How to Appeal a School Placement

You have the option of appealing to one or more of the preferred schools you applied for, and this will be explained in your offer letter from Admissions.

To appeal read the guidance & complete the form: After Your School Offer

The Schools Admissions Code (which explains the duties for admission authorities, governing bodies, local authorities and admission appeal panels) says:

 

The panel must consider the following matters in relation to each child that is the subject of an appeal:

a) whether the admission arrangements... complied with the mandatory requirements of the Schools Admissions Code and the law relating to admissions (3.1)

b) whether the admission arrangements were correctly and impartially applied in the case in question. (3.2)

And...

The panel must then decide whether the admission of additional children would prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources. (3.3)

Infant class size (appeals for reception and Years 1 & 2) 

Classes in these year groups cannot contain more than 30 pupils with a single qualified teacher. 

Make sure that you fully explain your reasons for appealing when you complete the form, indicating clearly if you think your application was not treated correctly or in accordance with admissions law. 

Start to prepare your evidence...

• Gather evidence about your child and how they might be affected if they don't attend this school, you could ask a current school or nursery for any paperwork that might help, for example any information about their needs or support in place.
• Include documents which confirm any diagnosis for your child
• You could ask other professionals and specialists working with you and your child whether they can provide you with any supporting letters or reports.
• Find out what you can about the set up of classes in the school and whether they have previously exceeded their PAN (published admission number).
• Consider what it is that this school can offer that others cannot. School websites can be useful here as they are required to publish information about how they support children with SEND. Take a look at their SEN & Behaviour policies, Prospectus, Ofsted report and SEN Information Report.
• The range and nature of the needs of other children in the school/year/class
• Information you have gathered from visiting the school - pin-point what it is that makes you feel it is the right school, the environment, the children you saw when visiting and how they were being taught, the classes, or the curriculum/staff/facilities available etc.
• If school location and start times are an issue perhaps due to siblings attending different schools, use online maps to help you explain routes, you could think about how you can show to the appeal panel that a route is 'unworkable' for you, maybe a video of the journey at school pick up time. 
• Consider what the appeal panel may question you about, for example whether there is another school with places which also offers breakfast and after school clubs that might resolve your location or start/pick up time issues. Show that you have explored other schools and why they will not be suitable.

You don't need all of your supporting evidence before completing the appeal form, you can send this in later.