Pupils' rights and schools' responsibilities

This subtopic focuses on pupil’s additional rights at school and schools’ further responsibilities towards their students on top of the obligations imposed on them as covered in the subtopic School organisation and regulations. See: School organisation and regulation—overview.

Pupil’s rights at school

The main rights that a child has in school are:

•
the right to an education, and
•
the right to receive the level of care and protection which a reasonable parent would give

The first one is recognised in statute and the second in common law.

The right to an education is, strictly speaking, the right not to be denied the right to education. There are no useful quality criteria against which to measure the availability of this right, therefore it is very hard to show a breach of this right, unless education is denied to a child completely, typically in the context of a homeless ...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Local Government News

Local Government weekly highlights—26 June 2025

This week's edition of Local Government weekly highlights includes: case analysis of Millbrook Healthcare Ltd v Devon CC, in which the court found that damages are an adequate remedy in the procurement dispute despite a not sufficiently serious breach; Birmingham CC and Wolverhampton CC v Persons Unknown, in which the court found compelling justification to continue the injunctions to prevent dangerous car-cruising against persons unknown; R (Ladybill) v Sheffield magistrates’ court & Rotherham MBC, in which the High Court quashed a decision refusing a recusal application; R (AY) v Vale of Glamorgan CBC, in which the court found that there is no right to a solicitor when individual development plans are reviewed; R (Boswell) v SSESNZ, in which greenhouse gas emissions are under scrutiny in a development consent order decision and Ross v SSHCLG and Renewable Energy Systems Ltd, in which the court confirmed that overplanting in solar schemes may be justified beyond panel degradation. Case reports include R (Trinity College (CSP) Ltd) v SSHCLG, in which the court allowed applications for possession orders and final injunctions against persons unknown in relation to disruptive protests conducted by the‘Cambridge for Palestine’ group; Cetin v Epping FDC, in which the Upper Tribunal clarified that an agent engaged on a ‘let only’ basis with no further management responsibilities does not qualify as ‘person managing’ an HMO under HA 2004; Mitterhuber v Hernandez, in which the court allowed an appeal against a rent repayment order as the FTT was found to have erred in determining the occupancy nature of the property required for the HA 2004 offences; R (AAM) v Bromley LBC, in which the court held that the LA erred in law by taking into account the claimant’s accommodation provided under IAA 1999, s 95 when determining whether exceptional circumstances existed under ChA 1989, s 24 and Norfolk CC v CA, in which the court addressed an application seeking to vary a Transparency Order and found that competing human rights had to be balanced, ultimately favouring the right to freedom of expression. It includes further updates on public procurement, Governance, Education, Social housing, Children’s social care, Social care, Local government finance and Environmental law and climate change.

Office for Veterans' Affairs updates guidance on veterans' housing rights

The Office for Veterans' Affairs and Ministry of Defence (MoD) have updated their guidance on veterans' access to social housing in England. The revision removes the previous five-year post-service time limit on veterans' exemption from local connection tests when applying for social housing. The change means veterans can now apply to any local council in England for social housing regardless of how long ago they left service, provided they meet other relevant criteria.

Law Commission publishes review of kinship care legislation in England and Wales

The Law Commission has published terms of reference for a comprehensive review of kinship care legislation in England and Wales. The review aims to reform legal frameworks affecting an estimated 141,000 children in kinship care arrangements. Key focus areas include developing a statutory definition of kinship care, evaluating existing legal orders and exploring a new bespoke kinship care order. The Commission plans to publish a consultation paper in Spring 2026, excluding broader reforms to care orders, adoption law, and non-statutory matters from its scope.

DHSC announces NHS funding reforms in ten-year health plan

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced the reallocation of NHS funding as part of its forthcoming ten-year health plan, which aims to reduce health inequalities through structural reform. Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, confirmed that £2.2bn, previously allocated for deficit support, will be redirected to frontline services in deprived areas, including working-class communities and coastal towns. Deficit support funding will be phased out from 2026–27 and replaced by a new financial accountability regime. Implementation will be supported by the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation in consultation with the British Medical Association.

View Local Government by content type :

News