Why wasn’t my child offered a place, but my neighbour was offered a place?
Places are offered until the published admission number (number of places available at the school) has been reached. Your neighbour may have been offered a place because their application was processed using a higher criterion than your application. If both applications were processed using the distance criterion, your neighbour may have been offered the last available place as distances will differ because it is measured in a straight-line measurement as the crow flies from your home address to the school. For further information, please contact School Admissions who will be able to explain what criterion your application was processed under and why your child was not offered a place.
Why was my child offered a school I did not put as a preference?
School applications are processed by seeing if your child can be offered a place at any of your preferred schools by looking at each school in the order, they are on your preference list. If your child cannot be offered a place at any of your preferred schools, then the Local Authority who is responsible for ensuring your child has a suitable school placement, will offer your child a place at an alternate school which is usually the closest school with a place available. Listing one school as a preference does not mean your child will be offered a place at the school.
I suspect a child has been offered a place using a false address, what should I do?
If you believe someone has fraudulently obtained a place at a school, please contact School Admissions giving as much information as possible.
How do I find out my child’s position on the waiting list?
School Admissions hold waiting lists for reception, year 7 and year 3 for junior schools until 31 December, to find out the number your child is on the waiting list you will need to contact School Admissions. Some schools keep waiting lists after 31 December and for other year groups, you will need to contact the school directly.
Do I have to attend the appeal hearing?
You do not have to attend your appeal hearing as the panel can hear your appeal in your absence based on your written submission and any supporting information/evidence you have submitted. We would advise you to attend because it is helpful for the appeals panel to hear first-hand why you want your child to attend a particular school.
Can I attend the appeal hearing in person?
All appeal hearings are heard using Microsoft Teams, if this is going to be an issue please contact the School Appeals Team in advance.
Will it affect the panel’s decision if I do not attend?
If you do not attend the appeal hearing, it could affect the panel’s decision as they can only consider your appeal based on the written information received. If you attend the appeal hearing, you will be given the opportunity to explain to the panel why you want your child to attend the school and the panel can ask questions to obtain more information to help them make their decision.
Can I bring someone to the appeal hearing with me?
Yes, you can bring someone to the appeal with you for example a friend, a relative or a professional involved with your family such as a social worker.
Do I need legal representation?
No, you do not need legal representation at your appeal hearing, however, if you do intend to have a legal representative at your appeal, you must advise the School Appeals Team in advance.
Does my child need to attend?
No, your child does not need to attend the appeal, however, your child can be present if you feel this is appropriate.
What if I cannot make the appointment I have been given?
If you cannot make the appeal hearing, contact the School Appeals Teams as soon as possible to see if the appeal can be rearranged. Alternatively, you can choose for the appeal to proceed in your absence or you may give authorisation for someone to attend the appeal on your behalf.
What if I change my mind about appealing?
If you no longer want to appeal for the school, you may withdraw the appeal by emailing the School Appeals Team.
What makes a good case?
We advise you to focus on the school you are appealing for, explaining why you want your child to attend the school and what the school offers that will meet your child’s specific needs that the school offered / current school does not. Providing relevant supporting information / evidence can strengthen a case.
I am appealing due to medical reasons, what do I need to do?
If your appeal is based on medical grounds, the panel will expect to see documents from a health professional such as a letter of formal diagnosis.
I am appealing due to domestic violence; can you contact the police or social worker for further information?
We are unable to contact anyone for further information or to verify any information. It is your responsibility to obtain supporting information / evidence and to email it to the School Appeals Teams no later than 1 week before your appeal date.
What if I need help with the hearing because I have a disability?
If you will find it difficult to participate in the appeal hearing due to a disability, please contact the School Appeals Team in advance.
Who will be at the appeal hearing?
In addition to yourself and any support you have at the appeal, there will be a Clerk from Democratic Services, 3 independent panel members, a Presenting Officer from School Admissions and sometimes a representative from the School you are appealing for may attend. For more information on who attends an appeal and their roles, please see the Your Appeal Hearing page
What do I need to bring anything to the hearing?
You do not need to bring anything to your appeal, but you must have read the school’s statement which you would have received by email in advance of your appeal date.
Is it like being in a court?
An appeal hearing is not like being in a court, the appeal is conducted as informally as possible.
What if I lose my appeal?
If the panel refuse your appeal, your child cannot go to the school. If a waiting list is in operation and places becomes available at the school, places will be offered in order of position on the waiting list. If there is not a waiting list in operation, you will need to contact School Admissions to enquire about availability as you will not be informed if a place becomes available at the school.
If I lose my appeal, can I appeal again?
If the panel refuse your appeal, you cannot appeal for the same school for the same academic year unless in exceptional circumstances where the admission authority has accepted a second application from the appellant because of a significant and material change in the circumstances of the parent, child or school but admission has still been refused.
What if I win my appeal?
If the panel allow your appeal, the school must admit your child and you will need to arrange your child’s start date with the school.
When will I know the decision?
The clerk to your appeal will email the decision letter to the email address given on the appeal form within 5 school days of the decision being made.
How do I complain?
You cannot complain about the panel’s decision, but you can complain about maladministration to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. Maladministration covers issues such as failure to follow correct procedures or failure to act independently and fairly.