School admission appeals

Each year, you can appeal decisions made about school admissions. The timetable for primary and secondary transfer appeal hearings is below.

Timetable for admission appeal hearings

Any appeals submitted after the appropriate deadline will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

In-year admission appeals will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

Sixth-form appeals will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged or, where the offer of a place would have been conditional upon exam results, 30 school days after confirmation of those results.

What you can do to appeal

The process of appealing depends on the type of school:

Community and voluntary controlled schools

If your child is refused a place at a community or voluntary controlled school, you can appeal using the downloads on the right. There are also guidance notes that you should read.

Voluntary aided schools and academies

If your child has been refused a place at a voluntary aided school or an academy, you will need to complete an appeal form provided by that school. Contact the school directly for a form.

The governors of the school are responsible for arranging any admission appeals.

Further advice on the appeals process is available from the Advisory Centre for Education (ACE).