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My Power: Family & Community

School Appeals: Get Your Child In

Denied a school place? Every year, thousands of parents successfully appeal. The system is designed for you to use — here's exactly how.

How School Admissions Appeals Work

When a school refuses your child a place, you have a legal right to appeal under the School Admissions (Admission Arrangements and Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations. The school must tell you how to appeal when they refuse a place.

Appeals are heard by an independent panel of three people — they are not employed by the school or council. The panel's decision is legally binding on the school.

There are two types of appeal: Infant Class Size (for Reception, Year 1, Year 2 — where classes are capped at 30) and non-Infant Class Size (all other year groups). The rules are different, and non-ICS appeals are significantly easier to win.

What the Panel Considers

  • Was the admissions policy applied correctly? — one error and the appeal can succeed on that alone.
  • Prejudice to the child — what harm does your child suffer by NOT attending this school?
  • Prejudice to the school — can the school accommodate one more child without significant problems?
  • The balance — if the harm to your child outweighs the impact on the school, you win.

Deadline: You typically have 20 school days from the decision letter to lodge your appeal. Do not miss this.

Types of Appeal

Infant Class Size (ICS)

For Reception, Y1, and Y2 where classes are capped at 30. You can only win if the admissions authority made an error, acted unreasonably, or the decision was unlawful. The bar is high — focus on finding mistakes in how they applied their criteria.

Non-ICS Appeals

For Year 3 and above, the panel weighs the prejudice to your child against the prejudice to the school. Present strong evidence of why your child needs THIS school — medical, social, educational, or practical reasons all count.

Exclusion Appeals

If your child is permanently excluded, you can appeal to an Independent Review Panel. The panel can recommend or direct the school to reconsider — but cannot force reinstatement outright. You can also request a SEND expert if your child has SEND.

Building a Strong Appeal Case

The strongest appeals combine procedural errors (the council got something wrong) with personal circumstances (your child has specific needs this school can meet). Evidence to gather:

  • Medical/health evidence: GP or consultant letters showing conditions that make this school suitable.
  • Social/emotional evidence: Impact on friendships, stability, wellbeing — especially for children with anxiety, autism, or trauma backgrounds.
  • Practical evidence: Childcare arrangements, transport, siblings at the school, work commitments.
  • Educational evidence: Specific curriculum, facilities, or support the school offers that others don't.

Common Council Mistakes

Check whether the council:

  • Used the correct home address for distance calculations.
  • Measured the distance correctly (some use straight-line, others use walking routes).
  • Applied sibling priority correctly.
  • Considered all preference schools in the right order.
  • Published and followed their own timetable.

Essential Resources

School Appeal Action Checklist

Don't accept "no" as the final answer. Follow this plan.

Win Your School Appeal
Step-by-step guide from decision letter to appeal hearing.

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