Disability discrimination

Discrimination by schools against pupils due to a disability, either directly or indirectly, is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010. Schools have an obligation to make sure pupils with a disability have the same access to education and school facilities as their peers. 

The Act covers a broad range of school life including:

• the lessons themselves 
• learning materials and equipment
• extra-curricular activities
• school trips off-site
• sports activities
• homework clubs
• behaviour policies
• assessment processes
• admissions
• exclusions

What responsibilities does a school have towards a disabled child?

As part of ensuring a child with a disability has equal access to the education activities, the Equality Act states that reasonable adjustments must be made. This means the school may need to make a range of changes such as: 

• adjustments to the physical environment to enable access
• change the rules about what must or must not be done during the activity
• provide additional help when it is needed.

Such adjustments as are needed, are to be funded by the school, and not by the parents.

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You’ll find our team of education lawyers friendly and easy to talk to and we understand the ins-and-outs of education law. 

Cambridgeshire: Cambridge

Essex: Brentwood, Chelmsford, and Saffron Walden

Hertfordshire: Bishop's Stortford and Royston 

But we can help you wherever you are in England and Wales.

Call our specialist solicitors on 0808 231 1320