Schools

School admission appeals

Admission process

Since 1980, education legislation has given parents the right to say which school they would prefer their child to go to. It does not give them the right to 'choose' a school.

The local authority must give a child a place at the parents' preferred school unless this would make it difficult for the school to provide effective education or to use resources efficiently.

All the available places in the relevant year group at your preferred school are allocated (distributed) in line with the local authority's published conditions (admission criteria).

However, an Appeal Panel can say that a school that is full must accept a pupil, even if it agrees that this would make it difficult for that school to provide effective education or to use resources efficiently.

The Appeal Panel's decision is final and both the local education authority and parents and carers must accept it.

By law, children aged between the 5 and 16 must be receiving an education. As a result your child should be going to school while you are appealing for a place at your preferred school.

Who sits on the Appeal Panel?|

When will my appeal be heard?|

What is class size prejudice?

Cases where class size prejudice does not apply|

Further appeals|