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What happens if you are unable to gain a place at your preferred school

There are often more applications for some schools than there are places available for, therefore a place cannot be guaranteed at a preferred school.

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 can be obtained from us for the majority of schools (if we do not issue the forms for your school, we will let you know who to contact).

The decision of an appeal is binding on the Local Authority, the school and you.

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 us. Voluntary Aided and Academy schools requests should be made direct to the governing body of the school.

Guide to admissions appeals [pdf document]

Admission appeals timetable

Secondary school

  • Secondary School Allocation Day – Friday 1 March 2024.
  • Deadline for Receipt of a Secondary School Admission Appeal Form – Tuesday 16 April 2024.
  • Secondary School Admission Appeals will be held at a date to be confirmed within 40 school days of deadline to lodge appeal and will be held between Tuesday 7 May and Wednesday 19 June 2024.
  • Notification of appeal hearing date – At least 10 school days before the appeal hearing.
  • Deadline for the Admission Authority to submit their case papers to the Clerk to the Independent Appeals Panel – At least 9 working days before the date of the appeal hearing.
  • Clerk to send appeal papers to Appellants, Panel and the Admission Authority – At least 7 working days before the date of the appeal hearing.
  • Deadline to submit additional information to the Clerk to the Independent Appeals Panel – At least three days prior to your appeal date.
  • Decision Letter sent to appellants and Admission Authority within 5 school days of the decision being made.

Primary school

  • Primary School Allocation Day – Tuesday 16 April 2024.
  • Deadline for Receipt of a Primary School Admission Appeal Form – Thursday 16 May 2024.
  • Primary School Admission Appeals will be held at a date to be confirmed within 40 school days of deadline to lodge appeal and will be held between Wednesday 12 June and Thursday 18 July 2024. 
  • Notification of appeal hearing date – At least 10 school days before the appeal hearing.
  • Deadline for the Admission Authority to submit their case papers to the Clerk to the Independent Appeals Panel – At least 9 working days before the date of the appeal hearing.
  • Clerk to send appeal papers to Appellants, Panel and the Admission Authority – At least 7 working days before the date of the appeal hearing.
  • Deadline to submit additional information to the clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel – At least 3 days prior to your appeal date.
  • Decision Letter sent to appellants and Admission Authority within 5 school days of the decision being made.

In year appeals

  • Deadline for Receipt of an In Year Admission Appeal Form – appeals can be submitted within the academic year for which the in-year application had been submitted.
  • In Year Appeals will be held within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.
  • Notification of Appeal Hearing date – At least 10 school days before the appeal hearing.
  • Deadline for the Admission Authority to submit their case papers to the clerk to the Independent Appeals Panel – At least 9 working days before the date of the appeal hearing.
  • Clerk to send appeal papers to Appellants, Panel and the Admission Authority – At least 7 working days before the date of the appeal hearing.
  • Deadline to submit additional information to the Clerk to the Independent Appeal panel – At least 3 days prior to your appeal date.
  • Decision Letter sent to appellants and Admission Authority within 5 school days of the decision being made (usually within one school day of the decision being made).

 

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