Almost all parents are offered a place in one of their preferred schools. If we are unable to offer any of your preferences, you will be offered an alternative school place. You will be offered the right of appeal if a place is refused.
The following information applies to community, voluntary – controlled schools and Excelsior Academy. Voluntary Aided schools have their own similar arrangements. Details are provided in their admission policies, see individual school pages.
If you are not offered a place for your child at the school you wanted then you have the right to appeal against the decision to an Independent Appeal Panel. If you want to appeal about more than one school you will need to appeal separately about each decision.
We will be able to advise you about waiting lists and the appeals process. You will not be able to appeal until you have been formally refused admission.
If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs, different arrangements apply. Please visit the special educational needs and disability tribunal for further information.
You can download an Appeal Form You can not currently appeal online.
You will be given notice in writing of the place and time of the meeting of the Appeals Panel at which the appeal will be heard. If you have good reasons for asking for a different time, you should write or telephone immediately to the clerk arranging the hearing. Unless you agree otherwise, you will be given at least 14 days notice of the appeal date.
You will be given the opportunity to appear before the Appeals Panel to present your case. You may be accompanied by a friend or be legally represented (as may also the local authority (LA) or governors. However, it is not essential you attend and you can choose to allow the appeal to be considered on the basis of the statement on your form (Notice of Appeal). If you choose not to attend, the appeal will be decided upon the information available. All meetings of the Appeals Panel will be in private.
At least seven days before the hearing by the Appeals Panel you will be sent a written statement summarising how the admissions policy applies to the case in question, and the reasons for the decision not to offer your child a place.
The conduct of the actual hearing is at the discretion of the Panel but it could be as follows:
The Clerk to the Panel will write to you and the LA or governors about the decision of the Appeals Panel and the grounds on which it is made. The decision of an Appeals Panel is binding on the LA (or governors). If the Appeals Panel upholds your appeal the LA (or governors) will be obliged to make a place available at the school. If your appeal is unsuccessful a second appeal for the same school in the same school year will only be allowed if there is a significant change in circumstances (e.g. permanent change of address).
If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the appeal was conducted, or the composition of the Appeals Panel, you may complain to the Local Government Ombudsman.
Anne Seex
Local Government Ombudsman
Beverley House
17 Shipton Road
York
YO30 5FZ
Phone: 01904 380200
Fax: 01904 380269
Email: enquiries.york@lgo.org.uk
Website: www.lgo.org.uk