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School admission appeals

If you couldn't get a place for your child in the school you wanted you can appeal against the decision.


Your appeal will be heard by an appeal panel, independent of the school and us.

You should read our guidance before appealing.

Schools that handle their own appeals

The following schools handle their own appeals. You should contact the school directly for information on how to appeal.

Secondary schools

Primary schools

For all other schools the following applies.

Secondary appeals

If your appeal is for a child transferring to secondary school in September and you received your decision on 1 March 2024, you can appeal if your application was unsuccessful.

If you received your decision relating to a child transferring to secondary school in September after 1 March 2024 or your appeal relates to an in-year admission you should submit your appeal within 20 school days of being told that your application was unsuccessful.

See guidance for making your secondary school admissions appeal.

Appeal secondary school admissions

Primary and junior appeals

If your appeal is for a child starting school for the first time during the 2024 to 2025 academic year or transferring from year 2 at an infant school to junior provision in September 2024, you can appeal if your application is unsuccessful.

If you are informed of a decision for reception 2024 to 2025 or junior school for September 2024 after 17 April 2024 or it relates to an in-year admission, you should submit your appeal within 20 school days of being told that your application was unsuccessful.

See guidance for making your primary, infant and junior school admissions appeal.

Appeal primary, infant and junior school admissions

Timescales for appeals being heard

For decisions notified on National Offer Days 1 March 2024 for secondary schools and 16 April 2024 for primary and junior schools, appeals must be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging appeals.

For decisions relating to late applications notified after the National Offer Days, appeals should be heard with 40 school days from the deadline for lodging appeals where possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

All other appeals must be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

For a 6th form place, conditional on exam results, your appeal must be heard within 30 school days.

Parents will be given 10 school days’ notice of the date and arrangement of the appeals hearing.

The deadline by which the appellant must submit any further evidence is 6 days prior to the appeals hearing.

Admission authorities must submit their evidence 5 school days prior to the appeal hearing.

The clerk will send out the appeal papers at least 5 school days prior to the appeal hearing.

The clerk will notify the appellant of the decision within 5 school days of the appeal hearing.