Joanna Goddard

Browne Jacobson

Joanna has over 13 years’ experience in education law, focussing on all pastoral matters such as parental complaints and disputes, behaviour and exclusions, SEN and EHCPs, and with a particular interest in school admissions and equality law matters.

Prior to moving into education law, Joanna specialised in criminal defence for 11 years, and before that spent 7 years working in a family law team, which gives her wider relevant experience to draw on when advising school, academy and multi academy trust clients.

Practice Area

Family

Panel

Contributing Author

Qualified Year

2009

Experience

Veale Wasbrough Vizards (2018 - 2024)
Winckworth Sherwood (2012 - 2017)
Bains Solicitors (2000 - 2011)
Lawrences Solicitors (1997 - 2000)
Parker Daker Solicitors (1992 - 1997)

Qualification

LPC (2009)

Education

De Montfort University (2007 - 2009)

1 Contributions by Joanna Goddard

PRACTICE NOTES

England school admissions: legal framework, admission authorities, PANs, oversubscription, consultation and objections, in-year and sixth-form entry, Fair Access Protocol and powers of direction

Practice Note This Practice Note outlines that all children of compulsory school age in England are required to take part in full-time education, identifies the organisations initially in charge of school admissions, and summarises matters concerning the publication of admissions numbers. It further addresses oversubscription criteria and the application process for pre- and post-16 schooling. Every child of compulsory school age must receive suitable full-time education, and parents are obliged to ensure this is provided, whether at school or otherwise. In most instances a child is placed on a school roll to meet this duty. Entry to a school roll is usually straightforward, though difficulties can occur where applications outnumber the school’s capacity. Academies, while legally independent schools, are state-funded and follow the same admissions framework as maintained schools. During the normal admission round (ie when most children are admitted), the local authority co-ordinates all applications within its area. By contrast, admission to fee-paying independent schools is entirely a matter for the school and the parents, subject to equality and human rights laws, and not the admissions regime applying to state-funded schools...

Local Government

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