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If I do not get a place at the school I want, can I appeal?

If you do not get the school you want, you can appeal for a place.

Your right to appeal

School appealsBy law, if we refuse your child a place at the school or schools you prefer, you can appeal against the decision, except where the child has been permanently excluded from two or more schools.

Please note that you can normally only appeal for the same school once in each academic year.

Does this process apply to children who are statemented?

If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) you cannot use this appeal process.

You must appeal to the special needs tribunal. Please contact the Special Education Needs Service.

Appeals process

Appeals are heard by an independent appeal panel of three to five members of the public.

The panellists appointed to decide these appeals are volunteer members of the public, some of whom may have experience in education.

Infant classes

By law the maximum number for infant classes is 30. Admission applications can be refused if all of the schools' infants classes have reached the legal limit. 

The panel is only allowed to look at whether:

  • the child would have been offered a place if the admissions arrangements had been properly implemented
  • a place would have been offered if the arrangements had not been contrary to criteria set out in the School Admissions Code
  • the decision to refuse admission was not one which a reasonable admissions team would have made in the circumstances of the case. 

When will my appeal be heard?

The admissions team will write to you at least 10 working school days before the hearing to confirm the date.

Primary

Hearings for reception applications will be held within 40 school days of the appeal being lodged.

All other primary appeals will be held within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

Secondary

Appeals will be held within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

Transfer to secondary 

Appeals for applications received by the transfer to secondary admissions deadline 31 October 2010 will be heard from May to July 2011.

Sixth form admissions

Hearings will be held within 40 days of the appeal being lodged.

In-year admissions

Hearings will be held within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged for applications made outside the timetabled admissions process.

What happens at the hearing?

There are three steps to the appeal hearing:

  • the admissions representative will explain to the appeals panel why your application has been turned down
  • if the panel decides that there was a good reason for turning down your application, you will still have a chance to give your reasons for appealing against the decision and produce evidence
  • your child will be awarded a place at the school if the panel finds your case to be the stronger. If not, the decision not to offer your child a place will be upheld.

The appeals decision

The panel will let you and the admissions team know of their decision by post within seven days.

The panel's decision is binding on both sides and can be only overturned by the courts.

Complaining about the appeals process

If you are unhappy about the way the appeals process was carried out, please contact The Local Government Ombudsman.

How do I appeal?

Download the relevant appeal forms and guidance notes below or alternatively contact the Admissions Team.

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