Access Your Child's IEP Records - London

Education Ontario 4 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Ontario · By Daniel Roy

In London, Ontario, parents and guardians have a right to review and obtain their child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and related student records held by the local school board. Public students in London are generally served by the Thames Valley District School Board [1] and Catholic students by the London District Catholic School Board [2]. The Ontario Ministry of Education provides the provincial framework for IEPs and special education programming [3]. This guide explains who holds IEPs, how to request access, typical timelines, possible fees, appeal routes and practical steps you can take today.

Ask the classroom teacher or principal first — they can usually provide the IEP or direct you to the board contact.

Who holds IEP records

IEP documents and related assessments are maintained by the student’s school and the school board’s special education or student records office. In London that is typically the school principal plus either the Thames Valley District School Board or the London District Catholic School Board depending on the student’s enrollment.

How to request access

  • Contact your child’s principal or special education teacher to request a copy.
  • If the school cannot provide the record, request the board-level special education or records office in writing.
  • Ask for the preferred format (paper, electronic) and state whether you want copies or to inspect originals.
  • If access is refused or incomplete, request reasons in writing and ask about the boards review or appeal process.

Penalties & Enforcement

Statutory penalties or fines specifically for failing to provide IEP records are not typically set out on school board IEP pages. The boards and Ministry materials used for this guide do not list monetary fines for withholding IEPs; where a statutory fine would apply is not specified on the cited pages. Parents may rely on the boards policies, the Education Act framework and, if necessary, privacy/records complaint routes.

If a board refuses access, ask for the reasons in writing and document all requests and responses.
  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first, internal review; then external complaint avenues such as the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario or Ministry contacts; exact timelines for escalation are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to disclose, internal directives or corrective measures may apply via board governance or provincial oversight; specific sanctions are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Enforcer: the school board (special education or records office) administers access; provincial oversight falls to the Ministry of Education or privacy authorities where applicable.

Applications & Forms

Boards may not require a special form to provide an IEP copy; often a written request or email to the principal or board records office is sufficient. If a formal access or FOI request is needed for broader student records, consult the boards records/privacy page for any prescribed form or fee — specific form names and fees are not specified on the cited IEP pages.

Common situations and practical steps

  • If you need the IEP for an assessment or outside services, request copies well before appointments.
  • Allow reasonable time: ask the board how long they expect to fulfill the request and get that estimate in writing.
  • If the school is unresponsive, escalate to the boards special education or records contact and keep records of communications.
Keep a dated paper or electronic log of every request and response; it helps if you must file a formal complaint.

FAQ

Who can access my childs IEP?
Parents and guardians of the student generally have the right to access IEPs; mature students may have separate privacy rights depending on age and circumstances.
How long does it take to get copies?
Timing varies by board and volume; ask the school or board for an estimated timeline when you make the request.
Are there fees to get copies?
Boards may charge for photocopying or shipping for extensive requests; specific fees are not specified on the cited IEP pages and you should ask the board contact for any applicable charges.

How-To

  1. Contact your childs teacher or principal and request the IEP or a meeting to review it.
  2. If the school cannot provide copies, send a written request to the boards special education or records office asking for copies and preferred format.
  3. If the request is delayed or refused, ask for written reasons and the boards review steps; keep all correspondence.
  4. If unresolved, use the boards formal complaint process or contact the provincial oversight or privacy office for further remedies.
Start with an informal meeting — many issues are resolved directly between parents and the school team.

Key Takeaways

  • You have a practical path: teacher/principal, then board, then formal complaint if needed.
  • Ask for timelines and get responses in writing to preserve your record of the request.
  • Fees and formal FOI steps may apply for broader records; check the boards records page.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Thames Valley District School Board - Special Education
  2. [2] London District Catholic School Board - Special Education
  3. [3] Ontario Ministry of Education - Individual Education Plan (IEP)

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Daniel Roy

Daniel Roy

Municipal Bylaw Analyst

Daniel analyses municipal bylaws across Canadian provinces and territories. He checks every guide against official municipal and provincial sources.