ChildRIGHT: In a nutshell -- School admissions

Do parents have a right to choose where their child goes to school?

Parents have a right to express a preference for the school that they would like their child to attend and to give reasons for their preference. While their preference must be taken into consideration, it does not translate to an absolute right to choose which school their child attends. As a general rule, schools that are under-subscribed must admit a child whose parent has expressed a preference for that school. Children with statements of special educational needs must be admitted to the school named on their statement, whether that school has places or not.

How do parents make an application for a school place?

Parents applying for a place for their child at a state school will need to fill in an application form, which is available from their local authority. The form can be completed online or on paper and local authorities will be able to inform parents of the date on which the form is due to be returned. It should be noted that local authorities are responsible for co-ordinating applications for school places made outside the normal admission round (i.e. during the academic year).

What is an admission authority?

An admission authority is the body responsible for a school's admissions policy. The admission authority for community and voluntary-controlled schools is the local authority. In foundation and voluntary aided schools, the admission authority is the governing body.

What are admission criteria?

When a school is oversubscribed, the admission authority will adopt admissions or over-subscription criteria, which can be applied to ensure that the admissions process is fair. Parents can find these criteria in the school prospectus, or in the leaflet Information for Parents, which will be available from their local authority. The admission criteria often include factors such as whether or not any of the child's siblings already attend the school, how far the school is from where the child lives and how easily the child will be able to reach the school by public transport. Only grammar schools or schools with partially selective arrangements can select children on the basis of ability. Children in care will be given highest priority in admission or over-subscription criteria.

Is it possible to appeal the decision of the admission authority?

Parents will receive a letter outlining which school the child has been allocated. This letter will also give details of how to appeal against the decision. Appeals are heard by a panel of three to five members of the public, who cannot have any connections with the school or local authority in question.

At the appeal, a representative for the admission authority will explain the reasons why the child was not offered a place at that school. The panel will first assess whether the school's admissions criteria comply with the School Admissions Code and then whether they have been applied correctly in the case in question. Parents will be given the opportunity to explain why they think the school is best suited for their child. If the panel upholds the appeal, the child will be offered a place at the school. If not, parents can put their child on a waiting list for their preferred school. A fresh application can also be made the following academic year.

Can parents complain about the appeal process?

Parents can complain to the local government ombudsman if they disagree with the manner in which the panel carried out the appeal process. The local government ombudsman cannot overturn the decision of the appeal; they can only recommend that another appeal is undertaken. Only the courts can overturn the panel's decision.