Tuesday 2nd March is the day when the majority of children in England will learn whether they have secured their secondary school preference prompting the usual influx of school admission appeals. Mohammed Ali a trainee solicitor at Sinclairslaw says that this is a typically very busy time of the year for the Education law specialist team. "Already the firm has received enquiries from worried parents who seek the right school for their children". If a place is refused parents have the right to utilise the school admissions appeals process. But using the scheme requires skill according to Mr Ali who is currently being trained in the Education law department by senior solicitor and education law specialist Mr Michael Charles. "After joining the team at Sinclairslaw I came to appreciate the level of skill involved in helping parents win these cases. They can be extremely complex and the level of success I have seen working among this first class team is frankly outstanding" he said. Mohammed, being a new recruit into the asinclairslaw school admission appeals team has learned for the first time what is involved and understands that the prospects of securing success is greatly enhanced when a person has taken specialist advice. "I did not really appreciate the kind of questions that need to be asked, and the often carefully devised legal arguments that supplement the general submissions" he said. When considering using the school admissions appeals process, the case will be heard by an independent panel. It generally decides the case in two stages. A. Has the school proved it's case that prejudice would exist if another child were introduced? And B. If the answer to A is yes, do the child's individual circumstances outweigh the school argument. Parents often fail to appreciate that the first part requires answers to particular tailored questions that a specialist education law solicitor can help you put together. The process also involves careful consideration of the school admission arrangements/policy. It is worth checking whether this has been correctly applied. Usually a failure to apply the proper criteria can lead to success at appeals but in the view of Mr Ali "specialist legal help is very important" If you are thinking of launching into the school admissions appeals process contact one of our specialist education law team today - London 0208 891 4488 or Wales on 02920 706444. You may also use our contact page if you prefer and somoeone within the Education law department will be in touch.