The School Admission Appeals Process and FAQs

Has your child been allocated a school place that you’re not happy with? Not getting into your first preference school can be upsetting and frustrating, but there are options for appeal.  

This article from school admission appeals expert, Louise Turner, guides you through the process of what to do if you want to appeal your child’s school place.

What can I do if my child hasn’t got into our preferred school?   

It can be really stressful to find out that your child hasn’t got into your preferred school, whether it’s primary or secondary. There are all kinds of reasons why you may want a specific school. For example, their siblings already go there; there are no other schools within a reasonable distance; or they have particular facilities that will help your child reach their full potential.  

However, as parents, if you’re not happy with the local authority’s decision, you have the right to appeal and be heard by the School Admissions Appeal Panel.   

What is a school admission appeal?  

A school admission appeal is a process where parents can appeal a school place that has been given to their child that they are not satisfied with. It follows a set procedure, usually involving a hearing where you can put forward your case and be heard by an independent panel who will decide whether your first preference of school must offer your child a place or not. 

What is the process for school admissions appeals?  

After receiving the letter detailing the school your child has been allocated, you will have a set amount of time to appeal if you’re not happy with it. This time limit will be set out in the letter, but you must be given at least 20 school days to appeal. You will need to submit information and evidence about why you are appealing and why you believe your preferred school is a better fit for your child than the one they have been allocated.  

You will then be given details about your appeal hearing, with at least ten school days of notice. This panel will be made up of at least three independent people who will follow the school admissions appeal code to ensure that your appeal is heard fairly.   

During the hearing, the local authority will state why they turned down your application for your preferred school. You will also have an opportunity to explain why you believe your child should attend the preferred school.   

The panel will decide if the school properly followed the school admissions code. If not, your appeal will be upheld, and your child will be given a place. 

Your appeal will also be upheld if the panel believes your reasons for wanting your child to go to the preferred school outweigh the school’s reasons for not admitting any more children.   

What are the grounds for appeal?   

There are no set grounds for appealing a school admission, but there are a few things to consider before your appeal. For example:  

The school’s admission criteria  

The admission criteria should be clear and may give you insight into why your child did not get a place at your preferred school. You can use this information to help you gather evidence to support your appeal. 

Why you are appealing the decision  

You may want to appeal your child’s school place for a wide variety of reasons, including:  

• They have been given a place at a different school from their siblings, making attendance difficult 
• You believe there has been an error in the admissions process  
• Your personal and family circumstances mean their allocated place is not suitable for them (e.g. cases of domestic abuse or other concerns)  
• You believe your child may experience bullying at the allocated school  
• You believe your child will not reach their full potential at the allocated school  

Evidence for your appeal  

Providing evidence to support your appeal is an important part of the process. The evidence will depend on why you are appealing the decision, but could include:  

• Doctor’s letters 
• Social worker letters  
• Police letters (for example, in the case of domestic abuse)  
• Letters from the current school (for example, in the case of bullying)  
• Justifications for preferring a single sex school  
• Justifications for why the catchment area of the school should not apply.   

Working with a lawyer will help you gather the appropriate evidence to give your appeal the best chance of success.  

Please note that the timelines around school admission appeals are strict. If you are late submitting anything, your appeal may not be heard.   

Do I need a lawyer for school admissions appeals?   

Having an expert in school admission appeals by your side gives you the best chance of a successful appeal. Your lawyer will be your guide through the process, ensuring you present the best possible appeal and advocating for you before and during the hearing process.   

At Setfords, there are two options for working with a school admissions appeal lawyer. Louise Turner offers a fixed-fee service to review your papers and offer some initial advice. She can also draft appeals and represent clients at the appeal hearing. For more information on the options available and your specific circumstances, please get in touch.