Legal Q&A: School admissions appeals

How can parents appeal a school admissions decision for a state school or an academy?

Any parent who has not been awarded a place for their child at their first preference school will be given a right of appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel. If this is the case, the admissions authority must inform the parent why their application has not been successful and details of how to make an appeal. Parents can appeal even if they have already accepted another school and can appeal against the decision not to admit their child to more than one school. Parents must be given at least 20 school days to prepare and lodge their appeal.

Appeals are then examined by the panel in a hearing, during which the relevant admissions authority and the parents will be able to explain their case orally. In appeals for Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 places, the appeal panel will go through a two-stage process. First, they consider whether the admissions arrangements are lawful, have been applied correctly and whether prejudice would be caused if the child was admitted. If they are satisfied that all are proven, they move on to consider the parents’ case for a place in the school. If the appeal is for a place in Key Stage 1, the panel will consider whether the admissions arrangements are lawful, have been applied correctly in this case and if the decision was reasonable.

The panel will reach a decision in private and notify parties in writing.