Appealing for a School Place

Over the last 2 weeks, we have received hundreds of calls from parents who are worried about secondary school places. Whilst it is important to remain realistic - and remember that parents don't actually have a choice of school, but can simply put forward a preference - there are still things you can do if you are really unhappy with the outcome of National Offer Day.

ACE can give lots of information on what to do, but here are some of the most common Q&As:

Q: I didn't get school I want. What do I do now?

A: Appeal to all the schools you applied to. Get on waiting lists.

You can home educate or find another school. But you must ensure your child gets suitable full-time education.

Q: I don't like the school my child has been offered. What can I do?

A: Appeal to other schools but be realistic. Visit & do research - a school's reputation may be unfair & not up-to-date.

Q: The school I've been offered is too far away. What can I do?

A: If the nearest suitable school is 3+ miles away, the Local Authority must supply transport if necessary.

Q: How do I appeal for a school place?

A: Appeal to all the schools you applied to. Get on waiting lists. You have a minimum of 10 days to appeal. Youll get a minimum of 10 days notice of the appeal date. Download ACE's free booklet on Appealing for a School Place here.

If you need more details or have other questions, please contact our free Advice Line on 0808 800 5793.