Parents pay lawyers to fight for school places

The recession is fuelling demand for grammar schools and highly rated comprehensives among London families who can no longer afford private schools, or see a good saving in finding an excellent state school.

The waiting ends this week for almost 80,000 London families who have spent months agonising over applications for state secondary schools. Education authorities and head teachers send out letters offering places today.

Last year, more than a third of children were rejected from their first choice schools in the capital, a far higher rate than across the country as a whole.

This year, the news may be even more difficult for desperate parents. Tens of thousands of children face rejection from their chosen schools this week.

Growing numbers of parents are trying to win places on appeal. However, nine out of 10 appeals fail, so many parents are hiring lawyers.

Lawyer Matt Richards, from Schoolappeals.com, said the appeals process could last up to five months and was often far more intimidating than parents were prepared for.

His most comprehensive package of services includes drafting the written submission, preparing parents for the hearing then representing them in front of the appeal panel. It costs around £1,200.

"This is a legal tribunal with the same status as an employment tribunal," he said. "You do need a fairly detailed legal submission." Interest in his services is up already this year, fuelled by an exodus from private schools.

"There have been more people coming to us who have been hit by the credit crunch," he said. "They are pulling their children out of private education and saying, 'We can't afford the fees but I'm not taking the sink school so I want you to get me the best in the area'."

Appeals over grammar school places in particular are likely to grow. Barrister Ian Jones, from www.school-appeal.org.uk, is also expecting more business this year.

His full service including representation at the appeal hearing "tends to come in at just under £1,000".

"There will be 30 or 40 sets of parents all appealing for a place in the same school which is saying it can't take one more child," Mr Jones said.

All parents have a right to appeal to an independent panel if their child has been rejected. The panel is made up of three to five voluntary members of the public, at least one of whom will have an education background.

Ron Burrows, 64, from Surrey, turned to Mr Richards for help last year after his grandson was refused a place at a local school. Their appeal was successful but Mr Burrows said some parents had been reduced to tears.

"It's an experience I wouldn't want to go through again," he said.

"As a process overall it was disgusting. My heart goes out to parents who are appealing this year."