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Admission to school

Appeals

If your child has been refused admission to a school, you have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel. You may appeal for more than one school. Your decision letter will advise you what to do if you wish to appeal.

Requesting an appeals pack

If you wish to appeal against the decision not to admit your child into a community or voluntary controlled school, please fill in the online form to request an appeals pack. (If you want to appeal for more than one school, you will need to complete the request form for each school, individually.)
If you wish to appeal for an aided, foundation or academy school, please contact the school directly.

When will my appeal be heard?

Appeals for admission into Year R, Year 3 or Year 7 entry in September 2013 will be heard from May onwards. Please refer to the relevant appeals timetable below:

Appeals at other times are heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged. For appeals lodged after 21 June, hearings will be scheduled from two weeks after the start of the autumn term in September.

What will I be required to do?

If you choose to appeal you will need to make a written statement and most parents also attend the hearing to present their case in person. You will receive written notice of the date and venue of the hearing at least 10 school days in advance.

There are two types of appeal

If your child has been refused admission to your preferred school on ‘infant class size prejudice’ grounds you will need to refer to the first link below for detailed guidance to the appeals process:

Guidance notes for Admission Appeals being heard on 'Infant Class size prejudice' grounds 75kb

For all other appeals, including all Key Stage 2 (junior) and secondary school appeals, please refer to the link below:

Guidance notes for all other Admission Appeals 69kb

When will I receive the panel's decision?

The Clerk to the appeal will usually write to you with the Appeal Panel’s decision within 5 working days of the hearing, although this may not be possible where there are multiple appeals for one school. The school and the Local authority is sent a copy of the letter and do not hear the outcome of the appeal before you.

The decision of the independent appeal panel is binding upon the County Council and can only be overturned by the Courts.

If your appeal is successful then you should contact the school to make the necessary arrangements for your child's start date.

If your appeal is unsuccessful, the County admissions team will be able to tell you where school places are available. You can contact them directly to discuss your options and make enquiries about places at other schools. You cannot appeal again in the same academic year unless there is a significant and material change in your, or the school’s, circumstances. You may of course, remain on the waiting list for any school.