Appeals

What happens if I am unable to gain a place at my preferred school?

There are often more applications for some schools than there are places available for, therefore a place cannot be guaranteed at the preferred school.  To assist you we have included tables in the primary and secondary 2012/13 brochures (available on the Choosing a School page) which show the number of applications received for the last 3 years at the normal point of entry for either Reception or Year 7, the admission number for the schools, along with the number of successful multiple appeals for those schools.

If it has not been possible to offer your child a place at your preferred school, you have the right to appeal against the decision of the relevant authority, (the Local Authority in the case of Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools and the Governing Body in the case of Voluntary Aided and Academy Schools)

Appeals are heard by an independent panel and parents/carers are given the opportunity to state their case in writing and to attend the hearing in person.  Parents/carers can bring along a friend or representative to support them.

Details of the independent appeals procedures and a ‘Notice of Appeal’ form for community and voluntary controlled schools can be obtained from the School Admissions Section, for Voluntary Aided and Academy Schools contact the school direct.  If parents/carers wish to appeal, the Notice of Appeal should be completed and returned within 28 working days to: Democratic Services Department, Town Hall, Darlington, DL1 5QT.

The decision of an appeal is binding on the Local Authority, the school and the appellants.  To make a new appeal during the same academic year for a school that an appeal has already been heard for, is at the discretion of the Local Authority or admission authority, if for instance there has been a significant or material change in the family circumstances such as a house move.  Applications for a new appeal for a voluntary controlled or community school should be made in writing to the Schools Admissions Team. For Voluntary Aided and Academy schools requests should be made direct to the governing body of the school.

Guide to admissions appeals [pdf document]

Timetable for admission appeals

The appeals timetable includes deadlines, dates of when appeals will be heard and other key dates/deadlines of the appeals process.