Philip Wood
Philip is a principal associate advising schools and academies. He’s known for his breadth of experience across the key issues that education institutions face, including admissions, SEND, exclusions and discrimination. He regularly advises on complaints and exclusions that have Equality Act implications across the full range of protected characteristics including sex, race, gender reassignment, religion, and disability.
Philip frequently represents schools in Equality Act litigation, including in the First Tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal and in the County Court. In 2024 Philip acted on nearly half of the total Upper Tribunal appeal cases relating to disability discrimination in schools. These include A Multi Academy Trust v RR [2024], which provides the first interpretation of the reasonable adjustment amendments to the Equality Act for schools.
He's frequently instructed on some of the most high-profile and sensitive matters relating to education and pupils. This has recently included cases related to Prevent and pupils deemed at risk of terrorism, child deaths in school, pupil stabbings and sexual misconduct by pupils.
Previously, Philip advised several schools in relation to the ‘No Outsider’ protests, relating to sex and relationships and citizenship education. He also successfully defended a related judicial review claim. This experience means that he is still called upon to advise on continuing issues in a number of schools where parents have ongoing concerns about the curriculum.
Practice Area
Panel
- Contributing Author
Experience
- Browne Jacobson (2017 - 2025)
- Warwickshire County Council (2015 - 2017)
- National Governance Association (2011 - 2015)
Qualification
- LLB (Exempting), 2011
Education
- University of Northumbria, 2007–2011
1 Contributions by Philip Wood
PRACTICE NOTES
School Exclusions—IRPs (England) and IAPs (Wales): Legal Framework, Procedure, Evidence, Judicial Review/Merits Standards, Equality/Human Rights and Remedies
Legal framework England—Independent Review Panels (IRPs)
This Practice Note outlines the regime in England and Wales for reviewing and appealing school exclusions. It sets out the legal architecture around Independent Review Panels (IRPs), including who sits on them, the process, conduct of the hearing and evidential requirements. It also addresses judicial review standards and relevant human rights issues.
Statutory basis
The statutory discipline and exclusion scheme operates alongside the common law. Key sources include section 51A of the Education Act 2002, inserted by section 4 of the Education Act 2011. The School Discipline (Pupil Exclusions and Reviews) (England) Regulations 2012, SI 2012/1033, as periodically amended—most recently by the School Discipline (Pupil Exclusions and Reviews) (England) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023, SI 2023/571—extend EA 2002, s 51A to academies and free schools. The regime covers maintained schools, academies, free schools and pupil referral units (PRUs).
Statutory guidance
The Secretary of State’s exclusion guidance is updated online from time to time. Heads, school governors and the local authority are required to have regard to the statutory guidance and the regulations on suspensions...
Local Government
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