plans where appropriate. Fees are discussed openly from the outset so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Our SEN TikTok channel features short videos from our Education Law team answering common questions raised by parents about EHCPs, appeals, annual reviews, exclusions and phase transfers.
Each video is intended to help parents understand what should be happening, what their options may be, and when it might be sensible to seek legal advice.
@watkinssolicitors.sen
We believe that clear, accessible information is vital for parents navigating the SEND system. Alongside our legal casework, our Education Law team regularly contributes to SEN-focused events designed to inform, support and empower families and the SEND community.
These include in-person events, webinars and online talks covering topics such as EHCP assessments, appeals, phase transfers, exclusions and tribunal processes. We also work closely with charities, support organisations and professional networks to share practical guidance and answer common questions faced by parents and carers.
Our events are shaped by the real issues we see every day in our work with families. They provide an opportunity for parents to better understand their rights, hear from our experienced team, and feel more confident about the steps they can take to support their child.
Contact Our Education Law Team
Getting early legal advice can make all the difference in resolving an education dispute quickly and effectively. Our specialist solicitors support families across England. We also have offices in Bristol, Bath, Hereford and Evesham.
If you are facing an issue with your child’s education, whether it is securing an EHCP, appealing a school decision, or understanding your rights, our Education Law team is ready to help. We offer a free initial conversation to assess your situation and explain how we can support you.
At Watkins Solicitors, we are passionate about ensuring every child gets the education they deserve. Our experienced, compassionate solicitors are here to stand in your corner and help you move forward with confidence.
Contact our education law solicitors. We have offices in Bristol (Southville and Fishponds), Bath, Hereford and Evesham and support all clients in England. Email: info@watkinssolicitors.co.uk or call 0117 939 0350.
SEN Information Week: Video Playlist
“Thank you – very useful. Have learned a lot and had some misinformation corrected!”
“Many thanks for supporting parents in this way”
“I wish I’d had this three years ago as school has been evasive”
“Very useful to meet other parents in the same boat – with kids with SEND”
“This was very useful (if exhausting) event. Thank you!”
“Thank you so much for offering all your expertise and advice. I feel so much more confident about starting the EHCP process”
“Very informative, given me more confidence in starting our EHCP application”
“Very obvious that you all really care about SEN and gaining the right plans and placements for our children, some very good information, I have attended a number of events but this was the most entertaining!”
“Watkins Solicitors are very knowledgeable and friendly and absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much, this will make a huge difference to my two autistic children. Very funny too, loved it.”
“Spot on. Should be run more often”.
“Great! Thank you.”
“Very informative.”
“Would like similar events on any aspect of the SEN provision, difficulties faced within the education system by SEN kids and their families!”
“I could listen to you all day!”
“Fab day!”
“Very appropriate insight. Would appreciate more about 19-25 process. Thanks for sharing so much information I spent hours on the internet trying to find!”
“Cornwall Needs SEN Support! So a great event. I know many parents who also have children with CFS/ME who need this advice also”
“I found this event very helpful, I learnt some very useful information”
“It was fantastic, thank you!”
“Very informative. Lots of great advice. In a fun informal setting”
“Very informative. I will be passing details onto other parents, many could not make today”
“Great answers to questions which could be asked throughout the day, very respectful of all attendees, good opportunities to question and ask for clarity on points delivered”
“Was good to be able to answer individual needs”
"I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all, for the informative SEN Information Day, at the Melting Pot Cafe in Redruth on Friday 22 September.
I attended with a group of friends and we all felt that it was a brilliant day, where we learned a lot more about SEN processes. I know it was the best presented and most factual advice and information session that I have attended, so I hope you continue with these sessions."
80% of attendees rated the Conference excellent, 20% very good!