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We think a school has discriminated against a disabled child or young person

A claim that a school has discriminated against a disabled pupil can be made to the same Tribunal. It must normally reach the Tribunal within the 6 months starting with the day it happened. No mediation certificate is needed. The Tribunal can order the school to take steps, such as training or changing a policy, but cannot award money. The school's complaints process is also open.

Schools must make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils, including providing auxiliary aids and services. A pupil does not need an EHC plan to be protected. The question is whether they are disabled under the Equality Act. Claims about a council's own services, rather than a school, go to the county court instead. Where there is an admission appeal process, a claim that refusing a school place was disability discrimination is made through it, not to the Tribunal.

Claim to the SEND Tribunal: yes, a disability discrimination claim (Equality Act 2010, Sch 17 para 3).

Ways to take this further

Listed in the order the rules give them. The order is not a ranking.

Type of rule
Law (Act or Regulations)This is the law, set by an Act of Parliament or by Regulations.
Rule id
issue.school_discrimination
Rules version
england-2026.10
Law as at
30 September 2026

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