Admissions appeal

An independent panel hearing against a refused school place. Free, and it has a deadline.

What it is

If a school place is refused, you have a right of appeal to an independent appeal panel arranged by the admissions authority.

The panel is independent of the school and the council, and its decision is binding.

Where it applies

Any parent refused a place, for on-time or in-year applications.

How it works

You must be given at least 20 school days to appeal from the date of the refusal letter, and the hearing normally happens within a set number of school days after that.

The panel works in two stages: whether the admission arrangements were properly applied and whether admitting another child would prejudice efficient education, then balancing that prejudice against your case.

Infant class size appeals, for classes of 30 with one teacher in Reception to year 2, are much narrower — the panel can only allow them in limited circumstances.

If a school is named in an EHCP, the route is the SEND Tribunal, not an admissions appeal.

What you can ask for

Appeal for every school you want, not just one — they are heard separately.

Put your case in writing and attach evidence: medical letters, travel times, anything specific to this school rather than general preference.

Ask to be put on the waiting list as well. Lists are reordered against the criteria whenever anyone joins, so a later position can improve.

Where to get help

Coram Children's Legal Centre's Child Law Advice service has free written guidance on appeals. The council's admissions team arranges the panel.