CA-2025-002133 - [2025] EWCA Civ 1335

Lord Justice Edis :

By this appeal the appellant, “SAG”, seeks to challenge the dismissal of her claim for judicial review of a decision by the Governors’ Disciplinary Committee (“the GDC”) of the Winchmore School (“the School”) to uphold on reconsideration its earlier decision to refuse to reinstate her following a decision by the Headteacher of the School to exclude her permanently for misconduct. That earlier decision had been quashed by an Independent Review Panel (“IRP”). Mr. Neil Cameron KC, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge, gave leave to bring the claim, but dismissed it. His reasoned judgment, [2025] EWHC 2117 (Admin), was handed down with commendable expedition within a week of the hearing. The appeal has also been expedited in order that SAG’s education can continue in the best way possible in the light of its outcome. Anonymity has been granted to SAG and to her litigation friend, ERG, who is her mother.

The School made a submission to the judge that judicial review should be refused in respect of the reconsideration decision because there was an alternative remedy, namely a further reference to an IRP. The judge rejected this challenge on grounds of statutory construction. There is no appeal against that decision and it is not necessary to say anything more about it.