Hayley O'Sullivan
Hayley has extensive experience in advising schools and trusts on a broad range of education law issues with particular expertise in exclusions and equality issues. She frequently advises schools on SEND, admissions and attendance, policies, safeguarding, Ofsted challenges, complex parental complaints and the challenges social media poses for schools.
Hayley regularly delivers training to senior leaders and governing boards on an array of topics. Her approachable, straight-talking style and the way in which she brings topics to life through case studies and her own experiences has led to numerous testimonials from schools, who value her insights into various topics.
Experience
• Successfully defended the first nationally known case of its kind in respect of a schoolgirl who was seeking to bring an injunction in the High Court to force the school to abandon its policy relating to the use of masks in classrooms.
• Developed a range of support packs for schools to help bolster confidence, ensure legal compliance and implement best practice, including support with suspensions and exclusions, handling parental complaints, SEND and dealing with unreasonable parent behaviour.
• Advised on disability discrimination claims issued in the first tier tribunal against schools and trusts.
• Brought and defended judicial review applications which relate to SEND, exclusions and alleged breaches of the Equality Act.
• Regularly advises schools and large trusts on equalities legislation, including gender questioning children and the role of schools.
• Regularly clerks exclusions independent review panels, admission appeals and delivers training on all areas of specialism.