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AIBU?

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Original poster

School disability discrimination. Take an offer or fight for what’s right?

40 replies

mummy1970abc · 20/02/2024 23:50

I have been given an offer to settle a disability discrimination case against an independent school.
The offer is pathetic and could be fought against.
but I am so cross about how schools fail our kids with Sen that I want to just fight them at every unlawful turn they make.
should I fight or just accept?

OP posts:
notknowledgeable · 21/02/2024 09:25

well, there is no way at all to judge from your OP, is there. You might be in the right, you might be in the wrong, you might be in the right morally but have no chance legally - we don't know!

StrawberryEater · 21/02/2024 09:23

Nobody can advise you without much more background information. And frankly, even if you provided it, taking advice from strangers on the internet rather than your solicitor is madness.

Meadowfinch · 21/02/2024 09:20

How deep are your pockets? How do you cope with stress?

I have a friend whose son was 'managed out' of a state primary school, and then the LEA was unable to provide him with an education for nearly a year, while his mum fought a legal battle.

It cost her £60k and a year of sleepless nights but she eventually got him a place at a SEN specific school. The stress was horrendous despite knowing the law was on her side.

The rules for Independents are different, and there is no guarantee you will win. It depends on the details but I'd think carefully about the toll it could take on you personally.

Londonrach1 · 21/02/2024 09:16

I thought independent schools don't have to provide sen support in the same way. What do you want out of this..
Things change d or to just close the door on this and get on with your life...what does the lawyer say

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 21/02/2024 09:16

What’s the outcome for your child and how will the offer help your child in future?

Soontobe60 · 21/02/2024 09:16

Clearly there’s a lack of information to enable us to make an informed reply. I do find it odd though that when parents don’t get the outcome they expect they then think they should sue.
If a school has not provided what it said it would, then the options are to either follow their complaints procedure in order to resolve the matter satisfactorily, or move schools. In the case of a fee paying school not fulfilling its promise, I would expect a possible reimbursement of some fees.

LameBorzoi · 21/02/2024 09:10

Be wary of wearing yourself out in a fight that's stacked against you.

user8800 · 21/02/2024 09:07

Independent schools do not have to abide by the send cop (a reason to avoid like the plague imo)

Ime they promise send parents the earth and are not required to deliver by the DfE, LA or ofsted.

So, unless you're very rich, I'd advise against it.

KnittedCardi · 21/02/2024 09:04

It depends. Independent schools don't have to support SEN if they are not set up to do so. What was the discrimination?

Lifebeganat50 · 21/02/2024 08:38

What outcome do you want? Financial or what’s legally/morally right?

Sprinkles211 · 21/02/2024 08:34

Fight them all the way and involve the media please do not except a pay off and a non disclosure agreement. The only thing they care about is their reputation.

Hipnotised · 21/02/2024 01:32

If you settle, how does that change things for those who come after you?

VeniVidiWeeWee · 21/02/2024 01:07

How rich are you and what does your lawyer think?

Cormoran · 21/02/2024 00:06

Impossible to say with the lack of info.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 20/02/2024 23:52

Way more information is needed