Tribunals Are Daunting — But You’re Stronger Than You Think

I won’t lie, the thought of going to tribunal terrified me. The mountain of evidence to gather, the forms to fill out, the deadlines… it’s overwhelming and emotionally draining.

But throughout the whole process, I kept two things firmly in mind:

1. I’m doing this for the right reason - to get my son the education he deserves.

2. 96% of tribunals go in favour of the parent.
   Let’s just repeat that: 96%. That was my fuel. That kept me going.

I want to share one part of my evidence that I think made a real impact: my opening statement. It included both The Voice of the Child and The Voice of the Parent - two really powerful sections that told our story clearly and emotionally.

Here it is...

Opening Statement 07/05/2025

"Not listened to, not understood, and not communicated with. This is how we feel in our dealings with Lancashire County Council and Nugent House regarding our son's education. My husband and I have tirelessly fought to secure a specialist provision for our son, who was isolated from his peers in mainstream school.

Nugent House is not the right provision for him. Our wonderful son deserves a place where he feels safe, nurtured, and where his autistic needs are fully met. We are here to advocate for a provision that will support his growth and well-being."

I’d like to start with the voice of the child as through this whole process nobody from Lancashire County Council has asked for the views of my son. The R1 form completed by LCC shares the child’s views taken from his latest EHCP but the One-page profile was taken from his earlier EHCP in March 2024 and it does not relate to the current situation.

“I think Nugent House is ok (although it does look like a prison) and I have made one friend called Mason there but I do feel a bit anxious when I go in as there are a lot of big boys and girls hanging around the gates. Sometimes they come up to me and ask me questions. They also said “don’t come to this school it’s shit” They also shout and swear a lot. I saw a teenager on the roof of the science block once which was cool. Mason once told me not to wear my sliders as if I did the bigger kids steal them from you so I don’t wear my sliders but I do wear my new Nike trainers, I would be really upset if they tried to steal my trainers. It is also strange that all boys and girls that go into Nugent House have to be metal detected, I don’t like that as I worry that if the metal detector doesn’t work then I might get stabbed.

Yesterday the boy who I thought was my friend, Mason said that he would “snap my neck in half” as he was having a meltdown about wearing socks. I’ve never heard anybody say that before but I imagine it would be quite difficult to snap someone’s neck in half as a neck is quite thick and soft, not like a stick that you could easily snap in half.

I only go to Nugent House about once or twice a week for the morning and my mum waits outside in the car which makes me feel safe. After, she treats me to lunch out and we sometimes get a donut or ice cream too.”

Theo Hunt 03/05/2025

I also think that the voice of the parent is important

“When we found out that our son was being placed in Nugent House we were devastated. We immediately knew when viewing the school that it was not the right provision for him. It didn’t feel nurturing or calm and that is what our son needs as when stressed or anxious his system goes into overdrive and can cause him to meltdown. I (mum) have been into the school several times now and have seen various incidents that I know will cause Theo dysregulation.

Firstly, all children entering the school are ‘wanded’ similar to a prison this is to ensure that children aren’t bringing items into school that they shouldn’t for example, weapons, sharp objects, contraband such as vapes. My son has never, ever taken anything into his mainstream school that he shouldn’t.

I have seen a child barricading the front door preventing adults from entering. When this incident happened myself and Theo’s previous headteacher, Mrs Burger had to enter the school via the back entrance due to this. Should this happen to Theo it would cause him serious stress and anxiety.

I have seen several children absconding the school by climbing over the 7ft fence and just walking off the school grounds.

Nugent House also has a lack of sensory equipment (as acknowledged by Paul Lister, Headteacher of Nugent House). Theo requires a sensory diet of activities as advised in his EHCP  and the Educational Psychologist’s report dated 08/04/22.

I have heard constant terrible language used by the older children. Language which I don’t want Theo to use.

To conclude, as Theo’s parents, we strongly believe that Nugent House is not the right provision for Theo. When this process started back in summer 2024, we viewed many specialist provisions that we were happy for Theo to attend. Nugent House was the only school we felt could not meet Theo’s needs due to it being a BESD school and not an ASD specialist school.

Ryan and Kristina Hunt

Parents of Theo Hunt